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1. 2009 Trentatre Rosso ($6) – A long-time favorite the 2007 version of this wine has previously graced the #1 spot in my Top 10 list. I was nearly flabbergasted when it did so again with its easy drinking, rustic, food friendly style.
2. 2009 C. Donatiello Pinot Noir ($10) – At $38 retail this one is a steal (as is the Chardonnay) if you can find it. Sadly it has just about disappeared. If you strike out here I’m hearing that the Sebastopol Hills (via Alan how also tipped me off to the fact it now hails from Santa Barbara) and the Carneros Creek Reserve Pinot (from joshiemac) are worth a try….
3. 2009 Perrin Cotes du Rhone Reserve ($7) – Another long-time friend this one is from the stellar 2009 vintage in the Rhone. Bright, fruity, spicy and delicious. Should only get better with age to boot. I’ve already grabbed another six bottles…
4. 2009 Tribunal Cellars Red ($17 for 1.5L) – The downside? It only comes in 1.5L bottles which means you have to pay to play. The upside is that it delivers. Big, juicy and balanced. Perfect for a winter stew or cold evening by the fire.
5. 2011 Ferngreen Sauvignon Blanc ($6) – Another QPR winner from New Zealand that again fuels my belief that Suavignon Blanc (and Malbec for a red) is the most consistent wine available for <$10. This one is big and bright with loads of gooseberry and a dry, lip smacking finish. Sadly Angela informs us this one is also in short supply. My top thought on a replacement is the old, dependable Geyser Peak.
6. 2010 Dr. Beckermann Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling Spatlese ($5) – Another long-time favorite this is the go to wine in my house with Asian food. Light (9%abv), easy, and off dry. Just a touch sweet, with a slight mineral acidity to keep the finish fresh and pleasing. Could work well as an aperitif too…
7. 2010 Rabbit Ridge Allure de Robles ($5) – I think Erich Russell, the founder at Rabbit Ridge, makes the most honest $5 bottle of wine you are likely to find. Juicy with lush, peppery cherry fruit this one is big and spicy. If you are an Allures de Robles fan get it while you can as the 2010 production was reduced by 60% and the 2011 vintage was nearly wiped out by hail.
8. 2010 Honey Bunch Cellars Chardonnay ($6) – Of course I have to add my token Chardonnay. This one is subdued by normal standards with warm spicy, floral notes, baked apples, and a crisp citrus finish. Simple and pleasant. While not quite as good the red from this label is worth a try in a pinch…
9. 2010 Quinson Fils Rose ($5) – Rose under $8 is usually a difficult water to navigate. This one hails from Provence (perhaps the motherland of Rose). Pleasant Grenache like strawberry and watermelon fruit along with a spiced minerality. Dry, crisp and pleasing. So if that sounds good ignore the weird bottle shape and give this one a try.
10. 2010 Chariot Gypsy ($5) – Perhaps a nostalgic pick but there is a glass half full story to tell here. Sweet with juicy cherries, soft acidity and a short, spiced, creamy finish. This is an easy, simple, pleasing wine without any of the flaws you typically see at this price point. If not for nostalgia perhaps I would have selected the 2010 Spiral Wines Cabernet Sauvignon instead (which I recommend for those that don’t like their reds a touch sweet)
One for cooking for those looking to sip while stirring the sauce…
2010 Roccalta Sangiovese ($4) – Soft and smooth with clean cherry flavors, dried herbs and spice along with a nice acidity. Simple and pleasing. A perfect candidate to be the base for sauces while providing something enjoyable to sip on the side.
Plus a wild card which I was keen on…
2010 Found Object Gewurztraminer ($5) – When I first tried this I was a fan. Since differing opinions from two palates I trust (Danny and Angela) have left me reticent to add this to my list without first trying it again…
And a few special selections for those looking for bubbly or dessert…
Bubbly: NV Zonin Prosecco Brut ($6)
Dessert: NV Porto Morgado Ruby Port ($7)
I do realize selection is varied from store to store and being in Northern California I see a fair share of wines that don’t make it much further. If you aren’t finding these take a look at my list of the Top 10 “Classic” wines which should (hopefully) be available at your local Trader Joe’s. Otherwise I look forward to hearing your thoughts on these or any that I may be missing via the comments below…
This list was last updated on December 1, 2011. To check out the Trader Joe’s Top 10 archives click here.
Very nice Top 10 selections, well balanced with something for every palate and not a loser among them. Great job! Now if TJ only sold a bargain Amador County Zin…..
Love me some Sobon. Not sure where you are located but you should check out there Vicious Wines. The Zin is available for ~$9. Total Wines is the only one I know that carries it which is a bummer as we don”t have them here in the Northern California Bay Area..
Have never seen the Vicious brand here in the Chicago area, but if it does appear it will be hard to miss!
Too bad…..for both of us. I just spent an hour typing a reply to your “Top 10″ list and it turns out everything was lost because I apparently shouldn’t have entered the “Captcha code” before I began typing…Had “insider’s info”, agree/disagree points, and input/observations from Washington State. Since I type with one finger (I have all ten; just don’t use the “extras”), I guess I took too long. Nice blog…My friend just pointed me to your blog as I’m always giving input at a store level to folks within my immediate proximity as well as rather distant locales. He keeps goading me to create a blog which I’ve neither the time nor inclination to do. I work at a TJ’s on weekends to get out of the house and do all the ordering for that store and, as a result, I have to taste everything I bring in to make notes for the Crew for when I’m not there.
Anyway, I’ll not redo the original text and will be better-prepared to make comments prior to entering the frikkin CAPTCHA code.
All the best,
Some kinada TJ’s wine guy
Hello from another WA TJ’s person – one way to get around the webpage timing out if you type slowly is to type it (your comments) all in another program, copy it, and then paste it into the webpage when you’re all done. It shouldn’t make a difference if you type your comments before or after entering the captcha code (I’ve done it both ways successfully). Looking forward to your input!
Thanks for the detailed list! I usually go in a bit blind to TJ’s but will check out some of your recommendations…
Hiya,
I think I remember reading that Total Wine is planning on make inroads into the Bay Area starting sometime soon according to Shaken Daily.
Concord perhaps? I believe they’re already in Sacto.
Also folks, if you’d like to see our buyers find something, please e-mail them.
They listen to direct comments from the customer much more than things from the store level. However, you need to remember that the wineries involved need to be able to make things in the quantities we need at the price we want so you can pay the price you want. Not an easy task.
Great blog! So, I’m new to drinking wine (gasp, I know) and wondered what you would pair with chili? I like both red and white wine, but tend to stay away from any that are too dry.
L.M., I don’t think you can lose if you pair your chili with a sparkling wine–like the $6 Non-Vintage Zonin Prosecco Brut recommended by Jason. Good luck!
Thank you, Danny! I’ll give that a try :)
@LM: I’m not sure these are available in your area but if you prefer your wines on the fruitier side, perhaps you might want to try Cocobon ($6.99) with your chili. Mostly Zin with a little Cab Franc if I remember correctly and my customers love it.
Also, if your a fan of dark & chewy beers, the TJ’s Vintage Ale ($4.99) is a classic combo with this meal. I’m a chili head of sorts and we’ll be making a batch on Friday using the Boatswain Chocolate Stout. I’ll let y’all know how it turns out.
I’d go for the Rabbit Ridge Allure de Robles with a nice spicy chilli!!
Any TJ’s folks have quantity info and/or feedback on the new New Zealand offerings by Seismic? There’s a pinot and SB that just arrived. Tried the SB and it seemed like a good replacement to the Ferngreen. Will this be around for a while or is it a hustle buy?
I tried a bottle of Trentatre and picked up a candied-fruit nose that I associate with a heavy hand on the sulfite preservatives. Anyone else catching this? Seemed like a fine picnic wine, but not very serious.
Any thoughts on the 2010 Trentatre Rosso? I just picked up a bottle and thought it was pretty good… Granted I’m no wine expert. I did like it better than the 2010 Chariot Gypsy though.
I liked the 2010 Trentatre. While I found 2009 to have a lot of vegetable aromas, there’s only a hint of that and plenty of fruit this time. Not as soft and sweet as 2008. 2007 will probably remain the most structured and complex, but no shame in second place for 2010.
I find that in Arizona we do NOT get all the wines (popular wineries, boutique, etc) thst you get in Calif. Wish we did. But will print out your recommendatioms an do some serious looking. We do “Calif”coast thru Temucla about every 2 years and bring back cases to stock up. We are realy into Chilean wines and our TJ has done a fair job stocking.
Howdy all,
Hope everyone is having a Happy New Year.
The Boatswain Chocolate Stout was just the thing for chili, yum!
@Janet: See if your store has access to the latest TJ’s Reserve Chilean Red Blend: Petit Verdot & Cab Franc. Very interesting, bright on the tongue and a hit with Crew at our last Tasting.
Attn: Pinot Noir fans, we’ve got a lot in the house right now.
2010 County Fair (Santa Lucia Highlands): Bright friut, medium-bodied, easy drinking: $9
2007 Carneros Creek (Carneros): A little funkier, a bit more weight and barrel spice: $9
TJ’s Grand Reserve Russian River: Really smooth going down, classic for the area, Crew really liked this one as well: $13
2009 Lady Slipper( Carneros): De-lic-ious! Bigger, better, loved it at the Wine Bar a few months ago, glad to see it cheaper: $19 (usually 22-25+)
Getting the Picton Bay in tonight: $8, will report back later
We wished we had bought CASES of the Donatiello 2008 Russian Valley Pinot Noir! It was recommended and I only bought 4 bottles! Big Mistake! Excellent wine!!!
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Hey Jason, any idea if Trader will ever have another offering from Henrys Drive Austraila again? Thanks great list… out to look at the store inventory – Michigan