Trader Joe's Wines

Last night my tasting group had our annual wives night whereby we invite our wines and try to choose a less geeky theme. In the past we have done beer, last year we did German Rieslings. Last night, our topic was Trader Joe wines. Partly this was done to a) convince our wives we don't spend much on wine, and b) that we should. ;-) All the wines were supposed to be Trader Joe designated wines or Trader Joe exclusives (at least in Northeast Ohio). There were a wide range of wines and it proved to be an interesting tasting. On an almost chilly mid-summer night, we set up on Jeff's patio and watched nature while we conversed and ate some delicious foods. The wines were served non-blind in the order listed. Chris added the Lonz Blackberry wine as a fun blind wine.

• 2014 Trader Joe's Sauvignon Blanc Coastal 87 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  One of the WOTN and a surprise. Light golden in color. The nose has a bit of pineapple and slight grass. On the palate, slightly sweet (think demi-sec). Not much complexity, but served cold it is very refreshing. Varietally close enough. On a hot day, this would be a great summer wine. Still fresh. All for under $10.

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• 2015 les Vins de Carole Côtes de Provence La Promenade 84 Points

  France, Provence, Côtes de Provence

  Pale salmon/pink in color. The nose has some strawberries on it and perhaps some citrus. On the palate, a bit one dimensional. Not much fruit on the palate. Not much acidity either. Otoh, nothing really off here. Certainly drinkable.

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• NV Lonz Blackberry Wine 78 Points

  USA, Ohio, Lake Erie

  Probably served in the wrong order. This one was served blind. Lots of sweet black raspberry notes on the nose. Blind I thought it might be a Lake Erie Cab or some local grape blend. On the palate, viscous and sweet. It would have worked better as a dessert wine (although I don't think it was intended as that). Lonz is out on a tourist island on Lake Erie between Toledo and Cleveland. I am sure this is popular with a lot of women who go up for the weekend.

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• 2014 Caves du Fournalet Côtes du Rhône 83 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

  Ruby/purple in color. The nose has some raspberries and some spice. On the palate, thin and one dimensional. Not quite under ripe but heading that direction. Decent acidity. Worked better with a bit of food. Under $10. Probably better in a riper vintage.

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• 2014 Les Vignerons de l'Enclave Côtes du Rhône Villages Valréas Cuvée Prestige 84 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages Valréas

  Ruby/purple in color. The nose has some dust with spice and cherries. Thinner and light bodied. Raspberries on the palate. Very soft. A slight bitter note on the finish. Nothing great. nothing terrible. Under $10.

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• 2013 Viñedos Errázuriz Ovalle Carménère Marchigüe Reserva 76 Points

  Chile, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley

  This seemed to be the crowds last place wine. No obvious faults, so I suspect a proper bottle. Purple in color. The nose is dusty with chocolate, some saw dust, bit of vanilla and a faint hint of plums. On the palate, everything on the nose continues except the plum turns into even fainter cherries. Slight tannins.

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• 2011 Cantina del Grifone 1967 Toscana IGT 82 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  85% Sangiovese, 10% Cab, 5% Syrah. Purple in color. The nose is dusty with a bit of red fruit. On the palate, lacks acidity. Slightly under ripe. Some red fruit. Light tannins. Bitter finish. A couple of people liked this better than I but on average, not a crowd pleaser. $8.

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• 2013 Foggy Veil Wines 88 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley

  A run away winner for WOTN. 75% Syrah/25% Grenache. Purple/ruby in color. The nose has black raspberries, some pepper, and some spice. On the palate, there is some weight to this wine. Medium to full bodied. Good black raspberry fruit and some black cherries on the palate. Some tannins. Good balance. Good finish. I did not get the pricing, but given that all the wines were under $20 and many under $10, this is a good value. Almost everyone's WOTN, and if not, then their #2.

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• 2013 Familia Nueva Cabernet Sauvignon Liberté 84 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Others liked this a bit more than I. The issue was sweetness. There seems to be a fair amount of rs in this. Purple in color. The nose has nice cassis and black cherries. Some bell pepper. On the palate, the cassis continues but it has some sweetness and finishes a bit sweeter. At around $12, there is some value here I guess.

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• 2012 Femar Vini Aglianico Epicuro Beneventano IGT 85 Points

  Italy, Campania, Beneventano IGT

  The crowd seemed mixed on this one. I was in the camp that liked it. Purple in color. The nose has dark cherries and anise with some spice. On the palate, some found a green streak. I did not. It is quite tart and had medium tannins (more than any other in the tasting). I think this might improve with some age but its hard to say. I believe this is from Campagna, and Aglianicos from there do take time to come around as a general rule.

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• 2014 Trader Joe's Merlot Grand Réserve Lot #74 80 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District

  Purple/ruby in color. The nose has diluted cherries and cocoa powder. Also some dust. On the palate, it is innocuous. Maybe some cherries if I had to pick a red fruit. Not much acidity. No tannins. Light bodied. Clipped finish. Its drinkable and I have had worse. no glaring faults or errors but just...lacking.

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• 2014 Pasqua Ripasso della Valpolicella Superiore 85 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Ripasso della Valpolicella Superiore

  Just recently posted on the 2012 of this wine and found that just a hint better than the 2014. The 2014 is pretty good and most people, not all, seemed to have it in the top half of their favorites. Ruby in color. Dusty on the nose with some dark cherries and herbs. On the palate, there is some acidity here. Cherry fruit. Finish a bit sweet, just slightly. Good texture. Worked better with some food. For around $12, a solid wine for those not looking to spend a lot for a dinner wine.

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While the wines were not amazing, enough were enjoyable and I think everyone had a great time and hopefully the wives did as well.