Each week we post our favorite bargain wines we had tasted during the previous week. These are wines that we had purchased from various stores on the San Francisco Peninsula. Each week our Vintage Wine Club suggests wine for this list. Here are the most interesting picks for January 16.
Clos de Chacras’s 2008 Cavas de Crianza $12.99 at KL Wines and The Wine Stop – Joe’s Pick
This is a terrific deal for this wonderful blend from Mendoza in Argentina. It is 40% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 30% Merlot. I found this wine to be loaded with plum and spice characteristics, and it leaves a beautiful texture in the mouth. It has a great finish and all this for a measly $12.99. I think it will go great with a juicy steak. Robert Parker gives it 91 points, I will go with an easy 89 Points. It’s a true bargain wine!
Blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot
Cameron Hughes 2009 North Coast Zinfandel – $8 Costco Redwood City – Mike’s Pick
The North Coast Zin is a delight to drink, very balanced and not one of those big heavy and clumsy Zins. This one is full of berries and very mild tannins. It has good acidity and is therefore a nice food-friendly wine. We had it with ham and it was a perfect match. I think it is a great buy in quality Zin at only $8 a bottle. It is prime drinking through 2012 and perhaps longer. 87 Points
Robert Mondavi 2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – $17-$20 various stores -Joe’s Pick
This is one of the very few samples I receive from wine companies or distributors. The Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabs have always been my favorites as a best buy for a true quality Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley, and this one is no different. I love the aroma and lingering aftertaste of this wine. To me it has those true Cabernet flavors that I enjoy so much. The 2008 is still in the stores so I am not sure when the 2009 will become available, but it is a true delight and I will certainly add some to my cellar. Usually Costco gets a truckload of this wine and often has it on sale for around $16. The Robert Mondavi Website lists the 2008 wine at $28 a bottle. I rate this 2009 wine at 90 Points.
Wine News
My local wine shop proprietor, Gerald Weisel of Weimax, got some nice PR in the Saturday Wall Street Journal by wine journalist Lettie Teague. Click here for the article.
We have two winners for the GCV Zinfandel Festival contest. Robert L. and Michael each win a pair of tickets to one of the ZAP events. The Grand Tasting on Saturday is a wonderful way of discovering Zinfandel wines. Over 400 wineries will be pouring Zinfandel wines at this event. More Info.
