This is a series of weekly bargain wine picks by the members of the Vintage Wine Tasting Club. We meet every other month for a formal tasting session but in between we communicate with each other whenever we discover a great wine bargain. We love the sport of bargain wine hunting. Here are our bargain wine picks from the past week.
Castlewood Grove, 2009 Carignane 2009, Mendocino $6.99 – Bruce’s Pick
I picked this up in the Burlingame’s Lunardi’s Market so I am assuming it is stocked in all their stores. They normally price this wine at $9.99. This wine is ready to drink now but will age a few years. As I drank this wine, I felt like I was drinking a Southern Rhone with just a little more body but without the character of the blended Rhone’s. I give this wine 85/86 points and at $6.99, a very good buy.
King Estate Pinot Gris 2009 $12.99 – Joe’s Pick
This Pinot Gris from King Estate in Oregon delivers year after year and always seems to get top ratings from all the wine publications. This is a great summer wine and a little more like the Alsatian varietals of Pinot Gris from other domestic producers. It has nice acidity and lovely subtle citrus flavors. Costco has a great deal on this wine at $12.99; normal price is $17. This wine is on our Summer White Wine recommendations.
Evergreen Vineyards 2008 Pinot Gris, Spruce Goose Vineyards $5.99 – Mike’s Pick
Sorry to say, this wine might be sold out by the time you read this review. The Grocery Outlet in Redwood City had ten cases left as of last Saturday. This wine has a Lovely round-mouth feel and is balanced with fruit and acidity. It has rich aromas of peach, lime and melon. This is an excellent example of Oregon Pinot Gris and it can stand along the big boys. Read more on this bargain wine.
In the Nothing to Write Home About category
Trader Joe’s 2009 Reserve Garnacha $9.99 – Joe
Too much alcohol, spice, and vanilla for my palate. The price is not bad at $9.99 but you can do much better spending your $10 on wines in the same price category. This wine is from Spain from 80 to 120-yr-old vines. It was produced by Bodega Virgen De La Sierra.
Don’t forget the BevMo 5 Cent Sale is on. We have a few recommendations among the 200 wines offered in this sale.
Spruce Goose sounds so yummy!! Wish I have gotten to it before it was all gone.