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.
VdP d’Oc Syrah Grenach, Laurent Miquel 2009 – $10.00 Recommended by Bruce
This wine is a blend of Syrah 75% and Grenache 25% from the Languedoc region in the South of France. There are a number of good value wines in this region and this one is a good example. It has a red berry and cocoa taste. The finish is smooth but not necessarily long. It is a good buy at $10. It is sold at the Vineyard Gate in Millbrae, CA.
Côtes-du-Rhônes Rouge “il fait soif,” 2009 – $16.00 Recommended by Bruce
This is an interesting wine and a good buy at this price, also at the Vineyard Gate wine shop. It is a fruity wine with loads of strawberry and raspberry. The color is a deep red. This wine has a great finish to it.
Viña Cobos 2009 Malbec – $16.99 Recommended by Joe
Paul Hobbs is one of the elite winemakers in California and his wines are on the expensive end of the spectrum and in high demand. But at his winery in Mendoza, Argentina, he is producing the Felino family of wines that are much more affordable. The Malbec is one of four wines under this label. This wine is delicious and beautifully made. The best way I can describe this wine is elegant. I am anxious to try the other three Felino wines: a Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. You might be surprised that these varietals are being produced in Mendoza. The climate at the higher elevations has made this possible. We will be seeing a lot more varietals from Mendoza as these new vineyard plantings mature. I purchased this wine at The Wine Stop in Burlingame for $16.99, but I see it is available online and at several wine shops for between $16 and $19. I rate it at 89 points. W.E. 91 points. 21,000 cases of this wine were made and I can only surmise these wines will sell quickly at this price.
Nothing to Write Home About
These are wines we tried during the past week that don’t interest us enough to try or buy again.
Lockwood 2008 Syrah. This wine is $6 at Trader Joe’s. According to Mike, this wine is a pass, even at the low price of $6. Nothing stands out about this wine.
I wonder if you tried/have an opinion on 2008 Trader Joe’s Reserve Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon? I believe is 9.99 or 8.99.
My wine experience is rather limited but it does seem decent – nice nose & substantial mouthfeel. Definitely tastes like a cab (esp. compared t0 some $5-6 dollar wines I tried from TJ).
Thanks for your notes on the wine. I have not seen this wine but one of us will surely try it. Dry Creek is noted for its Zinfandel and often under rated for its Cabernet.
Bruce is spot-on with his Laurent Miquel recommendation. Just opened a bottle with dinner tonight and found it to be a spectacular table red – especially at the price!