Tapiz Merlot tops our weekly bargain wine picks

This is a series of weekly bargain wine picks by the members of the Vintage Wine Tasting Club. This week we post with our weekly picks a day earlier then scheduled for a couple of reasons. One, we have two wines that are part of the BevMo 5-Cent Sale and that ends this Monday, July 18, 2011. Secondly, I am heading off to the Wine Bloggers’ Conference in Charlottesville, Virginia, to learn how to become a better wine blogger. I hope that happens. At any rate, here are the Vintage Wine Club picks of the week.

Tapiz Merlot – 2008 (BevMo – $ 14.99 + 5¢ for a 2nd bottle) – Ray’s Pick
This Argentinian Merlot from the Mendoza area is not Aunt Tillie’s wimpy Merlot. At 13.8% alcohol, it has a full nose and a rich, satisfying body to it. For those of you who have eschewed Merlot as a red wine choice, this might be the reason to revisit. At under $8 a bottle, well worth a sampling (if not a case). The BevMo sale ends this Monday. The regular price will be back to its normal “Club Bev” of around $11.99 or less. Mike and Joe also like the Tapiz Merlot. 89 Points.

Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 ($13.59 – Costco) – Jim’s Pick
This wine was the second favorite of our Chianti Taste Off this past week. The winning wine is priced at $21 and this one at Costco is $13.59. The scoring was close so this is a great price for this wonderful tasting Chianti wine. The aromas are lovely, the acidity just right, and the finish long and full. This is the perfect wine for your delicious tomato based pasta sauce. 88 Pts.

Donovan-Parke Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Reserve 2008 (BevMo – $23.99 + 5¢ for the 2nd bottle) Mike’s Pick
Lovely warm flavors of berry and earth with a touch of oak. Medium body with a polished finish and very good acidity, which makes it fun to drink glass after glass. Drink over the next two/ three years. Excellent buy at this price. When the BevMo sale ends this wine is likely to be around $14 – $15. 87 Points

In the Nothing to Write Home About category

Cameron Hughes Lot 219 Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyards 2009 ($14.99 Costco)
Even though this wine is made with grapes from the famed Monte Rosso Vineyards in Sonoma Valley we say don’t bother with this big, over-oaked, too full-bodied Zinfandel. Find something more relaxed and food friendly like the Dry Creek Vineyards Zinfandel for the same price at many wine shops.