2007 San Greal Red Supper Wine - $6.99

Big berry flavor with a good tannic bite.

thumbs up - 77

2009 La Finca Malbec - $3.99

Swirl as I might, I get absolutely nothing on the nose. Mellow, slightly tannic taste of beets and plum. Could probably use more decanting than the two hours I gave it. Serviceable, especially for a $4 wine, but you can do better.

thumbs down - 73

2008 Castle Rock Mendocino County Pinot Noir - $9.99

For such a young pinot, this wine was quite the surprise. To start, it's a bit darker in color than your average pinot and just barely light enough to pass the can-I-see-my-fingers-through-it test. The nose is wonderful with a hint of smoke and a load of bacon. Flavor wise, its on the bigger side of things with rich plum and dark berry flavors. On the finish, I get what can only be described as apricot fruit leather. By far, the best Pinot Noir I've had from Trader Joe's under $10.

thumbs up - 89

2008 Vin-Koru Sauvignon Blanc - $5.99

Proposed by the nice new wine lady at my local Trader Joe's as a cheaper version of the King Shag, that's exactly how this feels. Similarly fruity and tropical on the nose and citrusy and acidic in taste... but something here feels hollow and generic. Spend the extra $2 and get the King Shag.

thumbs down - 71

2008 Contadino Pinot Grigio - $4.99

With some unexpected bubbles on the pour, this light colored white wine hits the nose with loads of toasted coconut and toasted pineapple, like a relaxing Hawaiian vacation. Tropical on the tongue as well with both lemony and acidic flavors.

thumbs up - 87

2008 Picton Bay Pinot Noir - $7.99

Nothing special here. The search continues for another sub-$10 Pinot to compete with the Mission Point.

thumbs down - 70

2007 Dr. Jebediah Drinkwell's Meritage - $6.99

Pepper, pepper, pepper. Black pepper, green pepper, roasted red pepper... all sorts of peppers. And dry. With good tannins, a healthy chunk of dark fruit and a long finish.

60% Cabernet Franc, 27% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot.

thumbs up - 89

2007 Cellier du Rhône Côtes du Rhône white - $5.99

This wine hits a bit sweet on the palette right after being opened, but by day two it's dried up a bit. Strange. Hints of spearmint on the nose. Some green apple flavor hiding here. A passable wine, but nothing mind blowing.

thumbs down - 72

2007 Epicuro Aglianico - $5.99

Tart. Funky. Blackberry. Nose like a barnyard. Not bad enough to put down. Not good enough to go back for a refill. Though others have raved of previous vintages, this one's not for me.

thumbs down - 70

2008 Trader Joe's Chenin Blanc - $4.99

Green apple on the nose. Nice weight and body in the mouth, but a bit hot on the finish. Don't recall the taste too much, but it wasn't offensive, and that's as much as I hope for these days from wines made from organic grapes. I approve for now, but I'm getting another bottle to double check myself.

thumbs up - 75

2008 La Granja 360 Tempranillo - $3.99

Reviewing the bottom of the bottle after having it been open and VacuVin sealed for a couple days reveals the following: A great deep ruby color (which is not at all showcased by my backlight heavy picture). Earthy nose with a solid dose of black licorice. Dry and slightly tannic on the tongue. Feint taste of stale cinnamon and cocoa, but in a good way. A definite bargain that I'll be buying again soon.

thumbs up - 76

2007 Château Auguste Bordeaux - $7.99

The weather was real hot and I didn't feel well... and this bottle still ended up empty. For me and cheap TJ's Bordeaux, that's a rarity. If you're more of a fan of Bordeaux than I (that should be most everyone), give this a try.

thumbs up - 87

2006 Aquila D'oro Toscana - $3.99

Another endcap disaster. I snagged this from below the shiny display on my way to a family vacation thinking it was the Archero Nero d'Avola that I'd enjoyed a number of times before. Not the case. Acidic, lackluster, all around unenjoyable.

thumbs down - 68

2007 Louis Vergé Morgon "Les Pierres Fines" - $5.99

Light color, tight nose bitter/acidic/lightly tannic taste. A bargain for sure, but there's a price to be paid.

thumbs down - 70

✉ 2006 Trader Joe's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - $9.99

I am at a dinner party right now, emailing in a blog post, telling you
to go get this bottle of wine. Heck, get two. You won't be sorry.

thumbs up - 91

2007 Archero Nero d'Avola - $4.99

This is my running favorite Italian wine from Trader Joe's. It's cheap, light, fruity and fantastic. And, it goes great with every type of Italian food I've thrown at it.

thumbs up - 85

✉ 2004 The Mutts Nuts Shiraz - $6.99

Sometimes I find myself at Trader Joe's, face to face with a wine I've
tried but not reviewed here on TJWC. Since I can't visit every store
to place secret warning notes near the junk, nor do I want to spend
another $7 to detail the reasons to avoid this wine, perhaps this
whole slapdash/quickie/onsite review thing will work.

thumbs down

2007 Cellier du Rhône Côtes du Rhône rosé - $5.99

This rosé starts off smelling like wonder bread. Once in the mouth, it's got a punchy, acidic start - but not much real flavor. The finish, a bright spot with this wine, is quite long and full of strawberry flavors with just a hint of raspberry. Other small positives include the wine's dryness and great deep pink/copper color, but it's just not enough.

thumbs down - 73

2006 Mission Point Pinot Noir - $8.99

Nice nose of dark berry and black cherry with just a hint of tobacco. The taste is plummy and peppery, but vanishes quickly on the finish. The color and mouthfeel are a bit heavier than your typical pinot, but there's nothing wrong with that in my book.

thumbs up - 85

2008 Marqués de Cáceres Rioja - $9.99

Gorgeous deep ruby color. Yeasty and floral on the nose. Taste is delicate, dry and delicious with hints of baby strawberries. Light and fruity in the front, good hit of acid on the finish.

If you try only one rosé from Trader Joe's, make it this one.

thumbs up - 89