Check out today's pricing and retail availability for Gnarly Head Limited Edition Grateful Dead Zinfandel. By way of background: We did a large face-off yesterday of California zinfandels, including two from Lodi.  Today, we're adding one additional value-priced Lodi zin to the mix.  This one is a zinfandel from the widely-available Gnarly Head line, in this case a Limited Edition linked to the Grateful Dead group. Inspired by this wine: Standing on the cool porch in my brown leather jacket, picking up the black cherry scent from a nearby cigar. Specs: This Lodi old-vine ..read more

Check out today's pricing and retail availability for Lodi California Zinfandel. By way of background: Zinfandel grapes have a fascinating history in California. Originally mistaken for other grape varieties, it wasn't until recent times that science unraveled their true origins – Croatia! Despite the early confusion, Zinfandel found a happy home in the California sunshine. These grapes thrived in the warm climate, becoming a key player in the state's growing wine industry. The Lodi region, in particular, became known for its exceptional Zinfandel, with many old vines contributing to the ..read more

Check out today's pricing and retail availability for Trader Joe's Grower's Reserve Merlot. By way of background: We've sampled the "Grower's Reserve" line from Trader Joe's before, including the merlot, which rated quite well.  "Grower's Reserve" is the wine series just above the level "Charles Shaw", aka "Two Buck Chuck" line, in Trader Joe's retailer-labeled wines.  Here we're trying the 2022 vintage merlot!   Inspired by this wine: Walking through the cherry trees while a big fireplace bellows thick smoke nearby.  Specs: This organic California merlot ..read more

Check out today's pricing and retail availability for The Collection wines. By way of background: The Collection is a line of value-based, mostly single-varietal wines from California, from a family-owned set of vineyards, Delicato Family Wines.  Today, we will be sampling four lightly-aged reds from the collection of The Collection! ---------- Inspired by The Collection Pinot Noir, Monterey, California, 2020: Enjoying chocolate-coated caramels waiting with a few friends before classes start. Specs: This pinot noir is finished at 13.5% alcohol and first sampled four years ..read more

Check out today's pricing and retail availability for Block 67 Cabernet Sauvignon. By way of background:  Trader Joe's offers a series of wines in the "Block"  line of boxed wines.  They all (or mostly all) hail from ASV Wines in McFarland, California.  We tried this Block '67 Cabernet Sauvignon back in 2022 and awarded it best value, and the highest rating (so far) of the Block varietals.   We're two years later now, and trying the same non-vintage label, but in a new bottling year.  Inspired by this wine: Heading towards the park with a few friends ..read more

Check out today's pricing and retail availability for Apothic Merlot. By way of background: We've reviewed (and enjoyed) a number of Apothic wines in these pages in the past, but never this merlot.  It is characterized on the label as "Untamed & Unbound". Let's see if it lives up to the generally positive record of its siblings... Inspired by this wine:  The burgers just came off the smokey hickory grill and are layered with rich, aromatic barbecue sauce.  Specs: This Apothic Wines California merlot is finished at 13.5% alcohol and first sampled three years fro ..read more

Check out today's pricing and retail availability for Big Sipper Wine. By way of background: Big Sipper Wines, sold by the bottle and by the box, trade in the "Practically Free" category of Spirit of Wine.  At their most economical, Big Sipper Wines come in a five liter bladder box with a pour spout.  They are vinted and packed in Napa, CA, but there is no assertion that any of the grapes hail from Napa.  All three of these red wines are non-vintage and designated only as "California";  today we have a pinot noir, a merlot and a cabernet sauvignon ..read more

Check out today's pricing and retail availability for Big Sipper Wine. By way of background: Big Sipper Wines, sold by the bottle and by the box, trade in the "Practically Free" category of Spirit of Wine.  At their most economical, Big Sipper Wines come in a five liter bladder box with a pour spout.  They are vinted and packed in Napa, CA, but there is no assertion that any of the grapes hail from Napa.  All three of these white wines are non-vintage and designated only as "California"; two are chardonnays, one is a white grape blend of indeterminate breeding ..read more

Check out today's pricing and retail availability for Potel Aviron Moulin a Vent. By way of background, opening thoughts: As distinguished from beaujolais nouveau, cru beaujolais wines can be serious red wines made from the same gamay grape, and appropriate even for short- to intermediate-term cellaring.  Today we are tasting an old vine cru beaujolais from the Moulin a Vent region. Original tasting and review : This is Potel Aviron Moulin a Vent Vielles Vignes, Beaujolais, France, 2009, finished at 12.5% alcohol, first sampled two years from vintage date, in March 2012. (See updat ..read more

Check out today's pricing and retail availability for this wine. By way of background: We've liked the rich, layered Meiomi style in its pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon before; today we'll try the red blend. Inspired by this wine: Working with just a couple of good friends on the old - but promising - car in the driveway. Specs: This non-vintage wine does not have its varietals revealed, nor does its "California" appellation say much about the grapes' region(s).  We can tell it is finished at 13.7% alcohol and we know we are first sampling it in November, 2023.  In ..read more