Whether you’re with your valentine, galentine, or just a bottle of red I rounded up my current favorite bottles from Trader Joes. Take a peak! Hopefully you find some you haven’t tried or comment with ones I’ve missed! either way I hope your Valentine’s day starts with a glass of JOY!
10. Porta 6 $5.99
Joe and I like to call this bottle “the second bottle of the night” kind of wine. Its cheap which can be scary but this Portugal red is just what you need to top off the night. 50% Aragones, 40% Castelao and 10% Touriga Nacional from Lisboa, Portugal. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and then spends 3 months in oak. The Porta 6 is available at Trader Joe’s for just $5.99.
A soft, ripe, fruity wine with just enough power to be gentle without being indifferent. Enjoy it moderately in pleasant company.
The 2015 Porta 6 Red from Vidigal Wines begins with very pleasant aromas of strawberry, blackberry, cranberry and mint with a hint of cinnamon. It gets even better after a couple hours of air. This one goes down easy and smooth but still offers up a nice bit of complexity.
9. Chateau Roudier Montagne St Emilion 2017 $12.99
Not to heavy, not too light. This Bordeaux consists of 65% Merlot/25% Cabernet Franc/10% Cabernet Sauvignon. This is rich, ripe and luscious red berry and plum fruit on the nose. The palate is soft with raspberry, blackberry, plum and fig plus capsicum and vanilla which lingers on the palate.
It’s one of those super-French labels that makes zero effort at marketing. “It’s wine–you’ll drink it, and you’ll like it.” ~ the French
8. Borgobruno Brumello di Montalcino 2013 $30
The vintage 2013, which is rated four stars out of five, was a cooler year compared to the high temperatures Montalcino has become used to in recent years. The wines from 2013 are therefore a “slimmer” version of Brunello di Montalcino, they have elegance and finesse with noticeable tannins and vibrating acidity.
7. Barolo Serralunga d’Alba 2014 $24
Usually not a fan of Barolo’s. I prefer a Brunello on any given day but this one made the cut! It feels woodsy, savory, and deep, but there is also fruit here, along with the fey floral-herbal-earthiness, perfumed as it is with fresh cherries, rosewood, violets, and star anise.
It’s delicious now, if somewhat commanding; another two or three years of bottle age will polish its edges, and it will be fully mature in eight to ten. If you do open it sooner, decant it for thirty minutes, then pair it with lean red meats, tomato braises, and rich, sharp cheeses.
6. Tahuan Malbec 2017 $12
Before our trip to Tuscany our red of choice was always a Malbec. Full body and spicy to the finish always making a great pair when we went out for dinner. This is our staple Malbec that we keep in the house at an easy $12.99.
Ruby red with purple hues, intense notes of fresh red fruit such as plums, cherries, blackberries and currants, flavors consistent with the characteristics of this varietal seduce the mouth. With every sip it unleashes its full potential of wonderfully balanced acidity.
5. Oakville Bench Meritage 2012 $20
This was definitely one of those bottles I was worried Trader Joe’s wouldn’t carry for a while.. you know what that means?! STOCK UP. I’ve cleaned out the rack of this at the store because this blend doesn’t disappoint anyone! At $20 you can feel good about bringing this along to your next dinner party!
The 2012 Oakville Bench Meritage is a bit hot and grapey when first opened but it settles in nicely pretty quick. Once it does you’ll find lots of ripe dark fruit, lots of vanilla, nice spice notes, plus leather, cedar and more.
4. Chateau le grand Faurie Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2012 $16
This is a grand cru St. Emilion; 60 merlot, 40 cab franc. I tend to prefer Bordeaux with those grapes. This is an easy drinker, tannins resolved, good color with no browning, good legs/viscosity, no sediment. Cherries are prominent.
Decanted 45 minutes and served with tri tip; good combo.
3. Educated Guess $21
I found Oakville and Educated Guess on the same visit. To me they are a great Cab pair. After drinking plenty of Oakville I started to favor the Educated Guess for a less syrup finish. Another one you should bring to the next dinner party at $20 a bottle and a great conversation starter!
It is rich, ripe and focused with juicy blackberry and cherry fruit, cocoa and hints of mint all tied together with a creamy french vanilla middle and a finish that in a word lingering
2. Poggio Vicino Brunello di Montalcino 2015 $16.99
WOW. I almost fell to the floor when I saw this Brunello for UNDER $20!?!? That does not happen. REPEAT $16.99 for Brunello is wild! And I am here for it! There is no question that you need this wine in your life. If you love a Sangovise grape and would love to try a lighter version try this!
This wine is made by Tenute Piccini, a very large producer who makes quite a few wines in Tuscany. Their labels include the Villa Al Cortile Brunello di Montalcino that retails for $40-$50.
1. Zoin Prosecco $6.99
Prosecco. The bubbles of Italy! So versatile and perfect for every cocktail under the sun. My drink of choice on any given day is an Aperol Spritz and this bottle at a $6.99 price tag is always bought by the CASE in my house. Add it to mimosas or drink it crisp and cold. I believe you should always keep a bottle of bubbly around because every day is a cause for CELEBRATION!
I hope you enjoyed my list! Once I get a new set of favorites I’ll fill you in on the must haves! Comment with any I’ve missed out on! Would love to share our findings!
