It’s always dangerous to rely solely on one’s memory. However it’s even more dangerous to have 10 open bottles of wine and try to rank them.
Here goes, from memory and my reviews, the best so far. Intentions are always good. The good intentions here are to update this post semi-often as new wines are reviewed. Some wines are going to be ranked simply as a tie because they’re so close or the memories are so faded. However, at least for the top few, these stood out from the rest.
1. Gaetano D’Aquino Chianti Riserva DOCG – 2006 – simply no negatives, a light very smooth red, Tuscany, Italy, DOCG
Aquila D’Oro Chianti DOCG – 2009 – a slightly stronger taste, but still, no real negatives, Tuscany, Italy, DOCG
Reserve De L’Estey AOC Médoc – 2008 – a very nice Bordeaux blend, smooth with no negatives, Bordeaux, France, AOC Médoc
Gonfalone Chianti DOCG – 2009 – another very nice Chianti – purchased from ALDI of all places, Tuscany, Italy, DOCG
2. Alexander & Fitch Cabernet Sauvignon – 2009 – a light smooth red, even better if aged another year?, California, USA
Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – 2008 – a very good stronger tasting red, no negatives, California, USA
Montepulciano D’Abruzzo DOC – 2009 – Villa Cerrina – a different grape, a stronger taste, but still a good wine, Abruzzo, Italy, DOC
Gaetano D’Aquino Chianti DOCG – 2009 – a very good stronger tasting Chianti, Tuscany, Italy, DOCG
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG – 2007 – Incanto – a nice stronger and slightly different tasting Sangiovese blend, Tuscany, Italy, DOCG
Barton & Guestier Merlot Vin de Pays d’Oc – 2006 – serendipity helped find this fine wine on the clearance shelf, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, Vin de Pays
Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso DOC – 2009 – Pasqua – a different process makes for a unique tasting wine, Valpolicella, Italy, DOC
3. Aquila D’Oro IGT Toscana – 2009 – a very drinkable Super Tuscan, Tuscany, Italy, IGT
Sangiovese Di Toscana, D’Aquino Gaetano IGT – 2008 – a Super Tuscan, equal to the Aquila D’Oro, Tuscany, Italy, IGT
Trader Joe’s Coastal Syrah – 2008 – a very nice smooth wine with a stronger and earthier taste similar to the Montepulciano D’Abruzzo above, California, USA
IL Valore Chianti Riserva Marchese De Petri – DOCG – 2006 – old school Chianti, neutral smooth taste with some acidity, Tuscany, Italy
4. Les Caves Joseph – AOC Bordeaux – 2008 – A smooth French wine, Merlot & Cabernet blend, Bordeaux, France, AOC
Roccalta Sangiovese – IGT Puglia – 2010 – Smooth Sangiovese grapes with a bit of extra character – Puglia, Italy, IGT
5. Charles Shaw Merlot – 2009 – Yes. $2.99 and not bad, California, USA
Trader Joe’s French Market Reserve Merlot – 2007– a lesser classification from the Bordeaux region, France
6. Trader Joe’s Coastal Zinfandel – 2007 – a stronger red with a stronger taste, California, USA
7. Ruggero di Tasso Nero D’Avola IGT – 2008 – a stronger red, perhaps just not to my taste, Sicily, Italy, IGT
8. Fat bastard Shiraz – 2007 – another mildly earthy red, this bottle had an off aftertaste, France
Trader Joe’s Petit Reserve Pinot Noir – 2009 – just not that good, Edna Valley, California, USA
9. Charles Shaw Shiraz – 2008 – an “industrial” taste sends it to the bottom, but still drinkable, California, USA
10. With so many good wines above, does anyone care what’s down here? We’ll reserve this area for wines to avoid.
Southern Point Cabernet Sauvignon (Walgreens) – first to make the avoid list, California, USA
Notes
These are all reds. My preference. The “lighter” reds seem to bubble up to the top. Again, my preference. Mostly all are under $7. Most can be found at Trader Joe’s. That will limit your search to one store if you’d like to try any of these. Although, even at TJ’s, these are not always in stock. The various wine classifications seem to have some merit. Look for the wines with the higher classification. Too bad the American wines don’t have a similar system. The Italian wines from Tuscany rock.
Tags: ranking, ratings, review, reviews, tj, tj's, top 10, trader joe's, wine
11/12/2012 at 08:05 |
am happy my gonfalone chianti DOCG is ranked tops…its a good reason to sell more…
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