Posts Tagged ‘merlot’
05/12/2017
May 12, 2017
There’s a very nice, strong aroma coming from the glass on first pour which portends a full-bodied wine. The wine is fruity and dry at the same time in the mouth. There are no real negatives. Although for the very critical among us, there are hints of things to complain about. This is a blend of mostly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, according to the internet.
Generally this wine is a love or hate affair when reviewed on the web. About 2/3 of reviewers like this and think it’s a great value wine. The 1/3 of reviews which hate this may be due to some “bad” bottles. Although my guess is those bad reviews are prompted by personal preferences. Most of the reviews were for earlier vintages. There were very few 2015 vintage reviews.
While this is not a great wine, and would anyone really expect a great wine at this price, if you’re not afraid to challenge yourself by adding some complexity to a wine, this is an inexpensive way to do that. And you just might like it. I did. Price $5.99.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Tags:2015, bordeaux, cabernet sauvignon, chateau poyanne, merlot, price, red wine, review, reviews, tj, tj's, trader joe's, wine
Posted in Trader Joe's, Wine | 2 Comments »
01/14/2017
January 14, 2017
There’s a deep ruby-red color in the glass and a hint of vinegar on the cork. A strange wet wood aroma emanates from the glass on first pour. This aroma diminished after exposure to air. In the mouth the wine seemed to change with each sip. It was an interesting experience that I suspect would create much conversation around the table as each person might have a different taste experience. Most of those changes were neutral to slightly positive. One or two of the changes were slightly negative. While not the finest example of a Bordeaux wine and possibly not even a good example, overall, the wine was drinkable and enjoyable.
Day two, with the wine exposed to air from the original uncorking and an overnight stoppered storage in the refrigerator, the wine produced some fruity overtones – for a short time. Gone was the wet wood aroma. Still present was one of the negatives, a slight off-taste at the back of the throat.
(more…)
Like this:
Like Loading...
Tags:2014, bordeaux, cabernet sauvignon, chateau mayne guyon, inexpensive wines, merlot, red wine, review, table wine, trader joe's, wine review
Posted in Trader Joe's, Wine | 4 Comments »
11/19/2016
November 18, 2016
This one is different. Read on.
There’s very little aroma when first uncorked. On first pour, the wine is ruby-red and much lighter than a typical red wine. The first sip reveals a mild semi-sweet fruity wine as the bottle claims. There’s nothing intricate in the taste and at the same time nothing bad in the taste.
This wine is all about your expectations. If you’re looking for something to savor and spend the night discussing the intricacies of Merlots and where this stands in that continuum, this wine is not for you. If you’re looking for something to have at home with dinner, or just want something to sip, relax with, and not have to in any way think about what’s in the glass, this will serve that purpose. With some mild red-sauced pasta, the wine worked well.
The key difference here, if you haven’t picked up on it, is the word semi-sweet. This is a style of wine not usually found on the shelves outside of Hungary where this wine is made. The sweetness of the wine is noticeable but not sickeningly sweet like some really horrible wines. This is a nice good quality wine with a different flavor profile. Price $5.99
Like this:
Like Loading...
Tags:2015, Balatonboglari, garamvari, hungary, merlot, price, review, reviews, St. Donatus, tj, tj's, trader joe's, wine
Posted in Trader Joe's, Wine | 7 Comments »
02/11/2016

Fort Cellars
Merlot 2012
Trader Joe’s
There’s a hint of vinegar on the cork and a medium-dark ruby color in the glass. The aroma of a crude red wine fills the air in the glass. Adding to the impression of a crude red wine is the dryish mouth feel of tannins, eventually leaving a semi-arid climate on the roof of the mouth. A more than bearable taste follows that. This is a classic table wine. A wine that’s not “refined” but ready for a tussle with a hearty bowl of stew and a chunk of bread torn from a long loaf. How would it stand up to a bowl of chili? The thought had never crossed my mind until now. Probably very well.
(more…)
Like this:
Like Loading...
Tags:fort cellars, merlot, price, review, reviews, tj, tj's, trader joe's, wine
Posted in Trader Joe's, Wine | 10 Comments »
10/10/2011
If there’s one thing that’s better than a good quality low-priced wine, it’s the same on clearance.
(more…)
Like this:
Like Loading...
Tags:2006, b&g, barton & guestier, france, french, merlot, review, reviews, wine
Posted in Recipes, food, cooking and related items, Wine | Leave a Comment »
01/13/2011
Carefully look at the picture of the bottle. It’s mostly empty. Know what that means? Someone actually drank the wine. That should be the new scale for rating any wine. The emptier the bottle, the better the wine.
(more…)
Like this:
Like Loading...
Tags:charles shaw, charles shaw merlot 2009, cheap wine, merlot, price, review, reviews, tj, tj's, trader joe's
Posted in Trader Joe's, Wine | Leave a Comment »