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We had a small get together with some wine friends and I decided to put two popular Napa Cabs from Costco blindly against each other.  Both wines were from 2013, and reasonably close in price.  I have tried both before from different vintages but have never tasted them side by side so was excited to see …

Read More about 2013 Duckhorn and Peju Cabernet Sauvignon – A Blind Tasting

I love a good red Bordeaux. These wines tend to really express the area in which the grapes are grown- they have a strong essence of “terrior,” if you will. The gravel and stone top soil in Pessac-Leognan is well-suited for Cabernet Sauvignon, and so red wines from here are predominantly Cabernet-based and with lots …

Read More about 2012 Haut Lafitte “Le Petite” Pessac-Leognan

It’s easy to recognize a Michael David wine. The labels are bright, eye-catching, and often feature some sort of circus scene. The wines have unique names as well, such as “Seven Deadly Zins,” named after the seven different vineyards that the grapes in this wine are grown. “Petite Petite” is a Petite Syrah & Petite …

Read More about 2013 “Freakshow” Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon

The Kirkland Signature wines are, at the very worst, great values. The really good Kirkland wines are impressive expressions of whatever they are supposed to be. This Columbia Valley blend does not disappoint. The back of the bottle mentions a unique combination of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, syrah, and sangiovese. The front label prominently displays “ALC …

Read More about 2014 Kirkland Signature Series Columbia Valley Red Wine

If you’ve been to a Costco in the last two weeks then you’re probably already aware of the latest explosion of sale wines. “Cheap Seats,” as I call them. I love all wine- let’s be honest, but cabernet sauvignon has a special place in my heart, and South American ones are usually great values. I …

Read More about 2014 Montes “Classic Series” Cabernet Sauvignon

I usually enjoy most of Duckhorn’s Decoy wines, particularly the whites, and I find them to be solid values, especially with the competitive prices you can find them for at Costco.  This Sonoma red Bordeaux style blend was $17.89, which is well below anywhere else I’ve seen it, and a good 25% below retail. The …

Read More about 2013 Decoy by Duckhorn Sonoma Red Wine

It’s been a little while since I’ve reviewed a Merlot (too long in fact), so I thought I’d give this one a try.  I like Franciscan wines in general, especially their Magnificat from ’07 which I had stashed in my cellar until they were consumed, much to our enjoyment, last year.  This bottle is 97% Merlot …

Read More about 2013 Franciscan Napa Valley Merlot

Here’s another ’09 Rioja Reserva that slightly more expensive than the recently reviewed Montecillo, but this wine brings a bit more complexity and dimension that I think is worth the extra $8.  Either way, these Riojas are incredible buys at the warehouse right now, delivering tons of flavor and fine tuned, elegant delivery at bargain prices.  …

Read More about 2009 Marques de Murrieta Finca Ygay Reserva Rioja