The 14 Hands Hot To Trot Red Blend 2018 is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 19% Syrah, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot sourced from vineyards through the Columbia Valley AVA in Washington. The name 14 Hands refers to the wild horses that at one time roamed free in the area. One of the AVAs inside the Columbia Valley AVA is called Horse Heaven … [Read more...]
Ronan By Clinet Bordeaux Merlot 2016
The Ronan By Clinet Bordeaux Merlot 2016 is 100% Merlot sourced from estates near Chateau Clinet, located in the premier section of Pomerol in the Bordeaux region of France. Chateau Clinet Bordeaux wines sell in the $150 to $350 range, and I found this wine for $8.99. While the grapes used did not come from Pomerol, they were sourced from Côtes de Castillon, Côtes de … [Read more...]
Ugly Sweater Red Blend 2021 Edition
The Ugly Sweater Red Blend 2021 Edition is $8.49 at Trader Joe's. It is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petite Sirah sourced from vineyards in Lodi, California. It is a non-vintage wine; Christmas 2022 may have a different grape blend. The information on the bottle is confusing; the back label says it is Red Table Wine, all California wine is … [Read more...]
Flora and Stone Merlot in 2021
The Flora and Stone Merlot in 2021 is a $6.99 non-vintage ALDI wine from California. An inexpensive budget supermarket wine normally does not inspire a great deal of confidence. But we recently reviewed the Flora and Stone Gewürztraminer, a $4.99 non-vintage wine, and it was an enjoyable drink. Flora and Stone wines are made by Pacific Bay Vineyards, which seems to be a … [Read more...]
Cocobon Roasted Oak Red Blend
The Cocobon Roasted Oak Red Blend is a non-vintage blend of Merlot, Zinfandel, and Petite Sirah sourced from vineyards in several California grape growing AVAs. This wine is available at Trader Joe's for $6.99, and it is also available at retail wine shops for a similar price. Cocobon is a brand from The Wine Group, which also sells Benzinger, Cupcake, Concannon, Franzia, … [Read more...]