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Thursday, December 28, 2006

2005 Trader Joe’s Chilean Collection Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot (65/35)


We visited Trader Joe’s today and I decided it would be fun to pick up a few bottles of cheap wine (all $4) and see how they hold up. This one was $3.99, just $1 more than Charles Shaw...how does it compare, you ask?

Oak and spice–cinnamon mainly–on the nose.

The palate brings blackberry and a fair amount of oak. There are no fun subtleties which is really what I have begun to enjoy. It is very smooth and has no alcohol bite at all.

No real finish, some oak and a touch of fruit linger, but it fades quickly and isn’t terribly interesting.

This is light years ahead of Charles Shaw, I can tell you that much.

If I had to compare this to anything I’d say it’s at the same quality level, though very different in flavor, of the Sutter Home Cabernet Sauvignon we reviewed not long ago which goes for around $5. Simple and inoffensive....fine for a large party, but really not for serious wine fans.

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