2012 Beaulieu Vineyards Coastal Estates Pinot Noir, California

Still on my quest to find Pinot Noir that tastes like Pinot and is value priced under $10.  This Coastal Estates comes pretty close.  It's widely available and $8.99 at Trader Joe's.  Hint of cherries and chalk on the nose, light bodied, plummy berries and just a touch of elegance.

We had it with grilled tuna with sriracha mayo, mushroom risotto, & steam broccoli with blue cheese dressing.   The sriracha mayo was a hit:  Put 3 T. mayo in a bowl, then stir in 1 t. EACH of sriracha, ketchup, toasted sesame oil, & lime juice.  Some heat, but didn't overpower the tuna.

2013 Sauvignon Republic Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough (NZ)

 

2013 sounds like it's very fresh, doesn't it?  But remember that NZ harvests its grapes six months ahead of our Northern Hemisphere grapes.  This is 7.99 at Trader Joe's. and a good representation of Marlborough fruit.  Some acidity, refreshing tropical fruit, lovely nose.  Not so focused on grapefruit as some.

 

We had a light supper of steamed asparagus wrapped in proscuitto, topped with a poached egg, then some peppery bearnaise.  Asparagus is often a tough match for wine, and Sauvignon Blanc should be your first pick.

2012 Mollydooker "The Boxer" Shiraz, South Australia

I chose this big Shiraz from Mollydooker ($68 on restaurant list) on my son's recommendation.  Having steak at Ruth's Chris, we wanted something fun and bold.  This certainly did it, with chocolate, plum & spice, and loads of ripe blue and blackberries.

2011 Trader Joe's Petit Reserve Mourvedre, Paso Robles (California)

 I keep finding interesting wine at Trader Joe's.  Mourvedre is rarely bottled by itself, it's more at home with the big three of the Rhone & Australia, GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre).  Paso Robles is hot and sunny, with cool nights - sometimes you see a 50 degree difference between night and day - and the grapes love it.  This 2011 ($7.99) is a deep inky purple, big mouthful of juice, and just enough tannins to bring out the best in the beef.

We had it with grilled trip-tip, scalloped potatoes, steamed broccoli & a multigrain baguette.

2012 Coppola Rosso, California

 Coppola Rosso is a light, fruity, everyday sort of red, and easy on the wallet, too, at Trader Joe's for $7.99  We had it with BBQ chicken, steamed broccoli, and bacon-cheese cornbread.

2013 Picton Bay Pinot Noir, South Island, New Zealand

New Zealand has become known for its Pinot Noirs, and the quality gets better all the time.  I chose this one from Trader Joe's at $7.99, and was pleasantly surprised that even at this price point it has cherry-berry flavors and some minerality.  And they shipped it from NZ!  We had it with grilled pork tenderloin, haricot verts with bacon & garlic, shoestring potatoes, and a multigrain ciabatta.

2012 Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi, California

Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin has big, bold flavors without being tannic or hot from alcohol.  At $7.99 (from Total Wine) its hard to find anything comparable.  We had it with "make your own soft taco" night, grilled flat iron steak, cheese, avocado, grilled onions and red peppers.

2012 Borsao Garnacha, Campo de Borja, Spain

 Spanish garnacha is our go-to wine both for groups and for an casual supper.  Big fruit, tastes of plum jam and red berries, light on the tannins, and a bargain at $7.99 (from Total Wine).  It went nicely with spicy chicken wings, sweet potato fries, and brussels sprouts.

2011 Castle Rock Pinot Noir, California Cuvee, California

 Can't have Mardi Gras without a bowl of Gumbo, this time made with Andouille sausage. Wanted a light bodied red, and this Castle Rock pinot (Trader Joe's $8.99) did just fine.  You don't get much in the way of Pinot Noir characteristics at this price point,  but this is a pleasant, fruity, easy drinking wine.

2010 Roustabout Meritage, Paso Robles, California

We've been to visit Paso Robles, halfway between LA and San Francisco, a couple of times.  Beautiful area, great wineries & restaurants, stellar wines.  Only 30 miles inland from the Pacific, so if you're traveling the PCH, make sure to stop a day - or 2!  I was happy to see some price-pleasing Paso wines at Trader Joe's, including this Roustabout at $5.99.  The tannins in the 2010 could use a few more years to soften, so we aerated with the Vinturi at first.  By the time our yummy Trader Joe's frenched bone-in pork chops came off the grill, the wine had opened up.  It worked nicely with the rest of the meal:  Braised fennel, sugar snaps & multigrain ciabatta.

2012 Blackstone Pinot Noir, California

Good cheap Pinot Noir is an oxymoron (not unlike a "good German red wine"), but I keep trying...  And this Blackstone comes pretty close, at $7.99 from Trader Joe's.  I also really liked one called Cosmia,  from Trader Joe's, but it was gone when I went back and it has not been available since!  Grab some if you see it.  Red plums, cherries & berries, and that hint of chalk dust, it went easily with grilled salmon, sauteed bok choy & rice.  Hope it's there when I go back!