2012 Cloud Break Pinot Noir, California

Nice cherry-berry and plum fruit flavors, balance and finish were fine, but little of the classic chalky characteristics of Pinot.   Total Wine $8.  We tried it with caprese and a grilled chicken breast.

2012 Trader Joe's Reserve Zinfandel Lot #84, Paso Robles (California)

Zin loves it hot hot hot and it certainly finds that in Paso Robles, where the 24 hour temperature can swing 50 degrees!  Make Paso the centerpiece of your Central Coast winery tour.  This Zin from Trader Joe's ($10) is yummy:  Big, bold, and ready to take on BBQ.  We had ribs with a spicy-sweet sauce, broccoli slaw, oven fries & a slice of tomato with blue cheese.

2012 Trader Joe's Reserve Pinot Noir, Napa Valley (California)

This Pinot is pleasant and balanced, nice fruit, mild tannins, but...  It does not have what I consider the chalky/dusty characteristic of pinot.  I realize I am looking for a lot for $10 at Trader Joe's.  But no, I won't buy again.  It went nicely with grilled tuna steak & sriracha mayo, sauteed zucchini and a baguette.

2013 Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc, California

I love Sauvignon Blanc in the summertime.  This Geyser Peak, $9 at Trader Joe's, provides a nice change from the grapefruit-centric Sauv blancs of New Zealand.  It's grassy, with some tropical flavors, but to me more melon, pineapple & lemon zest.    It was perfect on a hot evening, with a caprese made with burrata along with a perfect avocado half with blue cheese dressing.

2012 Trader Joe's Reserve GSM, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County (California)

Once a month or so, I pick up a few wines from Trader Joe's we haven't tried before.  Sometimes we love them but never see them again so I hope this one will stick around.  GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre) is a classic wine blend, from the southern Rhone region of France.  There the inexpensive ones are called Cotes du Rhone.  Australia provides most of those called GSM.  Nice to see the Rhone varietals take hold in California.  This GSM is a terrific value at $10, fruit forward, good body, moderate tannins, nice finish.

We had it with grilled bone-in  pork chops marinated in a Korean BBQ sauce, sauteed baby Bok Choi and baby vidalias, caprese, and a multigrain demi baguette.