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.