Some HOT TIPS on recently received wines at Trader Joe's.

(1)  Trader Joe's Reserve Petit Verdot at $9.99 a bottle.  I've never seen a bottle of Petit Verdot for less than $30.  In fact, Ancient Peaks, the bottler for this TJ special, sells it under their own label at $35.00 a bottle. This wine is very heavy and tannic with lots of dark fruit.  I decanted this 1-1/2 hours before dinner and it was still rough around the edges.  Once it softens, it's dynamite!

(2)  Trader Joe's Reserve Syrah at $9.99 a bottle.  A very nice Syrah with medium tannins and lots of dark fruit and black pepper.  A real deal at this price.

(3)  Peter Paul (sounds like a candy bar, doesn't it?) Zinfandel.  At our store, we have both the 2005 and 2006 vintages.  Both are big Zins with lots of alcohol.  The 2005 has 14.6% while the 2006 has 15.7%!!!   The 2006 smells of alcohol when the cork is pulled and I got heat on the first couple of sips, but lo and behold, it quickly mellowed and offered surprising balance.  I decided that I preferred the newer model.  At $9.99 this is a really good wine and value.

Get thee to your nearest TJ's and grab some of these wines.  

Tom da Wine Guy