I’d like to preface this review of Charles Shaw Cabernet with a synopsis of Trader Joe’s. If you have one near you, go there. If not for the wine, then for the thousands of food items that pack the small market. I spent 80 dollars, which sounds like a bit much especially for me. I ended up leaving with 2 cases of wine and enough food for a week. Fresh mozzarella, fresh gnocchi, fresh salsa (notice a pattern?), Guacamole chips, Trader Joe’s Marinara, soups, veggies…. I was in heaven. They have got all kinds of cheeses, breads, meats, micro-brewed beers, and their wine selection was out of this world. What a great store!

Trader Joe’s is the exclusive retailer of Charles Shaw Wines, better known to most as “Two-buck Chuck”. In California these wines sell for $1.99, which is just amazing. Here in Michigan, though, the price was $2.99.

Did we like it? Was it worth the trip?

Hell yes it was! For 3 dollars, I don’t think it could have been any better. The Cabernet was great. At first, I found it to be a little sweet, but looking back, I was actually enjoying the salsa with the wine, which probably wasn’t a great combination. Along with the Cab, I also purchased some of the Shiraz, Merlot, and Chardonnay (reviews coming soon).

Congrats to Two-Buck-Chuck and Trader Joe’s for achieving the highest rating available here on Cheap Wine Reviews. Hats off to you!

Mmmm. Salsa y vino! Ay yay yay, me encanta!

No really, I’ve actually tried “Two-buck Chuck” before and it isn’t really as scary as you’d think… Even if it might make Mr. ELV squirm in horror. :-p

“Why was this reduced for quick sale? Was it worth enduring the stench of the bottle return area to bring home this wine? Yes, yes it was. It’s almost sad that this wine traveled all the way from Argentina to end up in my bottle return area.

Big Daddy knows how to make a good cheap wine. Believe it or not, the first attribute of this wine I picked up on was the light hint of bacon. Mmm bacon. Who doesn’t love bacon? Big Daddy loves it, that’s for sure. Look at that belly! On top of the bacon was a strong berry with a leathery taste.

If you’re looking for a full bodied cheap red wine with a lot of character, give the Big Daddy Merlot a try.”

I’m actually laughing WITH them here. Even though I’ve become a more sophisticated foodie and oenophile over the years, I guess there’s still enough “trailer trash” in me to appreciate the truly good things in life, like sipping wine that reminds me of BACON! hehe ;-)

Ay caramba! Ay dios mio!

Or as we like to say in ELV’s tasting room: “With hints of horseshit, and loads of cow pie.”

But we could be starting something here grape geeks.

Let’s see who can top those.

Commenters?

#10 Scheurebe Trockenbeerenauslese Zwischen den Seen – yes, it’s the third wine this vintage with the same designation – has only 6.5% alcohol and is one of the most amazing elixirs of Scheurebe ever captured in bottle. Pineapple, tangerine, grapefruit, peppermint, honey, distilled black fruits, herbal essences, and sheer ethereal botrytism soar from the glass. In the mouth this is virtually gelatinous – in fact, more like an Esszencia even than the 2003 #1 – with a totally uncanny sense of lift and lightness. Sheer material density and searingly high acidity are tamed like the fable unicorn. Red and black fruit distillates, herbal/floral essences, deep, rich nut oils, generously juicy citrus .. all that and more is in the finish. This combines the sheer essence of Scheurebe found in #5 with some of the transmogrified, mysterious depth of #6, plus the ineffable character of an Esszencia.-Rated 98/100 The Wine Advocate

Many thanks to Liz Davar for unpretentiously introducing me to this wonderful wine.