A little news item I stumbled across, Charles Shaw Chardonnay recently won top honors in the California State Fair wine competition. It beat out 350 other California Chardonnays in a blind tasting to win the double gold.
This wine is commonly referred to as “Two Buck Chuck” and is sold exclusively at Trader Joes. In California I’ve heard it sells for $2 (hence the name), but it’s about $3 in Cincinnati (where I live).
I haven’t yet officially tasted it for my Chardonnay Challenge, but I guess I’ll have to throw it into the mix given this news. I have tried it in the past and recall being surprised as the price/quality ratio. In general I’m not a fan of Charles Shaw wines. The reds I’ve tasted have been heinous.
Interstingly enough, ABC News did a follow up mini-tasting after this award was announced and the Charles Shaw chardonnay came in last place.
The 2006 Charles Shaw Chardonnay for $1.99 @ Trader Joe’s (TJ’s) is a well kept secret. I noticed you tasted the 2005 version in your recent Chardonnay Challenge (a train wreck with well deserved low rating from you). However, the 2006, has a enticing nose of pear, mild gardenia and a subtle brace of eucalyptus and petrol. Wo!! If you like oaky and buttery, then this is not your chardonnay. Instead, it has forward and persistent flavors of pineapple and butterscotch, with a light, long and pleasing undertone of pine resin. Double Wo! A medium bright acidity is also nicely balanced. In any case, I give it a 90++. I’ve consumed 4 bottles and it’s been constently excellent for me. I recommend it highly. It’s quite a bargain and the best bargain from Trader Joe’s and its wine supplier, Napa based supllier, Bronco, since the glut of great pinot grapes in the early 2000’s which resulted in $3.99 pinot noir gems in 2002-2004 bottled under the label of “William Morris” and sold exclusively at TJ’s, as best as I recall.Those pinots are long gone.