I’ll keep this one relatively short as there’s not much to get excited about. This review adds fodder to my “there’s better places to shop for wine than Trader Joe’s” rant. Yep, it’s another wine from Trader Joe’s that rates less than 80.
The fruit is soft in this one. It has a little leather and currant on the nose, but it lacks intensity. If you’re looking for consistency with that lack of intensity you’re in luck as the palate also lacks concentration. What flavor is there is a bit of blackberry and currant. The tannins are soft and are probably the best aspect to this wine. In general this is also a bit off balance on the acidic side. Did I mention that it’s a very light wine?
The good news is that it was only $6.00. I may be dramatizing my distaste a bit only because I grow frustrated with all the people I meet who rant about Trader Joe’s as the place to get good cheap wine. In my experience, it’s not. This wine rated at a 79, so it’s not disgusting but you can find others that are much better without spending much more. Like Masciarelli, for example.
Wine: Villa Cerrina
Varietal: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Vintage: 2003
Alcohol: 12%
Rating: 79
Price Paid: $5.99
Interesting take on Trader Joe’s and as big of a fan as I am I have to agree. It is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. But when you do it is one hell of a find! Here are some Italians that I have enjoyed (rank ordered):
– 2005 Epicuro Aglianico ($5)
– 2005 Archero Nero d’ Avola Ruggero di Tasso ($4)
– 2003 Epicuro Salice Salentino Riserva ($5)
– 2006 Aquila d’Oro Toscana ($4)
If you grab them let me know what you think!
btw, all the above are available at Trader Joe’s here in northern California….
personally, I thought it was fantasic, the lack of intensity was what i liked about.
Agree with above. A very good wine at a bargain price. Excellent table wine.
Couldn’t disagree with your rating and evaluation more…thought it was excellent…especially for the price.
Wine is like art. You like it or you don’t. At my age,67, my tastes have gone from dry high tanins to softer wines , both red and white. The Villa Cerrina meets my taste and I like it. I don’t have all the descriptions that the experts use , but it tastes good and is very affordable
I disagree with the reviewer… after a steady diet of “two-buck-chuck”, my husband and I LOVED this wine. 🙂
Disagreements are allowed. But you’re probably tasting a different vintage, as this review is a couple years old. Nonetheless, I’m not too surprised that you enjoyed it more than two-buck-chuck, I’d consider it a step up. But try a couple other Montepulciano d’Abruzzos. You may like them even more. Cheers!
I just tried a bottle of the 2016, $4.85 at Trader Joe’s… I thought it was excellent… yes, it is light, but the fruit came through well, a little tannin, soft finish… VERY enjoyable… an outstanding bargain, IMHO.
I like a couple of glasses of red every couple of days… and this bargain is a keeper… buy a case for roughly the same as a bottle of the superb Duckhorn Cab! 😉