When I tell people that I review inexpensive wines a common response I get is, “Oh, you must love Trader Joe’s.” And every time I hear that, I have to reply with, “No, I don’t.”
It’s not that I have anything personally against Trader Joe’s, but I have yet to find a bargain in their wine department to get excited about. I’ve reviewed a few TJ wines in the past and none of them were exceptional.
When most people think of cheap wine at Trader Joe’s they are thinking of Charles Shaw, the famous 2 Buck Chuck. But there are numerous other Trader Joe’s exclusive wines besides Charles Shaw. They also carry some good wines that aren’t TJ-exclusives, but their prices are the same or more than I find at other shops.
All of the TJ comments I hear leave me torn. With all of the raving I hear about TJ’s I think there must be something to it. If so many people rave about their wines, they must be good… right? Have I just been trying the wrong ones? After all, I haven’t tried every wine they sell. And so, I keep going back from time to time to give them another chance. It seems like every time I do, I find myself wishing that I hadn’t. This is one of those times.
This time I tried the 2006 Old Moon Zinfandel from the Trader Moon Wine Company. It sells for $7.99 — a few bucks more than Chuck.
My assessment is that this is a fairly predictible low-priced zinfandel. Black cherry and oak on the nose with a little bit of spice heat. The intensity is moderate. The palate has more black cherry and some plum. The fruit is rather artificial tasting. There’s a touch of vanilla on the finish. It’s a drinkable wine, but it’s not a great wine.
In all honesty, my description probably made it sound more interesting than it really is.
Wine: Old Moon Old Vine Zinfandel
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2006
Alcohol: 14%
Rating: 79
Price Paid: $7.99
Wow! Thank you for this information!
Well…I purchased the wine for $4.99 at T-Joes and this is an excellent price point for this product. It gets better and better as you drink it and with our current ecoonmy, this is a great wine, you get what you pay for!
I just dumped out 3/4 of a bottle of this swill. TJs is a master of marketing but their 2006 Old Vine Old Moon Zin was junk. I got no cherry, oak, or vanilla, just a higher priced bottle of crappy 2 Buck Chuck.
Do yourself a favor and save your money.
I am not a wine snob/expert, but I tried the 2007 Old Moon Old vine Zinfandel wine and found it to be enjoyable.I’m glad that I didn’t ead the reviews re the 2006 before purchasing.
I loved the 2007 Old Moon Zinfandel like “bubbasgirl” mentioned. I am wondering about the 2008?
I haven’t been back to try the 2008. Anyone out there with an opinion on it??
i happen to be drinking the 2008 Old Moon Old Vine as i write this review, and i’m ‘wow!’ by its intense fruitiness and sweetness. it’s exactly what i look for in a red wine. and i can’t believe i found it in a $4.99 bottle. 🙂
I’m with chichijul. Opened 2008 Old Moon Zinfandel last night and was “wow”. Could not recall how I came by the bottle – think it was a gift – so am delighted to learn this is not an expensive wine.
This wine is fine if you’re not expecting it to taste like a zin. The sweetness does taste artificial, which is some
Thing I really hate. It’s fine if you’re not too picky, and it does get slightly better one it’s been opened (or maybe I just started getting used to it?)
Personally I’d rather pay 8.99 for a great bargain zin at my local wine store…
I purchased this wine for 4.99 and thought it was ok. TJ’s does have a wine from Chile that I like a lot better and it is only 2.99
great bottle of wine, loved it and want more—back to TJ’s for me!!
i’ve purchased three bottles of wine from trader joe’s in the last 8 months – all red – all low end in price and to be honest, all were good and drinkable and i’d buy them again. i’m no connoisseur and i’m just a layman without credentials, but i liked them. and i’ve had bad reds before at double the price from wine stores in brooklyn that really were undrinkable swill i wouldn’t even use to make a reduction it.
Hello there. I am wondering if anyone knows where I can purchase Old Moon Zinfandel in Jacksonville, Florida? Help!
Goodloe78, Old Moon Zin is only sold at Trader Joe’s, and I don’t think there are any in Jacksonville.
http://www.traderjoes.com/stores/index.asp
Well I just returned from Washington D.C..While I was there i purchased a bottle of 2010 Old Moon and it was great! I happen to prefer old Zins and for the price it was very good. I tried to order a case through a few liquor stores in Mass and was told it was not available. For $4.99 I would give it a try, if nothing else….use it for cooking!
I had a bottle of Old Moon Zin 2012 and it was so good I’m gonna get more. It was a perfect pairing for my old family recipe meatballs and sauce. Loved it.
Shared a btl of this Zin with Ny Strip from BBQ and I surprised how good this wine is! Tried the 2014 here in Sarasota FL. will buy a case next time for our BBQ evenings!
Just opened a bottle of the 2014 and it was awful. Think I paid $3.99 so I didn’t lose out too much. I grew up drinking the really good/ expensive wines my parents had. Did I mention I’m from Paso Robles, CA? I basically grew up in wine country. Unfortunately for me, though, it’s not the same when you can’t afford to buy the good shit. I give this zin one thumb down. It left an awful vinegar taste in my mouth and lacked depth in my opinion. Found myself eating m&ms to try to get the taste out of my mouth. Will not be buying again.
Thanks for the update Sierra. Sorry to hear that one was awful. Now we know 🙂
I thought this was a very interesting Zin. Very atypical, but delicious. The main fault was the lack of nose. The taste was complex, fruit forward, borderline jammy, touch of tannin. Had a lack of interesting finish, but made up for it in its unique fruity freshness. Amazing value. Will purchase again if I see it.
Thanks for the updated notes on this. I wonder if the nose would open up with time.