Originally Posted by
slawecki
i can usually tell the difference. i think most of the trader joe stuff is seriously defective cr**. i do, drink a lot of rose in summer. i actually prefer a number of the $7 or so to the mid priced, and i dislike the +20 rose.
i also think most of the cameron hughes cheap wine is garbage. every now and then he acquires something decent as distressed merchandise, but most of his fill ins are really really bad.
for a decent $10 chard, taste through the Argentinian. some of those are really good. also look for an aussie Riesling.
I agree about the TJ stuff - I had heard that some of their Reserve (Black Label) has been exceptional in the past when they have bought up big label vineyards stock, but I just went there and saw a cab, was about to buy a case and the assistant was: 'Yeah this is excellent, at least equal in quality to the $11 Bogle...' so I picked up one in the hope it was even better, but should have listened to him and my gut.
I'll check out Argentina, I do find a lot of good Chards coming out of other areas than Napa and holding up well, but haven't got many from Argentina as yet.
Of course I now have to train my palate to appreciate unoaked more too, so there is a lot to play with with these.