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Wine Haul - Trader Joe - Bulk Buys La Sonriete Garnacha and 2019 Margaux

Wine Discoveries: Trader Joe’s Gems and New Additions

I’ve been diving deeper into the world of wine, and my latest finds have been quite satisfying. The online reviews don’t lie; the 2021 La Sonriente from Trader Joe’s is a gem at just $7. This pure Garnache/Grenache is a fantastic addition to my collection and is the main component of many red blends, especially my growing favorite GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) wines. I also scored the 2016 Rancho Viejo, a GSMT (with Tempranillo), which has been a delicious complement to the La Sonriente.

Impressions of the New Purchases

Both wines have earned their bulk-buy status at just $7 each. The Rancho Viejo was particularly delightful, providing a smooth transition from the pure Garnache of La Sonriente. I’m pleased with these selections and confident they’ll keep my wine rack vibrant.

To round out my growing collection, I decided to go upmarket and picked up a 2019 Margaux Grand Cru from Chateau Giscours. My plan is to grab one nicer bottle of wine each month, aiming to eventually have 4-5 quality bottles on hand for special occasions.

Building the Wine Rack

I’ve mostly filled my 24-bottle wine rack from IKEA, which I picked up for $60. The Omar Bottle Rack is now home to 19 bottles. I’m drinking a bottle a week, allowing me to refill 2-3 bottles every two weeks on my Trader Joe’s visits, while also making sure to pick up a nicer bottle monthly. I plan to limit my collection to 20 bottles and keep the top row empty for airflow.

Updates on New Additions

  • Update - 12/24/23 - Giscours Margaux - Meh:
    I paid $60 for the Margaux with high expectations. While it’s decent—better than a $10 wine—it didn’t impress me for the price. It’s only marginally better than the $20 range and comparable to the $30-$40 wines I’ve tried before. If it were priced at $20-$30, I’d be thrilled, but at $60, it felt underwhelming.

  • Update - 3/31/24 - La Sonriete as a Bulk Buy:
    I’ve been relying on Reverse Wine Snobs for wine reviews, and they align well with my tastes. I agree that La Sonriente is a solid bulk buy. It’s not the greatest wine, but at this price point, it offers fantastic value—cheaper than beer! It has a very fruit-forward flavor that shines on the first day.

Although it gets slightly bitter and acidic on the second day, it's still enjoyable. On the third day, I usually only have enough left for one serving, but I’ve found that sipping some ice water between tastes on the second day actually enhances the flavor.

Final Thoughts

I’m excited about my growing wine collection, and I look forward to exploring more varieties and flavors in the future. The balance of budget-friendly options and the occasional splurge keeps my palate engaged while I continue this journey.






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