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

Wine & Drinks

Wine Discoveries: Trader Joe's Gems and New Additions

Grenache, GSM blends, a Margaux splurge, and lessons learned

$7
Bulk Buy Price
19
Bottles in Rack
$60
IKEA Omar Rack
Table of Contents
① New Purchases
② Building the Wine Rack
③ Update — Giscours Margaux
④ Update — La Sonriente
⑤ Final Thoughts
Section I

New Purchases

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.

  • → 2021 La Sonriente — $7 — Pure Garnache/Grenache. A bulk-buy gem; fruit-forward and fantastic value. Main component of GSM blends.
  • → 2016 Rancho Viejo — $7 — GSMT (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Tempranillo). Smooth and delightful; a great complement to the La Sonriente.
  • → 2019 Margaux Grand Cru — Chateau Giscours — An upmarket splurge; part of a plan to keep 4–5 quality bottles on hand for special occasions.
 
Section II

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.

Strategy: 20-bottle cap, top row empty for airflow, 1 bottle per week, 2–3 restocked per Trader Joe's visit, 1 nicer bottle added monthly.
Update — December 24, 2023

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 — March 31, 2024

La Sonriente 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.

Section V

Final Thoughts

The balance of budget-friendly options and the occasional splurge keeps my palate engaged. At $7, La Sonriente and Rancho Viejo are the backbone of the rack — the Margaux taught me that price doesn't always mean better.

Trader Joe's Wine · La Sonriente · Rancho Viejo · Giscours Margaux · IKEA Omar Rack

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