WTN: Cheapies

[Jenise]

NV La Ferme Julien Rose, France
$6 at Trader Joe's, and a bargain. Nicely detailed, dry, subtle fruit.

2014 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Chardonnay
2014 is the hottest year on record for Oregon and Walla Walla, and you can taste that in this wine. Hot with heavy residual sugar and an egregious lack of acidity. AVOID AT ANY PRICE.

2015 Rodney Strong Charlotte's Home Sauvignon Blanc, Northern Sonoma
Not sure how they get the limestone dust in there, but this is probably my favorite inexpensive California SB because of it. Always refreshing.

2012 Terredora DiPaolo Aglianico, Campania, Italy
Needed a light-bodied red to serve with scallops because a dinner guest was a red wine-only drinker, and I chose this. NICE. At peak with light complex red fruits, raisins, mace and some leathery components. $13--am going to relieve that store of the rest of their stash next time I'm in.

2014 Verso Rosso Salento, Italy
$13. Modern, sweet and a little brash after the deliciously subdued but complex Aglianico.

Was the Indian Wells a Cabernet?

That La Vielle Ferme is one of the most consistent values, year after year. It's $6-7 and yet delivers on the pleasure of rose. If you asked me to choose between a randomly selected current-year rose from California that retails for $20, and LVF, I know I what I would pick every single time.

[Jenise]

Jim, no, a chardonnay. Thanks for pointing out the omission, I've corrected my note to reflect that.

Walt, while I agree with you, the wine I reported on isn't LVF. It's Trader Joe's own brand that's an intentional knock-off of LVF in name and label-style. TJ also does a white. The white was harsh and does not deserve your attention, but the rose is extremely good.

2012 Terredora DiPaolo Aglianico, Campania, Italy
Needed a light-bodied red to serve with scallops because a dinner guest was a red wine-only drinker, and I chose this. NICE. At peak with light complex red fruits, raisins, mace and some leathery components. $13--am going to relieve that store of the rest of their stash next time I'm in.

I like Terredora, but would never think of pairing this with scallops! If you get a chance and want to spend more coin, go for the Taurasi (try to find one with age on it): quite a step up in intensity.

[Jenise]

I like Terredora, but would never think of pairing this with scallops! If you get a chance and want to spend more coin, go for the Taurasi (try to find one with age on it): quite a step up in intensity.

The scallops, of course, were not the match--except for the sweet quality of the soft fruits--so much as the garlic/wine/fresh tomato/rosemary elements in the pan sauce that pulled it all together. It worked VERY well as I was sure it would. As for spending more for a Taurasi, can do, any time. Love them, though we see few around here.

Walt, while I agree with you, the wine I reported on isn't LVF. It's Trader Joe's own brand that's an intentional knock-off of LVF in name and label-style. TJ also does a white. The white was harsh and does not deserve your attention, but the rose is extremely good.

Right! I've never had LVF, just know the name from here and the Perrin family resemblance. And yes, I've never cared for the non-rosé wines, funny how that works sometimes.

Boy, Ste Michelle seems to get weaker and weaker.

Know you didn't have LVF, but I'll disagree here. Rose is ok, but I think the best LVF is the white, maybe my favorite $7 wine. I don't usually like white Rhone types, but always has fresh acidity. I like more than their red or their rose (though both serviceable for price)

[Jenise]

Dale, just to be clear, I didn't pan the LVF white--just the Trader Joe's knock-off version of the white.

Here's a note I posted on the current LVF white release about two months ago:

2014 La Vieille Ferme (Perrin & Fils) Blanc France White Rhone Blend
This labels on this bottle give no clue as to origins or grapes, though I remember seeing Luberon and Ventoux bottlings in the past. I've tasted it in a few past vintages and the best were what you'd call "serviceable", but none were special. Enter the game-changer! THIS ONE'S SPECIAL. Golden yellow color with concentrated stone fruit (tastes like marsanne) on the palate, zingy yet elegant. Tastes like a $20+ bottle. Killer QPR for summer at just $10. I'm going to stock up (but I'm going to the same store to get the wine from the same lot because on the scale this is produced, there's probably some variation.)