So I was asked by a neighborhood social organization to recommend wines for their upcoming Commodore's Ball. After determining that the theme is BBQ, it's going to be held in a barn and the wines will be served in plastic cups from a "bar" with beer and other hooch. So on their behalf I made a trip to Trader Joe's to see what they had that might work. TJ's, if you don't know it, will accept the return of any unopened bottles so it's a great place to buy for large events. I had a different red in mind, a zin in fact, so was more concerned with finding a white to pair with it. I couldn't resist trying a $7 French pinot while I was at it.
2018 Loudenotte Pinot Noir Vin de Pays d'Oc
Ripe and a little fleshy, verging on jammy but not quite going there, it speaks more to the south of France than Burgundy but very pleasantly so for only $7.
2015 Waterbrook Syrah, Washington
There's a tad too much smokey oak on this at first but that's in fact a minor quibble; it's actually a decently balanced, personable wine with good varietal character.
2015 Kiona Red Mountain Syrah
Bright dark berry fruit with less oak and more acid/structure than the Waterbook. A great buy for around $12.
2017 Waterbrook Chardonnay Columbia Valley
Extreme buttery malo flavors up front, but comes into a tiny bit of balance with some aeration if you're not expecting white burgundy complexity. So not what I personally love but have to admit it will be a crowd pleaser and has the body and flavor to exceed expectations when served in shallow plastic cups to non-connieusseurs.
2017 Edna Valley Vineyard Chardonnay Central Coast
Long ago I thought Edna Valley a decent cheap chard, but not this one. Very manipulated with direct and overt simple syrup sweetness ruins. Overkills even at the 'cocktail style' level. Awful.
2016 Sterling Vineyards Chardonnay Napa Valley
Way back in the day before I was even legal, I drank wine at Sterling Vineyards. The name has a soft spot in my heart even though it's been bought and sold several times since. At TJ's for about $12, with a silver label that would look good at an event like this, it would work. And this is by far the better of the three chardonnays. Not oak-free, but plenty of structure.
However, in conclusion, what did I recommend? The two Waterbrooks. While I personally preferred the Kiona and the Sterling, this pair is Washington wine from a real winery with a real tasting room people can go to or might have already been to, the word "water" in the name (this is a Yacht club), and only $9 each. Both wines are still for sale at the winery for more. The novices will love them and even a geek like me can drink them (if there's nothing else).
