South Carolina Wine Joe

Bogle Vineyards has always been known for friendly priced wines that deliver quality beyond expectation.  Recently, Wine Enthusiast Magazine named Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel as their #1 best buy for 2018. I have not been buying much Zinfandel lately.  It seemed that every Zinfandel I tried, including my old standby Kirkland Sonoma Old Vine Zin, was too sweet for my taste.  I was beginning to think that I needed to up my allowable price point and then I found the Bogle Old Vine Zin at Costco.  This wine changes everything. Bogle Old Vine Zin was aged for 12 months in 2 year old American oak barrels.  The wine has 14.5% alcohol. The wine is a medium dark color with some cherry tones.  The flavors that I detected were blackberry. black pepper, tobacco and some hints of vanilla.  There are medium tannins and the finish is long.  I really like this wine and I can see why it would be considered a best buy.  This wine is selling for just under...

I made a great find at Costco last week.  Zolo Unoaked Chardonnay 2017 was selling for only $7.99.  I checked Total Wine's website and they are selling it for $15.99.  How can there be so much difference?  Zolo is 100% sustainably farmed, estate grown Chardonnay from the mountains of Mendoza Argentina. Typically, I drink Chardonnay which is aged in neutral oak barrels.  I do not like buttery, oaky Chardonnay, but a little oak is acceptable.  My experience with unoaked Chardonnay is mixed with some being too tart and lemon tasting.  Zolo Unoaked Chardonnay is one that I really liked.  This is a very fruit forward Chardonnay with flavors of citrus, pear, melon, apples and peaches.  If you love Chardonnay, you cannot pass this one up, especially for $7.99. SC Wine Joe does not assign numerical ratings to white wines.  James Suckling rated the wine at 93 points.

Every year, Costco brings out the Kirkland Signature Cotes du Rhone Villages.  This is one of my favorites, selling for only $6.99.  I have also observed other customers buying it by the case. Since I have written about four previous vintages of this wine and the wine has been consistent over the years, there is little new to add.  I only wish to alert readers of this blog that the 2017 vintage Cotes du Rhone is now at Costco.  A blog about a previous vintage can be found at  https://scwinejoe.blogspot.com/2016/09/kirkland-cotes-du-rhone-villages-2015.html. SC Wine Joe rating = 89 points

Two years ago, I wrote about the Amalgama Red Blend 2013, which I liked and rated at 88 points.  Not everyone agreed with me.  One reader commented that it was the worst wine he had ever tasted and another blogger rated it much lower than I rated it.  Nevertheless, I bought several bottles of the wine and enjoyed every one.  Now, Costco has a large supply of the Amalgama Red Table Wine 2015 priced at $8.99.  Since I am noticing a high number of pageviews on my blog about the 2013 Amalgama, there must be some interest in this wine.  Amalgama Red is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Syrah.  There is a pleasant aroma of dark fruit in the glass.  However, the flavor is somewhat tart and the finish is harsh and spicy.  I just do not enjoy this 2015 Amalgama as much as I described two years ago.  I do not expect to buy more this time. SC Wine Joe rating = 87 points