In this wine review, we recommend two wines found at Costco and one terrific Zinfandel we purchased at the Bottle Barn in Santa Rosa.
Miraflores Zinfandel from El Dorado County
Miraflores Zinfandel 2010 $13.99 – Bottle Barn
A few of years back we visited Miraflores. It’s located in the Sierra Foothills near Placerville in El Dorado County. We visited several wineries in the area over two days and were quite impressed with this winery and two others, Holly’s Hill and Sierra Vista. Miraflores was new at the time, but all the wines we tasted were well made. The Miraflores Zinfandel 2010 we purchased at the Bottle Barn is one terrific wine. The Miraflores online wine shop lists the 2010 Zinfandel for $27. Even at that price it is a darn good bargain. The Wine Spectator rated the Miraflores Zinfandel 2010 91 points and it also won a gold medal at the San Francisco Chronicle tasting. It is an impressive wine. The 2011 vintage is about to be released, and that is perhaps why the Bottle Barn carries this wine at such a great discount. What I love about this wine are the spice flavors it gives off in the nose and in the mouth. Anise spice is prominent and gives the berry flavors of Zinfandel an extra boost. The alcohol is 14.9% but the wine comes off as much lighter. 90 Points in my book. Next time I’m near the Bottle Barn in Santa Rosa, I will stop in to buy more. I sure hope they have a good supply.
Bodegas Norton 2011 hits Costco stores – $12.99
Bodegas Norton has been a favorite Malbec of mine and this vintage delivers once again. Back in December of 2013 the Wine Spectator listed this wine on their top 100 wines of the year at number 36 and with a 92-point rating. Only one problem, it was not to be found anywhere on the wine shelves until recently. Costco in Foster City just received this wine a couple of weeks ago and has plenty available at this great price. It is hard to miss the display of the Norton with a neck label clearly showing Wine Spectator’s 92-Point rating. The wine has a lovely aroma and mouth feel. It is an elegant wine with cherries and plum. I love its bright fruit and lingering aftertaste. The tannins and acidity are nicely balanced. Many red meat dishes would go nicely with this delicious Malbec. I am going to give this wine 89 Points. It is a very good wine for the price.
Norton Reserva 2011
Chateau De Thauvnay 2012 Sancerre – Costco $14.99
In the Fall we are taking a wine country getaway to the Loire Valley and Burgundy regions of France. The South San Francisco Airport Costco has two wines from the Loire Valley. The Chateau De Thauvnay Sancerre and a Vouvray. I purchased them both with the idea of learning more about the wines from the Loire. I highly recommend the Sancerre. It is 100% Sauvignon Blanc. This Sancerre is a wonderful sipping wine. Just sit outside in the afternoon and listen to the sounds of nature and enjoy this delightful wine. It has many wonderful characteristics, but I particularly love the white flower and wet stone characters. It is a crisp wine and lingers long. 89 Points. On the Vouray, Marie de Beauregard 2011, it was pleasant enough, perhaps a tad sweet. I did not like it enough to purchase it again.
Delicious Sancerra
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