Trader Joe's Find?

They are now offering one of their private bottlings "Reserve" Cabernet Sauv. 2018. Columbia Valley, Wahluke Slope. 93% Cab, 7% Merlot. Checked out the bottle yesterday and, as is typical, can't discern who actually made it. $10 in CA.

Didn't buy as we have plenty of wine. But interesting to keep an eye out.

Any thoughts or other recent value finds welcome, of course.

[Jenise]

The'16 of that Lot #189 was apparently an oaky mess. Who knows what the '18 will be, though, probably not even the same source. I did try to uncover the source and failed but Trader Joe's own site had this hilarious footnote:

NOTE: Since posting, the details of this item may have changed due to fluctuating market prices, federal regulations, currency rates, drought, pestilence, bandits, rush hour traffic, filibusters, zombie apocalypse, and punctilious product developers...Contact our Crew for current price and availability.

The'16 of that Lot #189 was apparently an oaky mess. Who knows what the '18 will be, though, probably not even the same source. I did try to uncover the source and failed but Trader Joe's own site had this hilarious footnote:

NOTE: Since posting, the details of this item may have changed due to fluctuating market prices, federal regulations, currency rates, drought, pestilence, bandits, rush hour traffic, filibusters, zombie apocalypse, and punctilious product developers...Contact our Crew for current price and availability.

By law, the case must have the Bonded Wnry # printed on the case. If you can find an empty case of that wine &
retrieve the BW# from it, you can look it up (at least who bttld it; doesn't always identify who the producer is).
Oftentimes, it's bttld at AmericanCanyon/FredFranzia, who bought the wine in bulk.
Tom

By law, the case must have the Bonded Wnry # printed on the case. If you can find an empty case of that wine &
retrieve the BW# from it, you can look it up (at least who bttld it; doesn't always identify who the producer is).
Oftentimes, it's bttld at AmericanCanyon/FredFranzia, who bought the wine in bulk.
Tom

I presume it is the same as in the EU: it is a legal requirement to be able to identify the bottler of any wine, for traceability.

The bottler may or may not be the same as the producer, and if not the authorities should be able to trace back to the source through the bottler and lot number.

When I went to TJs today found the following on the case box.

BW WA-85

Also noted was:

PAT04

Is there a link to check this out?

BW WA-85 appears to be Chateau Ste Michelle.

[Jenise]

Pat, I finally got to try this as my brother bought it after I put an alert on my Facebook wine and food page. Keeping in mind that because of the oak what CSM does is not my preferred style, it's excellent. Great fruit and body, drinks like $30--a great value for $10. Thanks for mentioning it.

Thanks for the info, Jenise. I went to TJs today and the wine is still there, but supply looked to be about 12-18 bottles. So I got 1 for us and 1 for my MIL. More than I usually pay at TJs, but it is a Cab from WA and the producer is at least consistent. Why not? 2018 vintage, may be able to keep for a few years if we desire.

While there noted they had the Oktoberfest TJs brew. Got 2 6-packs for Dear Husband. That stuff can sell out quickly, he likes their lagers, enough said.

They're pushing everything pumpkin. Will see how soon supplies disappear or dwindle. Last year if we really wanted something I grabbed it at first sight.