2 buck Up Chuck

[Geronimo]

I just read that the price was going up in California. I don't know about you guys, but I really didn't like the red I tried from TJs. $2 or not, I'd rather do without.

 

[GreginND]

It's three bucks around here and it is not worth it. It used to be pretty good but in recent years it is clear they aren't getting the same quality grapes that they used to use. Just my opinion.

 

[ibglowin]

If your shopping at TJ's there are a lot of wines in the $5-8 price range that make two (or three) buck chuck look like watered down prohibition style swill. People still by that stuff by the case for some reason.

 

[ColdClimateWines]

I was in The L.A. Area and north on a winery tasting trip and had 2 buck chuck explained to me. Due to the batches and varying quality I was advised to buy one bottle of each varietal. Walk out to the parking lot, open each bottle and taste. If you hit a good one, go back and buy a case - 12 good bottles for $ 24. I threw out three bottles and bought a case of Cab and a white. Both were a find. We don't have the store on the Adirondack Coast. Too bad!

 

[Rocky]

I know you guys are talking about Charles Shaw (not my favorite either) but has anyone tried any of TJ's "Coastal" Series? Not bad for $5-$6.

 

[Boatboy24]

Two buck Chuck has been three and change here for a few years. It was worth $2 to me, but not much more than that.

 

[Geronimo]

Ok, the red I tried was some grape variety that lacked any character and the oaking was done with a nasty oak extract or tea of some kind, unlike any oak character I've ever experienced in any other wine.

So I might find a good one if I persist, but I can make almost any kit wine for under $6 a bottle, and I've never found a commercial bottle @ $6 that compares favorably with the top end kits.

And yes, up here 2-buck is at least $3.

 

[olusteebus]

I wonder how Aldo's winking owl compares to 2 buck?

 

[BobF]

TJ's Moons aren't bad for the price. I'm fond of Old Moon. Don't leave it in the rack too long though. I just drank the last of my 2009 Old Moon a few days ago. Way past its prime ... I didn't finish it. The 2010 and 2011 are still pretty good though. I'm accelerating the schedule due to the 2009 experience.

 

[ibglowin]

I have used several of the TJ "Moon" series wines for top off. All pretty solid wines for the money. ($5-6). If you like and or making anything Italian (red) in nature like a Nero D' Avola or Super Tuscan etc you can't beat the Epicuro line of wines ($5-6). For a little more money the TJ's Reserve line of wines probably have the best consistency from year to year. Always a pretty darn good wine for $10. Several years ago they had a TJ's Reserve Paso Robles Syrah for $9.99. The bottle had to have cost them $4. Just a heavy massive beautiful bottle. Bought two and brought them home and popped one. OMG it was amazing. Easily a $25-30 MSRP Syrah. Immediately went back and bought a half case a few weeks later. About a month later went back to get some more and all gone..... Even checked in all 3 stores down in ABQ. Gone. Forvever. Moral of the story is if you find something you really like at TJ's go back and get a case!

The only place $2 Buck Chuck has ever been $2.99 is in California. Outside its always been $3.99. Gotta pay for transportation.

 

[Rocky]

In the last two years, TJ's has really made a statement in wines. They carry a nice selection of wines for which they are the sole distributor for the US and they have a number of their own labels. I was just in TJ's yesterday and saw a Trader Joe's Napa Valley Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon for $17.99 here in Ohio.