This is one of those reviews a long time in the making. This has become one of the best know cheap wines because its made bottled in the premier wine region, yet they only charge $2 a bottle for it at Trader Joes.

Recently a winner of a blind taste taste Charles Shaw Winery has stormed the wine makers of Napa Valley by daring to release a wine that is is sold cheap but wins medals. The way to do that? Use good fruit and make a decent wine by cutting corners. And then signing a deal that assures LOTS of sales and LOTS of press.

I decided to try a bottle of Charles Shaw Merlot. Not its bread and butter I wanted to see how they did a relatively newish wine to them. I like their Cabs (an upcoming review) and their Chards won reviews (don’t normally drink white wines) but I saw it and ran with it. Now to the review…

The 2004 Charles Shaw Merlot is a very young wine. But one problem with a “cheaper” wine is that it doesn’t age too well. Two buck chuck is an ok wine, and I wouldn’t feel bad taking it too a party if it was the Cab or I guess the Chard. But the Merlot young isn’t the hottest. I had the William Hill earlier this week and I guess I must be spoiled. The rawness and sweetness was annoying. The fact it just didn’t taste like it would age well (but instead turn to vinegar) was evident. The taste was ok at the time.. it just wasn’t it.. it just wasn’t a drinking wine you could casually drink. As a Merlot I’d expect it to go well with rich meats… but instead I might consider it with cheap cheese cake. Otherwise forget it. I think I’d and you’d be better buying it’s better known cousins the Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay. All in all very disappointing.

PS – The pictures weren’t planned to come out that way… its just appropriate.