Reply #7: Not really

[Lochloosa]

http://www.nypress.com/article-13402-cheap-wine-$4-and-under.html

I had zero complaints; my twelve-wine total was $43.23. It set the stage for the ensuing evening's bad idea: The Trader's Joe's Cheap-Wine Bacchanal. I invited a dozen friendsone per bottleand instructed them to bring food fit for low-rent wine. Namely, tuna celery boats, Peeps, spray cheese, gritty crackers and pigs in the blanket. They arrived at cocktail o'clock, and we set to an unscientific, hardly comprehensive tasting.

Our sampling started with Charles Shaw. The chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and merlot (all $2.99) were liberally poured and drunk with great, teeth-staining expectation.

Look out, Napa, there's a new varietal in town, one panelist said, sipping the cabernet. It was eminently drinkable, which is perhaps the finest compliment: It won't make you gag.

Excellent legs, with hints of pear and apricot make this wine a well-rounded must, was another panelist's take on the chardonnay.