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First heard about Dynamic Vineyards from Jason over at Jason's Wine Blog, who ranked the 2006 Medocino version of this Red Table Wine as #1 on his top 10 list for November. But, when I went looking for it, I couldn't find it anywhere - even went to 5 different Trader Joe's to see if they had it and they were all gone. The run on this wine was amazing...clearly, Jason was on to something.

Then, earlier this week, I was at Trader Joe's and saw the 2007 Dynamic Red Table Wine Lake County California and grabbed a bottle as quickly as I could. It's not the Mendocino that Jason liked so much, but I thought this Lake County was definitely worth a try. Both the Mendocino and the Lake County are made exclusively for Trader Joe's by Ceago Vineyards, so I figured they were probably the same quality wine.

Bottom line is that this is a really good everyday drinker at a low price of $9. Not sure it will make any of my top 10 lists (i.e. it's not as good as the Pascual Toso 2007 Malbec), but if I see it at Trader Joe's again, I will definitely pick up a few more bottles.

The blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 17% Syrah, all coming together in a very dark, lush-looking wine. On the nose, it's cherry, earth, cinnamon, menthol and black licorice. The wine itself is pretty low in alcohol at 13.5%, but even so, it's a little hot. The taste is good fruit - cherry, young plum, mixed berry - and a hint of black pepper. Medium acidity and tannins and remarkably well balanced for a sub $10 wine.

What you should do: Buy it the next time you're are Trader Joe's. If your budget allows, grab a couple - by the time I found out about the Mendocino, I couldn't find it at any of the Trader Joe's in my area. It's very popular and moves really fast. No other reviews on the 2007 yet, at least that I could find, and, as usual, the Ceago vineyards website doesn't offer up much information (as is the case with most "made for Trader Joe's wines"). So, for now, you'll have to take my word for it.

My rating: 85
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