Charles Shaw - 2 buck chuck - thoughts?

I tell ya, I can go into an "average" restaurant here in Los Angeles, order the average price "House" Merlot, and it RARELY is as good as the Charles Shaw Merlot. I mean, you can obviously find many great Merlots for many prices, but at the end of the day, it's an EXTREMELY drinkable wine, and for $2?? Get outta here. Two-buck-Chuck is a staple at my house, along with some high-end stuff as well. c

thanks for the thought, Stig.

I went out this afternoon and got a Cab of 2 buck chuck. Had it with homemade pizza - was very pleased. This is not a high end wine, but very full, rich and drinkable. I wish I had the words like many do to explain, but it was very good. Will not be my only wine, just one that is good.

Any other thoughts?

DAve

I will try the Merlot and Saug Blanc next.

Stig wrote:

I don't care for 2 buck chuck at all. Many people like it but to me it's worth about $2. I find all their wines on par with Franzia box wine. However, since many aren't as picky as I am it's a great cheap wine to have out at mixed crowd get togethers.

Dave, don't let some of these snobs turn you off to great finds, not everyone can afford $30-40 a night for a great bottle of wine, I am one of them. I have had this merlot with burritos, sushi, steak, it works quite well with them. Fu*k the critics, go with what works 4 U..c

Dave,

Going back to the days when the TV ENG cameras were all poised outside of TJ's to film the folk with case, upon case of $2Chuck, I tasted most of it. I was less than impressed, regardless of price. However, with wines like this, with totally "sourced" fruit, what you buy today, may not bare any resemblance to what you buy tomorrow. Also, as Joe, or someone else stated, if one likes a wine, the rest of the world "be-damned." While I do not go in search of value wines, I don't mind saving a few $s, if the wine rewards me. I hit upon a SA Bdx. blend, some years back for US$12/btl. I do not care what it cost me, but it gave me great pleasure. In my circle, I turned a dozen folk onto it, and they were also impressed. Unfortunately, it is not available in my area - oh well, on to the next bottle. It is about what brings one pleasure, and nothing more.

Some day I'll try the Whatever$ Chuck again, but, until I do, I will recall the less than satisfactory wines, that I encountered years ago. With so many wines out there, it may take me some years to get back to it.

To your direct question: I'd rate the Cab & Merlot, that I tasted, as 1, on a

1-10 scale. At that rating, you could pay me US$3 and I would not drink it, but that was then, this is now.

Hunt

I agree with Joe and Stig...

If you like 2 Buck Chuck you should drink it!!! Everyone has differing pallets and think of it this way...if you like it for $2.00...imagine how much you save. Then as Joe suggested try other more expensive and at least see of you can tell the difference.

enjoy.

[SNIP]

As you say, it is, "what works 4 U." My wife cannot understand what I see in aged white Burgs. She thinks that all the wonderful fruit is gone. She may be right, but I still like the older guys. "Different strokes... "

Hunt

I can't afford $30-$40 a night for wine either. But I can afford $8-$10 and there are quite a few very nice wines for that price range. But I do agree with you. A wine is worth what the individual drinker makes of it. I often don't agree with many so called professional ratings.

in article T9Zah.1090$ snipped-for-privacy@bignews2.bellsouth.net, Dave Allison at snipped-for-privacy@bellxsouth.nxet wrote on 11/28/06 8:08 AM: enough they are still less ($2.99) a bottle. Does anyone have input

There really is no way the wine can be consistent with something North of 15 million total cases sold each year. I tried it when it first became available and thought it compared well with wines of $6-7.... a pretty good deal. I tried the Cab again, a couple years later, and found it to be pretty vile stuff. Maybe my tastes had changed, maybe not. One of my favorite wines, a few years back, was Rex Goliath Pinot Noir (at around $8-9). Now I can't find a decent Pinot for under $20. That's more me, I think, but partly a market that has gone somewhat nuts for Pinot.

Bottom line, though, is that I'd agree with those here who've said that you should drink what you like and not worry about what anyone else says about it. Why pay more if you're happy at $2??

I have tasted variation on bottles bought from the same store at the same time that came from different lots and the variation can range from OK/pleasant C, 80 point wines to stuff that will take the enamel off of your teeth. This was true across the board for all varietals because I have friends who are enamored of it since we just got a Trader Joes in the area. I think the thrill of walking out of a store with a $36 + tax case skews people into thinking they get good wine that way. It is the old quantity versus quality. I have found good $12 bottles of wine that would get me a 1/4 case at $36 with a much better taste outcome.

Wow. me too. I can relate to your comments, some. 47 Pound Rooster Pinot Noir was a hit for me for a couple years. Now I find it missing something.

The comments were wonderful from everyone. I will re-read them, but guess I should enjoy $2.99 Buck Chuck until I get tired of it.

Ghee - that's it! We evolve, drink what you like today, because tomorrow we will change. smile.

Another good thing for me - I make my own wines, so re-using the bottles of a $2.99 versus a $40 bottle is great. Hmm. Maybe I am letting that influence me. snicker.

thanks, to all.

DAve

Midlife wrote:

No, more like a market that has figured out how to rape your wallet for at least $20. Keep looking. Harder.

Because it obviously can't compare to your need for a (wasted) $20 Pinot. Try making your own. Like I am.

David

Politicians cater to the big distributors who lobby them. In most states consumers can't order wines from small wineries. The only wines available to them are the ones brought in by the distributors.

wow! So many thoughts. Thanks all. Tonight we do stir-fry (beef and veggies)- so am trying a Charles Shaw Shiraz at $2.99 locally. I opened an hour ago and just tried a little taste now - wow. How can you argue with "worth every penny you paid for it?". ha. Pretty good. Beats Azure Bay Shiraz, which was my low end Shiraz favorite up to this point.

BTW, I have read each of your thoughts. Thanks.

DAve

Dave Allis> Hi,