With some of today’s wine prices reaching for the stars, it is good to see that there is still an $8 wine that offers some value. Trinity Oaks makes a complete line of the most popular varieties, all of which are definitely worth their price.
The question arises, how can they make their wines to sell for such a low price and still give the buyer something of quality?
The answer is simple: by carefully selecting fruit from areas that produce decent grapes but are not in the high-priced, premium grape-growing areas.
Let us set the record straight. The Trinity Oaks wines are not great wines; you don’t get great wines for eight bucks. What you do get are affordable mealtime wines that exhibit reasonable quality, are true to the characteristics of the varities and don’t taste like mouthwash, which is a rare commodity in today’s marketplace.
Trinity Oaks 2011 Pinot Grigio ($8)The Trinity Oaks 2011 Pinot Grigio is a fine representation of what the variety can be.
It is a big and full-flavored wine with a light straw color that displays a rich fruity bouquet of apricots and pears. Its flavor is crisp and possesses a raisin-like quality coupled with the acid bite of limes and ending in a long, clean fresh fruit finish with hints of hazelnuts.
If you've never experienced a pinot grigio, this wine is a great way to make an introduction. If, however, you are familiar with pinot grigio wines, this variety will not disappoint you.
Trinity Oaks 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon ($8)2011 was a fine year for cabernet sauvignon grapes, and almost without exception, the wines made from the grapes of that vintage were better than usual. The Trinity Oaks 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon is no exception.
It is a big, full-flavored wine with the classical cabernet flavors of blackberry and black cherry along with notes of green olive, cedar, dried herbs and a background of vanilla. Unlike many of the less expensive cabs, this wine has a fruity finish that lasts a reasonably long time and shows no harshness or off-flavors.
Trinity Oaks 2011 Chardonnay ($8)The full possibilities of chardonnay grapes are beautifully expressed in this wine.
The aroma bursts with generous amounts of apple, pineapples and a hint of citrus, which then migrates to the flavor where they mingle with lemon, grapefruit and pear.
This is a wine that is much finer than its modest price indicates and a nice reprieve from the more expensive, look-a-like chardonnay wines that permeate the marketplace and have turned consumers away from the variety.
Trinity Oaks 2009 Pinot Noir ($8)An inexpensive pinot noir can often taste like a mixture of turpentine and fertilizer, but that is not the case with this wine.
The Trinity Oaks vintners have produced a wine which, like their chardonnay, coaxes all of the possible flavors and aromas out of this very temperamental grape. The flavor and aroma are packed with cherry, raisins, dried herbs and mushrooms.
This wine is a nice introduction to the beauties of the pinot noir variety - without breaking the bank.
Trinity Oaks 2010 Merlot ($8)The Trinity Oaks 2010 Merlot has the brilliant amethyst color of a classical merlot, with the aroma of ripe cherries and plums wrapped in a soft robe of oak. These aromas are mirrored in the flavor and are enhanced by a near perfect acid balance.
This wine will cover a broad spectrum of foods and can accompany any meat dish, as well as full-flavored grilled seafood and all cheeses.
Nixa resident Bennet Bodenstein is a wine columnist and helps manage ArticlesOnWine.com with his wife, Sheila. He can be reached at frojhe@suddenlink.net.
