32601 Wed Nov 17 16:22:49 -0800 2004 3 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 144702 The Daly City, SOMA and Masonic branches of TJ in San Francisco are selling the 1999 Villa Mt. Eden Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah for $2.99 a bottle. For that price, it is an excellent deal. It is as good as the Seven Peaks sale TJ had last year. I have only been to the three branches mentioned above; TJ probably has the wine in other branches. Note: when I checked at noon today the Masonic branch was sold out of the Syrah. Even though they are five years old, all three varietals are in good shape, probably at their peak. The cab has the typical cassis and cedar tastes, as well as some tannins, which at this stage are beginning to mellow out. The merlot is fruity, lots of black cherry. The Syrah, perhaps the most interesting, has layers of berries, olives and earth. The grapes come from Paso Robles, Santa Ynez, Monterey, Napa, Sonoma and the Sierra. The Villa Mt. Eden website has some information on these wines. Link: http://www.villamteden.com/info.cfm Wed Nov 17 16:22:49 -0800 2004 0 svL 1 144712 Although it doesn't seem like the Cabernet is the their Napa-only-sourced bottling, their 1999's have been terrific value. I'm still holding on to about 7 bottles of their 1999 Napa Valley bottlings and they almost come across as mid-to-high level Napa cabs that are priced above $75. I remember buying these upon release at around $17 per. At $2.99, even if these are their Califonia bottlings, it should be a terrific QPR. Wed Nov 17 17:08:15 -0800 2004 144702 0 rcc 2 144716 The TJ flyer says they're from the budget Coastal series, which sold for $9-10. Link: http://traderjoes.com/fearless/NC.pdf Wed Nov 17 17:21:01 -0800 2004 144712 0 Robert Lauriston 2 144717 These Villa Mt. Eden wines at TJ are part of their "Coastal" series, which is their "California" blend. The normal retail price -- if you can find them; 1999 vintages are pretty rare in stores these days -- seems to be around $11 a bottle (according to wine-searcher.com). Wed Nov 17 17:25:48 -0800 2004 144712 0 svL