Comments on: Charles Shaw (Two-buck-chuck) Cabernet

By: Jim S.

Jim S. — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 01:17:05 +0000

Long story short: I absconded with a case of CS Merlot my cousin bought, but left in my folks’ basement. They wanted it “gone” so I loaded it up and brought it back to Virginia with me. Need to send my cousin a check… yea, I should do that, shouldn’t I?…for the wine, so I checked the price for a Michigan purchase. Nice price: $3/ bottle. Read a lot of these reviews…agree with most that you should drink what you like, and if what you like is $3 a bottle, so much the better. Anyway, the CSM is a good wine…a ‘deal’ as it were.

By: John Valenti

John Valenti — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 22:42:44 +0000

Here is my review: Firstly, I am not an expert wine critic. I am not even a critic. I have been drinking wine off and on for about 40 years, but just not that much wine. I am much more an expert in beers or more correctly ales, and have been brewing for about 30 years. This review needs to be the final word on Charles Shaw wine, or at least Merlot. I have read many of the comments above and came to the conclusion that the Merlot was the wine I wanted to taste. Yesterday, the day after Christmas, I bought a bottle of CS Merlot. Today, after opening it and letting it sit for about 15 minutes and then pouring it through an aerator I settled down with some Ak-Mak organically grown whole wheat flour…sesame crackers with some hot salsa and Jack cheese, here is my ‘expert’ opinion: CS Merlot is my wine of choice for any Merlot at $15/bottle or less. I have nothing bad to say about it. My logic is why would I spend $15 for a bottle of any other brand of Merlot when I can spend $2.49 (what I paid) for a bottle of Charles Shaw Merlot? I know that there have to be a lot of Merlots out there which are better but I am sure they are much more expensive. I have just not tasted them. So, if you want to be a wine snob and criticize CS Merlot, it is still your right. I have been sipping on a glass while I write this comment and it is quite satisfying. I really appreciate a good buy. It is not alcohol spiked cool aid but in fact, a real wine. If you must spend $15-$20 for a bottle of Merlot, please do but I am quite pleased with a $2.49 CS Merlot. I can spend the other $12.50 on a good pizza to go with my CS Merlot.

By: Daggerswan

Daggerswan — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:46:59 +0000

In the order that I tried them:

Merlot – tastes like $10 wine FTW!
Shiraz – tastes like they should pay you $10. I could not finish a glass.
Sauvignon Blanc – tastes like $7 wine. Perfectly fine table wine.
Cabernet Sauvignon – tastes like $5 wine. Drink alone, don’t serve to guests.

The Chardonnay is next. I wish our TJ had the Valdiguie. If it is similar to a Beaujolais I will pay $2.99 for it.

By: MaryGrace

MaryGrace — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:46:43 +0000

Charles Shaw is delicious because it’s affordable. Things just taste better when you didn’t blow your entire paycheck on it.

By: Tonja

Tonja — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 05:06:00 +0000

I’m a poet and host a monthly poetry event at a very nice art gallery. Since art galleries are allowed to serve wine during art exhibits and events, I purchase two buck Chuck. I set out a tip jar to get enough money to buy next month’s bottles of two buck Chuck, which you all know is very affordable! Having wine just adds a special touch to the evening’s festivities. Imagine being in an art gallery surrounded by beautiful paintings and other art, listening to poetry and/or music, and drinking two buck Chuck. Trust me, it is an evening to be envied by those who may spend a ton of money to attend a concert, opera, play, or other event, spend lots of money on wine or cocktails, and they have to get dressed. If you want a great evening of entertainment FREE of charge and good wine FREE of charge, come on out. Two buck Chuck is the perfect additive to this night of entertainment as it gives the event the right touch of class!

By: Louisa

Louisa — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 00:53:27 +0000

I think it’s hilarious that the wine snobs have taken the time to come here and slam Two Buck Chuck. Why? We just got a new Trader Joe’s, open today, and I can’t wait to get in there and enjoy the good life as we had it at our Trader Joe’s in LA. I just want something drinkable with that lovely mellow wine feeling to it in the evening. It doesn’t have to be high art. I like Trader Joe’s olive oil too. That’s a whole other category of fussiness for some, olive oil. I can appreciate the food and drink as art form thing, but I have the highest of low standards, and Trader Joe’s hits that sweet spot.

By: NewtoWine

NewtoWine — Sat, 28 May 2011 22:17:22 +0000

Oh my goodness. It doesn’t get much better than this thread. I am dying laughing here! So glad I stumbled on this site.

And to see that it’s been added to over the years…hilarious!

By the way…I’ve never had Two Buck Chuck but I’ve had Trader Joe’s other wines. Tolerable, but not great. Definitely not solo wines, unless you’re looking to get a little tipsy on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

By: Austinbirdman

Austinbirdman — Wed, 11 May 2011 13:54:19 +0000

I really appreciate Daniel Shaw’s lengthy comments on Two Buck Chuck. Thanks Mr. Shaw! That’s great insight, and helps explain the divide over this wine. It’s essentially no different than the millions of gallons of other cheap red wine that’s been available for years under various jug and box wine brands. Trade Joe’s has just done a great job marketing it — which is somewhat ironic, since their cachet such as it stands comes from positiong Two Buck Chuck as a cheap wine without the puffery of more expensive red.

There are a number of good, bargain red wine options available in local grocery stores, Costco, and so forth for people who don’t like Two Buck Chuck.

By: Doug

Doug — Sat, 07 May 2011 17:21:01 +0000

Hell’s Bells – it all makes me want to try some of the Chuckster’s offerings! Good, bad, or worse – what the hell…?

Have drunk a lot of expensive and middling-priced wine over the years, but nothing has been like the Villa Banfi Lambrusco, which was exceedingly cheap in the early 1980′s, when I happened to drink 6 or 7 liters of it one day. Now that was a hangover – damn thing lasted 2 days.

By: DJ Rizzotto

DJ Rizzotto — Fri, 06 May 2011 17:32:07 +0000

I grew up Sicilian, even as toddlers wine was a staple drink served in drinking glasses and reds kept in the refrigerator. Yes, we had wines reserved for guests but simple Chianti, Valpolicella and cabs were just fine. Charles Shaw is a staple wine drinkers wine I’ve never had a problem with and with our average make age into the 90′s, not a one of us ever had bad health. Drink wine, live and laugh. If you’re so pompous that you treat wine as a religion, you’re not invited.