The Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Viognier CB+V, a darn near legendary value. Available widely, including many Trader Joe’s, Costco and Sam’s Club locations. We tell you which one is by far the cheapest place to buy it.
80% Chenin Blanc and 20% Viognier. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and does not undergo malolactic fermentation. The wine has around 6-9 g/L of residual sugar.
While past vintages of this wine have always been labeled as coming from California (the Clarksburg appellation for the Chenin Blanc and Lodi for the Viognier), the 2024 is simply labeled as “American”. It turns out the winery had supply issues with the 2024 and had to source a small amount of wine from other places. Will it matter for the taste? We’ll find out below, but let’s look at the pricing first.
Sample submitted for review. The Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier has an SRP of $16. It is available widely, including at many Costco, Trader Joe’s and Sam’s Club locations.
So where is the cheapest place to purchase it? Here’s where things get interesting. The Costco price on this wine is just $9.59:
You might think that Trader Joe’s would be priced competitively, but as we’ve long proclaimed, Trader Joe’s is almost entirely focused on selling their own private label wines. As such, they often price widely available wines like this one high, to make their private label offers seem more enticing. (They are really just on the shelf to help their own sales.)
This wine is the perfect case in point as Trader Joe’s has it priced at $13.99 and put it on the shelf right next to their own Chenin Blanc and Viognier blend, the Mbali Chenin Blanc Viognier, which is less than half the price:
Trader Joe’s has had a number own private label versions of this wine over the years, so they clearly see the appeal (and the sales) and are doing their best to get a piece. These include the Petit Reserve Chenin Blanc Viognier and the Radient Chenin Blanc Viognier, which even had a similar looking label, in addition to the South African Mbali mentioned above.
As far as Sam’s Club goes, they seem to split the difference and price it right around $12 ($11.88 last time we saw it). This easily makes Costco the best place to purchase, especially if you are stocking up for a wedding.
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From the bottle:
Our distinctive white blend marries the crisp, honeyed citrus fruit of Chenin Blanc (80%) with the plush body, soft floral and juicy peach notes of Viognier (20%) for a lush, versatile and delicious wine. Enjoy a glass on its own or try it alongside your favorite seafood or spicy dish.
Bottled by Pine Ridge Vineyards
11.5% Alcohol
And now let’s see if the change in sourcing for this vintage has any effect on the taste…
The 2024 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Viognier begins with very pleasant aromas of grapefruit, melon, pear and lots of lemon along with honeysuckle and other floral notes.
Tasting the light to medium-bodied wine reveals loads of juicy, succulent green apple, pear, lots of lemon and other citrus fruit and maybe just a touch of effervescence. The wine also has a fabulous lively acidity and a nice mineral streak. It might be a touch sweeter than previous vintages, but it is also just super drinkable.
Tropical fruit notes take over mid-palate and lead into the fresh, crisp and long finish. We’ll put this one at a high 8 on our Taste Rating scale (90 points). As far as we can tell, this is as delicious as ever even though it has to be labeled as “American” wine now. It’s a killer value at the Costco price.
Not only is this a fantastic summertime sipper but it also makes a great pairing with spicy Asian food thanks to a little sweetness. We even include it on our Thanksgiving and Wedding Wines lists. And as much as Trader Joe’s has tried to knock it off, the Pine Ridge is still the king!
2024 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Viognier
Find all of our recommended wines from Costco, Trader Joe’s and Sam’s Club as well as our best tips and tricks for shopping the wine department in our giant guides!
You may also want to check out more of our favorite white blends here!
Review Summary
Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Viognier - Still The King? Reverse Wine Snob
The Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Viognier CB+V, a darn near legendary value. Available widely, including many Trader Joe's, Costco and Sam's Club locations. We tell you which one is by far the cheapest place to buy it.
8
Pros
- 90 Points, Highly Recommended
- Fantastic as always and offers great value - if you buy it at the right place
Cons
- Pricing varies wildly
