Comments on: L’Authentique Red Table Wine: Anything But Authentic

By: vinicultured

vinicultured — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:03:55 +0000

Finally! Someone who agrees with me about this wine. I still haven’t been able to find another bottle of it, but I’ll definitely re-post when I try it again. Thank you, Mark!

By: markgordon

markgordon — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 04:58:45 +0000

Sorry to sour everyone’s grapes (bad pun, I apologize), but I had to respond in order to give caution to those considering this wine after browsing Trader Joe’s bargain buys. It looks tempting, that’s how I stumbled upon it, simple label, right price (3.99 when I bought it tonight in LA), french table wine. I’m no wine snob, give me a solid $5-$10 table wine over a not-quite-there $15-$20 cab/merlot/fill-in-the-blank any day but I have to side more towards the original posting. This wine is mediocre at best for what it’s trying to be, and no I did not get a bad bottle. There is nothing notably “off” about this wine, but it’s really lacking anything right. Somewhat bitter bouquet, thin palate, and an almost nonexistent finish with little backbone. Perhaps a decent “beginners” wine as it is very light and unassuming, drinkable, yes, but there are way better 5 buck bargains out there. Personally I wish I would have spent the extra $1 and got the D’Aquino wicker basket Chianti ($4.99 at TJ’s, and about $13.99 at your local grocer).

By: vinicultured

vinicultured — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 05:30:37 +0000

Hmm. That actually sounds pretty good. You know, so many people have stood up for this wine that I may have to try it. I haven’t seen it at Trader Joe’s in a while, however, but if I see it I’ll be sure to pick up a bottle. It’s only $5, after all!

But if that second bottle is bad, you all had better watch out!

By: Tabugrl

Tabugrl — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 05:04:01 +0000

I happen to love this wine. I think the chances are good you had a bad bottle. I’ve never experienced a “baked” nuance with this wine.It is a great table wine, well-balanced, and I find that it’s simplicity is its charm. Nice fruit: raspberry and fresh plum. Interesting that “Breezy” mentions Chariot, because this is another one of my regular buys, and I find they share some basic qualities. This is my go-to wine whenever I want something affordable and enjoyable.

By: Wine-o

Wine-o — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 05:10:00 +0000

I have bought 2 bottles a week of this wine for the past 6 months after a checker recommended it and enjoy it very much- I HAVE gotten 2 bad bottles, though, and boy do I KNOW they are bad- sour- tannic- awful!! Fortunately I took them back and switched em out:)
Easy drinking wine late at night with no meal to accompany it – Way better than two buck chuck but I can certainly find better $35 bottles if I’m in the mood to spend that much!!

By: Alfy

Alfy — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 17:50:07 +0000

Opened two “new” wines last night.

Green Fin, California Cabernet Savignon. Scale of 1 to 10, it is a 1 or less. Took a drink. Dumped the entire bottle then and there.
Its claim to fame, “made with organic grapes.” 13.5%, $4.99.

L’Authentique, French red table wine. Scale of 1 to 10, at least an 8. Claim to fame, “A smooth french red wine.” 12.5%, $4.99.

By: breezy

breezy — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 03:25:28 +0000

This is an old thread, but after picking this up and being wow’ed I had to look up the wine and say something. I think this is one of my new favorites. I’m new to wine, so maybe that’s the difference. I have tried other wines and not liked them as much as TJ’s wines. My favorites are Chariot Gypsy, Benefactor and other fruit forward wines. This one is quite effervescent, almost a tad sparkling, with a good tart fruit tang and the acidic bite that I love. Not everyone likes the kind of wines I do, but I’m glad to have found your blog.

By: vinicultured

vinicultured — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 01:00:17 +0000

Thank you for confirming on this! I haven’t had L’Authentique since that first time, but somehow I feel I’m not missing out on anything.

By: andre

andre — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 06:29:46 +0000

Your review of this wine characterizes it very well. I also picked it up randomly like you. I can confirm your bottle was not a bad one. No nose at all, a little crispness that is immediatelly cut off by some badly sugary aftertaste. Even 2$chuck’s pipi de chat is more drinkable than this, but then yes, it does say table wine and has no appelation d’origine controllee a.k.a “I should have known better” Makes great sangria though.

By: gk in MN

gk in MN — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 16:33:52 +0000

I agree with Bob M – not complex but lightly sweet and pleasant. I don’t think it will keep well so plan on drinking it quickly. Not a problem says I!