19 Crimes Southeast Australia Shiraz, 2021

Probably because of the rather garish packaging, I have never been attracted to 19 Crimes wines when I see them on the shelves for $10 to $15 a bottle. But when my local Trader Joe's store offered the Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc for $4.99, I had to give them a try. The Pinot was surprisingly decent and drinkable, but I find this Shiraz to be ordinary and fairly priced at $4.99.

Bright red. Comes across as a bold Aussie Shiraz. Black fruits, vanilla, oak. The fruit appears to come from highly cropped vineyards, though. Simple, undistinguished and slightly sweet.