The Bottle That Shouldn’t Be This Good for the Money
Outlander Meritage 2023 is labeled Paso Robles, and the back label calls it a Bordeaux-style blend built from Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Merlot, sitting at 13.5% ABV.
That lineup alone is usually enough to push a bottle out of the “under $10” conversation in most stores—especially when you toss “Paso Robles” into the mix. Yet here it is at ALDI, under eight bucks, looking like it wants to get drafted.
And before anyone says, “Yeah but is it just sweet and smooth like everything else?”—here’s the thing: it doesn’t come off like syrup in a tuxedo. It drinks like an actual red blend meant to be used the right way: with food, with friends, with real life.
What It Tastes Like (Real Talk, Not Poetry)
Right out of the gate, this is dark-fruit forward—think plum and blackberry, with a little spice that reads like “peppery warmth” more than oak-and-vanilla air freshener.
The texture is the sneaky part. It has a little grip. Not “chew-on-a-2x4 tannin,” but enough structure to keep it from feeling like grape juice with a diploma. The finish isn’t endless, but at $7.89 I’m not asking it to write a novel—I’m asking it to win its shift and get off the ice.
If you’re a fan of smooth, easy reds that still feel like “wine” and not “cocktail,” this hits that lane nicely.
Hockey Translation: This Wine Is a Grinder With Hands
If Costco is the superstar first line—big budget, big presence, big stats—this bottle is the third-line winger who wins puck battles in the corner, makes smart passes, and somehow ends the night with two assists.
It’s not trying to be fancy. It’s trying to be effective.
And in wine—just like hockey—that’s often what wins games.
The Ratings: What the Internet Says (Not Just Me)
Because I know how it goes: you’re going to tell your buddy this ALDI bottle is solid, and he’s going to squint like you just claimed you can beat Connor McDavid in a foot race.
So here’s the outside validation:
- Vivino shows Outlander Meritage Red around a 3.5 rating (across user ratings).
Wine Enthusiast gave Outlander 2021 Meritage (Paso Robles) an 88 score at a listed $8 price, which is basically the same vibe and positioning as what we’re seeing here.
For additional context, reviewers who track ALDI wines closely have scored recent vintages in the high-80s “recommended buy” range.
ALDI’s own listing positions it as a bold, dark-fruit red meant for hearty meals.
Do I worship ratings? No.
Do I like knowing I’m not the only one who thinks this bottle can skate? Absolutely.
Why This Matters: ALDI Might Be Raising the Bar
Here’s the shift I’m noticing: ALDI used to be a place you went for basics and bargains—period. Now, their wine aisle is starting to feel like a team that figured out how to draft and develop. They’re not just buying “cheap.” They’re buying strategic.
And this is a real “price reality check” moment:
If a Paso Robles Meritage can hit the shelf at $7.89 and still taste like a legit dinner wine, it forces the uncomfortable question:
What are we paying for in other stores when the bottle jumps to $15–$25?
Sometimes it’s better grapes, better barrels, better everything.
But sometimes it’s just… the same game with a more expensive ticket.
What To Eat With It (Because This Is Where It Wins)
This is not a “sip-and-analyze” bottle. It’s a “put food on the table” bottle.
Try it with:
- Smash burgers (especially if you’re doing grilled onions—money)
- Ribs or brisket (honestly, it’s right in that comfort zone)
- Pasta with red sauce (weeknight hero move)
- Chili (especially on a cold lakeshore night)
It’s also a hilarious win for hockey season hosting: pizza, wings, and a bottle that doesn’t punish your wallet.
The Straight Answer: Would I Buy It Again?
Yes—and not as a novelty. As a tool.
This is the kind of bottle you keep around for:
- last-minute guests
- weekday dinners
- “we’re watching the game and I’m not opening the $40 bottle” nights
- value hunters who want something that tastes like it belongs at the table
Is it going to replace your favorite Paso Robles Cab? No.
Is it one of the better “under $10” punches I’ve seen lately? Absolutely.
ALDI didn’t just clear the puck here. They set up the play.
