Trader Joe's Petite Verdot Lot #154
Trader Joe’s Petite Verdot
Lot #154
GRAPES: Petite Verdot
VINTAGE: 2018
REGION: Paso Robles, California
ALCOHOL PERCENTAGE: 14.5%
PRICE: $9.99
As we conclude the “Drink the Rainbow” series for TJ Tuesday, I decided to sample a bottle that I purchased early on in quarantine, Petite Verdot Lot #154. Before restrictions were loosened, one of my friends from San Diego mentioned that her Trader Joe’s was running low on wine and had heard that it was going to be impossible to get during this Pandemic. The thought of wine being unavailable sent me more into a frenzy than potentially being stuck in my house for another month. I grabbed my mask, gloves, and car keys, and off I went to Trader Joe’s. I waited in line and as soon as I made my through the door, it was like an episode of Supermarket Sweep. How many bottles of wine could I get in my cart without looking like a complete lunatic? If I recall, I ended up with 17 bottles of wine that afternoon and this Petite Verdot was one of them.
This bottle of Petite Verdot Lot #154 is one of Trader Joe’s reserve wines, which means it compares to a $20-$25 bottle of wine. Many of the reserve wines that I have sampled have been wonderful, so I was excited to try this one.
I poured myself a glass and gave it a swirl. There was SO much going on and I knew I needed to let it breathe and open up a bit before I gave it a taste. After 30 minutes or so, I decided to start sipping. Below you will find my tasting notes.
TASTING NOTES:
Classic Cork
Gorgeous deep ruby red color, almost purple
Notes of blackberry, plum, vanilla, and a little bit of spice
Almost jammy
Smooth but finishes very dry with a little spice in the back of the mouth
Good acidity but definitely on the tannic end of the spectrum
Trader Joe’s Notes:
Juicy blackberry mixed with lavender; soft supple tannins
Verdict:
Realizing that this is a fan favorite by Trader Joe’s enthusiasts, I had much higher expectations for this wine. Even after the glass opened up, I found it to be dry and the flavor profile to be a little lackluster. Would I buy this bottle again? Most likely not. There are plenty of other bottles at this price point that are superior.
Until Next Time!