Trader Joe's Platinum Reserve Pinot Noir 2021
Trader Joe's Platinum Reserve Pinot Noir 2021
GRAPES: Pinot Noir
VINTAGE: 2021
REGION: Carneros
ALCOHOL PERCENTAGE: 14.5%
PRICE: $14.99
There's nothing better than the holiday season at Trader Joe's. Not only do you get some incredible food items, looking at you Butter Toffee Pretzels, but Trader Joe's pulls out all the stops when it comes to wine. Undoubtedly, you will see an influx of reserve wines hitting the shelves. Clean out your wine fridge, bar cart, or wherever you need to store wines because you will want a few of these bottles. Right now, you may be thinking, "What are Trader Joe's Reserve Wines?" Let's talk about it, shall we?
Trader Joe's has four categories of wine ( well, five depending on where you live and what you can access), but I am here to share the categories I've seen/tasted in Nashville.
Petit Reserve | These wines are a simply great value and are reasonably priced at around $7.99/bottle. These wines would be comparable to a bottle that would typically sell for $12.00-$15.00.
Reserve | These are "extra special" wines that exemplify classic varietal character and are priced around $9.99/bottle. These wines would be comparable to a bottle that would normally sell for $22.00-$25.00.
Grand Reserve | These wines are heavy hitters typically priced at $12.99/bottle.
Platinum Reserve | These wines are considered the best of the best and are usually priced around $14.99/bottle. When enjoyed, they easily stand-up bottles that are $30.00 and up.
There's allegedly a "Diamond Reserve," but I have yet to come across one in Nashville. If you spot one, help a girl out and let me know! I was told by a reliable source at TJ's that if you find a wine with a particular lot that really speaks to your soul, grab a few bottles for your wine cabinet. Each lot number is a limited release, and once it's gone, it's gone.
I picked up three wines in one of the above reserve categories this week. Naturally, I wanted to start with the most exclusive bottle first and work my way backward through the wine. This evening, I had the pleasure of opening a 2021 Trader Joe's Platinum Release Pinot Noir from the Carneros region. With the $14.99 price point, this may be one of the most expensive wines I've shared on my blog. Let's hope that the "platinum reserve" label holds true and it gives "upper echelon/ expensive wine" vibes when we taste it.
Without further ado, let's jump into the tasting details, shall we?
Tasting Notes:
Garnet hue with slightly transparent but with opaque moments
Dark fruit notes, specifically black cherry
Spicy notes in the back of the mouth
Hints of toasted oak
Definitely on the drier end of the spectrum with medium
Disclaimer: I did not pair this wine with food, but I’ve found it to be a solid on its own
Verdict:
Friends, I am here to tell you that this wine is indeed worth the $14.99 price point. In fact, it’s better than a glass of Pinot Noir that I had at a local Nashville establishment last night, where the glasses cost more than this bottle. If you are in the process of sorting out your Thanksgiving lineup or perhaps looking for what to contribute to Friendsgiving, grab a few bottles of this and become the hero of the day. This is a fantastic Pinot Noir and definitely punches above its weight. If you’re able to get your hands on one of these bottles, let me know your thoughts!
Until Next Time!