2023 Trader Joe’s Diamond Reserve Cabernet sauvignon | Lot #11

Trader JoesTJ TuesdayRed WinesCabernet Sauvignon
Written By Catherine Courtney

2023 Trader Joe’s Diamond Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon | Lot #11

GRAPES: Cabernet Sauvignon

VINTAGE: 2023

REGION: Rutherford, Napa Valley- California

ALCOHOL PERCENTAGE: 14.5%

PRICE: $19.99

The holidays are in full swing- twinkling lights, packed calendars, and that steady craving for something festive. By “festive,” I mean wine!

Amid the hustle and bustle, I’ve cracked open a new bottle of wine from Trader Joe’s that deserves a moment in the spotlight. This is the type of bottle that you pour generously and sip slowly; it practically nudges you to text your bestie and plan your next night out. Best part? At this price, indulgence doesn’t require fuss.

Consider this your permission to pause, top off your glass, and savor something devadently delicious. Tonight, we are opening the 2023 Trader Joe’s Diamond Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Lot #11) from Rutherford, Napa Valley.

So without further ado, let’s jump into the tasting details, shall we?

Tasting Notes:

  • Deep purple hue

  • Notes of dark red fruits on the nose- think blackberries, black currant, subtle hint of tartness which reminds me of black cherries

  • Ever so slight mineral undertones with supporting notes of cocoa and warm spice

  • Full-bodied with noticeable tannins, but a smooth mouthfeel once the wine has time to open up

Verdict:

I’m usually skeptical of the “Diamond Reserve” ranking at Trader Joe’s, but this bottle genuinely surprised me…and in the best way possible. The wine strikes a beautiful balance, bold and expressive, yet undeniably elegant. I enjoyed it enough to go back and pick up a few extra bottles for days when only something delicious will do. A word of caution: it’s deeply pigmented and left me with a noticeable purple smile, so take my advice and choose your setting wisely. That said, it’s a wine that’s easy to fall for and hard to forget. If you spot this at your local store, go ahead- throw a bottle or two in the basket. You’ll thank me later.

Until Next Time!

Catherine Courtney

Welcome to Blonde Voyage Nashville!

I am so excited to finally see this dream become a reality.  Between the destination restaurants, the copious amount of food photos and insanely crazy travel stories, I have decided to share my journey. 

My name is Catherine Courtney and I am a Nashville native with a penchant for culinary creativity and epic travel adventures. I'll admit... I also have a slight obsession with handbags.

Two years ago, my life changed completely.  Everything that I knew to be was completely turned upside down.  I quickly realized that time is our greatest commodity and it's not to be taken for granted. I couldn't wait for the perfect time, who knew when that would be.  I needed to take the leap and explore the world on my own.  There were so many places I wanted to go, but where would I start. 

France was always one of those places that I had romanticized.  Wandering the streets of Paris and seeing the Eiffel tower were at the top of my list. Without hesitation, I booked a two week trip to the French Rivera and Paris.  It was a journey of a lifetime.  Not only were amazing friendships cultivated, but it was on that trip that i discovered that food and travel are the embers that that keep my soul on fire. 

It wasn't until I arrived back in Nashville with my passport that I realized I had been bit. Wanderlust had completely taken over.  I already started thinking about where I wanted to go next.  It was then that I decided that it was more important to have camera full of photos and a tattered journal full of stories than anything else. My heart was overflowing.

One of my favorite quotes that resonates is from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland:

"Actually, the best gift you could have given her was a lifetime of adventures...."

Join me as I explore near and far away places, filling my passport full of stamps and satiating my appetite with some of the most amazing cuisine the world has to offer. 

Thanks for reading! 

       

 

 

http://blondevoyagenashville.com
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2023 Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Cabernet Franc | Lot #144