2024 Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Zinfandel | Lot #118

Trader JoesTJ TuesdayRed WinesZinfandel
Written By Catherine Courtney

2024 Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Zinfandel | Lot #118

GRAPES: Zinfandel

VINTAGE: 2024

REGION: Paso Robles, California

ALCOHOL PERCENTAGE: 15.1%

PRICE: $14.99

As Thanksgiving approaches, someone has to step up and do the Lord’s work, and this year, I’ve nobly volunteered as tribute. While others in the family are busy perfecting pie crusts and polishing silver, I’ve taken on the far more vital task of taste-testing wines to find the perfect bottles for our holiday table. It’s a tough job swirling, sipping, and “evaluating” glass after glass, but the spirit of service runs deep….what can I say?

After all, Thanksgiving isn’t just about the turkey; it’s about the pairings that bring the whole feast together. From bright whites that cut through buttery dishes to bold reds that stand up to the stuffing, I’m diving into the world of wine with gratitude (and maybe a little enthusiasm).

Admittedly, I love the holiday season at Trader Joe’s. It truly feels like stepping into a festive wonderland where every aisle offers a new, limited-edition delight. And the same is true for the wine aisle. I oftentimes feel like Trader Joe’s saves their elite Diamond and Platinum reserve wines for this sacred time. During my last wander, I found 2024 Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Zinfandel | Lot #118. It’s been a while since I’ve dabbled with a Zinfandel, so I thought, why not give this a swirl?

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

Tasting Notes:

  • Deep garnet hue

  • Notes of jammy blackberries and blueberries; hint of plums

  • Subtle spiciness- imagine black pepper on the palate

  • Slight hint of cocoa

  • Full-bodied wine with juicy, lush tannins

  • Serving suggestion: Decant at least 20-45 minutes before enjoying ( a must before enjoying)

Verdict

Given that I don’t dabble in Zinfandels very often, I found this bottle quite enjoyable. It was pretty tight when I opened the bottle, but decanting it was a game-changer. It allowed the wine to open up and the true flavors to shine through. This would be a great bottle to sip while you cook your Thanksgiving dishes, or even to enjoy during Friendsgiving. If you grab this bottle, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Drop them in the comments below!

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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