A Trader Joe’s Red Wine Trifecta!

Fast facts:

• 2022 Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Lot #132, GSM, Santa Barbara County, California ($12.99 @Trader Joe’s, California)

What a nice, summer weight red wine this one is.

But why are we calling this Wine of the Week a trifecta?  Well, because it checks our three main boxes:

1. The right grapes,
2. Grown in the right place, and…
3. A rocking QPR!

You could also think of it as a trifecta because GSM stands for three of our favorite red Rhone grapes as shown on this wine’s front – and back – label: 42% Grenache, 39% Syrah, 19% Mourvedre.  All grown just an hour or two from where the Vinopointer calls home, and where we found this bottle.  To be precise, it was at the Ventura, CA Trader Joe’s.

And as we alluded to above, these are grapes grown in the right place.  Red rhone wine varieites thrive in Santa Barbara County, especially east of the 101 freeway. (West of the 101 is world class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir terrain.)

 

Tasting Notes:

Nice clear red plum color in the glass with aromas of licorice, red raspberry and blackberry.  In the mouth, more of the same with some added notes of vanilla and strawberry.  Long, smooth finish that unfolds revealing more bright red fruit flavors. Very little oak influence allows the fruit to shine through. Well balanced and would pair well with burgers, red and white pastas and hard cheeses.  ABV = 14.9%.

 

Need More Wine Picks from Trader Joe’s – or Costco?

If your search for this wine lands you in Trader Joe’s, take along our handy Lucky 13 list of TJ’s wine here.

And if your wine shopping excursions land you in Costco, prepare by grazing our most recent reviews of Costco wines here in our Lucky 13 list.

Cheers!