Fast facts:
- 2020 Trader Joe’s Petit Reserve Rosé ($6.99 @Trader Joe’s, California)
- 2020 Trader Joe’s Reserve Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s, California)
- 2018 Trader Joe’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s, California)
There’s a scene in the movie The Jerk, starring Steve Martin as..well, a jerk…that just became fabulously wealthy. He is out to dinner and berates a waiter for attempting to pawn off “old wines” on him and his date insisting that instead, the waiter/Som should bring him “the fresh stuff.” Well, today we are bringing you the fresh stuff! All three of these wines are from vintages that won’t leave you wondering whether these wines are too old, or too young. Although in the case of the Rosé and Chardonnay, they literally couldn’t be any younger. We haven’t even harvested the 2021 vintage here in California, let alone fermented it into wine.
But as you have heard us say many times, the right wine, from the right place, and the right vintage – at the right price! – is what gets us out of bed in the morning. These three check all the boxes, and are rock solid values worthy of your wallet, or Apple Pay!
There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started, in the order they would be presented to you in a Tasting Room of course…
Trader Joe’s 2020 Petit Reserve Central Coast Rosé, California
Here is what they Trader Joe’s Fearless Flyer had to say about this wine: “(it) comes to us from one of the absolute best, and long-time iconic, wineries. This exact wine, branded, sells for $13 and up. And it’s worth it. The winery, simply put, produced way too much of this award-winning rosé, and we made a deal to help them, and us, out. The wine really is lovely! And at our retail, it’s an incredible bargain. It’s delicious on its own, and has enough body to stand up to sauced and flavored fish and chicken dishes.”
Tasting notes:
A lovely light salmon color in the glass. Nice nose of wild strawberry and rhubard. Notes of peach and guava on the nose. Ceamy, with strawberry, peach and rhubarb flavors, and a long-lasting finish. Light and refreshing, perfect for enjoying poolside or lakeside.
Trader Joe’s 2020 Reserve Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
Made from 100% Russian River Valley Chardonnay grapes, this Trader Joe’s Reserve has a remarkable balanced character. The fruit, acidity, and oak all work in harmony to re-create a classic Chardonnay profile. Frankly, I can’t believe a wine this good was still fruit hanging in the vineyard this time last year.
Tasting notes:
Pours a nice medium gold color. Nose of honey, citrus, white flowers and tropical fruits. Rich, creamy mouthfeel with flavors of honeycomb, vanilla, and butterscotch. Nice medium finish that beckons for another sip, and another.
Trader Joe’s 2018 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington
This one might just be the pick of the litter. It’s a nice Cab from one of Washington’s premier sub-AVAs that strikes a nice balance between more ripe Cabs in California, and less ripe ones from Bordeaux. In other words, in the median between new and old world styles. A winner.
Tasting notes: Nose of toast, black tea and cola. Beautiful balance of acidity and fruit that frames flavors of black cherry, black berry, chocolate, spices and dried herbs. Would pair well with meat, roasted meat, grilled meat and…well, you get the picture.
If your local Trader Joe’s carries this bottling, give it a try and let us know what you think by dropping a note here in the comments section or on our Facebook or Instagram posts.
And if your weekend does find you shopping at your local TJ’s, also keep an eye out for our Lucky 13 list of TJ’s wine. It’s a shopping list comprised of our most recent reviews.
Or if you’re headed to Costco, you can find our most recent reviews of Costco wines here in our Lucky 13 list of Costco wine finds.
Cheers!