Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Meritage Napa Valley 2011 | Trader Joe’s Wine

Recently I took a gamble on the Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Spring Mountain Cabernet and was pretty surprised with the quality-price-ratio. At only $15, it easily drank like a wine costing twice as much if not more. So I went back to the Trader Joe’s Wine Section with the idea that I would stock up on this screaming Spring Mountain Cabernet value only to find that it had already sold out completely!

Apparently the Trader Joe’s wine experience is more similar to that of Shopping for Wine at Costco than I had imagined… So having learned my lesson and not wanting to leave empty handed, I decided to try the Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Meritage Napa Valley 2011.

Appearance: Very dark and nearly opaque at the core. It turns a vivid ruby red at the rim and has good legs.

Nose: There are perfumed aromas of raspberries, cherries, plums and blackberries along with notes of incense, spice and toasty cedar.  

On the palate: The Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Meritage is medium-bodied with a polished, sophisticated mouthfeel. At it’s core it is soft and spicy with liqueur-like red and black fruits and coffee flavors. It benefits from a lingering, smooth finish with just a hint of supple tannin.

Varietal Composition: Unknown, although traditionally a blend of Bordeaux varietals. 

Vintage: 2011

Origin: Napa Valley

Value Rating:  4.5 / 5

Where I got it: Trader Joe’s (Clarendon, VA)

Price: $12.99

Score: 90

Should you buy? Absolutely! The Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Meritage Napa Valley 2011 is a great value and a real crowd-pleaser.

Value Proposition – Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Meritage Napa Valley 2011 | Trader Joe’s Wine

The verdict? I’m glad I gave the Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Meritage a try. While it is a totally different wine from the Spring Mountain Cabernet I was originally looking to stock up on, that is partially why I am so impressed with these Trader Joe’s wine’s.

What do I mean by that? These Trader Joe’s wines impart a sense of place, or Terroir. While not the most distinctive itself, the riper Grand Reserve Napa Valley Meritage tastes like a wine that was made from the warmer valley floor vineyards and the more tannic, slightly higher acid Grand Reserve Spring Mountain Cabernet tasted like a wine that was made from cooler, rocky hillside vineyards.

In my opinion, any time you can find an interesting wine for less than $20 you’ve scored! I will definitely be looking for more of the Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve wines to try in the future. And  if you like one be sure to stock up because once it’s gone, its likely gone forever!