Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Cabernet | Reviewed

Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville 2013 | Trader Joe’s Wine

Trader Joe's Platinum Reserve Cabernet

The Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve and Platinum Reserve Wines might vary in the type of wine as well as the AVA specific sub-appellation from which they are produced but a few things remain constant: they are often excellent values, routinely over-delivering for the price and the best ones sell out quickly. The program is not unlike Costco’s own private-label Kirkland Signature one.

The Grand Reserve Meritage ($12.99), Grand Reserve Oakville Merlot and the Platinum Reserve Yountville Cabernet ($14.99) have been personal favorites of mine. While the Grand Reserve Meritage seems to be somewhat more readily available, the latter two offerings sold out really quickly.

According to an associate at Trader Joe’s, not only is that the norm but these wines are the ones that the employees stock up on themselves. So when I spotted the newest addition to the lineup: the Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville from the highly successful 2013 vintage I had to try it…

Trader Joe's Platinum Reserve Cabernet

Appearance: A dark, though slightly translucent ruby.

Nose: The are ripe raspberries and blackberries along with milk chocolate and pronounced toasty oak – maybe too much.

On the palate: The Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville is medium-bodied delivering a soft, smooth and generous texture. There are raspberry, cassis and blackberry notes infused with creamy milk chocolate livened by a refreshing undercurrent of acidity. The smooth and seamless profile is only slightly offset by a bit too much oak on the finish.

Varietal Composition: Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage: 2013

Origin: Oakville, Napa Valley, CA

Value Rating:  4 / 5

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

Price: $14.99

Score: 88

Should you buy? It’s worth a try. The Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville isn’t the most distinctive or polished of the Trader Joe’s reserve wines – but it’s still a pretty solid value in the Trader Joe’s Wine Section

Trader Joe's Platinum Reserve Cabernet

Value Proposition – Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Cabernet Oakville 2013 | Trader Joe’s Wine

Funny thing about this wine is that it seems to me that the folks who vinted this Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon obviously had great fruit to work with, yet managed to mess things up in winemaking process.

Oak chips, maybe? I don’t know, but I do know that if this had a little more polish on the finish it would have been a solid 90 pointer for me.

But in keeping perspective and considering the price and pedigree of the fruit,  there is lot’s to like about this wine and it brings a lot of personality to the dinner table for the price.


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3 thoughts on “Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Cabernet | Reviewed

  1. Pingback: Guide to Trader Joe's Wine | Prices & Top Selections - The Fermented Fruit

  2. Amina Spencer

    It never fails to amaze me how Trader Joe’s has so many store brand products that are actually good. Like really good. Especially something like wine, I mean how crazy is that? Can you imagine if there was Walmart-brand wine? LOL. But Trader Joe’s went there and actually did it well. Nice job, Trader Joe’s.

    Reply

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