Tribunal Wine Review | A Pour to Pass On?

Tribunal Wine Review North Coast Red Blend 2012 | Trader Joe’s Wine

Tribunal Wine

While I was at Trader Joe’s updating my Guide to Trader Joe’s Wine with new additions and updated pricing I decided it was time to pick up a few more bottles to put to the test. When I am there I always make it a point to ask a staff member what they believe the best wine values are and whether or not they have actually had the opportunity to taste them.

Chief amongst those recommendations was today’s subject: The Tribunal Wine North Coast Red Blend 2012. The enthusiastic associate described it as an unusual blend of several varietals resulting in a rich and surprisingly complex wine considering it’s sub $10 price point. Intrigued, I decided to investigate…

Tribunal Wine

Appearance: A deep, dark ruby.

Nose: The nose is a bit warm though intriguing with aromas of spice enveloped raspberry, redcurrant ans sour black cherry along with hints of licorice, cocoa and brown sugar.

On the palate: The 2012 Tribunal Wine Red Blend opens with a medium to full-body and turns darker in the mouth. It delivers candied, bordering on syrupy flavors of black cherry and currants held together by cocoa and allspice. While it starts out with some redeeming qualities, it thins out quickly and finishes with harsh, unyielding dryness.

Varietal Composition: Unknown 

Vintage: 2012

Origin: North Coast, CA

Value Rating:  3 / 5

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

Price: $9.99

Score: 85

Should you buy? The Tribunal Wine Red Blend is a pass, at least in this 2012 vintage. There are better integrated, more polished offerings in the Trader Joe’s Wine Section

Tribunal Wine

Value Proposition – Tribunal Wine Review North Coast 2012 | Trader Joe’s Wine

Well as they often say, you simply can’t win them all… I gave this wine 6 hours to breathe and mellow and and it was still a bit hot and aggressively drying. While it certainly isn’t altogether terrible, I believe most will find it to be disjointed and unbalanced. I would like to think that it could mellow and smooth out with age, but I believe it lacks the depth and structure to really improve much further.


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3 thoughts on “Tribunal Wine Review | A Pour to Pass On?

  1. Peter B

    Wow, couldn’t disagree more on this one… I love his wine and have customers who are practically crying about the change in grapes used for the 2013 vintage (which I also like, but is totally different than the 2012). Neither tastes as good as the original vintage, which was made to taste like The Prisoner (by Orin Swift) but they continue to be fantastic wines for the money. Sorry you didn’t like it!

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

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