Trader Joe's Reserve Charbono Paso Robles 2012 Lot #105

Charbono is a wine grape originally from the Savoie region in eastern France where it is known as Douce Noir. Today, the grape is most common in Argentina and California. Wine from this grape is not widely available but it does have a small cult following.

Charbono must be grown in areas that are very warm in the day and cool at nights. It also is a late harvest grape, so it cannot be grown where cold weather comes early in the fall. Trader Joe's Reserve Paso Robles Charbonno is a medium body, medium colored red wine that showcases blueberry, cherry and blackberry flavors and finishes nicely with a smooth dry finish. It is definitely fruit forward and reminds me of pinot noir. You can drink this with or without food. I think it is a nice change from the more intense reds I have been drinking lately and it is $9.99 at Trader Joe's.

SC Wine Joe rating = 88 points

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