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Trader Joe's Grand Reserve Chardonnay Carneros 2013 Lot #20

Last month, I wrote about the Etude Chardonnay from Carneros which I greatly enjoyed.  I have now found Trader Joe's Grand Reserve Chardonnay from Carneros and it is another terrific chardonnay from this great wine region.  As I have noted in the past, the cool night breezes in this region are perfect for growing world class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

This Chardonnay begins with enticing aromas of stone fruit.  The wine has flavors of apple and peach with some minerality.  There is some oak but it is in balance with the fruit and does not detract.  I found this wine to be moderately crisp and not buttery with a nice finish.  You can almost sense the cool breeze as you drink this. 

The wine has 13.5% alcohol and sells for $12.99 at Trader Joe's.  I think this wine is good value at that price and I will buy more.

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