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Trader Joe's Platinum Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley Sonoma County 2016

I have had this bottle in the wine refrigerator for a month.  I had a cold, which impacted my ability to properly taste wine (it did not limit my ability to drink wine but the alcohol never killed any germs like I hoped would happen).   I am on the road to recovery and can now taste wine again.  Trader Joe's Platinum Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley 2016 was an excellent choice for the occasion.

Knights Valley is in northern Sonoma County bordering the Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley and northern Napa Valley.  It is one of the warmest areas in Sonoma County and 2/3 of the grapes grown there are Cabernet Sauvignon.  Berringer is one of the largest vineyard owners in Knights Valley.

This is a full bodied, dark fruit wine.  I noted flavors of black cherry, blackberry, mocha and spice with a bit of plum.  The flavor evolves as the wine goes from the initial sip to the back of the mouth.  You do not notice tannins or oak until after you swallow and that sensation is long lasting.  I am confident that there are other Bordeaux grapes blended into the wine, but the bottle gives no clue.  Perhaps, they do not want to give any clues about the origin of the wine.

The most popular Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is from Berringer and it sells for at least $20.  This Trader Joe's wine compares favorably to the Berringer and sells for $15.  I hope this wine is still at Trader Joe's, so I can buy more.


SC Wine Joe rating = 91 points



                                      Feel free to copy image to pinterest

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