The latest Platinum Reserve wine from Trader Joe's is Cabernet Sauvignon from the Howell Mountain region of the larger Napa Valley AVA. As with all Trader Joe's Platinum Reserve wines, this sells for $14.99 and only 1250 cases were produced.
Howell Mountain is in the northeast portion of Napa Valley at elevations well above the valley floor. In this area, the evening temperatures are warmer and the daytime cooler than the valley floor. Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant grape.
2017 was a challenging year for growing grapes in the Napa Valley. There was a drought and then it was very hot in September, followed by wildfires in October. Smoke taint was a concern but the smoke was not as bad in the Howell Mountains as in some other parts of Napa Valley and many of the grapes were already harvested prior to the fires. The 2017 vintage is being rated as a good to very good for Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon but not as good as the outstanding 2012 thru 2016 vintages.
Trader Joe's Platinum Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 2017 was produced by Appellation Trading Company. This company is known for doing "knock-offs" of brand name wines for wine clubs, restaurants and retailers. (Trader Joe's is selling their knock-off of the popular Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc -Viognier blend at a much reduced price).
This Cabernet Sauvignon has flavors of dark fruit with some hints of dark chocolate. This is an elegant wine that starts very soft but the tannins grip the tongue and become more noticeable in the finish. The wine has 14.9% alcohol which I did not notice on the first day but it seemed a little hotter on the second day.
This is a very good wine and the production is not large when spread over all of the Trader Joe's outlets. It will sell out quickly.
SC Wine Joe rating = 91 points
Howell Mountain is in the northeast portion of Napa Valley at elevations well above the valley floor. In this area, the evening temperatures are warmer and the daytime cooler than the valley floor. Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant grape.
2017 was a challenging year for growing grapes in the Napa Valley. There was a drought and then it was very hot in September, followed by wildfires in October. Smoke taint was a concern but the smoke was not as bad in the Howell Mountains as in some other parts of Napa Valley and many of the grapes were already harvested prior to the fires. The 2017 vintage is being rated as a good to very good for Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon but not as good as the outstanding 2012 thru 2016 vintages.
Trader Joe's Platinum Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 2017 was produced by Appellation Trading Company. This company is known for doing "knock-offs" of brand name wines for wine clubs, restaurants and retailers. (Trader Joe's is selling their knock-off of the popular Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc -Viognier blend at a much reduced price).
This Cabernet Sauvignon has flavors of dark fruit with some hints of dark chocolate. This is an elegant wine that starts very soft but the tannins grip the tongue and become more noticeable in the finish. The wine has 14.9% alcohol which I did not notice on the first day but it seemed a little hotter on the second day.
This is a very good wine and the production is not large when spread over all of the Trader Joe's outlets. It will sell out quickly.
SC Wine Joe rating = 91 points
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