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Trader Joe's Grand Reserve Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands 2017 Lot #80

Trader Joe's has had their Grand Reserve Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands 2017 on the shelves for a while.  In fact, it was the subject of a past Fearless Flyer article, but I have been passing it up since I have a wine cooler full of Oregon Pinot.  A recent blog that I read praised this wine and I decided to give it a try.

 The Santa Lucia Highlands is a portion of Monterey County on the Central Coast of California.  Cool nighttime temperatures and sunny days make it an ideal location for Pinot Noir.  Trader Joe's Grand Reserve Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands is 100% Pinot Noir fermented and aged 5 months in 50% American oak and 50% French oak.  The alcohol is said to be 14.5%.

 In September of 2017, I wrote about the 2016 vintage of this wine.  I liked the wine and gave it 90 points but I am less enthusiastic about the current vintage.  I get a good dark cherry aroma and initially detect flavors of red berries and blueberries.  The finish is rather sour with more tannins than expected.  The wine is not very complex and does not live up to my accolades for the previous vintage.  As with all Trader Joe's Grand Reserve wine, this sells for $12.99. 

 SC Wine Joe rating = 87 points


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