Earlier this year, Trader Joe's released a series of terrific Patinum Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons from the sub-AVA's of Napa Valley incuding Atlas Peak and Howell Mountain and from Knights Valley in Sonoma County. The current Fearless Flyer is featuring another wine in this series, Trader Joe's Platinum Reserve Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2017. When my Fearless Flyer arrived, I took a trip to the local Trader Joe's to snag a bottle.
I am not sure why this wine is labeled Rutherford Napa County and not Rutherford Napa Valley. The Fearless Flyer indicates it is from Rutherford, Napa Valley and that it is 100% Cabernet that was aged in oak barrels (50% American, 50% French) for 6 months. That is not a long aging time, so you expect this to be a fruit forward, easy drinking wine. The alcohol content is stated as 14.6%.
Some of the previous Platinum Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons mentioned above had, in my opinion, an over abundance of vanilla flavors. That is not the case with this Rutherford Cabernet. There are dark cherry and blackberry flavors with a hint of chocolate and spice. The tannins are soft and the finish is long. This is a delicious wine that can be sipped alone or with a variety of foods.
As with all Platinum Reserve wines, this costs $14.99. I do not know how Trader Joe's creates this much quality for that price, but I have returned to the store to buy more. You can expect that the wine will be available for a few weeks and then disappear.
SC Wine Joe rating = 92 points
I am not sure why this wine is labeled Rutherford Napa County and not Rutherford Napa Valley. The Fearless Flyer indicates it is from Rutherford, Napa Valley and that it is 100% Cabernet that was aged in oak barrels (50% American, 50% French) for 6 months. That is not a long aging time, so you expect this to be a fruit forward, easy drinking wine. The alcohol content is stated as 14.6%.
Some of the previous Platinum Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons mentioned above had, in my opinion, an over abundance of vanilla flavors. That is not the case with this Rutherford Cabernet. There are dark cherry and blackberry flavors with a hint of chocolate and spice. The tannins are soft and the finish is long. This is a delicious wine that can be sipped alone or with a variety of foods.
As with all Platinum Reserve wines, this costs $14.99. I do not know how Trader Joe's creates this much quality for that price, but I have returned to the store to buy more. You can expect that the wine will be available for a few weeks and then disappear.
SC Wine Joe rating = 92 points
Comments
Post a Comment