Trader Joe’s 2022 Platinum Reserve Saint-Emilion, Trader Joe’s 2021 Platinum Reserve Carneros Pinot Noir, and Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Sonoma County Brut Wine Pairing, Tasting, and Review

Trader Joe’s 2022 Platinum Reserve Saint-Emilion, Trader Joe’s 2021 Platinum Reserve Carneros Pinot Noir, and Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Sonoma County Brut Wine Pairing, Tasting, and Review

Wine: Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Saint-Emilion

Region: France, St. Emilion

Year: 2022

Price: $14.99

Retailer: Trader Joe’s

Alcohol: 13.5%

Grapes: Not sure, but likely Merlot and Cabernet Franc

What we tasted and smelled in this Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Saint-Emilion:

  • On the nose: A bit hot, probably young, black cherry, plum, rich, vegetables, earth, pepper spice, touch of leather
  • In the mouth: Black pepper, spice, good mouthfeel, elegant, can tell it will be balanced in a few years, still young, a lot of tannin, plum, blackberry, smoke, firewood, touch of dark chocolate, touch of coffee, mocha, Old World style

Food to pair with this Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Saint-Emilion: Perfect with a juicy steak, steak house wine, stew, comfort food, beef stroganoff, pasta bolognese, pasta with meat sauce

As a reminder on our rating scale, we rate on a scale of 1-10, where 7 and above means that we would buy it, and 4 and below means that we are likely to pour it down the sink, and a 5 or 6 means we are likely to drink it and finish it, but we are probably not going to buy it. 

Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Saint-Emilion Wine Rating: 

  • Joe: 8/10
  • Carmela: 7/10



Wine: Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Pinot Noir

Region: California, Carneros

Year: 2021

Price: $14.99

Retailer: Trader Joe’s

Alcohol: 14.5%

Grapes: Pinot Noir

What we tasted and smelled in this Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Pinot Noir:

  • On the nose: Cherry, alcohol, potpourri, raspberry, strawberry, vanilla extract, oak hiding the fruit, rose, and clay or earth when swirled
  • In the mouth: Tart, not smooth, young, acidic, hot, astringent, rubbing alcohol, too high in alcohol, cranberry, unripe strawberry, Kirsch liqueur, like a cherry dipped in hard alcohol, cherry pit, harsh

Food to pair with this Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Pinot Noir: Grilled food, hamburger, charred food, fatty foods, cheese dog. Not a great food wine. 

Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Pinot Noir Wine Rating: 

  • Joe: 5/10
  • Carmela: 5/10



Wine: Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Sonoma County Brut

Region: California, Sonoma County

Year: NV

Price: $14.99

Retailer: Trader Joe’s

Alcohol: 12.5%

Grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and a touch of Pinot Meunier

What we tasted and smelled in this Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Sonoma County Brut:

  • On the nose: Honey, sweet bread, pear, canned fruit juice, syrupy, candy, touch of vanilla
  • In the mouth: Pear soda pop, crushable, very easy to drink, smooth but not sophisticated, good party wine, pineapple, pear juice, foamy bubbles 

Food to pair with this Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Sonoma County Brut: Spicy foods, fish and chips, potato chips, french fries, fried foods, onion rings, Thai food, fried shrimp, baked clams

Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Sonoma County Brut Wine Rating: 

  • Joe: 7/10
  • Carmela: 9/10

Which one of these are you finishing tonight?

  • Carmela: Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Sonoma County Brut
  • Joe: Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Saint-Emilion

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