Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Trader Joe’s – Grand Reserve Pinot Noir 2023
Carneros AVA – California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
An entry-level Pinot Noir from Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve series, designed to be approachable and wallet-friendly, yet sourced from Carneros, a region with a strong pedigree for Pinot Noir thanks to its cool climate influenced by the San Pablo Bay.

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe red cherry, cranberry, and a touch of strawberry compote. Subtle notes of baking spice and a faint hint of cola.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied, soft tannins, and moderate acidity. Smooth and approachable, leaning more toward fruit-forward than earthy complexity.

Food Pairings
Roast chicken with herbs, Margherita pizza, Mushroom risotto, Soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert.

Verdict
A casual, weeknight Pinot Noir that shows off the Carneros fruit in an uncomplicated way. Don’t expect Burgundian elegance or layered depth, instead, it’s a friendly, fruit-driven Pinot that hits the right notes for its price. Cheers! — 6 days ago

Jalee Helmuth

10

So good!! Got at Trader Joe’s — 9 months ago

Joe Roth

9.3

Beautiful balance — 4 years ago

with Jeff and Michael

Jay Kline

9.4

My previous bottle of the 2014 Montecillo was enjoyed back in January of 2021. That bottle, as my previous notes indicated, exhibited quite a bit of volatile acidity. This bottle did not seem to have much VA at all. In fact, this showed well right from the moment the cork was pulled.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a game of 10 point pitch. The 2014 Montecillo pours a garnet/purple color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with gorgeous, lifted notes of cassis, black berries, leaf tobacco, Anaheim peppers, Herbs de Provence, eucalyptus and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long a with spices and minerals. Really tasty and distinctive stuff. I’m in no rush to openly third and final bottle. Drink now with patience, through 2039. — 14 days ago

Shay A

9.2

While not on the same level as the 2010 Left Bank I opened a few months ago, the profile of this 2011 Right Bank was squarely on the bridge between Sonoma and right bank Bordeaux.

About 60 merlot/ 40 CabFranc. 13.9ABV

Pours a slightly fading red-black. The entire time this was open, the aromatics sported a distinct funk that I’m struggling to describe…whatever comes before brett, that’s what this was. A mix of earth/forest, mineral, fig and a small hint of leather (I’ve come across a similar profile in older warm vintage right bank Bordeaux…but this is cooler vintage Sonoma). The palate is structured but in a nicely balanced phase…red and black fruits, more fig, and espresso at the finish.

Followed over the course of 4hrs from bottle, and while the last glass seemed to be a bit more integrated, I think these are in “drink now” phase. — 8 months ago

Jessica Stewart

10

Please keep this on your house! Smells like strawberries and lemonade and taste crisp and light like strawberry, cherry, lemons. — 5 years ago

with Rory

Karl Heinmiller

9.5

Yum! Great cab franc from Trader Joes (not necessarily a "great" Cab Franc but great in that it's from TJ and really really good) — 3 days ago

Nicole Killin

9.0

Nice for the price! — 3 months ago

Tom Kohli

9.1

Always great especially on Thanksgiving Eve! — 2 years ago

with Anna and Jon

Tom Kohli

9.0

All Repris wines are excellent & this is no exception. Eric Bradley has mastered making wines very unique but all share a common smoothness. — 5 years ago

with Anna, Daniel and 1 other