I know Trader Joe’s does a lot of private label “reserve” wines, but I’ve never seen one from Bordeaux (and specifically Pauillac). I’ve had some of these wines in the past (there was a 2020 Santa Rita Hills Pinot that I think Brig Campbell posted about that was particularly good). I confess I avoid a lot of their private label CA wines since the alcohol is too boozy for me. I was surprised to see a 2019 Pauillac today. It’s only 13% alcohol so I picked a couple of bottles up (retail is $20 here in the Portland area). I haven’t drunk a lot of Bordeaux since vintages in the late 1980’s, so I’m likely not the best judge, but this actually tastes like Bordeaux and has typical plum, cassis, and some cigar box flavors and aromas. It seems like it has the structure to age for several years. It’s a good wine but I’m not blown away by it, but it seems like a decent value for $20 (again, I don’t drink much Bordeaux any more so I’ll let others decide on this). It looks like the wine came the wine came through the negociant Maison Ginestet based on the back label. I know there are a lot of industry folks on this forum, so I’m wondering if anyone knows anything about this wine.
Wondering the very same thing. Anyone out there with thoughts?
I did buy a bottle out of pure curiosity!
Anyone open it? I was in TJ today and did a double take as I walked past this recalling this thread. I see a few positive amateur reviews saying this is the best diamond TJ has put out.
I’ll likely open my bottle Sunday and grab a few more of it seems like something that could drink relatively young.
I tried it and thought it was a good $20 bottle of Bordeaux, but I wasn’t blown away by it. But as I said, I haven’t really drunk a lot of Bordeaux for several decades, so I’m likely not the best person to judge it. I also have a skewed sense of Bordeaux pricing since the last vintages of Bordeaux that I bought in any quantity were likely 88’s and 89’s. So what I think a $20 bottle of Bordeaux should taste like is likely not what the average, current Bordeaux drinker thinks. (I likely expect a lot more for $20 since when I was buying Bordeaux, you could get a lot for $20.)
I bought two, opened one and plan on letting the other sit for several years. I’ve debated buying another couple as an experiment to see how they do with time, but I’m also not convinced it’s the screaming deal he folks in my local TJ’s think it is.
Well, I gotta go find that and try it!
Thank you for posting about it.
It also seems an excellent candidate for cooking dishes that require a good wine as an ingredient!
Was not a huge fan. Forgive my poor tasting notes as I had a long day and ended up falling asleep during a hockey game after my glass. Luckily wife corked it after I nodded off.
Decanted for 3 hours as I knew it was a young Bordeaux, mostly cab based and would need the air. Great cherry, strawberry, plum, cooking spice, and rich wood / leather smell but taste to me was a disappointing. Came off almost tart and disjointed … Day 2 I found it had lost any appeal it had before but maybe it sat uncorked longer than I knew?
I would say its probably too young to drink now but I also struggle with the idea of dedicating cellar space to a TJ wine that may never really become great. Its very dry and I could see it as pair with some rich dishes but even for just $20 there are other wines I’d rather drink.