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    Caretaker Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley - Cheap But Not Cheap Tasting

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: April 30, 2022 Last Updated: January 1, 2023

    An earthy Pinot Noir from Trader Joe's for just $10, the Caretaker Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley.

    Caretaker Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley - Cheap But Not Cheap Tasting

    Pinot Noir from Santa Maria Valley, California. The wine is aged in French oak for an unspecified amount of time.

    This wine is available exclusively at Trader Joe's and sells for $9.99.

    From bottle:

    There is an intimate relationship that exists between the land and those who have farmed it over decades and generations. This wine is about personality - the character and nuances of a vineyard that can only be expressed by a a true…Caretaker.

    Winemaker's Tasting Notes
    Deep, bright ruby color with violet highlights. Aromas of black cherry, plum, and macerated strawberry. Touches of clove and nutmeg are contributed by the French oak for complexity. The palate shows medium body, balanced acidity, and fine-grained tannins that support an extended, lengthy finish.

    Pinot Noir Clones: 115, 667, 777, 5, 113, 2a, Pommard
    Soils: Shale, Limestone and Sandy Loam
    Growing Season: Late February through Mid October
    Winemaking: Small lot fermentations
    Oak Treatment: French

    Cellared and Bottled by Central Coast Wine Warehouse
    13.8% Alcohol

    10 bucks is a pretty much unheard of price for Pinot Noir from Santa Maria Valley, where the average price of a bottle runs around $35 with many of the most popular wines fetching much more than that. The Caretaker Paso Cab we recently reviewed, which was also $10, was able to pull it off, let's see how the Pinot fares.

    The 2018 Caretaker Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley hits the earthy notes on the nose. There's tomato plant, some almost mushroom like notes and a bit of musty fruit.

    Taking a sip reveals a bit more fruit compared to the nose but is otherwise similar with some added licorice and spice. We didn't expect it to go this direction but this is a solid choice for those that like an earthy Pinot Noir.

    It ends dry and with decent length. For Pinot Noir, especially one from Santa Maria Valley, this is a great deal at just $10.

    2018 Caretaker Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley

    Taste: 7 (87-88 points)      Cost: 8
    OVERALL RATING: 7.3

    RECOMMENDED BUY

    As always you can find an updated list of our recommended wines from Trader Joe's as well as more info on their pricing model and some tips and tricks for shopping the store in our giant guide.

    The Best Wines at Trader Joe's - The Reverse Wine Snob Picks

    You can also find more of our favorite Pinot Noir here!

    Filed Under: California, Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir For The 99, Trader Joe's

    << McManis Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon - An Everyday Cabernet
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    About Jon Thorsen

    Author and independent wine consumer helping millions of people find great wines without breaking the bank since 2011. Sign up for my FREE GUIDE to learn how! Read more about me...

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