A nice wine for the price? We review the Momentum Legacy Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Trader Joe’s.
87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot from Napa Valley, California. The wine spends 18 months in French oak (70% new) and has 4 g/L of residual sugar.
The 2023 Momentum Legacy Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon supposedly has an SRP of $39 but it is only available at Trader Joe’s for $14.99.
Like so many of the wines we have been reviewing from TJ’s and Aldi lately, this one comes from Navigator Wines (Precision Wine Co) and was made by their winemaker, Mike Rayner.
From Navigator Wine Collection:
2023 Momentum Legacy Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
WINE NOTES: Concentrated and layered, with aromas of black currant, ripe blackberry and dark cherry. Underneath the fruit lie notes of graphite, violets and crushed bay leaf, complemented by sweet accents of vanilla, cocoa, and toasted cedar from oak. Full-bodied and powerful, yet polished. The palate opens with dense flavors of black plum and blueberry, unfolding into espresso, dark chocolate and warm baking spices. Firm, velvety tannins provide a strong frame, while a vibrant line of acidity keeps the richness in balance.
VINIFICATION & MATURATION: The 2023 growing season in Napa Valley was marked by a temperate spring, a long, warm summer, and a dry autumn-ideal for slow, even ripening. Grapes were hand harvested in late September to early October at optimal maturity, with sugar levels around 25-26̊ Brix and phenolics fully developed. Bunches were sorted twice – first in the vineyard and again at the winery, to ensure only pristine fruit entered fermentation. The wine matured for 18 months in 70% new French oak, with medium to medium-plus toast. The choice of fine-grain oak imparted nuanced layers of vanilla, espresso and spice, complementing the Cabernet’s dark fruit core without overwhelming it. Barrels were racked every 4-6 months to promote clarity and micro-oxygenation, further polishing tannins and enhancing aromatic complexity.
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BLEND: 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot
AGING: 18 Months in 70% new French Oak
pH: 3.85
ACIDITY: 5.2 g/mL
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 4 g/L
FOOD PAIRINGS: Grilled Ribeye Steak, Beef Short Ribs, Gouda or Manchego Cheese
WINEMAKER: Mike Rayner14.5% Alcohol
The 2023 Momentum Legacy Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon shows a few green notes right at first pop and pour but those resolve pretty quickly with some air. From there you’ll find dark berry fruit, lots of vanilla, some spice, licorice, and other touches. It’s attractive but a bit heavy on the oak.
The wine tastes smooth and juicy in the mouth with similar flavors to the nose plus good structure. It’s not quite as oaky in the mouth, which is a reliefe, and it has plenty of fruit so it all seems to work well enough, especially after it has time to breathe.
It ends dry, long and grippy and was similar on day 2. Despite some initial concerns, this ends up being a pretty nice wine and a good value for the price.
2023 Momentum Legacy Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
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.
You can also find more of our favorite Cabernet Sauvignon here!
Review Summary
Momentum Legacy Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Review • Reverse Wine Snob
A nice wine for the price? We review the Momentum Legacy Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Trader Joe's.
7.5
Pros
- 89-90 Points
- Not a bad price for Napa Cab
Cons
- Rather heavy on the oak
