A new Trader Joe’s pick from Field Recordings in Paso Robles, we review the Super Happy Cabernet Sauvignon Sangiovese Malbec.
A red blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Sangiovese and 20% Malbec from the Happy Canyon AVA in Santa Barbara, California. The wine spends 8 months in neutral French oak barrels.
The wine is available exclusively at Trader Joe’s and sells for $9.99.
While many of the Trader Joe’s exclusive wines have hidden producers or are simply private label bulk juice, it’s refreshing to find one with the producer on the label. That’s exactly what we have here today with the aptly named Super Happy blend from the Happy Canyon AVA.
This wine comes to us from Field Recordings in Paso Robles, a reputable producer who also make the Wonderwall and Fiction labels. Let’s check it out.
From Trader Joe’s:
SUPER HAPPY Cab Sauv-Sangiovese-Malbec 2023 is a Super Tuscan-style blend from Happy Canyon AVA in Santa Barbara marries 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Sangiovese, and 20% Malbec to create a bold and complex wine that is just as much a mouthful as its name.
Deep ruby in color, it offers aromas of ripe blackberry, cherry, and plum, intertwined with hints of tobacco and dried herbs. On the palate, the Cabernet Sauvignon provides structure and dark fruit flavors, while the Sangiovese contributes bright acidity and notes of red cherry and leather. The Malbec rounds out the blend with soft tannins and a touch of violet. This full-bodied wine showcases flavors of blackcurrant, fig, and baking spices, with a long, elegant finish. 100% destemmed and fermented in open top tanks with pump overs daily. Pressed after primary fermentation into stainless steel tanks and then racked to finish malolactic fermentation and age in neutral French oak barrels for 8 months This pairs well was barbecue ribeye, pork ribs, pizza, cheese plates – even chocolate cake! It’s big, rich and versatile.
Produced and Bottled by Field Recordings
14.9% Alcohol
The 2023 Super Happy Cabernet Sauvignon Sangiovese Malbec opens with a strong, pleasing aroma full of ripe fruit, some dried herbs, a little cedar and some other touches. It’s a good start.
Taking a sip reveals this to be a crowd-pleasing blend. It features similar flavors to the nose that combine quite harmoniously in the mouth. Smooth and silky, this full-bodied wine features great depth and density, good acidity and good structure and it gets even better with air.
It ends dry, quite long and a bit juicy and grippy and was similar on day 2. We didn’t necessarily find it to be very Super Tuscan like as Trader Joe’s describes, but who cares, it IS really darn delightful and definitely true to its name!
2023 Super Happy Cabernet Sauvignon Sangiovese Malbec
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 red blends here!
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