A jammy, juicy crowd-pleaser, we review the latest vintage of the Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Paso Robles Meritage Lot 129.
A Meritage blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Malbec, 8% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot from Paso Robles, California. The wine is aged 22 months in French oak with 25% new.
The Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Paso Robles Meritage Lot 129 is available exclusively at Trader Joe’s and sells for $12.99.
According to the label today’s wine is produced by a company (Bozzano) that specializes in the sale of bulk wine and grapes. They produce private label wines for a number of retailers like Trader Joe’s. We previously reviewed the 2021 vintage of this wine and thought it was quite nice. Let’s check out the 2023.
Luckily this time around this is a bit more info on the wine from the Trader Joe’s Fearless Flyer:
2023 Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Paso Robles Meritage Lot #129
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Malbec, 8% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit VerdotTrader Joe’s Grand Reserve Meritage Paso Robles Lot #129 begins with grapes forged in the depths of the Paso Robles AVA, where soils have been sculpted by ancient marine fossils and volcanic remnants. The wine that emerges is a brawny, concentrated swashbuckler! In classic Meritage tradition (which is essentially Bordeaux tradition), this red blend incorporates familiar varietal partners from the 2023 vintage — mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with a smattering of Merlot, Cab Franc, and Malbec, plus a touch of Petit Verdot. The grapes yield a ruby-red, medium-to-full-bodied wine with notes of black currant and raspberry, complemented by toasted oak from approximately 22 months of aging — 25% of the wine is aged in new French oak to add layers of spice and structure, while the remainder is aged in neutral oak to preserve the fruit’s character.
Such a bodacious wine is meant to be enjoyed with rich and hearty meals, like spaghetti marinara with Homestyle Beef Meatballs, a braised Beef Chuck Roast, or a Mediterranean-inspired cheesesteak made with Shaved Lamb Shoulder and Whipped Feta Spread.
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Produced and Bottled by Bozzano & Co.
14.5% Alcohol
The 2023 Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Paso Robles Meritage Lot 129 opens with pleasing aromas of dark berry fruit, spice, touches of toasty oak, chocolate, vanilla and more. There is quite a bit of oak influence when it is first popped open but that dissipates and balances out pretty quickly.
Taking a sip reveals a soft and smooth wine with similar flavors to the nose. It is a bit jammy and juicy in the mouth but it still has nice touches of spice. This is a crowd pleaser.
It ends soft, dry and with good length. The wine does need a good amount of time to breathe however and was at its best on day 2. This wine is a nice step up from the Reserve Paso Robles Meritage that is made by Delicato Family Wines.
2023 Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Paso Robles Meritage
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!
Review Summary
Trader Joe's Grand Reserve Paso Robles Meritage Review • Reverse Wine Snob
A jammy, juicy crowd-pleaser, we review the latest vintage of the Trader Joe's Grand Reserve Paso Robles Meritage Lot 129.
7.8
Pros
- 89-90 Points, Highly Recommended
- Great price for 22 months in French oak
Cons
- Only available at Trader Joe's
- Needs a lot of time to breathe, at its best on day 2 so plan ahead
