It's worth the $15 price tag (barely) but don't believe the hype, the Trader Joe's Platinum Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 103.
Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California.
The wine is available for $14.99 exclusively at Trader Joe's. 20,000 bottles were produced. Unlike most of the other Platinum Reserve wines from Napa, this one does not have a sub-appellation listed.
This is a very, very, very (very) special wine that comes from one of the most prestigious wineries in Napa. We can’t say which winery, but what we can say is that wines like this can sell elsewhere for up to hundreds per bottle!
Even without knowing its exact origins (beyond its Napa address), we believe you’ll be able to judge the high quality of this Cab with your first sip. This deep-red juice is complex and rich; its composition is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot, yielding a full-bodied, deftly balanced red. One taste of its excellently oaked character and elegantly tannic finish, and the “wow” of this wine will not be lost on your palate.
Vinted & Bottled by Precision Wine Co.
15% Alcohol
Wowser, that's quite a build-up on this wine! Unfortunately, it doesn't even come close to living up to the hype.
The 2020 Trader Joe's Platinum Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 103 opens with a pleasing enough aroma of dark fruit, some oaky spice and a little coffee and vanilla.
Tasting reveals similar flavors to the nose with rich fruit, a touch of sweetness and lots of oaky spice. It's definitely smooth and tasty but I've been a bit disappointed in the proliferation of these Platinum Reserve wines as of late. The last few we've tried don't seem appreciably better than what you can find at the Grand Reserve level.
This one is still worth the price tag (barely) but that's about it. I do think it will probably get a little bit better with age so if you're willing to stash a couple bottles for 2-3 years you will probably be rewarded but I wish Trader Joe's would release wines that are more ready to drink now.
It ends dry, a bit grippy and with decent length.
2020 Trader Joe's Platinum Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 103
RECOMMENDED BUY
You can also find more of our favorite Cabernet Franc here!
