Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Rutherford Meritage Lot 100 Review

Last Updated on July 29, 2025

A delicious, drink me now pick from Napa Valley, the Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Rutherford Meritage Lot 100.

Trader Joe's Platinum Reserve Rutherford Meritage Lot 100 Review

A Meritage blend from Rutherford, Napa Valley, California. Meritage is a blend of two or more Bordeaux varieties, primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot.

We’re well acquainted with wine under $20 from Rutherford here at Reverse Wine Snob after reviewing multiple offerings in multiple vintages from Costco, Trader Joe’s and Sam’s Club. In fact, we just recently reviewed and enjoyed the Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Rutherford Cabernet as well as the Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Rutherford Cabernet.

The Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Rutherford Meritage retails for just $14.99 exclusively at Trader Joe’s. As typical with these wines, there is very little information on the bottle.

From the bottle:

4,200 Cases Produced

Cellared & Bottled by Behind The Scenes Wine Company
14.5% Alcohol

The 2018 Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Rutherford Napa Valley Meritage Lot 100 opens with an inviting aroma of ripe blackberry, cola, cedar, a little spice, some dusty chocolate notes and more.

The wine tastes rich and juicy in the mouth and has plenty of fruit plus well integrated spice. I’m guessing this one has a good dollop of Petit Verdot which is just fine with us. It’s not overly complex, but it is certainly a crowd pleasing blend.

It ends dry, long and a bit grippy and juicy and even has a bit of Rutherford dust.

This is delicious, drink me now wine, although it does need an hour or so to really open up.

2018 Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Rutherford Napa Valley Meritage Lot 100

Taste: 9       Cost: 5
OVERALL RATING: 8

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

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 Red Blends here!

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Jon Thorsen

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...