Trader Joe’s Reserve Meritage Napa Valley – A Napa Bargain

A solid wine at a great price, the Trader Joe’s Reserve Napa Valley Meritage Lot 181.

46% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, 22% Petit Verdot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California. The wine is aged for 6 months in American oak barrels. (A meritage is a Bordeaux-style red blend.)

This wine is available exclusively at Trader Joe’s and sells for just $9.99. This is a rather crazy price for Napa Valley but I would imagine that using only 10% Cabernet Sauvignon helps to keep the cost down.

The 2017 Trader Joe’s Reserve Meritage Napa Valley Lot 181 begins with pleasing aromas of black cherry, spice, figs and licorice plus a little vanilla and chocolate. Taking a sip reveals a smooth, soft and tasty wine full of good dark fruit and lots of oaky spice. The licorice, chocolate and vanilla from the nose also continue with just a little bit of an earthy edge in the mouth. It gets better as it has more time to breathe so plan appropriately. It ends with a dry, medium length finish.

While it’s not as impressive as the $13 Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Sonoma Meritage we recently reviewed, it’s still a solid, all around wine for just $10.