Trader Joe’s Reserve Paso Robles Syrah – Smooth and Easy

It’s still plenty good just not quite up to the high standard of previous vintages, the Trader Joe’s Reserve Paso Robles Syrah Lot 100.

Syrah from Paso Robles, California. The 2017 vintage doesn’t give any more specificity on the varietal mix but previous vintages also included some Petit Verdot and Malbec.

The Trader Joe’s Reserve Paso Robles Syrah is available exclusively at Trader Joe’s and sells for $9.99. The wine is vinted and bottled by Familia Nueva Vineyards who also produce the Liberté Cabernet Sauvignon for TJ’s.

Today’s wine is one we’ve reviewed multiple times on the site and have rated as high as a Bulk Buy. Unfortunately the 2017 is not up that level, although it’s still a solid purchase for the price.

The 2017 Trader Joe’s Reserve Paso Robles Syrah Lot 100 begins with a lovely aroma full of ripe dark fruits, lots of violets, some cola, vanilla and earthy notes and a whiff of smokiness. Tasting the wine shows it to be smooth with plenty of juicy dark fruit mixed with more cola and earthy notes. Where it falls a bit short of previous vintages is in the level of complexity, this one just seems a bit more one dimensional. Black pepper notes lead into the long, dry finish.

Perhaps it’s still a bit young as it does need quite a bit of air to really be at it’s best. And while not quite as good as the past, this is still a really solid example of Syrah at a great price.