Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Trader Joe’s – Grand Reserve Pinot Noir 2023
Carneros AVA – California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
An entry-level Pinot Noir from Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve series, designed to be approachable and wallet-friendly, yet sourced from Carneros, a region with a strong pedigree for Pinot Noir thanks to its cool climate influenced by the San Pablo Bay.

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe red cherry, cranberry, and a touch of strawberry compote. Subtle notes of baking spice and a faint hint of cola.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied, soft tannins, and moderate acidity. Smooth and approachable, leaning more toward fruit-forward than earthy complexity.

Food Pairings
Roast chicken with herbs, Margherita pizza, Mushroom risotto, Soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert.

Verdict
A casual, weeknight Pinot Noir that shows off the Carneros fruit in an uncomplicated way. Don’t expect Burgundian elegance or layered depth, instead, it’s a friendly, fruit-driven Pinot that hits the right notes for its price. Cheers! — 8 days ago

Eric K

9.5

Direct follow up to 2020 vintage. Much more earthy terroir taste than the 2020 fruit bomb. Very enjoyable with more complex hints of flavor — 5 months ago

David Peifer

9.2

As a nod to Karen (who some will remembered worked at Louis M. Martini decades ago—and is the nicest and best person to ever work in the wine industry) we opened this for my birthday. Paired it with a Tri Tip. It was a nice pairing. Good cab. It was better a couple years ago but still nice to drink for a special occasion. — 6 months ago

Greg Andrew

9.0

10/25/25 - Steak, loaded potato & Brussel sprouts — 6 days ago

with Beth

Paige Donnell

9.5

Are with beef, great flavor - rich and delightful — 3 months ago

Suneal Vishnupad

9.1

Great still needs a lot more time — 5 months ago

with Kayla

Andrew Cullimore

9.2

Medium garnet , medium garnet rim . Aromatic , and slightly funky nose , with herbal, cedar , sous bois , truffle . On the palate this is slightly strict , quite high acidity , slightly gritty tannin , mix of red and dark fruits , herbal tinges , tobacco and earthy finish . Quite linear and elegant . Perhaps slightly rustic , not particularly ambitious but classic ‘gentleman’s club’ claret. Though this is showing quite a lot of tertiary character it is still drinking well , drink now and over the next 5 or so years — 6 months ago

Tom Casagrande

9.5

Truncated cookout notes. Damn this is spectacular. The flavor density and balance is so old school. The nose is ethereal. None of that 15% alc. chocolately bullshit that now seems to permeate Napa Cab orthodoxy.

UPDATE: Next morning, the wine long gone, I’m sitting here watching college football highlights from yesterday still thinking about how much I liked this. There’s usually only one wine per year that has that effect on me. — 2 months ago

Vicki Ausloos

9.1

Smooth red many different fruit flavors. Will not disappoint. — 4 months ago

jesus g

Hospitality Schramsberg Vineyards

9.3

Been a long time, got a lot to catch up on — 6 months ago