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! — 16 days ago

Zach D

9.0

Pours an interesting light salmon hue. More of a simple style with primary fruit in the forefront. Less autolytic character. Pleasant — a month ago

Doug Powers

9.1

[Disgorged July 13, 2022] Lovely floral, mineral and white stonefruits, nice balance, nice complexity, moderately rich, lingering finish, very nice!! — 3 months ago

with Monique and Jim

Pooneet K

9.4

A knockout left bank Bordeaux. I’ve read that the 2005s may go longer than the potentially even more vaunted 2000s and I might agree based on this bottle. Decanted 5 hours. Cork in perfect shape. Amazing depth of fruit and a ton of Bordeaux earth. Nose goes on and on as does the finish. Was an excellent pairing but a very good but simple roast chicken. — a day ago

Greg Andrew

9.0

10/25/25 - Steak, loaded potato & Brussel sprouts — 15 days ago

with Beth

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

Conrad Green

9.5

From mag. Almost inky… soft sweet fruit with dried herbs, a bit of blood and iron, white pepper and a meatiness. Really complex and interesting. A fantastically complex and clean bottle. — 22 days ago

with Bex, Walker and 1 other

Jan A

9.5

Needs a lot more time! — 8 days ago

Paige Donnell

9.5

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

Shayne Stockslager

9.7

Perfect wine for a celebration! Something easy to chill and enjoy for New Years Eve. — 4 months ago