Rain Cloud

TJ TuesdayRed WinesRed BlendTrader Joes
Written By Catherine Courtney

Rain Cloud

GRAPES: 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Petite Syrah

VINTAGE: 2018

REGION: Napa, California

ALCOHOL PERCENTAGE: 14.5%

PRICE: $6.99

It’s been a few weeks, but I am back and have a great new bottle of wine to share with you, Rain Cloud. This is one of the many bottles that I snagged during COVID-19 quarantine as I had not seen it in the Nashville store until recently. Given the pre-Memorial Day forecast is filled with rain, I thought it was only fitting to taste this bottle.

Y’all, to be honest, this was love at first sip. I had to remind myself that I was sipping on a $7.00 bottle of wine as it was INCREDIBLY similar to other bottles of wine that I enjoy ( e.g. Justin, Textbook) that are at a much higher price point.

I poured myself a glass and anxiously awaited for it to open up a bit. The nose alone blew me away. After swirling and sipping, I was all smiles. Below you will find some of my tasting notes:

TASTING NOTES:

  • Opaque ruby/garnet color

  • Notes of dark fruit on the nose - Cherry, cranberry, and notes of fig

  • Overall jammy taste, which I absolutely adore

  • Spicy finish that is reminiscent of Mexican Chocolate

  • Smooth tannins

  • Mild acidity

  • A bit on the drier side

  • Perfect blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot

Verdict:  You don’t want to sleep on this bottle! As a matter of fact, several of you replied to my Instagram stories that this is one of your favorites! Hard to believe it took so long to get into the Nashville market or at least for me to try it! Enjoy this wine by itself or paired with your favorite dark chocolate or dessert. I promise you won’t be disappointed. Pick up a bottle and let me know what you think!

Until Next Time!

Catherine Courtney

Welcome to Blonde Voyage Nashville!

I am so excited to finally see this dream become a reality.  Between the destination restaurants, the copious amount of food photos and insanely crazy travel stories, I have decided to share my journey. 

My name is Catherine Courtney and I am a Nashville native with a penchant for culinary creativity and epic travel adventures. I'll admit... I also have a slight obsession with handbags.

Two years ago, my life changed completely.  Everything that I knew to be was completely turned upside down.  I quickly realized that time is our greatest commodity and it's not to be taken for granted. I couldn't wait for the perfect time, who knew when that would be.  I needed to take the leap and explore the world on my own.  There were so many places I wanted to go, but where would I start. 

France was always one of those places that I had romanticized.  Wandering the streets of Paris and seeing the Eiffel tower were at the top of my list. Without hesitation, I booked a two week trip to the French Rivera and Paris.  It was a journey of a lifetime.  Not only were amazing friendships cultivated, but it was on that trip that i discovered that food and travel are the embers that that keep my soul on fire. 

It wasn't until I arrived back in Nashville with my passport that I realized I had been bit. Wanderlust had completely taken over.  I already started thinking about where I wanted to go next.  It was then that I decided that it was more important to have camera full of photos and a tattered journal full of stories than anything else. My heart was overflowing.

One of my favorite quotes that resonates is from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland:

"Actually, the best gift you could have given her was a lifetime of adventures...."

Join me as I explore near and far away places, filling my passport full of stamps and satiating my appetite with some of the most amazing cuisine the world has to offer. 

Thanks for reading! 

       

 

 

http://blondevoyagenashville.com
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