Trader Joe's Grand Reserve Barossa Valley Lot #109

TJ TuesdayTrader JoesRed WinesShiraz
Written By Catherine Courtney

Trader Joe's Grand Reserve Barossa Valley Lot #109

GRAPES: Shiraz

VINTAGE: 2021

REGION: Barossa Valley, Australia

ALCOHOL PERCENTAGE: 14%

PRICE: $12.99

If official, Nashville's snowpocalypse has sent me into a state of delusion. I have spent every waking second of the last seven days locked in my house. I've been working from home, exercising at home, and, most importantly, making every meal I've consumed in the last seven days. Enough already! The only upside to Arctic temperatures and 8.5 inches of snow is the fact that this girl gets to warm up with a nice glass of juicy red wine.

While this isn't the "knock your socks off" cab I mentioned in my last post, don't worry- it's coming in a few days; this one surprised me. Admittedly, I often sleep on Shiraz. Similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz is a thick-skinned red grape varietal; I've found these wines to be a bit milder and juicier while still maintaining the fruit-forwardness that I enjoy.

I purchased a bottle of the Trader Joe's Grand Reserve Barossa Valley Lot #109 during my holiday haul at Trader Joe's and didn't think much about it other than I wanted to try it for the blog. Y'all, I have been missing out. This wine was brilliant. So much so that when the sheets of ice melt off my street, I will make a beeline to Trader Joe's to pick up another bottle or two.

Tasting Notes:

  • Medium to Dark Red hue

  • Juicy and fruit forward with notes of blackberry and blueberry

  • Touch of spice- black pepper

  • Mild-Medium Tannins

Verdict:

Lesson learned- never sleep on a Grand Reserve Shiraz! This bottle was quite a pleasant surprise. It was balanced yet juicy. This wine isn't overly complex - but it is definitely one that I would purchase again. If you try this wine, I'd love to hear 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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