Trader Joe's Petite Verdot Lot #154

Red WinesPetite VerdotTrader JoesTJ Tuesday
Written By Catherine Courtney

Trader Joe’s Petite Verdot

Lot #154

GRAPES: Petite Verdot

VINTAGE: 2018

REGION: Paso Robles, California

ALCOHOL PERCENTAGE: 14.5%

PRICE: $9.99

As we conclude the “Drink the Rainbow” series for TJ Tuesday, I decided to sample a bottle that I purchased early on in quarantine, Petite Verdot Lot #154. Before restrictions were loosened, one of my friends from San Diego mentioned that her Trader Joe’s was running low on wine and had heard that it was going to be impossible to get during this Pandemic. The thought of wine being unavailable sent me more into a frenzy than potentially being stuck in my house for another month. I grabbed my mask, gloves, and car keys, and off I went to Trader Joe’s. I waited in line and as soon as I made my through the door, it was like an episode of Supermarket Sweep. How many bottles of wine could I get in my cart without looking like a complete lunatic? If I recall, I ended up with 17 bottles of wine that afternoon and this Petite Verdot was one of them.

This bottle of Petite Verdot Lot #154 is one of Trader Joe’s reserve wines, which means it compares to a $20-$25 bottle of wine. Many of the reserve wines that I have sampled have been wonderful, so I was excited to try this one.

I poured myself a glass and gave it a swirl. There was SO much going on and I knew I needed to let it breathe and open up a bit before I gave it a taste. After 30 minutes or so, I decided to start sipping. Below you will find my tasting notes.


TASTING NOTES:

  • Classic Cork

  • Gorgeous deep ruby red color, almost purple

  • Notes of blackberry, plum, vanilla, and a little bit of spice

  • Almost jammy

  • Smooth but finishes very dry with a little spice in the back of the mouth

  • Good acidity but definitely on the tannic end of the spectrum

Trader Joe’s Notes:

  • Juicy blackberry mixed with lavender; soft supple tannins

Verdict: 

Realizing that this is a fan favorite by Trader Joe’s enthusiasts, I had much higher expectations for this wine. Even after the glass opened up, I found it to be dry and the flavor profile to be a little lackluster. Would I buy this bottle again? Most likely not. There are plenty of other bottles at this price point that are superior.

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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