Dense, dark and juicy, we review the new 2022 Trader Joe’s Diamond Reserve Rutherford Napa Valley Meritage Lot #07 that spends 20 months in French oak.
A Meritage blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, 4% Malbec and 3% Cabernet Franc from Rutherford, Napa Valley, California. The wine is aged 20 months in 30% new French oak.
Despite the exclusive name, we’ve seen no shortage of wines from the prestigious Rutherford appellation in Napa Valley. From the Platinum Reserve Rutherford Meritage from a few years ago to the always reliable Kirkland Signature Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, we’ve been quite happy to try these out.
Today’s new Diamond Reserve entry from Trader Joe’s sells for $ 19.99 and is made by 1542 Ace, who we first saw pop up on the Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Santa Barbara GSM. (You can read a bit more about them in that review.)
From the bottle:
Dark ruby red in color, this wine offers generous notes of ripe black cherry, raspberry jam, and dark chocolate. Rich and full-bodied, the long finish is distinctive, featuring tell-tale Rutherford fine-grained chalky tannins. Aged for 20 months on 30% new French Oak, the blend balances oak influence while still showcasing an excellent expression of the wine’s unique terroir.
Produced and Bottled by 1542 ACE
15.3% Alcohol
The 2022 Trader Joe’s Diamond Reserve Rutherford Napa Valley Meritage Lot #07 opens with a strong aroma full of lots of ripe dark fruit plus spice, cedar and vanilla and a little cocoa and cigar box. You can tell this one has a lot of oak influence right away so give it plenty of time to breathe.
The wine tastes similar to the nose and has good structure in the mouth. It features dark and juicy fruit and dense tannins throughout. It still tastes rather young but it has all the pieces.
It ends dry, long and chewy with a bit of lasting juicy fruit and spice. We found it to be a bit more balanced and smoother on day 2.
As always you can find an updated list of our recommended wines from Trader Joe’s as well as more info on their pricing model and some tips and tricks for shopping the store in our giant guide.
You can also find more of our favorite red blends here!
