The Moon X Black Pinot Noir 2020 is a $6.99 Trader Joe’s exclusive, though, in New York, where grocery stores are not permitted to sell wine (beer only), it sells for $10.99 (on sale from $13.99). If you think that $6.99 is too cheap for a decent bottle of wine, you have to remember store exclusive brand wines have a considerable price advantage over retail wine shop brands.
The Moon X Black Pinot Noir 2020 is non-traditional, and it is made in the style of Meiomi Pinot Noir, a trailblazing Pinot made in a rich, smooth style. The Meiomi is fruit-forward and ripe and easy to drink, and a traditional California Pinot is delicate and complicated and very hard to get exactly right.
The Moon X Black Pinot Noir 2020 has been a Trader Joe’s cult wine in its own right. Past wine reviews have been the most read reviews on CWF for several years in a row. The maker of this Pinot Noir did an excellent job of nailing the new style. It looks to have been produced for Trader Joe’s by a large family-owned winery located in Lodi and Napa.
Neither Trader Joe’s nor the producer offers any information concerning the production of this Pinot; it is a California wine which means the vineyards could have been located anywhere. With traditional California Pinot Noir wines, the vineyard locations are critical. A ripe, rich new-style Pinot Noir may work well with grapes grown in the broader area.
With traditional Pinot and long full growing season for the grapes is essential, where nuances in the wine are valued. The newer style Pinot prefers ripe grapes, and smooth and flavorful is preferred. Traditional Pinot Noir is my personal favorite Red grape wine, but the more recent style does produce delicious wine. The alcohol content is 13.5%.
The Moon X Black Pinot Noir 2020 Tasting Notes
The color is rich, slightly see-thru crimson red with black highlights. Traditional Pinot Noir is a see-thru garnet red, the newer style Pinot has a much darker color. The nose is cherry, slightly smoke, with herbs, soft spice, plum, and vanilla. The Moon X Black Pinot Noir 2020 is smooth, ripe cherries with a good weight on the palate.
It tastes like ripe, tart black cherry, vanilla, licorice, tea, and black pepper. The mid-palate shows blueberry, soft herbs, and tart, smooth cranberry. The tannins do not interfere with the flavor profile, and the acidity ties the flavors together.
The Summary
- The Moon X Black Pinot Noir 2020 nails the new Pinot Noir style. It is not as rich and detailed as the original, but it is not that far off for about 40% of the price.
- It has an excellent fruit character and is chewy on the palate, this is a Pinot with some weight.
- If you a Pinot Noir traditionalist this is not your wine, but id smooth and tasty is your thing the Moon X delivers.
Love it. Fruit up front, not sweet, not dry. Great drinking wine.