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The Trader Joe’s Reserve Wahluke Slope Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from certified organic grapes grown in the Wahluke Slope AVA of the Columbia Valley in Washington State. This Cab Sauv was produced for Trader Joe’s by DNA Vineyards an independent winery that has produced many wines for TJ’s both Reserve wines and brands. Here is a link to their website.
The Wahluke Slope is the warmest AVA in the Columbia Valley and its interesting feature is an ancient alluvial fan. An alluvial fan is similar to a delta. While a delta is silt building up at the mouth of a river an alluvial fan is a build-up of soil from an ancient water feature where the foothills meet the plain. The Wahluke Slope is an 8% rise from the plains to the foothills, with deep, sandy soil. The warm weather is fairly consistent and the lack of rainfall allows the vines to be irrigated when needed.
This is the first wine I have seen with an ingredient list on the back label, organic grapes, yeast, and sufites. What more do you need, though some folks could do without the sulfites?
There are only about 20 vineyards in the Wahluke Slope and a small number of them are certified organic. Hence, the Trader Joe’s Reserve Wahluke Slope Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 is possibly a single vineyard wine, though there is no information to verify that.
The Fearless Flyer mentions oak influences in its tasting notes but does not mention an oak barrel program. The alcohol content is 13.8%.
The Trader Joe’s Reserve Wahluke Slope Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
The color is more black with a little red than a shade of red. The nose is full and deep, there is blackberry, black pepper, a hint of smoke, dark chocolate, herbs, ripe plum, and strawberry, with a light floral edge. The Trader Joe’s Reserve Wahluke Slope Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 has a smooth mouthfeel with rich flavors that linger.
This Cabernet Sauvignon tastes like ripe blackberry, rich blueberry, a slap of spice, black pepper, licorice, and soothing lum. The mid-palate adds bitter chocolate, tart cranberry, orange zest, and dusty tannins. The acidity allows the flavors to unfold fully and provides good length.
The Summary
- The Trader Joe’s Reserve Wahluke Slope Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 is a very good ten-dollar Cabernet Sauvignon.
- This wine sips well and in pairing would do very well with a steak.
- This is a solid, well-made wine.
