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The Cotillion Pinot Noir 2022 is a $9.99 Trader Joe’s exclusive wine that has been available since at least the 2013 vintage. Plata Wine Partners produces this Pinot Noir for Trader Joe’s under its Ashford Court winery label.
The Story
Plata Partners (founded in 2025) has 60 vineyards with over 18,000 acres of vines.
Grapes for the Cotillion Pinot Noir are sourced from Monterey, Sonoma, and Santa Barbara, and Plata happens to own 1400 acres in Sonoma, 8500 acres in Monterey, and 3000 acres in Santa Barbara.
Plata Partners produce custom wines and the winemaker is Allison Crowe. She is Vice President of Winemaking for Plata Wine Partners and the winemaker for Garnet Vineyards.
The Cotillion Pinot Noir 2022 has the same AVA grape sourcing as the original Meiomi Pinot Noir, though the winemaking seems to be very different. This Pinot Noir (100% Pinot Noir grapes) was sourced from cool climate coastal vineyards and was aged both French and American oak.
They do not mention if it was oak barrels or other means, and how long the aging process was. They did say the oak was had light and medium toast. Toasting is where the inside of the staves are flamed, this brings out the desired amount of oak influence. The alcohol content is 14.2%.
The Cotillion Pinot Noir 2022 Tasting Notes
The color is see-through, shiny garnet red. The nose is Classic California Pinot Noir. There is sour cherry, mushroom, spice, herbs, plum, tart cranberry, and a floral edge. The Cotillion Pinot Noir 2022 has smooth flavors and rough edges, textures, and spice that compliment each other.
This Pinot Noir tastes like black cherry, licorice, a hint of cola, a slap of exotic spice, herbs, cooling plum, orange zest, and pomegranate.
The tannins are light but add structure and the acidity gives this Pinot Noir good length.
The Summary
- The Cotillion Pinot Noir 2022 is a very drinkable, well-priced, and well-made Pinot Noir.
- It is a bargain at $9.99.
- Even with 14.2% alcohol, this is a medium/light bodied Pinot.
