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The Moon X Black Pinot Noir 2023 is a $6.99 Trader Joe’s exclusive. The back label says Trader Moon Wine Company from Manteca, California had a role in making this and other TJ’s Moon wines. Trader Joe’s. They seem to be a part of the Delicato Family Vineyards and wine company celebrating their 100 anniversary.
The Moon X was originally positioned by Trader Joe’s as a dupe of Meiomi Pinot Noir. When Meiomi was the IT wine, bottles flew off the shelves. Joe Wagner of the family behind Caymus owned the brand and sold it for 1/3 of a billion dollars.
Meiomi was selling for about $18 at the time, so a cheaper wine made in the style was called for. And in 2014, the Moon X Black Pinot Noir was released.
Meiomi was a richer, bolder style of Pinot Noir that was very different from the typical California Pinot Noir. Today it is easy to find a bold Pinot Noir, I often find Pinot wines weighing in at 14.5% alcohol. Big ripe and juicy wines.
The Moon X Black Pinot Noir 2023 after 10 years may be subdued to other modern California Pinot Noir wines. The Moon X Black has 13.5% alcohol which is moderate for today’s wine.
The tasting notes show it has vanilla, coffee, spice, and dark fruit.
The Moon X Black Pinot Noir 2023 Tasting Notes
The color is a black cherry red. The nose is ripe black cherry, tart cranberry, vanilla, molasses, licorice, and plum. The Moon X Black Pinot Noir 2023 is smooth with dark flavors.
This Pinot Noir tastes like cherry, blackberry, vanilla, a slap of spice, and plum. The mid-palate adds a nutty sensation, strawberry, dusty, but soft tannins, and cranberry.
The acidity does a nice job of providing a solid backbone for the flavors.
The Summary
- The Moon X Black Pinot Noir 2023 may not be my style of Pinot Noir, but it is a tasty Red Wine.
- Ten years ago this wine was over-the-top, today it is quite reasonable.
