The Moon X Red Blend 2024 is a $6.99 Trader Joe’s exclusive. This is a line of wines that Trader Joe’s has offered since at least 2015.
The Story
The Moon series of wines, here is their webpage, they show a Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and this Red blend, but have had White wines in the past.
The Red wines were dupes of rich, extracted wines such as The Prisoner and Meiomi, when that style of wine was extremely popular. The fact that these wines are still around 11 years later says a lot about the quality and value.
There have been many variations of the Moon name in the past, Honey Moon, Bay Moon, and Purple Moon.
The Moon name may be a throwback to pre-1930s wine agriculture, where many of the decisions in the vineyard and in the winery were made according to the positions of the moon. Today, that is called biodynamic wine; this wine is not biodynamic.
The Moon X Red Blend 2024 has its own webpage, which is rare for a Trader Joe’s exclusive wine, but it does not mention the grape blend.
Google AI says that the blend is often Zinfandel, Merlot, and Syrah, but does not say if the 2024 vintage is the same.
The grapes are said to be sourced from California, though the winery involved is from the Lodi AVA.
The alcohol content is a balanced 13.5%.
The Moon X Red Blend 2024 Tasting Notes
The color is more black than red. The nose is rich raspberry, chocolate, mint, blackberry, a hint of herbs and spice, and a hint of vanilla. The Moon X Red Blend 2024 is smooth and rich, an easy sipper.
This Red blend tastes like blackberry, chocolate brownie (without the sweetness), raspberry, spice, a little herbs, and plum.
This is a smooth wine; the tannins are very soft, and the acidity is controlled.
The Summary
- The Moon X Red Blend 2024 is a smooth $6.99 sipper, that would out on the balcony or patio.
- For pairing, most comfort foods would work.
- 11 years old and still going strong, it won’t impress your wine snob friends, but it drinks well and the price is right.
