The Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Napa Brut Rosé (2026) is a $14.99 Trader Joe’s exclusive produced for them by Rack and Riddle in Healdsburg, California.
The Story
Wine, beer, and spirits sales in the US have been down for several years, and top wineries have been liquidating excess stock, so it is not a stretch to think this Bubbly was originally intended to sell at a higher price point. Then again, a $15 Bubbly that sells for $15.
The Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Napa Brut Rosé (2026) has been made available around the Holidays for a few years now. It seems that all of their Reserve wine designations have a Northern California Bubbly, but this Sparkling wine is their top-of-the-heap bubbly.
Last year’s version, 2025, was a Brut Rosé made from 100% Pinot Noir; this year it is Pinot Noir blended with Chardonnay. I initially thought this might be leftover Bubbly from last year, but it has a different grape makeup.
The Fearless Flyer says that the quality of this Sparkling wine is equal to wines selling for 2, 3, and maybe 4 times the price, which is the $30 to $45 range. While you can find many California-based sparkling wines for under $20, it is the Reserve wines that get pricey.
This Bubbly is made by Rack and Riddle, a Sparkling wine specialist that makes Bubbly for over 200 wineries and clients. Some customers use their own grapes, but Rack and Riddle has contracts with multiple vineyards to allow them to make custom wines.
Neither Trader Joe’s nor Rack and Riddle offer any production notes; Carneros is the home of nearly all of Napa’s Pinot Noir production. They also produce excellent Chardonnay, but multiple Napa Valley vineyards excel at Chardonnay.
The alcohol content is 12.5%.
The Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Napa Brut Rosé (2026) Tasting Notes
The color is a mix of silver and amber. The nose is pretty and delicate; there is faint cherry, grapefruit, and spice, brioche bread, and lightly floral. The Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Napa Brut Rosé (2026) is crisp yet creamy.
This Brut Rosé tastes like grapefruit (not too tart), black cherry, and an interesting slap of spice, nectarine, crusty bread, and a saltynutty sensation.
The acidity is nicely balanced and flavors do linger.
The Summary
- The Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Napa Brut Rosé (2026) is a Bubbly worthy of NYE or an important occasion.
- Is this a $30 or $45 bottle hiding in a Trader Joe’s label? Try it and draw your own conclusion.
