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The Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Sonoma County Brut Sparkling Wine-2023 Edition is a $14.99 Trader Joe’s exclusive featuring a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and a little bit of Pinot Meunier which is a classic Champagne blend.
This Sparkling wine was “produced and bottled by” (that means they made this Bubbly) Rack and Riddle of Healdsburg, California. They are a custom Sparkling wine producer with their own line of Sparkling wines, making Bubbly for many brands. Special equipment is needed to produce Champagne-style Sparkling wine. Brands who want to add a Sparkling wine to their portfolio but don’t want to invest in the infrastructure while contract companies like Rack and Riddle.
Trader Joe’s says “The Platinum Reserve label, in particular, represents top wines from top winemakers in some of the most prestigious wine-growing regions in the country, sold at a fraction of the price they’d normally command elsewhere.” How this fits into Rack and Riddle making the Bubbly is unknown. Rack and Riffle makes a Sonoma County Brut which is 100% Chardonnay and lists for $16.50.
The Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Sonoma County Brut Sparkling Wine-2023 Edition is a $15 Bubbly that is supposedly the equal of Sparkling wine selling for much more, but there is no indication why this is so. An extended triage (the length of the second fermentation) or high-end vineyards could lead to more expensive Bubbly, but Trader Joe’s offers no details, we have to take their word for it.
There are several French Champagne Houses that have Sonoma or Napa wineries, Mumm’s Chandon, and Roederer come to mind and they all offer Bubbly from California selling in the same price range. These wines are produced by Champagne-trained winemakers and have known vineyard suppliers. So The Platinum Reserve has some competition that has favorable advantages. However, if you love the drinking experience of the Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Sonoma County Brut Sparkling Wine-2023 Edition that is all that matters. The alcohol content is 12.5%.
The Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Sonoma County Brut Sparkling Wine-2023 Edition Tasting Notes
The color is golden yellow with a flurry of fine bubbles. The nose is crisp green apple, lemon, grapefruit, a little brioche, pear, melon, and peach. The Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Sonoma County Brut Sparkling Wine-2023 Edition has a bold flavor, loads of green apple, lemon curd, and assorted secondary flavors.
This Bubbly tastes like green apple, a hit of sweet peach, lemon, spice, stonefruit, and candy spice (not sweet). The mid-palate offers a creamy sensation, crusty bread, and soft tropical fruit. The acidity is very well-balanced and allows the flavors to fully unfold.
The Summary
- The Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Sonoma County Brut Sparkling Wine-2023 Edition is an excellent Bubbly.
- We tried the 2021 edition a few years back and I much prefer the 2023. Since Trader Joe’s does not give this Platinum Reserve a Lot number it could well be the same wine from 2021, if so the extra aging has helped.
- This is a Champagne-style Bubbly well worth drinking.
