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The Trader Joe’s Reserve Rasteau Cru 2022 is a $9.99 Trader Joe’s import exclusive. The actual name is Rasteau Appellation Rasteau Controlée 2022 Lot 254, Cru de la Vallée Rhone.
Here is an entry-level view of how the wine classifications in the Southern Rhone Valley work
The first level is Cotes du Rhone AOC, which tend to be value-priced wines from the general region.
The second is Cotes du Rhone Villages and these wines are sourced from vineyards around villages that are seen as a step up.
Next is Cote du Rgone Villages with the actual village named on the label. There are 21 villages in this category.
The highest level is The Cru wines, 8 in the Southern Rhone, and the Trader Joe’s Reserve Rasteau Cru 2022 is in this category.
The most famous Cru wine is Chateauneuf-du-Pape which translates to the Pope’s New Castle, these wines have a history dating back to the 1300s.
Rasteau is a village started in the Middle Ages, this village is also known for fortified wines and sweet Red wines, but the Cru wines are dry.
The Trader Joe’s Reserve Rasteau Cru 2022 has to be by law at least 50% Grenache and a minimum of 20% Syrah and Mourvedre. Other red Grapes are also approved, but some variations of the GSM blend are prominent.
It has 2375 acres of vines, so this is an exclusive wine. Most examples that I can find are priced under $30 and Trader Joe’s $9.99 price is excellent. The alcohol content is 14.5%.
The Trader Joe’s Reserve Rasteau Cru 2022 Tasting Notes
The color is raspberry jam red with black highlights. The nose is ripe red berries, licorice, a savory aroma, spice, black pepper, herbs, blackberry, and a soft floral note. The Trader Joe’s Rasteau Reserve Cru 2022 is silky upfront and then spicey on the finish.
This Red Blend tastes like extracted blackberry, licorice, tea, and black pepper, followed by rounded plum. The mid-palate offers a slap of spice, pomegranate, orange zest, and strawberry.
This is a nice combination of a tight sleek wine and a plumper juicy wine, the best of both worlds at a bargain price.
The Summary
- The Trader Joe’s Rasteau Reserve Cru 2022 is well worth trying, you rarely see Cru wines at this price tag and it is a very tasty wine.
- While we are not positive of the grapes in the blend it does exhibit that wonderful clash of Grenache and Syrah.
- Each grape has what the other does not and put them together and you can get a delicious wine.
