This could be a really happy New Year — The first Trader Joe’s finds of 2012

OK here we go, the first tasting of the New Year. Doing three wines this time around, all from Trader Joe’s. Two bottles I’m really excited about because they come highly recommended by a wine buddy from San Francisco, with a palette that’s more educated than mine — Perrin Lam. If Perrin raves about something, I gotta try it. The other bottle is one a friend mentioned after reading my Cheap Bubbly blog — Trader Joe’s Blanc de Blancs @$4.99.

So let’s talk about the TJ’s Blanc de Blancs. I’m a bit dubious about it from the get-go. The Label says “French Sparking Wine.” Meaning it ain’t from Champagne because if it was, it would say so all over the bottle. So what the hell is it? Well, there are two other main sources of sparkling white wine in France, Cremant de Bourgogne (Chardonnay from a cooler part of Burgundy), or sparkling  Vouvrey (Chenin Blanc from the Loir village of Vouvrey). This wine could be either, or both.

Blason du Bourgogne Saint Véran 2009. This is a White Burgundy, a Chardonnay from the Burgundian village of Saint Véran. To get a good Saint Véran for $8.99 doesn’t happen often. Like never. So fingers crossed that this one lives up.

Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2010. In my opinion the Russian River Valley grows the best Pinot Noir outside Burgundy, France. Finding a good RRV pinot for under $15, or even $20, a bottle is my search for the Holy Grail. Let’s hope this is it!

 The Wines

 Trader Joe’s Blanc de Blancs — 11.5% Alc $4.99

COLOR —  Pale gold, with nice lively bubbles.

NOSE — A touch of match stick, bit of bread crust and pears. I think this is Chennin Blanc, maybe with a bit of Chardonnay.

TASTE — Bright, zippy green apple juice with a touch of lemon rind. There’s a little something green and unripe. And maybe a bit of sea salt.

FINISH — Light bodied and bright with zippy acid. It goes on a bit, leaving something like Granny Smith apple skin on the palette.

RATE —  2.5 Stars. It’s not rich enough to go any higher, nor is it complex enough. Mind you, at $4.99, it’s better than I expected it to be. Far better than anything else within $2 of it! Great Mimosa stuff.

Blason du Bourgogne Saint Véran 2009 — 13% Alc $8.49

COLOR — Medium gold, clean and clear.

NOSE — Minerally white peaches, a bit of candied lemon peel and white blossoms..

TASTE — Rich minerally yellow pit fruits, like peaches and nectarines. There’s a great bit of sea salt and acidity. Really fills your mouth. After this got to room temp, a very nice honey note came out, and the minerality became even more pronounced. 

FINISH — Medium-long, rich with a buttery feeling, but there’s no oak on this wine. It leaves flavors of peaches and peach skin, with sea salt and a hint of white flowers.

RATE —  4 Stars. This wine is better than the Blason de Bourgogne 1er Cru, and .50 less! This is the best $8.49 Chardonnay you are going to find. Screw the price, I’d put this up against wines costing much more. Try this!!

Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Russian River  Valley Pinot Noir 2010 — 13.5% Alc $12.99

COLOR — Clear ruby red, of medium depth, all the way to the edges.

NOSE — Crushed red berries and strawberries, with a bit of cherry cola, rose petals, and something earthy.

TASTE — Bright red berries and strawberries with a touch of sweetness, rose petals, a little minerals.

FINISH — Medium bodied, long finish of berries and miners, with good acid. Nothing green or stemmy.  Lingers on and on.

RATE — 4.5 Stars. This is the REAL DEAL!! Russian River Valley all the way. It’s like turning the clock back to 2003 prices. I’d stack it up against pinots twice its price, maybe more. And it will get better with age. Great stuff. Perfect with salmon, roast chicken, even pork. I’ll be buying a lot more.