Trader Joe's Diamond Reserve Pauillac Review (2024)

By: Jon Thorsen Published: Last Updated:

A true Diamond Reserve or just a big name? We review the new Trader Joe's Diamond Reserve Pauillac Lot #04.

Today we're checking out the fourth wine in Trader Joe's top of the line Diamond Reserves series.

Our last experience with a Diamond Reserve wine (the Trader Joe's Diamond Reserve Oakville Cabernet) was quite a disappointment. We did like the Trader Joe's Diamond Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon a bit better (and we never saw the Stag's Leap Diamond Reserve in our area) so our experience definitely hasn't been the greatest so far.

Perhaps this new Pauillac can turn things around although we have our doubts about that, as we've found many of the wines from this exclusive area of Bordceaux, France to be vastly overpriced. ($300 for a 91-point wine? No thank you.)

The Pauillac region is only 9 square miles large but is home to some of the most famous Bordeaux wineries including Mouton Rothschild, Lafite Rothschild and Château Latour and their extremely expensive bottles.

We rarely find anything in our price point here. Costco used to sell a Kirkland Signature Pauillac bottling for around $23, but we haven't seen that since the 2015 vintage. The only close to $20 wine we've seen recently from this area is the North Forty-Five.2 Pauillac also from Costco that sold for $19.99. (For Bordeaux wines a bit more reasonably priced from Trader Joe's you may also want to check our our reviews of the Trader Joe's Platinum Reserve Saint-Emilion Grand Cru and Trader Joe's Reserve Lussac Saint-Emilion.)

This red blend is most likely a good portion of Cabernet Sauvignon as most wines in this area are driven by that variety but Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Carmenère, Petit Verdot and/or Malbec could also play supporting roles. It is most certainly aged in oak for at least some period.

The label says the wine is bottled by Maison Ginestet who is a negociant with 350 partner Chateaux in Bordeaux so there's really no way to know specifically who made this wine or which vineyards it is from.

It is available exclusively at Trader Joe's and sells for $19.99. It is imported by Plume Ridge and has 13% Alcohol.

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Trader Joe's Diamond Reserve Pauillac Review (2)

The 2019 Trader Joe's Diamond Reserve Pauillac Lot #04 opens with aromas of dark fruit, cigar box, cedar and other woodsy, barrel room-like aromas plus a touch of spice. It really needs some time to open up but it gets better as it does.

Taking a sip reveals dark juicy fruit that is rather tart in the mouth. It's smooth with good structure and seems to be at least somewhat true to the region but I was expecting more depth. Again, it gets better as it breathes.

It ends dry, quite long and grippy with lingering oaky spice. We found it to be similar on day 2. It tastes really young at this point, but it seems to have all the components to age into something that might be worth more than its price point.

The bottom line is that this one just squeaks by with a Recommended Buy rating. (I'd put it at the low end of our 91-93 point range for a 9 Taste Rating.) In other words, it's worth the $19.99 to try a single bottle if you're intrigued by the region as it's a nice chance to sample Pauillac at a discount, at least versus the normal highly inflated prices. And if you do, we heard that each store only has 13 cases allotted so grab it if you see it.

If you're willing to cellar it for a few years, I could see buying a handful to see what happens, but this certainly isn't anywhere near a Bulk Buy (or even a Highly Recommended) rating.

2019 Trader Joe's Diamond Reserve Pauillac

Taste: 9 (91-93 points) Cost: 1

OVERALL RATING: 7.0

RECOMMENDED BUY

As always you can find an updated list of our recommended wines from Trader Joe's as well as more info on their pricing model and some tips and tricks for shopping the store in our giant guide.

Trader Joe's Diamond Reserve Pauillac Review (2024)

FAQs

Trader Joe's Diamond Reserve Pauillac Review? ›

It tastes really young at this point, but it seems to have all the components to age into something that might be worth more than its price point. The bottom line is that this one just squeaks by with a Recommended Buy rating. (I'd put it at the low end of our 91-93 point range for a 9 Taste Rating.)

How does Trader Joes sell wine so cheap? ›

The wine is produced also matters

The cheaper costs help reduce the price of growing the grapes. At the same time, the area where the company operates, the San Joaquin Valley, has climate conditions that risk affecting the wine's character, which also lead to an overall more affordable bottle.

How much is Trader Joe's Grand Reserve? ›

This wine is available exclusively at Trader Joe's and sells for $12.99. Like most of their private label wines there's not much info available although we did find a bit of info on their website. This 2021 vintage was cultivated during a cooler growing season.

How much is $2 Buck Chuck now? ›

Over the years, the price of Two Buck Chuck has increased (with costs reaching as high as $4 in some states). But to the joy of many, it has returned to its sweet price tag of $2 (in California stores at least).

What is the nickname for Trader Joe's wine? ›

Trader Joe's famous Two Buck Chuck wine

Trader Joe's is known for fairly cheap prices, but arguably its most famously priced item is Charles Shaw wine, otherwise known as Two Buck Chuck. While not everyone may know the secrets of Trader Joe's stores themselves, they definitely know this product.

What is Trader Joe's biggest seller? ›

The #1 Overall award went to Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips.

How much does the average person spend at Trader Joe's? ›

Now when it comes to average spending, Americans are dishing out about $66.00 every time they go to Trader Joe's. Arkansas residents spend the most at $80.50 per trip, and Utahns spend the least at just over $53.00 per visit.

Is Trader Joe's more expensive than regular grocery store? ›

That is: Trader Joe's more or less only sells products under its own brand name, with few exceptions. Trader Joe's is definitely cheaper than the average grocery store, but you might have to wait in a longer checkout line to take advantage of them.

Where does Trader Joe's wine come from? ›

The super value wine is available exclusively at Trader Joe's, which makes it easy to find. Of course, Two-Buck Chuck is just a nickname. The label is officially called Charles Shaw, made under the California vintner Bronco Wine Company.

Does Trader Joe's make their own wine? ›

Fun fact: Trader Joe's has its own private-label wine brands. Most of these brands (like their famous Charles Shaw brand, which makes the legendary “Two Buck Chuck”) are made by a family-run company called Bronco Wine, in California. Bronco is known for focusing on making quality wines for low prices.

Is there really a difference between cheap and expensive wine? ›

Farming & Terroir

So a big part of your bottle price is real estate. If the grapes were grown in a recognized quality wine region or reputable vineyard that's recognized for producing well-balanced grapes and employing quality farming practices, that fruit is going to be more expensive.

Why is Charles Shaw wine so cheap? ›

And though most wines are aged in oak barrels, Charles Shaw wine uses oak chips to cut costs. And second, the production of the wine in bulk, using machines rather than human labor, keeps costs down. Once the wine is made, it's placed in lighter bottles and cartons than your typical wine to decrease shipping costs.

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