• Cheap Wine < $10
  • Cheap Wine +/- $20
  • Cheap Wine – Red
    • Bubbly (blanc de noirs)
    • Cabernet Sauvignon
    • Grenache/Garnacha
    • Malbec
    • Merlot
    • Mourvedre
    • Petite Sirah
    • Pinot Noir
    • Red Blend
    • Rosé
    • Sparkling Rosé
    • Syrah/Shiraz
    • Tempranillo
    • Zinfandel
  • Cheap Wine – White
    • Bubbly (blanc de blancs)
    • Chardonnay
    • Chenin Blanc
    • Pinot Gris/Grigio
    • Riesling
    • Sauvignon Blanc
    • Torrontes
    • White Blend
    • Other White Grapes
  • CheapWineFinder Podcast

Cheap Wine Finder

Remarkable wines that pair nicely with your wallet

You are here: Home / Cheap Wine < $10 / TJ’s Reserve Amador County Zinfandel

TJ’s Reserve Amador County Zinfandel

July 4, 2019 by Domaine Dave Leave a Comment

Trader Joe's Reserve Amador County Zinfandel 2016The Story

The Trader Joe’s Reserve Amador County Zinfandel Lot 185 2016 is a $9.99 Trader Joe’s exclusive. Amador County is 100 miles east of San Francisco, as far north as Napa County, but on the other side of Sacramento in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This is the California Gold Rush country. Amador County is a comparatively small AVA with 40 wineries, most of which are the small, family-owned boutique variety. Even though is well inland from most California grape growing regions, the higher altitude (1,000 to 2,000 feet) and the cool mountain air at night allow grapes to thrive.

As a Trader Joe’s Reserve wine, there is only the information the Fearless Flyer gives us and in this case, it is a couple of tasting notes and little else. But there is information we can deduce. Most Amador County wineries are small family-owned limited production facilities and are probably priced out of Trader Joe’s reach, but the larger wineries are first-class operations. I wouldn’t mind a Zinfandel from any of them. The second clue is this is a 2016 vintage which in the summer of 2019 gives it 3 years of barrel and bottle age. That is a quality amount of aging time for a $10 drink-it-now Zinfandel, it’s a step or two above entry-level wine production. The alcohol content is a stout 14.9%.

The Tasting Notes

The color is a barely see-thru black cherry red. The nose is jammy red and dark berries and spice, along with toasty vanilla, light herbs, and dark chocolate. This is a full-bodied, smooth Zinfandel, good fruit and spice, but balanced, not over the top. It starts with black cherry, black pepper, raspberry, dusty chocolate powder, and spice. The mid-palate offers plum, vanilla, tart cranberry, herbs, and a touch of cream. The tannins are smooth and the acidity allows the flavors to unfold. The finish is full and lengthy.

The Summary

  • At 10 bucks this is a solid entry into Amador County Zinfandel. There are some seriously good wineries there and if the Lot 185 piques your interest there is plenty to explore.
  •  At $10 this is an excellent, drink-it-now, no issues Zinfandel. It is not a wine you would cellar (though you could if you wish put it down for a few years), but it drinks well, as is.

Related Posts:

  • Sobon Estates Old Vine Amador County Zinfandel 2019
    Sobon Estates Old Vine Amador County Zinfandel 2019
  • Seghesio Sonoma County Zinfandel 2019
    Seghesio Sonoma County Zinfandel 2019
  • Trader Joe's Reserve Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
    Trader Joe's Reserve Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
  • Trader Joe's Reserve Oak Knoll Zinfandel 2019
    Trader Joe's Reserve Oak Knoll Zinfandel 2019

Filed Under: Cheap Wine < $10, Cheap Wine - Red, Zinfandel Tagged With: Amador County, best cheap wine, California, cheap wine podcast, cheap zinfandel, Trader Joe's, wine podcast, Zinfandel

Cheap Wine Podcast – Latest Episodes!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Cheap Wine Photos

cheapwinefinder

New #podcast #episode: Wonderwall Edna Valley Pino New #podcast #episode: Wonderwall Edna Valley Pinot Noir 2019 (link in bio)
.
.
.
#BestCheapWine2022, #EdnaValleyAva, #PinotNoir, #WinePodcast, #WonderWallWine
New #podcast #episode: Wonderwall Edna Valley Pino New #podcast #episode: Wonderwall Edna Valley Pinot Noir 2019 (link in bio)
.
.
.
#BestCheapWine2022, #EdnaValleyAva, #PinotNoir, #WinePodcast, #WonderWallWine
New #podcast #episode: Ava Grace California Sauvig New #podcast #episode: Ava Grace California Sauvignon Blanc 2020 (link in bio)
.
.
.
#BestCheapWine2022, #CaliforniaWine, #CheapSauvignonBlanc, #WinePodcast
New #podcast #episode: La Ferme Julien 2020 (link New #podcast #episode: La Ferme Julien 2020 (link in bio)
.
.
.
#BestCheapWine2022, #Rosé, #TraderJoe039SWine, #Ventoux, #WinePodcast
New #podcast #episode: Plungerhead Old Vine Lodi Z New #podcast #episode: Plungerhead Old Vine Lodi Zinfandel 2018 (link in bio)
.
.
.
#BestCheapWine2022, #DonSebastianiSons, #LodiZinfandel, #WinePodcast
New #podcast #episode: Tilia Malbec 2020 (link in New #podcast #episode: Tilia Malbec 2020 (link in bio)
.
.
.
#ArgentinaWine, #BestCheapWine2022, #Malbec, #Mendoza, #SustainableWinegrowing, #WinePodcast
Load More... Hit us up on Insta

Cheap Wine Events

Cheap Wine Subscription

You know you want our latest & greatest cheap wine articles delivered right to your inbox, so go ahead and slide us your email.

Cheap Wine Info

  • Advertise
  • Cheap Wine Photo Gallery
  • CheapWineFinder Staff
  • Contact CheapWineFinder
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Service
©2022, CheapWineFinder.com
Advertise | Log in

Posting....