Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Sonoma Brut 2021 Edition

The Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Sonoma Brut 2021 Edition is a $14.99 Trader Joe’s exclusive. We reviewed this Sparkling wine about one year ago, and I wanted to revisit this Bubbly since we recently enjoyed Trader Joe’s North Coast Brut, which sold for five dollars less at $9.99. Is the Sonoma Brut worth 33% more?

Both Sparkling wines are “produced and bottled by” Rack and Riddle of Healdsburg, California, and both correspond to Bubbly that Rack and Riddle sell under their label. The Rack and Riddle Sonoma Brut sells for $23 to $25 to give you a sense of the savings you get from Trader Joe’s.

One problem I have with more expensive Trader Joe’s Bubbly is the Sparkling wines from the California outpost of French Champagne Houses sell Bubbly in the same price range. Chandon, Pommery, Pipper, and Mumm make affordable California Champagne-style Bubbly.

Those brands all have more prestige and charisma than a Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Bubbly, so spending extra on a TJ’s Bubbly may not make the most sense if you attempt to impress. But all is forgiven if the Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Sonoma Brut 2021 Edition delivers a delicious Traditional Method drinking experience.

Trader Joe’s does not offer any technical information on making this Bubbly, but we can get insight from Rack and Riddles own Sparkling wine, and they have solid specifications. The Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Sonoma Brut 2021 Edition is Pinot Noir and Chardonnay; they do not give the percentages, with a little Pinot Meunier added in.

This is a non-vintage Bubbly; the 2020 and the 2021 versions both have an exact alcohol content of 12.27%. Is sourcing grapes from Sonoma County worth an extra five dollars from TJ’s North Coast Sparkling wine? The tasting portion will tell the tail.

The Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Sonoma Brut 2021 Edition Tasting Notes

The color is golden yellow with an amber tint; there are plenty of bubbles. The nose is bright, fresh, and juicy; ripe apple, lemon, pineapple, soft spice, vanilla, peach, pear, and a little baking bread. The Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Sonoma Brut 2021 Edition is smooth and slightly creamy with a solid mix of fruit and citrus flavors.

This Bubbly tastes like green apple, sharp candied spice, but not sweet, grapefruit, vanilla cream, and lemon/lime. The mid-palate brings stone fruit, a salty sensation, a little tropical fruit, and dried cherry. The acidity will have you smacking your lips and finishing your glass much sooner than expected.

The Summary

• Is the Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Sonoma Brut 2021 Edition worth the extra five bucks over the trader Joe’s North Coast Brut? The answer is Yes and No.
• The North Coast Brut was excellent for $9.99, but the Sonoma Brut Bubbly does bring a little more flavor and finesse.
• Should you kick in a few extra bucks and grab a California version of French Champagne House Bubbly? I think that depends of the usage.
• If the Trader Joe’s Bubbly are going to serve as party Bubbles then they will kick the party into gear.
• If you are sipping Bubbly with a friend or two, I would go with one of the French Champagne Houses California Bubbly wines. But both Trader Joe’s Sparkling wines are well worth drinking and well-priced.