Trader Joe’s Reserve Puisseguin Saint-Émilion 2022: Worth $9.99?
Right Bank Bordeaux for a Hamilton at Trader Joe’s? That’s the kind of lineup that makes a California wine nerd (hi, it’s me) stop mid-aisle. Reverse Wine Snob put the 2022 Trader Joe’s Reserve Puisseguin Saint-Émilion Lot 274 through its paces, and their take suggests this Merlot-driven bottling brings more muscle than you’d expect for $9.99.
“It’s worth the price, especially for Bordeaux lovers.”
—Reverse Wine Snob
Quick stats from the source: it’s primarily Merlot, from Puisseguin Saint-Émilion (one of Saint-Émilion’s four satellite appellations), clocking in at 14% ABV and sold exclusively at Trader Joe’s. Reverse Wine Snob rated it a recommended buy with an overall 7.3, calling out solid balance and a better showing on day two after some air.
Style snapshot: what to expect
- Grape variety: Primarily Merlot (Right Bank blend)
- Region/appellation: Puisseguin Saint-Émilion, Right Bank Bordeaux
- Style: Dry, medium-bodied red lane; 14% ABV
- Aromas and flavors (per source): black cherry, leather, a subtle green note; dry finish with good length
“Opens with aromas of black cherry, lots of leather and a bit of a green vegetable note.”
—Reverse Wine Snob
Reverse Wine Snob notes it “needs some air” and can feel a touch austere without food—both pretty classic signals for young Right Bank Bordeaux at value pricing. Translation: give it a swirl, a brief decant, and pair it with something that adds a little richness, and you’re in business.
Why this TJ’s Bordeaux matters
Puisseguin Saint-Émilion rides shotgun to the more famous Saint-Émilion, and it’s often praised as the most consistent of the satellites. The calling card here is Merlot: think darker fruit, a firmer tannic line than casual “plush Merlot” stereotypes, and a dry, savory finish. That’s textbook Right Bank, with Cabernet Franc sometimes adding lift or a gentle herbal tilt.
What makes this Trader Joe’s pick interesting is the combo of price and provenance. Sub-$10 Bordeaux from a named appellation is rare air. The source describes good balance, a dry, lingering finish, and improved performance on day two. That last bit is a positive tell: wines that stretch out with oxygen usually have enough structure to be more than a one-and-done weeknight sipper.
If your Merlot expectations lean plush and velvety, this bottling sounds more classic-Bordeaux: savory, slightly reserved, and built to behave at the table rather than dominate happy hour. In other words, more Left Bank attitude in a Right Bank grape set—without the Left Bank price tag.
How it stacks up vs. common wisdom
Common wisdom: satellite Saint-Émilion wines often deliver early-drinking Merlot with approachable fruit and moderate tannins. The Reverse Wine Snob profile leans drier and more restrained, with leather notes and a subtle green edge. That tracks with cooler-vintage or value-tier Bordeaux that prioritizes structure over overt ripeness. It’s not a plush fruit bomb; it’s a dinner companion that appreciates a good cast-iron sear.
Reverse Wine Snob’s verdict—recommended buy, “worth the price”—lands squarely in the value sweet spot. And while the score (overall 7.3 with an 87–88 point taste range) won’t ignite a cellar stampede, it’s the kind of dependable, food-first bottle that makes Trader Joe’s runs fun.
How to drink it
Best occasion: casual dinner with friends, Tuesday steak-frites, or a chill weekend when you want Bordeaux bona fides without ceremony.
Best pairing direction: think savory and a touch fatty—roast chicken with herbs, burgers, mushroom pasta, or a simple cheese-and-charcuterie plate. The wine’s dry, slightly austere edge should mellow nicely with protein and salt.
Pro move: give it 20–30 minutes of air. The source specifically noted it was “slightly better on day 2,” which is your cue that oxygen is your friend.
The bottom line
For $9.99, this Trader Joe’s Reserve Puisseguin Saint-Émilion 2022 checks the essential Bordeaux boxes: Merlot-led, dry, and quietly structured, with legit appellation cred. It’s not a cuddle-up-on-the-couch fruit bomb; it’s the bottle that straightens its collar and asks what’s for dinner. If that’s your lane, Reverse Wine Snob’s “recommended buy” feels like money well spent.
Note: All tasting impressions, price, and scoring cited from Reverse Wine Snob’s review of the 2022 Trader Joe’s Reserve Puisseguin Saint-Émilion Lot 274.
Source: https://www.reversewinesnob.com/trader-joes-reserve-puisseguin-saint-emilion/
