Tribunal Red Wine North Coast 2012
Red Blend
California
Price: $9.99

Today’s Wine Wednesday review is another red from my most recent Trader Joe’s haul. A crew member recommended Tribunal Red Wine North Coast when I asked for a wine with ‘junk in the trunk’. Okay—he initially looked perplexed when I said ‘junk in the trunk’. But once I explained that I meant a big, red wine that is full-bodied—he immediately got it.

The Tribunal bottle features an adorable drawing of anthropomorphized animals in some sort of courtroom. The back of the label features what seems to be part of a story. What the bottle does not have is a list of the grapes used in the blend. I also couldn’t find any information online—which is unusual.

I called the Trader Joe’s store that I bought the wine from. The crew member who answered the phone was most helpful and patient. She told me that the grapes come from 6 counties in California; Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, and Solano. The grapes used in the blend are (deep breath) 19% Syrah, 24% Zinfandel, 18% Merlot, 17% Petit Sirah, 10% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Tempranillo, and 2% Dolcetto.

Tribunal Red Wine North Wine North Coast 2012 is purple with glints of red. The nose yields berries, chocolate, and leather. The palate reminded me of chocolate covered cherries. This wine pairs well with steak, hamburgers, or barbecued pork. Perfect for any cookouts you might have coming up.