Fast facts:
- 2023 Kirkland Signature Châteauneuf-du-Pape ($18.99 @ Costco, California – Item #777662)
With a few notable exceptions, the best wines in the Kirkland Signature portfolio are imports – especially those that clock in above the $10 price point.
There are reasons for this. One is that in the US, some 90% of the wine consumed is produced by the 10 largest (the word behemoths comes to mind) “wineries.” These titans of industrial wine (which is manufactured, more than it is crafted) don’t need to rely upon Costco to sell truckloads of their vino. They already have that covered with their stranglehold on US distribution.
Another factor is that in places like Europe, the land that grows the grapes has been “in the family” for generations. It has long since been paid for. Without that pesky and onerous debt service, they are extremely well -positioned to deliver the QPR we covet so much here at the Vinopointer HQ.
Many of Costco’s European wines are produced by such grower/wineries, often under the watchful eye of a skilled winemaker, in this case one Guillaume Gonnet, a third generation winemaker in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
His bottlings emphasize three things:
- Biodynamic agricultural principles
- Elegant wines with minimal oak influence
- Regional typicity; imbuing the wines with a softness, elegance and finesse that are their signature style
Such attention to basics lead to bottlings like this one:
It’s a blend of 70% Grenache, 10%Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, 10% Cinsault. And the reduced dependence on oak and fruit extraction results in an approachable wine that is perfect for these days in between Spring and Summer.
Tasting Notes:
Pours a medium dark red. Faint aromas of rose and red frui with hints of blueberry. Medium bodied with notes of tobacco, cloves, vanilla, cinnamon, and cola. Nice blend of bright mixed berry aromas with deep, silky tannins. A long finish leaves and spices on the end. Would pair nicely with lean red meats, vegetarian fare and grilled chicken. ABV = 15%
Need More Wine Picks from Costco – or Trader Joe’s Even?
If your wine shopping excursions land you in Costco, prepare by grazing our most recent reviews of Costco wines here in our Lucky 13 list.
Availability of wines varies by the location of the Costco store. This is less true of Kirkland Signature branded wines. Most of our featured wines come from Costco stores in Southern California. It you want to determine if a particular wine is in stock at your local store, there is a new feature on the Costco app you are going to like. It enables you to enter the “Item Number” we associate with every Costco wine (see above) that is featured as our Wine of the Week. You’re welcome.
And if your shopping finds you at Trader Joe’s, you can find our Lucky 13 list of TJ’s wine here.
Remember as alway, let us know if you find something you think we should know about. We will give you a shout out in our review for “sniffing it out” for us.
Cheers!
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