Fast facts:
- 2018 Kirkland Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, Sonoma Valley, California ($9.99 @ Costco, California – Item #223343)
Long term readers may have detected a slight bias we have in favor of Sonoma Valley vs. Napa Valley. There is no disputing that both Valleys produce world class wines, but the sheer diversity that exists in Sonoma really makes it a wine explorer’s paradise.
The Mayacamas mountain range in Northern California separates these two famous wine regions in the United States. Sonoma lies to the west, Napa is on the eastern side. Within these two regions are areas that are synonymous with great Cabernet Sauvignon. Napa itself has built a luxury brand out of the grape. The wines (and the climate) of Sonoma are much more diverse, but the warm Alexander Valley has also carved out a reputation for producing really high quality “Cabs.”
For $9.99, this is a really nice, easy drinking wine that would pair well with a wide variety of foods. It is even light enough to be substituted for an Italian wine when pairing with the usual suspects of pizza, pasta, calzones, etc. It would also go really well with grilled burgers and all kinds of meat for that matter.
Tasting notes:
Pours a lovely violet color with a clear rim. Enticing aromas of toast, vanilla, cherries, plum, and some faint herbaceusness. Flavors of black cherry, vanilla, ripe plums and some tea and leather. The light touch of French Oak shows through and the tannins provide a some loose structure. There are notes of warm cappucino and ripe red fruits in the lingering finish. Very nice!
Alexander Valley is the largest and most fully planted of Sonoma County’s many vineyard valleys. It is noteworthy for the fleshy, voluptuousness of its wines. Wineries that have helped establish Alexander Valley as “legit” early on included Chateau Souverain and Jordan Vineyards. Others household names include Geyser Peak, Clos du Bois and Murphy Goode. Othe brands have built reputations on grapes grown here, including Rodney Strong, Silver Oak and Chateau St. Jean.
It’s an impressive roster by any measure…
You may recall we reviewed this wine back in 2019 and put it up against a very similar private label brand from Trader Joe’s. The results make for an interesting read.
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.
And if your shopping finds you at Trader Joe’s, you can find our Lucky 13 list of TJ’s wine here.
Happy hunting.
Cheers!