Fast Facts:
- 2022 Kirkland Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Suscol Vineyard, Napa Valley, California ($17.99 @Costco in California – Item #1491800)
We have reviewed multiple vintages of this wine (a perennial favorite) but think this may be the best vintage yet. It has always been good, with high QPR, but the 2022 has raised the bar. It tastes even more like a top notch Napa Cab. Perhaps not surprisingly given the current state of the US wine market where one would expect that the price for this bottling would either go down or the quality would go up. We are glad it is the latter.
One thing that has not changed is how beautiful this bottle (“the packaging” as we call it in the wine trade) is all silk screened and all. It seems like overkill to me, but whatever. Also from the bottle, some 411 on the vineyard:
“The Suscol Vineyard is located in southern Napa Valley. It has a cool mountain climate that produces a full rich…profile. Select blocks were used to create this wine.”
The aforementioned cool location (not far from Carneros, known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay) helps explain the relatively low alchohol level (just 13%) of this wine. Most Napa Cabs are between 14.5% and 15.5%. Less heats yields less ripening, which in turn results in lower sugar levels at harvest, which begets lower ABV.
We’ve said it about this wine before, but vineyard designated wines are rare birds. And to have one under $20 is pretty much unheard of.
Tasting Notes:
Pours a lovely opaque dark violet. Aromas of plum, blackberry and cafe au lait. Flavors of cherry, ripe plums, and cassis combine with savory notes and leather. The oak cask regimen delivers a touch of vanilla, baking spices brioche. Vibrant acidity with rich tannins, and a lingering finish of mocha. Would pair well with roasted red meats and hard cheeses. ABV = 14%.
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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