Crazy Good Merlot at a Crazy Costco Price!

2013 Kenwood Jack London Vineyard Merlot, Sonoma Mountain

Read to the end, and you will be rewarded with a picture of a really lovely dog. This wine however, is anything BUT a dog! Fast facts: 2013 Kenwood Jack London Vineyard Merlot, Sonoma Mountain $9.99 (@Costco; California) In the recent past, Merlot has faded in popularity among U.S. wine consumers. I have a theory … Read moreCrazy Good Merlot at a Crazy Costco Price!

A Spooktacular Red Blend from Costco

2016 Chronic Cellars Purple Paradise (Red Blend)  Paso Robles

Fast facts: 2016 Chronic Cellars Purple Paradise (Red Blend)  Paso Robles  $10.99 (@Costco; California) This wine tasted nothing like I expected, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t like it… I have to admit that it was the Halloween/Dia de los Muertos vibe of the label that first caught my eye. After all, at our house … Read moreA Spooktacular Red Blend from Costco

A Swan Song to Summer Sipping?

2016 Noble Vines Central Coast (California) Rosé & 2016 Miralta Monterey (California) Rosé

Fast facts: 2016 Noble Vines Central Coast (California) Rosé $9.99 (@Costco,  California) 2016 Miralta Monterey (California) Rosé  $8.99 (@Costco, California) Here we are, literally on the eve of autumn. I sort of love/hate this time of year. I am grateful for the cooler temperatures, and get excited by the harvest of the 2018 vintage here in wine country. … Read moreA Swan Song to Summer Sipping?

Coloring outside the lines at Costco

2015 Tangent Paragon Vineyard, Albariño, Edna Valley & 2016 Laurenz V. Gruner Veltliner, Austria

Fast facts: 2015 Tangent Paragon Vineyard, Albariño, Edna Valley (California) ($10.39 @Costco; California) 2016 Laurenz V. Gruner Veltliner, Austria ($11.59@Costco; California) The wine grape harvest started recently here in California, and that is a reminder that summer is in the home stretch. So I thought it might be a good time to highlight a couple … Read moreColoring outside the lines at Costco

Two red, hot wine deals from Costco

2017 Kirkland Signature Mendoza, Argentina Malbec & 2016 Kirkland Signature Columbia Valley, Washingon State Cabernet Sauvignon

Fast facts: 2017 Kirkland Signature Mendoza, Argentina Malbec ($6.99 @Costco; California) 2016 Kirkland Signature Columbia Valley, Washingon State Cabernet Sauvignon ($8.99@Costco; California) See that 91 prominently displayed on the foil of that Kirkland Signature (KS) Malbec?  That was awarded by the esteemed James Suckling.  I am not a slave to others reviews and point systems, … Read moreTwo red, hot wine deals from Costco

Begging for a Brawl – A Costco Pinot Noir Face-Off

2016 Goyette Sonoma County Pinot Noir & 2016 Goyette Sonoma County Pinot Noir

Fast facts: 2016 Goyette Sonoma County Pinot Noir ($9.99 @Costco; California) 2016 Kirkland Signature Carneros Napa Valley Pinot Noir ($9.99@Costco; California) Finding Pinot Noir under $10 from a desirable appellation is no small feat these days. So when I came upon one from Napa and one from Sonoma at my friendly neighborhood Costco – both … Read moreBegging for a Brawl – A Costco Pinot Noir Face-Off

Giving Merlot a GOOD name

2014 Franciscan Napa Valley Merlot

Fast facts: 2014 Franciscan Napa Valley Merlot $8.99 (@Costco; California) So often, plumbing the shelves, bins and pallets of mega wine retailers for extreme value wines yields brands/labels we’ve never heard of. This recent wine find from Costco is an exception… Speaking of exceptions, there were several clues that suggested that this bottle could be, … Read moreGiving Merlot a GOOD name

A Costco Sauvignon Blanc Smackdown!

2017 Kirkland Marlborough (New Zealand) Sauvignon Blanc & 2016 Matua Marlborough (New Zealand) Sauvignon Blanc

Fast facts: 2017 Kirkland Marlborough (New Zealand) Sauvignon Blanc $6.99 (@Costco; California) 2016 Matua Marlborough (New Zealand) Sauvignon Blanc $7.99 (@Costco; California) You may have deduced from my posts that I am a bigger fan of red wines. That said, when we are drinking white wines at our house, it is more often than not … Read moreA Costco Sauvignon Blanc Smackdown!

A Cal-Ital beauty – at a beautiful price!

2012 Buono Anni Santa Ynez Valley Sangiovese

Fast facts: 2012 Buono Anni Santa Ynez Valley Sangiovese ($13.99 @Costco, California) Let me start by alerting you to the fact that the $13.99 price tag above is not a typo.  While this blog is devoted – almost exclusively – to wine finds under $10, this wine was still screaming KILLER DEAL at its slightly … Read moreA Cal-Ital beauty – at a beautiful price!

Steal this Chard

2016 Kirkland Sonoma County Chardonnay

Fast facts: 2016 Kirkland Sonoma County Chardonnay ($6.99 @Costco, California) Let me address something right out of the gate… I recognize that we review no small number of Kirkland branded wines here. And I know that some of us, myself included, are reluctant to bring them out at social occasions for fear of appearing unsophisticated, … Read moreSteal this Chard