Fast facts:
- 2021 Kirkland Signature Premier Cru Chablis, Burgundy, France $18.99 (@Costco, California, Item# 1043144)
Happy new year vino peeps!
This perennial favorite has arrived in California a bit earlier than last year, when we reviewed it in March. The price has inched up from the odd (for Costco) price of $17.49 for the 2020 vintage. The good news is that it is as good a buy as ever. QPR for “legit Chablis” doesn’t get any better than this. Fact: it is very, very rare to find Chablis this good – or any Chablis for that matter – for under $20. But be forewarned, this one’s gonna get snapped up quickly by the legions of Costco shoppers that are headed there to return all that Christmas stuff they realized they didn’t want/like/need.
Chablis is the steely, dry white wine made in the northernmost vineyards of the Burgundy region of France. And like all fine white Burgundies, it is made from Chardonnay grapes. But if you are not familiar with fine Chablis, don’t expect it to taste like New World Chardonnays made in places like California. Whereas California Chardonnays at big opulent fruit bombs (sometimes with a dollop of butter thrown in) the French renditions are restrained, austere and – dare we say – more refreshing. At just 12.5% alcohol, go ahead an have a bonus glass! Dry, humbug!
Tasting Notes:
Pours a pretty gold, typical for the Chardonnay grape. Typical wet stone aromas, along with notes of citrus, cloves and ripe pears. Dry and medium bodied with flavors of lemon, pear and green apples on the palate. Nice balanced acidity and minerality to cleanse and refresh the palate. Chalk and minerality on the finish. Very food friendly, it would pair well with oysters on the half shell as well as fatty flavors like white cream sauces, risotto and soft, creamy cheeses – potato chips would be pretty yummy too. ABV is a nice sane 12.5%
The appellation of Chablis consists of just 7,500 acres surrounding the small town of, wait for it, Chablis. Created in 1938, it has four ranks, the top most of which is grand cru Chablis. Wines like this one bottled under the Kirkland Signature brand – being premier cru – are just one notch below that.
Chablis is actually a bit separated from the rest of Burgundy. So much so that the “heart” of Burgundy, Beaune, is over 60 miles to the south. The vineyards of Chablis are actually closer to those of Champagne. That explains a lot. Both are crisp and mineral driven due to a history of grapes that could not achieve anywhere near the ripeness levels we enjoy here in California. As climate change warms the region, new fleshier and riper flavors emerge, but as we said already, you are not going to confuse this wine with a California Chardonnay.
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!
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