Fast facts:
- 2022 Kirkland Signature Red Blend, Napa Valley, California $11.99 (@Costco, California, Item# 333110)
This wine is an extraordinary value. The Beverage Tasting Institute had this to say about it: “If you need an everyday house red Bordeaux blend this should be at the top of the list.” That’s mighty praise for an $11 bottle of wine, but we think they are spot on. Fact is, if my favorite steak house poured me this Cab-driven blend and charged me $15, I wouldn’t “bat an eye”. For less than $15, you can get 4.3 glasses. I will spare you the math. That works out to be $2.56 a glass. Yep.
We encourage our legions of loyal readers to go out and buy a bottle or a case or two, and report back on what YOU think.
The greatness of red wines from France’s Bordeaux region can be largely attributed to the art of blending. There are six red varieties that can be used in a Bordeaux red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Carmenere and Malbec (these last two are rarely used anymore in Bordeaux). the exact blend in the Kirkland bottling is 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 9% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot.
The reason for blending several grapes to craft the final wine is for greater complexity as well as elegance. Each grape has various characteristics and can attribute special qualities to the final wine. Cabernet Sauvignon is powerful and tannic, while Merlot has lighter tannins. Cabernet Franc has a spicy, peppery quality to it. Petit Verdot adds intense color. Blending these grapes together are a bit like an orchestra conductor coaxing out “a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.”
This principal of blending is used in many regions besides Bordeaux, especially in California, were the blends are often given proprietary names, like Opus One, Insignia, and Quintessa. US blends of Bordeaux varietals may also be labeled, in addition to their proprietary name, by the designation of Meritage if they are approved and licensed by the Meritage Alliance.
Tasting Notes:
Pours a deep purple color. Shows aromas and flavors of black cherry, cedar and tobacco promise something special, and it delivers in the glass. Full-bodied and nicely balanced. Medium-long finish of cherries, bramble berry, leather and baking spice and brown sugar with chewy, crunchy, well-integrated tannins and light oak flavor. ABV = 14.5%.
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.
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.
Happy hunting, and happy new year!
Cheers!
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