Fast Facts:
- 2020 Kirkland Signature Gigondas, France ($13.99 @Costco in California – Item #11341020)
One of the nice things about Costco’s line of Kirkland Signature wines is not just their incredible QPR, but also their relative price stability in this era where most prices keep ratcheting higher.
We have been mining a French wine vein here lately, and the reappearance of this wine at Costco made us happy to keep it going.
This blend (Grenache 85%, Syrah 10% and Mourvedre 5%) is crafted from the fruit of old vines grown in the Grand Cru appellation of Gigondas, on some of its highest limestone vineyards in the Southern Rhone Valley. A GSM, it’s a complex wine that is full-bodied and rich with silky, fine tannins. The terroir helps to keep the balance and freshness in the wine, as does the relatively young vintage and the restrained use of oak.
Tasting Notes:
The wine has a lovely nose of garrigue (thyme, rosemary, sage) and flavors of cherries, blackberries and raspberries. It has a long, lingering finish of clove, black pepper and mineral notes. It would pair well with roasted white and red meats, vegetarian fare and charcuterie.
Gigondas is a relatively new Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) in the southern Rhône wine region of France. It is primarily a red wine region, with a very small amount of rosé wine produced. No white wines currently carry the Gigondas appellation. Considered a little brother to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the wine is moderately prestigious (it is rare to see bottles at this price!) and can age well when treated with care.
Recognition of the unique character of Gigondas was cemented in 1971 when it was awarded its own AOC, allowed to produce red and rosé wines only. The red wines are required to have a minimum of 50% Grenache, with Syrah and Mourvèdre playing the main supporting roles.
Total surface area of Gigondas today sits around 3,000 acres which is roughly one-third the size of neighbor Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Output is almost exclusively red wine with only 1% rosé produced, although some newer vineyards are being planted to white grape varieties so expect that to change in the next several years.
This is one of those Kirkland Signature wines that is sure to sell out fast. If you secure your own personal stock, let us know what you think of it in the comments section here or our Facebook or Instagram pages.
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.
Stay safe and healthy everyone!
Cheers!