“Real” Chablis Under $20?!

Fast facts:

• 2020 Kirkland Signature Premier Cru Chablis, Burgundy, France $17.49 (@Costco, California, Item# 1043144)

After reviewing the 2018 on the eve of 2021, we somehow missed the 2019 vintage of this wine.  But it may just be that it sold out really fast, which is not uncommon with this wine and its cult following. This popular Kirkland bottle usually hits stores around this time of the year. After all, it is very, very rare to find find Chablis this good – or any Chablis for that matter – for under $20.  And its actually a little further below $20.  The 2018 was $19.99 and this current vintage is $17.49.

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.

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 acidity and minerality to cleanse and refresh the palate.  Chalk and minerality on the finish.  Very food friendly, it would pair well with fatty flavors like white cream sauces, risotto and soft, creamy cheeses, although potato chips would be pretty yummy too. 

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!