2020 Kirkland Signature Series, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley, California ($19.99@Costco, California – Item #866663)
This week we are featuring a Kirkland Signature Series wine from the “high rent district” of Napa. Although those references may be redundant.
Front label of the 2020 Kirkland Signature Series, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley
Let’s start with some basics here, which may or may not be new information for some of you reading this. The Napa Valley is what is referred to as a wine appellation. (Sonoma is its own appellation BTW.) In the U.S. The legal term is American Viticultural Area, or AVA. Napa Valley was the first in California, and it may shock you – as it does me – that it did not earn that designation until 1981. Heck, I was already an adult then, about to marry my Valentine.
The French Connection
The 16 sub-appellated, or “nested” wine growing region in the Napa AVA were meant to emulate the communes that comprise the Haut Medoc in Bordeaux.The primary criterion for being recognized by the US government (the TTB to be precise) is that the region and its member wineries must be able to demonstrate that it possesses distinct microclimates (and soils) that imprint recognizable unique characteristics on the grapes grown there.Napa’s Sweet 16As the original American AVA, Napa has become synonymous with fine wine and especially with fine Cabernet Sauvignon. Yet many American wine enthusiasts get a little fuzzy-headed when it comes to the 16 aforementioned sub-AVAs and might not recognize the Oakville designation on the label shown above as significant. It is.
What makes Oakville special? Its 70 wineries!
Oakville almost sounds like the kind of place name that if it didn’t exist, some young wine brand manager would have invented it. Representing some of the greatest, most powerful wines of the Napa Valley (which include Opus One, Mondavi, Screaming Eagle and Harlan Estate) Oakville sits in the heart of the wine region, on what is referred to as the Valley Floor. It is this section of Napa Valley that has established itself as the leading Cabernet Sauvignon producer, resulting in internationally recognized, award-winning wines.With a distinct combination of clay, loam and sandy soils, the region of Oakville produces wines that are highly complex and structured. But prices usually start at $40 and go into the stratosphere from there….
But how does it taste?
So how does this Kikland Signature stack up? Well, read on for our tasting notes!
Bottle and glass of the 2020 Kirkland Signature Series, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville along with a book recommendation for the curious.
Tasting Notes:
The wine pours a medium to deep ruby in the glass. Aromas of dark fruit and tobacco, some minty notes. It’s a bit lighter than many Napa Cabs, but still presents flavorful and satisfying flavors of red stone fruit, herbs, cherry and blackberry. Mocha and nice smooth tannins in the finish. Would pair well with the spectrum of meats – and game – as well as hard, mature cheeses.
Store display of the 2020 Kirkland Signature Series, Cabernet Sauvignon
So what is the bottom line? Is this the best Oakville Cabernet we have ever tasted. Well, the answer is no. But it is the best $20 one we have ever tasted. With a QPR like that, you can relax and throw some in your Costco shopping trolley before they sell out as quicly as they normally do.
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.
