Upon opening. this wine was a bit on the spicy side with a heavy alcohol laden finish (the wine is 14.2% which some might say is too high but it's really not that outrageous for a Napa red). As the wine matured with some air, it really developed into a pretty decent drink for only $10.99.
Peppery on the nose, the spicy cherry notes softened into a more rich red fruit flavor, strawberry and sour cherry with some white chocolate. Towards the finish a slight cedar element comes into play and the wine closes up clean and enjoyable, but a little quick. It's a pretty singular, straightforward wine that will please most red wine fans looking for a good bargain.
Along similar lines, we reviewed the 2012 Kirkland Signature Rutherford Meritage which I gave 88 points a little over a year ago. I remember enjoying that bottle perhaps a touch more but they both remain good buys in my opinion, as Kirkland wines so often do.
The (Bordeaux varietal) blend on this Meritage is 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 87 Points
Costco item number: 333110
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA (Cumberland)
Joe Roberts says
This comment relates to an earlier (thanksgiving) post---- I am not an Italian wine aficionado but ran into the Kirkland label Brunello 2010 and decided to expand my horizons a little and give it a try----all I can say is: wow!! It is simply fabulous. My personal finances are a little stretched right now but I am going to come up with the $150 to buy 6 bottles ($25 per) and try to cellar a few that I don't drink immediately. This ranks with the Kirkland Chateauneuf as a top price/quality pick.
admin says
Thanks for the note. That's one I'm on the look out for big time. I hope it makes it to a store near me soon and I'll get a review up. If you want to post some tasting notes on it feel free to email me. Editor at costcowineblog.com/
maxi says
I am Italian wine aficionado and I bought as many as I could.
Along with proper bottle and DOCG label, it uses high quality cork, which is very unusual for the Costco, most of the time you can see is a cheep agglomerated cork.
It smells as good Brunello, it tastes as good Brunello, has ample of tannins and acidity and it will cellar for some time. All of that for $25, for the comparison Caparzo Brunello 2010 cost $30+
GW says
I'll second the Brunello. Just showed up late last week at my Costco here in VA, which I go to at least 3 times a week (it's at the end of the block from where I work). Very, very nice.
Matthew Farr says
I really enjoyed this meritage. It has the bold, spicy, somewhat (but not overwhelmingly) fruity flavor that I really enjoy. I have been going through the couple of cases of Cote du Rhone Villages I bought months ago; this wine is a nice and affordable changeup.