I heard from readers that the latest vintage of the Kirkland Brunello starting appearing in stores last week, and I tried twice to find it before finally running into it today.
What no one mentioned is the huge news that's apparent right away.
A new label? Yes, but that's not it.
How about a price cut. Down to $19.99. This bottle has never been that low. Even the inaugural 2010 vintage (which was one of the best by the way) was $25. In the past couple vintages, this wine was selling for $26.99.
And that's a good price for Brunello. $19.99 is almost unheard of for wine from this premier Italian region.
Note that along with the price change came a change in the Costco item number. Make sure to use 1472194 if you call your store to check on availability.
Let's look at some of our scores on the Kirkland Brunello because I think we've tasted and recorded notes on all of them.
2010 – 92-93 points
2011 – 86 points
2012 – 87 points
2013 – 88 points
2014 – 88 points
2015 - 89 points
Man that 2010 was good. I still remember it. After that, all good scores, high 80's and ascending, almost cracking 90 last year. You can see on the placard above Suckling went 92 points on this new 2016 vintage.
And 2016 was a dynamite year for Brunello so we were psyched to get into this one.
The wine is a deep garnet color in the glass; vibrant nose of red fruit and pepper; more red fruit in the mouth, flavors of cherry, strawberry and raspberry. The wine tastes youthful, leading me to peg it as a '18 or '19 rather than '16 vintage.
Great depth, medium plus in body with good acidity. Really solid finish. This one is just near perfect all around, inviting you back for sip after sip.
This vintage is everything I hoped it would be, and the price discount is just a bonus. I've had several readers ask me about wines to age that are priced around $20, and you don't find too many. But this one could definitely run for a while and likely develop further.
We'll be adding to our Recommended wine list. Thanks Costco.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 91 points (a Costco Wine Top Pick)
Costco item number: 1472194 (used to be 1001151)
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA (Kennesaw)
Alc. 14.5%
Daryl Wert says
Why are none of the wines you discuss in your writings available in California? Seems strange to me
S says
@Daryl Wert, They are not available in Texas either. I think I have been able to find 2 wines that the Costco Wine Blog has reviewed in about the last 3 years of following.
Brett says
@Daryl Wert, found this bottle today in Richmond, CA
Alex says
@Daryl Wert, I found it in San Rafael last week. Basically everything they review is usually available in the bay area
Nanette Pastor-Hanna says
@Daryl Wert, the Brunello is at Costco in Torrance. My other local Costco in Hawthorne doesn’t have it. The two locations support different communities.
Henry Blair says
Just bought 2 cases at the store in Webster, Tx.
Delicious wine. I left 14 bottles for the next lucky wino!
Martrese says
@Henry Blair, I was tempted to clean out my Costco but refrained with only one case.
Jay says
Whose signature is on the front label?
Larry in Sacramento says
First, thank you for having this wine blog, helps us navigate through the mecca of Costco wines. Like others, here in Sacramento I have not seen most of the wines posted but they are very enjoyable reads. Until now, when I came across the Kirkland brunello. Had it last night, decanting it 2 hours. Let's just say, heading back for two more bottles today, as this is a great wine especially for only $20. It opens to a very smooth but medium-full bodued wine with great Sangiovese fruit. Again for only 20 bucks, this wine reminds me of brunello I had when I was actually in Italy. I belong to another blog, Reverse Wine Snobs, they did some investigation, to find out the wine maker of this wine changed from prior years, but is one of the stars in the Montalcino area. So that was exciting to read as well. Keep up your great easy to understand posts.
Editor says
Love to hear it Larry and thanks for the info.
Glad you enjoy the site. Cheers
Josephine ciatti says
I’m trying to buy this Kirkland brunello di montalcino wine at Costco in Wayne NJ and store doesn’t know what I’m talking about ! Can you please tell if I can buy this on line ?
Josephine ciatti
Alex says
I had this last night and loved it. I think it's one of the best Kirkland wines.
Jerry says
Are you saying Costco is mis labeling this wine?
Editor says
No. Label used to be a different color and design. Shown here http://costcowineblog.com//2015-kirkland-signature-series-brunello-di-montalcino/
Nanette Pastor-Hanna says
We bought a bottle of the Brunello because at $20, it was irresistible. And so it is! My husband, who never encourages my wine buying habit, raced to pick up a full case. Great today. We shall see how it evolves.
Edgar says
I must have got a bad bottle. When I pulled the cork, wine had absorbed to almost the top of the cork. No bad smell though. I let the bottle set open for 2 hours before tasting. Both the wife and I tasted a rather strong mineral flavor. The fruit was there, but the minerality was front and center. I have another bottle that we will open tonight. Based on the previous reviews, I was looking very forward to enjoying this wine. I'll report back on tonight's adventure.
Editor says
That’s a bummer. Please do report back on the other one.
Edgar says
@Editor, So, we drank the other bottle tonight with some yummy cheeseburgers. Totally different wine tonight. Decanted for 2 hours. Enjoyed it to the last drop. Going to my Costco, Mall of Georgia, tomorrow to get a couple more bottles and see if there is anything new. I did see the Raymond Reserve Velvet Cabernet Sauvignon there last week $29.99. I picked up a case of the KS Napa Blend a couple of weeks ago. Loving the QPR of that wine. Oh, if you see 2018 Details Cabernet Sauvignon, buy it all. $29.99 and drinking 2x the price. I scored 9 bottles of it. Still haven't seen the KS CDR. But, picked up 5 bottles of the 2019 CdP. Think that needs some serious air time. Looking forward to your reviews.
Editor says
On the lookout for all aforementioned wines.
Glad that second bottle worked out for you.
Christiaan Guttman says
Unfortunately, it’s not available at either location in Columbus OH. I even have friends who are employees, and they are telling me they haven’t seen it nor heard about it.
Terry says
Since first article the Kirkland Brunelleschi Di Montalcino has not been at any Costco in Washington or Florida and I’ve gone several times as has my family in Florida never been in stock. Sad!
Jay says
Unbelievable but it is still in the bins in NW Houston just before Thanksgiving.
eliz says
@Jay, Gone now...The Woodlands is completely out! post if you find it anywhere else...
Dale says
Love the blog - well written and informative. Like many others, I rarely find the wines you review in my local store (Grand Rapids, MI). I wish I could try some of them.
Editor says
Thanks for the kind words. I hope some of the wines we review turn up for you. We are starting to post some additional wines from the West Coast on Mondays, so between the two coasts, I hope some land in MI.
Martrese says
OMG, I have been calling my Beaverton, OR, Costco every other day since you posted this on 9/29 and IT'S AVAILABLE TODAY (12/17) - true story. Just in time to wrap for Christmas for my oenophiles!!!!