It is really hard to find decent Pinot Noir around $10. We've found a few at Costco over the years.
The Firesteed Pinot is one that always comes to mind and one that pops up occasionally at Costco for only $10. I've seen this Westmount bottle back in stock too, and we thought it was just ok.
But generally, you need to get in that $15-$20 range to find something interesting.
This bottle kind falls in between for me. The price at Costco is great at only $12, considering retail seems to be around $20 and the wine is going for around $16 online.
The wine pours a pale ruby in the glass with cola and red berries on the nose. In the mouth, I picked up black cherry with notes of paprika and cinnamon. The wine finishes fast, with a quick hit of peppery spice and some oak.
I found the wine to be clean throughout but a little light on flavor. In this price range, I think it holds up decently, but I wouldn't pay much more for it.
Look for the Firesteed to make another appearance if you're on the hunt for bargain Pinot. Otherwise, it's worth paying just a few dollars more and swimming just a tad further upstream with one of the Kirkland Signature Pinots, like this one from Willamette Valley.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 86 points
Costco item number: 1309478
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA (Kennesaw)
Alc. 14%
Michael Hutcheson says
Still amazed you didn't recommend the Beringer Founder's Estate Pinot Noir. Burgundian in style rather than American fruit-forward. The best bargain in Pinot Noir I've ever found.
Editor says
Thanks for the heads up. We’ll look out for it.
Arthur H. Aske says
For me, it is very hard to find a pinot that I like. I have almost given up drinking pinot.. It's tough to find a decent pinot for under $20 or more. Any help from you on this is always appreciated. I like a little body in the wine. Some are just watery. I had a French Pinot once at a tasting that I could not stop drinking. It was to die for. Wish I had remembered to get the label, but I was to far into my cups to think about that at the time. Oh well ! Costco's Russian River Pinot is not bad. I do buy it on occasion.
Thanks for the Blog.
Editor says
Tough indeed. Let us know if you remember the French one you enjoyed. I've found the Kirkland RRV Pinot (and Chardonnay) to be ok as you mention when looking in this price range.
Michael Hutcheson says
Too late for this year. Wine Enthusiast rated the 2017 91 and their #1 bargain wine of the year. WA is my favorite review source, then WS, but WE not bad. They rated the current Nino Franco at 94 and it's superior to Costco's champagne, at $20 a steal for Champagne.
Michael Hutcheson says
The Beringer was either $6.99 or $7.99 at Costco. Incredible. I bought several cases, since it's Burgundian style makes it slightly longer lived than most fruit-forward PN.