It’s been a little while since we published a roundup story around some wine picks that might be available in your warehouse right now.
So I took a day and went to a handful of Costco stores around the Atlanta area to compile this list of wines, many of which we’ve reviewed, and others that we’ve tasted before elsewhere, but all wines that we recommend.
Feel free to add your recommendations in the comments below, and we hope this helps you find some good wines to try.
Vitiano Rosso: really hard to beat for only $7.99. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauv, and Sangiovese. I just stocked up on these on my last visit. Our review.
Montes Cabernet: another screaming bargain for fans of big reds and South American mountain fruit. Can’t go wrong here. Our review.
Honig Napa Cabernet: not inexpensive obviously at $39, but we thought it was a pleasant and enjoyable Bordeaux varietal blend. Our review.
El Puntido Gran Reserva Rioja: a lovely, elegant wine in a nice drinking window right now.
Monsanto Chianti Classico: one of our go-to wines for almost any occasion. Chianti Classico executed perfectly at a very reasonable price. Our review.
La Montesa Rioja: looks like the price dropped $1 since we reviewed it just a few months ago, making what was already a bargain even better. Our review.
Joseph Phelps Insignia: a classic Napa Valley wine in a primo year (2012 in Costco now). Erin didn’t go for it quite as much as I do, but this one needs some time to settle. Splurge now, and put it away for 10 years and I think you’ll be handsomely rewarded. Our review.
Frank Family Cabernet: more classic Napa Cabernet, this one a little more accessible than the Insignia; a lovely wine. Our review.
Slow Press Cabernet: we just discovered this bargain priced Cabernet that we rated 91 points. A strong buy for only $12. Our review.
Paul Dolan Cabernet Sauvignon: this one really hit the mark for me, enjoyed with some steak on the Green Egg; perfect pairing and another good Costco buy. Our review.
Catena Malbec: Made by one of the most famed producers in South America, I could drink this one all day long. It’s been a while since we posted a review, so we need to get to it soon. Here’s an old review of a prior vintage.
Nicholas Catena Zapata Red Blend: this wine always gets huge scores, and while I’ve never tried it, I’m about to as I had to buy one at this price which is 25% below even the online price of $100. Retail is closer to $135. So a treat sometime in the near future, and one that you might want to treat yourself to as well.
That’s the quick list. I didn’t list vintages, as that may vary depending on the selection at your local Costco, so keep that in mind when reading the reviews associated with all of these wines.
And we’ll try to do more of these round ups if you enjoy them.
-Andrew, Editor
Bill
Saturday 26th of August 2017
Would love to hear your opinion of a Chardonnay called Butter (JAM Winery). My wife is a chard drinker and was pleased that our Costco in Atlanta has carried Butter for the last few years ($13.99). We were introduced to this wine by friends in the mountains of North Carolina. If you like a buttery chardonnay, you will like this one.
Editor
Saturday 26th of August 2017
Thanks Bill, I've seen it around and will have to check it out.
Bern
Wednesday 9th of August 2017
Have you tried the Nicholas Catena Zapata Red Blend yet? I am a fan of malbec blends and that definitely caught my eye in the San Francisco store. I picked up 2013 Tonel 78 barrel select Malbec Bonarda (50-50) $13.99 which I plan to drink this week. Also bought that same day a 2011 Sierra Cantabria Reserva Unica which my family had over the weekend and raved about. They were shocked at the $19.99 price, I am heading back today to buy 4-6 bottles.
Editor
Wednesday 9th of August 2017
I have not tried the Nicholas Catena Zapata Red Blend but I've been sitting on one and am anxious to try it. I've heard great things about many past vintages. And I agree completely with your feeling on the Sierra Cantabria Reserve. I have tasted a couple times in the past and it always overdelivers. Really hoping I see that one pop up near me. Thanks for your comments. These are great recommendations.
Luis J Abalo
Thursday 3rd of August 2017
Hi Erin and Andrew, thanks for your prompt response and let me start correcting myself for my mistake by naming Cold Press instead of Slow Press (senior moment... ) and yes, todos from jonata as well as tierra, sangre etc are superwines, they bring "tears of joy" to my eyes every time I try them which unfortunately is not very often bc of the prices... I'd never seen a jonata at the Costcos in the Miami area, but wish I could... anyway thanks and I'll keep checking your blogs.
Erin
Wednesday 2nd of August 2017
Hi Luis, I believe that Jonata "Todos" 2012 is available in select Costco clubs although I have not tried it myself. I personally love Santa Barbara Pinot Noir. Cambria's Bench Break & Julia's Vineyards (Santa Maria Valley) are killer for the price (around $20) and seem to be widely distributed although I am unsure if Costco has picked any Cambria wines up.
Costco does carry Daou Cabernet from Paso Robles, and this is a solid cab for $22. J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cab (also PS) is pretty good for a mass-produced wine.
Thanks for reading, and we appreciate your feedback and comments. Best, Erin
Luis J Abalo
Wednesday 2nd of August 2017
Andrew, I live in Miami FL, and sadly most of the wines you evaluate are not available in this area. Actually I was at the Costco located at the Americas Mall today, and was looking for the Cold Press cab you mentioned yesterday with the Cooper label and nothing. My wife and myself are red wine lovers specially those from Paso Robles (linne calodo, desparada, hermans story, alta colina, epoch...) and Santa Barbara (andrew murray, jonata, stolpman...) love to hear your opinion regarding these tasting marvels... thanks for your blog, looks pretty legit to me. Keep up the good work... Cheers!
Editor
Wednesday 2nd of August 2017
Hi Luis, thanks for the note and the kind words. Hopefully more of the wines we review will pop up near you. I have a few good Kirkland picks coming up next that should see wide distribution as they seem to have in years past. The Slow Press review was written by Erin who contributes regularly to the site. I'll ask her to respond here as well with any thoughts as to the Paso and SB wines. I've had a handful of the ones you mention and have always been impressed as i think these are two areas that are really producing some great stuff right now, and largely under the radar of many mainstream wine buyers. I need to find some more Costco wines from these areas to review sometime too. AC