I apologize we didn't find this one and get it out earlier. Here's a really nice Costco price on what turned out to be a fantastic wine.
The only issue is that the limited time $6 discount runs out tomorrow. Costco's standard price of $14.99 is already pretty amazing for this bottle.
A quick search brings the wine up on Wine Enthusiast with a 90 point score, and a retail price of $28. So it's pretty incredible we can get it right now for only $8.99.
And the wine is good, real good. If you like Rioja, I'd grab quite a few of these. This is just classic Rioja at a rather unheard of price.
On the pour, the wine is a medium to deep ruby color; the nose is spicy and earthy with dried dark berry aroma; it is medium plus to full in body; loads of black cherry flavor with notes of anise and dark chocolate; good, solid finish with a little pepper and spice that lingers.
Really a perfect everyday bottle, which is what it could become at this discounted price point. Often times Costco will keep the discounted price after the promo time runs out, and that will become the new standard price.
So keep an eye out for that. This is a fun wine, and almost 90 points for me, but I'm bringing it in just one shy.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 89 points
Costco item number: 1657010
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA (Kennesaw)
Alc. 13.5%
Bill says
I enjoy reading your evaluations of Costco wine, but I don't think I have ever (not even once) found one of the wines you present in my local Costco at Sand City, CA. Don't know what's up with that.
Julia says
Just purchased 2 bottles at the Cumberland location and so happy to see your review! Can’t wait to try!
Andrew says
I'm a huge fan of Rioja, especially with any degree of aging, so I'm excited to (hopefully) find this at my local Costco! Often the wines from this blog are sadly not available in Southern California. Rioja was actually the first bottle of wine I ever purchased...at a hotel in Madrid in 1995 for 20 pesetas when I was only 16. Times have changed! I opened it years later and it was knee-buckling good.
Just curious, you made a point to say you couldn't get to 90 points after raving about the insane QPR. What was missing that would have scored another point or two?
Editor says
I was teetering right there with this one. I could easily taste it again and maybe go 90. Curious what others think when they taste it.
Joe Roberts says
To paraphrase a recent presidential candidate: “What difference does one point make???”
Marc says
@Andrew, hi Andrew. This item will be available in Southern CA (SD area in around 4-6 weeks). They are currently in the process of making room for it.
Randy says
Cumberland Atlanta Costco has sale extended to 7/5/22
Kevin says
I bought this at the same time as I bought the Kirkland Rioja Reserva. It was a toss-up which one I liked better, but I gave the nod to the Kirkland. The Kirkland seemed brighter, with more fresh fruit. Then I opened a second bottle of the Kirkland and did not enjoy it quite as much. At this price it is hard to go wrong with either of them. I may be going to Costco Alpharetta today. Need to check to see if it's still on sale. The strange thing was that they only had this on the wall near the entry. None in the wine section.
Tom says
I picked up two of these yesterday in Myrtle Beach. Haven’t tried it yet, but I also found another new Spanish wine at $7.99: Vinas Viejas de Panzia…it’s a garnacha and I did try it last night…excellent. Decanter gave the 2018 vintage 90 points. This one is 2016, so let it breathe 😊
Steve B says
Read your post as I was walking into the Myrtle Beach Costco on the last day of the special discount! I bought six bottles along with a $7.99 Garnacha. While I haven't tried the Garnacha yet, I have tried the Rioja - and wish I had gotten a case!
Larry says
Found this 2017 bottle today (26 JUL 2022) at the Glendale, AZ, Costco for $11.99. Popped it this evening and found it enjoyable. Will see what I think of it tomorrow, a day after opening. But I almost always like tempranillo juice. Thinking back to the KS Rioja Reserva 2017 in April for $7.99, though, think I prefer its flavor profile to this one...could be the price...more testing is necessary.