Finally...the new vintage of the Kirkland Barolo hits stores. We typically see this bottle arrive in the first few months of the year, so we've been on the look out.
Something caught our eye right away and that is the vintage, 2019. Last February we tasted and reviewed the 2017 vintage of this wine. So we really expected this to be the 2018 vintage, the obvious next vintage in line.
But there seems to be no legitimate trace of a 2018 vintage being produced. Online there are a few places with tasting notes on the mysterious vintage, but we didn't see an actual picture of the bottle. Everything shows 2017 or earlier.
We also noted the price, $19.99 staying the same since this bottle's inaugural 2015 vintage. We love to see that obviously as this remains an incredible, almost unheard of, price for a high caliber wine.
Here are our ratings of the Kirkland Barolo so far. Super high, in fact, the highest average of any Kirkland wine.
2017 vintage: 93 points
2016 vintage: 92 points
2015 vintage: 92 points
Can the 2019 live up to the hype of year's past? It absolutely does.
The wine pours a pale garnet in the glass, super big nose with aromas jumping out the glass; good mouthfeel, medium body; earthy black cherry, blackberry flavors, with a nice does of acidity; strong finish.
This one is back in a big way, super similar to the 2017 vintage that we went 93 points on, and we're going to do it again. What a wine, what a score at Costco. Cheers.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 93 points (a Costco Wine Top Pick)
Costco item number: 1355183
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA (Kennesaw)
Alc. 13.5%
Hal Bumbalough says
I’m hopeful this 2019 Barolo will appear at a Nashville area Costco. The label indicates it would be suitable for long-term aging. On future reviews of such wines as this, would it be possible for you to advise an age range for optimal enjoyment?
Editor says
Hi Hal, great question, and one of the key things to ask is why you are aging the wine. The vast majority of wines on the shelves today are meant to drink young, like within a few years, and then they might start to turn. Some wines, with higher tannins and higher acidity, will actually improve over 7-15 years as those tannins soften and the wine develops. This Barolo is drinking really nice today, but it could go a little longer. I think another commenter said 2-4 years for it. I'd say you could go a little longer like 5-6 years. We will try to include notes like this in future reviews. You might also enjoy our recent retasting of the '14 Kirkland Pauillac, as that one was starting to plateau, and we probably tasted it just a little too late. Here's a link: http://costcowineblog.com//cellar-selection-2014-kirkland-signature-pauillac-bordeaux/
Henry says
Andrew,
good to know about time in the cellar for this Kirkland offering. I have hoarded these as well so will need to start drinking the older vintages to make room for the 2019s. I don't believe I have opened any of the vintages from the initial 2015. That's about to change! 😉
Cheers!
Mitch says
The 2019 Kirkland Barolo showed up in Costcos in Northern Virginia about 2 weeks ago. Folks, this really tastes like a Barolo - light color but packed with flavor, red cherry, orange peel, spice, and fine, grippy tannins. Definitely comparable to Barolos that cost $40 or more. If you're a fan of nebbiolo grab a bunch of these - some to drink now, some to cellar for 2-4 years.
James says
@Mitch, I saw it at my NOVA Costco over in the “cheap seats” by the grocery store wines! Waited for the review, now kicking myself and going back after lunch tomorrow!
Carl says
When do you think this will drink in it's prime?
Editor says
Awesome now and could go another 5-6 years
Laro Cazarro says
Malbec :— ( very good wine at a price that is unbelievable)::
$$$& was in the city of Mendoza Argentina:: drank many glasses of Malbec
From many different Vineyards.:.
And I will tell you the Costco is there:;!
Les Houser says
I went to my local Costco in hopes of picking up a couple of bottles of the latest Barolo. It still hasn't shown up. Any word on when it'll be in Michigan?
Aaron says
@Les Houser,
Just found it in Auburn Hills, MI
For whatever reason, my Costco is 2 or so months behind this blog.
Hans B says
Definitely agree with your review. This was a wonderful wine, we eneded up buying nearly 2 cases. Barolos can cellar for quite a while and we'll have this for years.
2018 was not a good year for the Piedmont region and had lower yields. However, 2019 is considered a terrific vintage and it really shows in this wine.
Barolo Lover says
I wouldn't wait too long to drink this. This is a base Fontanafredda wine so not the typical aging Barolo as some of the others. But the price is about $15 less than what they sell it for under their label on the market. I thought it was a bit light but is still a good value for a basic Barolo.
Catherine says
@Barolo Lover, I have drunk some tremendous Barolos over the last 45 years. This is a feeble, thin attempt. That’s all I have to say.