Bam, the new Kirkland Willamette Pinot Noir is dropping in stores right on schedule. This is one of our favorites among the Kirkland Pinot Noirs.
And there’s some big news right off the bat. How about a price drop? You don’t hear about many of those right now, and what a perfect bottle for this to happen to.
Historically, this bottle has been $14.99 and we’ve found it more than fair for that price. But what a surprise to find it for only $12.99. Our first thought was that if it’s as good as year’s past, this is a serious Costco wine find.
Our tasting notes are pretty similar to year’s past, which is a good thing. The wine is a pale to medium ruby in the glass with red berry fruit aromas; nice mouthfeel, with a medium body; juicy cherry and raspberry flavors; not super acidic or spicy; rather elegant.
Historically, we rated the 2017 vintage 89 points and the 2018 vintage 90 points. Having tasted this new one without checking on the prior ratings, we came in at 89 points. It’s right there with the previous vintages. A superb buy, and we of course love the new price point.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 89 points
Costco item number: 975274
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA (Kennesaw)
Alc. 12.8% (down from 13.6% in the prior vintage)
David Walters says
Good review! Always a good value/price ratio. If you read this, please let me know the email address of the West Coast wine blog you mentioned a couple of weeks ago. I thought I had captured it, but alas I didn’t. Thanks for all your reviews! They are “spot on”.
Kevin Knox says
Thanks for the great review!
FYI the 2020 Kirkland Carneros Pinot Noir showed up locally and I bought 3 bottles on the strength of the 2019 vintage. It was thin and characterless and I ended up returning 2 bottles. A rare fail that reminded me of the issues you cited with their 2020 Cotes du Rhône.
Editor says
Appreciate the heads up. Hope we can try it soon but bummed if it comes up short compared to the strength in years past.
Henry says
@Kevin Knox, I have to agree with your review of the 2020 Kirkland Carneros Pinot Noir. I opened one of the two bottles I recently found at my local Costco and was "underwhelmed". Unlike the 2020 Cotes du Rhône 2nd bottle I ended up throwing out as I could not drink it, we'll finish the second 2020 Kirkland Carneros Pinot Noir but it literally pales in comparison to prior vintages.
I certainly hope this is not a trend for Kirkland wines. I look forward to your review Andrew once it lands in your local Costco.
Cheers!
Al Valenti says
When do you plan to review the 2020 Carneros Pinot? It's been on the shelf for a couple of weeks here in FL
Editor says
As soon as we see it. We’ve heard it’s out there. Mixed reviews though on the latest 2020 vintage.