The Alexander Valley Cabernet from Kirkland seems to slip past us some years. It's been around for ten years and while we're not sure if they produced a vintage every single year, we've only tasted a handful.
One thing we see is the price is the same as it has been since the 2012 vintage at $9.99. We've always enjoyed tasting this bottle, and it has been a fair buy for under $10, but nothing super impressive.
We've landed right around 87 points most years for this wine. 88 points for the last vintage we reviewed which was the 2018, and one stinker vintage back in 2012.
2018 vintage: 88 points
2015 vintage: 87 points
2014 vintage: 87 points
2013 vintage: 86 points
2012 vintage: 83 points
For the latest 2021 vintage, we're going to say it's a good wine, but nothing special. It has a lot of the right components but falls a little short in its depth and finish. Totally drinkable and fair at this price though.
The wine is medium to deep ruby on the pour; subtle nose, berry fruit with a little earth and spice; medium plus in body, bright and kind of punchy at first; bit of red and dark fruit, raspberry, blackberry, pleasant in the finish but ends pretty fast.
Falls right at 87 points for us, and was about what we expected. For under $10, it's not a bad buy.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 87 points
Costco item number: 223343
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA (Kennesaw)
Alc. 14.0%
Crystal says
Did not care for this wine. Definitely not a smooth drinking wine. Best for making wine coolers.
TKNELLE says
@Crystal,
Crystal,
“Wine coolers” kinda says it all. It’s $10 at Costco. You get what you pay.
Jim Heiner says
@TKNELLE, Thanks! I have not heard 'wine coolers' is SO many years I had to laugh. (I think that both Bartles AND James have both gone to the vineyard in heaven by now!) Although we usually drink "$25" wines, we do drink cheaper bottles as well. Both my wife and I seem to enjoy this Kirkland AV. It seems to be worth all of $10. BTW, when wine coolers disappeared from the market, a lot of those consumers went to White Zin on the rocks! 🙂