We started hearing rumblings last week that the new Oakville was out there, and happily found it on our last visit.
This bottle usually arrives in Q1 every year, coming in a little early last year (Jan) but right on time with this 2022 vintage.
Of course, the first thing to notice is the price staying the same; $19.99 remains an incredible deal for fruit from Oakville, one of California's premier regions.
Last vintage (2021) we awarded this wine it's highest score ever at 92 points. Looking all the way back to the 2013 vintage, you can see we've scored this bottle 90+ points every single year.
2021 92 points
2020 90 points
2019 91 points
2018 91 points
2017 90 points
2016 90 points
2015 91 points
2013 90 points
The winemaker for this vintage has changed, which is an interesting note. Previously it was made by Glenn Hugo and now it is returning to Alison Crowe, who had made it back in the 2020 vintage.
We recently published a feature story digging into the real producers behind Kirkland wines, and both of these winemakers are frequent Kirkland collaborators.
Alison Crowe has been the winemaker behind the Kirkland Alexander Valley Cabernet. Glenn Hugo is head winemaker at Girard, and is also responsible for the Rutherford Cab and Russian River Pinot.
Getting into the wine, it pours a medium to dark ruby in the glass with dusty aromas of dark fruit, vanilla, and pencil shavings; medium plus in body with tight tannins; good fruit, a bit of a different profile from previous vintages, black cherry flavor that tastes a little young and disjointed into the finish.
We're going to bring this one down a bit from the previous 92 point rating. It is a still a very good wine that we feel is right on the brink of 89-90 points; not the best showing for this bottle, but one that we will continue to look forward to seeing where it goes.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 89 points
Costco item number: 866663
Availability: We buy our wine in Costco warehouses around the Atlanta area. The best way to locate wines near you is by using the new Costco mobile app and searching with the Costco item number above.
Alc. 14.0%
Ed Neely says
I wonder if some more bottle aging will improve it?
B South says
I agree with this rating, definitely not as good as the previous vintages. Hopefully a few years in the bottle will let this one settle down and express what should be a great Oakville Wine. I grabbed a case in Cincinnati and am hoping this one will improve.
Rich Rusnica says
I bought the 2022 Rutherford and Oakville a few weeks back and liked the Rutherford better. Will hold the Oakville a bit and see if it gets better.
Dr. GBS says
I would give the 2022 Kirkland Signature Oakville cab 88 points. Good, but nothing special. It might improve, but I don”t think it’s worth stocking up on. The 2021 version is far better (93 points IMHO) — perhaps related to that being a great vintage, perhaps related to the different winemaker. 2023 was reportedly a great vintage for Napa Valley, and I look forward to the Kirkland Signature 2023 Oakville cab next year.