The sale signs always catch our eye, and this one really did, because the net price comes down to $4.99. The standard Costco price for this bottle is $10.99 and with the $6 discount (thru 3/13) it brings it down to five bucks, which is pretty amazing for any bottle of wine.
Looking online, the $10.99 price isn't particularly good. This wine can be found for $7-9 at a lot of outlets. The discount makes it really low price, but after tasting it, I'd say you're getting a fair wine for the money, but nothing I'd go nuts over.
The blend is 85% Garnacha and 15% Syrah. Spain is a haven for value wine right now, so I held out hope that this could be a good buy.
The wine pours a medium purple, with a nose of dark fruit, a little earth; in the mouth the wine is rather thin, a bit disjointed in the flavors, some mocha, black licorice among the dark fruit, chewy into the finish, which dissipates fast.
There's not a lot of $5 bottles to compare a wine like this too. Without the discount, I'd say you should pass as tempting as it might be. Spend $2 more and buy this one. But if you're having a party and looking for quantity, or making sangria, have at it.
I'm going 84 points on this one. I have no idea how Suckling went 92.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 84 points
Costco item number: 512107
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA (Kennesaw)
Alc. 14%
Jay says
Suckling strikes again. I'll take costcowineblog reviews every time.
Rick says
@Jay,
Some really good wines listed on the Costco site. Wish more of the wines would make it to some other Costcos!
Marc says
I find 82 being generous this is not very good
Mark MacIntyre says
Even for an “84”, how can they POSSIBLY put it in a bottle, slap a label on it and ship it to the states (and still make money?!!!) at $4.99?!!!!?????
Jeanette says
It's in our Raleigh stores for $5.99. I thought it was slightly better than your summary, but the other two bottles are headed for DH's poker buddies who are happy drinking Two Buck Chuck. They'll be delighted with this one. 🙂
KASinYVR says
If James Suckling likes a wine, I know I won’t. We bought a single bottle just to see how bad a 92 point wine from JS could be. Dreadful doesn’t begin to describe this flabby, cherry-cola beverage. I’m guessing he would rate grape Kool-Aid as 92 points. But how did this wine get past the Costco corporate buyers? There’s a lot of blame to share on this one. Thanks for an honest review Costco Wine Blog!!
bob drake says
@KASinYVR,
There must be some variability in the bottles from this producer, as the couple we've tried have been quite pleasant, not at all as you describe. FYI, mine purchased at Perimeter, Atlanta.
Lee Mahony says
@KASinYVR, then there are no wines for you. He likes everything. 89 points is a drain pour for this guy.
KASinYVR says
@Lee Mahony,
I agree! He likes everything so you can’t rely on his ratings. I’m curious as to whether he seeks out the wines he rates or if the producers submit their wines to him? I have no idea how the wine ratings game works. It would be interesting to know.
Poulet says
@bob drake,
I fully concur. We bought several cases for $49.97 after picking up several bottles and rated them 89-90. This was in San Diego, CA.
Andrew says
Last year I scored the 2017 for about the same price and took home a case, after a year aging it has improved, still nothing spectacular, but a solid mid week go-with-anything red.
bob drake says
While I also rarely agree with Sucklings high ratings, I think yours at 84 is way low, from the couple bottles we've drunk of this. I'd go more like 87-88, it's very drinkable and pleasant. I wonder if you somehow got a bad bottle, perhaps try another one?
Lee Mahony says
Couldn't agree more. This one was nearly a drain pour. Suckling has zero credibility with anyone has has more than a passing interest in wine.
Kevin Mahon says
This was the absolute worst wine I have ever bought at Costco; a bid disappointment!
I had half a glass and poured it down the drain
Mark Parker says
Yuk! As penance for not fully reading the Costcowineblog reviews on this wine and being misled by the 92 points on the label I will force myself to drink the 2 bottles I purchased!
George says
@Mark Parker, be thankful you only bought 2. I purchased 1/2 case based on the S rating.
Sharri says
I just bought this wine (on sale), and I concur. It's...okay. I'll drink the 2 bottles, but I'm not in a hurry to buy it again.
Bruce Roberts says
I gave it a so-so rating previously as 87-88. I wasn’t inclined to pick up a new bottle at the sale price. I figured trying it once was enough.