Costco's Kirkland branded products are synonymous with high quality at super low prices, and the wine aisle is no exception.
In some cases, Kirkland wines can be the shining example of the ridiculous quality to price ratio you can find under these private branded products.
We've been tasting and reviewing Kirkland wines since before we even launched this website more than 15 years ago. In fact, our reviews of Kirkland wines are a huge reason we've acquired our loyal fan base over the years and they serve as the cornerstone to all of our content.
Some of the most common questions we get are around timing for certain bottles to hit stores, pricing and ratings compared to prior years, and interest in new Kirkland wine offerings.
We created this post a while back and continue to update it with current ratings, prices and timing to answer these questions, as well as help us keep track of it ourselves for managing this site.
Note: We are not including the Kirkland Prosecco or Champagne, as those are non vintage, widely available, and pretty consistent in taste and price year to year.
Now...The Definitive Guide to Costco's Kirkland Wines
Here is the full historical data we pulled to base these calculations on. This will also show the price increase/decrease year to year. We did our best to approximate the target month, erring on the side of early rather later when it wasn't clear with the data.
Here's a PDF download of the chart that some readers requested so they can save it to their phones.
| Wine | Vintage | Rating | Price | Month | Av Rating | Av Release | |
| Vacqueras | 2022 | 88 | 11.49 | July | 88 | July | |
| Chianti Classico | 2022 | 86 | 8.99 | Mar | 86 | Feb | |
| 2021 | 86 | 8.99 | Jan | ||||
| 2020 | 85 | 8.99 | Feb | ||||
| 2019 | 87 | 8.99 | July | ||||
| 2018 | 87 | 7.99 | May | ||||
| 2017 | 86 | 8.49 | Oct | ||||
| 2016 | 87 | 8.49 | April | ||||
| 2015 | 88 | 8.49 | June | ||||
| 2014 | 88 | 8.49 | Apr | ||||
| 2013 | 88 | 8.49 | Mar | ||||
| Ti Point Sauv Blanc | 2023 | 88 | 7.49 | Dec | 88 | Wide Avail | |
| 2019 | 87 | 6.99 | Apr | ||||
| 2014 | 88 | 7.99 | May | ||||
| Sonoma Old Vine Zin | 2021 | 87 | 9.99 | Jan | 88 | Wide Avail | |
| 2019 | 88 | 9.99 | July | ||||
| 2018 | 89 | 9.99 | Oct | ||||
| 2017 | 88 | 9.99 | Apr | ||||
| 2015 | 90 | 9.99 | Jan | ||||
| 2013 | 87 | 9.99 | Mar | ||||
| Suscol Napa Cabernet | 2022 | 93 | 17.99 | Mar | 92 | Apr | |
| 2021 | 92 | 17.99 | May | ||||
| 2020 | 91 | 16.99 | Apr | ||||
| 2019 | 91 | 16.99 | June | ||||
| 2018 | 91 | 16.99 | Apr | ||||
| Oakville Cabernet | 2022 | 89 | 19.99 | Feb | 90 | Feb | |
| 2021 | 92 | 19.99 | Jan | ||||
| 2020 | 90 | 19.99 | Feb | ||||
| 2019 | 91 | 19.99 | Mar | ||||
| 2018 | 91 | 19.99 | Feb | ||||
| 2017 | 90 | 19.99 | Mar | ||||
| 2016 | 90 | 18.99 | Feb | ||||
| 2015 | 91 | 18.99 | Apr | ||||
| Barolo | 2020 | 93 | 19.99 | Jul | 93 | Jun | |
| 2019 | 93 | 19.99 | Jun | ||||
| 2017 | 93 | 19.99 | Feb | ||||
| 2016 | 92 | 19.99 | Mar | ||||
| 2015 | 92 | 19.99 | Mar | ||||
| Mendoza Malbec | 2022 | 87 | 6.99 | Mar | 87 | ? | |
| 2021 | 88 | 6.99 | Dec | ||||
| 2020 | 88 | 6.99 | Dec | ||||
| 2019 | 87 | 6.99 | Oct | ||||
| 2018 | 87 | 6.99 | Feb | ||||
| 2017 | 85 | 6.99 | Sept | ||||
| 2015 | 86 | 6.99 | Aug | ||||
| Russian River Pinot Noir | 2023 | 88 | 11.99 | Oct | 87 | Nov | |
| 2022 | 86 | 11.99 | Nov | ||||
| 2021 | 89 | 11.99 | Dec | ||||
| 2019 | 86 | 12.99 | Jan | ||||
| 2016 | 87 | 12.99 | May | ||||
| 2015 | 85 | 12.99 | Apr | ||||
| 2014 | 86 | 12.99 | Apr | ||||
| Willamette Pinot Noir | 2021 | 88 | 12.99 | Feb | 89 | March? | |
| 2020 | 89 | 12.99 | Apr | ||||
| 2019 | 89 | 12.99 | May | ||||
| 2018 | 90 | 14.99 | Apr | ||||
| 2017 | 89 | 14.99 | Feb | ||||
| Gigondas | 2022 | 89 | 13.99 | Jan | 89 | Jan | |
| 2021 | 89 | 13.99 | Dec | ||||
| 2020 | 90 | 13.99 | Nov | ||||
| 2019 | 86 | 14.99 | Jan | ||||
| 2018 | 88 | 14.99 | Dec | ||||
| 2017 | 86 | 14.99 | Feb | ||||
| 2016 | 88 | 14.99 | Oct | ||||
| 2015 | 87 | 14.99 | Sept | ||||
| Brunello di Montalcino | 2019 | 93 | 19.99 | Sept | 90 | Sept / Oct | |
| 2018 | 91 | 19.99 | Jan | ||||
| 2017 | 90 | 19.99 | Nov | ||||
| 2016 | 91 | 19.99 | Sept | ||||
| 2015 | 89 | 26.99 | Nov | ||||
| 2014 | 88 | 26.99 | Nov | ||||
| 2013 | 88 | 26.99 | Nov | ||||
| 2012 | 87 | 24.99 | Oct | ||||
| 2011 | 86 | 24.99 | Sept | ||||
| 2010 | 92 | 24.99 | Jan | ||||
| Stags Leap Cabernet | 2022 | 91 | 22.99 | Aug | 91 | Aug | |
| 2021 | 91 | 22.99 | Aug | ||||
| 2019 | 91 | 23.99 | Aug | ||||
| 2018 | 91 | 23.99 | Sept | ||||
| 2017 | 89 | 23.99 | Oct | ||||
| 2016 | 89 | 21.99 | Sept | ||||
| 2014 | 88 | 19.99 | Aug | ||||
| 2013 | 90 | 19.99 | Sept | ||||
| Cotes du Rhone Villages | 2023 | 89 | 7.69 | Sept | 88 | Sept | |
| 2022 | 88 | 6.99 | Oct | ||||
| 2021 | 88 | 6.99 | Oct | ||||
| 2020 | 85 | 6.99 | Mar | ||||
| 2019 | 89 | 6.99 | Nov | ||||
| 2018 | 89 | 6.99 | Oct | ||||
| 2017 | 88 | 6.99 | Oct | ||||
| 2016 | 87 | 6.99 | Sept | ||||
| 2015 | 87 | 6.99 | Sept | ||||
| 2013 | 88 | 6.99 | Aug | ||||
| Napa Valley Cabernet | 2020 | 88 | 14.99 | Aug | 88 | ? | |
| 2019 | 88 | 14.99 | Mar | ||||
| 2018 | 88 | 14.99 | Apr | ||||
| Napa Red Blend | 2021 | 89 | 10.99 | Feb | 88 | ? | |
| 2020 | 90 | 10.99 | Sept | ||||
| 2019 | 89 | 10.99 | Oct | ||||
| 2018 | 86 | 10.99 | Oct | ||||
| 2016 | 86 | 10.99 | Sept | ||||
| 2015 | 86 | 10.99 | Nov | ||||
| 2014 | 86 | 10.99 | Apr | ||||
| 2012 | 87 | 10.99 | Dec | ||||
| Pinot Grigio Friuli | 2023 | 86 | 4.99 | Jun | 87 | Wide avail. | |
| 2020 | 87 | 4.99 | Jan | ||||
| 2019 | 86 | 5.99 | May | ||||
| 2018 | 88 | 5.99 | Sept | ||||
| 2017 | 85 | 5.99 | Aug | ||||
| K Vine Cabernet | 2020 | 89 | 13.99 | May | 89 | May | |
| Columbia Valley Red Blend | 2021 | 89 | 16.99 | Jul | 89 | ? | |
| 2020 | 88 | 16.99 | Dec | ||||
| Columbia Valley Cabernet | 2022 | 88 | 9.79 | Dec | 88 | ? | |
| 2021 | 88 | 9.79 | Jul | ||||
| 2020 | 88 | 8.99 | June | ||||
| 2019 | 88 | 8.99 | Apr | ||||
| 2018 | 88 | 8.99 | Dec | ||||
| 2017 | 88 | 8.99 | Aug | ||||
| 2016 | 88 | 8.99 | Aug | ||||
| Sancerre | 2022 | 90 | 15.99 | Mar | 90 | March | |
| 2020 | 89 | 14.99 | Mar | ||||
| 2019 | 90 | 15.99 | Mar | ||||
| Russian River Chardonnay | 2021 | 86 | 12.99 | June | 87 | June | |
| 2019 | 89 | 12.99 | June | ||||
| 2018 | 87 | 12.99 | June | ||||
| 2017 | 87 | 12.99 | July | ||||
| 2016 | 86 | 12.99 | June | ||||
| 2015 | 87 | 12.99 | Dec | ||||
| 2014 | 88 | 12.99 | May | ||||
| 2013 | 87 | 12.99 | Jun | ||||
| Kirkland Boxed Cabernet | 2017 | 84 | 12.99 | Jun | |||
| Carneros Pinot Noir | 2022 | 85 | 9.99 | Jun | 87 | June? | |
| 2021 | 86 | 9.99 | Sep | ||||
| 2020 | 85 | 9.99 | Aug | ||||
| 2019 | 89 | 9.99 | May | ||||
| 2018 | 89 | 9.99 | July | ||||
| 2017 | 90 | 9.99 | May | ||||
| 2016 | 89 | 9.99 | Aug | ||||
| Cotes de Provence Rose | 2023 | 89 | 7.99 | May | 89 | May | |
| 2022 | 89 | 7.99 | May | ||||
| 2021 | 90 | 8.59 | July | ||||
| 2020 | 90 | 8.69 | July | ||||
| 2019 | 89 | 9.99 | May | ||||
| 2018 | 89 | 8.99 | May | ||||
| 2017 | 90 | 9.49 | Apr | ||||
| 2016 | 90 | 8.99 | Apr | ||||
| Rioja Reserva | 2019 | 89 | 7.89 | Mar | 88 | Mar / Apr | |
| 2018 | 89 | 7.89 | May | ||||
| 2017 | 89 | 7.99 | Apr | ||||
| 2016 | 88 | 7.99 | Mar | ||||
| 2015 | 88 | 7.99 | July | ||||
| 2014 | 88 | 6.99 | Apr | ||||
| 2013 | 88 | 6.99 | May | ||||
| 2012 | 87 | 6.99 | Feb | ||||
| 2010 | 88 | 6.99 | Jan | ||||
| Premier Cru Chablis | 2021 | 90 | 18.99 | Feb | 90 | Feb | |
| 2020 | 90 | 17.49 | Jan | ||||
| 2019 | 90 | 17.79 | Mar | ||||
| 2018 | 89 | 19.99 | Jan | ||||
| 2016 | 88 | 17.99 | Feb | ||||
| 2014 | 87 | 14.99 | May | ||||
| Chianti Classico Gran Selezione | 2020 | 93 | 17.99 | Dec | 93 | Dec | |
| 2019 | 93 | 17.99 | Dec | ||||
| Bordeaux Superieur | 2022 | 87 | 6.89 | Jan | 87 | Jan | |
| 2021 | 87 | 6.00 | Dec | ||||
| 2020 | 87 | 6.99 | Dec | ||||
| 2019 | 88 | 6.99 | Feb | ||||
| 2018 | 85 | 7.99 | Jan | ||||
| 2016 | 87 | 7.99 | Jan | ||||
| 2015 | 87 | 7.99 | Dec | ||||
| Rutherford Cabernet | 2022 | 91 | 18.99 | Dec | 91 | Dec | |
| 2021 | 91 | 18.99 | Nov | ||||
| 2019 | 92 | 18.99 | Jan | ||||
| 2018 | 92 | 18.99 | Dec | ||||
| 2016 | 89 | 17.99 | Jan | ||||
| Ribera del Duero | 2014 | 90 | 13.99 | Dec | 90 | Dec | |
| 2012 | 90 | 13.99 | Dec | ||||
| 2011 | 90 | 12.99 | Sept | ||||
| Chateauneuf-du-Pape | 2022 | 93 | 19.69 | May | 90 | May | |
| 2021 | 90 | 19.69 | May | ||||
| 2020 | 90 | 19.99 | June | ||||
| 2019 | 88 | 21.99 | May | ||||
| 2018 | 90 | 20.99 | June | ||||
| 2016 | 90 | 17.99 | July | ||||
| 2015 | 89 | 19.99 | May | ||||
| 2014 | 88 | 19.99 | Sept | ||||
| 2013 | 93 | 19.99 | May | ||||
| 2012 | 91 | 19.99 | July | ||||
| 2011 | 92 | 19.99 | July | ||||
| Alexander Valley Cabernet | 2021 | 87 | 9.99 | May | 87 | ? | |
| 2018 | 88 | 9.99 | Aug | ||||
| 2015 | 87 | 9.99 | July | ||||
| 2014 | 87 | 9.99 | Aug | ||||
| 2013 | 86 | 9.99 | Oct | ||||
| 2012 | 83 | 8.99 | Oct | ||||
| Moscato d'Asti | 2022 | 88 | 7.99 | Jan | 88 | Wide Avail | |
| Toscana | 2021 | 86 | 13.99 | Aug | 87 | Aug | |
| 2020 | 86 | 13.99 | Aug | ||||
| 2019 | 87 | 14.99 | Oct | ||||
| 2014 | 88 | 13.99 | Apr | ||||
| Saint-Julien Bordeaux | 2021 | 90 | 17.49 | Nov | 91 | Nov | |
| 2020 | 92 | 17.99 | Nov | ||||
| 2019 | 91 | 18.69 | Jan | ||||
| Pauillac Bordeaux | 2015 | 92 | 22.99 | Jan | 92 | Dec | |
| 2014 | 91 | 22.99 | Dec |
Here are two more fun stories we wrote about Kirkland wine you might enjoy:
New Kirkland Signature Wines We'd Like to See at Costco
Who Are the Real Producers Behind Costco's Kirkland Signature Wines?
Don't forget to sign up for our emails (2X/week) so you can be the first in the know on new Costco wine reviews. We value you as a subscriber and won't share or spam ever.
Cheers everyone.
Dave says
As usual for your blog another great article and recap of some amazing Costco bottles.
Having lived in many areas known for wine (Ca, Bordeaux, Porto and Montepulciano in southern Tuscany) I am always excited to see what new gems Costco has to offer - and I often reference your latest emails before heading out to shop. The expected In store month info is also very helpful.
Keep up the great writing!
Editor says
Awesome. Glad to hear it.
Ed biancarelli says
Great review. Thanks. If you could post this in an index card format or some easy to print summary it would be great to carry when in Costco shopping.
Editor says
Great idea. I could probably make the chart a downloadable PDF pretty easily. I created it in Excel for ease of use and could create the PDF from there. Give me a day or two and I’ll report back.
Editor says
Just added a PDF download of the chart to the original story. Thanks for the suggestion. You can view it directly here. Nothing fancy as deign is a weak point for me, but it should work. http://costcowineblog.com//wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Kirkland-Wines-CostcoWineBlog.pdf
Dave says
If using an IPhone you can download app called Instapaper for free. Any articles you can “print” and keep on your iPhone to read anytime, offline too, searchable by keyword. Great for things you want to keep for later (this blog, recipe’s, etc).
Ramon Arevalo says
Thank you for making the reviews clear and consice for a beginner like myself who has slowly started from only drinking white wine like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. After reading your reviews I finally wet my appetite on some beautiful reds. The Napa Red blend was wonderful. I also enjoy the Merlots so hopefully you'll treat us to a review on Merlot in the future which is fruity and easy drinking. Someone recommended Stella and can honestly say not the fruit forward wine I was looking for.
Thanks again for treating us to such honest reviews of Costco's great wines. Cheers!!
Editor says
Cool. Here are our Merlot archives. You still can find a few of these. I like the Markham and Coppola at Costco for a reasonable price. http://costcowineblog.com//category/merlot/
Let us know if you come across any good Merlot buys in your Costco shopping.
Donald Dunn says
Thanks for the summary of the reviews. Helpful hand tool.
I only wish the Costco in Charlotte,NC did a better job carrying and stocking many of these wines. Recently they carry very few.
Editor says
Thanks. We’re not too far away from you in Atlanta. I hope so more turn up for you.
Pat says
@Donald Dunn, Same here in STrongsville, OH. It is maddening. As far as I know, we all pay the same membership fees. Maybe we should get a discout on our membership fees since we are "underserved."
mcclainra says
Thanks for some excellent information, and I, too, would be interested in something to take with me when I do go to Costco.
I use the Costco Hacks Cross, south, in Memphis. There is one other in Memphis, but we prefer this one. When I see one of your reviews that I might like, I take a screenshot, save it to the NOTES app on my mac, into a folder "Costco Wines". Usually my wine friend there, can look at it and immediately tell me if it is available, but still miss a lot of your recommendations. I know all Costcos don't have the same, but still love your newsletter. TY.
Brian says
Is there a way to check which wines are in particular stores?
Editor says
Unfortunately, there’s not really a good way. I know that some readers of the blog will use the item number that we list at the end of the reviews. They will either call the store and ask if they have that item number in stock. Or they will use the online chat at Costco.com to ask about the availability of the item numbers near them.
Noah says
@Editor, FYI the new Costco app has a feature where you can search what's in stock at your warehouse.
Brian says
I have been looking how to chart these without creating my own spreadsheet to have available on my phone, and now have copied and paste into the spreadsheet, saved a tremendous amount of time and effort. Can you do this for your other reviews??
David says
Hi Folks. I frequently look at the ratings of the wines and believe the gold standard is Wine Spectator. The others, i.e.. Wine Enthusiast, and others just don't seem credible/accurate to me. I'd love to hear my fellow wine drinkers opinions.
Thank you
David
Pat says
@David, I agree re Wine Spectator. But there are so many wines they don't cover. I also use Wine Enthusiast. They seem to cover more wines than Wine Spectator and are pretty good with their ratings.
Richard Smit says
What about Costco’s 10 year old Tawny Port??
John Jannis says
Your Kirkland wines historic roundup is very useful and appreciated. However, it reflects a Costco wines imbalance (IMO), a much lesser emphasis on white wines. Here in SC the imbalance is not only in terms of whites vs. reds but that about three quarters of their white wine stock is west coast chardonnay, not a favorite in our house. This is a pretty extreme tilt and not one that I would have thought was conducive to max overall sales. Anyway, we are strong fans of their red wine selections and also the French chardonnays. I guess we will have to buy most of our whites elsewhere. Would like to have your thoughts on this.
Editor says
Hi John, totally agree. The intro of the Kirkland Sancerre was a step in the right direction. I'd love to see some more Kirkland whites appear from Spain and Italy. Also a Kirkland Gruner Veltliner and Riesling would make really nice additions.
Colleen says
I’m new to Costcowines. Whose wine rating do they use for their wine ratings? I couldn’t find a citation. Thanks for your help!
Editor says
Hi, Costco uses quite a few different critics on their placard signs that accompany the wines in store. That includes James Suckling, Decanter, wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast
Barbara says
Does Costco have a time of year for Kirkland Signature 10 year Tawny Porto? I have been unable to find it for the past 4 months.
Hugh says
Hi Barbara,
I've stocked up on that the past of couple of years - I seem to remember getting it over the holidays so look out for it from Oct onwards.
Matt says
Love this list, thanks!
Editor says
Thanks for following us Matt!
Kevin Knox says
This is a fantastic resource. Really grateful to you for putting this together and thoughtfully including a PDF cheat sheet.
Editor says
Cheers Kevin!
ozzy21 says
A big thank you for spending your time so we can make more educated decisions
Editor says
Absolutely. Thanks for following the site.
Tim says
The 2021 Saint Julien (Bordeaux) is available now at least here in Oregon! Nice wine with 12.5% ABV.
Editor says
Awesome news. Glad to hear it’s back and hope to find soon.
Janice says
I look forward to your posts on Wednesday and Friday! Thanks for this PDF, which is now in my phone. We also live in metro Atlanta, and I'm always surprised at the items you find in Kennesaw that I don't see at Perimeter.
Editor says
Hi Janice, I’m jealous of what Perimeter has. It’s maybe the best selection around ATL IMO. Send in any recommendations you find there.
David says
Great links, thanks. A useful addition would be the current Costco item #.
Vic says
Does anybody know if and when there will be a new vintage of Kirkland branded Chianti Classico released? Can’t find any vintage in stores in DC-VA-MD. Btw, thank you for compiling all this great info on this page.
Greg says
The definitive guide to Costco’s Kirkland wines is helpful. Thanks for the PDF version as well. Keep it up. thx
Ken says
While the Costco Wine Blog is really helpful, I wish the reviewers would include notes on cellaring. I have found that many Costco wines should be consumed within a year of purchase. Others, however, have greatly improved after 5 or even 10 years in my cellar.
Looking at this guide to Kirkland Signature wines, I see some (such as the Alexander Valley Cabernet and the Willamette Pinot Noir) that I found aged beautifully. Others, not so much.
If the Blog could include a “drinking guide” with a simple “drink now,” “drink now or cellar for up to 5 years,” or “cellar for 5 – 10 years” that would be a great help.
Peggy Manny says
First of all I want to thank you for your twice weekly wine blog articles. I have learned a lot.
WhenI shop for wines in a traditional wine store I get a kick out of some of the snooty “ wine experts “ that correct my pronunciation and question my wine back ground ( I’ve been around the block )but the most important thing I have learned is that the tastings of wines are a “ preference pallet “ and that everyone has different opinions and tastes preferences.
I will read your descriptions and if I’m lucky enough to find that particular wine to try ..and our local Costco has it available … and if I like/love it I will RUSH back and hopefully be able to stock up. Up here in the Northern Midwest we don’t have the choices that I’ve seen in (for example) Naples FL🫤…. I am currently enjoying the Kirkland Côtes du Rhône that you were spot on about !!
If I could have you evaluate two particular wines it would be Sauvignon blanc that do not have the grapefruit taste and Chardonnay’s that are un-Oaked…there again is that darn pallet differences 🙂 Thanks again for your blog !! 🍷