We went into this Costco trip specifically looking to find the new Kirkland Cotes du Rhone Villages that we heard is starting to appear in stores, but came out with one of our most highly anticipated wines of the year.
And it did not disappoint.
Seeing this bottle arrive in September is really throwing the historical release schedule off. It was a Q4 bottle. Then last vintage appeared in Jan of this year. And now just nine months later, we see the next vintage.
We're not complaining. This is the best vintage yet, so get ready to scoop these up if you can find them. And of course, we are thrilled the see the price stay the same at $19.99, which is just incredible for a wine of this caliber.
Over the years, this bottle has consistently delivered, high 80's, low 90's with a nice upward trajectory.
2010 – 92-93 points
2011 – 86 points
2012 – 87 points
2013 – 88 points
2014 – 88 points
2015 – 89 points
2016 – 91 points
2017 – 90 points
2018 - 91 points
Getting into this new 2019 vintage, as the placard points out, this is a big year in Brunello, an excellent vintage as evidenced here.
Tasting notes are similar to the prior year but this time around the wine is more elegant, better structure, even in is relative youth, as it will likely only improve with some more age.
In the glass, the wine is a light to medium ruby; wild berry and earth on the nose; medium body, loaded with flavors of cherry, blackberry, leather notes; nice acidity and a finish that is perfect in every way. What a wine.
We paired with a grilled NY strip, and you couldn't ask for much more. We're going 93 points, our highest rating ever on this bottle. It's worth noting we tasted this with a good friend and wine lover who is well versed in Brunello and he gave it 94 points.
Grab these before they disappear, and consider picking a couple up to stash away and revisit in a few years. Cin cin.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 93 points (a Costco Wine Top Pick)
Costco item number: 1472194
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA (Kennesaw)
Alc. 14%
Selena says
Thanks you Costco and Costco wine bloggers for providing my fav wine Personally I’d rather not tell anyone 🎄🎄
MK says
2018 was nothing special. One bottle was sufficient. I will try this in Northern California and review.
KW says
@MK,
agreed, thought it was pretty terrible for the price but I do like brunellos enough to give this one a shot once it lands in hawaii
Bill Frazier says
Why am I never able to find these wines in the Costco by the Mall of Georgia?
Greg says
Saw your write up yesterday, went to my Costco and found the bin already half empty. Picked up two.
Tks for the heads up!
Larry says
Went to my local Coscto in Durham, NC. today, to pick up a couple of bottles of the 2019 Kirkland Brunello (very much looking forward to this based on the review) and noticed the 2023 Kirkland Cotes Du Rhone Villages had arrived. So I picked up 3 of them without even thinking about it.
When I got home I was reading the label and noticed the ABV had jumped up to 15.5% from 14.5% last year. This is very high - the highest I can ever remember this particualr offering - and I'm hoping that level of alcohol does not affect the balance. Normally I don't purchase wines with that high an ABV just because I think that's pushing the limits, plus you really have to be careful with how much you consume.
We'll see how it goes.
Kevin says
I bought 4 bottles based on the review. I would not agree with a 93. It was fruit forward but not exceptional. An 87 from me!
Les Kangas says
I started buying more Kirkland wines after subscribing to your newsletter. I recently opened the first of three 2017 Brunello’s I bought and it was terrible. I checked Cellartracker website and found someone had rated it something like a 75 and that was about right. I am now hesitant to open the remaking two bottles and skittish about getting Kirkland in general. Ps. Costco doesn’t give refund for aged wines in my state.
Greg says
Based on the first of three bottles I purchased I would have to agree with Kevin on this one. Found it to be rather thin bodied and uninteresting.
Larry Ayres says
My wife found 2022 Mer Soleil, Reserve, Monterey County, Fairfield Co, CA, (blue star foil top; sometimes says 'Anniversary, 30th vintage' on label) on a cruise ship a year ago. Since, the only local (Sioux Falls, SD) reliable store is Walmart (??!!). The price ranges from $14.98 down to sometimes $7.48.
My question: how do we go about getting Costco to stock it or find another reliable reasonably priced area source? Or can anyone recommend a different, available brand or equal/+ quality? THX!!
Mark MacIntyre says
Having serious difficulty finding the Brunello. Not spotted anywhere in Seattle Metro.Just checked Wayne, NJ and the wine stocker looked at me like I had antlers when I asked for it….
Steve says
Hold Bruns until 10+ yrs old. All full bodied reds in fact. The cheapo Costco wines like Rhone Villages and Rioja Reserva need age too and get much better for it. I have some 2006 Bruns that keep getting better. Somewhere in my stash I have a Costco Rioja Reserva that is 2010, I am looking forward to finding it and seeing what 14+ years does for $7 wine.
Roy H Jones Jr says
Last year's (2018) Brunello was decent and a real steal at the price, unfortunately the 2019 is one of the worst Brunello's I have ever had, and I drink Brunello from a lot of different producers, it's my go to wine. I was just in Italy and had two cases shipped home. I am extremely disappointed in the 2019 offering from Costco. Having said that, the Barolo and Chateau de Pape are great buys !!!
ted says
this is not as good as Chateau de Pape but first sip was good. this is a great wine for $19.99.
ted says
day 2.......much better. Fantastic wine.
Jim says
$30 in Ohio..·´¯`(>▂<)´¯`·.
Moose says
I find 95% of your reviews spot on, however this rating for the Kirkland Brunello had me wondering if we were tasting the same wine......great vintage but mostly non-descript & rather boring product......made me wonder on the Quality control of such a specialty import......rated from Ann Arbor, MI and Indio ,CA stores with fellow blind wino reviewers and it didn't garner more than 88-89pts......what am I missing?
Shawn says
Bought some in Colorado, it was amazing! They don’t seem to sell it here in Texas. What gives?