This is the second year in a row that the Kirkland Barolo is arriving in the June / July timeframe. For the first few years of its existence, it hit stores in the first quarter of the year. So we would get a little nervous when it didn't show up.
Regardless, we're happy to see it arrive with the new 2020 vintage. As regular readers know, this is one of our favorite, and most highly rated, wines in the Kirkland Signature portfolio.
And it's always nice to see that $19.99 price tag stay the same. That remains ridiculous for a Barolo of any kind and in this case, the quality has always been there to back it up.
Looking back over the years, the bottle hits the 92-93 mark every time.
2019 vintage: 93 points
2017 vintage: 93 points
2016 vintage: 92 points
2015 vintage: 92 points
We mentioned in our review of the 2019 vintage a year ago, that it appears to have skipped the 2018 vintage. We were hoping readers might have more insight, but we didn't hear from anyone who found a 2018 vintage of this wine which is odd.
So the big question is whether we're keep this streak alive...and the answer is yes we are. This 2020 vintage is a very nice wine; similar tasting notes to the past few years.
The wine pours a medium garnet in the glass; beautiful aromatics of floral and spice; medium in body with really nice flavor of ripe berries, black cherry; surrounded by notes of anise, mocha, vanilla; big acidity, lasting finish.
A signature Barolo, just we hoped for. Pair with anything. 93 points once again.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 93 points (a Costco Wine Top Pick)
Costco item number: 1355183
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA (Woodstock)
Alc. 14%
Henry says
I do enjoy these Barolos. Finished the 2015 vintage, missed the 2016 vintage, with 2017 and 2019 in the cellar. I either missed 2018 or as you note, was skipped by the vintner.
The last sentence from the back label notes "Great for long-term aging". Have your thoughts of 3-5 years changed? I would be curious as to what the vintner considers "long-term" aging.
Cheers and happy 4th of July!
Editor says
I really like Barolos that are right around 10 years old. Kind of my sweet spot.
Actually had a 2010 Barolo a few weeks ago that was in a perfect drinking window.
This Kirkland one tastes so good now we haven’t been able to keep any in the cellar.
I’d say 3-5 is safe. Could push further though.
Kyle Harrison says
Before the newer clones hit the market you didn't pull a cork until it was 10 years old, or more. I suggest long term means 10 years plus. Any legitimate 92 or 93 lasts at the very least 10 plus
Roger X Cohn says
Thank you. I have been hesitant to buy Kirkland brand red wines. I have tried the sparkling whites and although not bad I found it better to spend the extra dollar(s) for a name brand. I will give the reds a try. Especially the Brunellos and Bordeauxs.
Brandon says
I just got this where I live in the Phoenix metro area. I opened and decanted a little over half the bottle. It’s slightly rough at the start. But if you decant the heck out of it and give it time it’s pretty brilliant by the end. It actually kinda reminds me of a Pinot that’s on the bolder side. I bet this will age amazingly. It really gains some elegance and velvet after a longer decant. (Context: I’m new to Barolo.)
Doug says
I was really pleased to see this wine appear in my local store in the PNW. I'm hoping the cross-country distribution means there's a lot of it. 🙂
I agree with the earlier comment that it benefits from decanting. With a little air it's just a delicious wine that does taste a bit like a pinot noir with some spice to it. I'm looking forward to cellaring some to see how it ages.
Randy says
Tons of this available at Perimeter Atlanta yesterday 7/17/24
James says
I have been trying to find this 2020 KS Barolo at the San Francisco Costco store for the last two months. No luck. Finally called the store and was told
that they (someone at a corporate level) stopped ordering it for some unknown reason. The SF store carried the 2019 KS Barolo last year until it sold out. Very frustrating, especially when I read below that it is available in other
Costco stores outside of California.
Cassandra says
@James, thank you for your comment. I thought I was going crazy when I didn’t see it in any bay area stores.!