It's been a little while since we published a roundup story around some wine picks that might be available in your warehouse right now.
So I took a day and went to a handful of Costco stores around the Atlanta area to compile this list of wines, many of which we've reviewed, and others that we've tasted before elsewhere, but all wines that we recommend.
Feel free to add your recommendations in the comments below, and we hope this helps you find some good wines to try.
Vitiano Rosso: really hard to beat for only $7.99. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauv, and Sangiovese. I just stocked up on these on my last visit. Our review.
Montes Cabernet: another screaming bargain for fans of big reds and South American mountain fruit. Can't go wrong here. Our review.
Honig Napa Cabernet: not inexpensive obviously at $39, but we thought it was a pleasant and enjoyable Bordeaux varietal blend. Our review.
El Puntido Gran Reserva Rioja: a lovely, elegant wine in a nice drinking window right now.
Monsanto Chianti Classico: one of our go-to wines for almost any occasion. Chianti Classico executed perfectly at a very reasonable price. Our review.
La Montesa Rioja: looks like the price dropped $1 since we reviewed it just a few months ago, making what was already a bargain even better. Our review.
Joseph Phelps Insignia: a classic Napa Valley wine in a primo year (2012 in Costco now). Erin didn't go for it quite as much as I do, but this one needs some time to settle. Splurge now, and put it away for 10 years and I think you'll be handsomely rewarded. Our review.
Frank Family Cabernet: more classic Napa Cabernet, this one a little more accessible than the Insignia; a lovely wine. Our review.
Slow Press Cabernet: we just discovered this bargain priced Cabernet that we rated 91 points. A strong buy for only $12. Our review.
Paul Dolan Cabernet Sauvignon: this one really hit the mark for me, enjoyed with some steak on the Green Egg; perfect pairing and another good Costco buy. Our review.
Catena Malbec: Made by one of the most famed producers in South America, I could drink this one all day long. It's been a while since we posted a review, so we need to get to it soon. Here's an old review of a prior vintage.
Nicholas Catena Zapata Red Blend: this wine always gets huge scores, and while I've never tried it, I'm about to as I had to buy one at this price which is 25% below even the online price of $100. Retail is closer to $135. So a treat sometime in the near future, and one that you might want to treat yourself to as well.
That's the quick list. I didn't list vintages, as that may vary depending on the selection at your local Costco, so keep that in mind when reading the reviews associated with all of these wines.
And we'll try to do more of these round ups if you enjoy them.
-Andrew, Editor
marino maronati says
Andrew, Pretty nice to have all your preferred wines listed in one spot so one doesn’t feel that he missed something into your analyses. But why do you think that I cannot find a website that tells me where to find a wine that I wanna try? and the second question is: if you are independent and not working for Costco (no pun intended! it can be you are honest anyway!) how can you be informed where they send all the wine as for example 2 of them I want to try are not in the major South Bay Los Angeles market (but they are in Atlanta!?!? ahahah) ... I guess your bloggers they already asked you in the past a map on where to find a suggested wine... if not it loses so much sense.
Third question is why they do not sell wine online? but this is peripheral to all.
thank you
marino - South Bay LA
Editor says
Marino, we are 100% independent of Costco and we want to stay that way in order to have zero outside influence on our reviews.
That is why you will find our reviews to sometimes not be favorable about some of Costcos wines, even their Kirkland label at times. If we didn't feel they were good we don't recommend them. I couldn't see the site operating any other way.
In regards to distribution, we have no special insight into where the wines are available unless we hear from other readers of the blog or see it ourselves. 99% of the wines we review are from one of the five or so Costcos in the greater Atlanta area because that's where we live and can get the wine. Some readers find those same wines in Japan while others can't find them in Florida. It's a moving target and part of the overall Costco Hunt.
This site and the community of people we brought together through it try to put the pieces together the best we can, to share wines we enjoy so others can try them.
And in regards to selling online, I'm with you and would love it if they did.
marino maronati says
ciao Alex, If I follow you it is because I had the feeling you are pretty independent...
and thank you for that!
Wine lovers are sharer and the time invested comes back in a profound way of being...
and I thank you for that!
I am sorry that your moral standards are not exploit geographically better...
but only Atlanta guys thank you for that!
You dedicated time to let me know the edges...
and I thank you for that!
Jee! with all this thanks your karma walk on water ! sorry on wine!
hugs
marino
South Bay LA
alex says
thanks for sharing - but sad only 1 of these is available in ohio!!
Joe O. says
The Apex, NC (near Raleigh) Costco currently has the Andrew Murray Tous Les Jours Syrah (2014 and 2015 can be found in the bin - the 2014 is superior IMO) in stock for $13.99. Lists at $25 on the Andrew Murray website and I've never found it anywhere on the east coast for under $19, so this is a nice bargain. It's an exceptional Syrah - don't take my word for it, just google it.
Just wanted to point out that I selfishly made sure I squirreled away 2 cases before writing this comment, lol.
Peter says
Out here in Denver, the Est 75 Cabernet Sauvignon is drinking very well if you like your cabernets dark and broody.
Luis J Abalo says
Andrew, I live in Miami FL, and sadly most of the wines you evaluate are not available in this area. Actually I was at the Costco located at the Americas Mall today, and was looking for the Cold Press cab you mentioned yesterday with the Cooper label and nothing. My wife and myself are red wine lovers specially those from Paso Robles (linne calodo, desparada, hermans story, alta colina, epoch...) and Santa Barbara (andrew murray, jonata, stolpman...) love to hear your opinion regarding these tasting marvels... thanks for your blog, looks pretty legit to me. Keep up the good work... Cheers!
Editor says
Hi Luis, thanks for the note and the kind words. Hopefully more of the wines we review will pop up near you. I have a few good Kirkland picks coming up next that should see wide distribution as they seem to have in years past.
The Slow Press review was written by Erin who contributes regularly to the site. I'll ask her to respond here as well with any thoughts as to the Paso and SB wines. I've had a handful of the ones you mention and have always been impressed as i think these are two areas that are really producing some great stuff right now, and largely under the radar of many mainstream wine buyers. I need to find some more Costco wines from these areas to review sometime too.
AC
Erin says
Hi Luis,
I believe that Jonata "Todos" 2012 is available in select Costco clubs although I have not tried it myself. I personally love Santa Barbara Pinot Noir. Cambria's Bench Break & Julia's Vineyards (Santa Maria Valley) are killer for the price (around $20) and seem to be widely distributed although I am unsure if Costco has picked any Cambria wines up.
Costco does carry Daou Cabernet from Paso Robles, and this is a solid cab for $22. J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cab (also PS) is pretty good for a mass-produced wine.
Thanks for reading, and we appreciate your feedback and comments.
Best,
Erin
Luis J Abalo says
Hi Erin and Andrew, thanks for your prompt response and let me start correcting myself for my mistake by naming Cold Press instead of Slow Press (senior moment... ) and yes, todos from jonata as well as tierra, sangre etc are superwines, they bring "tears of joy" to my eyes every time I try them which unfortunately is not very often bc of the prices... I'd never seen a jonata at the Costcos in the Miami area, but wish I could... anyway thanks and I'll keep checking your blogs.
Bern says
Have you tried the Nicholas Catena Zapata Red Blend yet? I am a fan of malbec blends and that definitely caught my eye in the San Francisco store. I picked up 2013 Tonel 78 barrel select Malbec Bonarda (50-50) $13.99 which I plan to drink this week. Also bought that same day a 2011 Sierra Cantabria Reserva Unica which my family had over the weekend and raved about. They were shocked at the $19.99 price, I am heading back today to buy 4-6 bottles.
Editor says
I have not tried the Nicholas Catena Zapata Red Blend but I've been sitting on one and am anxious to try it. I've heard great things about many past vintages.
And I agree completely with your feeling on the Sierra Cantabria Reserve. I have tasted a couple times in the past and it always overdelivers. Really hoping I see that one pop up near me.
Thanks for your comments. These are great recommendations.
Luis J Abalo says
There's a joint venture between Catena and Rothschild that came out with a beautiful full body wine called CARO (first two letters of each last name) that taste like nectar of the gods, with a finish that last forever. It's available at the Costcos in Miami and is in a price range of $45.00. Great wine!!!
Editor says
Sounds amazing. Thanks for sharing.
Bill says
Would love to hear your opinion of a Chardonnay called Butter (JAM Winery). My wife is a chard drinker and was pleased that our Costco in Atlanta has carried Butter for the last few years ($13.99). We were introduced to this wine by friends in the mountains of North Carolina. If you like a buttery chardonnay, you will like this one.
Editor says
Thanks Bill, I've seen it around and will have to check it out.