Almost instinctively, I will purchase new wines that I find from Spain's Toro region because they are some of the best buys in the wine world today. So obviously, I love when they pop up at Costco.
This bottle was of particular interest, initially due to its massive weight in the hand but also for the 96 point sticker from Wine Enthusiast proudly displayed on the front of the bottle. For a $28.99 wine (Costco price) to receive 96 points, I was both impressed and skeptical.
I cheated and gave the wine a quick Google before purchasing, only to find that 96 point rating along with the wine's retail price of $110. So is Costco really offering it at less than a third of retail? That appeared to be the case.
But what's inside? Is this a good wine, even at the Costco price of $29? It turns out the answer is a resounding yes. This is a beautiful wine that is giant in body and flavor but also generously elegant with a modern feel. I've had a few similar Toro wines in the past, where it comes across as a combination of old vine grapes in a more new world style. And I'm a fan.
The wine pours near black in the glass, and yes, it's a hefty drink with alcohol at 15%, but it really worked for us. Super vibrant aromas after the wine had a chance to breathe; smells like a flower shop with a heap of fresh soil dumped in the middle of the store; big and bold in the mouth with loads of black cherry, blackberry, anise, a touch of dark chocolate; super super dry into the finish. Maybe one of the driest wines I've had in quite a while.
We didn't pair this wine with a meal which is really too bad. A huge juicy steak would send an already amazing wine over the top because of the chalky finish. There's a lot to this wine, keeping you guessing and interested on every drink, which I want good wines to always do. I can't recommend this one enough, and at $29 it's not an inexpensive wine, but for what you get, it really is a steal.
This is an obvious addition to the Recommended Wine list. I can't go as high in my rating as Wine Enthusiast, but this is a solid low 90's wine, so I'm going to go 93 points. I'd like to taste it again in another 2-3 years to allow it to develop a little further and I think it would be magnificent. Enjoy this Costco buy if you find it. I bet these go fast.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 93 points (a CostcoWineBlog Recommended Wine)
Costco item number: 555346
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA (Cumberland)
Alc. 15%
Walter van Woudenberg says
We enjoy your column very much, but....frustratingly, very few of the wines in any of your reviews ever make it to our Costco in Colorado, so other than a fun read, the advice is if little use. I wonder if Costco could work a little at standardizing their offerings?
Editor says
Hi Walter
This is by far the most common issue I hear from readers. I wish there was a better way too. But all we can do is review what we have access to, point out our favorites and hope that our readers, wherever in the world they are, can find some of them.
Most of the Kirkland wines are widely available so we always try to get to those.
We hope you continue to follow the site and that more of the future wines we review show up in stores near you.
Andrew
Bill Kastner says
Are these Spanish wineries just having a difficult time moving these obviously quality wines? I see this wine on one of the flash sale sites I often buy from (WTSO.com) for only $19.99. And with free shipping on a 4 bottle purchase looks like a steal from them. This is under their "bonus offers" which is not a one and done sale but is available all the time. Looks like I need to pick up a few of these now after reading your review.
Editor says
I really don’t know but some of the values that can be had right now from Toro, Rioja and Ribera are just ridiculous from a price to value ratio.
This is part of the reason we are writing a book about Spanish wine right now, to help bring these wines to the attention of more buyers who are spending $25-$40 on Napa Cabs, which is fine, but for that price you can get a serious rock star bottle from Spain.
Thanks for your comments and let us know if you uncover any other great Spanish wine buys.
Bill says
If you run across any vintage of Bodegas del Rosario 3000 Anos from the Bullas region, grab it. 50/50 blend of Syrah and Mourvedre. Have never taken formal notes but a big beautiful steak wine. Can usually locate it online for $20 and worth twice that. Had never heard of Bullas region before trying this wine. Will try others from this region if I see them however.
Editor says
Absolutely, will do. Thanks for the recommendation.