Pinot noir fans take note of this one. Costco's price is $22.99 and the wine is worth every penny (Wine.com sells it on sale for $29). This is a lovely Pinot that pours dark and rich in the glass, leading you to believe it's an entirely different wine. But once you get into it, it's rich, yes, but gentle and elegant. I really enjoyed this one all around.
As I mentioned the wine pours a darker purple than you would expect from most Pinots. This was immediately noticeable. The nose was wild berries, with some floral elements. And that rich dark wine feels a nice medium in body in the mouth, with nice fruit, strawberry, cranberry and wild cherry flavors. Slight spice to the finish along with white pepper, and a touch of anise. The finish is perhaps the highlight if this one doesn't sound good enough already. Dry and lasting finish that just went on and on.
This is a nicely assembled Pinot, very food friendly or just fine on it's own as we enjoyed it. And Costco's price seems unbeatable.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 91 Points
Costco item number: 796182
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA
Alc: 13.1%
Ruben says
Hi, I'm so glad you have reviewed this wine. It caught my eye when I was at Costco (Mtn View, CA) this week but wasn't sure. I had tried a Pinot in past from Williamette V region and enjoyed it. I'll buy some next time. What I ended up buying was the 2013 Calon Segur bordeaux blend ($54) but will store it for a while longer before drinking (per what I've read on it). I read this wine was considered best for this vintage compared to the other more prominent Chateaus. Costco only had about 15 bottles and I thought it was a great deal for what it could become later. You also had a brief review on this wine in 2012 that was pretty positive. Is it too soon to drink one of them? I'm really curious about it.
Editor says
Thanks for the note, and for the heads up on the Calon Segur '13 for $54. I would agree that's an excellent price, and if I see it at my store I will have to buy a couple. Sometimes with a wine like this, I'll buy three (minimum). I'll drink one right now to get a sense of what I've got. I'll save one for a time when I have friends over and want to share with them. And then I'll lay one down for the longer haul. I just did this with one of my favorite wines, the '12 Phelps Insignia. I'm glad I tried that first one, but am looking forward to the two I have laid down in the cellar. Just a thought on what to do...
Ruben says
Andrew, Thanks for your suggestion. That sounds like a great idea on the Calon Segur or any premium wines that may need some cellar time. By the way, I dropped by the Costco in my area on my way home and to my surprise, the 2010 KS Rioja Reserva are back. Several cases on a pallet. Still $6.99. I read your previous blogs on this wine and the 2004 Gran Reserva, and they were highly recommended, so I'm going back for more tomorrow. Maybe Costco is releasing them this quarter, hopefully nationwide.
Editor says
I'm really hot on Spanish wines right now and I think you identified two of the best values in Spanish wine at Costco right now. The KS Rioja for $7 is a perfect everyday drinker and the 2004 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 is a super premium wine for $40. You can't go wrong. Let me what you think after you've had a chance to try them.
John Jannis says
Hi Andrew,
I discovered the '13 Four Graces pinot noir about a month ago and we're into our third bottle. Lovely stuff! Here in Charleston SC it's 18.99. The 2014 Meiomi is here for 16.99, too. But it is below par, IMO. Too sweet and superficial. The 2013 was a lot better.
I've been meaning to write you about a gripe I have with Total wine, since you said you shop there, too. Our Total store is about 2 miles from Costco. Of course, they have a much wider selection than Costco. My wife likes many European whites,so Total is a good source. BUT,in the last year the dollar has gained 15 to 20 per cent against the Euro and Total's Euro sourced wines -including their "winery direct" wines for which, one would imagine, they have complete cost control, have gone UP 10 to 15 per cent. These are everyday category wines. Well, one would expect the prices would have gone down or at least stayed the same. It looks like Total is sticking it to its customers here, and I am thoroughly irritated with them on this.
Any comment?
Editor says
I agree with you 100% on both points. First that the Meiomi Pinot is generally pretty mediocre and overrated. It's at my store now but I'm going to pass on reviewing it as I think there are several other Pinots (like the Four Graces) that are better quality for the money.
In regards to the prices at Total Wine, yes I have mentioned I shop there too but that changed about 2 years ago as their prices crept up and despite the huge selection, I just got tired of paying the increasingly high prices.
I have not bought a single bottle of wine there in the last 12 months.
Instead i've been buying more at Costco but also online from Wine Library. Their selection is enormous, prices unbeatable and they have the best customer service I've experienced. I would check them out for sure.
Here's an example of the difference. I was in the market to acquire '12 Joseph Phelps Insignia for my cellar. Total wines price was $240/bottle (at the time. I think it's higher now). Wine Library was $180/bottle with free shipping.
As more people shop at Costco and online for their wine I think Total Wine is going to begin to feel it.
Paulus says
Agree with your not-so-favorable assessment of Total Wine. I'm especially unhappy about their so-called Winery Direct products, most of which are your usual Wine Club no-one-wants-to-buy-this-so-could-we-make-a-fool-of-you variety. They once sponsored a Rotary event, where I'm sure they donated the product. I'm not one to waste, but both my wife and I spat out 3 consecutive 'wines' that we were tasting (not in front of them, of course). The one thing is that, when TW has their 20% off European, or French, or Italian or something or the other, it could mean an opportunity. My only 100-point wine in my collection I got for 20% off, a 2010 Leoville Barton. I'm socking that one away till grand babies come, or perhaps later.