Here's another one of those inexpensive Bordeaux bottles that you find piled in the "cheap seats" next to Liberty School and Apothic Red, and you're never quite sure what to make of it. I've had several (probably most) that turned out to be very good buys, including the recently reviewed Clinet Bordeaux, and I'm happy to say that this Bordeaux Superieur for $8.99 is another surprisingly good find.
Bordeaux Superieur is the "entry level" designation for Bordeaux wines, and the varietal makeup is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with smaller parts of the other Bordeaux varietals to include Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. This bottle I would guess has a good percentage of Merlot, likely a higher percentage than the other grapes, but that's just how it tastes to me.
This wine is a 2014 vintage so it's a little younger than the Clinet which spent a few more years in the bottle, and the youthfulness is apparent. I think it's actually a great time to drink this one, although it would be interesting to try after cellaring for a few years.
The wine is earthy, barnyard on the nose, distinctly Bordeaux; red and dark fruit flavor, blackberry, blueberry rounded out with a little sour cherry, some spice, a little nutmeg. The wine is very dry throughout, especially in the finish.
At this price point it's hard to complain and I'd say this is a Bordeaux that exceeds expectations. We'll be adding to our Recommended List.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 89 points
Costco item number: 648383
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA
Alc. 14%
JB says
Picked this up a few weeks ago as a cheap gamble. Big payoff. At the price I was really surprised by the balance of tasty flavors, moderate complexity and dusty finish. Tastes like a real Bordeaux. Wouldn't be ashamed to serve this to anyone, great value. Now just have to get back before they're gone.
Editor says
Sounds like we felt exactly the same way on this one. Thanks for the note.
Dave D says
Arrrggh! When I find a wine in one of your reviews that I would like to grab, my batting average is horribly low in finding that wine at my local Costco. I think I am one in twenty.
Any chance you could throw a couple cases in the car and drive them up to me in Michigan when I have this problem?
Editor says
Would love to if I could.
This is one of the hardest parts of running this site and you're not alone in having difficulty finding many of the wines we review.
I am looking at working with some of the wineries who sell in Costco so they can provide info on which wines are distributed where. I hope that helps a little bit but we'll have to see.
If there are any wines in your Costco that you're curious about please send them on to us and we're happy to try to find them near us (trying to reverse engineer the problem)
Dave D says
Understandable, sir! An odd twist to the story is that I will be flying into Atlanta for three days starting today. (Saturday) Unfortunately, the airline won't let me carry-on two cases of wine on the return trip. Alas! I guess I'll just have to swing through the Atlanta Costco and then drink in the parking lot...
Perhaps you need a CostcoWineBlog.com agent in Michigan! 🙂
Thanks, I'll keep trying.
Editor says
That's one way to do it for sure.
Hopefully some of our future reviews will be in your store.
Joe says
Which Costco in Atlanta? I went to Perimeter and I was only able to find the Kirkland Pauillac (awesome wine) and I bought half a case but I'd like to get some of these more moderately priced Bordeaux for daily drinkers.
Thanks
Joe
Editor says
Pretty sure it was Kennesaw but may have been Cumberland. I can't remember for sure.