This bottle is always a welcome site in the Costco wine aisles. If you’ve never read our reviews, you might be skeptical (as were at first), asking yourself how can a real Barolo be priced at only $14.99?
Even the Kirkland Barolo, which we really like too, is $20. But I’m happy to say, and we’ve confirmed it again with this new 2015 vintage, this Covalli Barolo is the real deal, and quite the find at this price.
It was a little odd because I actually found this wine in two different places at my Costco. I saw it first in the “cheap seats” (aka the rows of wine, not the wooden boxes) and the price was $14.99, no discount; it just looked like the standard price.
Then moving into the wooden boxes, I found the price below, $24.99 with a $10 discount that is good through this weekend. What I’m hoping is that $14.99 just becomes this bottle’s standard price once the discount period is over, and that looks to be the case given the dual listing. It was $14.99 last year so I bet that will stay the same.
Now let’s get into the wine. I couldn’t wait to dig in to confirm if this was a one hit wonder or not. Historically this wine has pulled down 90+ point ratings from the critics. Suckling went 92 on this 2015 vintage. We hit 91 with the last vintage and I was hoping to stay pretty close to that.
In the glass the wine pours a pale ruby, almost looking like a Pinot Noir. Slight rust just beginning to show around the edges; Rustic nose with black cherry; nice mouthfeel, which is what immediately hits you. This wine is so light and soft, and packed with flavor.
Mostly red fruit flavor, cherry, raspberry, red licorice; Good dose of acidity, pleasant throughout into a really strong finish. Give it at least 30 minutes to open up.
Once again, this is good quality Barolo at an unheard of price. We’re going to keep our rating the same at 91 points and we will be adding it to our Top Picks list.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 91 points (a CostcoWineBlog Top Pick)
Costco item number: 1453823
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA (Kennesaw)
Alc. 14%
Jim Heiner
Monday 8th of November 2021
I just picked up 2 of these at Costco in Wesley Chapel, Florida. Remembered it from your review - got it home, they are both 2014 vintage! Costco now selling aged wine?!
PAUL LAI
Wednesday 27th of October 2021
Hey, Andrew! 's been a while since I was here - my bad! Thought of you tonight when I was contemplating that Bordeaux box, and sure enough, it's the first thing I see! Well I haven't even read it yet: got side-tracked with the Covalli review. So I have two questions: first, the bottle I got a week ago at my local Costco was a 2014. It has 14% alcohol, but your picture says 13.5%. Is it unusual that same vintner, same vintage, but there are sort of two different releases? How does that work? Secondly, I noticed that the 2014 Barolo got a mediocre 87, while the 2015 got a lofty 93. Yet you gave them both equal marks. To what extent do you pay attention to the general vintage before you explore a wine? Thanks.
Editor
Thursday 28th of October 2021
Hi Paul, thanks for the note. The alcohol differences are interesting and I'm not really sure why that would be the case. I don't think I've seen or noticed the same wine from the same vintage having different alcohol before. Maybe another reader has an answer to that one. As far as ratings from the critics, I like to list them because they are on the Costco placards and give an indication what someone else thought. I like to rate them as I taste them and definitely felt these were both in that 91 range to me. I'm not sure where the 87 ratings was for the '14? I noticed Suckling went 91 on it (one of the first times we agreed) but that was all I saw. Maybe that was Vivino or CellarTracker?
Robert Krebs
Thursday 21st of October 2021
I live in the hinterlands of Central MN. We rarely see some of the nicer varieties that you post. Is there any guide that shows where these wines are distributed? Thanks!
Editor
Thursday 21st of October 2021
There is not unfortunately. I wish there was as your comment is common among readers. We are independent of Costco so only have access to the same consumer level info as anyone else regarding distribution. We added the Forums a little while ago to create a place for people to share localized information so sometimes there’s helpful info there about availability from other readers: https://costcowineblog.com/costco-wine-blog-forums/
Edgar
Wednesday 20th of October 2021
Saw it today in the "Cheap Seats" as you say. At the reduced price. For some reason I didn't put any in my cart. Shame on me. Hopefully it will still be available on my next Wednesday morning trip. I did stock up on the KS Napa Red Blend though. Can't go wrong with that. The person stocking the wooden bins did say that Costco will be getting their "Holiday" wine allotment in soon, so stay tuned.
Editor
Wednesday 20th of October 2021
Awesome, thanks for the info