This is a Kirkland offering I look forward to tasting every year. This year it’s wearing a brand new label like many of the other Kirkland bottles we’ve reviewed. And it’s a welcome change from the rather generic and bland Kirkland wine labels of years past.
We’ve liked certain vintages of the Kirkland Russian River Chard more than others, and it is a bottle that is fiercely debated among readers. It will be interesting to see where this one lands with everyone.
Last year, we went 86 points, and 87 the year before that. Glenn Hugo is the winemaker once again here and we’ve seen him involved with many Kirkland wines, including the very nice Kirkland Rutherford Cabernet. Mr. Hugo is also a winemaker for Girard Winery and was recently appointed winemaker for BR Cohn.
This wine pours a nice golden yellow with a bright nose of citrus fruit; flavors of pear, lemon, tangerine and green apple; finishes in a hurry with a subtle hint of vanilla; not as acidic as I remember from prior vintages. The wine overall is pretty simple, which makes it easy to swig, but leaves it a bit less interesting than other bottles from Russian River.
All that said, as we note every year, Costco’s price of $12.99 is downright insane for Russian River fruit (those other Russian River bottles that might be more complex will come with a much higher price tag).
While I’m not in love with this current vintage I am enjoying it a hair more than I remember from last year. It remains a very drinkable and rather enjoyable summer sipper that would pair with a lot of summer cuisine. Don’t think too much about it; just sit back and enjoy on a hot day.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 87 points
Costco item number: 789895
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA
Alc. 13.9%
Peter says
At our Costco in Denver, the Kendall Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay is $13.99. Is this available at your Costco? Have you compared them?
Editor says
Similar wines. Both very good buys. Here is our review on the KJ Reserve http://costcowineblog.com//2017-kendall-jackson-grand-reserve-chardonnay-santa-barbara-county/
Doug C says
I see that the label mentions French oak. The question I always have about a new Chardonnay is just how oaky a style it is. I would be glad to know what you thought on that score.
Editor says
Great question and I’m happy to report this one is not too oaky at all in my opinion. Nice balance. I’m not a fan of the heavy oak and prefer the fruit to shine through which it does here. Let me know if you agree.
Bill says
Have you tried the 2017 Kirkland Sonoma County Chardonnay? I see in the July 31 issue of Wine Spectator that they give the 2016 Russian River Chardonnay 89 Points and the 2017 Sonoma County Chardonnay 87 points. It would be fun to compare the two in a blind tasting. Good to see WS occasionally review some Kirkland wines.
Editor says
We have not done the Kirkland Sonoma Chard in a while. Comparing side by side with the Russian River is a good idea. We’ve reviewed many different vintages of that one http://costcowineblog.com//2017-kirkland-signature-russian-river-chardonnay-sonoma/
I’ll look for the standard Sonoma bottle on my next visit.
Wanda Opdyke says
I bought a case of the Kirkland Russian River Chard and it quickly became my favorite. Went back to buy another and was devastated to see it was not in stock and "Pending Delete" - meaning no longer being carried (?!) Did they produce only a certain number of cases and between vintage years? Or is it really gone for good?
Editor says
Hi, it’s hard to say for sure and because we are independent of Costco we don’t have any special inside info.
Seems odd though. I haven’t seen that sign before. You’ll have to keep us posted if it reappears. Hopefully it will.
AC