Finally…the new vintage of the Kirkland Barolo hits stores. We typically see this bottle arrive in the first few months of the year, so we’ve been on the look out.
Something caught our eye right away and that is the vintage, 2019. Last February we tasted and reviewed the 2017 vintage of this wine. So we really expected this to be the 2018 vintage, the obvious next vintage in line.
But there seems to be no legitimate trace of a 2018 vintage being produced. Online there are a few places with tasting notes on the mysterious vintage, but we didn’t see an actual picture of the bottle. Everything shows 2017 or earlier.
We also noted the price, $19.99 staying the same since this bottle’s inaugural 2015 vintage. We love to see that obviously as this remains an incredible, almost unheard of, price for a high caliber wine.
Here are our ratings of the Kirkland Barolo so far. Super high, in fact, the highest average of any Kirkland wine.
2017 vintage: 93 points
2016 vintage: 92 points
2015 vintage: 92 points
Can the 2019 live up to the hype of year’s past? It absolutely does.
The wine pours a pale garnet in the glass, super big nose with aromas jumping out the glass; good mouthfeel, medium body; earthy black cherry, blackberry flavors, with a nice does of acidity; strong finish.
This one is back in a big way, super similar to the 2017 vintage that we went 93 points on, and we’re going to do it again. What a wine, what a score at Costco. Cheers.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 93 points (a Costco Wine Top Pick)
Costco item number: 1355183
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA (Kennesaw)
Alc. 13.5%
Barolo Lover
Friday 30th of June 2023
I wouldn't wait too long to drink this. This is a base Fontanafredda wine so not the typical aging Barolo as some of the others. But the price is about $15 less than what they sell it for under their label on the market. I thought it was a bit light but is still a good value for a basic Barolo.
Catherine
Friday 8th of September 2023
@Barolo Lover, I have drunk some tremendous Barolos over the last 45 years. This is a feeble, thin attempt. That’s all I have to say.
Hans B
Wednesday 28th of June 2023
Definitely agree with your review. This was a wonderful wine, we eneded up buying nearly 2 cases. Barolos can cellar for quite a while and we'll have this for years.
2018 was not a good year for the Piedmont region and had lower yields. However, 2019 is considered a terrific vintage and it really shows in this wine.
Les Houser
Monday 26th of June 2023
I went to my local Costco in hopes of picking up a couple of bottles of the latest Barolo. It still hasn't shown up. Any word on when it'll be in Michigan?
Aaron
Saturday 9th of September 2023
@Les Houser,
Just found it in Auburn Hills, MI
For whatever reason, my Costco is 2 or so months behind this blog.
Laro Cazarro
Saturday 24th of June 2023
Malbec :— ( very good wine at a price that is unbelievable):: $$$& was in the city of Mendoza Argentina:: drank many glasses of Malbec From many different Vineyards.:. And I will tell you the Costco is there:;!
Carl
Friday 23rd of June 2023
When do you think this will drink in it's prime?
Editor
Friday 23rd of June 2023
Awesome now and could go another 5-6 years