We are still heavy on the look out for the latest vintage of the Kirkland Cotes du Rhone Villages that several readers found last month (not a lot of positive reviews coming in on it, which is a surprise, so I hope to taste soon). But I did find another Kirkland Rhone bottle we are always out on the look out for, the new 2019 Gigondas.
We've written in the past about how Costco's $14.99 Gigondas is an almost unheard of price for bottles from this region. And we've scored them pretty solid, mostly high 80s as I'll get into below. But when this caught my eye on the Costco wooden shelves, my attention immediately went to the price, which luckily stayed the same.
The blend has remained the same as the 2018 vintage at 85% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 5% Mourvedre. The prior 2017 vintage had a bit more Syrah, less Grenache. Same winemaker too, Guillaume Gonnet, which is a prominent name around Rhone including Chateauneuf-du-pape.
Let's break down of our ratings of previous vintages of this bottle:
2015 87 Points
2016 88 Points
2017 86 Points
2018 88 Points
So we've jumped around a little bit, and it looks like the rollercoaster ratings year to year might continue with this 2019 vintage.
Getting into the wine, it pours a pale to medium ruby in the glass, lighter than my notes from last year indicate about the 2018 vintage. Dried fruit, earth and perfume on the nose. Flavors of black cherry, black licorice, plum, all a little muted.
The wine is more medium in body, compared to the larger body we noted on the prior vintage. The finish is super dry, wraps up pretty quick, reminiscent of our feelings about the 2017 vintage of this wine.
This wine demands some air time after opening. On the first pour and for the first 45 minutes, it is tight and closed, and can be misleading. I was starting to fall out of favor with it pretty fast, but then bam, at the one hour mark it turned a big corner and rebounded, starting to show its true self.
The fruit opened up, spice was more pronounced and the finish lengthened, making the wine way more interesting than it was at first. But still not a vintage of this wine that we're super in love with.
Hard to rate this, but I'm going 86 points. I'm hoping this will liven up with a little age, but I'm not going to bank on it and will probably wait for the next vintage. Let me know if you agree/disagree in the comments below. I'm curious what readers will have to say about this one, particularly in comparison to year's past.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 86 points
Costco item number: 1134102
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA (Kennesaw)
Alc. 15%
Chris says
I bought 11 bottles of the Kirkland Cotes du Rhône Villages in Nov./Dec. at the Sarasota, FL store. It sold out fast. At $6.99 it’s still an all-time value.
Edgar says
I grabbed 4 bottles of the 2019 KS Gigondas several weeks ago. Still in the basement. I'll open one soon and decant for 3-4 hours and report back. Sounds like a weekday drink while cooking wine. We'll see. In the meantime, I'll enjoy my 2019 Saint Cosme CDR.
Bob Gorman says
I purchased the "19" Gigondas in November, and after a 30 minute decanter session, both my wife and I found it thin, closed, and lacking in fruit. I don't hive it much of a future.
Hawkie says
Did not like. Far too heavy
Henry says
Agree with Chris - I saw the Cotes du Rhône Villages months ago and bought my usual 2 bottles, both are unopened as I find they can use a little time laying down. Haven't seen the 2019 Gigondas but have 3 of the 2018s in the cellar as they always seem to need time. I did spot the Kirkland Bordeaux "Superieur" yesterday at $6.99 a bottle (60% Cab Sav, 40% Merlot) and picked up 2 and saw the 2019 Oakville Signature Series Cab Sav and picked up a pair. It's interesting to see the variance in timing when (or even if) any of these wines Andrew reviews will appear in my local (No VA) Costco. You win some, you lose some and I appreciate the blog to at least make me aware of what may be out there.
Thanks!
Matt Pearlman says
@Henry, highly recommend the 2019 Oakville. the others are lacking
Henry says
@Matt Pearlman, yes! I bought 3 of the 2018 vintage Oakville last year but haven't opened yet. I have been snapping up any Signature Series as I find it and sticking in the cellar for a year or two.
Matt Pearlman says
Completely agree with your review....this vintage has all the ingredients of a kick ass wine but just doesnt get there. Every few months i gather the strength to try it out again and definitely not impressed.
Robert Piper says
The Cote de Rhone is delicious. Anybody that says anything else....
Kevin Knox says
I appreciate all of your reviews and especially you being the "anti-Suckling" in terms of not giving wines wildly-inflated scores. But it seems like your palate skews more towards big California and Spanish reds and Rhône wines are quite different. I've been tasting and collecting those wines for decades and have been lucky to spend several months living in the Southern Rhône and visiting wineries.
If you check out the Wine Advocate vintage chart, 2018 is rated 92E (for early-maturing) and 2019 93-95T (for tannic) and I think the Kirkland Gigondas in these two vintages bears this out. The '18 was quite good "fresh off the boat" but has developed and improved a good deal in a year. the '19 is clearly a much better wine (check out Etienne Gonnet's enthusiastic notes on the label, vs. none for 2018) but is backwards and closed at this point. It is perfectly normal for Gigondas, top Vacqueyras and of course Chateauneuf du Pape to need 5-10 years of cellaring in great years.
As for the 2020 Kirkland CDR, it too was a bit bottle dumb on arrival but has already settled down and will drink nicely for several years. I bought 3 cases (already down to 2) and would rate it a couple of points lower than the 2019 which I gave an 89 in my notes.
No one is going to confuse either of these wines with, for example, the reference standard versions from Louis Barruol at St. Cosme selling for 2-4 times the price (and great values at those levels!) but I do think these are the most consistent winners in the Kirkland private label wine program - along with the Barolo, of course.
Kevin Mahon says
why highlight an 86 blend? i am looking for best buy recommendations; help me make great decisions!
Michael Beard says
Here in Portland, Oregon, my local Costco is mainly stuffed with West Coast Wines and we see very few of the lovely European wines that are mentioned here. About 8 years ago we got bottles of CUNE Reservas from Rioja at incredible prices as well as some good white Burgundies, but no more. We still get some Chiantis at good prices in addition to the Kirkland bottling.
I'm European by birth and am a retired wine shop owner, and my tastes are towards Europe. Maybe I should try the Kirkland CDR again as when I tased it many years ago it tasted like it came from Walla Walla than the Rhone Valley - it seemed to be to be bottled for USA tastes and to me did not represent the Rhone Valley.
Martin says
@Michael Beard,
Consider calling Costco corporate and speak to the wine buyer regarding your local selection. They are extremely friendly.
Tia says
I mostly agree with the review except even 86 pts may be too generous. I don't think I'll buy any to hold. I was more pleasantly surprised by the recent Napa red blend.
Mike says
To me, the 2019 Kirkland Gigondas is pretty well balanced, with no heat on the finish, which is unusual for such an inexpensive wine. The nose has an attractive earthiness, with notes of black cherry, raspberry and oak. It is smooth-drinking and has a pleasant flavor of spicy black cherry and raspberry, with maybe a hint of cranberry and plum, and a dry but brief finish. I would rate it an 88 for quality and a 92 for value.
Warren says
Saw this at the store and then I saw a 2018 Marietta Christo for $16. Its a Rhone type blend. Asked the Costco guy how was it and he said it just came in yesterday. Bought a bottle, tried it today and went back and got another 6. Wine Advocate rated it a 95, and most places have it for over $20. So its a bargain if you are into Rhone type wines. It has good fruit, really soft tannins, smooth. Great daily drinker. Should go well alone and with all kinds of food. I will try it again tomorrow and maybe I will get another half case, if they have any left. Did I say great bargain for the quality?
Editor says
Nice find Warren. And thanks for posting.
We reviewed a prior vintage a little while back and loved it as well: https://costcowineblog.com//2014-marietta-christo-syrah-grenache-petite-sirah-blend/