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%
Warren
Sunday 20th of February 2022
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
Sunday 20th of February 2022
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/
Mike
Thursday 10th of February 2022
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.
Tia
Saturday 15th of January 2022
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.
Michael Beard
Wednesday 12th of January 2022
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
Thursday 13th of January 2022
@Michael Beard,
Consider calling Costco corporate and speak to the wine buyer regarding your local selection. They are extremely friendly.
Kevin Mahon
Wednesday 12th of January 2022
why highlight an 86 blend? i am looking for best buy recommendations; help me make great decisions!