The Atlanta area must be the last place in the world to get this bottle. I've heard from readers for many months talking about the new Kirkland Cotes du Rhone Villages, and on my pretty-much-weekly trips to Costco, I have been consistently disappointed not to find it. Until now.
It's impossible to beat this price for a Cotes du Rhone Villages, which fortunately stayed the same at $6.99 for the new 2020 vintage.
Historically, our ratings have been climbing for this wine:
2015 87 points
2016 87 points
2017 88 points
2018 89 points
2019 89 points
But...that run is sadly coming to an end. Readers had lackluster comments about this wine, and I really gave it a fair shot, tasting multiple different times, really trying to get to the bottom of it. Overall, it's a very average offering in our opinion.
This wine pours a pale to medium purple in the glass; dark fruit, wet soil, pepper aromas; medium bodied and acidic, but flavors are a bit disjointed, there's some black cherry, blackberry, and plum, black licorice with a touch of mocha, finishes dry but just not as interesting as we've found past vintages.
We are big fans of Rhone wine, and have really enjoyed this one in the past. But something just didn't quite come together. At $7, if you like Rhone bottles, give it a shot and see if you like it. But I'd have to advise readers to pass on this one.
For the same price ($6.99) the Kirkland Bordeaux Superieur is a much better buy that is also making its way around stores right now.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 85 points
Costco item number: 887774
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA (Kennesaw)
Alc. 14.5%
Sam Brick says
I like the bordeaux as well but the Rhône is a super vins de pays. I keep buying it and drink it with stews and pasta of all things. It is not a Wagner Special Select for sure but for $7? I actually have chosen this over the Cosco box cab. Not saying much but the box is not all that bad. I hate to go to the Red Schooner and to really good stuff for every day but then wonder when I can. My biggest problem is Cosco sells out the Oakville and Rutherford selects in zero 10. Hardly ever available. The Oakville is terrific. I got a bottle luckily last year. I bought three of the Kirkland borolas based on your recommendation and was very disappointed. Taste very light, even weak. Am not familiar with barolas so maybe it is great for that, but not my style. The Rhône is far superior. Enjoy your comments.
Alan says
I noticed that the producer of this wine changed with the 2020 vintage. That's really too bad as the previous producer made some excellent Rhone wines at a crazy good price.
I kind of agree with your rating on this 2020 disappointment but I'd go a point or two lower. I'm sort of glad I bought just six bottles of this vintage and will try a bottle every couple of months to see if it improves.
LucienP says
@Alan, sorry, it doesn't. I bought it the first week it was available inL.A>and that was 6 months ago. Just not on the mark, nor does it have the tannin//sugar balance to age.
LucienP says
Agree with your review. I bought a case based on previous vintages, but this '20 lacks fruit and freshness of Rhone.
Tom Aguirre says
Your assessment of this wine is at odds with an article about Costco wines published in the Seattle Times in which the 2020 Cotes du Rhône Villages is rated as: Highly Recommended. That’s my opinion as well.
https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/our-critics-pick-the-best-costco-wines-to-buy-for-the-holidays/
Editor says
Thanks for sharing.
The article lists it and pictures it as a 2020 but the reviewer mentions it as the 2019 which I agree is a good buy. I wonder if they had access to the 2020 vintage back in Dec or if they tasted the prior?
Regardless I’m sharing just one perspective. If you enjoy this one, that’s awesome. Wine tasting is not about what someone else likes or doesn’t like, but rather about what you like and enjoy.
Doug says
Well, I don't know about Atlanta but I've been looking for this for months as well, in CT and MA at Christmas, in TN in Feb and this week in NC and have never seen it anywhere. Maybe I'm lucky, based on your review, because I would have bought a case if I'd seen it.
Editor says
I’d try a bottle first and see if it’s your jam. Sounds like it’s making its way into the SE
Henry says
Great info from all of you! I saw this last Fall or early Winter in No. VA and picked up 2 bottles. Based in your collective comments, I'm moving them from the cellar to the "drink" selection for everyday. On to the next Costco wine hunt. Disappointing to hear but as @Alan noted the winemaker changed. As one who enjoys a good Rhone wine, this selection has been a great value in the past. Hope to find others as they present themselves at the local Costco.
Happy vino hunting!
Rick says
I also picked up and went through a couple of bottles in Northern VA in October 2021. Thought it was really solid for the price and got a couple of cases. Still about the same, and still enjoying!
Dasol says
I got a case of it. I'm a big fan of Rhone wines, and it taste good enough for the price. The first bottle had a bitter taste, required an hour to be stabilized. After two months in an electric cellar and just a cabinet, the taste became much more balanced. Anyway, it is the cheapest option of the CDR in Korea so I have no choice as a rhone lover 🙂
GBH-ATL says
The Côtes du Rhône Villages at Costco (usually $8.99) has higher percentage of Syrah and has been a solid performer and well worth the extra $2
GBH-ATL says
Meant to write Lavau Côtes du Rhône Villages
Dasol says
After 4 months in ordinary cabinet, this wine changed into beautiful southern rhone with great cherry flavors. No doubt to buy a case in next year again