One of our favorite wines that we tasted last year is back at Costco with the latest vintage, and we were pumped to find it.
We reviewed the 2019 vintage back in July and gave it a whopping (and well deserved) 95 points. That rating also puts it towards the top of our annual Best of the Year list for 2022.
Costco kept the price the same for the 2020 vintage at $45.99 which is awesome because it seems to be creeping up elsewhere as word gets out about how good this wine is for the money. It’s up to $55 at K&L and they are usually among the most competitively priced shops online.
The wine receives an unbelievable amount of praise from the wine critics, with scores lingering in the mid 90’s almost across the board. And we wholeheartedly agree, because this wine delivers the goods.
The wine is a bit different with each vintage as they source the grapes from various plots. This time from vineyards in Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo and Edna Valley.
And although it’s labeled as just a Cabernet, the wine is actually a Bordeaux style blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Syrah, 4% Petite Sirah, 4% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot.
Let’s get into it. The wine is a nice dark ruby on the pour; on the nose are big aromas of spices, tobacco, red fruit; a delicious combination of red and dark fruit flavors with layers of depth; medium plus to full bodied. Really well made. Big, bold and fresh.
This is just a delightful wine on so many levels. We’re going to keep our rating the same at 95 points for this new vintage, and of course, include it on our list of Top Costco Wine Picks.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 95 points (a Costco Wine Top Pick)
Costco item number: 1363063
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA (Cumberland)
Alc. 14.8%
JJ
Wednesday 25th of January 2023
FYI -It seems this wonderful sounding cab is only in two Georgia Costco locations but closest to me is Cumberland where it sounds like they have less than two cases.
LO
Thursday 26th of January 2023
For what it's worth I remember seeing this wine and its Chardonnay sibling in the Pacific Northwest a few weeks ago (want to say late November-ish?). So timing and availability is different across the country.
Lynden
Wednesday 25th of January 2023
So as someone whose wine palate is not very sophisticated I must ask. Once in awhile I find a wine red or white that I really like. That said here is the question: What is "red fruit" and "combination of red and dark fruit flavors" mean? Is this raspberry, is it red apple, is it red grape, is it red bartlett pear? Really what does that mean? That said I do follow you and look for your suggestions when I go to our local Costco, but lucky if I find 5% of what you review up here in the NW part of Washington. Thanks
Mister Scott
Friday 3rd of February 2023
@Lynden, I just located this article that I saved. Hope you find it useful.
https://www.businessinsider.com/the-biggest-mistakes-made-when-drinking-wine-according-to-an-expert-2018-5
Mister Scott
Friday 3rd of February 2023
@Lynden, Hello Lynden I used to be in Snohomish. My recommendation is try not to use the descriptions from others. When you find a wine you like, drink it. The biggest mistake many people make is serving wine at the wrong temperature. They will put a white wine in the refrigerator, that is to cold. Many are now serving their Reds at room temperature, this is too warm. All wines should be enjoyed at 52° to 56°. If you see condensation on your glass, you know the wine is too cold. As your palate becomes more experienced you will learn to know what types and styles of wine you enjoy the most. Don't worry about others giving long in depth descriptions of wines, making you wonder if you are missing something. Just pull the cork or twist the screw top and pour!
Editor
Wednesday 25th of January 2023
Hi Lynden, when we mention a combination of red and black fruit flavor, it means it's not distinctly one or the other in our opinion. This happens a lot with blended wines that might contain a varietal that moves the needle in one direction or the other. And sometimes it's hard to nail down exactly what the exact flavor is when it's a combo and the flavors bleed together a bit. Hope you are able to find some our reviewed wines soon.
Mister Scott
Wednesday 25th of January 2023
I'm in Arizona and I found this wine @ Costco a few years ago. It is a truly great bottle at this price. Glad you have also found it. Enjoy!
Jeff Renner
Wednesday 25th of January 2023
You write that “they source the grapes from various plots.” Since the label says “Bottles by Booker Vineyard,” and not “vinted,” I this means that they are buying wines, not grapes. Same thing with the recent Kirkland St. Julien, where you write that “the grapes were likely bought on the open market.” But as you point out, the wine was “mis en bouteille par Maison Ginestet,” a wine merchant. It sounds like they procured finished wine and bottled it. If they had bought and aged new wine, it would have said something like, “Élevé dans nos caves.”
Bob Dobbs
Wednesday 25th of January 2023
This is a cab that easily rivals $100 Napa cabs. I always keep a few bottles on hand. Fantastic!