One of our favorite Kirkland wines is hitting shelves earlier than ever. The last vintage appeared at the end of May which was a month earlier than the vintage before that.
And we'll take it. The Kirkland Chateauneuf du Pape is always a fun one to explore, and this vintage lands among the highest rated we've tasted so far.
We always think the price is going to go up on this bottle, but once again it remains just under $20. At $19.69, it's technically $0.30 less than the 2021. It had crept up in previous vintages to $22, so we like seeing it hang steady here.
We've tasted and recorded scores on almost every vintage of this wine going back to 2009. Here are those scores over the years:
2021 90 points
2020 90 points
2019 88 points
2018 90 Points
2016 90 Points
2015 89 Points
2014 88 Points
2013 93 Points
2012 91 Points
2011 92 Points
2010 91 Points
2009 91 Points
Pretty consistent, high 80s, low 90s. The varietal breakdown remains the exact same for the past five vintages now, coming in at 70% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and 10% Cinsault. Same winemaker too.
But this 2022 is a step up in our opinion. More depth, more complexity, more interesting on every drink. Stunning finish. This is approaching premium Chateauneuf territory.
The wine is a medium ruby in the glass with an aromatic nose of berries and spices; medium in body, packed with bold red and dark fruit flavor; jammy and earthy with nice acidity, some dark chocolate, licorice notes towards the long and lasting finish.
Bravo Guillaume and Costco on this one. Tastes like a $50 Chateauneuf; should have bought more and a couple for the cellar. We're going big, 93 points on this one. Highly recommend.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 93 points (a Costco Wine Top Pick)
Costco item number: 777662
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA (Kennesaw, GA)
Alc. 15%
Navin says
Wow! 93 points! That is high praise indeed from you. Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe that you have ever gone above Suckling's point rating which is 92 for this wine.
I may have to run back and pick up a few more bottles.
Editor says
You’re right. Might be the first time ever. This one just hit us right all around. Let us know if you agree.
Navin says
@Editor,
Absolutely agree with your assessment of this CdP. Tasted it last night.
Also, glad you liked the Kirkland Suscol cab.
Hope Costco continues on this streak of over delivering quality.
Irishmike says
@Navin, I have NEVER trusted Suckling's ratings as I've been disappointed in the extreme over the years. My daughter and I both bought a bottle of a red rated by him as a 92??? AND for $7! ! ! ! It was so bad both of us had to pour it down the drain. She's in Phoenix and I'm in So. CA.
Stefan says
Looks like it could be this wine from the winery…..https://www.guillaumegonnet.com/bel-ami-rouge.php
Irishmike says
@Stefan, I appreciate the information and I think you're right. It would be great if I could "cellar" this for a few years. I've been looking for the Kirkland CdP for a few years and, shock of all shocks my Costco actually had some (Temecula, CA) even though I'd found that it was not available at all in So. CA.
MK says
In stock Santa Clara, CA. I expected more meh boring French wine like most du Pape. Folks this delicious. I favor California Zins and Pinots because life is too short for waterered down wines. It's young it has long finish and is drinkable now and should get better in a few years. This can compete with most high scoring 20$ wines from California. It could very well be 93 points. Me gonna buy a case.
Randy says
Got a case at Cumberland Atlanta yesterday. Several remained. Enjoy.
John says
I bought six bottles, opened one, went back for more, and bought the last six bottles they had. Extraordinary! Thanks for letting us know.
Henry says
I had the opportunity to taste this vintage at a friend's and agree it was very good for a young CdP. Bought two more bottles yesterday and noted there were plenty more available at NoVA stores. I have yet to open my lone bottle of the 2011 vintage but sounds like it could be a "letdown" by comparison to the 2022. 😉
Also saw the Kirkland Suscol cab and the latest Kirkland Carneros Pinot Noir.
So many wines, so little time!
Cheers!
Matt says
Review is spot on. Past vintages have been a great value but this one just knocks it out of the park in terms of bang for the buck. Bought 6 bottles and after opening the first one I went back the next day for a case.
Kirby says
Has anyone found this in Orange County, CA yet? My two closest stores didn't have any.
Christian says
@Kirby
I keep calling my local store here in LA and they say SoCal is not carrying it. I’m baffled.
Kirby says
@Christian,
Perplexing that they wouldn't carry it in this market.
Adrian says
@Kirby,
I just found it in the Laguna niguel (Heather ridge) Costco.
MK says
Confirming 93 points after tasting against 5-6 other decent wines last 10 days.
If the French keep making wine like this they could give California a run for the money eventually.
Steve says
The Costco item number at bottom of article, 777662, does not show anything when searched on Costco website???
Demaratus says
It is very good. It however tastes nothing like a CdP, and very much like a good California Zin blend. Nothing wrong with that, but it’s not 93 points—you gotta match the varietal to score that well. I think last year’s was better, and the Kirkland Gigondas from last year was a far better wine coming from a region right next door to this one. This wine is tasty now, but it doesn’t seem to be a good cellar candidate, lacking enough tannins for that. Enjoy (and I will enjoy the case I bought), but hopefully next year they produce something more like a CdP.
Steve Barton says
@Demaratus, I enjoyed this wine but also thought it was light on the tannins.
Doug says
I've gone through 3 bottles of this already, lol. One to try it out, a second to confirm my first impression, and the third time just because I liked it so much. My wife agrees, too.
We're a bit biased as southern Rhone wines are our favorites, but you are right, this year's vintage is just delightful. It is drinking like it has already been cellared for five years. Usually I lay these down for 3-4 years to soften the tannins, but this year is drinking great right now.
FWIW, we bought our first three bottles in Alpharetta on the way to ATL for $19.69, and on the way home stopped to round out a case in Greenville, SC where it was $19.99. I'm not arguing with them over 30 cents, but have noticed minor price differences like this before. Now we just need our own Costco in Asheville!
MK says
Still available Costco at Santa Clara Ca as of early July 2024.