This has to be one of the bottles we've tried the hardest to hunt down after readers started reporting seeing it in warehouses. Even the warehouse search in the Costco app misdirected us twice, indicating the wine was in stock when it wasn't yet.
But finally, we found it, and we grabbed quite a few. We love new additions to the Kirkland wine portfolio and this is a big one.
Last year, for fun, we made a list of new Kirkland wines we'd like to see brought to market. A Saint-Emilion Grand Cru should have been on the list.
Plus Costco brought this in at only $14.99, just a perfect price for a bottle like this, and within striking distance of a majority of wine shoppers.
The blend is what you expect from a right bank Bordeaux, led by Merlot: 83% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon.
As always, a little sleuthing turns up some interesting information. Not too prominently featured on the back of the label is information about the producer, Vignobles Bardet, with an address that matches that on their website.
It's a super old school winery dating back to 1704. They make several different wines, the most interesting of which might be a Shelby Co. Peaky Blinders Saint-Emilion. This is a reference to the hit Netflix series that we're sure a few readers will pick up on.
We always run long winded when we're excited about a new Kirkland bottle, so let's jump into some notes on this one.
It pours a medium to deep ruby in the glass with a nose that is earthy with a combo of red and dark fruit; black cherry, blackberry flavor and plenty of it; medium plus in body with nice tannic structure and good acidity; long, long finish. Just what we hoped for.
This bottle better be here to stay for future vintages, and it would be amazing if Costco can keep it at this price.
Also, for readers looking to cellar a few bottles, this is a prime candidate and we'll be doing that ourselves on a couple bottles that we'll get back to you on in a few years.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 91 points (a Costco Wine Top Pick)
Costco item number: 1928364
Availability: We buy our wine in Costco warehouses around the Atlanta area. The best way to locate wines near you is by using the new Costco mobile app and searching with the Costco item number we listed above. (it usually works better than it did for us trying to find this bottle)
Alc. 13.5%
Henry says
🙁 Not found (yet) in NoVA stores.
Tim D. says
Costco Myrtle Beach SC had about 15 bottles left, after some deliberation I grabbed 3, now I must try the Saint Emillion Grand Cru and see if I chose wisely. The reviews are very good and most helpful in the selection of a variety of wines, Kirkland wines and other varietals… The reviews also assist finding QPR, value driven wine a reasonable price. Cheers
BGS says
Hilarious! I just came across this bottling today at the Costco in Roseburg, OR on our drive up to Portland and I grabbed a bottle for Bastille Day tomorrow. But there didn’t appear to be a lot of bottles on hand.
P.S. I also noticed that the Roseburg Costco carries quite a few of the different Kirkland wine bottlings, which are often hard to find at other stores.
Horatio says
Is this going to come to Canadian Costco?
Tim D says
Follow up from 7/20 review/ reply on Kirkland Saint Emilion Gran Cru Vingtage. An Excellent value, the Costo Blog review was spot on, I enjoy the Bordeaux Saint Emilion Gran Cru very much, all of attributes are there - classy! Bought a half dozen for the future.
Alexandre Serwy says
I'd like to buy wines from Kirkland/Costco and have them delivered to my home in Pittsburgh, PA. How do I do this?
Steve Popolizio says
You may need to order from a Costco in another state since Pennsylvania Costco stores are not licensed by the Liquor Control Board to sell wine. Not sure if this is possible, but wine shipped to PA from outside the state is subject to excise tax, as well as state and local taxes.
DonD says
Only two stores in Northern California are carrying this wine - San Francisco and Novato. We drove the two hours to get to the Novato location and bought two cases. We're glad we did. It's lovely and drinks well now, although one of the cases is going into the storage cellar to be enjoyed in the future. What a bargain.
Doug says
Found this last week in W-S, NC and snatched four bottles. 3 will go into the basement, the 4th we drank that night. It was, um, thin, not real 'barnyardie' like I'd expect from a Bordeaux, with no big tannins, but it was $15 so I'm not complaining. We'll see what it's like in 5 or 6 years.
Steve Popolizio says
Grabbed a couple of bottles of this in Indy. Thin, Merlot-dominant, weak fruit, extended dry finish. It's an okay (and oaky) mid-week wine but not much else going on here to rave about, even at the Costco price of about $15. Those expecting more Bordeaux character may be disappointed.
The "Grand Cru" designation for St. Emilion wines refers only to four production criteria that minimally affect quality: Minimum alcohol level, yield per hectare, grape ripeness when picked, and amount of time before release from the winery. I didn't think this wine showed much aging potential.
Matt says
Great value at $15. Decant and give it 3-4 hours to open up and if you’re a right bank fan you will enjoy this.
JP says
Agree 100%. It did indeed open up and was even better on the third night. (I store opened bottles in the fridge).
justin says
i bought a couple bottles and did not enjoy it. the tannins seem underripe and harsh