One of our favorite Kirkland wines, and many readers' favorite too, is back in stores with the new 2022 vintage. Right on time too as we reviewed the 2021 vintage August 12 of last year.
The price stayed the same at $22.99, which is good since it had climbed up to $23.99, and fell back down last year. For wine from this premier region of Napa, this remains about as low priced as you will find it.
And the wine is amazing too, this new vintage following right alongside the prior few we've tasted, further completing a string of 90+ ratings. Here is a snapshot of our historical ratings for this wine:
2013 90 points
2014 88 points
2016 89 points
2017 89 points
2018 91 points
2019 91 points
(we don't believe a 2020 vintage was produced)
2021 91 points
Very similar tasting notes as the past couple vintages, which is a very good thing because they were exceptional wines, as is this one. Clearly a 91 pointer in our book.
Signature Stags Leap all around, medium ruby in the glass, with vibrant berry fruit, earth and spice; full bodied with nice acidity; juicy fruit flavor, young and expressive; black cherry, blackberry, plum; more peppery spice in the finish, lingering finish.
Just what we wanted and those who have enjoyed this wine in the past will likely love this one too. An easy addition to our Top Picks list with another big thumbs up. Get these while you can.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 91 points (a Costco Wine Blog Top Pick)
Costco item number: 505081
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA (Dallas)
Alc. 15%
Girish says
Do you have any details on months in barrel?, etc?
Seems like a good price point for Stags Leap AVA Cab!
Med says
If you had to choose one, would you prefer the '22 Stags Leap over the recent '21 Suscal bottling?
Editor says
Tough one, really enjoy both. Scored the Suscol a point higher but I might choose depending on mood. Curious what other readers would say?
Henry says
@Editor, Agreed that Suscol is slightly better IF you can only buy one of the two. 😉 I've never had complaints serving either and, as noted, at the price point, it's a great value for the juice.
Editor says
Love this discussion. Just pulled a ‘21 Suscol we had on hand for another taste. (Actually have one more after this I forgot about). Delicious. Might even bump it to 93. This a fantastic wine at a ridiculous Costco price.
Stylistically, even has a bit of a Bordeaux barnyard funk to it that we love.
The Stags is excellent too but this Suscol is my pick between the two. Cheers guys.
AMM says
Any sign of the Kirkland stags leap can in OC, CA?
KS says
@AMM, last year it took 2 or 3 weeks for things reviewed here to show up in so cal warehouses.
AMM says
@KS, thanks. Still no sign at my local Costco I might try the one in San Juan Capistrano as they have different wines there.
AMM says
Here we are into October and still no sign of this wine in the Costcos I’ve check in south Orange County, CA.
JC says
I have been following your blog for years, and I want to thank you for your dedicated service to all of us vinophiles.I appreciate getting to know your "palate",as it aids all of us in our understanding of the wines which you present to us.
My question today is; I have been buying & cellaring the Kirkland District and single vinyard wines for several years now,without opening one. What, in your experience,is the aging range around the peak for these Napa Cabs? As an example, I'm finishing up my stock of 2016 Kirkland Brunellos,and they are delicious,while showing their age (light in color and slight amber rim).
Again,thanks for your blog.
JC
Editor says
Hi JC, that’s a great question and I’m not sure there’s a good blanket answer to that. Really depends on the wine and each vintage of that wine to determine if they’re build for the long haul.
They can also plateau for a periodnof time which gives you a little runway.
Here’s a story we wrote just a while back that you will find interesting. We’d been sitting on the Kirkland Pauillac Bordeaux for a long time after it was discontinued and tasted again. It actually reminds me I have the 2015 Pauillac to open as well. Cheers. http://costcowineblog.com//cellar-selection-2014-kirkland-signature-pauillac-bordeaux/
Big Ted says
My tasting group met a couple of weeks ago and tasted the 2022 Kirkland Stags Leap along with 5 other Napa Cabs. It did not show as well as your report. We found it to be a bit low in body despite the high ABV. It did not show a distinctive SLD flavor profile.
While still a good value, not up to some of the previous vintages. My score 87/100. We are an experienced group, including two wine professionals with advanced certifications and three collectors.