Just before the close of October, we finally found one of the Kirkland wines we search for every fall.
This marks three years in a row when we've found this bottle in the Sept-Oct timeframe, and it's a treat every time, especially as it retains the ridiculously low price of $7.39.
It's almost impossible to find wine of this caliber priced that low, but Costco has done it once again. In fact, this vintage, like the previous 2023 and 2022, are among our favorites, going all the way back to the 2015 vintage.
Here are those ratings over the years.
2015 87 points
2016 87 points
2017 88 points
2018 89 points
2019 89 points
2020 85 points
2021 88 points
2022 88 points
2023 89 points
The newest 2024 vintage won us over right away on the initial sip. It's on once again, and it's time to stock up for the holidays.
Before we get into tasting the wine, it's worth noting we have a new winemaker this time around. For many years it had been Patrick Lesac, but this vintage marks the first one made by Romain Leroy.
We poked around and found a few Rhone wines that appear to be made by him, perhaps a couple from nearby Ventoux and some white wines. But can't say for sure too much about his background. Perhaps some readers have more info?
Getting into this wine, it's classic Cotes du Rhone Villages; fruity, spicy on the nose, a nice medium body, with smooth tannins; loaded with big red and dark fruit flavor; cherries, raspberry, blackberry, jammy; peppery and spicy in the finish.
There's a lot going on here for a wine under $8. These arrive in large quantities but seem to sell through fairly fast, so grab them while you can. It's a perfect bottle to have on hand for almost any occasion.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 89 points
Costco item number: 887774
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.
Alc. 15%
Joe Roberts says
Mostly agree with your review but to my tooth this vintage is just a cut above some of the recent, very good ones. I made the comment to the clerk at the Costco wine section that this Cotes du Rhone is , dollar for dollar, the best buy in the Costco wine department. I do believe that. It's a very versatile wine and never disappoints. Case buy.
Patricia M. Brainerd says
We tried it (Cotes due Rhone Villages 2024) last weekend and I literally went back the next day and bought a case. It is wonderful!!
Jonathan McIntosh says
Have you tried their 2023 Vacqueyras? Do you prefer the CdRV?
Editor says
Yep, we’re fans of that one too. Scoring right in same ballpark: https://costcowineblog.com/2023-kirkland-signature-vacqueyras/
Horatiu Muresan says
Same here. It’s just amazing
Joe Spencer says
For my money, Kirkland’s entire Rhône line-up offers tremendous value. Each one is very good year after year. I wonder why they don’t also offer a good basic white Rhône also; bet it would sell.
Editor says
Yes good call. A white Rhône would be a great addition. White Bordeaux too while we’re at it.
Michael Beard says
With these reviews, I should taste it again. Years ago, after similar reviews, I bought a bottle, and as a European living in Portland , OR, I thought it tasted like it was made in Walla Walla rather than the Rhone Valley, and just seemed "Made for the American market". As a retired wine retailer, I know you try to carry what will sell. I get depressed that many of the European times you rave about never make it to my Costco. People here are besotted with west coast wines, and I did change some people's palates to appreciate the food friendly wines from Europe. I agree it is all about personal preferences, and the questions I said my customers should ask are "Do I like it" and "How much does it cost".
Tom says
It's good. I bought a few bottles for those Coq Au vin nights.