Finally, we found this. Just like many of you have trouble finding the wines we review here, we also sometimes have trouble finding the ones our readers recommend. Each trip to the store, we cross our fingers hoping to find them.
The new Kirkland Chateauneuf has been out for a while, and readers have reported good things. This is always a treat to find and a reminder why we shop at Costco. I’m still fascinated by the fact that they produce this wine, and offer it at such a good price.
In fact this year, that price dropped back down to $19.99 where it was priced for a long time. Last vintage it crept up to $21.99, so we are happy to see it return to under $20.
This is likely one of the Kirkland bottles we’ve tasted the most over the years. Here’s a look back at of our historical ratings for the Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf du Pape.
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
The varietal breakdown is the same as the past three vintages: 70% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and 10% Cinsault. Our tasting notes are also very similar to prior vintages but we’re finding this one to have more in common with the very good 2018 vintage rather than the 2019.
In the glass the wine is a medium ruby with spicy, earthy aromas; mostly dark fruit, blackberry, blueberry, black cherry; the wine is peppery into the finish with nice acidity, dry and lingering in the close. Nice structure and depth.
This is just a classic Chateauneuf du Pape at a great price. Having dropped down to a still respectable 88 points with the prior vintage, we’re going to bump this one back up to 90 points and put on our Recommended wine list. Also a good pick to cellar for a few more years.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 90 points (a Costco Wine Top Pick)
Costco item number: 777662
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA (Kennesaw, GA)
Alc. 15.5%
Colby Jordan
Wednesday 13th of July 2022
Delicious! Don’t miss it.
Doug
Saturday 9th of July 2022
Is this still available at your store? I will be passing it next week and can stop, if it is still on the shelf. Thanks
Doug
Wednesday 20th of July 2022
@Doug, The answer is (was) yes. Found this at your Kennesaw store on Friday, and at Brookhaven yesterday (7/19). We flew in and out of Atlanta so I bought a few bottles before we left but was concerned about leaving them in the car while we were gone, then rounded out a case when we got back. Will try the first one tonight, then set 6-8 down in the basement for, oh, 2027. Thanks for the blog, without it I would not have know to stop and look.
BTW, getting in and out of the Kennesaw store is a real challenge. But the gas was cheap, too. Yeah Costco!
Steve Porter
Saturday 2nd of July 2022
really good wine at a very good price point for CdP wines. I may have gone higher than your 90 points.
Brad Hobbd
Wednesday 22nd of June 2022
I love seeing the wines. I have yet to one I want in my Costco. however (Greenville/SPartanburg). What the heck? Does Costco ever plan to ship?
Joe Roberts
Saturday 18th of June 2022
Agree with your point bump. This vintage is a cut above several of the recent vintages and a nice return to some of the earlier ones. Buy a couple bottles to drink now and a couple for the cellar.