I knew it had been a while since we last did a price comparison story between Costco wine and Total Wine, but as I went to look back at the story, I was surprised to see the story was written three and a half years ago. That one is still a fun read so I was excited to do it once again with current wines and prices.
We regularly say that Costco prices their wine at least 10-20% below other retail outlets. It's going to vary widely, depending on where you live and shop, and if you include online, but there's rarely a time when I see a bottle at Costco that is priced more than it should be. Add the occasional bonus discount in the mix, and the savings get even better.
Total Wine is probably the other big physical wine outlet that I shop at. I also like Wine Library for online and the smaller, more curated wine stores around my neighborhood. And while there's no doubt that the selection at Total Wine is hard to beat almost anywhere (and that's the #1 reason I visit), it seems to me that they've been steadily raising prices.
So let's take a look at some of the bottles I found at both Costco and Total Wine and see how the prices lines up.
2014 Robert Mondavi Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 1.5L
Let's start it out with a big one (literally, magnum bottle). We caught this wine at Costco right after the holidays last year and it went from $100 (standard Costco price) down to $50. And it's a delicious wine drinking even better now than it was back then.
Total Wine: $144.99
Costco: $49.97
Segura Viudas Brut
Here's a simple little inexpensive bubbly. Costco carries it for only $7.99 versus Total Wine at $9.97. Costco also has carried the 1.5L available for $13.89
Total Wine: $9.97
Costco: $7.99
Chateau Malescot St Exupery Margaux Bordeaux
An unbelievable price difference here. At Costco, this bottle was only $49.99. We didn't get a chance to review before they were all gone, but I did put some away for later. This Total Wine price is on the less desirable 2014 vintage. Costco's price was for the 2015.
Total Wine: $99.99
Costco: $49.99
2009 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904
Consistently one of our favorite wines, year in and year out (when it's produced). We were excited to find the last vintage at Costco for $48.99, a slight discount from Total Wine. Costco has carried past vintages for only $40, but I have a feeling word has spread about how good this is for the money, and the price has moved accordingly.
Total Wine: $54.97
Costco: $48.99
Casal Garcia Vinho Verde White
This wine is a good white wine value pick under $10 and Costco nudges in a little lower than Total Wine at under $7.
Total Wine: $7.97
Costco: $6.59
2015 Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre
By now, you all probably know we are huge fans of this wine, especially at Costco's great price of only $12.99, a substantial discount from what we found at Total Wine. It's still in stock at Costco stores around us, so keep an eye out.
Total Wine: $18.49
Costco: $12.99
Ratti Barbera D’Asti
This one was pretty close. We reviewed the 2017 vintage and really enjoyed it. Total Wine's price is on the 2018 vintage. This is a great Italian wine that people who have never explored Barbera d'Asti bottles before should try.
Total Wine: $15.97
Costco: $14.69
2015 Gerard Bertrand Art de Vivre Vin Rouge
Here's one with a huge price disparity. We bought this bottle at Costco for only $14.99, and found it to be a delicious red blend from Southern France. Also one of the Wine Spectator's top wines of 2019 and the most unique bottle design we've seen.
Total Wine: $24.99
Costco: $14.99
2016 Villa Antinori Toscana
Another one of our recent favorite buys, this one sees a huge price difference since Costco carries it for $12.99. A lovely wine for the price, and still available near us.
Total Wine: $18.47
Costco: $12.99
And that's a quick look at some price comparisons I found between the stores. Feel free to share any others you've discovered in the comments below. I love buying wine at Costco, and if you've read this far, it's likely that you do too. Cheers, and thanks for following out site.
Wayne Baker says
I realize you guys probably can’t comment on this ,but I’ve noticed that the Duluth GA Costco has cut back their wine selection to the extent that my Saint Veran white Burgundy is about the only frequent purchase that I make at that store. Geographically that’s the most convenient store for me.
I sense that Perimeter Costco is the most well stocked with great values within the Atlanta area. Again thanks for your reviews and I look forward to future Costco savings due to your reviews and expertise.
Wayne Baker
Editor says
Hi Wayne
We are 100% independent so can comment on anything.
We don’t have any inside info on wine distribution so can’t add much on the availability of the the Saint Veran. If it’s this one, I’m with you.
http://costcowineblog.com//2015-joseph-drouhin-saint-veran/
Fantastic wine that was available for a while. Hope it comes around again.
And I shop at every store around Atlanta and agree that Perimeter is the best. Amazing how the selection varies around the area too so I’d encourage you to visit as many as you can. I found some amazing buys buys at the Woodstock store I didn’t see anywhere else.
Glad you are enjoying the site and thanks for the note.
Tim says
Wayne,
I live in Silicon Valley area, shop at Costco warehouses in San Jose, SF peninsula, to Monterey peninsula. In general, all these warehouses have had less wine selection for what seems like at least a year ago. My son-in-law works for Young's Market- a alcohol wholesaler/distributor. He said that the market is moving to spirits away from wine and beer. Noticed a larger section of craft spirits at Costco now than ever. I do not drink spirits and would of course like a larger selection of wines.
Enjoy this Blog- Cheers, Tim
Editor says
That’s really interesting to hear and I’m like you, I don’t drink spirits but obviously love wine. I think the craft spirits might indeed be the new craft brews. It will be interesting to see how it unfolds and I hope we continue to see a nice array of wines at Costco and elsewhere.
Thierry Saint-Oyant says
You are absolutely right when you say that Total Wine have been steadily raising prices. I was very enthusiastic when a Total Wine store opened in my neighborhood a few years ago. I was certain at the time that they would become my main wine supplier. How wrong I was. I only go there when I get a 20% off coupon. Their "winery direct" wines (equivalent of the Kirkland retailer wines of Costco) are sometimes wonderful, but very often dreadful. They have a huge selection, but a very limited brand rotation. After a few years, it becomes pretty boring. Costco has a very limited wine selection, but it has by far the best prices, and definitely the best quality/price ratio. Plus there are new wines every time I go there. My only critic is that every Costco store has a different wine selection. Sometimes, it is incredibly poor and it is obvious that the store manager has no idea what his customers would like to buy. I end up going to 4 or 5 different Costco stores in order to find interesting wines. Even though, I cannot find many of the wines that you rate on your blog. But I also find many incredible wines that you don't rate, and are probably not available where you live.
MARTIN ROLEK says
I have to tell you that I have noticed that the high-end wine selection at our local Costco in Orlando has been on a continued decline. They have been replacing named wines / regions with both lesser known / mass merchant wine and Kirkland branded wines. Based on the comments seen here from others, I am not unique. I am willing to try the Kirkland wines but would love to see Stags Leap Artemis again at Costco. Just an fyi, many of the select wines no longer stocked at my Costco are now available at our local Sam’s Club (not my preferred place to shop, but I still like to have a supply of my wines cellared.
Jeff R. says
When did you find the last 904? I’ve looked at Costco’s all over ATL and can’t find it anymore.
Editor says
Hi Jeff
I found it in Dec 2019 at one store (Woodstock) around the Atlanta area. And it wasn’t there for long.
http://costcowineblog.com//2009-la-rioja-alta-gran-reserva-904/
Good buy on one of my favorites.