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2010 Northstar Merlot

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[Our friends at The Fermented Fruit recently discovered this Costco Merlot bargain.  On sale for $19.99, normally $41 retail.  You can read their full review here.  Sounds like a winner, described as a Cab lover's Merlot.]

2012 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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It's nice to see more 2012 Napa Cabs starting to roll in as the rather unimpressive 2011s are hopefully beginning to cycle through.  2012 was a banner year, and when you see the Mondavi Cab available for only $19.99 at Costco, it's certainly worth exploring. This wine is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon obviously, but also contains […]

A Perspective on Wine Reviews and Point Scale Ratings

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I've wanted to outline some of my thoughts on wine reviews and wine ratings ever since I launched this site.  I'm a huge fan of wine, but my "expertise" doesn't extend much beyond that.  I don't have a degree related to vinology, I don't follow the weather in Bordeaux daily like serious wine nuts do, and […]

2010 Lincourt Chardonnay Courtneys

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I reviewed this wine more than a year ago, and really enjoyed it then at a price point of $14.99.  I was a little surprised to see the same wine, same vintage, back at Costco just this week with a price tag of almost half of the old one, only $8.99.  So it was an […]

2011 Chateau La Croix Figeac Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

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When I see a Saint-Emilion Grand Cru at Costco for $20 it automatically jumps into my cart.  I'm glad this one did.  Obviously seeing "Figeac" on the label makes this bottle even more attractive, and the fact that these grapes are grown near the premier Chateau Figeac, and not far from the super premier Chateau […]

2010 Chateau Doyac Haut Medoc

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We stumbled upon a Bordeaux (mostly Merlot) this X-mas season that convinced us that we MUST have been really good boys and girls this year because Santa delivered big time (We can’t help but wondering how many cases of this wine is being cellared in the North Pole). This is a mouth-watering, lip-smacking 2010 Bordeaux […]

2012 Luiano Chianti Classico

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To commemorate the publishing on our new book, Decoding Italian Wine: A Beginner’s Guide to Enjoying the Grapes, Regions, Practices and Culture of the “Land of Wine,” I will be reviewing a string of what I think (and hope) will be awesome Italian wines I found at Costco in December.  It looks like we're going to end […]

2010 Allegrini Veronese Palazzo Della Torre

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To commemorate the publishing on our new book, Decoding Italian Wine: A Beginner’s Guide to Enjoying the Grapes, Regions, Practices and Culture of the “Land of Wine,” I will be reviewing a string of what I think (and hope) will be awesome Italian wines I found at Costco in December. The Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre is a […]

2012 Le Volte dell'Ornellaia

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To commemorate the publishing on our new book, Decoding Italian Wine: A Beginner’s Guide to Enjoying the Grapes, Regions, Practices and Culture of the “Land of Wine,” I will be reviewing a string of what I think (and hope) will be awesome Italian wines I found at Costco in December.  This one jumped out at me as […]

2010 Chateau Hanteillan

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Our friends over The Fermented Fruit reviewed a Costco Bordeaux they enjoyed.  Click on over to read their review. I'm surprised I'm just now trying the Chateau Hanteillan 2010. Considering it received a solid 92 point score from Wine Enthusiast and is frequently touted by one of my favorite wine wholesalers: Wines Til Sold Out. They offer […]

2008 Villa di Capezzana Carmignano

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To commemorate the publishing on our new book, Decoding Italian Wine: A Beginner's Guide to Enjoying the Grapes, Regions, Practices and Culture of the "Land of Wine," I will be reviewing a string of what I think (and hope) will be awesome Italian wines I found at Costco in December.  I'll also throw in some tidbits from […]

2010 Manon La Lagune Bordeaux

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For those Costco shoppers that like to play “cat and mouse”, I think I’ve found a wine that Costco’s buyers tried to sneak by us. Hopefully, we can ensure that their sinister plot has failed. The evidence: A 2010 Bordeaux priced at $13.99. What I look for from a value-priced Bordeaux is a smooth, balanced […]

2012 Cambria Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir

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I adore this wine and it's hard to believe it's only $20.  Julia's Vineyard Pinot makes an occasional appearance at Costco and it's a must buy when it does.  Consistently year to year this Pinot overdelivers.  It's a big balanced and interestingly complex wine for its price range. Lively aromas, floral and peppery, the wine […]

New Wine Book Published: Decoding Italian Wine

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Today we finally published the Italian wine book we've been working on for the past year. It is called "Decoding Italian Wine: A Beginner's Guide to Enjoying the Grapes, Regions, Practices and Culture of the 'Land of Wine.'"  This has been a fun project, and really helped me gain a deeper understanding of Italian wine […]

2010 Cune Rioja Crianza

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This is a very nice $11 Costco Rioja that is ready to drink right now.  This wine stood out to me because it was lighter in body than I expected but carried strong flavor, smooth throughout and a good finish.  Perfect to pair with almost any cuisine. There are not going to be many bottles […]

2003 Chateau Potensac Medoc

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The following is a guest review from BernieTheWineSlut who discovered the 2003 vintage of the Chateau Potensac at Costco for only $35.  This a great Bordeaux at a great price, and one that I'll be keeping an eye out for at my Costcos.  The last time I saw the Potensacs at Costco was the prized […]

2013 Kirkland Signature 10-Year Tawny Port

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Like McDonald’s McRib, Costco trots out its special Kirkland Signature 10 Year Tawny Porto every once in a while.   However, unlike the McRib, this port is both a value and very tasty.   Clear brick color, smoothly spiced with raisin, light cherry, caramel, some orange and smoke on the palate.  It ends with a wonderfully smooth […]

2011 Churchills Estates Douro

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Right alongside Spain in my book for value wines right now is Portugal.  It just seems like almost every bottle I buy from Portugal would satisfy me had I paid twice as much for it.  And this Douro bottle fits in that group. This, to me, drinks like a $25-$30 wine.  It's a big, luscious wine, […]

2011 Kirkland Signature Series Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Mountain Cuvee

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I'm a big fan of a lot of Napa's mountain cabs -Diamond, Howell, Spring, Atlas Peak - and they typically carry with them a price tag starting at $40 and going up from there.  So it was a nice treat to see the Kirkland Signature Series Mountain Cuvee at stores and priced at only $19.99.  And […]

2011 Gerard Bertrand Syrah-Grenache Languedoc

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This red blend from France's (Southern) Languedoc region is an excellent wine and it was only $9.99 at my Costco store.   It is a blend of Syrah and Grenache, two varietals that both thrive in the southern parts of France.  The wine is drinking at a perfect point right now, having spent a little time […]

2013 Amalgama Lagar De Bezana

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I had posted about this wine before on Twitter/FB since it was on sale for $8.99, down from a normal price of $15.  I figured with such a steep discount it had to be worth a shot.  But this wine came up a bit short for me, even at the very reasonable $8.99 price tag. I […]

2011 WillaKenzie Estate Cuvee Pinot Noir

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I enjoyed this wine, but was hoping for just a bit more depth for an Oregon Pinot that Costco was selling for $19.69, and one that is priced closer to $30 elsewhere. Everything here is really enjoyable and I love my Oregon Pinots (almost as much as my Oregon Ducks, even though that loss last […]

2012 Wente Riva Ranch Chardonnay

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This was a pleasant, food friendly Chardonnay that I found to be a decent buy for $15.99 at Costco.  This Chardonnay falls more into the creamy, oaky style than I normally prefer, but it was delivered in such subtle doses and balanced so nicely that I came to rather enjoy the wine by the end […]

2012 Kendall Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay

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I've always enjoyed the Grand Reserve Chardonnays from Kendall Jackson because they taste great and the Costco price is always remarkable.  For 2012, which was a banner growing year in California, the Grand Reserve returns to Costco shelves, and for the bargain price of $12.99.  Do a quick search online and see how many online […]

2011 Louis Latour Pouilly-Fuisse Chardonnay

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Louis Latour is an wine-exporting legend.   They are negociants who bring a sizeable number of decent French wines to foreign markets dating back to the 70’s, if not before.   Among their bestknown exports is the Pouilly-Fuisse.   Occasionally, it will appear on Costco’s shelves – most recently in 2010.   Well, it’s back […]

2011 Pinoylet Garnacha

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A nice buy on this Spanish Garnacha for only $10.79 at Costco.  It seems like these inexpensive Spanish reds just keep rolling into Costco stores, which is a great opportunity for us.  I really don't think there are many other reds for $10 that taste this good.  This wine isn't going to redefine everything you […]

2013 Frogs Leap Rutherford Sauvignon Blanc

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This is one of those insta-purchase Costco wines for me.  I'm a big fan of Frog's Leap wines, have visited and greatly enjoyed the winery, and am sitting on some nice Rutherford Cabs from them that are aging in the cellar.  I'd had the 2013 Sauv Blanc at a dinner a few months back and […]

2008 Bodegas Montecillo Rioja Reserva

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I've always enjoyed the Montecillo Riojas and was pumped to see a 2008 Reserva hit Costco shelves for only $10.99.  This is a great bargain on a solid wine for red fans that's already aged and ready to enjoy now. Dried floral nose with some spice; on the palate flavors of dark fruit, with leather […]

2013 Chateau d'Esclans Whispering Angel Rose

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I've been meaning to get around to trying this Costco Rose.  It's been a reader favorite, a frequently mentioned wine across the social networks and was priced at $18.99 at my Costco, which I think is an ok price (I've seen it elsewhere closer to $15).  We decided to pair this on a summer day with […]

2010 Gordon Estate Columbia Valley Merlot

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I realized it had been a while since we reviewed a Merlot so I was excited to find one from Columbia Valley for $14.99 on my latest trip to Costco.  This wine really surprised me, and I'm generally more of a Merlot lover than hater anyway, but this is really a nicely assembled wine with […]

2011 Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon

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The following is a guest review of a Costco wine compliments of the fine folks at The Fermented Fruit. On a recent trip to Costco in Arlington I was originally on the hunt for one of my new favorite Spanish bargains, the Tarima Hill Old Vine Monastrell, when I spotted the Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon […]

2011 Sparrow Hawk Cabernet Sauvignon

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If you are an impatient wine drinker, you don’t want to read this review.  But for those of us willing to wait a bit for the good stuff, then you need to check out the Sparrow Hawk 2011 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon.  Under $20 Napa Cabs….that are good….are hard to find.  In the past, I’ve relied […]

2013 Nautilus Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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Talk about a tangy New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc...this wine takes it to new heights.  This wine has a huge spicy, acidic finish, that I really enjoyed given the super hot Atlanta summer day on which I enjoyed it.  But outside of an environment like that, it may be a little much for some wine fans.  […]

2012 Bridlewood Red Blend 175

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A very decent California syrah-blend for $10?   Yup.  Bridlewood is a winery that made its reputation producing some very nice syrah-based wines at the $20-30 price point.   For the first time, in memory,  one of its offerings has arrived at Costco and is being sold at a marked-down price of $10.49. It is comprised of […]

2011 Tarima Hill Old Vine Monastrell

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Today we have a guest wine review from the Fermented Fruit, looking at a wine we've reviewed and greatly enjoyed in previous vintages.  Sounds like the 2011 is a winner too. Bodegas Volver produces wines from it's extensive holdings of approximately 834 acres spread across the Spanish wine regions of Alicante, Jumilla and La Mancha. […]

2011 Senorio de Barahonda Barrica

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I've been loving the Spanish wines making their way into Costco recently and this big red blend falls in line nicely, offering huge flavor and complexity for only $10.99.  These Spanish reds (and even the recent whites like this Albarino) offer just ridiculous value compared to what you will find from other places in the […]

2012 Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf du Pape

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Alright, here's one I know a lot of readers have been interested in - the 2012 vintage of the always awesome Kirkland Chateauneuf.  I've been anxiously waiting to get my hands on one of these given the amount of reader comments I've already received singing the praises of the current offering.  And I'm a fan […]

2012 Stags Leap Wine Cellars Sauvignon Blanc

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I was excited to find this bottle priced at $16.99 at Costco.  At the time, I knew it was typically much more and after searching online I found the regular price tips closer to $26-$28 with a few online outlets going down to $20 [NOTE 7/24: we've been informed by readers that some Costco stores […]

2011 Bodegas la Magdelena Sueno Tempranillo

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My string of inexpensive Spanish gems continues with this Tempranillo from the Ribera del Jucar region.  This is a $13.99 wine at Costco that drinks with the elegance of something you'd normally pay $25-$30 for.  I'm a big fan. Nose is floral, a little perfume; tight tannins and a big body on this wine, leading […]