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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 […]

NV Casal Garcia Vinho Verde

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This is an interesting pick for a light, refreshing summer wine that's a bit different than others you are probably drinking.  This Portuguese white has a little effervescence to it and at only $6.59 is a good one to stock up on if you enjoy this style.  I would definitely recommending trying a bottle though […]

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 […]

90 Point Rated Costco Wines from 2014 So Far

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Since it's right around mid-year, I wanted to take a minute to outline the wines that we've really enjoyed so far in 2014.  Below is a list of wines that we scored 90 points or above, and that we highly recommend you keep an eye out for at Costco.  Most of these will be gone, […]

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 […]

2013 Vina San Pedro 1865 Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

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This Chilean bottle is definitely a different style of Sauvignon Blanc, a little more mineral and earthy than those you will find in other parts of the world.  It took me a little while to warm up to it, and while it has a little unpleasantness toward the finish, the rest of the experience helps […]

2012 Bodegas La Cana Albarino Rias Baixas

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I really enjoy Albarinos in the summer so I was excited to see one from the famed Rias Baixas region in Spain for only $9.99 at Costco.  At most wine shops Albarinos from the same area start closer to $15 and many approach $20-$25.  So this was a good buy right out of the gate, and after […]

2008 Pieza El Caidero Calatayud

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After just wrapping up my review of the 2008 Odipus Old Vines Grenache, which I found to be outstanding for only $8.49, here's another gem from Spain priced just a few dollars more at $11.99.  I remain convinced that some of the best white wine and red wine values right now can be found from Spain.  […]

2009 Vina Eguia Rioja Riserva

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The 2007 vintage of this wine was an absolute standout when I reviewed it two years ago.  For $10, it may have been the best inexpensive red wine I found at Costco during the whole year.  I was really excited to see it back in stores now, in the 2009 vintage, and it was even […]

2008 Odipus Old Vines Grenache

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Here's a stunner for only $8.49.  This might be one of the best value priced wines I've seen at Costco this year. The bottle is affixed with a big red band on the top to show off its 91 point Parker score, and in this case I think Parker was right on the money. Smells and tastes […]

2012 Kirkland Signature Series Russian River Chardonnay

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Editor's Note: An interesting thing happened as we reviewed this year's Kirkland Russian River Chardonnay.  Two of us (myself and Michael) tasted the wine on our own, independently without each other knowing, and we came to two completely different conclusions.  This is a first for the site, but I'm kind of glad it happened.  This really […]

2011 Pendulum Columbia Valley Red Blend

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I love finding good solid red blends at Costco for a good price.  I found the recently reviewed Valley View Winery Rogue Red Blend to be a good contender in this crowd, and this bottle from Walla Walla, WA impressed as well, priced just a few dollars more ($12.99) than the Rogue Red ($9.99). I'm not […]

2012 Foxglove Chardonnay

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I'm not sure why (summertime perhaps, and Sauv Blancs are wearing me out) but I've been gravitating toward a lot of the Costco Chardonnays that I've found stocked at the stores around the Atlanta area. One thing that stands out from my sampling is that Chardonnay lends itself to much different characteristics depending on where it […]

2012 Sparrow Hawk Reserve Chardonnay

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The Sparrow Hawk doesn't actually exist.  In the U.S. it is a misnomer for the sharp-shinned hawk, although it might also be used to refer to a kestral or a Cooper’s hawk.   In sharp contrast to misnamed birding designations, 2012 Sparrow Hawk Reserve Chardonnay actually does exist and is being sold at Costco for $12.99. […]

NV Kirkland Signature Prosecco

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I've seen a few of our Twitter followers post photos of the Kirkland Signature Prosecco so I was looking forward to giving it a shot.  And I'm glad I did.  At $7.49 this is a Prosecco bargain, tasting just like other Proseccos I've enjoyed that cost twice as much in some cases. After the fizz […]

2012 Morgan Metallico Chardonnay

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Now that summer is here, it's time for the influx of white wine reviews because I truly enjoy whites with the hot weather and much of the summer cuisine we cook around the house.  Last week I reviewed the Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay, which I found to be a well assembled wine but not exactly to my […]

2012 Ferrari Carano Sonoma Chardonnay

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This is a Sonoma County Chardonnay staple that was $19.99 at my Costco, and from what I've seen that price is $2-$4 less than almost anywhere else.  This wine is not my favorite style of Chardonnay, just a tad too oaky and buttery for my tastes, but it delivers exactly what many Chardonnay fans love and it does it […]

2013 Nobilo Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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Here's a nice inexpensive summer treat at Costco.  The Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc is priced at $7.99 and it's exactly what you expect and want from a New Zealand style Sauv Blanc - it's packed with tarty citrus flavor, just perfect to enjoy outside on a hot summer day. Super clear on the pour, the nose […]

2010 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva

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If you walk into Costco and have $20 to spend on wine you'd be served quite nicely buying a bottle of this Chianti.  This is a splendid Italian offering that was $18 at my Costco.  It's just an elegant wine, perfect in so many ways, that is an incredible find in this price range.  I'm […]

Valley View Winery Rogue Red Blend

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Finding good, drinkable reds for $10 or less is never an easy task.  Most have something funky on the finish or lack any real discernible flavor.  But Costco seems to have a knack for sniffing out good wines at really good price points.  The Rogue Red blend from Valley View Winery priced at $9.99 falls into that bucket for me. This wine […]

2010 Bodega El Angosto La Tribu

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Here's a nice little Spanish red blend that is just bursting at the seams with fruit flavor.  It's a 2010 but tastes like it was bottled yesterday.  The blend is equal parts Garnacha, Monastrell and Syrah, and it comes in at the awesome Costco price of $9.99.  As far as under $10 bottles go, I […]

2012 Buitenverwachting Bayten Sauvignon Blanc Constantia

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I'm thrilled to see an influx of South African wines making their way into Costco stores, as it represents an exciting region to explore and one that is producing excellent wines for the money.  This Sauvignon Blanc is a prime example, priced at $11.99 at my Costco; this wine is crisp, acidic, packed with great […]

2011 Domaine de Chene-Colombe Macon Villages

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I was excited to see a White Burgundy at Costco priced at $13.99, and knew right away that I had to give this wine a shot.  But my excitement leveled off as we got into this one.  I found it to be a simple Chardonnay, light on flavor, that was really easy to drink of […]

2013 Brancott Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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Time flies.  It's hard to believe we're drinking 2013 wines already.  The Brancott Sauvignon Blanc is consistently a good buy year after year for fans of New Zealand style whites and this year's wine is right on par with past vintages.  This 2013 bottle was priced at $8.99 at my Costco. There might be a […]

2012 Kirkland Signature Rutherford Meritage

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The Kirkland Rutherford Meritage is consistently a good value as far as Napa red blends go.  I think I've given them between 88-90 points almost every year, including 2011, which was a tough growing year.  This year's Meritage is a bit different, with a more dominant Merlot percentage in the blend, but I thoroughly enjoyed […]

2010 Vega Moragona La Duna Tempranillo

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The string of Spanish gems continue with this bottle that rolls in at Costco for only $11.99. I knew my odds of picking a winner went up with the "single vineyard" marking on the bottle. And sure enough, this is an excellent wine for $12, besting most others in that price range. This is a […]

Free Wooden Wine Boxes From Costco

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OK, here's a tip we wanted to share with everyone. Costco lets customers take their empty wooden wine boxes just like you can take the empty boxes they have piled high by the check outs. Sometimes you will find wooden wine boxes among those empty cardboard boxes, but most of the time you will have […]

2012 Yaso Toro Tempranillo

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I obviously had to buy this one. 93 point rated from Parker and only $10 at Costco. Plus I'm a huge fan of Toro wines since they generally deliver ridiculous value for the money. And this one follows suit, although I can't go as high as 93 points. Medium to semi-full dark on the pour, […]

2012 Cave de Lugny Macon-Lugny Les Charmes White Burgundy

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You don't find many white burgundies under $12 and most of them are not as good as this one. Priced at $11.99 at Costco, this is a thoroughly enjoyable expression of Chardonnay that I imagine most white wine fans will enjoy. Bright and vibrant on the nose, this wine really lets the fruit shine through […]

2007 Attilio Ghisolfi Bussia Barolo

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This is what Barolo is all about. It doesn't come cheap but then few things of this quality do. This bottle was $59.99 at Costco and it truly overdelivered in terms of what I expected from a nice Barolo. As many readers know we are working on a book about Italian wine (coming out late […]

2012 Kirkland Signature Oakville Merlot

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Merlots are a tricky wine, in general. They often lack the depth of the cabs and the spiciness of the syrahs. Too many winemakers have transformed this versatile grape into a soft and flabby wine when it can and should be rich, elegant and a great accompaniment to good food. Sure, it may not grab […]

2012 Casaleiro Reserva Vinho Regional Tejo Portugal

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Holy smokes, this wine is a steal for only $7 at Costco. If you are not drinking wines from Portugal and Spain right now, you need to hop a country or two from where you might be tasting and experience the insane value from these regions right now. Maybe the varietal makeup is a little […]

La Cour Des Papes Chateauneuf-du-pape

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This was a tough wine for me to review. It was not what I was hoping for. At first I chalked it up to a bad bottle, but all indications looked like I should have been smooth sailing. I'm a huge Chateauneuf fan (and a collector too), yet found this bottle to be a C […]