FOOD NEWS
The Best And Worst Kirkland Wines Available At Costco
by ALEX DARUS
Best: Marlborough Sauv Blanc
Kirkland Brand is a crown jewel of the Costco enterprise, and the brand offers some excellent wines, like its Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.
For just $10, Kirkland Signature Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has notes of citrus and herbs. Its only downfall is that it’s so popular it’s often sold out.
Worst: Carneros Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is usually a bold, full-bodied wine meant to be enjoyed with rich foods, but the Kirkland Signature Carneros falls short on flavor.
Despite hailing from Napa and aging in French oak barrels, the wine is too light for a Pinot and has an overly fruity flavor that’s atypical for the variety.
Best: Rioja Reserva
For a delicious, reliable Kirkland Signature red, try the Rioja Reserva, a Spanish wine made from 100% Tempranillo grapes and aged in oak barrels for 36 months.
It has a savory base rounded out with notes of vanilla, baking spice, and licorice. It is a delicious and affordable option, typically selling for $8 to $12 a bottle.
Worst: Russian River Pinot
Kirkland Signature Pinot Noirs can be unreliable, as is the case with the overly sweet Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.
Hailing from Sonoma County, California, the wine is syrupy sweet, overwhelming any more nuanced notes, so it’s best to leave it on the shelf in favor of other options.
Best: Côte Du Rhône Villages
A cult-favorite Kirkland Signature option is the Côte Du Rhône Villages. It's so good that even French expats stock up when the wine is available.
Made from a blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvedre grapes, the wine is dry yet full-bodied, with juicy flavors of cherry and red berries and notes of cinnamon and chocolate.