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True Myth Cabernet Sauvignon – Real Tasty

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A Paso Robles Cab at a Costco price that might just be too good to be true, the True Myth Cabernet Sauvignon.

True Myth Cabernet Sauvignon - Real Tasty

Cabernet Sauvignon from 20+ year-old vines (clones 4, 6, 7, 8 and 337) in Paso Robles, California. The wine is aged for 15-18 months in a combination of 40% new French oak, 20% Hungarian oak, 10% new American oak and 30% neutral oak.

The True Myth Cabernet Sauvignon has an SRP of $24; however, we found it at Costco for $15.99. It has an average price of $19 on wine-searcher. The wine is produced by Niven Family Wine Estates.

From the bottle:

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.

Mother Nature is intriguing and elusive, reigning with grace and beauty. There is no doubt that she is the one True Myth. We respect her for the enigma she is and honor her with this beautifully smooth Cabernet Sauvignon, loaded with blackberry, cherry cola flavors and notes of caramelized oak. Taste and Believe.

14.2% Alcohol

The 2016 True Myth Cabernet Sauvignon begins with pleasing aromas of sweet cherry, raspberry, strawberry, cedar, vanilla and bit of chocolate. Tasting the wine reveals it to be super drinkable with a super smooth texture and similar fruit flavors to the nose but sweet and juicy in the mouth. Plenty of chocolate notes lead into the dry, grippy, long finish that leaves you wanting to take another sip. This is downright tasty.

Ready to buy? See a listing of local retailers here.

2016 True Myth Cabernet Sauvignon

TASTE: 8       COST: 5
OVERALL RATING: 7.3

Recommended Buy

Looking for more of the best wines at Costco? Click the picture below to find all of our recommended wines plus tips and tricks for shopping the wine section!

The Best Wines at Costco - The Reverse Wine Snob Picks!

You may also want to check out more of our favorite Cabernet Sauvignon.

The post True Myth Cabernet Sauvignon – Real Tasty appeared first on Reverse Wine Snob®.


CVNE Cune Rioja Reserva – Drink Away!

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A splurge no more thanks to a great Costco price, the CVNE Cune Rioja Reserva.

CVNE Cune Rioja Reserva - Drink Away!

85% Tempranillo and 15% Mazuelo, Graciano and Garnacha Tinta from Rioja Alta, Spain. The wine spent 18 months in 225L American and French oak barrels and another 18 months in bottle before release and has 2 g/L of residual sugar.

The Cune Reserva from C.V.N.E. has an SRP of $29 and typically is available for around $26 (the average price on wine-searcher). In fact the last time we covered it (the 2009 vintage) it was as a Saturday Splurge because it couldn’t be found under $20 anywhere. Thus, huge kudos to Costco for making this available at just $13.99.

The wine is imported by Arano LLC and 4.5 million bottles were produced.

From the bottle:

CVNE was founded in Haro in 1879. The company has been in the hands of the same family ever since.

Cune Reserva is produced mainly from handpicked Tempranillo grapes. It ages for a minimum of one year on French and American oak cask followed by further aging in bottle prior to its release.

14% Alcohol

The 2015 CVNE Cune Rioja Reserva (pronounced Coo-nay) begins with a very pleasing aroma of black cherry, licorice, leather, lots of vanilla, spice and more. Tasting the wine reveals great balance and structure with an excellent smooth texture. The flavors are similar to the nose but ripe, rich and juicy in the mouth. It has some nice touches of chocolate too.

This is really delicious and super drinkable right out the bottle but it has some nice aging ability as well. It ends dry, grippy, long, juicy and vanilla-laden. Stock up on this one! Not quite sure how Costco consistently does it with these amazing values on Rioja Reservas but I love it.

Ready to buy? See a listing of local retailers here.

2015 CVNE Cune Rioja Reserva

TASTE: 9       COST: 6
OVERALL RATING: 8.3

Bulk Buy

Looking for more of the best wines at Costco? Click the picture below to find all of our recommended wines plus tips and tricks for shopping the wine section!

The Best Wines at Costco - The Reverse Wine Snob Picks!

You may also want to check out more of our favorite wines from Rioja.

The post CVNE Cune Rioja Reserva – Drink Away! appeared first on Reverse Wine Snob®.

Department D66 Grenache – Big Grenache Goodness

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When we say big we mean BIG, the Department D66 Grenache by Dave Phinney of Orin Swift Cellars at an amazing Costco price.

Department D66 Grenache - Big Grenache Goodness

80% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 5% Carignan mostly from 60 plus year-old vines in Cotes Catalanes, Languedoc-Roussillon, France. The wine is aged in 30% new French oak for 18 months and then another 5 months in bottle before release.

The D66 Grenache from Dave Phinney (also the maker of the excellent Locations Wines and the D66 Others) has an SRP of $38 (Saturday Splurge) and is not typically available for much of a discount. As such we were delighted to see it at Costco for $21.99. Imported by Bloodlines.

From the winery:

It was ten years ago that Dave Phinney first took friends up on their offer to visit Maury, France. Nestled in the Pyrénées-Orientales (France’s department number 66), Maury is a historic agricultural village with an enduring legacy of growing grapes. Home to old-vine grenache, syrah, mourvedre and carignan, the region’s warm climate is tempered by the blustery Tramontane wind that whips across the valley. Steep hillsides, black schist and red angile soils reveal striking shades of black, gray and orange, and conspire to make Maury one of the most compelling wine producing regions in Southern France.

Vibrant red berry and fruit aromas with exotic cassis and cardamom spice. A round, rich texture and integrated tannins are balanced with ripe blueberry flavors and distinctive earth and herbal notes of garrigue, stone and schist.

15.2% Alcohol

The 2015 Department 66 D66 Grenache pours super dark and inky in the glass. It begins with intoxicating aromas of blackberry, plum and prunes with lots of cedar, baking spice and vanilla. Tasting reveals big, velvety, concentrated fruit flavors as well as plenty of cola, licorice and even some minerality. It’s a bit like a big over-the-top version of Zin but in Grenache. In fact, it’s almost bordering on Port (both in taste and alcohol level) so if that’s not your thing this one might not be for you but I love it. It ends with just a touch of heat on the dry, very long finish.

Ready to buy the D66 Grenache? Check your local retailers.

2015 Department 66 D66 Grenache

Saturday Splurge

Looking for the Best French Wines Under $20? Check out our giant list!

The Best French Wine Under $20 - The Reverse Wine Snob Picks!

You may also want to check out our list of Saturday Splurge Selections!

The post Department D66 Grenache – Big Grenache Goodness appeared first on Reverse Wine Snob®.

Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Cabernet Sauvignon – Tremendously Tasty

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80 year-old vines do a Cabernet some good! The highly recommended Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile.

Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Cabernet Sauvignon – Tremendously Tasty

85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Carmenere from 80 year-old vines in the Condor de Apalta vineyard in Colchagua Valley, Chile. The wine is aged 14 months in French oak barrels (17% new, 35% second use and 48% third use).

Sample submitted for review. The Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Cabernet Sauvignon has an SRP of $25 but is available for as low as $17. Previous vintages have been spotted at Costco. It is imported by Winebow.

From the bottle:

Lapostolle Wines are french in essence, chilean by birth. Created by Domaines Bournet-Lapostolle, producers of fine wine and spirits since 1827, Lapostolle is the result of our unique experience of craftsmanship and french know-how acquired during seven generations. This classic expression of a Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced entirely from a unique 80-year-old Single Block of non-irrigated vines from our famous Apalta Estate. Elegant & expressive, with notes of ripe fruit supported by a velvety palate and an enduring finish.

14.5% Alcohol

The aroma on the 2018 Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Cabernet Sauvignon sucks you right into the glass. It opens with lots of dark fruit and well-integrated baking spice along with some beautiful floral notes. Tasting reveals a smooth and lush Cab with lots of ripe, juicy, rich fruit plus plenty of spice, cola, licorice, a little bit of mint, a touch of chocolate and just a hint of a herbal green note. It really opens up nicely after a couple hours in the glass. With great depth of flavor this is a tremendously tasty Cab. It ends dry, slightly grippy and very long with all the flavors from the palate lingering for quite a while on the finish.

Ready to buy? Check your local retailers.

2018 Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Cabernet Sauvignon

TASTE: 9 COST: 4
OVERALL RATING: 7.8

Highly Recommended

Looking for more of the Best Cabernet Sauvignon Under $20? Check out our giant list!

The Best Cabernet Sauvignon Under $20 - The Reverse Wine Snob Picks!

You can also find more of our favorite wines from Chile here.

The post Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Cabernet Sauvignon – Tremendously Tasty appeared first on Reverse Wine Snob®.

Loosen Dr. L Riesling – Peachy!

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Medium dry but maximum delicious, the Loosen Dr. L Riesling.

Loosen Dr. L Riesling - Peachy!

100% Riesling from Mosel, Germany. The wine is produced 100% in stainless steel and has 44.5 g/L of residual sugar.

Looking for something a little more dry? Check out our review of the tart and zesty dry Riesling from the Dr. L line.

Sample submitted for review. The Loosen Dr. L Riesling has an SRP of $12 and is available for as low as $8, including at many Costco locations. Ready to buy? Check your local retailers. Imported by Loosen Bros USA Ltd.

From the bottle:

A crisp, fruity and refreshing Riesling from the mineral-rich slate soil of the Mosel Valley. It is an ideal companion to mildly spicy stir fry dishes and Indian curries or simply serve as an aperitif.

8.5% Alcohol

The 2018 Dr. L Riesling begins with pleasing aromas of pear, green apple, lemon, lime, peach, a touch of tropical fruit and a little bit of petrol. Upon taking a sip you are greeted by tons of vibrant sweet fruit. Lively acidity helps balance it out but it’s still quite sweet. It features similar flavors to the nose but they are more tart when tasting. It ends with a sweet, long finish that leaves you tasting the honey on your lips for quite some time. This is a refreshing one at only 8.5% alcohol.

Ready to buy? Check your local retailers.

2018 Dr. L Riesling

TASTE: 7       COST: 9
OVERALL RATING: 7.5

Recommended Buy

Looking for more great Riesling under $20? Find all of our recommendations, plus tips to finding great value, right here.

The Best Riesling - The Reverse Wine Snob Picks!

The post Loosen Dr. L Riesling – Peachy! appeared first on Reverse Wine Snob®.

La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir – Cherry, Cola and Coffee

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Excellent Pinot Noir at a great price, the La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. Available widely including at many Costco locations.

La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir - Cherry, Cola and Coffee

100% Pinot Noir from vineyards across the Sonoma Coast, California. The wine spent 9 months in 98% French and 2% American oak, 20% of which was new.

Sample submitted for review. The La Crema Sonoma Pinot Noir has an SRP of $25 but is available for as low as $17, including at many Costco locations. No Costco? Check your local retailers here. 253,000 cases produced.

From the bottle:

Over 40 years of winemaking excellence.

Capturing the unique personality of cool climate vineyards since 1979. La Crema Vinera – the ‘best of the vine.’

13.5% Alcohol

The 2017 La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir begins with very pleasant aromas of red and black cherry, cola, roasted coffee, vanilla and a hint of rhubarb and cranberry. The medium-bodied wine tastes wonderfully smooth, balanced and is full of flavors of black cherry cola, strawberry, a little earth, a little oak and even a bit of minerality. This is a super easy and fun to drink wine. A nice streak of spice, licorice and even a little citrus zest lead into the dry, very long finish. Excellent!

We’ve featured this wine a number of times over the years and that is simply because it is so consistently delicious. The 2017 is no different in that regard.

No Costco in your area? Check your local retailers for this wine.

2017 La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

TASTE: 9       COST: 4
OVERALL RATING: 7.8

Highly Recommended

Looking for more of the best Pinot Noir under $20? Check out our multi-page listing of all our favorites here!

The Best Pinot Noir - The Reverse Wine Snob Picks!

You may also want to check out more of our favorite wines from Costco here!

The post La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir – Cherry, Cola and Coffee appeared first on Reverse Wine Snob®.

Columbia Crest H3 Les Chevaux Red For The Win!

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Bulk Buy! The Columbia Crest H3 Les Chevaux, a favorite $10 red blend.

Columbia Crest H3 Les Chevaux Red For The Win!

A blend of Merlot, Syrah, Malbec and other red varietals from Horse Heaven Hills, Washington. The wine was aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels for around 22 months.

Sample submitted for review. The Columbia Crest H3 Les Chevaux Red has an SRP of $15 but is widely available for as low as $8. Ready to buy? Check your local retailers. 75,000 cases were produced.

From the bottle:

Columbia Crest H3 wines were created to celebrate the winery’s rich heritage in the Horse Heaven Hills as well as its innovative winemaking and viticulture practices. Les Chevaux (French for “the horses”) is a lively blend that presents rose petal aromas and cherry flavor, followed by smooth tannins that lead into a vibrant finish.

14.5% Alcohol

When we first reviewed this wine, the 2012 vintage, we labeled it as one of our favorite red blends under $10. We’ve tried it a few times since then and have consistently been impressed. Today we check out the 2016.

The 2016 Columbia Crest H3 Les Chevaux Red, named for the wild horses once found in the Horse Heaven Hills, begins with excellent aromas of black cherry, blackberry, plum, baking spice, a little vanilla, floral notes, black olive and more. The wine tastes smooth, lush, velvety and just delightful. Filled with lots of rich dark fruit and nice touches of spice, licorice and chocolate, the wine has great balance and drinks like way more than $10. It ends dry with extremely good length and lots of lingering chocolate soaked fruit. Fabulous!

Ready to buy? Check your local retailers.

2016 Columbia Crest H3 Les Chevaux Red

TASTE: 8       COST: 9
OVERALL RATING: 8.3

Bulk Buy

Looking for more of The Best Red Blends Under $20? Check out our giant list!

The Best Red Blends Under $20!

You can also find more of our Bulk Buy rated wines here.

The post Columbia Crest H3 Les Chevaux Red For The Win! appeared first on Reverse Wine Snob®.

Hidalgo Tradicion H Gran Reserva Rioja – Top-Notch

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New Costco Pick! A 2010 Gran Reserva from Rioja for just $15, the Hidalgo Tradicion H Gran Reserva Rioja.

Hidalgo Tradicion H Gran Reserva Rioja - Top-Notch

90% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano and 5% Garnacha from 70 year-old bush vines in San Asencio, Rioja Alta, Spain. The wine spends at least 36 months in French (30%) and American (70%) oak barrels of second and third use plus 36 months or more in the bottle before release.

The Hidalgo Tradicion H Gran Reserva Rioja has an SRP of $45 according to Wine Enthusiast magazine (as well as a 94 point rating) but is available for $14.99-$15.99 at Costco. The back label says it’s produced and bottled by Bodegas La Catedral for Hidalgo Imports who you may remember from a previous Rioja pick at Costco, La Gitana Gold.

Just like the Gitana Gold I think the high SRP is a bit suspect but it’s certainly not out of line for a Gran Reserva. And when you think about it, it’s pretty amazing to find a $15, decade old Gran Reserva Rioja (given the strict and expensive requirements to produce a wine like this) at Costco.

From the bottle:

Our grapes come from low yield old small cluster vines. It ages for over 36 months in French and American oak and another 36 months in the bottle. Aromas of blackberry, prune and cherry with a hint of spices that carry on to the palate with great complexity and freshness.

14.5% Alcohol

The 2010 Hidalgo Tradicion H Gran Reserva Rioja begins with a top-notch aroma full of ripe plum and berry fruit with excellently integrated vanilla, mint, anise and other assorted spices. Taking a sip reveals smooth, luscious, vanilla-soaked, ripe fruit deliciousness. This wine has great depth of flavor with lots of assorted spice notes adding interest and complexity. The fruit turns tart and just lasts and lasts on the dry, savory finish.

2010 Hidalgo Tradicion H Gran Reserva Rioja

TASTE: 9       COST: 5
OVERALL RATING: 8

Highly Recommended

Find all of our recommended wines from Costco as well as our best tips and tricks for shopping the wine department here!

The Best WInes at Costco - The Reverse Wine Snob Picks!

You may also want to check out more of our favorite wines from Rioja here!

The post Hidalgo Tradicion H Gran Reserva Rioja – Top-Notch appeared first on Reverse Wine Snob®.


Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf du Pape – A Costco QPR Champ!

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A high end wine available under $20 thanks to Costco. The Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf-du-Pape!

Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf du Pape - A Costco QPR Champ!

A Southern Rhone blend of 70% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Cinsault and 10% Mourvedre from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France.

The Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf-du-Pape is available for $19.99 exclusively at Costco. It is imported by Misa Import.

From the bottle:

This Chateauneuf-du-Pape, created by thirs generation winemaker, Guillaume Gonnet, unites the four terroirs of Chateauneuf-du-Pape; river stones, limestones, clay and sand. The 2018 vintage includes spicy red fruit, cherries, licorice and dark chocolate notes with perfectly round, integrated tannins. It finishes with a long, elegant note of dark berries.

15% Alcohol

Today’s Costco pick is a wine we’ve covered and recommended several times, but with this latest vintage Costco has changed the producer. The wine was previously made by Domaine de Nalys, which was even displayed on the front label. That has now been replaced with “Cuvee du Terroir des Papes” and the back label indicates the new winemaker, Guillaume Gonnet, who makes a number of wines under his own label, including several from CdP.

Let’s check out how this one compares.

The 2018 Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf-du-Pape offers a rare treat to drink a wine from the renowned Chateauneuf-du-Pape region for less than $20. It begins with an exuberant aroma full of red and black currant, red cherry, licorice, nicely integrated spice, some nice touches of flowers and herbs and a hint of a meaty note. Tasting the smooth, medium-bodied wine shows that it has good complexity. After a couple hour decant blackberry, black cherry, leather, licorice and spice all combine seamlessly in your mouth. A nice earthy streak mid-palate leads into the dry, spicy finish.

It may be $19.99 but it’s truly a bargain for Chateauneuf-du-Pape! We found it to be a bit more earthy and meaty than the previous wine but still a great value. And while we didn’t recommend aging the previous blend for any significant amount of time, this one is still pretty young and needs a few hours to open up. It strikes me as having more aging potential than the wine from the previous producer.

2018 Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee du Terroir des Papes

TASTE: 9       COST: 1
OVERALL RATING: 7

Recommended Buy

Find all of our recommended wines from Costco as well as our best tips and tricks for shopping the wine department here!

The Best Wines at Costco - The Reverse Wine Snob Picks!

You may also want to check out more of our favorite wines from France here!

The post Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf du Pape – A Costco QPR Champ! appeared first on Reverse Wine Snob®.

Kirkland Signature Cotes de Provence Rosé – Lip-Smackingly Good Stuff

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This one won’t last long at Costco so stock up now! The highly refreshing and delicious Kirkland Signature Cotes de Provence Rosé.

Kirkland Signature Cotes de Provence Rosé – Lip-Smackingly Good Stuff

A blend of 48% Grenache, 25% Cinsault, 11% Syrah, 9% Carignan, 4% Ugni Blanc and 3% Tibouren rosé wine from Cotes de Provence, France.

The wine is available exclusively at Costco for just $9.99 (about a dollar more than last year). It is imported by Misa Imports.

From the bottle:

Kirkland Signature Rosé is produced in the Cotes de Provence Appellation by Olivier Sumeire, an 8th generation grape grower and vintner, whose family has been passionate about winemaking in Provence since the XIIIth Century.

The aromas give a crisp and fruity sensation with notes of tea roses, strawberries and litchi. They quickly evolve to a pleasant intensity of nectarines and grapefruit with a lengthy citrus finish. This bright and elegant rosé will highlight your favorite fare.

12.5% Alcohol

The 2019 Kirkland Signature Cotes de Provence Rosé is a perennial favorite from Costco. It begins with a very pleasing aroma of strawberry, cherry, some salty minerality and nice touches of wild herbs and flowers.

The light-bodied wine tastes dry and delicious. Fresh and tart strawberry, melon, peach and citrus flavors evolve in the mouth and are all tinged with more salty minerality.

It ends dry, long and lip-smackingly good. Tart strawberry, lime and more mineral notes linger nicely.

This is excellent stuff and it traditionally never lasts long once it makes its appearance at Costco, so if you’re a rosé lover be sure to grab some on your next visit. In fact, the 2019 might even be better than I remember it from last year, it’s pretty much everything you want in a rosé.

2019 Kirkland Signature Cotes de Provence Rosé

TASTE: 8       COST: 8
OVERALL RATING: 8

Highly Recommended

Looking for more of our favorite picks from Costco? Click the pic below to browse our multi-page listing of recommended wines along with more information on how to best shop the store!

The Best Wines at Costco - The Reverse Wine Snob Picks!

You can also find all of our favorite rosé wines here!

The post Kirkland Signature Cotes de Provence Rosé – Lip-Smackingly Good Stuff appeared first on Reverse Wine Snob®.

Kirkland Signature Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc – On Point

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A Bulk Buy rating on a summer staple, the Kirkland Signature Ti Point Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from Costco.

Kirkland Signature Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc – On Point

Sauvignon Blanc from Ti Point Vineyard in Marlborough, New Zealand.

This wine is available exclusively at Costco for just $6.99. It is imported by DC Flynt MW Domaines & Estates.

From the bottle:

This Kirkland Signature Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from Ti Point Vineyard in Marlborough, New Zealand has tropical fruit flavors, vibrant lemon-lime citrus notes and crisp acidity.

Tracy Haslam, Winemaker. Ti Point Vineyard, three generations of women in wine.

12.5% Alcohol

We’re checking out the new vintage of another Costco classic today. Much like the Provence rosé, today’s Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most reliable Kirkland Signature buys year in and year out. As expected, this year is no different.

The 2019 Kirkland Signature Ti Point Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc begins with clean, pleasing aromas of lemongrass, citrus and herbs. It’s classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Tasting the wine reveals lots of deep flavors, good balance, a pleasing texture and bright acidity. Filled primarily with juicy grapefruit, green apples, citrus and a little guava this is very quaffable stuff. It ends with a clean, refreshing finish that makes you want to take another sip.

Once again, this is a killer value at just $6.99! The only complaint we have is that it sells out so quickly that it can be quite hard to find. If you’re a Sauvignon Blanc lover you’ll want to buy a bunch if you see it.

2019 Kirkland Signature Ti Point Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

TASTE: 8       COST: 9
OVERALL RATING: 8.3

Bulk Buy

Looking for more of our favorite picks from Costco? Click the pic below to browse our multi-page listing of recommended wines along with more information on how to best shop the store!

The Best WInes at Costco - The Reverse Wine Snob Picks!

You can also find more of our favorite Sauvignon Blanc here.

The post Kirkland Signature Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc – On Point appeared first on Reverse Wine Snob®.

Basilica Cafaggio Single Estate Chianti Classico – The Best $10 Chianti Classico?

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Revisiting a favorite Costco find five vintages later! The Basilica Cafaggio Single Estate Chianti Classico.

Basilica Cafaggio Single Estate Chianti Classico - The Best $10 Chianti Classico?

100% Sangiovese from Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy that is aged in Slavonian oak for 12 months.

We found this wine at Costco for just $9.89 but there are other sellers on wine-searcher, it’s just that they have a much higher average price of $18. Imported by Ethica Wines.

From the bottle:

A deliciously concentrated example of Chianti Classico, this has dark ruby colour and rich notes of black cherry, fruitcake and plum on the palate. Serve this wine at room temperature. It makes a versatile partner for lots of savoury dishes, but do try it above all with meaty pasta dishes, roast game or poultry and mature cheeses. This wine has been released ready to drink, but it will evolve well over the next twenty four months, softening and mellowing with maturity. Store in a cool, dark and dry place. The grapes for this wine are 100% Sangiovese. This wine was aged in Slavonian oak casks for 12 months to add extra richness and body.

13.0% Alcohol

As we noted at the top, this is a wine we first discovered several years ago and at the time dubbed it the best $10 Chianti Classico we had ever tasted. Of course, finding Chianti Classico for that low of a price can be quite a challenge in and of itself! And that’s simply because unlike the basic Chianti designation, Chianti Classico wines have more stringent requirements like a higher percentage of Sangiovese and more time in oak. (For more on this see our Guide to Chianti.)

The 2015 Basilica Cafaggio Single Estate Chianti Classico begins with pleasant aromas of sour cherry, baking spice, a little leather and cranberry. Tasting reveals lots of juicy, candied cherry and lovely spice notes with hints of vanilla and cinnamon on the palate of this dry wine. It’s all wrapped up in an extremely tasty, smooth and silky texture. The wine ends dry with a good dose of spice followed by lingering juicy tart fruit. It holds up just fine on day 2. This one is tailor made for pizzas and pastas!

This vintage needs a bit more air to open up than we remember on the 2010 so be patient and give it a little time. When you do you are rewarded with a really delicious wine. Like we said last time, it might just be the best $10 Chianti Classico we’ve ever tasted!

2015 Basilica Cafaggio Single Estate Chianti Classico

TASTE: 8       COST: 8
OVERALL RATING: 8

Highly Recommended

Find all of our recommended wines from Costco as well as our best tips and tricks for shopping the wine department here!

The Best WInes at Costco - The Reverse Wine Snob Picks!

You may also want to check out more of our favorite Chianti wines here!

The post Basilica Cafaggio Single Estate Chianti Classico – The Best $10 Chianti Classico? appeared first on Reverse Wine Snob®.

Kirkland Signature Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – Quite Nice

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High quality for just 10 bucks, the Kirkland Signature Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Costco.

Kirkland Signature Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - Quite Nice

Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California. The wine is aged in a combination of American and French oak.

The Kirkland Signature Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is available exclusively at Costco for just $9.99. It is made by winemaker Alison Crowe who also makes the excellent Kirkland Carneros Pinot Noir we recently reviewed.

From the bottle:

We carefully farm each of our Alexander Valley vineyards to produce a finely layered Cabernet Sauvignon. Thick skins and balanced acidity result in rich tannins and superior color while flavors of cherry, ripe plums and black currants combine with savory notes of black tea and leather. American oak deliver a touch of vanilla while French oak contributes character and complexity to the wine which finishes with a burst of sun-ripened fruit.

Alison Crowe, Winemaker

14% Alcohol

The 2017 Kirkland Signature Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon begins with a strong, enticing aroma of black cherry, plum, cedar, vanilla and some nice herbal notes. It’s certainly a promising start! Taking a sip reveals a smooth and soft mouthfeel with lots of vanilla-soaked and juicy dark berry fruit. Touches of mocha lead into the dry, long finish of lingering vanilla and mint.

This is quite a nice Cab for just $10 although I have to say that we found this year’s release to be a bit thinner than in the past. While it definitely benefits from some time in the glass, I had to knock my rating down a point this year although that still leaves it in Recommended Buy territory.

2017 Kirkland Signature Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

TASTE: 7       COST: 8
OVERALL RATING: 7.3

Recommended Buy

Looking for more of our favorite picks from Costco? Click the pic below to browse our multi-page listing of recommended wines along with more information on how to best shop the store!

The Best Wines at Costco - The Reverse Wine Snob Picks!

You can also find all of our favorite Cabernet Sauvignon here!

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Quarisa Mrs. Q Cabernet Sauvignon – A Good Buy

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A quality $10 Cab at a great Costco price, the Quarisa Mrs. Q Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra, Australia.

Quarisa Mrs. Q Cabernet Sauvignon - A Good Buy

Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra, South Australia. The wine spends 16 months in new and old French and American oak barrels and has 3 g/L of residual sugar.

We found the Mrs. Q Cabernet at Costco for just $9.99 but there are other sellers on wine-searcher at an average price of $15. Imported by Tri-Vin Imports.

From the bottle:

Take a deep breath, close your eyes and visualize Mrs Q…Intriguing, bubbly, selfless and enticing with a soft quirky laugh echoing across a moonlit room, Mrs Q approaches, carrying her precious collection of indulgent luscious wines. The better half to Johnny Q and mother to 3 treasures invites you to share a glass. Enjoy life with Mrs Q.

This Cabernet Sauvignon is bright garnet in colour with purple hues. With aromas of intense cool climate cassis fruit and integrated spicy oak the palate is complex in cassis and cherry flavours with a long finish. Indulge in the luscious flavours and enjoy a glass tonight.

14.5% Alcohol

The 2015 Quarisa Mrs. Q Cabernet Sauvignon begins with a pleasing but a bit subdued aroma when first popped and poured. It features ripe dark fruit and a little black pepper and cedar.

Taking a sip reveals lots of dark juicy and jammy fruit and a nice spicy, peppery streak that makes me think there might be some Shiraz in here as well. It’s also smooth with good balance and structure. While it’s certainly a solid Cab at this low price, it’s nowhere near the 93 points displayed so prominently on the label.

It ends dry and with good length. It’d be hard to go wrong with this one at the Costco price of just $10.

2015 Quarisa Mrs. Q Cabernet Sauvignon

TASTE: 7       COST: 8
OVERALL RATING: 7.3

Recommended Buy

Find all of our recommended wines from Costco as well as our best tips and tricks for shopping the wine department here!

The Best WInes at Costco - The Reverse Wine Snob Picks!

You may also want to check out more of our favorite Cabernet Sauvignon here!

The post Quarisa Mrs. Q Cabernet Sauvignon – A Good Buy appeared first on Reverse Wine Snob®.

Juan Gil Monastrell Silver Label – Smooth and Silky

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Another nice Costco find, the Juan Gil Monastrell Silver Label from Jumilla.

Juan Gil Monastrell Silver Label – Smooth and Silky

Old vine Monastrell (Mourvedre) from Jumilla, Spain. The wine spends an unspecified amount of time in French oak.

We found the Juan Gil Monastrell Silver Label at Costco for just $12.99 but there are other sellers on wine-searcher at an average price of $15. It is imported by Gil Family Estates.

From the bottle:

We selected the Monastrell grapes for this wine from old parcels with low yields planted on limestone soils with rocks on the surface, obtaining a deep red colour wine with abundant ripe fruit aromas, and a long spicy well-balanced finish including toasted notes provided by the French wood.

15% Alcohol

The 2017 Juan Gil Monastrell Silver Label begins with a pleasing aroma full of dark ripe fruit with nice touches of spice and a little smoke.

My first impression upon popping and pouring was that this was rather unremarkable but after a couple hours it really develops quite nicely. (In other words, give it some time to breathe before tasting.)

It’s smooth and silky in the mouth and features firm tannins, juicy dark fruit, lots of cola and licorice notes and continuing touches of spice.

It ends dry, quite long and savory. This is a pretty solid example of Monastrell that is quite tasty once it opens up.

2017 Juan Gil Monastrell Silver Label

TASTE: 8       COST: 6
OVERALL RATING: 7.5

Recommended Buy

Find all of our recommended wines from Costco as well as our best tips and tricks for shopping the wine department here!

The Best WInes at Costco - The Reverse Wine Snob Picks!

You may also want to check out more of our favorite wines from Spain here!

The post Juan Gil Monastrell Silver Label – Smooth and Silky appeared first on Reverse Wine Snob®.


Pecchenino San Luigi Dogliani – Dynamite Dolcetto

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A wonderful Costco find, the Pecchenino San Luigi Dogliani DOCG.

Pecchenino San Luigi Dogliani - Dynamite Dolcetto

100% Dolcetto from Dogliani in Piedmont, Italy. The wine spends 8-10 months in stainless steel tanks and has 3.8 g/L of residual sugar.

We found the Pecchenino San Luigi Dogliani at Costco for just $13.99 but there are other sellers on wine-searcher at an average price of $17. 85,000 bottles were produced and the wine is imported by Vias Imports LTD.

From the bottle:

The dolcetto grape is a variety native to Piedmont. In Dogliani the dolcetto grape has the perfect soil conditions and climate. San Luigi is a product from different vineyards in the area. The soil is clay and calcareous white marl. In the vineyards we don’t use herbicides or chemical treatments. The fermentation takes place with natural yeasts. The wine is aged in stainless steel tanks for one year. The wine is ruby red, fruity, has good acidity and a slightly almond aftertaste. The San Luigi dolcetto is good for all food: appetizers, pasta, white and red meat and cheese. Serve best at 64F.

13.5% Alcohol

Often overshadowed by the other big red grapes in Piedmont (Nebbiolo and Barbera) we were quite excited to see this Dolcetto at a big retailer like Costco. While it can be hard find, this variety doesn’t demand the same high prices as those other two grapes, and as such it makes a great variety for Reverse Wine Snobs to explore.

The 2018 Pecchenino San Luigi Dogliani needs a good amount of time to open up but when it does it reveals quite a pleasant aroma of cherry, raspberry, plum, and even a little cedar (even though it doesn’t see any oak).

Tasting the balanced, medium-bodied wine shows lots of juicy fruit and licorice notes plus a soft, smooth mouthfeel. This is quite good! It ends dry and long with a little bit of lingering earthiness.

2018 Pecchenino San Luigi Dogliani

TASTE: 8       COST: 6
OVERALL RATING: 7.5

Recommended Buy

Find all of our recommended wines from Costco as well as our best tips and tricks for shopping the wine department here!

The Best WInes at Costco - The Reverse Wine Snob Picks!

You may also want to check out more of our favorite wines from Italy here!

The post Pecchenino San Luigi Dogliani – Dynamite Dolcetto appeared first on Reverse Wine Snob®.

Kirkland Signature Carneros Pinot Noir – Classic Value

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A great example of the variety at a fabulous price, the Kirkland Signature Carneros Pinot Noir from Costco.

Kirkland Signature Carneros Pinot Noir - Classic Value

Pinot Noir from Carneros, Napa Valley, California.

This wine is available exclusively at Costco for just $9.99.

From the bottle:

The Carneros AVA is the first wine region in California to be defined by climate. The cool winds and almost-daily, cool fog combine to make this a top region for the production of Pinot Noir.

“Kirkland Signature Carneros Pinot Noir is a classic blend of richness and elegance. The aromas of ripe cherry and rhubarb are counterbalanced by darker, black fruit and forest floor notes woven together with a hint of spice from French oak barrels.”
-Alison Crowe, Winemaker

Cellared & Bottled by DC Flynt MW Domaines & Estates
14% Alcohol

The 2018 Kirkland Signature Carneros Pinot Noir from the Napa Valley side of the Carneros AVA begins with very pleasing, classic Pinot Noir aromas of strawberry, cola and spice plus a bit of mint, cranberry and rhubarb. The smooth, balanced, medium-bodied wine tastes similar to the nose, with very true to form flavors. Cola, candied black cherry, lots of oaky spice and a touch of vanilla all continue into the long, dry finish. It gains complexity as it has time in the glass so take your time and enjoy it.

This is a really nice example of the variety at a fabulous price — pretty much par for the course for Costco’s Kirkland Signature wines, but extra props here for accomplishing this with Pinot Noir from expensive Carneros no less. Pinot Noir is one of the hardest varieties to find good examples under $20, much less $10, but this one succeeds admirably.

Overall we might like this one even a tad more than the Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Carneros Pinot Noir we reviewed earlier this year, which is pretty amazing since it also costs $3 less.

2018 Kirkland Signature Carneros Pinot Noir

TASTE: 8       COST: 8
OVERALL RATING: 8

Highly Recommended

Looking for more of our favorite picks from Costco? Click the pic below to browse our multi-page listing of recommended wines along with more information on how to best shop the store!

The Best WInes at Costco - The Reverse Wine Snob Picks!

You can also find more of our favorite Pinot Noir here.

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Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva – Costco Scores Again

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Still a great value at just $7.99 a bottle. Revisiting this real deal Rioja Reserva aged 30 months in oak barrels, the Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva.

Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva - Costco Scores Again

100% Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain. The wine is aged 30 months in oak barrels and another 6 months in bottle before release.

The Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva is available exclusively at Costco for $7.99 ($1 more than previous vintages). It is bottled by Bodegas Eguia and imported by Quintessential, LLC.

From the bottle:

Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva is an elegant wine made from 100% Tempranillo grapes grown in the region of Rioja. Aged 30 months in oak barrels and cellared for six months in the bottle prior to release, this ruby-colored wine has intense, spicy aromas with a hint of licorice. Vanilla flavors on the palate leave a pleasant, lingering, well-balanced finish.

13.5% Alcohol

We’ve reviewed this wine a number of times here on Reverse Wine Snob and have found it to be consistently good, although some vintages are better than others. The producer this year is unchanged (Bodegas Eguia) although this 2015 spends a bit less time in oak (30 months versus 36 months for the 2013). Going back even farther; however, when the wine was made by Bodegas Muriel it only aged in barrel for 24 months (and one year in bottle).

Of course, in order to be labeled as a Reserva strict guidelines must be met including three years of aging with at least one of those in oak. 30 months in oak is pretty astounding to me given the cost of those barrels and that we’re talking about a $8 wine! (Granted these are likely very large barrels but still.)

The 2015 Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva begins with lots of cedar when first opened but a little time in the glass reveals a very pleasant aroma full of blackberry, vanilla and balsamic along with secondary notes of licorice, mint and more.

Tasting the medium-bodied wine reveals that classic Rioja character that can only come from being well aged and spending some significant time in oak barrels. This vintage is perhaps a bit more oaky and not quite as balanced as previous years but still offers very good value for the price. Smooth with soft tannins and lightly spicy, this wine is a pleasure to drink. It ends dry with more blackberry and vanilla plus some long-lasting cola and cinnamon notes.

It may not quite as good as year’s past but this wine is still a great value.

2015 Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva

TASTE: 7       COST: 9
OVERALL RATING: 7.5

Recommended Buy

Looking for more of our favorite picks from Costco? Click the pic below to browse our multi-page listing of recommended wines along with more information on how to best shop the store!

The Best WInes at Costco - The Reverse Wine Snob Picks!

You can also find more of our favorite wines from Rioja here.

The post Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva – Costco Scores Again appeared first on Reverse Wine Snob®.

Kirkland Signature Malbec – Solid For $7

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It won’t blow your socks off but the Costco Kirkland Signature Malbec is worth the tiny price tag.

Kirkland Signature Malbec - Solid For $7

100% Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina. The wine is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, which is pretty amazing at this low price.

The Kirkland Signature Malbec is available exclusively at Costco for just $6.99. It is made by Broquel Winery, who make some tasty Malbec in their own right.

From the bottle:

Argentina’s most acclaimed wine region for Malbec, Mendoza Province is in the foothills of the Andes Mountains. The grapes for this Kirkland Signature Malbec are grown between 2800 and 3300 feet above sea level. This deep purple Malbec has intense fruit notes of plum and cherries and a long rounded finish. It displays a perfect balance of ripe fruit coupled with oak spice from 12 months of careful aging in French oak barrels.

Crafted at the Broquel winery in Mendoza, this Malbec was produced especially for Kirkland Signature.

-Sergio Case, Winemaker

13.5% Alcohol

We’ve been tasting and reviewing the Kirkland Malbec going back to the 2009 vintage and unlike a lot of the other Costco wines, the quality on this one seems to bounce around a good bit. I think it’s possible the producer has changed over the years as Costco previously didn’t reveal who made it on the label like they do now. The last several vintages; however, the producer has been Broquel Winery. In any case, let’s check out the 2018.

The 2018 Kirkland Signature Malbec begins with pleasing aromas of plum, blackberry and a little spice. The medium-bodied wine tastes ripe, juicy and a bit oaky. Smooth and easy drinking, it’s solid for $7 but a little bit one dimensional. It ends with lingering tart fruit and a little spice on the medium-long finish.

While it’s solid, it’s also unremarkable but still a good buy given the very low price.

2018 Kirkland Signature Malbec

TASTE: 7       COST: 9
OVERALL RATING: 7.5

Recommended Buy

Looking for more of our favorite picks from Costco? Click the pic below to browse our multi-page listing of recommended wines along with more information on how to best shop the store!

The Best Wines at Costco - The Reverse Wine Snob Picks!

You can find the rest of our favorite Malbecs here!

The post Kirkland Signature Malbec – Solid For $7 appeared first on Reverse Wine Snob®.

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Viognier – Still The King

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The Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Viognier CB+V, a darn near legendary value. Available widely, including Costco.

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Viognier - Still The King

78% Chenin Blanc from the Clarksburg appellation and 22% Viognier from Lodi, California. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and does not undergo malolactic fermentation. The wine has around 9 g/L of residual sugar.

The Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier is available at Costco and many other stores for $10-$12. It has an SRP of $16.

It used to be a Trader Joe’s staple as well but I’m not sure if they still carry it as they seem to have been trying to replicate it with their own private label versions like their Petit Reserve and the Radient.

From the bottle:

Our distinctive white blend marries the crisp, honeyed citrus fruit of Chenin Blanc (78%) with the plush body, soft floral and juicy peach notes of Viognier (22%) for a lush, versatile and delicious wine. Enjoy a glass on its own or try it alongside your favorite seafood or spicy dish.

Bottled by Pine Ridge Vineyards
12.5% Alcohol

It’s been awhile since we formally reviewed this one but we’ve been drinking it for years and have yet to be disappointed. Let’s check out the 2019.

The 2019 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Viognier CB+V begins with very pleasant aromas of grapefruit, melon and pear along with honeysuckle and other floral notes. Tasting the light to medium-bodied wine reveals loads of juicy, succulent green apple, pear, lots of citrus fruit and maybe just a touch of effervescence. The wine also has a fabulous lively acidity and a nice mineral streak. Tropical fruit notes take over mid-palate and lead into the fresh and crisp finish.

Not only is this a fantastic summertime sipper but it also makes a great pairing with spicy Asian food thanks to a little sweetness. We even include it on our Thanksgiving wine list. And as much as Trader Joe’s has tried to knock it off, the Pine Ridge is still the king!

Ready to buy? Check your local retailers.

2019 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Viognier

TASTE: 9       COST: 8
OVERALL RATING: 8.8

Bulk Buy

Find all of our recommended wines from Costco as well as our best tips and tricks for shopping the wine department here!

The Best WInes at Costco - The Reverse Wine Snob Picks!

You may also want to check out more of our favorite white blends here!

The post Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Viognier – Still The King appeared first on Reverse Wine Snob®.

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