100% Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain.
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Available for $6.99 exclusively at Costco. Bottled by Bodegas Muriel. Imported by Quintessential Wines.
From the bottle:
“Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva is an elegant wine made from 100% Tempranillo grapes grown in the region of Rioja. Aged 24 months in American and French oak barrels and cellared for a year 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”
It’s been awhile since we’ve featured a Costco pick, but today we’ve got a good one that is reminiscent of (and cheaper than) another Rioja Reserva found at Costco that sat atop our Top 10 Reds list for quite awhile — the Vina Eguia. Just like that wine, 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. In the case of this wine that included 2 years in American and French oak barrels, which is just astounding to me given the cost of those barrels and that we’re talking about a $7 wine!
The 2009 Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva begins with a very pleasant aroma full of blackberry, vanilla and mint along with secondary notes of licorice, balsamic and much more. Tasting the wine reveals that classic Rioja character that can only come from being well aged and spending some significant time in oak barrels. Having said that, the balance here is wonderful with the oak adding to the experience but never overpowering the rich fruit. Smooth and spicy, this wine is a pleasure to drink. It ends dry with more blackberry and vanilla plus some long-lasting cola and cinnamon notes. A fantastic value that is drinking fabulously right now!
Overall Rating: 8.3
The post Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva 2009 – Costco Scores Again appeared first on Reverse Wine Snob®.