Today we're checking out the latest vintage of the Kirkland Signature Sonoma Chardonnay from Costco to see if it is still made in the buttery, slightly sweet style of past vintages.
Chardonnay from Sonoma County, California.
This Kirkland Signature wine is available exclusively at Costco for just $7.99 (up $1 from the previous vintage).
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From the bottle:
Kirkland Signature Sonoma County Chardonnay is filled with white peach and tropical fruit aromas. The mid-palate has a wonderful zest coming from the grape's natural acidity which provides a long, layered, and creamy finish. Green apple, pear and ripe melon notes are complemented by vanilla from the French oak maturation.
Vinted & Bottled by Grape and Grain Imports
13.5% Alcohol
A perennially good wine at Costco, we dubbed past vintages of this one "Butterlicious". With the 2021 last year we noticed that buttery note was a bit more restrained and it appears it is even more so this year (not that we're complaining).
The 2022 Kirkland Signature Sonoma County Chardonnay opens with a pleasing aroma of apples, citrus and a touch of toasty oak. We found the butteriness to be even more restrained in this vintage with just a hint on the nose.
Tasting the wine reveals it is also even a bit less buttery in the mouth than the last vintage, which we appreciate, but may not be what previous buyers are expecting. It is also filled with sweet apple and citrus along with a touch of tart tropical fruit. Thanks to a smooth, slightly creamy texture this is quite easy to drink.
It ends with good length and some lingering citrus notes and just a hint of butter. While it may no longer be butterlicious, this is still quite a tasty Chardonnay.
2022 Kirkland Signature Sonoma County Chardonnay
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And here's our previous review of the 2021 vintage:
The 2021 Kirkland Signature Sonoma County Chardonnay is made in the buttery, slightly sweet style that, to be honest, is not our favorite but it's done so well it's hard not to like. It opens with a pleasing aroma of apples, citrus and some toasty oak. We found the butteriness to be a bit more restrained in this vintage with just hints of microwave popcorn on the nose.
And while the wine does taste more buttery in the mouth, it's not excessive. It is also filled with sweet apple and citrus along with a touch of tart tropical fruit. Thanks to a smooth, slightly creamy texture this is quite easy to drink and a great representation of this style.
It ends with good length and some lingering buttery citrus notes. Butterlicious.