The Sequel: Costco’s Kirkland Wines Uncorked & Demystified

If you’re a Costco shopper and wine drinker, you know that you can score some pretty good deals on wine at Costco. The question I’ve been asked by fellow Costco fans who think I may know a bit about wine is whether I’ve tried the Kirkland brand wines. Why, yes, as a matter of fact I have.

Just recently, my husband and I hatched a plan to host a sequel to the tasting we did five years ago that focused solely on wines with Costco’s Kirkland label (here’s the lineup and review from 2019). Because different vintages can make the same wine show up completely different from one year to the next, and because we also a noticed some new varietals on the shelf, we thought a re-rerun was in order.

What We Tasted

We selected seven wines — a white, several reds, and even a tawny Port, which we purchased at our local Tacoma, WA, Costco. Depending on where you are located, availability may vary.

• 2023 Ti Point Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand — $7.49
• 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva, Italy — $8.99
• 2021 Old Vine Zinfandel, Sonoma County — $9.99
• 2019 Rioja Reserva, Spain — $7.99
• 2022 Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina — $6.99
• 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley — $19.99
• 10 Year Tawny Port, Portugal — $16.99

The Verdict

I’ll just cut to the chase and give you the lowdown on the results. There were three that were clear winners, two that were solid performers, and two that we simply wouldn’t rebuy. To underscore the quality and value of the Kirkland brand, I’ve identified name brands that you may not necessarily find at Costco but represent a fair comparison. Pricing for the comparisons are approximated.

Blue Ribbon Winners

The best wines in the line up were the Sauvignon Blanc, Rioja, and Port. I loved the grassy, herbaceous nose on the Sauvignon Blanc, and the pucker factor on the finish. It’s fresh, crisp, and a great summer sipper. The Rioja, though lighter in color than I would have expected, packed a punch with a bit of smokiness and ripe fruit. Though it does drink nicely on its own, it may be best enjoyed with a grilled pork chop or carnitas. The Port was surprisingly good and, in fact, maybe even the best of the lineup. Paired with some dark chocolate, it’s a winner.

• Ti Point Sauvignon Blanc ($7.49): Compares to Kim Crawford — $12.97
• Rioja Reserva ($7.99): Compares to Campo Viejo — $13.99
• 10 Year Tawny Port ($16.99): Compares to Taylor Fladgate — $25.99

Second Place Contenders

The Chianti, although not on the top of the list and not quite as bold as other Chianti Riservas I’ve had, it was still a solid performer, especially at $8.99. With some pasta or a pizza, it would make a great weeknight wine. The Old Vine Zin had a great aromatic nose, lots of fruit, but slightly short on the finish. Admittedly, the Zin was a bit more of a crowd pleaser five years ago; however, for the price, I would still place this as a rebuy.

• Chianti Classico Riserva ($8.99): Compares to Banfi — $17.99
• Old Vine Zinfandel ($9.99): Compares to St. Francis — $19.99

Wouldn’t Put in my Cart Again

My least favorite was the Malbec, which ironically was the one I was most excited about trying because I love the varietal. It started out with a promising fruit forward nose. But as it traveled across the palate, it lost its luster—particularly the longer the wine sat in the glass—and ended with a bitter finish. I struggled with the Oakville Cabernet, as I did five years ago. Let’s first acknowledge that $19.99 is an incredibly low price for an Oakville Cab (most carry a price tag well into the $50s or more). So, I approached it with cautious optimism. And, sadly, it met my relatively low expectations. It lacked any notable characteristics and was an overall boring wine. In reality, there are many other wines at $19.99 that I would grab off the shelf, such as another Cab from a different region (e.g. Sonoma or Paso Robles).

• Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina ($6.99): Compares to Los Alamos — $9.99
• Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.99): No direct comparison from this region (based on my own consumption history)

Who Really Makes Kirkland Wines?

You could practically make a trivia game out of this question. Costco partners with reputable, known wine brands to produce Kirkland wines. They don’t always disclose the exact wineries they partner with, so you may not necessarily know who they are unless you have inside connections or a very keenly tuned palate. And, the winery partner for a specific varietal can change from year to year. Bottom line is that Kirkland wines comes from a reliable, quality source, which explains why they are so comparable to known wines in the market.

Next time you’re at Costco, throw a bottle or two in your cart and see what you think. Would love to hear from you if you try any others not covered here. Cheers!