Reviews

A new Rias Baixas Albarino is always something we can behind at Costco. We’ve had a string of excellent ones arrive in warehouses over the past year, and here’s another winner to add to the list. This wine received a few 90-92 point ratings from the mainstream critics, and we feel they are right on. […] Source : https://costcowineblog.com/2024-bodegas-terras-gauda-abadia-de-san-campio-albarino/

Winemaker Heidi Bridenhagen (credit: drwinkler) Sacramento native Steve MacRostie founded his eponymous winery in 1987.  He caught the wine bug while traveling in Italy and subsequently enrolled at UC Davis along with David Ramey, Merry Edwards, and other members of the first generation of skilled Russian River Valley winemakers.  He built the brand with wholesale distribution, but today 70 percent …

As I type this, I’m alone in a (relatively) large house west of Philadelphia. It’s my house, and it’s mostly empty, and getting emptier and emptier by what feels like the minute. That’s by design: I am in the process of clearing it out, which is almost equal parts cathartic, melancholy, wistful, and poignant. My […] This article was originally …

It’s always a pleasant sight when you see that yellow bar on the Costco placard indicating a special discount, especially when it’s on a wine you would probably buy anyway. This time we have a French Sauvignon Blanc with a regular Costco price of $14.99. With $6 off, it brings the price down to a […] Source : https://costcowineblog.com/2023-les-hemeris-sauvignon-blanc/

Peter & Johann de Wet (credit De Westshof) I first tasted the De Wetshof Chardonnays with founder Danie de Wet at the winery in 2011.  My conclusion then was that his Chardonnays were among South Africa’s very best. Today, after tasting the current releases, I am of the same opinion (see reviews below). With its limestone soils, hot days and …

I’ve been head-down and DEEEEEEEP in the rabbit hole of server configuration after redesigning 1WD nearly from the ground-up, and am finally peeking out my dirty little head to catch some daylight as I prep for a lighting-fast media jaunt to Languedoc (more to come on that latter part, well, later, I’m sure). Now that […] This article was originally …

We had a feeling this might be a good buy, but had no idea until we dug in, both to the wine and its price online, what a deal this bottle is at Costco right now. This wine is $70 at Total Wine and most online outlets are selling it for around $60. Costco is […] Source : https://costcowineblog.com/2021-marques-de-casa-concha-heritage-puente-alto-red-blend/

Bollinger’s Private Cellar (Credit JButlerMW) While Bollinger has been in existence since 1829, its most famous patron was none other than the well-known bon vivant super-agent James Bond, perhaps attributable to the strong, historical relationship between Bollinger and the British Crown. In addition to James Bond, Bollinger is renowned for its focus on Pinot Noir and its use of oak …

“It’s really an incredible place; it’s a fantasy land, really.” So sayeth Daniele Sassi, Export Manager for Tenuta di Castellaro, a produce that I’ve never visited in person but, after tasting through media samples virtually with them and seeing pics of their location, have instilled within me an intensely jealous rage for not having yet […] This article was originally …

We were happy to hear readers buzzing about the 2023 vintage of this Kirkland bottle arriving at warehouses, but reports were mixed. The inaugural vintage of this wine showed up exactly one year ago, and we rated it a nice 91 points; it hit so much of what we want from a Saint-Emilion Grand Cru. […] Source : https://costcowineblog.com/2023-kirkland-signature-saint-emilion-grand-cru-bordeaux/

(credit drwinkler) The 5.8-hectare Clos des Goisses walled vineyard in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ has been called the greatest vineyard in Champagne.  Located just above the Marne River and planted with vines since the 16th century, it is incredibly steep (30-45% gradient) with very poor soils that barely cover the deep chalk bedrock. Its south-facing orientation combined with the gradient and a pure …

Hard to believe that it’s been nearly two years since I last caught up with the wines of Vecchie Terre di Montefili, the Greve in Chianti producer who has winemaker Serena Gusmeri leading the cellar. During our most recent catch-up, I got to sample their (spoiler alert!) stellar 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva (so not quite […] This article was originally …

We have a stunner on our hands here. What a wine. This popular Kirkland offering has always been good but it’s getting a nice bump up with this vintage. Let’s stack good news on good news. Last year, we were happy the price was staying the same as the 2022 vintage at $22.99. But now […] Source : https://costcowineblog.com/2024-kirkland-signature-stags-leap-district-cabernet-sauvignon/

Joy Sterling (credit: drwinkler) Located 13 miles from the Pacific, this 300-acre estate (164 acres in vine today) was founded by Audrey and Barry Sterling in Green Valley in 1976.  They were pioneers of the Green Valley and played a key role in establishing it as an AVA within the Russian River Valley. Today, their daughter, Joy Sterling, who grew …

My latest article for Cristaldi & Co. is now available, in which I delve into selections from Tuscan producer Vignamaggio. These guys are making some fascinating reds (priced to match), most of the best of which are not being made with Sangiovese (Cab Franc geeks, bring your wallets!). The article is free to peruse, but […] This article was originally …

It is a little surprising to see the newest vintage of this dependable Kirkland Cabernet arrive in stores in July. The previous 2023 vintage just landed in October, but we’ll take it. This is a solid wine year to year, and this vintage is no different. More of the same greatness, but get this…the price […] Source : https://costcowineblog.com/2024-kirkland-signature-columbia-valley-cabernet-sauvignon/

Winemaker Paul Gerber and Assistant Winemaker Kalissa de Kok are crafting sparkling wine the Champagne way in Franschhoek. Read my review article on Substack. Source : https://i-winereview.com/blog/index.php/2025/12/18/superb-cap-classique-sparklers-from-colmant/

Sick of seeing my name on stuff lately (in which case, why are you here?… I mean, stop hate scrolling and go do something productive already)? Well, then you’re REALLY going to hate the Summer 2026 issue of Tasting Panel magazine, in which my byline appears not once, not twice, but five freaking times. Including […] This article was originally …

An interesting wine here with a massive Costco discount. $13.00 off the standard price of $32.99 makes the final price a nice $19.99, not bad for a wine from Stags Leap. We tasted and reviewed their Rutherford Cabernet just a few months ago, that also came in with a huge discount, and we really like […] Source : https://costcowineblog.com/2023-reputation-stags-leap-district-cabernet-sauvignon/

Hartford Family Winery focuses on single vineyard bottlings of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, most from organically and biodynamically farmed vineyards located in the Russian River Valley. The winery was founded by Don and Jennifer Hartford in Forestville in 1994. Today, Hailey Hartford Murray, daughter of Don and Jennifer and granddaughter of Jackson Family Wines founder Jess Jackson, is President …