Reviews

This almost seemed to good to be true, but a reader informed us this Gran Reserva Rioja from 2010 was hitting Costco stores. And the price was only $14.99. We got lucky and found it on our next visit. Back in 2018 we reviewed the 2012 standard Hidalgo Tradicion H Rioja, and really enjoyed it. … Source : https://costcowineblog.com/2010-hidalgo-tradicion-h-gran-reserva-rioja/

Here’s a new Champagne we found hitting the Costco aisles and decided to give a try. And we’re glad we did as it turned out to be a delicious and elegant wine. Costco’s price is pretty solid for $39.99; elsewhere online it seemed to consistently be around $50. We noticed some nice scores from the … Source : https://costcowineblog.com/philippe-gonet-brut-reserve-champagne/

Finding this bottle was a pleasant sight for us in the Costco wine aisles.  We have previously reviewed the 2014 vintage of this wine and really enjoyed it. You can see by the Costco placard this bottle has received a string of 90+ point ratings, including 90 points from us on the 2014 vintage.  2016 was a … Source : https://costcowineblog.com/2016-bodegas-valdelacierva-rioja-reserva/

Here’s a new Willamette Valley Pinot Noir that showed up in Costco stores near us. It’s not an inexpensive bottle, coming in at $36.99 at Costco, which is about what you will find it for at other outlets, including Total Wine who carries it for $38.99. Retail appears to be in the low $40’s. This … Source : https://costcowineblog.com/2021-cristom-mt-jefferson-cuvee-pinot-noir/

We heard from readers that the latest vintage of the Kirkland Oakville Cab was hitting stores, and we finally found it after multiple trips to Costco over the past couple of weeks. This is one of our favorite wines in the Kirkland portfolio, and it remains really hard to beat for under $20. And that’s … Source : https://costcowineblog.com/2020-kirkland-signature-oakville-cabernet-sauvignon/

A stunning mix of concentrated blueberry preserves, salted black licorice, blackberry and huckleberry flavors, with details of black walnut liqueur, malty Assam black tea, smoked paprika and bittersweet chocolate. The tannins are dense and toothsome, but there’s polish and refinement present as well, followed by an epic finish. Drink now through 2035. 200 cases imported. Source : 17908abc15a572c0e934964ddb145836

Delivers direct cherry, cassis and blueberry flavors that are ripe and expressive, with a streak of smoke, tar and mineral on the juicy, tangy palate. Drink now. 8,000 cases made, 4,000 cases imported. Source : 08f5192d321c9b40d5105fb51712cf56

Purchased in 2001, Tenuta Castelbuono in Montefalco is the latest project of the Lunelli family, famous for its Ferrari sparkling wine.  The first vintage of Montefalco Sagrantino was released in 2003, and a new winery named “carapace” (tortoise shell) designed by Arnaldo Pomodoro was inaugurated in 2012. The Tenuta comprises 37 ha of organically cultivated vineyards, 22 in Bevagna and …

Rich and succulent, showing a broad range of flavors, from nutmeg-laced spices and candied orange zest to salted, toasted hazelnut, Fuji apple, lemon zest and dried thyme. Packs plenty of harmony on the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2030. 1,666 cases made. Source : d1a3f67bab92c58ddcb79b9cb1e4ee41

An open-knit, friendly, modern-styled offering, with gently mulled plum and cassis mixed with violet and cocoa. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2026. 10,000 cases made, 7,000 cases imported. Source : f6fbbd7540789963455b76030f0c3434

Bright, juicy and with good freshness, this pushes a mix of yellow apple, pineapple and white peach to the fore, backed by a long elderflower honey note that holds the finish prettily. Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now through 2035. 1,250 cases made. Source : ac8f61be56fdc3ac95df4720c1164b09

Succulent and fleshy, with salted melon, ripe pear and mango flavors, a savory thread of dried herbs and spices, plus fresh acidity to keep everything in focus. Drink now. 96,000 cases made. Source : fc0ff134b562c23ae676d8e276602c02

A fresh, vibrant style that weaves snappy red currant with a fresh dusting of white pepper and fruitcake spices. Shows good concentration on the palate, which is held aloft with racy acidity, graphite and tannins through the finish. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Drink now through 2030. Source : 497bddc46c3dd0f51c9ca2f77cf73675

Offers a cedar thread that weaves around dried plum and red cherry notes, ending with a warm earth hint. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2025. 25,000 cases made. Source : 6f564867f2eb6da9254eb4dabd596ade

I taste a bunch-o-wine (technical term for more than most people). So each week, I share some of my wine reviews (mostly from samples) and tasting notes in a “mini-review” format. They are meant to be quirky, fun, and (mostly) easily-digestible reviews of (mostly) currently available wines (click here for the skinny on how to read them), and are presented links …

Supple and elegant on the palate, but not shy on power, with browned butter, salted toffee and nutmeg notes adding complexity to a core of apricot and peach flavors. Showing a fresh thread of acidity, this is a powerful, complex wine with a long, epic finish. Drink now through 2030. 1,200 cases made. Source : 5e59e515fccc6ff294caa9852fd4851c

A richly styled white, with juicy peach, apricot and nectarine, plus buttercream highlights on the plush palate. Succulent acidity runs through this version, and a firming, chalky mineral layer brings balance. Drink now. 2,000 cases made, 2,000 cases imported. Source : 6bdacccfce474e084939594fbe8d7dbe

We’ve regularly tasted the Testarossa Pinot Noirs since the 2007 vintage when we visited this Santa Clara winery and tasted with Rob and Diana Jensen (shown here).  Also, over the years we’ve visited and written about most of the vineyards that provide the fruit for Testarossa’s single vineyard Pinots. Bill Brousseau has been director of winemaking at Testarossa since 2003, …

A lightly sinewy red, with macerated cherry and raspberry fruit accented by rose hip and thyme. Remains vibrant on the chalky finish, where tannins lend support and the red fruit and floral flavors fade gracefully. Best from 2025 through 2043. 800 cases imported. Source : e19d5e9068f353803820943577231056

Expressive and intense, with passionfruit, ruby grapefruit and lemongrass flavors. Robust and vibrant, with terrific acidity and notes of jasmine on the finish. Drink now. 6,600 cases made. Source : 0b6cd6db01f6861778996c1dad7b6fc0