This is a rather new addition to the Kirkland wine portfolio, originating three years ago when we tasted and reviewed the 2020 vintage.
We went 88 points back then, and 89 points with the 2021 vintage. It's kind of a bummer that we seemed to have missed the 2022 vintage because we would have scooped it up in a second if we found it.
According to the Costco placard, Wine Enthusiast gave that vintage 90 points. One good change with this new vintage is a price reduction, down to $14.99 from a previous $16.99. Always love to see that when most things seem to be going up.
We are big fans of WA State wines, have written about them over the years, and always have big hopes for this Columbia Valley blend.
The blend as you can see from the back label is Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah, and we have the same winemaker, Gilles Nicault as prior years.
This 2023 vintage is again very good, right there with the 2021. It's a big wine, juicy with loads of dark fruit; nice peppery spice; medium plus body with good acidity and a strong, lasting finish.
We like the depth here which might pull it from 89 to 90 points for us. This is a really nice wine, and now it's at an even better price at Costco. We'll recommend it, especially for WA State red fans.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 90 points
Costco item number: 977741
Availability: We buy our wine in Costco warehouses around the Atlanta area. The best way to locate wines near you is by using the new Costco mobile app and searching with the Costco item number we listed above.
Alc. 14.9% (yes, big alc with this one like prior vintages)
Maria Jette says
YIKES to that 14.9% ABV! I’d forgotten why I hadn’t picked up any of this otherwise intriguing Kirkland item in the past, and that number reminded me.
Are we truly doomed to have these insane levels of alcohol? In wines from Washington state??? Yes, I get it—it’s getting hotter and hotter. Can’t they harvest earlier?