Kirkland Signature Rutherford Napa Valley Meritage 2010 – An Annual Bulk Buy

[Check out the review of the current vintage of this wine here: Kirkland Signature Rutherford Napa Valley Meritage 2011 – A Sure Thing!]

70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 12.5% Petit Verdot and 2.5% Cabernet Franc from Napa Valley, California.

Available for $13.99 exclusively at Costco.

From the bottle:

“The Napa Valley, Rutherford AVA is known for its unique terroir of volcanic-influenced soil laced with gravel, sand, and loam. This classic Cabernet-dominated Meritage is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 12.5% Petit Verdot, and 2.5% Cabernet Franc from select Rutherford AVA vineyards. Drink now through 2015.

“Deep, concentrated, black cherry notes are surrounded by ripe black currant, cinnamon and sweet oak spice. The lifting acidity frames the rich fruit and the classic ‘Rutherford Dust.'” Winemakers Marco DiGiulio & Zach Long

14.6% Alcohol”

Today’s wine is basically the exact same blend as the 2009 version, which I enjoyed very much. In fact, I’ve enjoyed it so much over the past year that I had to go back and change my original 8 Taste rating to a 9. As with many wines, a little extra time in the bottle can go a long way and I’m expecting similar things here.

The 2010 Kirkland Signature Rutherford Napa Valley Meritage begins with really nice ripe dark fruit aromas of black cherry and plum as well as some great cinnamon and other spice notes. At first blush I thought this wine wasn’t as flavorful as the 2009, but just wait…it really opens up nicely as it gets some air. Add a great mouthfeel, lots of deep spice and dry, grippy tannins and you’ve got a winner. The finish is dry and long, and those signature dusty notes are there just like the 2009. This one never lasts long at Costco so go grab a bunch today!

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