Revisiting the latest vintage of this real deal Rioja Reserva, the Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva (JME Seleccion).
100% Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain. The wine was aged 30 months in French and American oak.
The Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva is available exclusively at Costco. The 2021 vintage sells for $7.79, which is up slightly from the 2020 at $6.99, but similar to vintages before that. Either way, it’s remarkably low for a wine that spends this long in oak. As has been the case for several years now, it is produced by Bodegas Eguia and imported by Quintessential, LLC.
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From the bottle:
The Murua family’s century-old winemaking tradition and passion come to life in Kirkland Signature JME Selección Rioja Reserva, a decade-long collaboration. “JME” honors Julian Murua Entrena – a third-generation winemaker whose commitment to quality shines through in this smooth, well-balanced wine with a hint of spice, leather, and red fruit flavors.
Bottled by Bodegas Eguia
14% Alcohol
We’ve reviewed this wine a number of times here on Reverse Wine Snob and have found it to be consistently good, although some vintages are definitely better than others. (The 2019 was particularly good.)
With the change in branding a couple years ago the bottle no longer specifies the amount of time spent in oak but we were able to confirm it is 30 months. Previous vintages have ranged from 36 months in oak for the 2013 to only 24 months when the wine was made by Bodegas Muriel to 30 months for the 2017-2019 vintages.
Of course, in order to be labeled as a Reserva strict guidelines must be met including three years of aging with at least one of those in oak. Even just 12 months in oak is pretty astounding to me given the cost of those barrels and that we’re talking about a $7-$8 wine! (Granted these are likely very large barrels but still.)
The 2021 Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva begins with pleasing aromas of blackberry and leather plus a little vanilla, licorice and cedar. A little mint and a touch of balsamic also come out with some time in the glass.
Tasting the medium-bodied wine reveals that classic Rioja character that can only come from being well aged and spending some significant time in oak barrels. Not nearly as oaky in its youth as the 2020, this one is just juicy, balanced and very good. It features similar flavors to the nose with good depth and is quite a pleasure to drink.
It ends dry, grippy, juicy and quite long with some added touches of cinnamon and was just as good on day 2. This is a step up from the 2020, back to the level of the 2019 vintage. We love it.
2021 Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva JME Seleccion
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Review Summary
Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva - Costco Scores Again? Reverse Wine Snob
Revisiting the latest vintage of this real deal Rioja Reserva, the Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva JME Seleccion.
8.3
Pros
- 30 months in French and American oak for just $7.79
- 89-90 points, Bulk Buy Rating
Cons
- Doesn't last long in the store (if you see it, buy it)
- Quality can vary by vintage by 2021 is very good
Since we know a lot of you like to stash a few of these bottles in your cellars, here are our previous reviews of the past couple vintages:
The 2020 Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva definitely needs some air when first opened as it starts quite closed. With time, it opens to reveal notes of blackberry and leather plus a little vanilla, licorice and cedar. A few more secondary notes come out on day 2.
Tasting the medium-bodied wine reveals that classic Rioja character that can only come from being well aged and spending some significant time in oak barrels, although this one seems particularly oaky in its youth. It features similar flavors to the nose and is quite a pleasure to drink after it has several hours of air.
It ends dry and also a bit tannic and grippy at this point. For now this is not quite as good as the 2019 vintage although it is still a fantastic value at this price. It was at its best on day 2.
It would be interesting to stash a few of these away for a years as I do think it has the potential to get better.
2020 Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva JME Seleccion
And here’s our previous review of the 2019 vintage with the old branding.
From the bottle:
Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva is an elegant wine made from 100% Tempranillo grapes grown in the region of Rioja. Aged 30 months in oak barrels and cellared for six months in the bottle prior to release, this ruby-colored wine has intense, spicy aromas with a hint of licorice. Vanilla flavors on the palate leave a pleasant, lingering, well-balanced finish.
Bottled by Bodegas Eguia
14% Alcohol
The 2019 Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva certainly starts off well, not needing as much time to open up as the 2018. It begins with an expressive and pleasing aroma of blackberry, vanilla, leather and balsamic along with secondary notes of licorice, mint, cola, cedar and more.
Tasting the medium-bodied wine reveals that classic Rioja character that can only come from being well aged and spending some significant time in oak barrels. Smooth with soft tannins, lightly spicy and featuring great depth and balance this wine is a pleasure to drink.
It ends dry with more blackberry and vanilla plus some long-lasting cola, cinnamon and balsamic notes. It was just as good on day 2. A definite step up from the 2017 and 2018, stock up on this one!
