Four highly scored European red wines in a wood box for just $34.99, we review the European Red Wine Exploration Collection or “Euro Box” from Costco!
It’s a new Costco box for the the holidays.
The last few years Costco has released a Grands Vins de Bordeaux Box Set, perfect for gift giving. In addition, this year they’ve also dropped a new “Euro Box” featuring red wines from four European countries.
The Costco European Red Wine Exploration Collection (aka “Euro Box”) is available exclusively at Costco for just $34.99 ($8.75/bottle). The four included wines come from France, Italy, Portugal and Spain. They are imported by Tri-Vin and Webster Barnes LLC.
Here’s what’s in the box:
- The 2022 Fabula de Paniza Garnacha from Carinena, Spain.
- The 2022 Chateau Talmont Bordeaux from France.
- The 2022 Galasso Filari Montepulciano d’Abruzzo from Italy.
- The 2022 Lagar da Ravasqueira Red from Alentejano, Portugal.
The first thing you’ll notice are the 90-92 point scores plastered prominently on each bottle. Beyond that, however, on the surface this is a nice selection of reds from places that Reverse Wine Snobs can typically find lots of value.
Let’s take a look at each wine, shall we?
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Up first in the Euro Box is the 2022 Fabula de Paniza Garnacha. It is comprised of 100% Garnacha from Carinena, Spain. It was fermented in stainless steel.
From the bottle:
Intense ripe fruits, blackberries and black cherries
14.5% Alcohol
The 2022 Fabula de Paniza Garnacha begins with a fresh and attractive aroma full of dark berry fruit with touches of wintergreen, spice, violets and more.
Taking a sip reveals a fresh, juicy, jammy and tasty version of Garnacha that is quite easy to drink. It features similar flavors to the nose with a soft and smooth mouthfeel and perhaps a touch of residual sugar plus light touches of spice.
It ends with a dry, soft finish of decent length and tasted pretty much the same on day 2.
Up next in the Costco European Red Wine Exploration Collection we’ve got the 2022 Chateau Talmont AOP Bordeaux. It is a blend of 59% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc from Bordeaux, France. A small portion of the wine is aged with French oak staves for 6 months.
From the bottle:
A deep cherry red color with a welcoming profile that is full of red berries, floral touches and hints of vanilla. 59% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc.
13.5% Alcohol
The 2022 Chateau Talmont Bordeaux begins with a rather harmonious aroma of cedar and other barrel room notes, black cherry, plum and a little spice. It smells like a Bordeaux alright!
Tasting the wine reveals it to be smooth, medium-bodied and quite easy to drink but with a good amount of depth as well. It features similar fruit to the nose with nice spice throughout and fine tannins. It is also harmonious when tasting.
It ends dry and a bit grippy on the long finish that has a little oaky spice at the very end. It might be even a bit better in a couple more years but it is drinking nicely now and was similar on day 2.
The third wine in the Costco Euro Box is the 2022 Galasso Filari Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. It is 100% Montepulciano from Loreto Aprutino, Città Sant’Angelo, Abruzzo, Italy and spends 4 months in stainless steel tanks.
From the bottle:
Classic, round and fragrant red wine, an intense ruby colour, with soft purple hues. On the nose, this wine is jammy, with red and black cherry notes and a touch of smoke. The mouth is fresh and young with chewy tannins body. Ideal with pasta and red meat, excellent with lamb skewers and any BBQ meats, but also with cheeses of various ages.
12.5% Alcohol
The 2022 Galasso Filari Montepulciano d’Abruzzo begins with lots of simple berry aromas and honestly not a whole lot else. Still, it’s a fresh and attractive start.
Taking a sip reveals the wine to be pretty soft, simple and fruity when tasting as well but it’s still a satisfying and easy drink. It’s also a good one to pair with pizza or pasta.
It ends dry and long and was similar on day 2. This one just squeaks by with a low 7 Taste Rating.
2022 Galasso Filari Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Rounding out the Costco 4-Bottle European Red Wine Exploration Collection is the 2022 Lagar da Ravasqueira Red from Alentejano, Portugal. It is comprised of 30% Touriga Nacional, 20% Aragonez, 20% Alicante Bouschet, 20% Syrah and 10% Touriga Franca and it spends 8 months in American oak barrels.
From the bottle:
Wine is all about sharing stories and tradition. The Lagar has always been the meeting point between generations and customs, where history insisted on being written, passed on and celebrated.
14% Alcohol
The 2022 Lagar da Ravasqueira Red opens with a pleasing aroma of dark berry fruit, lots of vanilla and a bit of mint and spice. It’s a good start.
At first sip it tastes a bit simple, but it’s got nice depth on the fruit, some fine tannins throughout and a smooth mouthfeel. Full-bodied and with similar flavors to the nose it continues to get better with air.
It ends dry and long with a bit of juicy fruit. It was just as good, or perhaps even slightly better on day 2. This is a very nice example of a Portuguese red blend and a good value.
With two Bulk Buys in the bunch and some nice variety these are some solid wines, priced well, and packaged up perfectly for gift giving (or to enjoy yourself).
Looking for more of our favorite picks from Costco? Browse our multi-page listing of recommended wines along with more information on how to best shop the store!
You might also be interested in reading about the 2024 Costco Wine Advent Calendar.
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