Kirkland Signature Brunello di Montalcino

An excellent, drink me now rendition of Brunello at a great Costco price, the Kirkland Signature Brunello di Montalcino.

100% Sangiovese from Montalcino, Italy. The wine was aged in oak barrels for 3 years.

The Kirkland Signature Brunello di Montalcino is available exclusively at Costco for $26.99 (Saturday Splurge). It is imported by Misa Imports.

From the bottle:

Kirkland Signature Brunello di Montalcino DOCG is made with 100% Sangiovese grapes from vineyards located in the Southeastern part of Montalcino. The 2013 vintage was harvested in late September at the perfect level of maturation. The wine was aged in oak barrels for 3 years and was bottled four months before the release. The result is an outstanding wine with aromas of red berries, wild herbs and sour cherry. The taste is well-balanced and fresh, with soft tannins and hints of candied fruits. The finish is very long, warm and slightly spicy.
14% Alcohol

The Kirkland Signature Brunello first appeared with the 2010 vintage, although I’m guessing the production is not very big as it can be hard to find. There’s no indication of the producer but in order to qualify for the Brunello designation it needs to meet pretty stringent requirements, such as being aged for four years before release including at least two years in oak.

The Kirkland Signature Brunello di Montalcino DOCG opens with a very pleasing aroma of black cherry, licorice and spice plus a little graphite and cedar. The wine tastes smooth and balanced with great spice notes. It’s a bit lighter bodied than typical but it works quite well and tastes very true to form. This one is really delicious after it has some time to open up with similar flavors to the nose along with touches of balsamic and anise. It ends with a long, dry and dusty finish plus lingering hints of tobacco.

This isn’t necessarily a bottle that I would plan on cellaring for a number of years as I might with other more expensive Brunello (we’ve snagged a few of those more pricey bottles as birth year wines for our kids to open in 20-30 years) but it is a pretty good representation of these wines that is drinking great right now so go ahead and enjoy!

Kirkland Signature Brunello di Montalcino

Saturday Splurge

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