Kirkland Signature Carneros Pinot Noir – Classic Value

A good example of the variety at a great price, we review the latest vintage of the Kirkland Signature Carneros Pinot Noir from Costco.

Pinot Noir from the Napa Valley side of Carneros in California.

This wine is available exclusively at Costco and the 2023 vintage is $1 lower than last year at just $8.99. The wine spends an unspecified amount of time in French oak barrels.

From the bottle:

A classic blend of richness and elegance. Aromas of ripe cherry and rhubarb balanced out by darker, black fruit and forest floor notes. Finished with a hint of spice from French oak barrels.
-Alison Crowe, Winemaker

Cellared & Bottled by DC Flynt MW Domaines & Estates
14.5% Alcohol

The 2023 Kirkland Signature Carneros Pinot Noir opens with a pleasing aroma of black cherry, cranberry, cola and rhubarb plus a little strawberry and mint. It’s a classic start.

The smooth, balanced, medium-bodied wine tastes similar to the nose, with a bit more cranberry in the mouth and very true to form flavors with a good amount of earthiness this vintage. Plenty of cola, earth, candied black cherry, strawberry, and oaky spice plus touches of vanilla and rhubarb all continue into the long, dry finish.

While this is still a great bargain, this vintage is similar to the 2022 in that it is a bit more on the simple side and lacking a little depth. It does gain a bit more balance and interest with time to breathe though.

Nevertheless, this is a nice example of the variety at a solid price — pretty much par for the course for Costco’s Kirkland Signature wines, but extra props here for accomplishing this with Pinot Noir from expensive Carneros no less. Pinot Noir is one of the hardest varieties to find good examples under $20, much less $10, but this one still succeeds.

Looking for more of our favorite Costco wine selections? Browse our multi-page listing of recommended wines along with more information on how to best shop the store!

You can also find more of our favorite Pinot Noir here.

And here’s our previous review of the 2022 vintage.

The 2022 Kirkland Signature Carneros Pinot Noir opens with a very pleasing, classic Pinot Noir aroma of strawberry, cola and spice plus a bit of mint, cranberry and rhubarb.

The smooth, balanced, medium-bodied wine tastes similar to the nose, with a bit more cranberry in the mouth and very true to form flavors. Plenty of cola, candied black cherry, strawberry, and oaky spice plus touches of vanilla, rhubarb and earth all continue into the long, dry finish. And while this is still a great bargain, we did feel like this vintage is a touch more on the simple side and lacking a little depth. It also didn’t hold up very well on day 2.