A great example of the variety at a fabulous price, the Kirkland Signature Carneros Pinot Noir from Costco.
Pinot Noir from Carneros, Napa Valley, California.
This wine is available exclusively at Costco for just $9.99. The wine spends an unspecified amount of time in French oak barrels.
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The Carneros AVA is the first wine region in California to be defined by climate. The cool winds and almost-daily, cool fog combine to make this a top region for the production of Pinot Noir.
"Kirkland Signature" Carneros Pinot Noir is a classic blend of richness and elegance. The aromas of ripe cherry and rhubarb are counterbalanced by darker, black fruit and forest floor notes woven together with a hint of spice from French oak barrels.
-Alison Crowe, WinemakerCellared & Bottled by DC Flynt MW Domaines & Estates
14.0% Alcohol
The 2019 Kirkland Signature Carneros Pinot Noir from the Napa Valley side of the Carneros AVA begins with very pleasing, classic Pinot Noir aromas 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 very true to form flavors. Plenty of cola, candied black cherry, strawberry, lots of oaky spice and a touch of vanilla, rhubarb and earth all continue into the long, dry finish. It gains complexity as it has time in the glass so take your time and enjoy it.
This is a really nice example of the variety at a fabulous 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 succeeds admirably.
Overall we might like this one even a tad more than the Trader Joe's Grand Reserve Carneros Pinot Noir, which is pretty amazing since it also costs $3 less.
You can also find more of our favorite Pinot Noir here.
