A high end wine now available under $20 thanks to Costco, we review the latest vintage of the Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf-du-Pape, as well as check out how a previous edition is holding up!
A Southern Rhone blend of 70% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Cinsault and 10% Mourvedre from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France.
The 2021 Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf-du-Pape is available for $18.99 (a $3 reduction from the last time we reviewed it) exclusively at Costco. It is imported by Misa Import.
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From the bottle:
This Chateauneuf-du-Pape, created by third-generation winemaker, Guillaume Gonnet, unites the four terroirs of Chateauneuf-du-Pape; river stones, limestones, clay and sand. The 2021 vintage is oustanding, characterized by a mix of delicious, bright berries, herbs of Provence and liquorice, a long creamy middle palate and soft, lingering finish. A vintage to enjoy in its youth after decanting, or to be cellared.
Produced & Aged by Selectionne Eleve par Guillaume Gonnet
15% Alcohol
Today's Costco pick is a wine we've covered and recommended many times. Years ago, it was made by Domaine de Nalys but with the 2018 vintage Costco changed the producer to winemaker, Guillaume Gonnet, who makes a number of wines under his own label, including several from Chateuneuf du Pape.
And since we all know the wines from Chateauneuf-du-Pape are meant to age, we thought it would be fun to taste this new vintage side by side with a bottle of the 2018 (made by the same winemaker) too see how it is progressing. (The short answer - don't be afraid to stock up and cellar this wine.)
The 2021 Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf-du-Pape begins with an excellent aroma full of red and black currant, red cherry, licorice, nicely integrated spice, some nice touches of flowers and herbs and a hint of a meaty note.
Tasting the smooth, medium-bodied wine unveils a harmonious and complex wine. After a couple hour decant blackberry, black cherry, leather, licorice, spice, a touch of an olive note and a bit of meatiness all combine seamlessly in your mouth. I'd say it isn't quite as complex as the 2019 (the last vintage we reviewed) but it's still quite compelling.
A nice earthy streak mid-palate leads into the delicious, dry, grippy and savory finish.
And how about that 2018 vintage? It's really excellent and has gotten even more harmonious with age. And while it's similar in a lot of ways, that extra age has just elevated everything about it. And as good as it is now, it's still tasting like it has a bit more improvement on the way so don't be afraid to hold on to those bottles a while longer.
2021 Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf-du-Pape
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And here's our review of the 2019 vintage, which retailed for $21.99:
The 2019 Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf-du-Pape begins with an excellent and exuberant aroma full of red and black currant, red cherry, licorice, nicely integrated spice, some nice touches of flowers and herbs and a hint of a meaty note.
Tasting the smooth, medium-bodied wine unveils a truly harmonious and complex wine. After a couple hour decant blackberry, black cherry, leather, licorice, spice and a touch of an olive note all combine seamlessly in your mouth.
A nice earthy streak mid-palate leads into the delicious, dry, grippy, savory and spicy finish. This vintage is drinking even better at this young age than the 2018 was, so much so that we'd give it a perfect 10 Taste rating. It has plenty of aging potential too.
