Reverse Wine Snob

Wine doesn't have to be expensive to be good

  • About
  • Aldi® Picks
  • Costco® Picks
  • Trader Joe’s® Picks
  • FREE GUIDE
  • Insider Deals
menu icon
go to homepage
Get Our Free Guide!
search icon
Homepage link
  • FREE GUIDE!
  • Insider Deals
  • Best Of Lists
    • - Costco
    • - Trader Joe's
    • - Aldi
  • About
  • The Rating System
  • More Helpful Links
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf du Pape - A Costco QPR Champ!

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: June 28, 2023 Last Updated: June 28, 2023

    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!

    Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf du Pape - A Costco QPR Champ!

    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.

    Want to get an email reminder of the Kirkland Signature wines to watch for each month?

    SIGN UP HERE

    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.)

    2018 and 2021 Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf-du-Pape

    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

    Taste: 9 (91-93 points)   Cost: 4
    OVERALL RATING: 7.8

    HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

    2021 Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf-du-Pape

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

    The Best Wines at Costco - The Reverse Wine Snob Picks!

    You may also want to check out more of our favorite wines from France here!


    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.

    2019 Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf-du-Pape

    Taste: 10 (94+ points) 

    Saturday Splurge

    Filed Under: Costco, France, France - Rhone, GSM, Highly Recommended, Kirkland Signature, Thanksgiving

    << INSIDER DEAL! Brutocao Torrent and Cabernet Sauvignon
    A Smoking Good INSIDER DEAL! The Piedra Creek Benito Dusi Zinfandel >>

    About Jon Thorsen

    Author and independent wine consumer helping millions of people find great wines without breaking the bank since 2011. Sign up for my FREE GUIDE to learn how! Read more about me...

    Reverse Wine Snob Insider Deals Header Square

    Limited Time offers with amazing discounts just for our readers.

    Don't Miss Out!

    About Reverse Wine Snob

    Wine doesn't have to be expensive to be good! Jon Thorsen is an independent wine consumer who has been helping millions of people find great wines without breaking the bank since 2011. If you're new to Reverse Wine Snob® sign up for my free guide and don't miss our exclusive Insider Deals! Read more about Reverse Wine Snob in the news and about me.

    Reverse Wine Snob Logo

    Join over 450,000 followers on social media!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Get Our Free Guide! How To Drink Great Wine...Without Breaking The Bank

    Free Guide! How To Drink Great Wine Without Breaking The BankReady to start drinking the best wine of your life, and save money doing it? Sign up for our 5 Day Free Guide!

    Learn More

    Helpful Links

    • - Ask The Expert Series
    • - Browse by Variety, Region, etc.
    • - Buy My Book on Amazon
    • - Get Our Free Guide
    • - How To Choose A Good Bottle of Wine
    • - Insider Deals
    • - Insider Deal FAQ
    • - Printable Lists of Recommended Wines
    • - Ten Tenets of Reverse Wine Snobbery
    • - The Rating System
    • - Wine Tasting Basics

    • - Advertise
    • - Contact Info
    • - Submit Samples for review

    How To Drink Great Wine...Without Breaking The Bank

    Tired of wasting money on bad wine? Sign up for our Free Guide!

    No commitments, no spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

    Best Of Lists!

      • - Aldi Wine
      • - Best Pizza Wines
      • - Best Red Wines of 2022
      • - Box Wines
      • - Cabernet Sauvignon
      • - Chardonnay
      • - Chianti
      • - Costco Wine
      • - French Wines
      • - Italian Wines
      • - Malbec
      • - Merlot
      • - Oregon Wines
      • - Organic Wines
      • - Pinot Noir
      • - Red Blends
      • - Rosé
      • - Riesling
      • - Sauvignon Blanc
      • - Spanish Wines
      • - Sparkling Wine
      • - Syrah
      • - Thanksgiving Wines
      • - Trader Joe's Wine
      • - Wedding Wine
      • - Vegan Wines
      • - Zinfandel
      • And Many More Best of Lists

    Reverse Wine Snob®: Wine doesn't have to be expensive to be good.

    Copyright © 2011–2023 · Reverse Wine Snob, LLC. | Privacy, Editorial & Advertising Policy