Kirkland Signature Chianti Classico Riserva – Too Good To Be True?

It’s back with the same highly respected producer! Keep reading to find out who it is. We review the 2022 Kirkland Signature Chianti Classico Riserva from Costco.

Sangiovese from Chianti Classico DOCG, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy. The wine was aged for 24 months, with at least 3 of those in bottle, and the rest in oak.

The Kirkland Signature Chianti Classico Riserva is available exclusively at Costco and still retails for just $8.99. It is imported by Ethica Wines.

Previously, a perennial Bulk Buy produced by the highly respected Villa Cafaggio, we were severely disappointed in the 2020 vintage of this wine and couldn’t recommend it. (It appears that some bottles of that vintage may have been OK, but at the least there appeared to be a lot of bottle variation.) As such, we were very excited to find the 2021 was excellent and also made by a different but perhaps even more highly respected producer.

How did we know this since there is no info on the bottle? Since this is an Italian wine we simply plugged the code on neck tag into the traceability tool on the Chianti Classico website.

Entering this info reveals that just like the 2021, the producer of the 2022 is Barone Ricasoli! We are huge fans of their wines (like the Brolio), even though they are often out of our price range.

A few more notes about this wine before we get to how it tastes. Chianti can be confusing, but finding a Chianti Classico Riserva at this price point is pretty amazing. Here’s why:

1. The Kirkland Signature Chianti Classico Riserva comes from the Chianti Classico subzone within the larger Chianti region. To carry this designation it must not only come from this region, which is generally thought to produce better wines, but also meet more stringent production standards.
2. This is a Riserva wine, which means the best grapes were chosen for production and the wine undergoes more oak aging than a standard Chianti Classico wine.
3. Costco does not, of course, make their own wine. As we noted above, this wine is made by the very well respected Barone Ricasoli.
4. The Kirkland Signature Chianti Classico Riserva only costs $9! Let me say that again — this is a Chianti Classico Riserva from a very reputable producer for just $8.99. Almost sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Let’s find out if it is.

From the bottle:

The grapes for the Kirkland Signature Chianti Classico are grown on the rolling slopes within the Chianti Classico region. Kirkland Signature Chianti Classico has aged for a minimum of 24 months of which at least 3 months in bottle. The resulting wine has an intense dark color with aromas of ripe fruit and wild herb. The palate boasts deep Morello cherries with blackcurrant undertones.

13.5% Alcohol

The 2022 Kirkland Signature Chianti Classico Riserva begins with an expressive, classic Chianti aroma of sour black cherry, earth, leather, a bit of spice, cranberry, licorice and even a little mint.

Smooth and pleasing in the mouth, while still retaining that rustic Chianti character, this is a great example of variety. It doesn’t have a ton of depth when first opened but giving it some air remedies that pretty quickly. Tasting reveals similar flavors to the nose plus good acidity, good fruit and good spice which all add up to a very good, very drinkable wine that you’ll want to have on hand to pair with pizza or other Italian foods. (At this price, it’s a no-brainer!)

The wine ends dry and a bit grippy with good persistence and lingering tart, juicy fruit notes. Very similar to the 2021 vintage, this is a tremendous value once again and it was even slightly better on day 2.

You might also want to check out our review of the new Kirkland Signature Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, which is a step up from the Riserva level.

Looking for more of our favorite Costco wine picks? 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 Chianti here.

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And here’s our previous review of the 2021 vintage:

The 2021 Kirkland Signature Chianti Classico Riserva begins with an expressive, classic Chianti aroma of sour black cherry, earth, leather, a bit of spice, licorice and even a little mint.

Smooth and pleasing in the mouth, while still retaining that rustic Chianti character, this is a great example of variety. Tasting reveals similar flavors to the nose plus good acidity, good fruit and good spice which all add up to a very good, very drinkable wine that you’ll want to have on hand to pair with pizza or other Italian foods. (At this price, it’s a no-brainer!)

The wine ends dry and a bit grippy with good persistence and lingering tart, juicy fruit notes. This is a tremendous value once again and it was just as good on day 2. It’s back and it might even be better than ever!