Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva – Costco Scores Again

Insane value at just $6.99 a bottle! Real deal Rioja Reserva aged 36 months in oak barrels.

100% Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain.

The Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva is available exclusively at Costco for $6.99. Bottled by Bodegas Eguia. Imported by Quintessential Wines.

It’s been a while since we had tasted this wine, but much to our delight it still delivers insane value. Interestingly, the last time we tasted this wine it was bottled by Bodegas Muriel and aged in barrel for only 24 months (and one year in bottle). The 2013 version was bottled by Bodegas Eguia and aged in barrel for 36 months.

If you’ve followed Reverse Wine Snob since the beginning, you should recognize the Eguia name. It’s the winery behind one of our all-time favorite deals.

Just like that wine, in order to be labeled as a Reserva strict guidelines must be met including three years of aging with at least one of those in oak. In the case of this wine that included 3 years in barrel, which is just astounding to me given the cost of those barrels and that we’re talking about a $7 wine! (Granted these are likely very large barrels but still.)

The 2013 Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva begins with a very pleasant aroma full of blackberry, vanilla and balsamic along with secondary notes of licorice, mint and more. Tasting the medium-bodied wine reveals that classic Rioja character that can only come from being well aged and spending some significant time in oak barrels. Having said that, the balance here is wonderful with the oak adding to the experience but never overpowering the rich fruit. Smooth with soft tannins and lightly spicy, this wine is a pleasure to drink. It ends dry with more blackberry and vanilla plus some long-lasting cola and cinnamon notes. A fantastic value!

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