Revisiting the latest vintage of this real deal Rioja Reserva, the Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva (JME Seleccion), with slightly new branding.
Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain.
The Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva is available exclusively at Costco. The 2020 vintage sells for $1 less than previous vintages at just $6.99. It also bears some slightly new branding but as has been the case for several years now, it is produced by Bodegas Eguia and imported by Quintessential, LLC.
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From the bottle:
The Murua family’s century-old winemaking tradition and passion come to life in JME Selección Rioja Reserva, a decade-long collaboration with Kirkland Signature. “JME” honors Julian Murua Entrena – a third-generation winemaker whose commitment to quality shines through in this smooth, well-balanced wine with a hint of spice, leather, and red fruit flavors.
Bottled by Bodegas Eguia
14% Alcohol
We’ve reviewed this wine a number of times here on Reverse Wine Snob and have found it to be consistently good, although some vintages are definitely better than others. (The 2019 was particularly good.)
Along with the change in branding this year the bottle no longer specifies the amount of time spent in oak. Previous vintages have ranged from 36 months in oak for the 2013 to only 24 months when the wine was made by Bodegas Muriel to 30 months for the 2017-2019 vintages.
Of course, 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. Even just 12 months in oak is pretty 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 2020 Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva definitely needs some air when first opened as it starts quite closed. With time, it opens to reveal notes of blackberry and leather plus a little vanilla, licorice and cedar. A few more secondary notes come out on day 2.
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, although this one seems particularly oaky in its youth. It features similar flavors to the nose and is quite a pleasure to drink after it has several hours of air.
It ends dry and also a bit tannic and grippy at this point. For now this is not quite as good as the 2019 vintage although it is still a fantastic value at this price. It was at its best on day 2.
It would be interesting to stash a few of these away for a years as I do think it has the potential to get better.
2020 Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva JME Seleccion
Looking for more of our favorite Costco wine selections? 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 wines from Rioja here.
And here’s our previous review of the 2019 vintage with the old branding.
From the bottle:
Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva is an elegant wine made from 100% Tempranillo grapes grown in the region of Rioja. Aged 30 months in oak barrels and cellared for six months in the bottle prior to release, this ruby-colored wine has intense, spicy aromas with a hint of licorice. Vanilla flavors on the palate leave a pleasant, lingering, well-balanced finish.
Bottled by Bodegas Eguia
14% Alcohol
The 2019 Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva certainly starts off well, not needing as much time to open up as the 2018. It begins with an expressive and pleasing aroma of blackberry, vanilla, leather and balsamic along with secondary notes of licorice, mint, cola, cedar 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. Smooth with soft tannins, lightly spicy and featuring great depth and balance this wine is a pleasure to drink.
It ends dry with more blackberry and vanilla plus some long-lasting cola, cinnamon and balsamic notes. It was just as good on day 2. A definite step up from the 2017 and 2018, stock up on this one!
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