A new entry into the Kirkland Signature line at Costco, we review the Kirkland Signature St-Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux.
83% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon and from Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France.
Another day, another big name Bordeaux wine at a discount! This time Costco goes to the prestigious St-Emilion on the Right Bank for a wine that is priced very nicely. The appellation focuses primarily on Merlot and Cabernet Franc which is exactly what we have here.
The wine is also “Grand Cru” status which means it has slightly higher production standards including an extra 14 months of aging (which could be in the bottle) before release. And while that sounds very exclusive, most of the wine produced in the region is Grand Cru status, so it’s not uncommon.
The Kirkland Signature St-Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux comes from Vignobles Bardet, an estate with a long history in St-Emilion – the winery started in 1704! We know this because of the “Mise En Bouteille A La Propriete” line on the back label, which means the wine was made and bottled on the same property where it was grown.
In this case, we also have a bit of added information after that statement in the “Pour Domaines Select” – so “for Domaines Select” which appears to be a negociant in St Emilion. I’m guessing this just means Domaines Select contracted with Vignobles Bardet to make the Kirkland Signature St-Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux for Costco.
Vignobles Bardet has a history with making wines for others as they also make the official wines for the Peaky Blinders TV series under the Shelby Company name. Most of their Grand Cru wines tend to start around $30 and go up, so at least on the surface, there appears to be good value here.
The 2022 Kirkland Signature St-Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux is available exclusively at Costco for just $14.99. It is imported by Misa Imports. Let’s check out how it tastes!
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From the bottle:
Appellation Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Controlee
83% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 3% Cabernet SauvignonKirkland Signature Saint-Emilion Grand Cru reveals an alluring bouquet of dark fruit and earthy notes, accented by subtle aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant, and a hint of licorice. Silky on the palate with elegantly integrated tannins, it offers a rich, generous mouthfeel, culminating in a lingering, savory finish. Great to pair with red meat, aged cheese, or duck confit. This wine is best enjoyed now or cellared to reveal even greater complexity over time.
Mise En Bouteille A La Propriete Par SCEA Des Vignobles Bardet 33330 Vignonet Pour Domaines Select 33300 St Emilion
13.5% Alcohol
The 2022 Kirkland Signature St-Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux opens with aromas of dark berry fruit and cedar plus a little licorice and leather. Touches of vanilla, chocolate and bay leaf round things out. It’s not overly expressive and it takes some coaxing, but it’s a good start.
Tasting the wine reveals it to be tannic and young as you would expect but also lacking a bit of depth and complexity, at least when first opened. You can tell it has potential to age though. It features similar flavors to the nose with a smooth mouthfeel and juicy fruit. It also went surprisingly well with our meat lovers cauliflower crust pizza.
It ends dry, long and quite grippy at this point. And while it does get much better with air (it was at its best of day 2), it is also clear this one needs more time to age. In that respect it is similar to the La Devise de Lilian Saint-Estephe Bordeaux we just reviewed from Trader Joe’s – if you’re drinking it now, I’d give it an 8 Taste Rating. Give it a few years, on the other hand, and I do think it will make it to a low 9 Taste Rating so we have scored it accordingly.
I would also say that we thought the $16.99 Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Saint-Émilion Grand Cru we also recently reviewed is just a bit better and definitely more ready to drink now (although it still needs a good amount of air).
2022 Kirkland Signature St-Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux
Looking for more of our favorite wine selections from Costco? 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 France here.
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