The best value in all of the Costco Kirkland Signature wines? We check out the latest vintage of the Kirkland Signature Cotes du Rhone Villages.
A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre from Cotes du Rhone Villages, France.
The Kirkland Signature Cotes du Rhone Villages is available exclusively at Costco and sells for $7.49. Find out how to check if your local store has it without making a trip there in our post explaining how to check Costco store inventory online.
This current 2023 vintage continues with the screwcap that was introduced with the 2020 vintage. It is imported by DC Flynt MW Domaines & Estates.
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From the bottle:
Only one-fifth of the wine produced in Southern Rhone's Cotes du Rhone qualifies for the superior designation of Cotes du Rhone Villages. Vintner Patrick Lesec is recognized among the top winemakers in the region, and his wines are among the finest in France. He brings decades of experience in the Rhone to this Kirkland Signature Cotes du Rhone Villages.
15.5% Alcohol
Today we're revisiting a wine we've recommended many times in the past. Finding consistently good wines can be a challenge under $10. Variations in grape pricing, weather, economic conditions and more can end up having a big impact because, let's face it, at only $7.49 there isn't really room to absorb any cost increases without affecting the price.
When we find a wine priced this low, that is impressive year after year, we can't help but sing its praises. While we thought the 2020 through 2022 vintages were quite good, they weren't quite up to the excellent standard of previous vintages. Let's check out the 2023 to see how it compares.
The 2023 Kirkland Signature Cotes du Rhone Villages begins with aromas of red berry fruit, a little spice and balsam wood and some very light earthy notes. We didn't detect much black pepper and licorice like the previous vintage. In fact, at first sniff this seems like it could be a step down from last year.
Luckily that is not the case at all when tasting. The wine features great depth with dark, ripe and juicy fruit, a bit on the tart side, plus some continuing light earthy notes, licorice, oak and and some spice. With great balance as well, the drinkability of this wine is very high.
It ends dry and a bit grippy on the long finish. It was pretty similar on day 2. While we were worried from our initial reaction to the nose, after tasting it seems this wine is back to where it was pre-2020. Given the low price, it's still one of the best values in the Kirkland Signature wines. Bulk Buy!
You might also be interested in our review of the new Kirkland Signature Vacqueyras.
2023 Kirkland Signature Cotes du Rhone Villages
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And here's our previous review of the 2022 vintage:
The 2022 Kirkland Signature Cotes du Rhone Villages begins with intriguing aromas of deep, dark fruit, spice, black pepper, licorice and light earthy notes -- much more than you would expect to find on your typical $7 wine.
Tasting reveals dark, ripe and juicy fruit, a bit on the tart side, with some continuing light earthy notes. Licorice, oak and spice round things out in this nicely balanced wine.
It ends dry, oaky and a bit grippy on the long finish. It was pretty similar on day 2.
Overall, we found it to be similar to the 2021. While it's not quite up to the level of some of the previous vintages, it is quite tasty once it has some air (it really improves after a couple hours).