Costco Reds (January 2021)

We’ve been getting A LOT of requests for wine picks at Costco. About a year ago, we wrote an article featuring tips on how to find a great deal at Costco, but we didn’t focus on wine picks.

With shopping excursions limited, and some folks going full-blown delivery these days, Costco has made the “must have” list for many. To ensure we capture bottles available to both consumers, we based our picks on the “Same-Day Delivery” option on Costco’s website. Obviously, the online offerings do not include everything Costco sells, but the selection is still quite good. And for those die-hard customers willing to slap on a mask and walk in the store, you’ll be rewarded with even cheaper pricing.

Our picks were selected today (1/10/2021) so we cannot guarantee they will all be available days, weeks, or months from now but many of them are Costco regulars. We’ve also been careful to keep our picks within a reasonable price point (with one exception!). And for those disappointed that we haven’t covered whites or sparklings — cheer up, they’re coming next week. As always, Happy Hunting!

Kirkland Signature

You can’t talk Costco wine without mentioning a few Kirkland-branded offerings.  Here are our top picks.

• Kirkland Signature Red Sangría (Spain) 1.5 L

If you like Sangría and don’t have the time to make it yourself, this is a personal favorite.  Ridiculously cheap and oh-so-yummy!

• Kirkland Signature Gigondas Red Blend (France)

Here’s another solid Kirkland offering at a steal.  The wine is made by Guillaume Gonnet, whose family winery is Domaine Font de Michelle.  Gigondas is to the northeast of the far more expensive Chateaneuf-du-Pape region and offers a lot of similarity to that renowned region.  Blend: 75% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 5% Mourvedre.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Costco carries a wide selection of Cabernet Sauvignon, with a heavy focus on California offerings.  Here are two of our favorites (and a runner-up!) that doesn’t break the bank.

• Treana Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles)

4.2 Vivino Stars (8k+ reviews).  This is a solid California Cab.  At Wine Bounty, we like to seek out other notable Cab growing regions besides Napa because they often provide a bigger bang for your buck.  Paso Robles is no exception. This dark crimson wine sets the stage for beautiful aromas of warm chocolate, roasted coffee, and toasty cedar. On the palate, intense dark fruit and sweet vanilla combine with smoky-oak to give a long rich mouth feel that finishes with balanced acidity and moderate, velvety tannins.  Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 4% Petite Verdot, 3% Petite Sirah.

• Stags’ Leap Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

4.3 Vivino Stars (29k+ Reviews).  If you desperately need that Napa Cab fix, this is a good one.  You’ll pay a little more, but it delivers.  Plush and inviting, with an enticing array of brambly blackberry fruit along with raspberry sorbet notes alongside nuances of lifted violet, allspice, sweet cinnamon, clove, cedar, and crushed bay leaves. On the palate, the dark berry fruits proliferate with blackberry, plum, and cassis, but there are also savory elements showcasing light herbal notes and earth, giving this Cab a classic depth and elegance. Seamlessly integrated oak and refined tannins provide a smooth mouthfeel and add layers of complexity, all wrapping up with a lengthy textured finish. Incredibly approachable and pleasing, this wine is sure to impress and pair well alongside many culinary treats.  Our runner up Napa Cab that doesn’t break the bank is the Silverado Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley).  4.1 Vivino Stars (14k+ Reviews).

Pinot Noir

Next to Cabs, the Costco wine shoppers love Pinots.  The selection is incredible, crossing countries from the United States to New Zealand.  Here are our top picks.

• Meiomi Pinot Noir (Sonoma County)

4.1 Vivino Stars (127k+ Reviews).  If you’re looking for a great value Pinot Noir, you can’t go wrong with Meiomi.  This Pinot carries aromas of tobacco, dark red fruits, and fresh berries. The rich cherry flavor is complemented by notes of cedar, raspberry, and strawberry. Extremely versatile and can be enjoyed with turkey, salmon, or even beef dishes.

• Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Barbara)

4.4 Vivino Stars (31K Reviews).  If you’re willing to spend a little more, we’d jump to Costco’s offering from Belle Glos (Clark & Telephone Vineyard).  Bright ruby red with fresh, vibrant aromas of wild blackberry, raspberry jam, and cedar box accented by rich floral notes. Perfectly balanced with bright acidity and a supple mouthfeel. Fine-grained tannins provide an authentic textural distinction and structural depth.  Our runner-up Pinot Noir offering an elevated experience is EnRoute Les Pommiers Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley).  4.4 Vivino Stars (9k Reviews).

Zinfandel

• Seghesio Zinfandel (Sonoma County)

4.0 Vivino Stars (39k+ Reviews).  Aromas of wild blueberry, briary raspberry patch, and baking spice give way to a palate of juicy, ripe blackberry, and black plum. Soft tannins, a rich mouthfeel and focused acidity lead to a long finish, creating a delightful wine to pair with red sauces, pizza, and barbeque, as well as sopressata and dry jack.  Blend: 87% Zinfandel, 9% Petite Sirah, 2% Carignane, 1% Syrah, and 1% mixed reds. 

• The Prisoner Saldo Zinfandel (California)

4.2 Vivino Stars (22k+ Reviews).  If you’re willing to pay a little more, jump to the Saldo.  Dark ruby color with bold aromas of black licorice, black pepper, cherry, and baking spice. The entry is rich, full, and scintillating. The palate is mouthwatering and smooth with a hint of chocolate. The finish is voluptuous with soft, velvety tannins.

Malbec

• Catena Malbec (Argentina)

4.0 Vivino Stars (117k+ Reviews).  Catena Zapata, Argentina’s most awarded winery, was founded in 1902 by Nicola Catena, an Italian immigrant. The family winery was a pioneer in resurrecting Malbec in Argentina and making it a household name again.  There entry-level Malbec can’t be beat at value for price. Full body, firm, and silky with fresh flavors of blue fruit and black cherries.

Red Blends

• Conundrum Red Blend (California)

4.0 Vivino Stars (38k+ Reviews).  Sourced from premier California winegrowing regions, Conundrum Red features dark red varietals including Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is rich, complex and approachable. With lush flavors of cherries and baking chocolate, this wine has fine tannins that create a silky smoothness.  This is a great “go to” red blend at this price from the Wagner family. 

• The Prisoner Red Blend (Napa Valley). 

4.4 Vivino Stars (90k+ Stars).  If you’re willing to pay a little more, you will not be disappointed with The Prisoner’s signature Red Blend.  Features enticing aromas of Bing cherry, dark chocolate, clove, and roasted fig. Persistent flavors of ripe raspberry, boysenberry, pomegranate, and vanilla linger harmoniously for a smooth and luscious finish. 

Italy

While Costco used to be heavy on French wines, the current sky-high U.S. tariffs are decimating the market for importers.  As such, we’re seeing fewer French options. But don’t be too depressed, this has opened the doors (and shelves!) for some amazing Italian wines.  And with the recent 2015 and 2016 vintages killing it in many Italian regions, this is perfect timing.

• Produttori Barbaresco Nebbiolo (Italy)

4.0 Vivino Stars (30K+ Reviews).  Scent of spices, pepper, and black cherries with ripe red fruit and spicy flavors with a balanced tannic finish.  Pair with fresh pasta and meat dishes (particularly lamb and feathered game), and mild cheeses. 

• Tenuta Cucco Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d’Alba (Italy)

4.0 Vivino Stars (2,400+ Reviews).  Aromas of rose petal, underbrush, scorched soil, and leather all come together in the glass. On the structured palate, firm polished tannins support mature black cherry, licorice, and tobacco. 

The Splurge

Okay, as promised we couldn’t hold back from mentioning a splurge wine.  Costco is offering this wine at a ridiculous price. If you want to pat yourself on the back for finding a great premium wine, at a great price, in the hallowed polished concrete floors of Costco, check out Montes’ Purple Angel.

• Montes Purple Angel (Colchagua Valley, Chile)

4.4 Vivino Stars (15K Reviews).  Elegant on the nose, with aromas of ripe red and black berries over a background of sweet notes. Being stored in French oak barrels adds aromas of dark chocolate, coffee which go with the typical fruity aromas of this variety. Well-structured on the palate, with smooth and full tannins. James Suckling has given Purple Angel no less than 98 points from 2014-2017 (the latest vintage). If the 2015 is available, grab it. Suckling gave it 99 points! 

Some of you might not be familiar with the Purple Angel’s grape varietal, Carménère. Here’s a little primer: Carménère is a dark, full-bodied and herbaceous grape with a spicy kick.  It found its greatest success moving to Chile in the mid-19th century.  Carménère is both a progeny and a great-grandchild of the similarly flavored Cabernet Franc. 

• Honorable Mentions (But for the Price tag!)

Our interest peaked with two other premium bottles, but better prices can be found online.  Justin Isosceles (Paso Robles) (4.5 Vivino Stars at 13K+ Reviews).  If you have the patience, wait for a deal at WineSlash.  They get it cheaper than anywhere we’ve seen ($45/bottle) and it comes up often.  Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) (4.3 Vivino Stars, 24k Reviews).  Another great wine, but Vivino ($49.99) has it for a fraction of the Costco price right now.