CostcoWineBlog.com - Reviews of wines found at Costco
2008 Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon
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A juicy Chilean Cab that hits big with cherry and dark fruit, feels great in the mouth, and has a lasting finish. A big winner in my book for $15.99 at Costco. It jumped out of the bottle with huge fruit, and mellowed nicely over the course of an hour or so. A fun wine to taste maturing a bit in its young age. I enjoyed it with a grilled steak and there is perhaps not a better combo. Sure, it's summer and those whites are refreshing, but with a juicy strip steak, a bold Chilean Cab, executed as perfectly as this one, is a must. I'd highly recommend scooping this one up, and will add it to my Bronze Rated wine list . CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 90 Points *Bronze Rated* |
2008 MacMurray Ranch Sonoma Coast Pinot Gris
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A lively white with more depth than I was expecting for only $13.99 at my Costco. Kind of spicy on the nose and in the mouth, surrounded by citrus and pear flavors. An overall highly enjoyable Pinot Gris that spells quality more than it spells value, although it delivers both. It's certainly worth the price, and I'll be putting it on my Bronze Rated list, and recommend it as a nice summer white that would pair well with a variety of food. CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 89 Points *Bronze Rated* |
2007 Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon
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A big bold Cab that overpowers so much with its body and flavor, it's hard to identify things you like, but equally hard to find things you dislike. This is just a massive dark fruit and plum explosion, blended with a touch of Shiraz and Petit Verdot that bring some spice elements in, and it's priced at Costco for only $8.99. At that price, I can't complain too much, but I will probably not buy this one again. It might be fun as a conversation piece at a party since its from South Africa and someone will have a story to tell, but other than that, it's passable. CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 84 Points |
2008 Two Angels Sauvignon Blanc
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A delicious High Valley Sauvignon Blanc, that's light, delicate, crisp and clean. Light in color, this wine has a grassy nose that moves into nice citrus flavor, good balance all around, and a clean finish. A perfect summer bottle, it gets better the more you dig in; a surefire hit with most Sauvignon Blanc fans. I'll drop this one into my Bronze Rated wine list, because it is a stand out bottle for $14.49, which was the price at my Costco. For Sauvignon Blancs under $20, this is one to try. CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 89 Points *Bronze Rated* |
2006 Benziger Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
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A Cab that's soft in the mouth and big on flavor. Nice execution here for $16.99 at my Costco. Nose has a nice cedar, earthiness to it, that carries into the dark fruit with a dry finish that sticks on your tongue. I served this bottle at a dinner party (with little to no intro) and the praise was unanimous. and unsolicited. So in this case, I can say it's not just me. This is a great bottle of wine at a great price, and as such it will land a spot on my Bronze rated wine list and my Value Picks . CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 90 Points *Bronze Rated* *Value Pick* |
2008 Loosen Bros Dr. L Riesling Mosel
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Probably the best $11.99 Riesling that I've ever had. This Mosel Valley bottle is perfect in so many ways. Inviting nose, beautiful lime and mango flavors, a fresh tangy, tartness that builds into a slightly sweet and average length finish. Nice balance of flavor, acidity and remarkably low alcohol (8.5%). For the price, this is a top notch package that Riesling fans need to explore. This is another excellent summer wine, and a perfect one to have on hand to please almost anyone. It'll earn a spot on my Value Picks and a Silver Rating. The more I taste this one, the more I like it. CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 91 Points *Value Pick* *Silver Rated* |
2006 Paul Jaboulet Parallele 45 Cotes Du Rhone Rouge
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This is one of those dependable $10 Rhone bottles that you should log into memory for the next time you're looking for a good value. I've had this one two or three times now, and after each time I come to the same conclusion - it's hard to beat for $10. So it will obviously end up on my Value Picks, but beyond the great price tag, there is a nice wine here too. Comprised of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, it has nice mouth filling fruit that leads into a little spice and a dry finish that just sticks to your tongue. If you like Rhone bottles you have to give this one a try. It will surprise you at this price. CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 87 Points *Value Pick* |
2008 Starborough Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
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A beautiful Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc that's huge on flavor and just exemplifies everything I love about wines from this area. Light yellow, almost see through in color, it packs big lemon, lime and citrus flavors with nice acidity; the wine just sticks in your mouth making subsequent drinks almost impossible to resist. A perfect summer white that's refreshing, crisp and well assembled all around. It's $12.99 price tag at Costco makes it that much easier to enjoy. For this quality at this price, this bottle will earn a spot on our Value Picks as well as our Bronze Rated wine list. Enjoy this bottle this summer. CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 89 Points *Value Pick* *Bronze Rated* |
2008 Valentin Bianchi Elsa Malbec
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Big on flavor but light in the mouth this $8.99 Costco Malbec hints at good things to come on the nose, and delivers intense fruit flavor and a great finish. Another example of the quality you can find in these under $10 Malbecs; it reminded me a bit of the Tilia Malbec that I also enjoyed which can be found at Costco for $7.99. This is my second go at the Elsa Malbec, and it's as good as I remember it was the first time. A fun wine for summer grilling and a solid value when you want to stock up on a few inexpensive bottles. CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 87 Points |
2005 Benziger Sonoma Merlot
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A rich and luscious Sonoma Merlot that is an amazing deal for $12.99 at Costco. This bottle is a great addition to my Value Picks and among the better Merlots I've had in this price range. Being an '05 (consumed in mid 2010), the age has really softened the tannis, and developed this into a fun bottle to drink. Noticeably Merlot on the nose, it comes in with great dark fruit, plum and a slight spice, all balanced really well. A nice lasting finish. I'm still surprised to have found a wine like this for $13. I'm going to put it on my Bronze Rated wine list as well, and highly recommend checking this one out. CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 89 Points *Value Pick* *Bronze Rated* |
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