I opened a bottle of this wine and immediately splashed it into a glass. The first thing I noticed was the inky, almost black color, followed by the dark fruit blast in my nose. The CellarTracker scores I had seen left me with low expectations for this wine, but I was very pleasantly surprised. I found it a rich, succulent cab that hit all the right notes of ripe dark fruit, spice, and chocolate, with hints of eucalyptus and anise. It is full-bodied and has good tannins resulting in a nice, long finish. Appearance: It is too dark to be called brilliant, but is a beautiful, rich color that won't allow me to score it less than 2. Color: Deep purple-red, so dark it looks black in dinner lighting - a solid 2. Aroma and Bouquet: Intense dark fruit with spice, chocolate and hints of anise and eucalyptus - slight herbal notes, but no detectable green pepper; 3.5 points. Volatile Acidity: None - 2. Total Acidity: There is little acidity to this wine, and little is wanted - 1.5. Sweetness/sugar: This wine is fully dry, but the fruitiness gives a sensation of a hint of sweet; very nice - 1. Body: Full-bodied and luscious in the mouth, despite the 14.3% alcohol - 1. Flavor: The flavor echoes the nose and is luscious and full; fruity in that California way that is lovely but leaves me wanting just a little more complexity - 1.5. Astringency: The tannins are perhaps a little rough and I think another year in the bottle will tame it so that it suits the mainstream tastes a bit more, but I like it - 1.5. General Quality: For me, this is a top notch wine, especially at this price point. I would gladly accept this at $45 in a restaurant and would pay $20 or $25 in a grocery store - 1.5. That makes it 17.5 points on my U.C. Davis calculation. I give it 89 points on a 100-point scale (though I'm tempted to give it a 98 to counter the lame, unsupported 75 someone gave it).
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I won't go into a lot of detail on this right now other than to say that I found it a very good Bordeaux blend - big California fruit up front; nice full, round mouth feel and moderately long finish. Not fantastic, but very good and outstanding QPR. I'd expect this to keep nicely for another 4 or 5 years and I'll be looking for more on my next Costco run.
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Well, as promised, I picked up a case of this after drinking one of my first 3-bottle purchase. Tonight, I barbecued a leg of lamb marinated in grape jelly, rosemary, garlic, soy sauce and some other herbs and spices. This wine was perfect with the lamb and I would not change my score based on my first impression at all. I can't say it is a GREAT wine - even I have better in my meager cellar - but it is a VERY GOOD wine at a phenomenal price. There were less than 3 cases left at my Costco after I picked up a case yesterday. If they have it again next time I'm there, I'm getting another case!
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9/3/2011 9:52:00 PM - Hi DayOff, I don't know if you actually read messages on here, but if you do, great! I was curious if you'd be interested in forming an informal tasting group of people from the area. I know you don't know anything about me, only that I found you via CT, but if you're interested, shoot me a message and I'll tell you a bit about myself, etc, and hopefully taste some great wine!
-Brad
2009 Kirkland Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Napa County
11/17/2011 - dayoff53 Likes this wine: 89 Points
I opened a bottle of this wine and immediately splashed it into a glass. The first thing I noticed was the inky, almost black color, followed by the dark fruit blast in my nose. The CellarTracker scores I had seen left me with low expectations for this wine, but I was very pleasantly surprised. I found it a rich, succulent cab that hit all the right notes of ripe dark fruit, spice, and chocolate, with hints of eucalyptus and anise. It is full-bodied and has good tannins resulting in a nice, long finish.
Appearance: It is too dark to be called brilliant, but is a beautiful, rich color that won't allow me to score it less than 2.
Color: Deep purple-red, so dark it looks black in dinner lighting - a solid 2.
Aroma and Bouquet: Intense dark fruit with spice, chocolate and hints of anise and eucalyptus - slight herbal notes, but no detectable green pepper; 3.5 points.
Volatile Acidity: None - 2.
Total Acidity: There is little acidity to this wine, and little is wanted - 1.5.
Sweetness/sugar: This wine is fully dry, but the fruitiness gives a sensation of a hint of sweet; very nice - 1.
Body: Full-bodied and luscious in the mouth, despite the 14.3% alcohol - 1.
Flavor: The flavor echoes the nose and is luscious and full; fruity in that California way that is lovely but leaves me wanting just a little more complexity - 1.5.
Astringency: The tannins are perhaps a little rough and I think another year in the bottle will tame it so that it suits the mainstream tastes a bit more, but I like it - 1.5.
General Quality: For me, this is a top notch wine, especially at this price point. I would gladly accept this at $45 in a restaurant and would pay $20 or $25 in a grocery store - 1.5.
That makes it 17.5 points on my U.C. Davis calculation. I give it 89 points on a 100-point scale (though I'm tempted to give it a 98 to counter the lame, unsupported 75 someone gave it).
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2008 Kirkland Signature Meritage
9/12/2011 - dayoff53 wrote: 88 Points
I won't go into a lot of detail on this right now other than to say that I found it a very good Bordeaux blend - big California fruit up front; nice full, round mouth feel and moderately long finish. Not fantastic, but very good and outstanding QPR. I'd expect this to keep nicely for another 4 or 5 years and I'll be looking for more on my next Costco run.
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2009 Kirkland Signature Côtes du Rhône Villages
5/14/2011 - dayoff53 wrote: 90 Points
Well, as promised, I picked up a case of this after drinking one of my first 3-bottle purchase. Tonight, I barbecued a leg of lamb marinated in grape jelly, rosemary, garlic, soy sauce and some other herbs and spices. This wine was perfect with the lamb and I would not change my score based on my first impression at all. I can't say it is a GREAT wine - even I have better in my meager cellar - but it is a VERY GOOD wine at a phenomenal price. There were less than 3 cases left at my Costco after I picked up a case yesterday. If they have it again next time I'm there, I'm getting another case!
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