Retail $9. 100% Sangiovese. Once again, Costco shows through its Kirkland brand that fantastic wine does not have to be expensive. I picked this up a solid three years ago and completely forgot about it. Perhaps that was a good thing? Quite a range of scores here on CT, from 75-90 points. I am not sure that the Kirkland label and it's low retail are doing it many favors here as wine snobs are going to think it is crap even before opening (since it is "made" by a retail behemoth) and "regular" folk are going to assume it is just an average wine (at best) since they can actually afford it. Well, it is pretty darned good, in my opinion. That classic Classico nose of dark cherry (just ever so slightly stewed), with a bit of black pepper, and even a touch of mint. The palate is still quite fruity with that cherry, a bit of cola, and heaping spoonfuls of tartness. There is also a bit of tannic grip on the finish, too, so this is still doing quite fine, grazie. thedrunkencyclist.com
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A decent wine, especially for under $10. Rather thin. Agree with the somewhat high acidity but not over the top. Cherry/leather (maybe a little brett?). Drinking well now. Don't think it will improve much more with additional aging.
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Dark purple to garner. Nose of lots of cherry, tobacco, blackberry, black currant. Taste is high acid, medium alcohol, medium tannin, black cherry, black currant, band aid, cherry, cigar box. Not bad. Great value.
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nose sort of dull initially but much better by day two. agree with cola, but also opened up some nice oak and sand scents. classic red cherry palate, a little on the sweeter side of that, and healthy brisk tannin on the end. the balance is not there. a decent drink if a little boring.
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Ruby-garnet, transparent rim, wide transition. Nose has cola and alcohol, which over time becomes cedar box and leather...delicious. Tannins are smooth. Acidity is high initially, then balances out nicely. Day 2 nose is dominated by red fruit, and tannin-acidity balance provides long refreshing finish.
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Paired this with a grilled ribeye and it went really well. First time I've had a CCR from Costco/Kirkland and enjoyed it. I echo the sentiments of the positive notes and agree, great mid week bottle or for late into the evening.
I will purchase again.
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I think this is an improvement over the 2012. Still dry and somewhat rustic, but the fruit is richer, cherry being dominant. Nice balance. Elegant yet flavorful.
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Surprisingly good value; aged 24 months on oak for $8.50. Light bodied, very dry, brisk but balanced acid. Cherry and cola dominate, plenty of oak. A great everyday wine.
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PnP let it air in the glass for 1hr. Dark garnet clear with some depth and clear rim. Cherry cola lavender and anise on the nose. Medium with ripe sour cherry skin tannins. Cherry Bing sour and dried with a touch of cola anise rosemary and lavender on the palate. Short and sharp on the finish lets it down.
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Pop and pour, saved half the bottle under argon for the 2nd day, to very little or no detrimental effect. Nice balance here with good acid. Nothing terribly special, but easy to drink. This might even benefit from aging.
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P: Med, poss MF, body; ALMOST swtish frt on the front, firmness slowly entering, rising, then slowly, pretty much subsiding over the LONG, somewhat tannic finish. An interesting wine that I found more along the lines of a Chianti that's a Brunello wannabe raher than the bright, cherry, HIGH acidity style I tend to associate with Chianti. 13.5% ABV, & $8.49 @ COSTCO *when* they were carrying that vintage. 88 pts costcowineblog.com (3/28/17), & a wine that he felt could be cellared 5-7 yrs.
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brick color and dried red fruit on the nose, perhaps candied prune? On the palate you get some pepper, leather, and roasted meat. All in all, a good deal for the money. Something to be enjoyed with food.
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Pluses: Costco (Kirkland) doesn't tend to label crummy products, including wine. Chianti Classico Riserva has some fairly stringent requirements for the classification. It costs $8.69, inexpensive enough to give it a go. Neutrals: It drank like a decent table wine you'd find in a neighborhood Tratorria in Italy. Nothing special, but went well with the grilled chicken and roasted Brussels sprouts. It was just okay (but for eight bucks). Negatives: It is a fairly one-dimensional wine. The first glass we used an aeriator. Didn't need it at all. In fact, I think it took out what little tannins there were. All in all, I'm not certain I'd buy it again. Probably would make a good "3rd bottle".
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9/2/2021 - JRagsdale Likes this wine: 86 Points
after a short decant it opens up pretty nicely. Pretty good!
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5/4/2020 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 89 Points
Retail $9. 100% Sangiovese. Once again, Costco shows through its Kirkland brand that fantastic wine does not have to be expensive. I picked this up a solid three years ago and completely forgot about it. Perhaps that was a good thing? Quite a range of scores here on CT, from 75-90 points. I am not sure that the Kirkland label and it's low retail are doing it many favors here as wine snobs are going to think it is crap even before opening (since it is "made" by a retail behemoth) and "regular" folk are going to assume it is just an average wine (at best) since they can actually afford it. Well, it is pretty darned good, in my opinion. That classic Classico nose of dark cherry (just ever so slightly stewed), with a bit of black pepper, and even a touch of mint. The palate is still quite fruity with that cherry, a bit of cola, and heaping spoonfuls of tartness. There is also a bit of tannic grip on the finish, too, so this is still doing quite fine, grazie. thedrunkencyclist.com
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8/10/2019 - gravelld Likes this wine:
Very good value.
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6/10/2018 - Tim221 wrote: 87 Points
Thin, unimpressive chianti. Okay for cheap pizza wine, but that's about it.
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2/12/2018 - cmmatthews wrote: 87 Points
Light in color. Quite acidic and tart. Fruit is muted..very austere.
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1/19/2018 - Burrloin wrote: 87 Points
A decent wine, especially for under $10. Rather thin. Agree with the somewhat high acidity but not over the top. Cherry/leather (maybe a little brett?). Drinking well now. Don't think it will improve much more with additional aging.
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9/15/2017 - DbertCellar wrote: 89 Points
Cherry and spice. Dry lite. Nice.
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8/21/2017 - Brueggem Does not like this wine: 85 Points
Not a lot of fruit. Way, way too much acid. Some tannins. Horribly unbalanced.
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8/15/2017 - Silkeyj Likes this wine: 87 Points
Dark purple to garner. Nose of lots of cherry, tobacco, blackberry, black currant. Taste is high acid, medium alcohol, medium tannin, black cherry, black currant, band aid, cherry, cigar box. Not bad. Great value.
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7/30/2017 - Seevers Does not like this wine:
Very light. Not the greatest.
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6/25/2017 - Hockeylvr2 wrote:
Good but I would look for something else
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6/21/2017 - bps2266 wrote: 85 Points
nose sort of dull initially but much better by day two. agree with cola, but also opened up some nice oak and sand scents. classic red cherry palate, a little on the sweeter side of that, and healthy brisk tannin on the end. the balance is not there. a decent drink if a little boring.
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6/17/2017 - inocencio Likes this wine: 91 Points
Ruby-garnet, transparent rim, wide transition. Nose has cola and alcohol, which over time becomes cedar box and leather...delicious. Tannins are smooth. Acidity is high initially, then balances out nicely. Day 2 nose is dominated by red fruit, and tannin-acidity balance provides long refreshing finish.
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5/29/2017 - Neat Water Back Likes this wine:
Paired this with a grilled ribeye and it went really well. First time I've had a CCR from Costco/Kirkland and enjoyed it. I echo the sentiments of the positive notes and agree, great mid week bottle or for late into the evening.
I will purchase again.
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5/22/2017 - sleepyhaus wrote:
Surprisingly good. Similar style to the superior Monsanto CCR, but in a juicier, ready-to-drink-now style.
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4/24/2017 - Chuck835 wrote:
Need to decant and like breathe fairly harsh
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4/20/2017 - soychick Likes this wine: 88 Points
Very nice Chianti, lovely nose, great qpr
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4/7/2017 - valecnik Likes this wine: 88 Points
I think this is an improvement over the 2012. Still dry and somewhat rustic, but the fruit is richer, cherry being dominant. Nice balance. Elegant yet flavorful.
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3/31/2017 - 4mentor Likes this wine: 88 Points
Surprisingly good value; aged 24 months on oak for $8.50. Light bodied, very dry, brisk but balanced acid. Cherry and cola dominate, plenty of oak. A great everyday wine.
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3/22/2017 - df1962 wrote: 87 Points
PnP let it air in the glass for 1hr. Dark garnet clear with some depth and clear rim. Cherry cola lavender and anise on the nose. Medium with ripe sour cherry skin tannins. Cherry Bing sour and dried with a touch of cola anise rosemary and lavender on the palate. Short and sharp on the finish lets it down.
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3/15/2017 - galewskj wrote: 87 Points
Pop and pour, saved half the bottle under argon for the 2nd day, to very little or no detrimental effect. Nice balance here with good acid. Nothing terribly special, but easy to drink. This might even benefit from aging.
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3/11/2017 - TonyPrintezis Likes this wine: 86 Points
Needs to breathe for 20-30 mins at least. It lacks some depth. But good everyday wine. Good for the price.
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3/10/2017 - srh Likes this wine:
N: Attractive vanilla & cherries
P: Med, poss MF, body; ALMOST swtish frt on the front, firmness slowly entering, rising, then slowly, pretty much subsiding over the LONG, somewhat tannic finish. An interesting wine that I found more along the lines of a Chianti that's a Brunello wannabe raher than the bright, cherry, HIGH acidity style I tend to associate with Chianti. 13.5% ABV, & $8.49 @ COSTCO *when* they were carrying that vintage. 88 pts costcowineblog.com (3/28/17), & a wine that he felt could be cellared 5-7 yrs.
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3/5/2017 - mark2eye wrote:
brick color and dried red fruit on the nose, perhaps candied prune? On the palate you get some pepper, leather, and roasted meat. All in all, a good deal for the money. Something to be enjoyed with food.
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1/29/2017 - jrglm wrote: 86 Points
Pluses: Costco (Kirkland) doesn't tend to label crummy products, including wine. Chianti Classico Riserva has some fairly stringent requirements for the classification. It costs $8.69, inexpensive enough to give it a go.
Neutrals: It drank like a decent table wine you'd find in a neighborhood Tratorria in Italy. Nothing special, but went well with the grilled chicken and roasted Brussels sprouts. It was just okay (but for eight bucks).
Negatives: It is a fairly one-dimensional wine. The first glass we used an aeriator. Didn't need it at all. In fact, I think it took out what little tannins there were.
All in all, I'm not certain I'd buy it again. Probably would make a good "3rd bottle".
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