Update: check out our most recent list of Costco wines here.
It’s time for our quarterly update on the best value wines currently available at Costco, as of December 2019. As can be expected with the cold weather, the most exciting Costco wines at the moment are mostly full-bodied reds, with only one white wine piquing our interest. And while Costco has beefed up their Champagne selection for the holidays, the brands remain limited to frequently-seen luxury labels (Moët, Taittinger) and are not worth mentioning here.
To assess wine quality, we researched each wine and also compared it against the largest wine review site, Vivino. Our philosophy is that every individual palate tastes wine differently, so thousands of customer ratings will yield a more objective result.
Please note: wine selections vary by Costco store, so you may want to check ahead at your local Costco to ensure availability. We’ve included a photo of the bottles on shelves to help you more quickly locate them.
Kirkland Signature Series Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon – $23.99
Rarely will one find quality Cabernet Sauvignon from the prestigious Stag’s Leap AVA at a price tag of $23.99. So if you can get past the Kirkland label, the Signature Series Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon is an absolute steal. While this is a robust wine that will improve with age, most reviewers couldn’t resist drinking it sooner. The Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon earned high marks for its core of dark plum and blackcurrant punctuated by oak and spice notes, backed by dense-yet-velvety tannins.
Seghesio Winery Sonoma Zinfandel – $18.89
It’s no wonder the Seghesio Sonoma County Zinfandel earned 91 points from both Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast. This classic, full-bodied California Zinfandel has drinkers raving about its lush, concentrated dark fruit and earthy, spicy aromatics. Deep, inky tannins and medium acidity keep the intensely rich fruit in check. At $18.89, the bottle is a steal. This wine is a blend of 87% Zinfandel, with 9% Petite Sirah, 2% Carignane, 1% Syrah and 1% Mixed Reds for added color and structure.
J Vineyards Pinot Noir (Monterey/Sonoma/Santa Barbara) – $16.49
For those who enjoy fuller-bodied, New World-style Pinot Noirs, J Vineyards offers excellent value. Drinkers loved this wine’s spicy black cherry and raspberry notes, made even more pleasing by a palate of silky tannins. The dark fruit is nicely rounded out by toasty vanilla and clove aromatics.
Round Pond Estate Sauvignon Blanc – $21.99
Costco’s winter selection of white wines is certainly diminished, but in the interest of including at least one on this list, we found Round Pond Estate’s Sauvignon Blanc made the quality-for-price cut. Drinkers enjoyed the wine’s fresh peach, pear, and citrus flavors, crisp acidity, and light, delicate profile.
Rocca di Frassinello Maremma Toscana Le Sughere di Frassinello – $17.99
This gem from the lesser-known seaside region of Maremma offers the quality of a Tuscan wine, without the price. Drinkers loved its approachable plum, cherry, licorice, herbs, and tobacco notes, backed by velvety-yet-firm tannins. The Sughere di Frassinello is a medium-bodied blend of 25% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 50% Sangioveto.
Brotte Chateauneuf-du-Pape les Hauts de Barville Rouge – $24.99
Caveat: We don’t expect a quality $25 Chateauneuf-du-Pape to stay on shelves long, but at the time of this article’s writing, it can be found in select Costco stores. The 2016 vintage received 92 points from Wine Spectator and rave reviews from drinkers for its earthy red plum, red cherry, and strawberry notes. Given the wine’s firm tannins, be sure to decant or aerate the Brotte Chateauneuf-du-Pape if you plan on drinking it young.