For a long time, Costco was the single largest retailer of wine in America. That makes sense for a lot of reasons, but most of my experience with their private label stuff has been so-so, with the exception of their Marlboro Sauvignon Blanc, and now this gem:
2022 Kirkland Signature Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG ($11)
Most Costco house wines achieve a level of quality I'd describe as good enough for the masses. They tend not to be very distinct, are often heavy-handed and clumsy, and rarely show case the place the grapes were grown. But their prices are good, so they sell a lot. Every now and again, however, they really overdeliver, as is the case with this very on-point Chianti Classico Riserva. It has all the qualities you'd expect from sangiovese grown in this region - sun-baked cherries, lip-smacking acidity, and enough depth to hold up to a wide range of fare without being dense. There's also structure and poise here, indicating that it hasn't been overly-manipulated in the cellar. Normally, you'd expect to pay between $20-30 for a CCR, let alone one with DOCG designation, but this is less than half that. Which earns this wine 93 points.
Particularly in light of tariff uncertainty, I'll be stocking up on this incredible bargain.
