Best Costco Red Wines (7 Red Wines to Watch)
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You can buy a lot at Costco to turn your home into a relaxing retreat, including oversized furniture, comfy sweatshirts and a huge TV. But did you know you can get some great red wine from the fifth largest retailer in the world?
Indeed, Costco is known for its low-priced wines, especially its wine selection. I have seven of the best red wines, so be on the lookout next time you want to spend some money at Costco and make your home a paradise on earth.
Best Costco Red Wines of 2022
1. Kirkland Signature Carneros Pinot Noir, $9
It’s best to start this list with Kirkland Signature Carneros Pinot Noir, one of Costco’s private label wines.
That’s right: In case you didn’t know before, Costco’s private labels cover everything from snacks to paper products to wines of all kinds.
That said, this Pinot Noir is exemplary, with the Beverage Tasting Institute (BTI) giving it a 93, designating it an “excellent” choice — for less than $10.
Additionally, it made the top five in the 2021 World Value Wine Challenge as the best Pinot Noir in its class.
Additionally, BTi describes this Kirkland Signature wine as having a “garnet color” and “aromas and flavors of dried violets, fennel seeds and black cherries…”.
Additionally, the finish hints at “elements of cranberry, tomato leaves, suede and vanilla…”
All in all, it’s a beautifully complex New World-style red wine for rich, meaty home-cooked dishes like Easter ham dinners or weeknight lasagna and meatloaf.
2. Benzinger Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon, $13
According to Wine Turtle, this $13 Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma County, California usually retails for about $20.
Additionally, it has been aged in oak barrels for over a year after the Benzinger family planted the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes on their sustainable farm.
So you can taste the care that went into growing this fruit, and it will be sweet and juicy even with so many steps removed from the vine.
Additionally, Wine Turtle reports that its flavors include ripe fruit, chocolate, and even vanilla, with spicy undertones.
In the end, just a touch of sweetness rounds it all out, ensuring an all-you-can-drink wine made for sharing.
Thankfully, you can pick up a few bottles for the price of Costco.
3. Kirkland Signature Ribera del Duero, $7
Costco’s Kirkland Signature store brand is doing surprisingly well, even when it comes to wine.
That said, this Spanish red is another 93-point red from BTI, making it an extraordinary purchase and a must-see addition to your wine rack.
According to BTI, the wine is “dusty garnet” in color, with “aromas and flavors of strawberry, watermelon sugar, cherry tobacco and liquorice…”
The BTI goes on to say that the finish “shows flavors of black plum, nutmeg, sun-dried tomatoes and cocoa.” Plus, they recommend this red meat with hearty red meat – no surprise.
However, it’s interesting how well it pairs well with root vegetables and tubers, so things like stew and beef stew are perfect pairings because they combine meat and vegetables.
4. Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Claret, $13
Francis Coppola Diamonds red wines are top notch.
That said, you’ve probably heard of red wine before but didn’t realize it’s the British term for Bordeaux, and this one is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah grapes.
5. Kirkland Signature Barolo, $19.99
If you don’t know by now, Costco does take great care and pride in choosing which wineries to partner with to produce its private label wines.
For example, Barolo grapes come from the Italian province of Cuneo, in the Piedmont region (its capital city Turin) at the foot of the Alps.
However, the actual maker of this wine is Fontanafredda, a well-regarded producer that has been in operation since 1858.
That said, Reverse Wine Snob commented that it’s hard to find Barolos under $20, but Costco does it — you can get a bottle for just $19.99.
On the first sniff, you’ll smell leather, black cherries, liquorice and spice; sip on aromas of spiced cherries and raspberries with a “dry, chewy, tannin and lingering finish” .
Also, if you’ve never had a Barolo because you’re intimidated by the price (who wants to pay $40 for something they don’t know they want to accomplish?), this is a must try.
6. Joseph Phelps Freestone Pinot Noir Sonoma, $34
Costco is known for its amazing deals, but at first glance, this $34 bottle doesn’t seem all that affordable.
Well, the Costco Wine Blog is here to clarify, and according to their authors, this is actually an “amazing price…an amazing wine”.
That said, the amazing price is because bottles usually retail for $60!
Yes, buying it at Costco will get you almost half off, this is another highly rated Pinot Noir with a James Suckling rating of 95 and a Wine Advocate rating of 96.
In addition, it has a medium body on the palate with intense berry flavours – blueberries, blackberries, cherries and “dark chocolate with a hint of spice”.
Like some stuff from Costco, this bottle might give you a sticker shock at first, but it’s an excellent value considering the manufacturer and the prices at regular liquor stores.
7. Pagodes de Cos St Estephe Bordeaux, $49
The wine is by far the most expensive on this list, but according to the Costco wine blog, the first label from the maker’s Chateau Cos d’Estournel is selling for a whopping $250.
Also, Pagodes de Cos is a “second wine”, which means it’s Bordeaux from Cuvee (a large barrel of wine) and is not used for the first label – it’s not the most perfect upper quality.
But it’s still very, very good, very tasty, as reviews of this Bordeaux wine all rate it as a 90s rating (anything of 90 and above tends to mean “outstanding” or “excellent”).
Additionally, the Costco wine blog commented on its aromas of raspberry and plum, followed by notes of black cherries and other dark fruits.
Overall, it has a lingering finish that wine critics can’t get enough of. Most of the time, Costco merchandise starts out with some sticker shock, and this bottle is no exception.
But wine lovers will tell you; it’s a fair price, and the gorgeous second label still contains many of the qualities of the first.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on what to know before you buy Costco whisky, what to know before you buy Costco vodka, and whether Costco offers alcohol.
in conclusion
Costco’s liquor division is second to none, and the range and value of its line of red wines alone are astounding, to those in the know.
For just $7, you can take home a well-reviewed, high-quality red wine, and if you’re on a slightly larger budget, your selection can also expand to some incredible bottles.
