Written by: Tim Edison

Updated: January 25, 2024

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  • Costco Wine Buying Guide [24 Wine Recommendations]

Costco Wine Buying Guide [24 Wine Recommendations]

lots of wine bottles from costco

Costco has some of the best value wine in the country. You can find great wine that would be significantly more expensive if it was sold elsewhere without the Kirkland logo.

In this list of Costco wine recommendations, I'll highlight my absolute favorite bottles. I cover the breadth of what's on offer when it comes to prices and also wine varietals.

Buckle up and be prepared to taste some fantastic wine!

24) 2020 Bodega Garzón Tannat Reserva

  • Price: $13.99
  • ABV: 14.7%
  • Region: Garzón, Uruguay
Bodega Garzón Tannat Reserva

This 100% Tannat tipple hails from Garzón in Uruguay. While you might not immediately think of Uruguay as a maker of great wines, trust me, this wine is fantastic!

You'll typically find this for over $20 in other wine stores so whenever it's on the shelf in Costco then fill your cart!

It is made with grapes that have been grown on the winery’s own estate and which have been sorted and harvested by hand.

It's a full-bodied red with a deliciously enticing aroma of licorice, blackberries and blackcurrants. Spicy notes of white pepper show up but it's those juicy dark, ripe fruits that linger in the memory.

Tannat wine is known for its tannins and they are here in force but there's a great balance to this wine. Rounded tannins with balanced acidity make this a cleverly put together wine.

The flavor is unsurprising but in a good way. Those big pleasant notes I enjoyed on the nose are present in abundance. It's a bold and punchy wine at 14.7% but it's actually pretty smooth and a slight sweetness from the fruit hides the higher ABV.

With its undertones of dried herbs, this wine also has a dry and long savory finish that makes it the perfect accompaniment to roast red meats, stews and barbecues.



23) 2019 Kirkland Signature Sonoma County Old Vine Zinfandel

  • Price: $9.99
  • ABV: 14.5%
  • Region: Sonoma County, USA
2019 Kirkland Signature Sonoma County Old Vine Zinfandel

Found on Costco’s shelves for just $10, this classic Old Vine Zinfandel carries the Costco Kirkland brand and is an absolute value bomb!

It comes from one of California’s best-known wine regions, Sonoma County, and is produced with grapes from vines that are at least 50 years old.

Affording deep, opaque shades of red-purple fruits, this wine offers notes of blueberry, cassis and blackberry with chocolate and vanilla overtones.

This is also supported by spicy notes from its oak maturation, all lifted by the ripe, supple tannins and its bright acidity.

This is a strong wine at 15.5% ABV, so it’s ideal for anyone who enjoys a full-bodied red with their barbecue.

I started this guide to great Costco wine with a bang and this Old Vine Zinfandel is another winner at just $9.99.

Don't let that Kirkland branding put you off, there are amazing wines to be had!



22) 2019 Kirkland Signature Carneros Pinot Noir

  • Price: $9.99
  • ABV: 14%
  • Region: Sonoma County, USA
2019 Kirkland Signature Carneros Pinot Noir

Hailing from Carneros in California’s Napa Valley, this lovely Pinot Noir can only be found in Costco and with a price tag of under $10 it represents amazing value for money.

The Carneros region is known for its unique climate. Thanks to the regular cool fogs and cool winds, this is one of the best places to grow Pinot Noir grapes.

This wine combines elegance with richness, counterbalancing the forest floor and black fruit notes with the tartness of ripe rhubarb and cherry for the perfect blend. Since this Pinot is also aged in French oak barrels, there’s a nice spicy overtone to savor on the palate.

At 14.5% ABV, this pleasing wine is balanced and smooth with a medium to full body and a dry, long finish.

This Pinot is great alongside red meats or barbecues.



21) 2017 Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Claret

  • Price: $13.99
  • ABV: 13.5%
  • Region: Napa Valley, USA
2017 Francis Coppola Claret Cabernet Sauvignon

Aged for 14 months in traditional French oak casks, this claret should cost you $21 in other retailers, but from Costco, it only costs around $14 making it great value for money.

Although its British name might be confusing, this wine has been made in the style of Medoc-type wines from Bordeaux. As a result, it boasts unique flavors and an exceptional depth which won’t disappoint.

It is called claret since it honors the heritage and authenticity of this style of wine which was made by California Vineyards’ Captain Niebaum back in 1910.

With its 13.5% alcohol content, this popular wine has a very pleasant aroma, conjuring up plenty of spice, vanilla, anise and dark fruits.

With its smooth and dry taste, this tipple boasts notes of blueberries and blackberries together with just enough earthiness and dried herbs that it tantalizes your tastebuds.

Its long, dry finish allows the oakiness to really come to fore before chocolatey fruity notes linger on.

Although this wine is a lovely drink to enjoy on its own, it’s even better with beef or other red meats.

Also available right now at Wine.com!



20) 2017 Kirkland Signature Brunello Di Montalcino

  • Price: $19.99
  • ABV: 14.5%
  • Region: Tuscany, Italy
2017 Kirkland Signature Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

This 100% Sangiovese wine hails from the Montalcino wine region, in Tuscany, central Italy

This Kirkland Signature wine is from Costco’s home brand range, but it certainly doesn’t compromise on quality.

This is an excellent wine, with a fresh and balanced taste that boasts soft tannins together with just a hint of candied fruit.

This wine has been produced for almost a decade now with the each vintage scoring really well with wine critics.

With its Brunello Di Montelcino DOCG denomination, it must be aged for at least 4 years, with at least 2 years in a barrel and 4 months in the bottle.

At first sip, you’ll detect aromas of licorice, spice and black cherry with just a touch of cedar. On the palate, you’ll enjoy a balanced and smooth taste with spicy notes that add a little more depth.

This is the perfect wine to open and enjoy at any time. It's great on its own but incredible with roasted red meat. It's one of my favorite wines at Costco and I thoroughly recommend you pick it up next time you see it! Buy, buy, buy!



19) 2019 Four Graces Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 

  • Price: $19.99
  • ABV: 13.5%
  • Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon
2019 Four Graces Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

The Four Graces Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is a light, low-tannin red with juicy red fruit flavors. 9 months in 15% new French oak barrels introduces allspice and earth notes, giving it excellent character for a relatively young wine. 

The Four Graces winery is in the Dundee Hills of the Willamette Valley, which has a Mediterranean climate promoting early ripening. 

Pour a glass, and ripe raspberry, cherry, and dark chocolate aromas greet you. The palate adds a touch of pomegranate, green tea, and earth. 

This Pinot pairs really nicely with fatty fish, roast chicken, cheesy pasta, duck, and lean red meat.

You'll commonly see this for close to $30 elsewhere so snap it up at this price by the box.



18) 2017 Kirkland Signature Barolo

  • Price: $19.99
  • ABV: 14%
  • Region: Serralunga d'Alba, Piedmont, Italy
Kirkland Signature Barolo DOCG

The 2017 Kirkland Signature Barolo is a broody, oak-aged masterpiece made with the Nebbiolo grape, offering a medium body with high acid and high tannins for an approachable, potent tipple. 

The nose is beautifully floral with peony blossom, rose petals, strawberries, and anise. The palate is rich in cherry and raspberry, with hints of black pepper, licorice, and crushed violets. 

This Barolo pairs beautifully with mushroom risotto, antipasti, rich red meats, venison, hearty stews, and robust truffle dishes.

This is another 'must buy' in my opinion. It's one of Costco's best kept wine secrets and if it's not on your shopping list then add it right now! A truly sumptuous Italian wine!



17) 2019 Chento Malbec 

  • Price: $15
  • ABV: 14%
  • Region: Mendoza, Argentina
2019 Chento Malbec

The 2019 Chento Malbec has jammy notes of blackberry and black cherry interplaying wonderfully with leather and cocoa.

It spends 10-12 months in 100% French oak and has a touch of Cabernet Franc (5%) for touches of red fruit. 

The nose is concentrated, exploding with black cherry, licorice, baked plum, and cocoa aromas. Take a sip, and intense black fruits, anise, and touches of cedar envelope the palate alongside supple tannins. 

A soft mouthfeel and mellow tannins give this wine a lush character. Try it with salmon, game meat, skirt steak, and smoked cheeses or check out our guide on Malbec food pairings for more tips.



16) 2017 Tabula Ribera Del Duero Tempranillo

  • Price: $19
  • ABV: 14.5%
  • Region: Ribera del Duero, Spain
Tabula Ribera del Duero Tempranillo

Produced with fruit from old vines on the hills of Ribera del Duero, Tabula Tempranillo is highly concentrated with black cherry and blackberry fruit flavors. There's some wonderful oak influence in the form of spicy cinnamon and the finish is long with a lovely licorice note

There's a slightly smoky and earthy quality to it that gives it fantastic character and depth. 

Pair it with lasagna, pizza, grits, or polenta.



15) 2016 Château Bel Air Gloria Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois

  • Price: $16
  • ABV: 13.5%
  • Region: Haut-Medoc, France
2016 Château Bel Air Gloria Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois

Made with a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 13% Petit Verdot, and 7% Cabernet Franc from selected lots, 2016 Château Bel Air Gloria Haut-Medoc Cru Bourgeois is a plush, velvety red with powerful acidity and tannins. 

Cru Bourgeois classification means this wine is made to an exceptionally high standard with grapes from vineyards renowned for their terroir.

The nose is full of plum, red cherry, pencil shavings, and cassis, with round tannins, bright acidity, and black fruit and licorice flavors on the palate. 

Pleasant but chewy, this is a quintessential French sipping wine. If you enjoy Old World reds especially Bordeaux blends then you'll be hard pressed to top this at just $16.



14) 2018 Château Faugères Calice de Faugères Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

  • Price: $19.99
  • ABV: 14.5%
  • Region: Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France
2018 Château Faugères Calice de Faugères Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

A Saint-Emilion Grand Cru for less than $20? You’ve got it! The 2018 Chateau Faugeres Grand Cru is a dark fruit and herb delight with excellent acidity and robust tannins. Dry and moderately acidic, it’s a perfect table wine with red meat. 

Grand Cru is a chateau or estate quality classification system, in this case, pointing to the Chateau Faugeres. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s rich in black and red fruit and oak, with vanilla and earth on the finish. 

Pair it with roast lamb, lamb cutlets, pork tenderloin, and ribeye. 



13) 2018 E Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge

  • Price: $13
  • ABV: 14.5%
  • Region: Southern Rhône, Rhone Valley, France
2018 E Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge

Full-bodied and richly textured with layers of blackberry jam, vanilla, and anise, the 2018 E Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge scratches our itch for a dark and chewy red. 

A blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 10% Mourvèdre, this Cotes du Rhone wine is aged in oak barrels for at least eighteen months.

Fresh aromas of black cherry, blackberry, black pepper, and allspice are joined by smoke, cinnamon, earth, and a touch of boysenberry on the palate. 

This wine pairs perfectly with shellfish, game meats, and mushroom dishes. 



12) Lucien Albrecht Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rosé

  • Price: $15
  • ABV: 12%
  • Region: Crémant d'Alsace, France
Lucien Albrecht Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rosé

If we're talking sub-$20, classic French sparkling wine doesn’t come much better than Lucien Albrecht Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rosé.

Dry, crisp, and elegant, it has an impressive length with flavors of quince, white flowers, stone fruit, and a touch of pear. 

Lucien Albrecht produces Brut Rosé in the méthode traditionnelle (the same as Champagne) with secondary fermentation in the bottle. This produces a sparkling wine with light bubbles and a sharp finish, with balanced minerality and gentle acidity. 

This wine is perfect for rich creamy dishes and chicken, creamy risotto, and soft cheeses. It's also a great wine for parties and celebrations, with delicate bubbles that don't break the bank.

Don't miss our guide to Costco rosé for more amazing suggestions like this.



11) 2018 Daou Chardonnay Paso Robles

  • Price: $15
  • ABV: 14.2%
  • Region: Paso Robles, California
2018 Daou Chardonnay Paso Robles

We haven't included many white wines on our list of recommendations so far but don't worry Costco has great whites too. In fact, we've got a dedicated guide to Costco's best white wine and also a guide to their best Chardonnay.

Produced in the Adelaide District of Paso Robles, the 2018 Daou Chardonnay has pronounced pear, white peach, and apricot flavors with a touch of vanilla. Minimal oak helps highlight the juicy fruit flavors, making it highly refreshing. 

The nose offers up butter, vanilla, pear, and melon, with a touch of apple and caramel. Take a sip, and you get a delicious, layered profile with pear, pineapple, apple, and citrus flavors, with a touch of hazelnut and vanilla bean on the finish. 

This wine goes well with lobster, crab, mussels, and other light seafood. 



10) 2019 Kirkland Signature Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

  • Price: $19.99
  • ABV: 14.5%
  • Region: Oakville, Napa Valley, California
2019 Kirkland Signature Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2018 Kirkland Signature Oakville is a classic Californian cab with intense blackberry, black cherry, and dark chocolate notes. The attractive palate is lighter than you expect, making it effortlessly drinkable. 

The nose bursts with cedar, vanilla, cassis, and ripe black cherry, with a touch of cedar and oak. The flavor profile adds notes of strawberry, mocha, and black pepper. It has a long and savory finish with relatively modest tannins. 

Pair it with pot roast, steak and potatoes, and beef stew. 

This wine never fails with each vintage impressing like the last. It can always do with a nice decant as it can be a bit closed at first but it's well worth the wait. Another must buy wine on your next trip to Costco.



9) 2020 Kirkland Signature Gigondas

  • Price: $13.99
  • ABV: 13%
  • Region: Southern Rhone, France
2020 Kirkland Signature Gigondas

The 2020 Kirkland Signature Gigondas blends 85% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 5% Mourvèdre from old vines grown in the Grand Cru appellation of Gigondas. It’s luxuriously rich and fruity, with a price tag that could be three times more.  

The nose offers striking tea leaves, charred oak, black cherry, and olive notes, with a touch of fig and baking spice. The palate reflects the nose with blueberry on the mid-palate, high acidity, and dusty tannins. 

This rich and intense goes beautifully with rich beef and lamb dishes, especially those with Moroccan and Cajun spices. 

You'll usually spot this one on the shelves in January each year with each vintage slowly getting better over time.



8) 2019 My Favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon

  • Price: $45.99
  • ABV: 14.4%
  • Region: Paso Robles, California
2019 My Favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon

Now $46 is not a cheap wine and it's a lot compared to most wines at Costco, but trust me, it's great value for this exceptional bottle of Cab.

Made with hand-harvested fruit from vineyards across Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, and south to Edna Valley, you can expect an elegant nose and palate brimming with dark fruit. 

This wine is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petite Sirah, 8% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Syrah, offering red cherry, spiced plum, and oak notes with hints of earth and slate on the nose and palate.

Spicy curries, barbeque, and grilled meats go best with this Cab.

See how it fared in our guide to Costco's best Cabernet Sauvignon.



7) 2016 Kirkland Signature Chablis Premier Cru

  • Price: $18
  • ABV: 13%
  • Region: Chablis, France
Kirkland Signature Premier Cru Chablis

This vibrant Chardonnay sees no oak and carries Premier Cru designation, making it of extraordinary quality.

It’s made with fruit grown in a relatively cool climate on south-facing slopes, ripening late with tremendous acidity. 

The nose reveals a complex bouquet of honeydew melon, Meyer lemon, pineapple, and butter. The palate offers juicy citrus on the entry, with orange peel, apricot, passionfruit, and a twist of lime on the mid-palate and finish. 

Enjoy this wine with tapas, savory snacks, chicken, and aged cheeses. 



6) 2016 Bodegas Sierra Salinas Mira Salinas Alicante

  • Price: $15
  • ABV: 15%
  • Region: Alicante, Valencia, Spain
2016 Bodegas Sierra Salinas Mira Salinas Alicante

The 2016 Bodegas Sierra Salinas Mira Salinas Alicante is a rich, classic Monastrell wine with great spice and dark chocolate notes.

Firm, grippy tannins and elegant layers make it a treat with prime rib and other expensive cuts. 

The wine pours deep ruby red with dark fruit, earth, and allspice on the nose. The palate adds layers of blackberry, plum, cherry, anise, and cocoa nibs, with a hint of cedar. It’s highly acidic, with a slight texture and long tannins. 

Lamb cutlets, lamb shank, prime rib, and tapas pair best with this red.



5) 2018 The Prisoner Unshackled Cabernet Sauvignon

  • Price: $24
  • ABV: 14.5%
  • Region: North & central coast California
The Prisoner Unshackled Cabernet Sauvignon

An irresistible blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Merlot, this juicy Cabernet is made with fruit from the north and central coast of California, aged for at least 11 months in American oak for smoky notes. 

The nose opens with swathes of oak, vanilla, and plum. Taking a sip reveals plum, black cherry, and blueberry, with red fruit and leather notes. Robust tannins and moderate acidity carry chocolate and vanilla undertones. It definitely benefits from a little aeration to soften out the acidity. But after 40 minutes of air it's just delicious.

Pair it with grilled lamb, turkey, chicken, and lamb hotpot. 

This really is a gorgeous wine that should be bought by the case at $24 a bottle. Californian Cabs of this quality are usually double the price.



4) 2011 Bodegas Olarra Otoñal Gran Reserva Rioja

  • Price: $14.99
  • ABV: 14%
  • Region: Rioja, Spain
2011 Bodegas Olarra Otoñal Gran Reserva Rioja

Look no further if you adore chewy, intense Spanish reds! A blend of Tempranillo, Mazuelo, and Grenache/Garnacha, the 2011 Bodegas Olarra Otonal Gran Reserva Rioja offers rich red and black fruit flavors steeped in herbs.

The nose and palate deliver big hits of cardamom and prune with earth, leather, and backed blackberry notes. Stewed plum and strawberry jam lift the palate, creating a rich but elegant wine with medium tannins and acidity. 

We love this wine with chorizo, lamb, venison stew, and sausages. 

This wine is at huge discount. You'l probably see it for +$35 at other wine retailers. This is a great opportunity to drink an aged wine at a great price, without doing any cellaring yourself. It's at a great age right now where it's got some complexity without being too inaccessible.

To learn more about Rioja wine, don't miss our new guide.



3) 2018 Acclaimed Red Napa Valley

  • Price: $22.99
  • ABV: 14.5%
  • Region: Napa Valley, California
2020 Acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon

Hailing from prime Rutherford vineyards in Napa Valley, this tastes like a Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc blend but actual facts are hard to come by.

With black cherry, cassis, and touches of vanilla and oak dominating the nose and palate, it's a subtle Californian red that bucks the usual fruit bomb style of this region.

Acidic, dry, and moderately tannic, this wine has excellent structure. The nose offers up blackberry jam, raspberry compote, and a touch of anise, with the palate adding vanilla and blueberry. The finish is long with a touch of leather. 

This makes an excellent table wine and pairing with lean red meats. 

It retails at around $30 from most other wine stores so this Costco price is really appealing.

Find out what I thought about the 2020 Precision Acclaimed Cab in my review.



2) 2019 Barons Edmond Benjamin de Rothschild Haut-Médoc

  • Price: $22.99
  • ABV: 12.5%
  • Region: Bordeaux, France
Barons Edmond Benjamin de Rothschild Haut-Médoc 2019

Produced by prestigious winemaker Barons Edmond de Rothschild, this classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot offers attractive allspice and black and red fruit notes with velvety tannins and a long, structured finish. 

Haut-Médoc is an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée in the Bordeaux region, home to some of the finest Cabernet fruits in the world.

Pour a glass of this wine, and the nose offers sweet red fruit, plum jam, discreet woody notes, and cinnamon. The palate is fruit-forward, with stewed blackberry and black cherry backed with a touch of anise.

Pair it with ribeye steak, creamy cheeses, and creamy risotto.



1) 2019 Kirkland Signature Suscol Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

  • Price: $16.99
  • ABV: 14.5%
  • Region: Napa Valley, California
2019 Kirkland Signature Suscol Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

We end our Costco wine recommendations with a classic, cool-climate Californian Cabernet produced with fruit from the Suscol Vineyard.

With high elevation and dense fog, the Suscol Vineyard produces some of the juiciest late-ripening fruit in the state. 

Pouring deep ruby, this Kirkland Signature Cab has a full body, smooth tannins, and massive flavor.

The nose and palate burst with black cherry, plum, fig, clove, and a touch of anise, with a long, fruity finish. 

This is a fantastic wine alongside prime rib, duck breast, and game.


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About the Author Tim Edison


Tim started Wine Turtle way back in 2015.
These days he contributes to Wine Turtle (and other renowned wine publications) while continuing his wine education.
Tim's wine of the month is the Coates & Seely Reserve Brut NV (from Hampshire, England).



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  1. I am a moderate wine drinker.
    I love Cabernet "Coppola" as well as other good ones in Costco.
    I will try Brunello. I like Californian wines.
    Thanks for your suggestions Tim.

    Elena.

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