Kirkland Signature St-Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux review

A new vintage of this big name Bordeaux blend, we review the Kirkland Signature St-Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux from Costco.

85% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon and from Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France.

Another day, another big name Bordeaux wine at a discount! This time Costco goes to the prestigious St-Emilion on the Right Bank for a wine that is priced very nicely. The appellation focuses primarily on Merlot and Cabernet Franc which is exactly what we have here.

The wine is also “Grand Cru” status which means it has slightly higher production standards including an extra 14 months of aging (which could be in the bottle) before release. And while that sounds very exclusive, most of the wine produced in the region is Grand Cru status, so it’s not uncommon.

The 2023 Kirkland Signature St-Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux, the second vintage of this wine, continues to come from Vignobles Bardet. We know this because of the “Mise En Bouteille A La Propriete” line on the back label, which means the wine was made and bottled on the same property where it was grown. This is an estate with a long history in St-Emilion – the winery started in 1704!

In this case, we also have a bit of added information after that statement in the “Pour Domaines Select” – so “for Domaines Select” which appears to be a negociant in St Emilion. I’m guessing this just means Domaines Select contracted with Vignobles Bardet to make the Kirkland Signature St-Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux for Costco.

Vignobles Bardet has a history with making wines for others as they also make the official wines for the Peaky Blinders TV series under the Shelby Company name. Most of their Grand Cru wines tend to start around $30 and go up, so at least on the surface, there appears to be good value here.

The 2023 Kirkland Signature St-Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux is available exclusively at Costco for just $15.99. This is up $1 from the 20222 vintage. It is imported by Misa Imports. Let’s check out how it tastes!

From the bottle:

Appellation Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Controlee

85% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon

Kirkland Signature Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2023 is crafted from a refined blend of 85% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. The bouquet reveals inviting aromas of ripe fruit, harmoniously combining notes of red and black berries, wild strawberry, and blueberry, delicately layered with hints of spice, dark chocolate, and plum. On the palate the wine offers a clean, well-defined structure, beautifully balanced by a silky smoothness and enlivered by a juicy freshness that extends into a long, appealing finish.

Mise En Bouteille A La Propriete Par SCEA Des Vignobles Bardet 33330 Vignonet Pour Domaines Select 33300 St Emilion

13% Alcohol

The 2023 Kirkland Signature St-Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux needs a lot of air when popped and poured. It’s a bit thin at first, but be patient and you will be rewarded! Time reveals aromas of dark berry fruit and cedar plus a little licorice and leather. Touches of vanilla, chocolate and bay leaf round things out. It’s a good start.

Taking a sip reveals the wine to be quite smooth – you can tell this blend is dominated by Merlot by the signature round and velvety smooth mouthfeel. Featuring similar flavors to the nose, the 2023 is not as tannic and oaky as 2022 so it is much more approachable in its youth. It still seems to have some good aging potential.

It ends dry, long, and a bit grippy with some lasting spice. This is quite nice after some air and was similar on day 2. We score it similar to the 2022 vintage as a low 9 Taste Rating (91 points).

Looking for more of our favorite wine selections from Costco? Browse our multi-page listing of recommended wines along with more information on how to best shop the store!

You can also find more of our favorite wines from France here.

Review Summary