Costco has been adding a few old world wines to the Kirkland Signature label. I recently found the Kirkland Signature Ribera Del Duerro Gran Reserve 2011 and quickly added it to my haul.
Ribera Del Duero actually means "banks of the Duero" and the region is in a plateau in northern Spain along the Duero River. This region, which is subject to very hot summers and very cold, dry winters, is noted for Tempranillo grapes, also locally known as Tinto Fino. Along with the soil conditions, the weather stresses the grapevines, but the surviving grapes produce wonderful wine. The juice from the Tempranillo grapes is often blended with lesser amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec to achieve the winemakers desired flavor.
Ribera Del Duero wines are rated as Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva to designate the levels of aging. This Kirkland Signature Ribero Del Duero is labeled as a Gran Reserva, the highest rating, which signifies that it must be aged a minimum of 5 years, with at least 2 years being aged in oak. In fact, the Kirkland Signature wine, which is 100% Tempranillo, was aged in French oak for the first 13 months, then transferred to American oak for 25 months, then bottled and aged for an additional 24 months.
This is a very serious wine. It is a smooth, elegant wine with flavors of rich dark fruit and chocolate, finishing with dusty tannins. You will want to relish every sip. This wine deserves to be paired with a well marbled steak. With all the aging and care taken to produce this wine, you would expect to pay far more than Costco's price of $12.99.
SC Wine Joe rating = 92 points
Ribera Del Duero actually means "banks of the Duero" and the region is in a plateau in northern Spain along the Duero River. This region, which is subject to very hot summers and very cold, dry winters, is noted for Tempranillo grapes, also locally known as Tinto Fino. Along with the soil conditions, the weather stresses the grapevines, but the surviving grapes produce wonderful wine. The juice from the Tempranillo grapes is often blended with lesser amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec to achieve the winemakers desired flavor.
Ribera Del Duero wines are rated as Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva to designate the levels of aging. This Kirkland Signature Ribero Del Duero is labeled as a Gran Reserva, the highest rating, which signifies that it must be aged a minimum of 5 years, with at least 2 years being aged in oak. In fact, the Kirkland Signature wine, which is 100% Tempranillo, was aged in French oak for the first 13 months, then transferred to American oak for 25 months, then bottled and aged for an additional 24 months.
This is a very serious wine. It is a smooth, elegant wine with flavors of rich dark fruit and chocolate, finishing with dusty tannins. You will want to relish every sip. This wine deserves to be paired with a well marbled steak. With all the aging and care taken to produce this wine, you would expect to pay far more than Costco's price of $12.99.
SC Wine Joe rating = 92 points
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