Full Review

Kirkland Signature

Kirkland Signature
2018 Old Vine, Zinfandel, Sonoma County

Pair this wine with:
Beef Vegetables

Category: Zinfandel

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 15%
93 Points
Gold Medal
Exceptional
$9
Best Buy
'2021 World Value Wine Challenge-Top 5 Red Wine $10 and Under' Exceptional Value

Kirkland Signature
2018 Old Vine, Zinfandel, Sonoma County

Pair this wine with:
Beef Vegetables

Category: Zinfandel

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 15%
Ruby black color. Aromas of blackberry, lavender, flan, and vanilla bean with a chewy, lively, dry full body and a warming, appealing, long blueberry pie, cedar, dried black cherry, and bergamot finish with woody, firm tannins and heavy oak flavor. A focused California blend that highlights oak and tart dark fruit; will pair perfectly with pepper crusted steaks.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: New World
Aroma Aroma: blackberry, lavender, flan, and vanilla bean
Taste Flavor: blueberry pie, cedar, dried black cherry, and bergamot
Sweetness Sweetness: Dry
Enjoy Enjoy: Now-3 years on its own and with food
Recipes Pairing: Pot Roast, Steak & Potatoes, Beef Stew
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A focused California blend that highlights oak and tart dark fruit; will pair perfectly with pepper crusted steaks.

The Retailer

Costco

The Retailer
500 Redwood Blvd. Ste 200
Novato, CA 94947
USA
1 415-382-6754

Their Portfolio

92 Kirkland Signature 2017 Barolo DOCG 14% (Italy) $19.00.
94 Kirkland Signature 2016 Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 14.5% (Italy) $19.99.
90 Kirkland Signature 2018 Riserva, Chianti Classico DOCG 13.5% (Italy) $8.00.
90 Kirkland Signature 2020 Rosé, Prosecco DOC 11% (Italy) $6.99.
89 Kirkland Signature 2018 Red Wine, Toscana IGP 13.5% (Italy) $14.00.
93 Kirkland Signature 2018 Old Vine, Zinfandel, Sonoma County 15% (USA) $9.00.
93 Kirkland Signature 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley 14.9% (USA) $18.00.
95 Kirkland Signature 2018 Suscol Vista Single Vineyard , Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 14.5% (USA) $16.00.
93 Kirkland Signature 2019 Pinot Noir, Carneros, Napa Valley 14% (USA) $9.00.
94 Kirkland Signature 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 14.5% (USA) $8.00.
88 Kirkland Signature 2018 Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County 14% (USA) $9.00.
91 Kirkland Signature 2019 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley 14% (USA) $12.00.
89 Kirkland Signature 2019 Red Blend, Napa Valley 14.5% (USA) $10.00.
92 Kirkland Signature 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, Napa Valley 14.5% (USA) $18.00.
87 Kirkland Signature 2020 California, Cabernet Sauvignon, California 13% (USA) $12.00.
86 Kirkland Signature 2020 California, Chardonnay, California 13.5% (USA) $11.00.
86 Kirkland Signature 2020 California, Pinot Grigio, California 12% (USA) $11.00.
90 Kirkland Signature Black Cherry Fruit-Flavored Hard Seltzer 5% (USA)
86 Kirkland Signature Grapefruit Fruit-Flavored Hard Seltzer 5% (USA)
91 Kirkland Signature Mango Fruit-Flavored Hard Seltzer 5% (USA)
92 Kirkland Signature Lime Fruit-Flavored Hard Seltzer 5% (USA)
93 Kirkland Signature 2015 Gran Reserva, Ribera Del Duero 15% (Spain) $14.00.
87 Kirkland Signature Grapefruit Fruit-Flavored Hard Seltzer 5% (USA)
90 Kirkland Signature 2021 Sparkling Rosé, Prosecco DOC 11% (Italy) $6.00.
92 Kirkland Signature 2018 Barolo DOCG 14% (Italy) $19.00.
92 Kirkland Signature 2019 Riserva, Chianti Classico DOCG 13.5% (Italy) $8.00.
94 Kirkland Signature 2017 Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 14.5% (Italy) $14.00.
92 Kirkland Signature Irish Cream Liqueur 17% (Ireland) $16.00.
88 Kirkland Signature 2019 Old Vine, Zinfandel, Sonoma County 14.5% (USA) $9.00.
94 Kirkland Signature 2019 Signature Series, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley 14.5% (USA) $19.00.
95 Kirkland Signature 2019 Suscol Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 14.5% (USA) $17.00.
87 Kirkland Signature 2020 Pinot Noir, Carneros, Napa Valley 14.5% (USA) $9.00.
90 Kirkland Signature 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 14.5% (USA) $8.00.
89 Kirkland Signature 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 14% (USA) $9.00.
94 Kirkland Signature 2020 Red Blend, Napa Valley 14.5% (USA) $10.00.
92 Kirkland Signature 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 14.5% (USA) $14.00.
93 Kirkland Signature 2020 Côtes-Du-Rhône Villages Rouge 14.5% (France) $6.00.
85 Kirkland Signature 2021 Pinot Grigio, California 11% (USA) $12.00.
92 Kirkland Signature 2020 Malbec, Mendoza 14% (Argentina) $6.00.
93 Kirkland Signature 2021 TI Point, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 12.5% (New Zealand) $6.00.
88 Kirkland Signature Spiced Rum 46% (USA) $13.00.
91 Kirkland Signature 6 Year Old Oak Cask Aged Blended Canadian Whisky 40% (Canada) $18.00.
88 Kirkland Signature Silver Tequila 40% (Mexico) $22.00.
91 Kirkland Signature Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 46% (USA) $19.00.
91 Kirkland Signature Bottled In Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 50% (USA) $24.00.
92 Kirkland Signature Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 60% (USA) $29.00.
93 Kirkland Signature 2019 St. Julien 14% (France) $18.00.
90 Kirkland Signature 2019 Grand Vin De Bordeaux Red Blend, Bordeaux Supèrieur 14% (France) $6.00.
93 Kirkland Signature 2019 Red Blend, Toscano IGT 14% (Italy) $14.00.
92 Kirkland Signature 2020 Red Blend, Columbia Valley 14.7% (USA) $16.00.
90 Kirkland Signature 2020 Premiere Cru, Chablis 13% (France) $17.00.
92 Kirkland Signature 2020 Gigondas 15% (France) $13.00.
92 Kirkland Signature 2020 Cuvee Du Terroir Des Papes, Châteauneuf-Du-Pape Rouge 15.5% (France) $13.00.
93 Kirkland Signature 2016 Gran Reserva, Ribera Del Duero 15% (Spain) $13.00.
93 Kirkland Signature 2019 Barolo DOCG 13.5% (Italy) $19.00.
90 Kirkland Signature 2020 Chianti Riserva DOCG 13.5% (Italy) $8.00.
91 Kirkland Signature 2018 Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 14.5% (Italy) $19.00.
93 Kirkland Signature 2022 Rosé, Prosecco DOC 11% (Italy) $7.00.
91 Kirkland Signature 2022 Moscato d’Asti DOCG 5% (Italy) $7.00.
93 Kirkland Signature 2022 Rosé, Côtes De Provence 13% (France) $7.00.
90 Kirkland Signature 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 15% (France) $19.00.
88 Kirkland Signature 2021 Red Blend, Columbia Valley 14.9% (USA) $16.00.
88 Kirkland Signature 2022 Pinot Grigio, Friuli DOC 12.5% (Italy) $4.00.
91 Kirkland Signature 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 14% (Italy) $20.00.
91 Kirkland Signature 2020 Toscana IGP 14% (Italy) $13.00.
87 Kirkland Signature 2020 Signature Series, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley 14% (USA) $19.00.
86 Kirkland Signature 2020 Suscol Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 14.5% (USA) $17.00.
88 Kirkland Signature 2021 Signature Series, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, Napa Valley 14.5% (USA) $18.00.
88 Kirkland Signature 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 14% (USA) $14.00.
88 Kirkland Signature 2021 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley 14% (USA) $12.00.
93 Kirkland Signature 2021 Red Blend, Napa Valley 14.5% (USA) $10.00.
88 Kirkland Signature 2022 Pinot Grigio, California 11.5% (USA) $12.00.
88 Kirkland Signature 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, California 13% (USA) $13.00.
93 Kirkland Signature 2022 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley 13.5% (USA) $12.00.
88 Kirkland Signature 2021 Pinot Noir, Carneros, Napa Valley 14.5% (USA) $9.00.
94 Kirkland Signature 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 14% (USA) $9.00.
88 Kirkland Signature 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 14.5% (USA) $8.00.
87 Kirkland Signature 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, California 13% (USA) $8.00.
87 Kirkland Signature 2022 Chardonnay, California 13.5% (USA) $8.00.
92 Kirkland Signature 2022 Côtes-Du-Rhône Villages Rouge 14.5% (France) $6.00.
94 Kirkland Signature 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 12.5% (New Zealand) $7.00.
BR Kirkland Signature 2021 Malbec, Mendoza 14% (Argentina) $6.00. - Bronze Medal
88 Kirkland Signature Mimosa 6% (USA) $.00.
90 Kirkland Signature 2022 Rosé, Glera, Prosecco DOC 11% (Italy) $7.00.
87 Kirkland Signature 2022 Moscato d’Asti DOCG 5% (Italy) $7.00.
88 Kirkland Signature Vodka 40% (USA) $12.99.
87 Kirkland Signature Golden Margarita 12.7% (USA) $9.00.
93 Kirkland Signature 2017 Gran Reserva, Ribera Del Duero 15% (Spain) $13.00.
94 Kirkland Signature 2021 Chablis Premier Cru 12.5% (France) $18.00.
91 Kirkland Signature 2021 Gigondas 14% (France) $13.00.
91 Kirkland Signature 2021 Bordeaux Supèrieur 14% (France) $6.00.
91 Kirkland Signature 2023 White Moscato, Moscato d’Asti DOCG 5% (Italy) $7.00.
93 Kirkland Signature 2019 Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 14% (Italy) $19.00.
93 Kirkland Signature 2020 Barolo DOCG 14% (Italy) $19.00.
91 Kirkland Signature 2021 Chianti Riserva DOCG 13.5% (Italy) $8.00.
93 Kirkland Signature 2023 Rosé, Prosecco DOC 11% (Italy) $7.00.
93 Kirkland Signature 2022 Vacqueyras 14.5% (France) $11.00.
92 Kirkland Signature 2023 Rosé, Côtes De Provence 13% (France) $7.00.
91 Kirkland Signature Orange Brandy Liqueur 40% (France) $19.00.
87 Kirkland Signature Spiced Rum 40% (Puerto Rico) $15.00.
91 Kirkland Signature 2022 Cuvée Du Terroir Des Papes, Châteauneuf-Du-Pape Rouge 15% (France) $19.00.
90 Kirkland Signature 2021 Toscana IGT 13.5% (Italy) $14.00.
91 Kirkland Signature 2018 Gran Reserva, Ribera Del Duero 15% (Spain) $14.00.
86 Kirkland Signature 2022 Signature Series Red Blend, Columbia Valley 14.8% (USA) $16.00.

Zinfandel

Wine Glass Zinfandel.jpg
Serve in a Zinfandel Wine Glass
Zinfandel first came to American shores by way of the Schonbrunn collection which contained all the wine varietals grown in the Austrian empire. The earliest mention of Zinfandel, by name, in America was a vine nursery in Long Island in the 1820s. It made its way to California in the gold rush and thrived because of its hearty constitution and vigorous yields. Many a prospector had a little vineyard of Zinfandel and washed away their sorrows in their purple cups.

Zinfandel is California’s pride and joy, a zesty, spicy, alcoholic (often 15% or more) wine that fits in well with the frontier spirit of the Golden State. The grape is believed to be related to one or more varieties in Croatia, while in the southern Italian region of Puglia, Zinfandel is a name sometimes given to the Primitivo grape.

While there are excellent plantings of Zinfandel in may California regions, the districts of Lodi and Contra Costa County are very famous for this grape, especially as there are numerous “old vine” plantings that are often more than one hundred years of age. These vines produce tiny quantities, but the resulting wines are intensely spicy and brambly. Zinfandel has a good deal of natural tannin, so these wines can age well, as long as the winemaker can find the proper balance, not always an easy thing. Zinfandels from Ridge Vineyards, a celebrated producer in Santa Cruz County, are among the longest-lived and most refined examples.

Recommended foods for Zinfandel are grilled or barbecued meats, wild game and stews – the heartier, the better. White Zinfandel, not to be confused with Zinfandel (red) is a blush wine, generally lighter-bodied with moderate sweetness.

For a hundred years, zinfandel was the king of California reds. In 1884 it accounted for 40 percent of all the state's grape vines, but the grand old vineyards fell victim to modern economics and changing trends.

Luckily, a small band of dedicated producers, coupled with a near-fanatical cult following, have continued to hold out. Against all odds, the pendulum just might be poised to swing back.

So just what is it about these old vineyards that is helping to put zinfandel back on the map? The consensus seems to be that a vineyard reaches a qualitative peak between 25 and 50 years old. Because of prohibition, there are relatively few old vineyards in California. Of the state's 350,000 acres of vinifera, fewer than three percent are over 50 years old. The vast majority of these are devoted to zinfandel. While the percentage of cabernet vineyards exceeding even 25 years of age is minute, it is quite possible to sample the fruits of a fully mature zinfandel vineyard, often at half the price.

In addition, old vineyards inherently produce less fruit. This factor provides a natural limit on the vine's tendency to overproduce. Though a problem if quantity is the ultimate goal, it is an essential factor in the production of high-quality wines. With the price of cabernet rising so precipitously in the last few years, it has once again become economical for vintners to produce wine from shy-yielding old zinfandel vineyards; winemakers are scouring the state looking for the odd parcel of vines. Also, vintners have learned how well some of the old methods of pruning and farming have worked, and are seeking to apply these principles in new plantings.

Paul Draper, winemaker and CEO of Ridge Vineyards, summed up zinfandel's appeal best: "Zinfandel has so much forward fruit that it's sensual to drink right away. Its appeal is immediate, whereas cabernet needs time to develop. You can have a very sensual experience with cabernet, but you can have a comparable experience with young zinfandel--which is why, in a restaurant, I'd be more likely to order a zinfandel than a cabernet."