We bought a few wines from Costco, recognizing that wines reviewed from Costco may not be available to all and may in fact be gone the next day. However, you might find them either in your Costco or at another wine outlet. I also bought a wine that was not within my wine taster’s budget, but if you have a special occasion and you happen to find this first wine, it might be worth investing in a bottle.
First up- Juan Gil, 2008, ($11.89) a red wine from the Jumilla region of Spain. It is 100% Monastrell grape and 15% alcohol. (As an aside, the Monastrell grape from Spain is also known as the Mourvedre grape in France which is used in Rhone style wines.) This wine needed time to air, but it was meaty, with a hint of leather and robust, with a dark red color. We both enjoyed it and I went out in search of more. I think Spanish wines are often overlooked and I am planning on tasting more of them.
Zuccardi Q, 2007 ($14.99) a Malbec from Argentina. This is a typical Malbec, straight forward fruit with a hint of leather. It has a short finish, but is pleasant and accessible. It is 14% alcohol. We are comparing this Malbec with some other Malbecs that I have purchased, so you will see it reviewed again.
Juan Gil 2008 ($11.89) 92 pts
Zuccardi Q 2007 ($14.99) 89-90 pts
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| Juan Gil and Zuccardi Q Wines |
Napa Cabs
Hall, 2006 ($29.99) a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon was a real find. Unfortunately it was sold out when I went back a week later. It was a fruity, well balanced Napa Cab with a lovely finish. It is 14.5% alcohol and a find at $30, which of course is why it was sold out. Costco still had the 2005 vintage, but I hear it is nowhere near the level of the 2006 so don’t go looking for it.
Finally, the wine I went over budget to try was Lail Vineyards, J. Daniel Cuvee, 2006 ($99.99) Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. After airing for about an hour to soften the tannins, (it was 14.9% alcohol) this Napa Cab was fruity, had a nice mid palate, a lovely finish, and was well balanced. I believe this wine, in comparison to the 2006 Hall, was a better wine, though my tasting partner did not think it was worth the additional money. I did.
Hall 2006 ($29.99) 93 pts
J.Daniel Cuvee Lail Vineyard 2006 ($99.99) 95 pts
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| Lail Vineyard and Hall Wines |
See you next time.
