Costco Wine Tasting – Episode #345

November 6, 2007

Gary Vaynerchuk tastes and rates 3 wines from Costco. The Kirkland brand is on display. Watch and see how they show.

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Comments on this episode(349) Leave a comment ›

“QOTD: the way of the pilgrim…” by ulu ulu ulu ulu
“Good episode. Nice to see my local “Kirkland” brand didnt totally dis…” by Dessert Wine Nerd
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Wines tasted in this episode:

Krikland Signature GSM 2004
Kirkland Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2005
Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf du Pape 2005

349 Responses

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November 7, 2007

SmokinActuary
Hey Gary,

I am reading “The Persian Puzzle:The Conflict Between Iran and America” by Kenneth M. Pollack. Excellent book if you at all interested in the subject.

I agree with a lot of other posters in that you just added to your credibility with this review. The importance of that can’t be underestimated.
November 7, 2007

jasmurph
By Night in Chile–Roberto Bolano.

I think it’s time for some more Reisling coverage.
November 7, 2007

Jason
Great Episode Gary!

QOTD: Soon I Will Be Invincible
November 7, 2007

Chris D
Thanks for doin a show on some wine in the big box stores, interesting and the fact you don’t sell them and gave decent comments gives you more credibility.

QOTD – I recently finshed a very good read in “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini
November 7, 2007

italianwinelover
Great show…glad you are trying ready available wines…never thought to go to a Cosco for wine!!

QOTD: I’m a big magazine reader…Wine Spectator, Body+Soul, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair. But also started a book “The Revenge of Gaia” by Jack Lovelock. And 10 questions for the Dalai Lama. Never enough time to read everything I’d like

What are you reading GV??
November 7, 2007

tinhorn1
Reading Gluten Free Girl!
November 7, 2007

Trucbinouche
Hey Gary, I’m reading Angels & Demons by Dan Brown also the author of DaVinci Code. If you haven’t
read any of those, I strongly recommande them. Last weekend, I was enjoying the book with an outstanding glass of Tinto Pesquera 2001, the only thing I can say is WOW!!!!!!!!!!
November 7, 2007

Jayhitek
Sounded like a bad Bill Cosby impersonation..
November 7, 2007

Cynthia
QOTD: I’m reading “A HIstory of the World in Six Glasses” by Tom Standage. Good Book!

Love the Vlog!
November 7, 2007

Chris M
QOTD: A mix of financial magazines. Very boring to normal people, but I love it. And sometimes it gives me an idea that makes me money so I can buy more wine.
November 7, 2007

Karen
Oh–QOTD–Just finished reading some short stories and poems–a bit from Langston Hughes and some from Sylvia Plath. If that isn’t a huge contrast, I don’t know what is!
November 7, 2007

Karen
Gary! Lovin’ the thunder from the get-go for the Costco! “Kids–be careful of Halloween candy!–What a hoot and a holler! And–Battle Royal! And, I must admit, whenever you say things like “Suckass lurkers”, well that does motivate me to leave a note! Thanks for bringing that thunder. (Much better than Sir Gary V. I do say!). Cheers from Ohio!
November 7, 2007

Ryan D
QotD: Currently reading Terry Brooks’ new novel, 2nd in the Genesis of Shannara “The Elves of Citra”. I’m a sap for fantasy novels.
November 7, 2007

AlisonD
Thanks for tasting wines I normally wouldnt even think of trying!

QOTD: Into the Wild – John Krakauer – the book that is now a major motion picture about the kid who travels across the country and ends up dying in Alaska = (
November 7, 2007

Ken T
What am I reading?? Playing for Pizza by John Grisham. Good Football book and it involves wine and food.
November 7, 2007

stephen
Actually reading a series of books called the Merlot myseteries and the chardonnay charades written by Ellen Crosby. Not a heavy read at all, pretty good so far
November 7, 2007

Chris G
Liked the episode Gary, good to see you trying wines that are more readily available. Thing is I live in London so Costco isn’t an option for me but I guess it’s like Tesco’s (which is where most people buy there wine over here! And everything else for that matter!!)

QOTD: Confessions of a Philosopher by Bryan Magee. Really brilliant book, bit lke your tasting today, takes the pretension out of philosophy and makes it a real activity for everyone.

Enjoy your trip!
November 7, 2007

JDM
Uhh, isn’t Alexander Valley in Sonoma?
November 7, 2007

Teresa
Great show… really liked to hear reviews on easier to find wines… will try the Cabernet…

QOTD….”Down River” by John Hart. So far it’s pretty good
November 7, 2007

Kirk
Great show today…interesting to see how you liked those wines. Thanks for a great show…now here’s my 2 cents

QOTD: Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Understanding Research Methods, and The Lucifer Principle….an odd but interesting mix of school & interests.
November 7, 2007

Shahar Golan
Funny, your site says that I wrote my comment “in the future”, but it still doesn’t allow me to correct my typos Anyway, first word in the last line is “likable”…
November 7, 2007

Shahar Golan
The nice Chateauneuf-du-Pape bottle reminds me that in my last visit to London I bought two wine that Gary recommended and that I could not get in Israel; one is a Vacqueras (episode 36) that is still awaiting a proper occasion, and the other was a Chateau Musar (Lebanon, episode 115) that was very nice and very sour-red fruit. However, I am ashamed to say that I didn’t have to go to London to get the 2004 Grand Vin du Castel (93-GV, episode 299) that is being made less than 30km from my home, and I didn’t try it before Gary did…

QOD: Apart from wine labels? I am currently reading the wonderful “The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years” of Tschingis Ajtmatow, and I recently finished the even more lakeable “La sombra del viento” (The Wind’s Shadow) of Carlos Ruiz Zafon.
November 7, 2007

Jeaux
The Cab is selling for $18 at the Seattle 4th Ave S Costco. The CdP is probably all gone now, but was $19.95. I don’t quite agree with your assessment of it, mainly because it’s still too young and too tight. At $20 it’s worth putting a few away to see how the wine develops. The cab, OTOH, is pretty darned good already. An oft-published wine writer pal of mine thought it could stand well against wines in the $30 category. Btw, Alexander Valley is in Sonoma, not in Napa, and the Alex cabs are noted for being softer and less oaky than their cousins in Napa. If you can get your hands on any, try the 2004 Hanna cab.

Costco’s Kirkland wines are steadily improving. I recently had a 2005 Kirkland syrah from Bob Betz (Sunset’s Wine Maker of the Year). Unfortunately, I tasted this just after I’d done Betz’s flight of four high end 2005 syrahs (which really are to die for!). The Costco version is a tad light and more alcoholly compared with the others, and needs time for the tannins to settle. But it’s also only 1/3 the price ($17, vs. $45/$56/$75).

The “90-point Mendoza Line?” ROFLMAO!
November 7, 2007

Jorr
Loved this episode.
QOTD: Bleeding Afghanistan
November 7, 2007

YoungDave
QOTD: A letter from my sister from back east…