16 Best Red Wines at Costco in 2023 [Fill Your Cart Time!]
Your local Costco has a secret – it is home to some of the best red wines from around the world for less than $20.
Costco wine offers lots to love, from Californian Zinfandel and classic French Cabernet Sauvignon to lesser-known Spanish Tempranillo.
The aisles reveal a fantastic selection, and you can spend as little as $7.99 for something decent.
Whether you want something to sip on the sofa or something for the dinner table, my recommendations from Costco's red wine collection has you covered!
16. 2019 Kirkland Signature Sonoma County Old Vine Zinfandel
Produced from vines that average 45 years of age, Sonoma County Old Vine Zinfandel is fruitier than the average Zinfandel.
It pours medium to deep purple with a jam-like bouquet of cassis, flan, lavender, and vanilla bean.
Flavors of dark cherry, cassis, blueberry, cedar, oak, and chocolate dominate the palate, with a full body, supple tannins, and bright acidity. The acidity brings those fruity flavors to life with a smooth mouthfeel making it easy to drink.
This wine goes beautifully with American barbeque, thanksgiving turkey, braises and stews, salty and rich cheeses, and grilled halloumi.
Look no further if you want an approachable type of red wine that is perfect with red meat and smokey foods. It placed really high in my ultimate Costco wines.
15. 2019 Four Graces Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
A sour cherry and raspberry delight, Four Graces Pinot Noir Willamette Valley is a juicy red wine with soft tannins and a medium body.
Spicy notes balance those fruity flavors, giving it structure and exciting layers.
Red cherry, red currant, dark chocolate, and cola aromas reflect the palate, with lively acidity and hints of earth and black pepper. Low tannins, high acidity, and a medium body give this Pinot Noir a lighter mouthfeel.
One of the best food pairings for this Costco red wine is grilled and pan-fried salmon, with the high acidity working well with the fat.
It also complements filet mignon, game dishes, root vegetables, and wild mushrooms.
14. 2020 Boen Pinot Noir
The 2020 Boen Pinot Noir is an intriguing blend of 100% Pinot Noir grapes sourced from Sonoma County, Santa Barbara County, and Monterey County.
These regions produce sweet and sour grapes, resulting in a balanced Pinot Noir with lots of depth.
This wine pours a dark plum color with raspberry swirls, cassis, rosemary, and sage on the nose. The palate brings bright blackberry, cherry, and dark chocolate to the fold, with a full body, a dense mouthfeel, and bright acidity.
Rich in ripe flavors with judicious hints of chocolate and licorice, you won't find a more interesting American Pinot Noir at Costco.
Pair it with butterflied lamb, venison, chargrilled steak, duck breast, and mushroom pasta.
13. 2018 Devois des Agneaux d’Aumelas Languedoc
Produced in France in the Bordeaux style, the 2018 Devois des Agneaux d’Aumelas Languedoc is a blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache.
It bursts with dark fruit, stewed plum, and dark chocolate notes, with elegant tannins and a long finish.
Medium purple with a hint of pink in the glass, the bouquet is a tasty blend of earth, sage, and stewed plum, with a touch of vanilla.
The palate offers layers of vanilla, oak, leather, cassis, and plum, with a dense mouthfeel and medium acidity.
This is a divine sipping wine but it also pairs well with roasted meats and vegetables, Asian flavors, braised lamb, and hearty stews and casseroles.
12. 2018 Mosquita Muerta Pispi Blend de Tintas
The 2018 Mosquita is a spicy red wine blending Malbec (40%), Cabernet Franc (10%), Merlot (10%), Petit Verdot (20%), and Bonarda (20%).
It's earthy with lots of oak and notes of red fruit, including cherry and raspberry coulis.
The Mendoza region is well known for producing exciting, blended wines, and this is no exception. Notes of raspberry, black pepper, and cassis on the nose lead to flavors of red cherry, tobacco, and hints of plum and fig.
Balanced acidity and a full body give this wine a chewy mouthfeel without the zing, making it effortlessly drinkable.
It pairs beautifully with butterflied lamb, sausage casserole, and fresh, herby sauces like tomato salsa and chimichurri.
11. 2017 Department 66 D66 Others
The 2017 Department 66 D66 Others is an intriguing red wine because it is high in alcohol but doesn't taste like it. Grippy tannins and a dense mouthfeel wrap your palate with cola, licorice, and fresh red fruit flavors.
It's a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan grapes from old vines, aged in 30% French oak for 18 months and 5 months in the bottle.
It's crimson in color, with cherry cola, blossom, and dried herb aromas, with chocolate and candied violet on the palate.
Despite its richness and chewiness, this red wine is easy to drink, complete with an oak and licorice finish with hints of black pepper. It's the perfect pairing for blue cheese, oxtail, venison, ribeye, and spicy lamb.
10. Tabula Ribera del Duero Tempranillo
Made with 100% Tempranillo grapes from the hills of Ribera del Duero, this is a classic Spanish red wine with savory and spicy notes. Pop the top, and ripe black cherry, licorice, and allspice notes deliver a delicious bouquet.
This wine is grippy and savory, with the earthier profile brought to life with balanced tannins and moderate acidity. It's smooth and full-bodied, with black fruit, oak, and vanilla notes providing complexity.
This wine benefits from decanting with blackberry, blueberry, and vanilla notes developing well out of the bottle.
I love this wine with aged cheddar but it would also pair well with venison, game, lamb chops, and herbs like marjoram, rosemary, and thyme.
Related: Looking for something a bit lighter? Don't miss our guide to the top rosé wines at Costco next!
9. 2020 Kirkland Signature Cotes du Rhone Villages
This charming red wine from Cotes du Rhine Villages blends Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre.
The Mourvèdre brings intense violet and gamey flavors to a black fruit and licorice base, with a full body and medium acidity.
It pours deep purple with a crimson highlight, with aromas of mocha, dark fruit, licorice, light earth, and black cherry. The palate is fruity, packed with black cherry, plum, licorice, mocha, and a touch of oak.
At only $6.99, this wine offers unbeatable value, with a quality befitting wine costing three times more.
It goes wonderfully with lamb tagine, souvlaki, Peking duck, Asian cuisine, and roasted vegetables, especially stuffed peppers.
8. 2020 Kirkland Signature Malbec
The Kirkland Signature Malbec is my go-to Costco Malbec, with vibrant plum and cherry aromas and warming oak spices on the palate.
It's a classic Argentinian Malbec coming from the now famous Mendoza wine region. It has low acidity and a smooth, velvety mouthfeel that goes down a treat.
I love this wine's fullness and smooth mouthfeel, but the exciting notes of smoke, cedar, and vanilla impress me the most. Black cassis, plum, and allspice notes alongside medium-low tannins give it fantastic depth.
Because it has relatively low tannins, this wine pairs well with lean cuts of meat like sirloin tip-side steak, venison, rabbit, and pheasant. You can also pair it with stuffed mushrooms, pizza, and hamburgers loaded with cheese.
7. Kirkland Signature Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The Kirkland Signature Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is an elegant red wine with blackcurrant, allspice, and vanilla notes.
It is moderately acidic with a grippy texture, firm tannins, and the ripe fruit flavors we look for in a great Cabernet.
The bouquet has dark fruit, leather, spice, and vanilla notes, with welcome doses of cola, cedar, and tobacco on the palate. Integrated tannins and a grippy but smooth texture give it excellent approachability.
Portobello mushrooms, salty cheeses, burgers, and lamb steak are perfect food pairings, with the firm tannins complementing rosemary and garlic. This is a crowd-pleasing red wine with enough depth to satisfy connoisseurs.
6. 2017 Kirkland Signature Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
The Signature Brunello di Montalcino DOCG is a 100% Sangiovese wine from Montalcino, Italy, aged in oak barrels for three years.
Extended aging has produced a vibrant red with cherry, raspberry, oak, and tobacco notes with a hint of leather.
Brunello di Montalcino is Tuscany's most famous DOCG, widely considered the finest region for Sangiovese. Kirkland's interpretation is medium-bodied with round tannins and a long, warm finish with spice and tobacco notes.
Sweet cherry, fig, and mocha flavors on the mid-palate give this wine a delicious profile. We love it with pizza and pasta of any kind, tomato dishes, and garlic. Mushroom pasta and truffles are also perfect pairings.
This is a really gorgeous wine with enough complexity that you'll keep finding new subtle notes developing in the glass over time. It's got a long, dry finish that's a hallmark of a great Italian wine. This one's a real standout for me!
5. 2019 Kirkland Signature Toscana
The 2019 Kirkland Signature Toscana blends Sangiovese, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, but is weighted towards Sangiovese. This is an elegant blend with red and black fruit flavors, hints of cedar, and a licorice undertone.
Toscana is Italy's leading producer of Sangiovese grapes, and Kirkland's interpretation is a beautiful expression. Cherry and berry aromas with a hint of oak dominate the nose, with vanilla, strawberry, and a touch of plum on the palate.
The mouthfeel is remarkably smooth for a red blend, with medium acidity and chewy tannins providing a dose of complexity. I love this wine with blue cheese but lean meats and hearty beef stew with dumplings would be great pairs too.
4. 2020 Kirkland Signature Series Columbia Valley Red Wine
If you love oaky red wine, this one's for you! The Signature Series Columbia Valley blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, with solid oak and cedar notes on the nose. Dark fruit and spice dominate the palate with grippy tannins.
This red benefits from decanting for around an hour to bring out fruity notes, with bold blackberry, blackcurrant, and anise flavors being your reward. Bold and structured, I love this wine's complexity and long, spicy finish.
Serve this wine with ribeye or prime rib, and you won't be disappointed. It also works well with lasagna, Bolognese, and other meaty dishes.
For a savory kick, dark chocolate is another top pairing, especially sea salt dark chocolate.
3. 2019 Kirkland Signature Chianti Classico Riserva
Chianti Classico Riserva is typically one of the most expensive Tuscan red wines money can buy, so what's up with the $8.99 price?
Nothing but Costco's magic! 2019 Kirkland Signature Chianti Classico Riserva is elegant, smooth, and delicious.
Produced in the Chianti Classico subzone within the larger Chianti region, this wine is a delightful sour black cherry hit with raspberry and earth on the mid-palate. Medium acidity, a medium body, and moderate tannins make it approachable.
I adore this wine's dry, warm, earthy finish, with the sour black cherry flavor providing a wonderful tartness.
Pair it with spaghetti and meatballs, chicken parmesan, pizza, bruschetta, antipasti, and Italian herbs.
2. Kirkland Signature Barolo DOCG
Produced in the prestigious Barolo DOCG region from Nebbiolo grapes, Kirkland Signature Barolo DOCG is one of the best red wines at Costco.
Rich garnet red in color, it's full-bodied with dark licorice, anise, and blackcurrant notes on the nose and palate. Chewy tannins and integrated allspice notes give it a warm profile, yet it is remarkably refreshing, with a smooth and fresh finish.
To say this wine is tasty is an understatement – it's absolutely delicious, with balanced acidity, tartness, and intense dark flavors not found in other Italian reds.
Try it with olives, capers, wild mushrooms, truffles, polenta, and slow-braised meats.
For a detailed guide on pairing Barolo wine with food, don't miss our dedicated article.
1. 2017 Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva
My list of the ultimate red wines available at your local Costco ends with the Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva.
It's a classic 100% Tempranillo with a medium body, soft tannins, and balanced acidity, with light spice and vanilla notes.
If you love classic Spanish wine, this will float your boat. It's aged for 30 months in oak, developing blackberry, vanilla, and balsamic aromas, with flavors of licorice, cedar, spice, and blackcurrant.
At $7.99, it's an absolute steal! You'll want to load your car with this one!
The finish is long and dry, with cola and allspice. Anything with lamb pairs well, as do sharp cheeses like Manchego and Mexican dishes. The soft tannins and balanced acidity make it perfect for sipping and sharing with friends.
Is there a Costco red wine that you find irresistible on every trip? Let the world know in the comments section down below!
