15 Unmissable Cabernet Sauvignons at Costco in 2023
I've tasted and reviewed a lot of Cabernet Sauvignon from Costco over the last few years and in this guide I'll share my favorites.
There's wine covering a wide range of wine regions and price tags and a few that offer absolutely outstanding value for money (don't miss #14).
15. 2021 Kirkland Signature Series Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon
I had the pleasure of tasting and reviewing this cab very recently and it stood out for its refined and elegant expression of the grape.
It's big, bold and fruity like only Napa cabs are, but it also displays characteristics of its terroir with subtle earthy and dusty notes.
Cabernet Sauvignon from the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley usually costs at least forty bucks, so for this to cost just twenty four is exceptional value for money.
And be warned, it's no secret how good this wine is (and how well priced it is) so it flies off the shelves each year. So, if you see it, buy it because it won't be there next time you're at Costco!
14. 2021 Kirkland Signature Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
I tasted and reviewed this Kirkland Signature cab recently and it really took me by surprise!
It's a really well crafted wine that uses oak to great effect. Oak is often overused with bold reds but it gives this wine a lovely spiciness and a subtle note of vanilla.
Blackcurrant, plum, cherry, and strawberry provide the fruitiness, which is brought to life with some lovely acidity. Then there's some really grippy medium tannins that give the wine a great texture too.
It's just a really well made, delicious Cabernet Sauvignon that is seriously undervalued!
13. Kirkland Signature Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
If you're looking for a complex and elegant expression of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape, well, this isn't it!
It's bold, fruity, well balanced and just really fun. It's the kind of wine that people that don't drink much wine will enjoy, but there's also just enough here for people that do enjoy wine to like too.
It's bursting with ripe dark fruit with undertones of spice and vanilla. There's just enough structure there in the way of acidity and tannin that you don't forget you're drinking Cabernet Sauvignon.
It's a delicious, fruity and very accessible entry to Napa Valley Cab.
12. 2019 Daou Winery Cabernet Sauvignon
Aged for 18 months in 80% new French oak barrels, the 2019 Daou Winery Cabernet Sauvignon scratches our itch for a smoky, chewy red. High tannins and a very dry mouthfeel give it an almost chalky, earthy quality.
It blends Cabernet with 10% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. Oak, tobacco, cedar, and cherry provide a wonderfully complex bouquet while the palate is dense, packed with black fruit, stewed plum, cassis, and chocolate.
Rich layers, including a vanilla mid-palate and a smoky finish with violet, give this wine a complex profile perfect for sipping.
It also goes perfectly with ribeye, Mafaldine pasta with mushrooms, mature cheese, and savory snacks.
11. J. Lohr Seven Oaks Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon
Look no further for a velvety-rich red with chewy tannins. J. Lohr Seven Oaks blends 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petite Sirah, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Syrah for a wonderfully complex blend of grapey goodness!
A bouquet of vanilla, allspice, blackcurrant, and plum fills us with warmth, but it's the hazelnut, toast, violet, cola, and black cherry flavors that steal the show. Dense but smooth, this Cabernet serves up an abundance of flavor with a long, earthy finish.
Ripe flavors, toasted notes, and intriguing lighter flavors of violet make this Cabernet highly approachable. Enjoy it with barbeque, grilled meats, Asian spices, smoked cheeses, roasted vegetables, and caramelized onions.
10. 2019 Justin Cabernet Sauvignon
When we want an easy-going Cabernet with chewy black and red fruit flavors, we constantly reach for Justin Cabernet Sauvignon. This consistently good Cabernet is dense, bold, and bursting with baking spice and dried fruit.
Justin Cabernet Sauvignon pours deep plum in the glass with cassis, red and black licorice, and a cherry bouquet with enjoyable cocoa, cinnamon, and raspberry flavors. It's smooth but full-bodied with moderate tannins.
It's hard to argue against this wine's balanced profile and smooth mouthfeel, making it perfect for sharing with friends. It also makes a great table wine with lamb, pork, veal, and any pasta dishes served with red sauce.
Note: I've also seen this on the shelf at Safeway.
If around $20 is your sweet spot for great wine then don't miss our guides to great cab for less than $20 and less than $30 after this.
9. Kirkland Signature K-Vine Cabernet Sauvignon
The Kirkland Signature K-Vine Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic 100% Cabernet Sauvignon with brooding dark fruit flavors and rich, sharp tannins. It's produced with long-season grapes for a lively palate backed by bright acidity.
This wine pours a deep garnet color with a bouquet of blackcurrant, cedar, and a hint of vanilla. Graphite and earth on the palate give rise to plum, black cherry, and oak flavors, with chalky tannins and baking spice on the finish.
Although it isn't the most complex wine, K-Vine delivers the chalky, earthy, black fruit notes I love from a classic Cabernet. Pair it with burgers, barbeque, ribs, sausages, meatballs, spaghetti, and roasted eggplant.
Note: The Kirkland Signature K Vine Chardonnay is awesome too if you like bold whites.
8. 2020 Acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2020 Acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon is an elegant 100% Cabernet with bold black cherry, vanilla, and raspberry notes. It has bright acidity and a fruit-forward profile, making it highly approachable and a treat at the dinner table.
Notes of baking spice, vanilla, and oak on the nose underpin a dark fruit bouquet with a hint of oak and leather. The palate delivers black cherry, raspberry, and clove, with a huge tannic structure providing a chewy mouthfeel.
The finish is earthy and concentrated with red fruit. It's an interesting variety because it doesn't have the oak of a traditional Cabernet, making it a top pairing for lean meats, fatty fish, Mediterranean fare, and tapas.
7. 2017 Francis Coppola Claret Cabernet Sauvignon
Crafted as a Bordeaux-style blend, Francis Coppola Claret Cabernet Sauvignon combines Cab, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc, creating an alluring red with smooth tannins, wild berry flavors, and a juicy mouthfeel.
This easy-drinking Cabernet has a fresh, fruity bouquet with cassis, red cherry, raspberry, and oak aromas. Earthy and well-integrated toasty oak spice flavors underpin blackberry, violet, espresso, and red currant notes on the palate.
6. 2019 Kirkland Signature Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon
The Signature Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon is an easy-drinking, lighter Cabernet with ripe blackberry and blueberry notes. The fruit-forward palate has hints of oak and cedar, with bright acidity and supple tannins helping it go down a treat.
The nose has a pleasant aroma of black cherry with a hint of vanilla and oak. Cassis, blueberry, red currant, spice, cedar, and a touch of chocolate on the palate give it depth, with a long finish wrapped in oak.
This wine's excellent structure and sweet, ripe tannins make it perfect as a sipping wine, or you can happily plop it at the dinner table. Pair it with prime rib, ribeye, Ahi tuna, lamb chops, garlic and rosemary dishes, and porcini.
5. 2019 Kirkland Signature Suscol Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Produced from single vineyard grapes from the cool climate region in Napa Valley, 2019 Suscol Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon has intense plum, blackberry, and mocha notes, with chewy tannins and a fruit-forward character.
Because it is rich, structured, and tannic, this wine goes beautifully with cheese, charcuterie, roasted vegetables, and fatty meats like prime rib and roast lamb. Try it with lamb cutlets and mint sauce for a zingy pairing.
4. Pertaringa Lakeside Cabernet Sauvignon
This Bec Hardy Pertaringa Lakeside Cabernet Sauvignon is one of Costco's hidden gems with impressive structure and integrated spice and mocha notes. Dark fruit and jammy flavors lift the dry, chewy mouthfeel to strike a perfect balance.
The nose offers blackberry, tobacco, licorice, and interesting mint notes, with the palate bringing plum, blueberry, and a touch of earth to the fore. Chewy tannins and bright acidity give it an elegant structure that is ideal for sipping.
3. 2019 My Favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon
As one of the most expensive wines on our list, the 2019 My Favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon has lots to prove, and it gets off to a good start with grapes from the prestigious region of San Luis Obispo County.
It blends 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, 8% Petite Sirah, 3% Syrah, and 1% Malbec, pouring deep ruby red into the glass. The complex nose has red cherry, raspberry, sage, and violet notes, with a hint of toast.
It's one of Costco's more expensive Cabs but it's worth every penny! Sip, savor, and enjoy!
2. 2018 Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon
It'll set you back around $50, but the 2018 Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon is worth it for those special occasions when only the finest will do.
This classic Californian Cabernet elegantly blends 83% Cabernet Sauvignon with 16% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, producing intense fruity flavors. Expect blackberry, boysenberry, huckleberry, oak, and cedar, framed with dusty tannins.
Full-bodied with a dense mouthfeel and chewiness, I can't think of a finer bottle to share with friends. The 15% Merlot adds a red cherry sweetness to the palate, making it a perfect pairing for prime rib, roast meats, and truffle pasta.
1. 2020 Austin Hope Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon
This stuff is amazing, it really is! It's a little expensive at almost fifty bucks but it's a wonderful treat now and again.
Subtle smoky notes, dried spices, and hints of mocha and cocoa on the nose give it a savory bouquet. Blackberry, vanilla, oak, plum, and leather dominate on the palate, with cocoa on the mid-palate and a long, black fruit finish.
Aged in both new and used French oak for eleven months, this Cabernet Sauvignon has more depth than any other at Costco. Supple tannins make it highly approachable. Pair it with wild duck, venison, hearty stews, and portobello mushrooms.
