The Kirkland Signature Chianti Classico Riserva 2022 is a $8.99 Costco exclusive. This wine recurs each vintage. In the past, the back label mentioned the Cafaggio estate as the producer. The 2022 vintage makes no mention of Cafaggio and seems to have a different producer who does not wish to be identified. If this is a wine that you enjoyed in the past, this vintage may be a little different.
The Story
Chianti is a wine region in Tuscany, Italy. Its red wine is predominantly made from the Sangiovese grape.
Chianti Classico Riserva is signified by a trademarked black rooster on the labeling around the neck of the bottle. This wine is designated a DOCG wine, which is Italy’s highest ranking. It is the oldest DOCG growing region in the Chianti area, the other DOCG growing region was originally a DOC-designated area that was upgraded to DOCG (the G translates to guaranteed). If they follow the DOCG rules in the vineyard and wine production, they will produce a quality wine.
The Kirkland Signature Chianti Classico Riserva 2022, as a Riserva wine, was aged for 2 years with a minimum of 3 months in bottle. They typically use very large oak barrels or smaller neutral or used barrels, with only a small part in new barrels. They do not want to over-oak the wine and make it too tannic.
In the past, Chianti was produced to be drunk with the meal, where the tannins were needed to cleanse the palate. Modern Chianti wines are made to be both food wines and sipping wines.
The alcohol content is 13.5%.
The Kirkland Signature Chianti Classico Riserva 2022 Tasting Notes
The color is cranberry red with serious black highlights. The nose is ripe red berries, herbs, and a smoky note, with pepper, spice, and strawberry. The Kirkland Signature Chianti Classico Riserva 2022 is nicely complicated with good fruit and structure.
The Chianti tastes like black cherry, a hint of ripe raspberry, and a touch of cream, followed by pepper, a tug from the tannins, soft spice, and nectarine.
The tannins are in the mix, but they are balanced and do their needed job; the acidity allows the flavors to fully unfold.
The Summary
- The Kirkland Signature Chianti Classico Riserva 2022 is a quality Chianti Classico Riserva at a bargain price.
- I think this wine is more of a food wine than a sipping wine so take advantage of the bargain price and pair with tacos, burritos, burgers, and any other haerty foods.
