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The Kirkland Signature Napa Valley Red Blend 2021 is a $10.99 Costco exclusive. Costco often names the producer of their Signature wines, but not here. This is a Bordeaux Blend with 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 10% Malbec, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. Carmenere is the other Bordeaux-approved Red grape, but it is seldom used.
In Bordeaux “Right Bank” means mainly Merlot Blends and “Left Bank” is mainly Cabernet Sauvignon-based blends. The banks are the left and right banks of the Garonne River. A river valley doesn’t define Napa Valley but is a valley between two mountain ranges.
The Kirkland Signature Napa Valley Red Blend 2021 does not come with production notes, we only have the back label for information. It mentions black cherry and cassis, along with oak spice, cedar, and silky tannins. Which sounds like a classic Napa Red. Since this is a mystery Red Blend all the information we need will have to be found in the tasting portion. The alcohol content is 14.5%.
The Kirkland Signature Napa Valley Red Blend 2021 Tasting Notes
The color is a sleek, shiny, strawberry jelly red. The nose seems to be for a wine far more expensive than $10.99. There is blackberry, vanilla, oak spice, herbs, mint, a hint of dark chocolate, plum, and cherry. The Kirkland Signature Napa Valley Red Blend 2021 has excellent flavor and depth.
This Bordeaux Blend tastes like ripe black cherry, with a quick slap of mocha, followed by vanilla, a little spice, and smooth plum. The mid-palate offers dusty tannins (they do not bite), raisins, blueberry, orange zest, and cranberry.
The acidity is well-balanced and gives this Red Blend good length.
The Summary
- The Kirkland Signature Napa Valley Red Blend 2021 is one of the best Red Blend I have tasted this year regardless of price.
- This is a Red that would pair extremely well with an aged steak.
- Often food wines are challenging to sip, but this Red is an all-around good wine.
