Mano a Mano was the first bottle of wine I bought from Costco, but it occurred to me that it might not be the most representative of the club retailer.  Costco’s store brand, Kirkland, has more than once made the assertion that their wines are not only good, but frequently sourced from well known names with high quality.   With that in mind, their  2009 Kirkland Rioja Reserva, has all the seals of Rioja, indicating that this Tempranillo based red has all the requirements to be certified as a Reserva in Rioja.  In other words, Kirkland (Costco) has ensured it’s had its 3 years of aging, at least one of which was in oak (in this case 2  in American and French oak).

With quality front of mind, and price at the unheard of level of $7 a bottle, can 2009 Kirkland Rioja Reserva deliver a great experience on budget pricing?

Sight:  There’s a lighter edge with hints of orange, showing both it’s age, and giving away it’s Tempranillo. The main body shows a bright magenta, thin enough to see your watch through.

Smell:  Bright cherries and licorice hit the top notes for the nose.  Light notes of cola, mocha, and vanilla come behind.

Sip:  The body is bright, and the feeling is heavier than the sight would imply.  The flavors are more toward the bright cherry, cranberry, and spice.  The wood notes start to shine through, adding in smoke and cedar.  There’s a slightly bitter note that hides in the background, leaning toward stemmy and herbal.

Savor:  There’s a distinct plum note on the ending, that mutes into a dull sort of cherry with an anise based spice.  As it develops, it grows a deeply smokey element that lingers in the ending.

Overall, 2009 Kirkland Rioja Reserva has some nice notes of wood and cherry.  The smokiness is on the edge washing out the fruit, but it still shines through assertive wood.  As imported wine goes, 2009 Kirkland Rioja Reserva is a great value, even though it might not be perfect.  If you’re in the market for a Spanish red, this is a hands down try, and an absolute steal at $7.

Verdict: Licorice, Bright Cherries, Heavy Smoke
Price: $6.99
Rioja, Spain