Official Costco Thread

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ATaylor · #1 Post by **ATaylor** » October 13th, 2016, 10:57 pm

WTSO and Last Bottle have their threads, so time to put one up for Costco. Varies from location to location and in SF we are lucky to have the Mtn View and Redwood City stores which have great selections and some attractive pricing.....plus you get Costco's "we'll take any return" policy and rapid turnover. As a casual observation, it does seem like they are picking up more Old World wines these days with the much cheaper Euro FX.

High end Bordeaux, DRC, mags of Schafer Hillside, 2013 Scarecrow and $20K bottles of Scotch.....something for everyone.

To kick it off here is what is currently available based on the Mtn View/Redwood City stores:

2013 Trimbach Riesling $15.99
2014 Pink Pégau $14.99
2011 Villa Antinori Chianti Riserva $19.99
2013 Produtti Barbaresco $25.99
2014 Livio Fellga Pinot Grigio $17.99
2012 Au Bon Climat Nuits Blanches au Bouge Chard $24,99
2013 or 2014 Sojourn Campbell Ranch PN $44.99
Krug Grand Cuvée NV 169.99
Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Sparkler $17.99 (occasionally on promo for $15.89)
Stags Leap Petite Sirah $18,99

Eric S n y d e r · #2 Post by **Eric S n y d e r** » October 13th, 2016, 11:12 pm

Good call.

Don't forget to post which store you found the wine at!

#3 Post by **Chris Seiber** » October 13th, 2016, 11:17 pm

The Irvine (in the District) and Fountain Valley ones have really become a wasteland for the wine geek in the last year or two. Sure, there are wines worth drinking and sometimes good pricing, but other than 2010 Montus Madiran earlier this year for a short while, there has been basically nothing to get excited about as a wine geek.

slada · #4 Post by **slada** » October 13th, 2016, 11:20 pm

Mountain view CA - 2010 Catena Zapata Nicolas $70-80- delicious balanced

JulianD · #5 Post by **JulianD** » October 13th, 2016, 11:26 pm

Cypress (Orange County)
Damilano Lecinquevigne Barolo 2010 - $25
Willamette Valley whole cluster pinot noir 2015 - $15
Duboeuf Morgon - $14 (along with 2-3 other Bojos that I dont remember)

Martin Steinley · #6 Post by **Martin Steinley** » October 14th, 2016, 9:05 am

ATaylor wrote:DRC

I must have missed this. What DRC and where?

#7 Post by **Jay $$ Winton** » October 14th, 2016, 10:37 am

Washington DC Costco has 2008 Igino Accordini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Le Bessole for $27.99 Nice wine, IMO.

#8 Post by **ncostanzo1** » October 14th, 2016, 11:05 am

Good thread to start, thanks for taking dive here. I'd love to find some deals in Northern CA at Costco's!

Matt Stark · #9 Post by **Matt Stark** » October 14th, 2016, 11:31 am

Just bought Bollinger Special Cuvee 375's for $20 at the Woodinville WA Costco. Cheaper than the 750ml by quite a bit.

Brian Curtis · #10 Post by **Brian Curtis** » October 14th, 2016, 11:49 am

I've been buying Evening Land 2013 Eola Amity Hills Pinot Noir for $20 at the Silverdale, WA Costco.

Greg Ballington · #11 Post by **Greg Ballington** » October 14th, 2016, 12:06 pm

Arlington VA Costco
De Toren Z 33.99

Todd F r e n c h · #12 Post by **Todd F r e n c h** » October 14th, 2016, 12:11 pm

Matt Stark wrote:Just bought Bollinger Special Cuvee 375's for $20 at the Woodinville WA Costco. Cheaper than the 750ml by quite a bit.

Wow, I'd get several cases of that! Any Champagne splits at $20 is a deal

ATaylor · #13 Post by **ATaylor** » October 14th, 2016, 10:50 pm

Martin Steinley wrote:
ATaylor wrote:DRC
I must have missed this. What DRC and where?

Martin, the Redwood City store has had bottles of La Tâche, Grand Echezeaux and Echezeaux off and on over the past couple of years. At some point I had noted the prices, but the only one I can find is $1499 for a 2009 G-E.. The next time I see it, I will ping you.

The most expensive bottle I of anyting I have seen there was for an Johnnie Walker 1805 Blue Label for $19,999.....and the lady in the wine section told me a customer came in and took two bottles.

Daniel McIntosh · #14 Post by **Daniel McIntosh** » October 15th, 2016, 6:46 am

Saint Louis Park (Minneapolis) Costco sucks. That is all.

#15 Post by **Joe G a l e w s k i** » October 15th, 2016, 6:51 am

Daniel McIntosh wrote:Saint Louis Park (Minneapolis) Costco sucks. That is all.

And Burnsville is the same. :(

#16 Post by **Mike Stoneking** » October 15th, 2016, 7:25 am

Todd F r e n c h wrote:
Matt Stark wrote:Just bought Bollinger Special Cuvee 375's for $20 at the Woodinville WA Costco. Cheaper than the 750ml by quite a bit.
Wow, I'd get several cases of that! Any Champagne splits at $20 is a deal

Best Wine Searcher is $35, so for $20 I would clean them out.

#17 Post by **Rich Brown** » October 15th, 2016, 7:54 am

Both Scottsdale AZ Costcos have a ton of the 2014 Cameron Hughes lot 522 Contra Costa Field Blend. At $9.99, it's seriously in the running for best QPR ever. Rasberry and dark savory fruis with plenty of complexity and a decent streak of acidity. Should also age well, as I've found them better on days 2 and even 3.

Already bought a case and a half and will more than likely grab more.

Freaking love Costco.

#18 Post by **CJ Beazley** » October 15th, 2016, 8:04 am

Rich Brown wrote:Both Scottsdale AZ Costcos have a ton of the 2014 Cameron Hughes lot 522 Contra Costa Field Blend. At $9.99, it's seriously in the running for best QPR ever. Rasberry and dark savory fruis with plenty of complexity and a decent streak of acidity. Should also age well, as I've found them better on days 2 and even 3.

Already bought a case and a half and will more than likely grab more.

Freaking love Costco.

I would love it even more if mine had the 2012 Au Bon Climat Nuits Blanches au Bouge Chard $24,99.
What a deal, I'm not supposed to gripe because we got the Match Cab deals here.

#19 Post by **Rich Brown** » October 15th, 2016, 8:06 am

CJ Beazley wrote:
Rich Brown wrote:Both Scottsdale AZ Costcos have a ton of the 2014 Cameron Hughes lot 522 Contra Costa Field Blend. At $9.99, it's seriously in the running for best QPR ever. Rasberry and dark savory fruis with plenty of complexity and a decent streak of acidity. Should also age well, as I've found them better on days 2 and even 3.

Already bought a case and a half and will more than likely grab more.

Freaking love Costco.
I would love it even more if mine had the 2012 Au Bon Climat Nuits Blanches au Bouge Chard $24,99.
What a deal, I'm not supposed to gripe because we got the Match Cab deals here.

Nice! Been dying to try some of that Match cab. Never get a sniff at it here in AZ.

#20 Post by **ykwon** » October 15th, 2016, 8:33 am

Saw Match Butterhill Dragon for 34.99 here in West Plano Costco. Didn't look at the vintage.

Corey N. · #21 Post by **Corey N.** » October 15th, 2016, 9:34 am

Joe G a l e w s k i wrote:
Daniel McIntosh wrote:Saint Louis Park (Minneapolis) Costco sucks. That is all.
And Burnsville is the same.

Chicago South Loop Costco is crap.

Lincoln Park is a bit better (much better for beer) but that store is a madhouse.

Arv R · #22 Post by **Arv R** » October 15th, 2016, 10:19 am

Sacramento/Exhibition had the 2012 CH Private Rsv for $40 last time I was in there maybe 10 days ago. Still has lots of 2010 Montus to (mentioned above). Supposedly the CH Moscato is getting dumped at $5 too, but I did not verify that locally. Mine did not have the 2010 Damilano unf. A lot of the Treasury Wine Estate names are getting blown out at about the same price as the producers website case specials.

I was in the Roseville location about a week ago too, and that had a somewhat better/different selection, although I did not remember any deals in particular, beyond the 2012 Haut Bergey rouge for $20.

Great thread!

#23 Post by **alan weinberg** » October 15th, 2016, 10:47 am

nothing but dreck at my Costco--buyer must hate wine.

#24 Post by **alan weinberg** » October 15th, 2016, 10:48 am

Todd F r e n c h wrote:
Matt Stark wrote:Just bought Bollinger Special Cuvee 375's for $20 at the Woodinville WA Costco. Cheaper than the 750ml by quite a bit.
Wow, I'd get several cases of that! Any Champagne splits at $20 is a deal

a split is 187 ml. A 375 is a "half bottle."

Eric S n y d e r · #25 Post by **Eric S n y d e r** » October 15th, 2016, 5:32 pm

Rich Brown wrote:Both Scottsdale AZ Costcos have a ton of the 2014 Cameron Hughes lot 522 Contra Costa Field Blend. At $9.99, it's seriously in the running for best QPR ever. Rasberry and dark savory fruis with plenty of complexity and a decent streak of acidity. Should also age well, as I've found them better on days 2 and even 3.

Already bought a case and a half and will more than likely grab more.

Freaking love Costco.

Sounds like a great buy. Hopefully my Costco has it when I go later this week!

#26 Post by **Scott Watkins** » October 15th, 2016, 6:42 pm

Sherman Oaks/ Van Nuys Costco had two 3 liter Bollinger special cuvee in owc for $125. Picked up one, god only knows when I will drink a 3l?

Adam G · #27 Post by **Adam G** » October 15th, 2016, 11:01 pm

Culver City/Marina del Rey Costco has relatively little of interest. A fair number of Sta Rita Hills, Firestone, Fess Parker, etc. They've radically slimmed down their wine selection in the last couple years. Hopefully once they finish their expansion/remodel they will up the selection again.

One interesting bottle today was a 2005 Southern Rhone bottle for $25. CT said average value of $18, though, so I left it there. I suspect the $18 bottles were purchased in, say, 2008.

Marvl · #28 Post by **Marvl** » October 15th, 2016, 11:09 pm

Decided to check out Mountain View, CA Costco for the first time in years based on this thread. Surprised to see the the kind of selection they have now.

Solaia $168
Beringer Private Reserve Mag $199
Bryant Family $730
Scarecrow $550
2010 Pavie $360

None of the prices for the higher end didn't seem that great.

Eric S n y d e r · #29 Post by **Eric S n y d e r** » October 16th, 2016, 9:58 am

Anyone ever tried to return a flawed bottle to Costco?

#30 Post by **ykwon** » October 16th, 2016, 10:17 am

Yes. Mine weren't terribly expensive so no issue on returns.

#31 Post by **Shannon Perdue** » October 16th, 2016, 10:58 am

Eric S n y d e r wrote:Anyone ever tried to return a flawed bottle to Costco?

Yes it was not a problem in any way on a ~$30 wine.

2012 C.V.N.E. Rioja Cune Reserva $14.99 Austin South
2009 La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Alberdi Reserva $12.99 Austin South when a random under $15 buy ends up very good; we are in over a case now on this one

B o b S h e l d o n · #32 Post by **B o b S h e l d o n** » October 16th, 2016, 11:09 am

Costco Novato has Goyette Sonoma Coast 2013 Pinot on sale for $10.99. Very nice mid week drinker or cellar defender. Seems about 89 points to me anyway.

#33 Post by **Rich Brown** » October 16th, 2016, 2:44 pm

ykwon wrote:Yes. Mine weren't terribly expensive so no issue on returns.

Their return policy is amazing. You could seriously probably return a bottle you bought 2 years ago.

Illustrating yet another reason why i freaking love Costco

#34 Post by **Robert Pollard-Smith** » October 17th, 2016, 1:09 pm

Lincoln Park having a Coravin roadshow promo on cartridges this week, 10 for $70 and 24 for $150. Rep says they will be hitting other stores in coming weeks, an they are running this roadshow nationwide for one month, so call your local store.

Corey N. · #35 Post by **Corey N.** » October 17th, 2016, 1:22 pm

Robert Pollard-Smith wrote:Lincoln Park having a Coravin roadshow promo on cartridges this week, 10 for $70 and 24 for $150. Rep says they will be hitting other stores in coming weeks, an they are running this roadshow nationwide for one month, so call your local store.

Umm, are they selling the Coravin too and, if so, how much?

TIA.

#36 Post by **Robert Pollard-Smith** » October 17th, 2016, 2:47 pm

Corey N. wrote:
Robert Pollard-Smith wrote:Lincoln Park having a Coravin roadshow promo on cartridges this week, 10 for $70 and 24 for $150. Rep says they will be hitting other stores in coming weeks, an they are running this roadshow nationwide for one month, so call your local store.
Umm, are they selling the Coravin too and, if so, how much?

TIA.

Yup, $299.

H Guy · #37 Post by **H Guy** » October 17th, 2016, 2:59 pm

Sunnyvale Costco has
Haut Smith Laffite's second wine, Le Petit 2012 for $22
2007 Cristal for $190 which isn't that great of a deal but if you value their return policy its an okay buy.
They also had some Montus left if you guys were still looking.

#38 Post by **Cameron Hughes** » October 19th, 2016, 11:58 am

Rich Brown wrote:Both Scottsdale AZ Costcos have a ton of the 2014 Cameron Hughes lot 522 Contra Costa Field Blend. At $9.99, it's seriously in the running for best QPR ever. Rasberry and dark savory fruis with plenty of complexity and a decent streak of acidity. Should also age well, as I've found them better on days 2 and even 3.

Already bought a case and a half and will more than likely grab more.

Freaking love Costco.

Thanks Rich but fair warning to the rest of Board that this wine (Lot 522 2014 Contra Costa Zin/Petite Sirah/Syrah) is only currently available in Costco's in AZ and the San Diego area currently. Hope to get into NorCal Costco's here shortly...of course, its on our website as well.

#39 Post by **Art R** » October 19th, 2016, 12:21 pm

Got Potensac 2005 for $16.99 @ Bloomfield Hills Costco last week; went back for more and price was up to $37.99

David_S · #40 Post by **David_S** » October 19th, 2016, 12:44 pm

Cameron Hughes wrote:
Thanks Rich but fair warning to the rest of Board that this wine (Lot 522 2014 Contra Costa Zin/Petite Sirah/Syrah) is only currently available in Costco's in AZ and the San Diego area currently. Hope to get into NorCal Costco's here shortly...of course, its on our website as well.

Curious, since you've had your wines in Costco for some time now, do you have to pitch each individual sale to each Costco? I figured they would have a set order for each store of x number of cases per release.

H Guy · #41 Post by **H Guy** » October 19th, 2016, 12:59 pm

Mountain View got a bunch of bordeauxs in.
12 echo de lynch bages - $35
12 Taillefer -$20
12 le petite haut laffite - $22
12 Beaumont - $13
10 barde-haut - $37

Todd F r e n c h · #42 Post by **Todd F r e n c h** » October 19th, 2016, 1:21 pm

alan weinberg wrote:
Todd F r e n c h wrote:
Matt Stark wrote:Just bought Bollinger Special Cuvee 375's for $20 at the Woodinville WA Costco. Cheaper than the 750ml by quite a bit.
Wow, I'd get several cases of that! Any Champagne splits at $20 is a deal
a split is 187 ml. A 375 is a "half bottle."

I meant halves, my apologies.

#43 Post by **Cameron Hughes** » October 19th, 2016, 3:39 pm

David_S wrote:
Cameron Hughes wrote:
Thanks Rich but fair warning to the rest of Board that this wine (Lot 522 2014 Contra Costa Zin/Petite Sirah/Syrah) is only currently available in Costco's in AZ and the San Diego area currently. Hope to get into NorCal Costco's here shortly...of course, its on our website as well.
Curious, since you've had your wines in Costco for some time now, do you have to pitch each individual sale to each Costco? I figured they would have a set order for each store of x number of cases per release.

Costco has eight regional buyers and each is pitched individually...from there you can talk about which stores the product goes into...I find actually find myself asking more often to NOT include stores that I think won't move the product because, when you get product hung up in Costco, that ties the buyers hands from adding other SKU's, most likely from you. As you can imagine, their offerings are very tightly managed.

#44 Post by **NickRut** » October 19th, 2016, 4:22 pm

Do your wines ever make it to Atlanta? Can't say I've ever seen them here

#45 Post by **Cameron Hughes** » October 19th, 2016, 5:18 pm

NickRut wrote:Do your wines ever make it to Atlanta? Can't say I've ever seen them here

Not to Costco in that area in many many years...buyers call out of Florida. Website best option for GA as we are licensed to ship there. Mix-and-match a case and its $10/case shipping in continental US. When we release new wines there is a 15% discount as long as you add one bottle of the new release. Put a bottle of the just released Lot 605 Howell Mountain Cab for $35 in your case and you'll trigger the 15% discount at checkout. Cheers,
CH

#46 Post by **Larry P** » October 20th, 2016, 9:12 am

Ravenswood Teldeschi 2012 at Livermore Costco for $19.99.

But, I pretty much cleaned them out last night. Possibly other locations might have some.

#47 Post by **Rich Brown** » October 20th, 2016, 11:55 am

Larry P wrote:Ravenswood Teldeschi 2012 at Livermore Costco for $19.99.

But, I pretty much cleaned them out last night. Possibly other locations might have some.

Love that price. I would have done the same. Nice purchase!

Bill James · #48 Post by **Bill James** » October 20th, 2016, 1:46 pm

I've more or less given up on the Costco near me (Bloomingdale in the Chicago area). Haven't seen anything of note in a few years now...unless I'm just not going enough... Or they've given up because there are so many Binny's stores in the Chicago area.

#49 Post by **John Glas** » October 20th, 2016, 3:33 pm

Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Sparkler $17.99 (occasionally on promo for $15.89)

Not bad at 15.89. Morelli's in St. Paul will have it at 15.99 on occasion and Total Wine and Haskell's will price match.

#50 Post by **John Glas** » October 20th, 2016, 3:35 pm

Total Wine in the Twin Cities is killing Costco. Much larger selection and similar prices if not better. Costco struggles in my opinion due to the fact they have people that don't have a clue about wine. They need to hire a wine expert that can rebrand what they are doing.