TN: 2016 Kirkland - Barolo (Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo)

WINE TALK
1

Given all the talk on this wine, I was surprised to not find a thread already dedicated to it. I bought one to try with plans to go back for more if I liked it; that was a mistake because it was all gone by the time I went to refill. Kudos to everyone who stocked-up on this!

2016 Kirkland Signature Barolo - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (8/25/2021)
– decanted immediately before initial taste –
– tasted non-blind over 2 to 3 hours –

NOSE: medium+ expressiveness; high-toned bitter orange, with some woodsy notes, too — kind of like an Old Fashioned cocktail.

BODY: clear; slightly tawny color of medium-light to medium depth; medium-light body.

TASTE: lightly tannic; medium to medium+ acidity; lightly red-fruited and floral, with a slight Sweet Tarts candy note (flavor, not sweetness); 14.0% alc. a bit noticeable; great QPR @ $20; gut impression score: 87-88.

2

There was quite a bit of discussion on this in the Costco master thread a while back. Agree that for $20 it’s a great buy.

3

I bought one to try with plans to go back for more if I liked it; that was a mistake because it was all gone by the time I went to refill. Kudos to everyone who stocked-up on this!

I feel you on that one. I have waited to post notes on wines that are on sale locally if I love them until I get more.

It seems like everything Kirkland produces sells well and is good for the money. [cheers.gif]

4

While they are probably never a “bad deal” (in terms of money) and certainly sell through very quickly, I would stop far short of saying they are typically good enough that I’d want to drink or own them all. In particular, I’ve found their California wines rather weak (and generally far too oaky), and some of their other offerings (Brunello di Montalcino, Ribera del Duero Gran Reserva, Bolgheri IGT, and Willamette Pinot Noir come to mind) are pretty uninteresting even for the reasonable price.

On the other hand, their Rhone wines (especially Gigondas & CdP…can’t speak to their Cotes du Rhone) have been quite good, and their Chianti Classico Riserva and Rioja Reserva are priced SO well that even though they aren’t something I’d typically want to drink, they are great cooking wines and “good enough” to drink while cooking or even to serve to a casual crowd just wanting a “glass of red wine”.

For me, the Barolo has been the best of all their wines, with the Chianti Classico Riserva (for a ridiculous price ranging from $6-$9 over the years) probably being the one I’ve purchased the most often, typically using it to braise meats not requiring a heavier red, or to add some complexity to a Bolognese/Ragu, etc.