TN: 2016 Kirkland Signature Series, Stags Leap District Cabernet

Let us know if it’s as good as the 2016.

2017 was a much more challenging vintage.

Same in Illinois…Couple dollars higher…

I also don’t see a winemaker on the SLD? Every other Kirkland usually lists a winemaker so you can trace the likely area, someone didn’t want to be recognized.

I didn’t have the '16 to compare it too–but the '17 was all red fruit, especially currants on the nose (the label said black cherry and plums). There wasn’t much secondary but some saddle leather; certainly not over oaked and I doubt any new oak at all. It had a nice acid spine and long legs. A medium to long finish with a bit too much heat coming in at 14.7% abv. Still a good value.

Looked for this at my local Costco yesterday. They had an Alexander Valley cab but no SLD.

My local Costco in Tampa had one bottle of the 17 which we opened and tasted before and after decanting. Josh’s note is pretty spot on. Lot’s of red fruit though I did get some plum notes on the back end. It had decent acid and is medium bodied. It didn’t improve really with decanting and is quite ready to drink. Agree that this is certainly a good value ($24) though not sure I’d buy more of the 17. I’d rather spend a few extra bucks and get Buehler Estate or Louis Martini Napa.

I did have a 2014 Clod Du Val the night before which I posted about which I would not put the 17 Kirkland in the same league. Different vintages for sure but the CVD had more depth and energy to it though now is almost 2x the cost. I would think vintage played some part in that. Costco also had one of my favorite everyday Chianti’s Monsanto Classico Riserva for $20, 2015 and will be trying that one soon.

cheers

Definitely not as good as the 16 so far. Still have 1/2 bottle to go, but unless something magical happens doubt I’ll buy more.

You beat me to it buddy - opened one tonight and it seems like a clear step back from the 16 (so far). Getting quite a bit of heat which I did not with the 16s, and while theres some nice cab notes in the background - they’re pretty muted. I didnt decant (but didnt with the 16s either), so we’ll see if this gets any better tonight/tomorrow.

Day 2. I really want to like this, but the heat is just killing any redeemable qualities the wine might have. Initially in the mouth you start to get some nice red fruits that hint at what this could be…but the finish is overwhelmingly hot and completely overrides any SLD cab characteristics. Such a bummer, as the 16 was a huge winner :frowning:

Hey, 2017 was a difficult growing year.

It would be incredible if it were like the 2016.

Wait for the 2018. It should be better than the 2016.

Oh ill for sure keep trying these every year! At $23…why wouldnt you!

But definitely seems like the vintage challenges are showing through on this one. Still have one 16 left- will probably open it together with the other 17 I bought just for shits and giggles.

Rich I agree, the heat overwhelmed everything for me. I’m also not going to give up and will try the 18 when it comes around. Like I mentioned to you grab a 13 Columbia crest reserve cab, for $20 it’s very nice. The cave creek and the store at the 101 & I17 had some.

Thanks Anthony…sounds like I’ll be making yet another Costco run in the near future :wink:

#MySecondHome

I was in the Boca costco this week and asked about this one - apparently, it sold out fast.

Glad I only bought one. Some nice red berry fruits up front. Decent balance. Hollow mid palate and the finish is pretty meh. At least it isn’t over oaked. Drank along side a Januik Winebau 2016 Cab which was far superior.

Yep, totally agree Brian. Nice that its not an oak bomb like you expect from a cab at this price point, but the heat kills it for me (even saved some for day 3 but it had gone down hill quite a bit by then). Not a rebuy for me this vintage.

Spoke with the wine manager in Chandler and he said that Young’s is their distributor and that the wines will typically show on the shelves Thursday’s…if at all :thinking:

Opened the second bottle of the 2017 last night. Just had one glass before going to bed. Testing it out again now, after a night open, for the OSU vs. Wiscy game and I’m much happier than I was with the first bottle. It doesn’t remind me much of a cab with all the red fruit–but the heat is far better integrated on this bottle? What I like is the acid and finish; it almost seems a bit stemmy in its lingering finish. It paired particularly well with the last bits of my French press light roast coffee.

Was too heavy on de Negoce last year when 2018 was released. Today I saw 2019 at Mountain View store. $23.99.

I sadly never saw the 18’s…but that’s probably because I was at Costco much less often last year (damn you pandemic).

Thanks for the heads up - I’ll have to see if the 19’s are here in AZ yet.

I had the 2018 on release last summer, and it needed time (tons of oak, probably American, and just not together–like many 2018s). Had one in the April time frame and it had come together much more, less oak (though I like well placed oak). Overall a good value at $23, and in line with some De Negoce’s. Not sure I would rebuy, but don’t regret picking up 6.

1 Like