Master of Wine: COSTCO’S Latest for Under $20

In this video, Bob Paulinski, Master of Wine covers the 2022 Kirkland Signature Chateaunuef du Pape at Costco. Provided is background information, along with a tasting and assessment of this current release.

The 2022 Kirkland Chateauneuf du Pape is not a year-round item. If it catches your attention, the sooner you get to your Costco, the better chance you have of finding the wine before it’s gone. Based on the price of about $20, this will sell through quickly.

Chateauneuf du Pape is an appellation located in the southern Rhone Valley of France, not far from Provence. It’s routinely a source for some of the top wines of the region. The vineyard yields are restricted to very low levels, about half the levels found in Classified wines of Bordeaux. Low yields often provide better ripeness levels for a fuller, denser, more concentrated wine. It’s common to find grapevines that are over 50 years old, sometimes even over 100 years old. This is a Mediterranean climate, the vines are dry-farmed, irrigation is not allowed and many vineyards are covered with large stones to retain heat. The wines are typically around 14%. 95% of the production is red, 5% white, there is no rose’.

Chateaunuef du Pape transales to the Pope’s New Castle. This is a reference to the Avignon Papacy of the 1300s, which resulted in the Pope taking up residence in the Rhone Valley. To play off of the historical event, in the 1930s, the original, distinctive bottle was created, a coat of arms with a papal emblem placed above the keys of Saint Peter, along with the words of ‘Châteauneuf-du-Pape written in gothic letters. It’s since been a guarantee of authenticity. Move ahead to 1950’s, the stories get strange. The region was home to UFO hysteria.

Overall, 2022 is a very good, relatively trouble-free vintage in the southern Rhone, it was a warm growing season resulting in a high level of fruit ripeness. The alcohol levels are often around the 15% mark, as is the case with the current release from Kirkland Signature. Even though 2022 is broadly considered a strong vintage, it had some problems, including a freak storm that brought hail and a tornado that ripped through some iconic vineyards. The ideal pairing is grilled red meats, hearty stews, and mushroom dishes. Steer clear of pairing it with dishes with spicy heat. The elevated alcohol in the wine will extenuate the spice in the food.

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