Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.8

Nice value #chinon - more modern, not as rustic and funky, muted dark fruit, less bell pepper notes (which I happen to love from #cabernetfranc) so a wider appeal style here with balance and weight on the tongue. #costcowines — 3 months ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.8

Good entry level #champagne , fresher, bright and crisp style though for ~$30 price point not any better than Kirkland Signature’s real champagne at $20. #costcowines — 5 months ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.9

I’m always interested to discover new #costcowines. For the price a really nice wine especially if you enjoy the bigger Napa style yet with some Old World sensibilities. Black and purple berry jammy nose, touch of vanilla and spices from new oak. On the palate the 15% ABV does show through - this is a hot wine without a lot of acidity to offset the fruit and booze; no tannins really on the finish. — 8 months ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

Give this one some time to open up. Wild cherry + dried cherries, touch of dried herbs on the nose. Medium plus body, juicy acidity and grippy tannins cruising out on a long finish. Lovely #chianticlassico #granselezione for under $20. #costcowines — 4 months ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.9

Gratifying #vacqueyras - This is not your syrupy big extract Southern Rhône wine. Medium plus body, Mediterranean herbs and red/black fruit, tea and succulent acidity on the palate. Excellent value #costcowines
— 8 months ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.9

~$10 #costcowines #bordeaux Blend. This is one of those that is very pedestrian after opening. Give it a day or more in the wine fridge and it transforms into a strong QPR BDX - purple, black fruit comes alive backed by leather, earthy notes on nose. Tannins ease up on the palate and with that lovely balance becomes so quaffable. — 10 months ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

Full disclosure, I picked up this bottle at Costco for a great price without looking too closely at the vintage. Turned out to be a nice score on quality aged #carneros #chardonnay. Apple juice color in the glass so it has aged/oxidized quite a bit. It’s a bit reticent on the nose but as it warmed the wine presents baked apple, caramel and nutty notes. Still juicy acidity up front on the palate, bruised and baked apple notes galore and some nice warming spice on the finish. Paired fairly well with some Asian stir fried vegetables and Thai curry. #costcowines — a year ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.9

A bit shy black and purple fruit aromas on this #riberadelduero. Medium plus body on palate; prominent acidity up front on palate, chewier tannins on the finish but with that tartness just so food friendly for ~$13, excellent QPR. #costcowines — 5 months ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

You’ll definitely want to decant this wine. Well over an hour after opening in the glass the initial dusty #bordeaux muted fruit wakes up fully, very youthful bramble fruit, purple jam on the nose. Mouthwatering acidity and generally soft tannins from the Merlot dominant blend with some more assertive tannins on the finish. 68% #merlot, 17% #cabernetsauvignon, 13% #petitverdot, 2% #cabernetfranc - clearly I got the impression this wine could easily cruise for another 5 years in the bottle. Excellent #costcowines value. — 6 months ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

The sub-$50 #champagne market has so many great choices. Lovely balance of sharp acidity and ripe fruit, the dosage is well integrated here. #costcowines — 10 months ago