I’ll admit, sometimes Costco’s Kirkland lineup plays the price yo-yo game. A $20 bottle will quietly climb to $23, then sneak back down when no one’s looking. But the Oakville Cab has remained remarkably steady—just about $20 every year, maybe a dollar less a while back. And consistency in both price and quality is why this bottle continues to be one of the real gems in the Kirkland wine portfolio.
Let’s talk history for a moment. I’ve been scoring this wine since the 2013 vintage, and here’s how it stacks up:
- 2019: 91 points
- 2018: 91 points
- 2017: 90 points
- 2016: 90 points
- 2015: 91 points
- 2013: 90 points
That’s a rock-solid track record. Six straight vintages clocking in at 90+ points. And now the 2020 joins the club.
Of course, 2020 wasn’t your average year in Napa. The wildfires painted a very different story across the valley—some wineries lost fruit, others escaped untouched. Yields were down, and availability was uncertain. But tasting this bottle, I can safely say the Kirkland team landed on the right side of history. No smoke taint here, just pure Oakville character.
In the glass, it’s signature Napa through and through. The nose opens with ripe black fruit, subtle bell pepper, and a touch of cedar. On the palate, you’re hit with blackberry, black cherry, and plum, all tied together with a gentle vanilla note toward the finish. It’s full-bodied, fun to drink, and—while maybe a notch below the gorgeous ’18 and ’19 vintages—still a winner.
For under $20, this is the kind of bottle that makes you look around and wonder if the Costco wine buyer is just doing this for sport. Grab a few while you can, because when word gets out, they won’t linger on the shelf.
My Rating: 90 Points
