0:00 Introduction
0:33 Episode Overview and First Thoughts on Red Bordeaux
11:03 Topic: WTF Are Pauillac and Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Wines?
18:15 Costco Kirkland Signature Pauillac and Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Wines We Chose for This Episode
23:09 2023 Costco Kirkland Signature Saint-Julien Wine Tasting, Pairing, and Review
29:35 2023 Costco Kirkland Signature Pauillac Wine Tasting, Pairing, and Review
38:08 The Test: Did we nail the taste profiles expected from Red Bordeaux from Saint-Julien and Pauillac?
41:28 What is the verdict on Red Bordeaux from Saint-Julien and Pauillac?
42:37 Wine in the news this week: This Wine Was the Toast of the World. Now Even the Locals Don't Drink It
46:51 Listener Shoutouts
48:02 Wines coming up in future episodes in case you want to drink along with us
48:23 Outro and how to find The Wine Pair Podcast
KEY INSIGHTS & FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. Are the 2023 Kirkland Signature Pauillac and Saint-Julien Bordeaux worth buying at Costco?
A. Yes to both. The Pauillac earned 8/10 from both hosts; the Saint-Julien earned 7/10. Both are recommended buys. Pauillac at this price is unusual; almost no wines from this appellation exist below $20, and this wine hadn't been at Costco in 7 years. The Saint-Julien at $18.49 is also a great price for a wine from this prestigious appellation.
Q. Which is better, the Kirkland Pauillac or the Kirkland Saint-Julien?
A. The Pauillac. Both hosts rated it 8/10 and chose it to finish the night over the Saint-Julien (7/10 & 8/10). It's more structured and complex, with dark cherry, cedar, tobacco, and spice. The Saint-Julien is smoother, fruitier, and more approachable right away. Both are worth buying, but the Pauillac delivers more depth.
Q. What does the Kirkland Signature Pauillac taste like?
A. Juicy and jammy with dark cherry, plum, blackcurrant, cedar, tobacco, pencil lead, and spice. Very aromatic, it needs air to open up fully. It's young right now but has good depth and structure. Both hosts rated it 8/10.
Q. What does the Kirkland Signature Saint-Julien Bordeaux taste like?
A. Smooth and juicy, with blueberry, blackcurrant, prune, floral notes, spice, and pencil shavings. The nose is very aromatic with strong dark fruit and baking spice. It's a 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot blend from Saint-Julien. Approachable right away with nice balance and some aging potential. Rated 7/10.
Q. Should you drink the Kirkland Pauillac and Saint-Julien now or let them age?
A. The Pauillac is best in 3-5 years but can be enjoyed now with a good decant. The Saint-Julien is more approachable right away and can be drunk now without much fuss, though it also has some aging potential.
Q. Who bottles the Kirkland Signature Saint-Julien Bordeaux?
A. The Saint-Julien is bottled by Maison Ginestet, a Bordeaux wine merchant founded in 1897 that works with over 350 partner estates in the region. Maison Ginestet also bottles wines for other major retailers. The Pauillac's bottler is not identified on the label.
Q. What food pairs with Kirkland Signature Pauillac and Saint-Julien Bordeaux?
A. Both wines pair well with red meat, steak, steak frites, cheeseburgers, and filet mignon. The Pauillac also handles richer dishes: beef stroganoff, pork tenderloin, and blue cheese sauce. The Saint-Julien works well with lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, and pasta with red sauce. Both want food with weight and fat.
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