2022 Kirkland Chablis | 1er Cru for $20, but they’re not a producer!!

Color me one of the folks miffed by the inclusion of Kirkland as the "bad producer" in the most recent chart we made here on r/wine – as I've repeated in those threads and in this post title, they're not a…well, you know.

I was eagerly awaiting the release of this Chablis at Costco this year, having missed it last time around. Who am I to pass up on Premier Cru for $20?! The winemaker is Pierre Brissy, who is a winemaker for Jean-Marc Brocard (and we all know that family makes excellent Chablis) – the exact vineyard is unknown and not labeled on the back of the bottle, one imagines it to be a blend. It's 100% Chardonnay, of course. Stored at 45°, popped and poured – my girlfriend and I did a "Chablis and Ceviche" night as a pairing.

Visually, pours a pale yellow.

On the nose, a bouquet of aromas – pears, freshly sliced green apples first – they're calling their citrus pals over right away, though. One day I'll use "quince" as a descriptor, but I've never actually tried any of the actual fruit! That wonderful wet rock comes in at the bottom of the glass, the trademark minerality courtesy of the limestone soils and steel tanks. Your expected scents, but I'm telling you, there's a bit of pineapple in there.

I was expecting more mouth wincing acidity, which is something I love in my Chablis – this one was still impress in that department, though. Easy drinking, with no notable alcohol warmth at 12.5%, dry and very lightly bodied, exquisitely refreshing. The ceviche pairing was inspired – the citrus flavors, the acidity, the tartness, the corvina, all played wonderfully with each other. I highly recommend it! Flavors of bountiful lemon and orchard fruit – I had hoped to pick up some notes of oak, but didn't track any down. Decent finish, the salty taste lingers.

I bought three. I should've bought more. It's fantastic for food pairings, weekday seafood or chicken dinners, and has a fantastic refreshing quality for sipping. I'm sure it will age well, but I'd prefer to save that for my Fevre and Brocard bottles (although currently the Bichot has a grip as my favorite sub-$30 Chablis). Go find some at your local Costco, and drink it asap!