New arrival: March 2013
2011 Kirkland Signature
Rutherford Meritage
Vineyards and vintages
The Rutherford AVA (American Viticultural Area, or designated winegrowing
region) is located within Napa Valley, centered around the town of Rutherford,
California. The area is known for its unique terroir, particularly evident in its Cabernet
Sauvignon.
The well-drained soil of this area is composed of gravel, loam and sand with volcanic deposits and marine sediments from the Franciscan complex, a term geologists
use to describe a group of rocks near the San Francisco, California, peninsula.
Rutherford Valley produces some of the finest Bordeaux varietals, such as Cabernet
Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. These varietals are
blended to create Meritage, the California equivalent of Bordeaux.
Tasting notes
Here is winemakers Marco DiGiulio and Zach Long’s description of Kirkland
Signature Rutherford Meritage:
Deep, concentrated, black cherry notes are surrounded by ripe black currant, cinnamon and sweet oak spice. The lifting acidity frames the rich fruit and the classic “Rutherford
dust”—that intangible collision of soil, climate and other environmental elements that
yields an experience uniquely Rutherford.
Send wine questions to
kswineconnection@costco.com.
Annette Alvarez-Peters oversees
Costco’s national wine, spirits and
beer program.
PHO TO: MICHAEL FALCO
