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. — 9 days ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.9

Super quaffable #pinotgris - apple, white peach aromas, weighty palate with lots of acidity, green apple, peach, goes down too easy. Great QPR for under $8 #costcowines — 3 months ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

Overachieving #brouilly. Give it a half-hour or so to open up; cherry compote, faint sous bois aromas, bright acidity, sour cherry palate. Lovely, food-friendly wine with solid QPR #costcowines — 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 — a month ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.1

Excellent high-QPR SV #napa #cabernetsauvignon. It leans “Old Worldish” but still has plenty of big fruit up front, nicely balanced, some coffee and subtle earthy undertones -and velvety tannins to close out. Call this the “Anti-Caymus” 💣 #costcowines — 3 months ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

Marvelous QPR #willamettevalley #pinotnoir. Tart cherry, forest floor, some mushroom notes. Lovely sour cherry fruit continues on palate, imminently food friendly, elegant cuvée, silky tannins on finish. What a bargain at $13 #costcowines — 5 months ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.1

What a darling #champagne! Nose fairly closed when cold, touches of yeasty notes. Palate is incredible, dosage is perfect, so much verve and energy with fine bubbles on the palate. Need to pick up more of this. #costcowines — 8 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 — 2 months ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.1

Dazzling value from #costcowines. Letting this one warm up quite a bit will reward you with a beautiful nose: apricot, persimmon, touch of lemon, faint lemongrass. Lovely palate balance, touch of zippy spice on the end. Ludicrous value at $16 these days for #sancerre — 4 months ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.9

Enjoyable Cru Beaujolais - dried cherry, cured meat, nutty caramel nose. Balanced palate, earthy laid-back fruit, prominent chewy tannins and dried fruit on a long finish. #brouilly #costcowines — 7 months ago