Customers giddy over $18 Sancerre at Costco
Customers have previously unearthed such treasures as Screaming Eagle, Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Angelus St Emilion at the US wholesaler. Now, the cybersphere is lighting up over a bargain bottle of Sancerre found on its shelves.
Costco is starting to attract a reputation for stocking unexpectedly fine wines. The wholesaler’s growing wine clout was underlined by the long-awaited opening of Costco Napa in October, 2024, with the branch housing the wholesaler’s “largest wine collection” yet at 174 SKUs compared to the 70-90 SKUs available at most other Costco stores.
Speaking exclusively to db, Teresa Wall, senior director of communications for Napa Valley Vintners, said at the time: “Napa residents have been shopping at Costco in neighbouring counties for years, so everyone I know is ecstatic to have a Costco here in town.”
Thrilled customers have reported finding bottles of cult Californian wine Screaming Eagle (unknown vintage), priced at US$3,699, as well as wines from fellow Californians Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Far Niente and Shafer, at Costco stores. Meanwhile, Costco fans in the UK have celebrated unearthing a six-bottle case of Château Angelus St Emilion for £1,549, and six bottles of Château Lynch Bages Pauillac 202o for £529.99, among expressions from many other top producers.
Inviting prices
While Costco stores are said to carry some Bordeaux bottles at “inviting prices”, its another French region, that of Sancerre in the Loire Valley, that has been getting customers excited lately. Due to limited supply and high demand, Sancerre prices often fall into the $25-$50 bracket in the US. However, one content creator has taken to social media to laud a sub-$20 bottle of Sancerre available at Costco.
North Carolina-based Sarah Zeiler shared her find with her social media followers.
“I finally found more well-priced Sancerre for us!” she captioned a video posted on TikTok. “Costco has understood the assignment. Maybe they heard us, that we’d like more affordable French white wines.”
The wine in question – Ronsard La Pleiade Sancerre – was picked up by Zeiler for “definitely under $15”, though due to price variation between Costco stores, the average price is more like $18.
Prized sites
Ronsard La Pleiade Sancerre is said to be crafted using grapes from prized sites in famed villages Chavignol and Bué, including the limestone-rich Les Monts Damnés vineyard, which has 45° slopes, and the Chêne Marchand vineyard. The domaine and the cuvée itself take their names from a group of 16th-century French renaissance poets, who were likened to the Pleiades constellation.
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According to Wine Access, the expression is made mainly for the US market and boasts “floral, grapefruity aromas, superb concentration, and fantastic energy”. Calling it “a rock-solid Sancerre at a fantastic price”, Wine Access describes the 2022 as “a modern day classic vintage.”
Tasting the wine on her TikTok video, Zeiler calls it “a crowd pleaser” and notes the lack of tasting notes on the back of the bottle, with the label instead simply saying: “like it or leave it.”
Commenting underneath Zeiler’s post, one of her followers exclaimed: “I can’t find a Sancerre for any less than $30! What a steal.”
More Sancerre
Ronsard La Pleiade is by no means the only Sancerre available at Costco. In the UK, the wholesaler is currently selling its own-label Kirkland Signature Sancerre 2022 for £16.69 per bottle. Described by the retailer as having “intense and elegant notes which develop into lemon and ripe citrus fruits”, the Sauvignon-Blanc “opens with aromas of orange zest and peach”, leading to a “concentrated, refreshing finish with minerality.” It is suggested to pair the wine with pork, spicy dishes or soft cheeses.
Costco members can also pick up Vignerons á Crezancy Sancerre 2021, which is described as “a stunning Sancerre, very intense in flavour with hints of green apple, citrus fruits and fresh herbs.”
Langlois Chateau De Thauvenay Sancerre 2022 is priced at £17.89 per bottle, while Sancerre La Moussière Alphonse Mellot 2020 has also previously been available for £22.99.
Earlier this year, Jackson Family Wines made its first move into the Loire Valley with the launch of its four-wine-strong Passerelles range, all from the 2023 vintage: Sancerre (Sauvignon Blanc), Saumur Rouge (Cabernet Franc), Touraine Oisly (Sauvignon Blanc), and Anjou Blanc (Chenin Blanc). The Sancerre has an RRP of US$40, while the Anjou Blanc is listed for US$25, highlighting the ultra premium price point of Sancerre.
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