Welcome to another Costco wine advent calendar review! This is an ongoing feature at The Wine Fairy where we annoy our palates (and possibly ruin Christmas) by tasting through a whole case full of random half-bottles this September and October.
Today’s wine is the Concentric Circles Red Blend from Australia. It’s a dry red medley of Shiraz 60%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (40%).
Sounds promising! But will it run circles around the previous lackluster reds, or does it miss the bullseye? I popped the cork and poured myself a big, juicy glass.
The Label
From the producer: “This red blend presents a highly expressive nose with complex black and red fruits, enhanced by subtle notes of eucalyptus and spices. On the palate, it has a warm robust style, showcasing mature and vibrant flavors. Well-integrated tannins allow the fruit to shine. The finish is persistent, with a touch of liquorice.”
The Tasting
The above tasting note was definitely written by AI. (Why does AI like the word “showcase” so much? Probably because it keeps hearing it from other AIs. Stupid language feedback loop. Into the garbage bin with that verb, along with “elevate,” “unlock,” and “amplify.”)
In any case, the wine-tasting bot is correct about one thing: Eucalyptus. It’s there on the nose especially, its camphorous, cough-drop vapors chilling all the other aromas back down into the glass.
Once it dissipates, your nostrils can start groping around for fruit or something else. Some cherry candy, red currants, some charcoal smoke. Okay, chatbot–I’ll concede a little licorice, too. It taints the sparse dark fruit with a medicinal edge, like elderberry syrup.
It has low tannins–extremely low for a Cab/Shiraz blend. Simple flavors of red berry propped up with sourness. It tastes like something from the supermarket juice aisle, minus the sugar.
The alcohol is a boring 13%. The lack of tannins is boring. The fruit flavors are boring. It’s a boring wine. Unless you’re one of those people who dislikes eucalyptus or anise aromas–in that case, it’s a bad wine.
I know a lot of you wine lovers are clicking through to these Costco advent calendar reviews because you’re wondering if that box of holiday cheer is worth your $99.99 or not. So far, I’m not sure what to tell you.
I’m only on bottle #5 from the 2025 calendar, but I’m starting to get the sinking feeling that the 2024 edition was better. Did you change, Costco Wine Advent-ure Calendar, or did I?
I’m not giving up (yet). I’ll be back here in a few days to taste bottle #6!
Wine: Concentric Circles Red Blend (2024) – Australia
Costco Wine Advent-ure Calendar Number: 5
Grade: C-
Finish the bottle? Nah.
We’re bravely tasting all 24 wines in the Costco Wine Advent-ure calendar! See previous reviews here.
Review disclosure: I was not compensated or provided any free products for this review. Opinions expressed on The Wine Fairy blog are entirely my own.
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