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Find out which box wines are went above and beyond our expectations (and which we wouldn't dare serve at a party) after the jump.
Best Boxed Red Wines
Runner-up: 2008 Banrock Station Shiraz
Jammy, wild-raspberry notes make this a delicious Shiraz that's properly executed.
Runner-up: 2008 Target Wine Cube Merlot, California
Soft and approachable, with plum and blackberry flavors, before wrapping up with sensuous and soft tannins.
Runner-up: 2008 Falling Star Malbec, Cuyo, Argentina
Violets on nose; notes of plums and rip cherries; straddles concentrated palate with light body.
Runner-up: J.P. Chenet Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) / Syrah (40%), Vin de Pays d'Oc, France
Wine's tagline is "experience the flavor of Paris with just one sip" and it's pretty dang accurate. Before relaxing into a light body and long finish, there is a blackberry/peppery nose and aggressive fruit.
Runner-up: 2008 Bota Box Cabernet Sauvignon, California
Peppery throughout with a black-cherry nose.
Winner: 2008 Bota Box Old Vine Zinfandel
This is a great Old Vine Zin. Period. Pepper notes on the finish and luscious black cherry/plum notes throughout.
Winner: 2008 Hardys Wine Box Cabernet Sauvignon, South Eastern Australia
Milk-chocolate notes and a very complex palate is followed by a tart-cherry bite on the finish which has a velvety softness to it.
We Wouldn't Serve It: Corbett Mountain Pinot Noir
Although the wine has the nose of a Pinot Noir, it's too thin-bodied and not that complex.
We Wouldn't Serve It: Alamedon Vineyards Mountain Burgundy, California
Despite being California's first winery (established in 1852, and promoted on the packaging), this wine tastes like watered-down grape juice with a musty nose to boot. Could this be what constitutes the mysterious "Mountain Burgundy?"
We Wouldn't Serve It: 2008 Target Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz Wine Cube
What this wine has going for it is the nifty single-serve boxes (comes in a four-pack of 250mL boxes with a straw/pour hole on each). But it was not as good as the other red box-wines we sampled. An herbaceous/peppery nose leads into wild-strawberry notes and a creamy finish.
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5-20-2010 @2:57PM steve said... What happened to Black Box? One of the best box wines out there and not even mentioned.
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5-20-2010 @3:42PM Jillian said... I LOVE Black Box!!! The Cab Sav, the chardonay, and the pinot grigio!!!
5-20-2010 @3:53PM Jimaree said... If they don't know Black Box, they obviously don't know much about wine. Bogus article.
5-20-2010 @4:49PM susan said... Just a freindly note: If you check out the link to white wines in the article they cover Black Box--and they love it!
5-26-2010 @9:27PM Pete said... I agree with Steve. Wine tasting comes down to individual palate and what the wine is served with. Black Box merlot or Cabernet has enough sophistication to be served.
5-20-2010 @3:53PM Jim said... These wine snobs never test Peter Vella (White Zinfandel and Cabernet) both of which I have found to be superior to most other boxed brands. In fact, I served these two brand-mate varieties to a few wine snobs (decanted into a wine cooling carafe) and they couldn't tell the difference from these to an expensive and highly rated bottled counterpart. Yes, Almaden IS rot-gut, and so is Franzia, for that matter. But these two stand out from the rest as being much better; so much so, that I am able to fool others who proclaim to be able to tell the difference immediately. I also prefer these two boxed wines, as they stay far fresher far longer once opened. People need to get over the snobby box syndrome.
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5-20-2010 @3:55PM Lee said... I drank boxed wines for about 6 months, trying several brands of red wine. I began to notice during this period that there was something in the wine that made me feel sick on my stomach shortly after taking a drink. I believe it was due to the plastic container. After switching to bottled wine the problem never returned.
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5-20-2010 @4:14PM Jolene said... i haven't tried too many boxed wine but i did try a bottle of Menage a trois Red.......very good, much better than the white.
Also Kendall Jackson Cabernet Souvignon . Yummy!!!!!!!!!!
Most grocery stores will carry them for under $15.00, mostly under $10
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5-20-2010 @7:46PM wes morgan said... very good box wine about all i drink franzia
5-20-2010 @5:16PM Joseph B said... I am not sure what your judging consisted of, but as a connoisseur of boxed wines you have somehow overlooked some of the finest. No mention was made of Franzia. They are perhaps the originators of bulk wine. I will put their White Grenache and Zinfandel up against some of the priciest bottled wines.
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5-20-2010 @4:56PM chris said... With the glut of grapes and ready made "juice", there are no excuses to tolerate badly made wine. Many terrific wines under $15,-$10. With negociant "wineries" like Cameron Hughes and some of Bronco's lines. There have become available great wines, that bought at the originating winery, would cost upwards of $60. a bottle. These same wines are being sold @$1.50 a gallon to these "blending" wineries.
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5-20-2010 @4:56PM Jeb Ladouceur said... I, too, got sick on boxed wine once. I think it was because I drank the whole box ... at one sitting.
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5-20-2010 @5:25PM Kell said... Yes, that could be the reason. We all need a good belly laugh every day. Thank you so much for giving me my daily dose.
5-20-2010 @6:14PM salemslot9 said... maybe, a weekend...starting at 5pm Friday...lol
5-20-2010 @5:12PM ken said... they are some good wines on your list , I like chillable red by Franzia,just give it a try you will be supprised by it.
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5-20-2010 @5:15PM jily said... No boxed wine is good for you. Bottled is best. The best Red is "Yellowtail" goes down like Butta.. lol and only 7 dollars per bottle. This wine is the smoothest. Better than High end Rest. Wines!
I was so surprised, and I'm picky.
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5-20-2010 @5:32PM JimG said... Yes, I agree. Black Box is excellent for the price and convenience of a boxed wine. In fact, I'm drinking a glass as we speak.
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5-20-2010 @6:24PM Tuula said... No wine is meant to be kept in a box, maybe ok for the winos though...
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5-20-2010 @7:32PM RAIN said... I LIKE BLACK BOX AND CHENEY AND CORBTT CANYON CAB AND MERLOT-FRANZIAS BEST IS MOUNTAIN BURGUNDY!BUT I SURE MISS MATILDA BAY THE VERY FIRST CRYSTAL CLEAR BOX WINE BACK IN THE 80'S.IT WAS SO DIFEFERENT! COOL AND REFRESHING!DONT REALLY KNOW WHAT IT WAS BUT IT TASTED LIKE SWEET GRAPE JUICE WITH A QUIET SECRET KICK!
THE BEST THING ABOUT BOX WINE IS THE EASE IN POURING IF YOUR CLUMSY OR OLD!
HMMM BUT THE VERY BEST FOR RED WINE LOVERS IN THE BOTTLE IS KEND.JACK AND ROBERT MONDAVI--BUT WHERE IS MATILDA BAY???
5-20-2010 @7:45PM bob said... where do you find boxed wine in NYC? and can you find liter size not larger?
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