Bright Cellars is a monthly wine subscription that matches you to wine based on seven question quiz that helps to identify your wine palate.
Bright Cellars was founded by two MIT grads with a passion for wine and technology. Using your “taste palate quiz” you are given a 4-bottle recommendation to review. You can either agree with their selections and proceed to purchase, or you can switch out one or more of the bottles. Since this is my first month, I went with the recommended bottles as I was unfamiliar with the brands offered.
I love that there are options to be adventurous and that you can pick all red, all white, or a mix. I’m a white drinker – my husband a red – so I love that this one subscription can meet both of our individual needs and be flexible from month to month.
You’re asked to rate each bottle using a quick survey tool to help the algorithm become smarter and more in tune with your taste profile going forward.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About Bright Cellars
The Subscription Box: Bright Cellars
The Cost: $60 + $8 shipping
ACTIVE DEAL: Get $50 off your first month! No coupon needed - just use this link.
The Products: 4 bottles of wine selected based on your taste profile
Ships to: U.S. where it is legal to receive wine by mail. If you’re uncertain whether you can receive wine shipments, contact the Bright Cellars Wine Concierge at [email protected].
Good To Know: You can adjust your shipment frequency in your settings. An adult 21+ must be present at the time of delivery to sign for the shipment. There is an option to add a cheese pairing to your box for $48, this includes 4 cheeses ranging in size from 5-8 oz. each.
Bright Cellars May 2018 Review
After my last review, I was so excited to see what Bright Cellars had in store for me this month! I love wine, and it's a special day when 4 boxes show up at my door. Yippee! I have selected the red & white mixed-choice, and like other months I received 2 bottles of each:
There are always a few inserts included in the box. The first insert was titled “The Nose Knows” and provides a guide to wine aromas and adjectives to describe them. I’ll keep this cheat sheet handy as I write my review!
The second insert was a $30 coupon for Home Chef (If you’re interested check out the Home Chef reviews).
Burrasca Falanghina 2016 (Puglia, Italy) – Retail Value $20
Tasting Notes: Melon, Pineapple, Lemon, Lime, Florals
Bursting with ripe, tropical aromas of juicy honeydew melon, pineapple, and bright citrus, this medium-bodied Falanghina from the south of Italy is perfectly balanced with lively acidity. Pair with prosciutto and melon or steamed garlic mussels with crusty bread!
Wow, this was delish – with front notes of my favorite fruit, sweet pineapple. This pale, beautifully clear white was the perfect accompaniment to my salad for a lazy Sunday lunch at home. It was balanced, light, and so yummy! It is sweet, and a great day-drinking wine. I love that each month the wines are getting more and more suited to my pallet – meaning, their algorithm is pretty slick!
Obscura Petit Verdot 2016 (California, USA)– Retail Value $22
Tasting Notes: Blackberry, Plum, Black Cherry, Floral, Earth
This smooth, silky, full-bodied Petit Verdot from California is positively bursting with ripe, dark fruit aromas and flavors. Blackberries, plums, and black cherries are accompanied by floral notes of violet and lilac with slight earthy notes. Try pairing with rich dishes like lamb stew or braised short ribs.
When I opened this bottle, I was immediately hit with a deep berry fragrance. I couldn’t wait to take a picture of my glass and give it a try! The depth of flavor, the color – and the full-bodied nature of this wine checked all of the boxes on what I like in a red. My husband loved this one, and it’s no surprise since it is from Obscura – my favorite brand featured last month as well (when I received a Rosé that I loved!)
Crypsis Red Blend 2016 (California, USA) – Estimated Value $15
Tasting Notes: Black Cherry, Boysenberry, Plum, Black Raspberry, Black Pepper
Dark, opulent layers of fresh bramble berries and juicy plum on the nose lead to black cherry, black raspberry, and a zest of fresh-cracked black pepper on your palate. Full-bodied and rich, the finish is persistent and velvety. Try pairing with braised short ribs or spiced barbeque dishes.
This blend was a really solid selection. Full-bodied, filling, and very drinkable. My husband noted that this was one of his favorites to date that he’s tried, and mentioned that he’s also impressed with how the selection is getting better each month after we rate the bottles.
Toliman Celestial White Blend 2017 (Riverina, Australia) - Estimated Value $15
Tasting Notes: Pineapple, Apple, Lemon Curd, Papaya, Florals
Bursting with ripe, tropical notes of pineapple and papaya, this Australian white blend is medium in body with a round, creamy mouthfeel and balanced acidity. This wine pairs exceptionally well with Burrata and Proscuitto on lightly toasted Italian bread.
With the specific tasting recommendation and my love for soft cheese, I decided to drink this wine exactly as recommended. I enjoyed it with Italian bread, burrata, and prosciutto – and it did pair very well! Again, this blend was forthcoming with the sweet pineapple notes and balanced with the citrus. Yum!
Verdict: The $68 subscription cost for this Bright Cellars box ($60 a month plus $8 shipping) breaks down to $17 per bottle after shipping. Typically, when I do find a bottle online it retails for around $20 ± $2 – so I feel like you get a slight (~10%) discount when using this service, but the real value is in exploring new wines and identifying new favorites.
The Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Because of the variation, it’s unlikely that you would get the same items that I’m showing here. These wines are available for sale (min of 4) on the Bright Cellars website.
Coupon - Save 50% off your first box! No code required, just use this link!
Value Breakdown: This box cost me $60 + $8 shipping, which means that each of the 4 wines in the box has an average cost of $17.
Check out all of our Bright Cellars Reviews and find more wine subscriptions in the Wine Subscription Box Directory!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription box list or wishlist!
Have you tried Bright Cellars?
Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.