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 Wine Of The Month July 2018 Review
How fast this last month went! It’s always a special day when the nice FedEx man hand delivers 4 delicious bottles of wine, tailored to my tastes – and I could not wait to see what Bright Cellars had in store for me this month! As a reminder, my preferences are set for the red & white mixed-choice, and this month I received 2 reds, 1 white, and 1 Rosé.
There are always a few coupons included in the box. The first is a $30 coupon for Home Chef (check out our Home Chef reviews to learn more!). The second is a $27 gift card for The Tasting Board, a monthly cheese subscription.
An educational insert is also always included. This month, the theme is “Patio Party Pairings” where typical picnic fare is paired with wine types, to help simplify your summer entertaining.
Hey, I lost track of time! It’s wine o’clock – so let’s dig in!
LIFE IN THE WOODS ROSÉ NV (California, USA) – Estimated Value $15
Tasting Notes: Pink Grapefruit, Lemon Zest, Raspberry, Green Apple, Tangerine
This California Rosé has ripe and lifted aromas of pink grapefruit, raspberry, lemon, and green apple. Hints of minerality, tangerine, and pink lemonade on the palate pair delightfully with appetizers on the patio, strawberry salad, and fresh cheeses.
First, how adorable is this label? If you look closely, you’ll notice that I popped some ice in this wine – because I like my Rosé cold, and I couldn’t wait for it to chill! I had a friend over, and we easily downed this bottle (paired with a pizza, don’t judge!) Grapefruit was the front note, and this wine was a bit tarter than some of the other Rosé I’ve tried, specifically the Obscura Rosé that I received in an earlier box.
OBSCURA PETITE SIRAH 2016 (California, USA)– Retail Value $22
Tasting Notes: Blackberry, Black Raspberry, Spice, Cocoa, Rose
A bold, full-bodied beauty, this wine has ripe, almost jammy aromas of blackberry, blueberry, and black raspberry, with just a hint of a floral rose petal. The dark berry notes are complemented by a touch of cocoa spice, freshly cracked black pepper, and warming baking spices on the palate.
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 the boxes on what I like in a red. My husband loved this one, and it’s no surprise since it is from Obscura – so far I’ve enjoyed all of the wines that I’ve been introduced to from this brand!
LIFE IN THE WOODS WALDEN WHITE BLEND 2017 (California, USA) – Estimated Value $15
Tasting Notes: Orange Blossom, Lemon, Lime, Tangerine, Nectarine
With a touch of tropical sweetness and crisp, balanced acidity, this California white blend is characteristically ripe and juicy. Bright, lifted citrus notes accompany soft florals like jasmine and orange blossom for a round texture and medium body. This wine is perfect for brunch, pairing exquisitely with fruit salad, spicy chilaquiles, or goat cheese stuffed French toast.
Of the two bottles of Life in the Woods, this was my favorite. I really enjoyed this white blend and found it perfect for day-drinking on a hot day. It's fairly sweet (similar to a Moscato) and I found it pleasant to sip on, but I would guess it would be too sweet for some others tastes. One thing to note, both of the Life in the Woods bottles were screw top which is great for a summer picnic!
And here's my little photo bomber.
INDULU PINOTAGE 2017 (Western Cape, South Africa) - Estimated Value $15
Tasting Notes: Raspberry, Black Cherry, Blackberry, Cocoa, Earth
A classic example of a South African Pinotage, this grape is a cross between the Cinsault and Pinot Noir varietals. Full-bodied and bursting with ripe fruit flavors of raspberry, black cherry, and plum. Secondary flavors of smoky bacon, tobacco, and cocoa make for a delightfully complex finished wine.
This was a lovely, rich wine tasting strongly of berries. It was smooth and delicious. We enjoyed it on a breezy summer night on our deck paired with some grilled steak!
Verdict: The subscription cost for this box 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. You can also buy any of the bottles offered at a flat rate of 4 bottles for $60 + $8 shipping, again keeping the cost at $17 per bottle.
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. The Walden White and the Sirah are both sold out on the website at the time of this review, but the Pinotage and Rose are available to purchase.
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!
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