Firstleaf is a monthly wine subscription founded by Philip James, with the goal of creating the most customer-centric wine club.
Firstleaf leaf partners directly with wineries and winemakers to bring the wine straight to members, and boasts that it’s the only wine club that tailors its wine choice to an individual member’s preferences.
You can preview each box before it ships and swap out up to 3 bottles.
Each regular club box from Firstleaf contains 6 bottles of wine; however, this is a review of the introductory special offer box that includes 3 bottles for only $5 each (plus $4.95 shipping) so that they can establish your taste profile based on these preliminary ratings.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About Firstleaf
The Subscription Box: Firstleaf
The Cost: $79 per box + $9.95 shipping
ACTIVE DEAL: Intro offer $39.95 + free shipping no code needed. No coupon needed - just use this link.
The Products: 6 bottles of wine personalized to your individual tastes.
Ships to: the US, specifically these states: AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, and WY
Good To Know: You can adjust your shipment frequency and preferences in your account settings. An adult 21+ must be present at the time of delivery to sign for the shipment.
Firstleaf Wine Of The Month Club August 2018 Review
Firstleaf offers a pretty impressive level of customization. You can choose whether to receive all white, all reds, or a mix of both. You can also choose whether to receive US wines, imported wines, or a mix of both. You can also choose how frequently you’d like to receive boxes and indicate if you’re interested in Rose or Sparkling varieties.
The first included insert was a note from the Founder and CEO, Philip James, welcoming me to the wine club.
Outbound 2:47 2017 Pinot Grigio (Monterey County, California) – Listed Value $21
Tasting Notes: Dominated by peach and white flowers, the aromatic Outbound is a fantastic summer sipper. Try pairing this with spicier and richer foods, the ripe acidity helps cut through the heat.
Awards:
- 2018 Denver International Wine Competition Silver Medal
- 2018 Global Wine Awards Silver Medal
- 2018 International Women's Wine Competition Bronze Medal
Pinot Grigio is my favorite white variety. I found this to be a light, crisp summer wine that I sipped chilled. It was full bodied, had balanced acidity, balanced by a fruit forward presence.
Every Cloud 2017 Pinot Grigio (Monterey County, California) – Listed Value $19
Tasting Notes: This wine has crisp notes of peach, subtle hints of white flowers, and a brisk acidity. Because it is aromatic and crisp, because it has weight, but is still aromatic and crisp, it is able to stand up to bolder food pairings. The weight of this wine can handle bolder pairings usually reserved for red wines.
Awards:
- 2018 Denver International Wine Competition Silver Medal
- 2018 Global Wine Awards Silver Medal
- 2018 International Women's Wine Competition Bronze Medal
First, what a dreamy bottle! This was my favorite of the 3 Pinot Grigios this month – light, crisp, balanced – fantastic! I also loved the clarity in my glass, the soft buttery color of this white was pure beauty.
Maidu Winery 2017 Pinot Grigio (Monterey County, California) – Listed Value $22
Tasting Notes: This aromatic Pinot Grigio has beautiful notes of peach and pear with rich, round texture and acidity. This wine is amazing for pairing. We have been loving it with light proteins.
"Monterey County is an ideal place to grow Pinot Grigio grapes. The hot sun allows the fruit to develop a full body and the cooling effects of the Pacific ocean preserve the natural acidity. With a creamy, round mouthfeel and strong floral notes, the Maidu Pinot Grigio is one of our new favorite wines. The zippy acidity and subtle tastes of pear and Meyer lemon play beautifully off of one another and make it our new go-to choice when we need something to pair with rich creamy pasta, a whole roasted chicken, or a big piece of white fish."
This was the sweetest of the Pinot Grigios this month, but also a lovely bottle (I'm hard pressed to find a PG I don't like!) – full-bodied, sweet and fruity this paired perfectly with grilled chicken!
2014 Thicket Dark, Bold & Complex Red (Sonoma County, California)– Listed Value $25
Tasting Notes: This wine has a touch of Burgundy in its soul—a touch of red fruit with strong minerality and good acidity. We love how open it is in the mouth. Try it with and without food, the full body really shines when paired with a fattier cut of meat. Taste this wine and feel the balance between the high acidity and the full body.
Awards:
- 2018 Critics Challenge International Wine Competition Silver Medal
- 2018 North Of The Gate Silver Medal
- 2018 Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge Silver Medal
This is a very full-bodied, sweet read bursting with deep dark fruit flavors. My husband liked it, and it would really shine paired with a marbled rib-eye steak! This is a "man's" wine.
2017 PrimaZona Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina)– Listed Value $26
Tasting Notes: This elegant Malbec is full of bright red fruits that are helped out by the bright acidity of the wine. It makes it very simple to pair with chicken and more oily fish. Try this Malbec with and without food and see which way you like it best!
Awards:
- 2018 Denver International Wine Competition Gold Medal
- 2018 International Women's Wine Competition Silver Medal
- 2018 Global Wine Awards Bronze Medal
- 2017 Toast of the Coast Wine Competition 90 Points
- 2017 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Gold Medal
- 2017 Toast of the Coast Wine Competition Gold Medal
- 2016 Harvest Challenge Gold Medal
- 2017 Winemaker Challenge Silver Medal
- 2016 Sommelier Challenge Silver Medal
This bottle won a ton of awards, eh? This Malbec was more drinkable in my opinion than the Thicket – medium bodied, slightly acidic, but more on the dry side than I prefer. I think for the masses, this would be a crowd pleaser, and probably a great red to have on hand to offer guests!
2014 Ruskin Ridge Zinfandel (Sonoma County, California)– Listed Value $23
Tasting Notes: A classic Sonoma County Zinfandel that shows the concentration and high fruit intensity of this warm region. Brown spices and vanilla from the oak are integrated with the natural black pepper of Zinfandel from a fine wine region. The flavor profile is perfect for pairing with meats.
Awards:
- 2018 Critics Challenge International Wine Competition Silver Medal
- 2018 North Of The Gate Silver Medal
This Zinfandel tasted exactly like what a Zinfandel should taste like. Ripe with acidity, containing the perfect tinge of sweetness and full bodied – this is another good bottle to have on hand at the member discount!
Verdict: This club membership breaks down to around $16.50 per bottle, including shipping, for 6 bottles. Each of the bottles that I received retail for at least that – but to me, the convenience is the value that I love the most!
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Because of the personalization, you may receive different wines than mine!
ACTIVE DEAL: Intro offer $39.95 + free shipping no code needed. No coupon needed - just use this link.
Check out all of our Firstleaf Reviews and find more wine of the month clubs in the Drinks Subscription Box List!
Keep Track Of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription box list or wishlist!
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