Firstleaf Wine Subscription Review + Coupon – January 2019

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 boast that it’s the only wine club that tailors its wine choice to an individual member’s preferences.

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 U.S. where it is legal to receive wine by mail.

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 Subscription January 2019 Review

Firstleaf offers an 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 insert this month is a referral coupon.

This is the 2nd month that I received a Firstleaf newsletter. This is a great addition to the literature that the box used to send, and I was excited to get extra reading material.

2018 Apeloko Chenin Blanc (South Africa) – Listed Value $19.00 (Member Price $18.00)

Tasting Notes: Mineral, Green Apple, Lemon

Apeloko directly translates to “the man who stays late at the farm,” and sometimes that’s what it takes to make a truly amazing wine. This South African Chenin Blanc comes from decades-old vines that produced hearty grapes for a wine with beautiful notes of Fuji apple, candied lemon, and a vibrant acidity. It’s a concentrated Chenin Blanc that is still easy to enjoy. The flavors and acidity can stand up to some very rich foods. We want to try this with pâté, fresh tuna, and roasted chicken at the end of a long day’s work.

This is a very rich, flavorful white. I found it a bit strong to drink outright but found that it was a great complement to my meal.

2017 Erste While Pinot Grigio (California) – Listed Value $19.00 (Member Price $17.00)

Tasting Notes: Apricot, Pear, White Flowers

Awards:

• Silver Medal, Harvest Challenge (2018)

“We couldn’t be more delighted to welcome the second release from Erste While to Firstleaf. The first wine we had from Erste While not only won a Gold medal, but was named the “California Gewürztraminer Wine of the Year” at the 2017 New York International Wine Competition. We think that this follow up Pinot Grigio is equally worthy of medals. With notes of subtle white flowers, pear, and apricot it’s the perfect accompaniment to almost any table. The crisp and refreshing wine is as good with a salad as it is with fried calamari or fried chicken. What more could you ask for in a wine? Judges love it too! It took home a Silver medal at the 2018 Harvest Challenge.”

I really loved this white! This is one that I definitely would order a case of, I’m a big fan of both Pinot Grigio’s as well as Gewürztraminers, and I’d love to try their other award winner in a future shipment.

2017 Floratrix Malvasia Bianca (Paso Robles, California) – Listed Value $18.00 (Member Price $16.20)

Tasting Notes: Lemon, Baking Spice, Tropical Fruit

Awards:

• Best of Paso Robles AVA, Harvest Challenge (2018)
• Gold Medal, Harvest Challenge (2018)

With a rich history and rich flavor, we are incredibly excited to welcome a Malvasia Bianca to Firstleaf. Winemakers in California have been exploring all types of growing techniques and grape combinations that were off-limits in the Old World, and this is one of the best results that we have tasted. With rich tropical fruits and citrus offset by herbs and exotic spices, we can’t stop reaching for a bottle of this wine to quench our thirst. The subtle secondary and tertiary flavors add a layer of complexity to this youthful offering. Perfect for pairing or enjoying on its own. Judges love it too! It took home a Gold medal at the 2018 Harvest Challenge and was named the "Best of Paso Robles."

This was a great, full-bodied white with the perfect amount of tartness for me. I also loved the label!

2017 Stalwart Ship Monastrell (Spain) – Listed Value $22.00 (Member Price $17.60)

Tasting Notes: Blueberry, Leather, Spices

Awards:

• Bronze Medal, Harvest Challenge (2018)

Grapes have a fascinating and complex history that winds all around the world. The grape used in the Stalwart Ship is thought to have been brought to Spain by the seafaring Phoenicians around 500 BC! Known more often today by its French name Mourvédre, Monastrell is a thick-skinned grape with beautiful dark fruit flavors and firm tannins. The winemaker used gentle winemaking methods to ensure a soft and fleshy texture that really plays well off the voluptuous structure. This mixture of fruit, spice, and tannin makes it great for enjoying with food. Try it with rich and spicy dishes. Judges love it too! It took home a bronze medal from the 2018 Harvest Challenge.

I will probably never understand why leather is advertised as a tasting note – I mean, who wants to taste leather? Regardless, this was a great red. I find that I tend to enjoy Spanish reds and this was no exception! For the record, I didn’t pick up on the leather 😊

2014 Telling Bird Zinfandel (Sonoma County) – Listed Value $25.00 (Member Price $20.00)

Tasting Notes: Pepper, Raspberry, Cherry

Awards:

• Silver Medal, Critics Challenge International Wine Competition (2018)
• Silver Medal, Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge (2018)
• Bronze Medal, Global Wine Awards (2018)
• Bronze Medal, North Of The Gate (2018)

Vineyards have a unique ecology that ebbs and flows in vibrancy along with the seasons. The whole ecosystem grows together, and every player has a special role to help the vines grow. Bees pollinate the flowers, humans tend the vines, and the birds help us keep an eye on pests. The Telling Bird Zinfandel is named for the owls and hawks and songbirds that help us farm the land. They eat bugs that would otherwise destroy the fragile vines. Thankfully these Zinfandel grapes were able to reach peak maturity. The wine has bold spice and a fruity intensity. Our experts have been loving it with steaks and barbecue. Judges enjoy this wine too! It took home Silver Medals at the 2018 Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge and the 2018 Critics Challenge!

My husband is always really pleased to see a Zinfandel in our shipment, and he loved this full-bodied, intense wine. It also smelled heavenly!

2017 Caligrafica Cabernet Sauvignon - Zinfandel (California) – Listed Value $27.00 (Member Price $21.60)

Tasting Notes: Blackcurrant, Baking Spice, Blackberry

Awards:

• Silver Medal, Harvest Challenge (2018)

The first release from Caligrafica blew us away and was a runaway success in the club. We couldn’t be more excited to share the second release with you. This opulent wine is a beautiful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel that is perfect for pairing with juicy meats as they come off the grill. Crisp, dark fruits dance in the glass around hints of herbs, while the tannins are ripe but textured. These tastes come together to offer a food friendly wine that will harmonize perfectly with intensively flavored dishes. Judges love this wine too. It took home a Silver medal at the 2018 Harvest Challenge wine competition.

First, I love the name of this wine. Second, I love the color of this wine. Third, I love the taste of this wine! Another great selection.

Verdict: This club membership breaks down to around $16.50 per bottle, including shipping, for 6 bottles. The bottles all retail for at least that amount, and some almost 50% more of that! I think it’s a great value, and I find that as I continue my subscription I like the wines shipped better and better each month.

The Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Because of the curation, it’s unlikely that you would get the same items that I’m showing here.

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!

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