Firstleaf is a monthly wine subscription box 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 March 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. I love that I can also select how frequently that I’d like to receive boxes and indicate my interest in Rose or Sparkling varieties.
The first insert this month is a referral coupon.
A few months ago, Firstleaf began sending newsletters in addition to the standard information cards. This is a great addition to the box used to send, and I was excited to get extra reading material.
2017 Tifosi Vino Bianco – Listed Value $21.00 (Member Price $19.99)
Tasting Notes: Lime, Mineral, Pear
“The island of Sicily lies in the Mediterranean Sea, off the boot tip of southern Italy. It’s a sun-drenched island with rolling hills of citrus groves and ancient towns. Winemaking has happened there for thousands of years and has been a staple of their agricultural production alongside olives, salt, and fruit. So, needless to say: they’ve got history, and they know a thing or two about making great wine. The Tifosi Vino Blanco is a crisp and pure Sicilian wine with bright, fresh flavors of spicy cardamom, tangerine, green pear, and minerality. We think that this is perfectly paired with fresh seafood, just like it is in the old country. And it took home a Gold medal at the 2019 Hilton Head Island Wine and Food International Wine Competition and a Silver medal at the 2019 International Eastern Wine Competition!”
This was a beautiful light, crisp white wine – one that I would see myself turning to often if stocked in my bar. I thought that the tasting notes were spot on and enjoyed the semi-sweetness of this white.
2017 Luxana Viognier – Listed Value $21.00 (Member Price $19.99)
Tasting Notes: Peach, Apricot, White Flowers
“Viognier is an intensely aromatic white grape that is best known from its use in the Rhône Valley in France, but it has proven itself as one of the world’s great grapes many times over in some of the world’s finest growing regions, including in Paso Robles where this wine comes from. This warmer region allows the grape to fully ripen and express the flavors of the grape. The Luxana Viognier has a beautiful floral bouquet and rich flavors of peaches, apricots, and rose petals. The aromas in the wine make it easy for pairing with a wide variety of seafood as well as grilled and roasted meats. Our ideal pairing is fresh fish with a salsa verde or a complex seafood soup. It will even pair well with spicy dishes, so don’t be afraid to use more heat than you normally would! Judges love it too! It took home 91 Points and a Gold medal from the 2019 West Coast Wine Competition and was named Best of Show for an alternative white varietal at the Hilton Head Food and Wine Festival International Wine Competition.”
This was a drier, tart yet acidic white that I thought was delicious chilled. I paired it with a shrimp stir-fry and this wine made me feel like I was on a vacation!
2017 Castello Specchio White Blend – Listed Value $20.00 (Member Price $18.99)
Tasting Notes: Mineral, Orange, Baking Spice
“Sometimes wine pairings can seem abstract, and they follow rules that don’t seem to have any logic behind them. One of our favorite pairing tips is to think about what food is served in the place the wine comes from. This is especially easy if you are drinking an Old World wine. French wines pair very naturally with French food, Spanish wines are an easy accompaniment to tapas, and in the case of the Castello Speccio, it’s a perfect partner to fresh Mediterranean fare. The wine is a beautiful blend of Cataratto and Chardonnay that has bright, fresh notes of Mediterranean spices, citrus, and stony, mineral notes. We have loved pairing this with fresh seafood grilled in olive oil, salads with capers, and fresh vegetables. Judges love it too. It took home 91 Points and a Gold medal from the 2019 Monterey International Wine Competition, and a Silver from the 2019 Hilton Head Island Wine and Food International Wine Competition.”
This 50% Catarratto and 50% Chardonnay mix softens the chardonnay taste that I often do not prefer in my wine. I thought that it was perfectly sweetened and balanced and I really enjoyed this bottle. I was surprised that so much of it was chardonnay!
2013 Counter Cut Syrah – Listed Value $22.00 (Member Price $17.60)
Tasting Notes: Earth, Pepper, Blackberry
"Wine and food are so intertwined that to try and separate them would be a mistake. They play off of one another in ways that highlight and elevate both at the same time. The Counter Cut Syrah is a complex wine that shines with anything that can match its nuanced flavors. Notes of blackberries and bay leaf pair with a tapenade, and the black pepper and earth notes are fantastic with any meat you might want to try. Since Mendocino is a cooler region the acids in the grapes are higher than many California Syrahs, resulting in a wine that is even better at pairing than a normal Syrah. We recommend trying it with the best cut of meat your butcher has on offer!"
My husband is the red wine drinker, and he loved this earthy and complex Syrah. I will continue to give these good ratings because he loves them – but I myself think this is too dry and full bodied! To each their own!
2016 Daring Escape Red – Listed Value $22.00 (Member Price $17.60)
Tasting Notes: Oak, Spices, Plum
“Some wines are as they say: “a walk in the park,” and some are something more. Drinking the new Daring Escape Red, an evocative, tannic blend, is more like exploring a primeval forest than a manicured park. It is intense and keeps unfolding the more you taste. With a dark, inky color and powerful fruit, the wine is balanced despite the intensity of the flavors. Our experts love the tastes of mixed berries in the wine. The dark red fruit flavors are fleshy, with polished and powerful tannins that complement with a taste of spice. The full body and structure in this wine will stand up to intense smoked or grilled meats. Enjoy exploring the wild flavors of the Daring Escape Red. Judges love it too! It took home a Silver medal at the 2018 Sommelier Challenge.”
I have had this brand of wine in the past, and I really like the dark, deep, complex berry flavor. It was a bit sweeter than the Syrah, and thus, the one I preferred.
2017 Coqueverie Pinot Noir – Listed Value $22.00 (Member Price $17.60)
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Cherry, Pomegranate
“When we try a new wine, there’s really no telling what kind of influence it will have on us. From the apprehensive but exploratory first sip, it’s a journey. Some make us thoughtful, some make us giddy, and some, like the Coqueverie, are like a dream. This classic California Pinot is smooth with just the right amount of fruity intensity. Like a dream, the wine is delicate but still powerful. The rich texture and plush vanilla play beautifully off of the ripe fruit flavors of pomegranate and cherry. We have been loving it with all kinds of food, but pizza seems to be the ideal pairing for this wine. Judges love it too! It took home a Silver meda inl the 2018 Sommelier Challenge.”
This was a pleaser for both my husband and me, and we quite enjoyed sharing this classic California Pinot. It was smooth and fruity, perfect for pairing with a grilled meal on a brisk spring day.
Verdict: This Firstleaf club membership breaks down to around $16.50 per bottle, including shipping, for 6 bottles. Since every one of these bottles retails for at least $20, you definitely save at least a few bottles per bottle. The upside for me is that I always find a few new favorites and as I continue to subscribe and rate month after month, the picks are more and more in line with my expectations and preferences!
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 the best wine of the month clubs of 2019!
Keep Track Of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription box list or wishlist!
Have you tried Firstleaf?
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.