Winc (formerly known as Club W) is a wine subscription box that re-imagines the traditional wine club. Winc offers a regularly changing selection of unique, small production wines that are sourced directly from vineyards and winemakers.
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 Winc
The Subscription Box: Winc
The Cost: Bottles start at $13 each. (Shipping is free on orders of 4 or more bottles.)
The Products: Small-lot wines sourced directly from vineyards and wine makers.
Ships to: Check your zip code through this link for shipping eligibility.
Winc April 2019 Review
When you sign up to join Winc, you take a short, fun palate profile quiz that helps determine your taste in wine. Based on your answers, Winc makes bottle recommendations for you every month. You can go along with their recommendations, choose your own bottles from their regularly changing selection, or skip the month completely. You can also take the palate profile test as often as you’d like.
The bottles are shipped in an upright cardboard box that has molded pieces to hold them in place. This also helps prevent the bottles from bashing into one another during transport. The box is rather sturdy and has a super handy handle that makes it easy to carry! It’s quite the transportable beauty. A real party in a box, if you will.
Looks like everyone arrived safely! There were no promotional cards in this month’s box, so let’s get into the wines, shall we?
2018 Cape Route Chenin Blanc — $15 (or $13 through a subscription)
Western Cape, South Africa
Body: Light
Sweetness: Dry
Alcohol: 13%
I enjoyed a red from Cape Route a few months ago, so I was pleased to see this chenin blanc in my recommendations. It’s very light, with clear tasting notes of apple, lemon, pear, and pineapple, as promised. The pear flavor came through most prominently for me, and it was quite nice. Very spring apropos, and pretty sophisticated for $13!
2017 Les Bobos Grenache — $16 (or $14 through a subscription)
France
Body: Light
Sweetness: Dry
Alcohol: 13.6%
Winemaking: Eco-friendly, vegan
I had my first grenache through Winc last fall and it blew my mind, so it was high time I got another one. The label design on the bottle is really cute, right? Initially, this wine hit me with a bit of bitterness, followed by a light finish. I think the bitter taste was the note of spice described on the site. It wasn’t love at first sip, but a few more sips later, I was starting to come around. I’d rank this one as just okay—but everyone’s tastes are different, so if you’re into dry reds with odd personality, this might be a solid choice for you.
2018 Brethren of the Road Riesling — $16 (or $14 through a subscription)
Monterey, California
Body: Light
Sweetness: Dry
Alcohol: 12.8%
Winemaking: Eco-friendly, vegan
It’s been too long since I’ve last had a Riesling, and after enjoying a few other offerings from Brethren of the Road, I figured I’d be remiss to sit this one out. Firstly, the bottle design made me feel very fancy, which was appreciated. As for taste, it struck me as forwardly floral (say that 5 times fast), despite the site describing its notes as melon, nectarine, orange zest, and wet stone. I couldn’t really get past the floral quality, so this one wasn’t my favorite. However, in my humble opinion, few white wines can compare to #TBT.
2017 Chop Shop Cabernet Sauvignon — $16 (or $14 through a subscription)
California
Body: Full
Sweetness: Slightly sweet
Alcohol: 14.2%
This cab sav is a pretty interesting change of pace for me. Most of my Winc shipments have erred on the light and dry side, and this one seemed like quite a contrast. I’ve also really been craving a burger lately, so it felt like the right choice. I could taste the black currant and red cherry notes right away, and the slight sweetness had me reaching for the glass again and again. Second place of the month goes to this one, which could easily climb to first with the accompaniment of a cheeseburger.
Verdict: I was 50/50 on this month’s offerings. Though I greatly enjoyed the Chenin blanc and cab sav, the Grenache and Riesling came up a little short for me. That’s all right though—most of my Winc boxes have been a slam dunk from start to finish, so overall, it was worthwhile to experience a diversity of wines. I’m still a fan of the Winc experience as a whole and certainly recommend it.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Since Winc allows you to choose your wine, you can get any combination you’d like any month. Sign up today and you’re welcome to curate your own or let them choose.
Value Breakdown: This box cost $55.00 for four full bottles of wine but had a retail value of $63.00, so I saved $8 by having the subscription.
Check out all of our Winc (Club W) reviews and more of our best wine subscription boxes!
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