Winc is a wine subscription box that re-imagines the traditional wine club by offering a regularly changing selection of unique, small production wines that are sourced directly from vineyards and winemakers.
This box was sent at no cost for review. (Check out the editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
First Impressions
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Winc shipments are delivered in a durable cardboard box complete with molded separators to keep the bottles safe and sound in transit.
The Wines
I love wine, but mulling upon aisles at the liquor store tends to leave me in a state of anxiety. All of the bottles are so pretty, but the varying price points and the lack of information leaves me in total disarray, ultimately driving me to the tried-and-true bottles I have come to know and love. This is where the benefits of a Winc subscription comes in. Not only does this website create a list of wines you might enjoy based on a quick quiz, but the more reviews you submit, the more in tune with your palette this subscription becomes! Giving you the choice of choosing your own wines after reading the detailed descriptions, or creating a box just for you, the possibilities are nearly endless, and you are sure to enjoy your selections. Not only do you receive your bottles of wine, but you also will receive pairing options, recipes, and nutritional information. How convenient! Now let's get tasting!
2020 Matchlock® Cabernet Sauvignon - $18.99 (Member Price $16.99)
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- Body: medium
- Sweetness: dry
- Alcohol: 14.1%
When two of our winemakers challenged each other to see who could make a better Paso Robles Cabernet, the terms were set. They each set off to a different sub-appellation of the region to see who would prevail. The Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the cooler west side of Paso yielded a fresh, feminine wine ideal for neutral oak aging, while the grapes from warmer climates further east provided a dense expression that was aged in 60% new French oak. Upon tasting, the informal competition was ended, as they realized they could craft an even more complex wine by blending the two lots together, resulting in a beautiful balance of acidity, fruit concentration, and oak influence. Their creation proves to be stronger than the sum of its parts, revealing lush dark fruit, tapenade, and a velvety texture you can sink into. Why fight when you can enjoy this crowd-pleasing, scrumptious red?
If you have read my previous reviews, you'll know that red wine is still something I am acquiring a taste for. Don't get me wrong, I don't absolutely hate it, and will happily enjoy a glass with a meal, but haven't found one that is absolutely to die for yet. This particular Cabernet Sauvignon initially has an oaky, dark, grape scent, and beautiful red color. Surprisingly balanced, I didn't find it too bitter, and actually found myself wanting more. The sweetness is listed as dry, and that actually surprised me, as I found it semi-sweet. Perfectly pairing with pizza, burgers, chocolate cake, and cheeses, this fits perfect into my family-oriented food lifestyle and was everything I never knew I needed in a wine!
2019 Tarantas Sparkling White - $15.99 (Member Price $13.99)
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- Body: medium
- Sweetness: dry
- Alcohol: 11.5%
If you’ve got Champagne taste, but not a Champagne budget, the Tarantas sparkling white is ready to come to the rescue. From a Mediterranean-adjacent growing region, this is a blend of local grapes Airen and Macabeo, all sourced from organic vineyards. The Tarantas punches well above its price point, as it offers richness and complexity not often found in Spanish sparkling wine. You can expect notes of lemon custard, melon rind, and toasted almond alongside a bouquet of exotic white flowers. This will be a hit with seafood, shellfish or fried appetizers.
Oh, you poor, poor people of all the states that this can't ship to. I truly feel sorry for you! Anyone who misses out on the taste of this delicious Tarantas sparkling white wine is seriously missing out. Bubbly, crisp, light, and absolutely addictive, this wine might be a little dangerous. Pairing fantastically well with pasta and cream sauce, this is one wine that I can't get enough of. Which could be a good or a bad thing?
2020 Les Hauts De Lagarde Rosé - $27.99 (Member Price $23.99)
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- Body: light
- Sweetness: dry
- Alcohol: 12.5%
When most people think of Bordeaux, they think of big, bold (expensive) red wines, but this region also produces delicious rosés, like this enticingly fruity blend. Eight generations of winemakers have grown grapes in this vineyard that benefits from lots of sunshine, gravelly soils ideal for viticulture, and a mild climate. The Les Hauts de Lagarde Bordeaux Rosé offers abundant notes of stone fruit, white and pink flowers, and a touch of honey. Easy drinking and warm weather-friendly, enjoy this little slice of Bordeaux with seafood salad, grilled chicken breast served with roasted summer vegetables, or a light and airy cheese soufflé.
Produced in France, I chose this wine because I can't resist a rosé, even though the price point was over double that of the sparkling wine. Scented with the lightest fragrance, I could vaguely pick up on the scents of strawberry and rose. After mulling around the flavor in my mouth for a bit, I felt the grapefruit and orange peel notes come forward, producing a light and citrusy flavor that is utterly devour-able. With a bit of a bite at the end, it keeps things interesting, while easily pairing with traditional summer foods. A definite favorite, I will be choosing this in months to come!
Verdict
Like I mentioned above, liquor stores create chaos in my brain, so Winc is absolutely the way to go. Taking all of the guesswork out of the equation, I am given suggestions, or can mull around the website reading detailed descriptions and reviews regarding every bottle. I love the excitement of trying new wines but worry that I will be wasting money if I make a poor selection, so this way of shopping has really aided in making sure I choose something I will truly enjoy, especially because of the complimentary recipes and food pairing suggestions. This month has been my ultimate favorite, with the perfect balance of sparkling, rose, and reds. Though there still isn't a big selection of sweet wine, I am finding my palette preferring regular white and reds anyways, which works out perfectly. I can't wait to see what I discover next month!
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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 curate your own selection, or let them choose a few bottles for you.
Value Breakdown: This box costs $56.96, which breaks down to a per-bottle cost of $14.24. This is a wonderful value given the price I would pay for a bottle of wine like any of these at my local liquor store and the convenience of being able to shop from the couch!
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