First Impressions is a series that (re)introduces and reviews new brands to My Subscription Addiction, drawing from readers' requests for an insider's first look. Interested in seeing more reviews from this brand, or have another box in mind that you'd like to see reviewed? Let us know in the comments.
The Collectors Series Wine Club features extremely limited-production wines from the world’s greatest wine regions. Most of these wines are unavailable outside their regions and are made with vintage grapes that spend more time maturing. Expect to taste full-bodied and highly flavorful selections from this prestigious wine club.
Each monthly wine box delivers two different bottles sourced from award-winning boutique vineyards. There are also tasting notes, recommended food pairings, complementary recipes, and information about each vineyard.
International Wine of the Month Club has been introducing its members to an assortment of expertly selected wines since 1994. The Collectors Series Wine Club is among their four offerings for wine clubs. Their other clubs include The Premier Series Wine Club, The Bold Reds Wine Club, and The Masters Series Wine Club. Each wine club delivers boutique, rare wines from hard-to-find vintages from across the globe.
ACTIVE DEAL: Limited Time Only! MSA12 - $12 off any prepaid 4-shipment membership; MSA17 - $17 off any prepaid 6-shipment membership; MSA33 - $33 off any prepaid 12-shipment membership
CODE: MSA12 or MSA17 or MSA33
This review is of The Collector Series Wine Club by The International Wine of the Month Club.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes).
Backstory
I first learned about MonthyClubs upon joining MSA in 2021. Their individual clubs kept popping up on our seasonal roundups and Readers' Choice Awards lists. You see, they offer a bit of it all—wine, cheese, beer, chocolate, flowers, and cigars. You can even customize a subscription box to include a mix of products.
After getting to know more about this iconic brand I hoped to review them firsthand one day. I was finally given the chance to do so and was beyond thrilled!
Here's an up-close look at my experience with The International Wine of the Month Club's Collectors Series box. While I did most of the taste testing, I was generous enough to offer my husband a few sips as well.
What's Inside The Box
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My first box included one bottle of champagne and one bottle of Syrah. I was very excited about this curation for two reasons—Syrah is my favorite wine, and I rarely drink champagne. I also received "Cellar Notes" for each wine which offered tasting notes, the history of the vineyard, recommended food pairings, and even a recipe.
Fernand Lemaire Tradition Champagne Brut NV - $49.75
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I might sip champagne at weddings or New Year's events once a year at best. I hadn't tasted what most would consider a high-quality champagne before this review, so I was excited to give it a try. This bottle was a mix of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Noir.
Most of the champagnes I've tried were on the sweeter side. (Think the cheap kind that the 20-somethings stockpile for parties.) Anywho, this champagne was not like that at all. In fact, it was far better than I could have imagined!
This Fernand Lemaire Tradition Champagne Brut NV (non-vintage) was dry and fresh. It had hints of orchard fruits, namely apple, apricot, and peach. There was no sweetness whatsoever, yet it was easy to savor. It would pair perfectly with Brie or Muenster and some sliced fruit.
I would happily swap my usual glass of wine for this champagne anytime.
Amayna Leyda Valley Syrah 2021 - $34.00
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Syrah has remained my favorite wine since trying it four years ago. I'm a huge fan of full-bodied reds that pack a bit of a punch upon tasting. So, when I opened my wine box and discovered this bottle of Amayna I was over the moon.
I thought this Syrah was the perfect in-between to Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. It wasn't bitter and presented this delicate smoothness I hadn't come across before in darker reds. I could taste hints of blackberries along with spices like anise. It would defintiely pair well with steak or a charcuterie board featuring smokier meats and cheeses.
This bottle of Syrah is in contention for one of the best I've ever had!
The Verdict
My first experience with The Collectors Series Wine Club was a hit. I was excited to receive a bottle of my favorite type of wine and also try out a new type of champagne. The total price of the two bottles I received exceeded the cost of the box. Not to mention they were extremely limited-production estate-bottled wines. Thus, this wine club delivered some rare finds for a steal that were the highlight of my week.
I can't wait to try out more wine clubs by The International Wine of the Month Club soon! Stay tuned for my upcoming reviews...
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