Tasting: 5 Black Box Red Wines
Wine Varietals & General Characteristics
This blind tasting featured five Black Box red wines from different varietals: Malbec, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Red Blend, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Each wine was poured into decanters and tasted blindly. Below are general descriptions of the varietals tasted:
Malbec (Wine A)
Characteristics: Deep in color, full-bodied with moderate tannins.
Common Flavors: Blackberry, plum, chocolate, leather, and vanilla.
Typical Expressions: Often bold, with dark fruit flavors and a velvety texture.
Pinot Noir (Wine B)
Characteristics: Light-bodied, delicate with soft tannins and high acidity.
Common Flavors: Red berries (cherry, raspberry, strawberry), floral notes, earthiness.
Typical Expressions: Smooth, elegant, and fruit-forward with subtle spice.
Merlot (Wine C)
Characteristics: Medium to full-bodied with moderate tannins and acidity.
Common Flavors: Plum, black cherry, chocolate, vanilla, and cedar.
Typical Expressions: Approachable, smooth, and round, with a juicy fruit-forward nature.
Red Blend (Wine D)
Characteristics: Varies depending on blend components but typically smooth with balanced tannins and acidity.
Common Flavors: A mix of dark fruits, spice, oak, and chocolate.
Typical Expressions: Complex and layered, combining the best characteristics of multiple varietals.
Cabernet Sauvignon (Wine E)
Characteristics: Full-bodied with strong tannins and deep structure.
Common Flavors: Blackcurrant, dark cherry, green bell pepper, tobacco, and oak.
Typical Expressions: Bold and intense, with age-worthy potential.
Tasting Notes & Scores
First Wine (Revealed as Pinot Noir - Wine B)
Tasting Notes: Light and elegant, licorice, blackberry, hint of pepper, smooth tannins, soft finish.
California, boxed Oct. 01, 2024
Price: $15.99 for a box or $3.99/bottle
Scores:
Lynn: 13 (Would buy for a neighborhood party)
Scott: 13 (Would buy for a neighborhood party)
Total: 26
Second Wine (Revealed as Merlot - Wine C)
Tasting Notes: Dark and rich, blackberry, licorice, slight plum, balanced complex aroma, long finish.
California, boxed Oct. 08, 2024
Price: $15.99 for a box or $3.99/bottle
Scores:
Lynn: 15 (Would buy for a neighborhood party)
Scott: 10 (Would not buy again)
Total: 25
Third Wine (Revealed as Cabernet Sauvignon - Wine E)
Tasting Notes: Off-putting aroma, slightly thin with muted fruit and tannins. Short, unremarkable finish.
Chile, boxed Sep. 16, 2024
Price: $15.99 for a box or $3.99/bottle
Scores:
Lynn: 8 (Would not buy again)
Scott: 8 (Would not buy again)
Total: 16
Fourth Wine (Revealed as Malbec - Wine A)
Tasting Notes: Lighter in body than expected, smooth with some acidity. Pleasant fruit flavors but lacked depth.
California, boxed Oct. 09, 2024
Price: $15.99 for a box or $3.99/bottle
Scores:
Lynn: 11 (Would buy for home consumption)
Scott: 9 (Would not buy again)
Total: 20
Fifth Wine (Revealed as Red Blend - Wine D)
Tasting Notes: Deep color, smooth tannins, balanced fruit, and complexity. A touch of spice and oak.
California, boxed Oct. 26, 2024
Price: $15.99 for a box or $3.99/bottle
Scores:
Lynn: 15 (Would buy for a neighborhood party)
Scott: 13 (Would buy for home consumption)
Total: 28
Final Results & Winning Wine
Winner: The Red Blend (with 28 points)
Red Blend: Well-balanced, complex, and smooth with a pleasant finish. Scott and Lynn both found it enjoyable and easy to drink.
Conclusion
The Black Box Red Blend stood out as the best choices in this blind tasting, making the Red Blend the a great options for casual get-togethers or personal enjoyment. The Malbec performed well but didn’t surpass the winners, while the Merlot was the least favored due to its off-putting aromas and lack of depth.
This tasting confirmed that affordable boxed wines can still deliver quality and value, with the Red Blend being the best picks for future purchases.
