I have long been an advocate of box wine. The latest generation of varietal vintage dated box wines can be quite good and are a tremendous value. Now, to underscore the point, the Wine Spectator has finally reviewed some box wines in their October 15, 2009 issue (Outside the Box). In their review, 4 red wines scored 85 to 87 points or above (very good). The 4 were vintage dated Cabernet Sauvignons from Black Box, Bota Box, Wine Cube, and Black Box (different vintage).
There were also 6 white wines (a few Chardonnays, a few Pinot Grigios, and a Sauvignon Blanc) that scored from 85 to 88 points.
Interestingly, in the same issue they review 500 wines for $20 or less. To underscore the value proposition of a box wine let’s use the Black Box 2007 California Chardonnay that the Wine Spectator rated as an 87. I typically pay $19.99 for a 3 liter box – the equivalent of 4 bottles of wine. So, doing the math for you, that’s about $5.00 per bottle. In the Spectator’s Round Up of 500 Values for $20 or Less they list 40 wines that score 87 or lower ranging in price $13 to $15 per bottle. The Black Box wins hands down as a better value. They also list over 50 white wines for $10 to $12, but again, the Black Box is a better value. As a matter of fact, they only list 1 white wine at the $5 price point, and that scored an 81.
Clearly the Black Box wine represents both good drinking and an excellent value. Bos wines make for a great house wine allowing you to easily have a glass or two of wine with dinner without worrying about what to do with the rest of the bottle. So do you really need to pay 2 to 3 times more for your everyday wine? Is the glass and the cork really worth $5 to $10? I understand trotting out a bottle for company or a special occasion, but for more casual drinking, box wines are a great way to go.
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