Box Wines
A wine blog with news and reviews of affordable wines

Price: $10
Maker: Ernest & Julio Gallo, Modesto, California
Varietal: Merlot
Packaging: 750 ml bottle, natural cork
Alcohol: 13.7%
Our Rating: 8 out of 10

We seem to be on a Gallo roller coaster. Every time we find a Gallo wine that’s drinkable, our next product from the brand is awful. Gallo Sonoma Reserve Merlot 2003, fortunately, is a peak among our Gallo ups and downs. This Merlot has a nice nose, mostly of ripe, juicy berries with some spicy notes in the background. On the palate, it’s not an exceptional wine, but it’s certainly quite drinkable. It balances jammy blackberries with oak, vanilla, and soft tannins. The finish is a bit spicy, if not particularly dramatic or long-lasting.

The San Francisco Chronicle gave Gallo Sonoma Reserve Merlot 2003 two stars, noting that, “the wine delivers easygoing, juicy flavors of sweet cranberry, black cherry and plum, with hints of anise and tea leaf.” Natascha’s Space quotes Consumer Reports as saying, “This merlot has big, full fruit flavors and good structure.” Natascha herself said, “I smell wood, not so much fruit flavors. It is dry, but not too dry… Nothing too spectacular, but good wine.” We think Natascha’s final comment got it right.

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