Price: $22
Maker: Black Box Wines, Madera, California
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Packaging: 3-liter box
Alcohol: 13.5%
Our Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Black Box Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 is packaged in a (surprise) black box with a mercifully drip-free push-button spigot. It claims to be the “first world-class wine available in a box in the U.S.” It actually IS a nice wine… Light, ripe berry notes and a hint of mocha greet the nose. This medium-bodied wine has a nice tannin structure that adds balance and complexity to the predominant berry and black cherry notes. These flavors continue into a pleasing finish. Don’t expect a lot of oak or spice, but if you like a fruit-forward wine that manages to avoid being overly simple, the Black Box cabernet is a good choice. Its strong fruit character will appeal to your guests who aren’t world-class wine tasters, but even your picky friends will enjoy the structured complexity this cab offers.
The Black Box website points out that the 2003 version of this cab was awarded “Best Buy” status by Wine Spectator. The box quotes Ryan Sproule, Vintner:
While in Europe, I was suprised at the popularity of boxed wine. Turns out that Europeans, who typically drink quality wine, have been drinking high end boxed wine for years. They’ve forgone the expensive bottle for what counts most: Fine wine at a superior value. I thought Americans deserve the same. So I created Black Box Wines for you – the enthusiast who enjoys wine on a regular basis.”
A noble sentiment indeed, and one that we wish would be echoed by other makers of quality American wines.
First time poster, long time reader. 🙂
I recently tried this wine along with their Barossa Valley Shiraz & thought both were excellent values too & great weeknight wines. I particularly liked the Shiraz.
My riview here.
I love the blog!
Cheers,
Collin
help. purchased your 2005 paso robles cabernet savuvignon. enjoyed first glass. set box in pantry. went to beach for a week of vacation. noticed upon my return that the spout had allowed the wine to leak out drip by drip during my vacation. my pantry was a mess and the wine was gone. I kept the box . please reimburse me for the purchase or send a new box. I also purchased the merlot box. not open yet. make me happy. i did enjoy the first glass. I am upset .
Robert you do realize this isn’t a telegraph, the only thing missing from your post was the “stop.” I love the lack of capitalization of the first letters of your sentences. You do realize that this is not the website nor is it affiliated with the winery that made your wine. Judging by your post most likely you don’t, you entered “black box cab” into your google and went to the first site. If this is not a joke I really do hope you drown in your next box of wine.
We tried Black Box while camping with some friends Labor Day weekend and it was simply awful. All of us are big red wine drinkers that love a decent cab, but none of us even made it through the first glass. I was really disappointing. maybe we got a bad box, but I’ll never buy this again.