Category Archives: boxed wine

Gotham Project ‘Boom Box’ Rosé 2016

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Brand: Gotham Project is a collaboration between Charles Bieler [of Bieler Pere et Fils, Charles & Charles and Three Thieves fame] and Bruce Schneider [of Schneider Vineyards, Schneider Selections and Onabay Vineyard]. The duo has pioneered wine on tap in the US, beginning in 2009 with their inaugural release of Finger Lakes Riesling from Seneca Lake, NY. They are the leading producer of wines on tap in the States, and “the only vertically integrated wine-on-tap company in the United States. Their wine ‘filling station’ is just a few miles from the #1 port for imported wines in the U.S., ensuring all wines remain as fresh as their first day of life until they hit your glass.” Their portfolio of tap wines feature wines from all over the world, from New York to Greece to New Zealand, and can be found in hip, progressive wine bars and restaurants. Boom Box Rosé is their first wine to be available for enjoyment at home.

Philosophy: “A BETTER GLASS OF WINE!”

Winemaking: Grapes are sourced from dry-farmed, old-vine [80+ years] vineyards in Bullas, Spain. [Bullas is known for its light reds and rosés made from Monastrell.] Grapes were picked “on the early edge of ripeness and made direct to press”.

Tasting Notes: Sunset orange-pink in colour with aromas of peach, watermelon, cherry and tomato leaf. Predominately savoury and spicy notes, complimented by cherry and strawberry. Pink grapefruit and herbs on the dry finish add to its refreshing, off the beaten path character.

100% Monastrell [Mourvèdre]
Bullas
Spain
Cellared and packed by Gotham Project NY
13% Alcohol
$25 [3L box equivalent to 4 750ML bottles]
Enjoy now

Domaine de la Patience ‘From the Tank’ Rosé 2016

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Brand: ‘From the Tank’ is a collaboration between Jenny & François Selections and various small, natural artisan winemakers that focus on expressing their terroir. Jenny & François Selections is a New York based wine distributor founded in 2000. They feature small vineyard wines and “winemakers who work like artisans, crafting a different wine each year. They do not impose a preconceived taste on their wines, but look to be surprised by what nature gives”. The concept ‘From the Tank’ hails from traditional wine culture in France, “of going to the local winery with a big empty jug to fill up with easy-drinking juice”.

Philosophy: “High quality natural wine at a very low price that’s good for the planet too!”

Estate: ‘From the Tank’ Rosé was made exclusively for Jenny & François Selections by Domaine de la Patience, located in the Costières de Nîmes in southeastern France. The family estate takes its name from “La Patience”, a wild aromatic herb that makes its home in the vineyards. Christophe Aguilar farms the 60 hectares of vines, the very same soil that his grandfather respectfully farmed 50 years ago.

Winemaking: The vineyards are certified organic. Grapes were sourced from 20+ year old Syrah vines and 40 year old Grenache vines, then aged in concrete vats with minimum sulfur added.

Tasting Notes: Light coral pink in colour with aromas of strawberry, watermelon and a hint of tropical coconut and banana. Tasting similar to the aromas, with strawberry and mango glazing traces of banana and coconut. Fresh acidity, a streak of minerality and zippy citrus zest on the crisp, dry finish. A fantastic summer sip, a steal at $20!

80% Grenache, 20% Syrah
Vin de Pays du Pont du Gard
France
[Bottling information not available]
12-14% Alcohol
$20 [3L box equivalent to 4 750ML bottles]
Enjoy now

Vrac Rosé Vin de Pays de Mediterranée IGP 2016

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Brand: Vrac translates to “bulk” or “loose”, whilst ‘En Vrac’ translates to “bring your own bottle”. These phrases refer to the French practice of locals filling their own vessels with wine directly from the winery’s tanks. The producer intended to reflect that custom with VRAC, and crafted a simple, French countryside jug-style wine.

Winemaking: Grapes were sourced from sustainably farmed vineyards in the Pays des Maures and the Pays de la Mediterranée, in the heart of Provence, southeastern France. “The juice is bled from the macerating fruit (“saignée” in French) at the perfect moment to optimize the color and flavor from the skins, and is left to ferment in stainless steel tanks at low temperatures for a long, cool fermentation.”

Tasting Notes: Pale coral-pink in colour with summery aromas of strawberry, raspberry and clean minerals. Tasting similar to the aromas, light and airy strawberry and raspberry along with a quick shake of white pepper harmonize with a tangy acidity. Clean minerality and a hint of citrus comprise the dry, zippy finish. Friendly and gluggable, easy to pair with summer dishes, consistently one of my fave “drink all summer” Rosés.

60% Cinsault, 30% Grenache, 10% Tibouren
Vin de Pays de Mediterranée IGP
France
Bottled by Sas Savatier Selection
12.5% Alcohol
$9 or $20 3L box [4 bottles]
Enjoy now

Domaine de la Patience ‘From the Tank’ Rosé 2015

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fromthetankrose

Consistently amazing, a nearly unmatched value Rosé from a small, organically farmed estate in Costières de Nîmes.

‘From the Tank’ is a collaboration between Jenny & François Selections and various small, natural artisan winemakers that focus on expressing their terroir. Jenny & François Selections is a New York based wine distributor founded in 2000. They focus on small vineyard wines and “winemakers who work like artisans, crafting a different wine each year. They do not impose a preconceived taste on their wines, but look to be surprised by what nature gives”.

Estate: This ‘From the Tank’ Rosé was made exclusively for Jenny & François Selections by Domaine de la Patience, located in the Costières de Nîmes in southeastern France. The family estate takes it name from “La Patience”, a wild aromatic herb that makes its home in the vineyards. Christophe Aguilar farms the 60 hectares of vines, the very same soil that his grandfather respectfully farmed 50 years ago.

Winemaking: The vineyards are certified organic. Grapes were sourced from 20+ year old Syrah vines and 40 year old Grenache vines, then aged in concrete vats with minimum sulfur added.

Tasting Notes: Pale coral pink in colour with aromas of peach, rain washed slate and the slightest trace of banana. Light peach, raspberry, clean minerals and lively acidity meet red grapefruit notes on the dry finish. Light, crisp and refreshing, this is everything you desire in a patio pounder* for the summer.

80% Grenache, 20% Syrah
Vin de Pays du Pont du Gard
France
[Bottling information not available]
12-14% Alcohol
$22 [3L box equivalent to 4 750ML bottles]
Enjoy now

*Term acquired from my friend Brandon at the Cheese Traveler. Used with permission ☺

Domaine Le Garrigon Côtes du Rhône 2013

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garrigonbox
A plush red Rhône boxed wine from an organic family estate, a fantastic value [even with a price tag a bit higher then most boxed wines, it still averages a very reasonable $9 a bottle].

Wineberry was founded in 2001 by Eric Dubourg, who hails from a winemaking family in Bordeaux. A boutique importer and distributer, they source their wines from leading estates and artisanal producers. By developing sustainable, innovative packaging, they are able to reduce the carbon footprint and provide high quality wines at affordable prices.

Estate: Family owned and operated by siblings Daniel and Marie-Françoise Couston, Domaine Le Garrignon was established by their grandfather in 1919. The 200 acre estate has vineyards that stretch from Tulette to Visan in the Côtes du Rhône appellation of eastern France. Certified organic since 1997, the domaine produces AOC, Côtes du Rhône as well as Rhône villages wines. The vineyards are known for their clay and limestone soils, along with traces of the renowned, smooth Rhône pebbles.

Winemaking: With an emphasis on respecting both nature and humans, the organic approach is carried all the way through to the winery. Wines are crafted without the addition of any chemicals or enzyme animal products, and only naturally occurring wild yeasts are used during fermentation. Grapes were sourced from vines 15-45 years old. Aged in cement tanks for 10 months. Vegan.

Tasting Notes: Dark garnet in colour with aromas of dark berries, wild flowers and hints of oak. Black cherry, red currant and raspberry notes glide along an undercurrent of cigar box spice. Grippy tannins, whispers of smoky oak, and a velvety finish balance and focus each sip.

60% Grenache, 30% Carignan, 10% Syrah
Côtes du Rhône
France
13% Alcohol
$35 [3L box equivalent to 4 750ML bottles]
Enjoy now