Chardonnay Showdown!! Battle of the Boxes!!

The Main Event: Bota Box 2010 vs. Black Box 2011
$4.99 ea. @ Miller's Grocery Store

Brian sez: The Black Box is everything I don't like about cheap Chardonnay: sloppy oak, vague butter. The Bota Box tastes like white wine-flavored water. Definitely cleaner than the Black Box, but nothing really interesting as far as flavor is concerned. I'm not going to lie to you: if I had to pick a winner between these two, I'd probably opt for a beer.

Julia sez: Black Box tastes like what you expect cheap Chardonnay to taste like. Not much flavor in the Bota Box. Somehow, though, we managed to finish both of them.

Binary rating: 0 and 0. No knockouts here, but the judges give the Black Box the win by decision for actually tasting like something.

Embrace the Box!!

Bota Box 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon
$18.99 @ Copp's

Brian sez: Good stuff. Second only in my eyes to their Old Vines Zinfandel, Bota Box does not disappoint. Bright red fruit, no oak. Thin on the finish, but at less than $5 a bottle, I can live with that. Absolutely no complexity, finish, or any of that. Let's be honest, it doesn't even taste like a Cab, but it is eminently drinkable if you're looking for a good time wine.

Julia sez: I embraced it!!

Guest commentator Greg sez: I thought it was good.

Binary rating: 1

You say you want a RedVolution?

Bota Box 2010 California Table Red
$18.99 @ Copp's

Brian sez: I really like the Bota Box Old Vines Zinfandel. CWC bought a box for a camping trip last summer and the results were quite pleasing,  so when I saw their newest offering "RedVolution", I figured I'd give it a shot. Let's just say this is one revolution that needs to be put down. There's some fruit up front, but no finish to speak of. It reminds me of my least favorite varietal: Cheapo Pinot. Not the worst thing I've ever tasted, bit there are far better ways to spend your Cheap Wine dollar.

Julia sez: It's not my favorite. 

Binary rating: 0

Hey... Look what I found!!

2010 Found Object Carmenere
$5.99 @ Traders Joe's

Brian sez: This was Julia's pick. We had it just the other night with a cassoulet. It was great!! Black fruit and spice. Well balanced.

Julia sez: I found it!!

Binary scale rating: 1