Forget the Corkscrew, Tap the Box

On August 3, 2005, Randy Buckner reviewed several boxed wines in Forget the Corkscrew for These Up-and-Comers, for the Tacoma News Tribune. It's nice to see a tasting list that ventures outside of the Black Box - Delicato - Wine Cube neighborhood. The Avery Lane wines come from Washington, and El Paseo is, of course, Spanish. Buckner's favorite was the Avery Lane Chardonnay. In his 100 point scale rating system, the first number indicates quality, and the second is relative value.

NV Avery Lane, Red Blend, Columbia Valley, Washington, $20, 3-liter cask.
A blend of four red grapes, the wine gives off aromas and flavors of black cherries, berries and vanilla. Crisp acids and soft tannins make it an easy quaffer; 81/81.

2004 Avery Lane, Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, Washington, $20, 3-liter cask.
This is the best of the box wines that I tried. Pears, apples and citrus notes float on a crisp, creamy background. This is perfect for those block parties; 83/85.

2004 Block Wine, Chardonnay, California, $10, 1.5-liter box.
Straw-colored, crisp and clean, the wine offers apricot, pear and oak aromas and flavors. This will make an ideal, inexpensive beach party quaffer; 80/80.

NV El Paseo, Valencia Red, Spain, $16, 3-liter cask.
The wine is 100 percent Tempranillo. It’s a simple but easy quaffer, with raspberry and blackberry fruit and smooth tannins; 80/80.

NV El Paseo, Valencia White, Spain, $16, 3-liter cask. Pale yellow in color. You’ll find floral aromas and pineapple nuances on the nose and palate. Nutty, figgy characters linger on the finish. Simple but slurpable; 80/80.

Forget the corkscrew for these up-and-comers | TheNewsTribune.com | Tacoma, WA

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