Firstleaf is a monthly wine subscription founded by Philip James, with the goal of creating the most customer-centric wine club.
Firstleaf leaf partners directly with wineries and winemakers to bring the wine straight to members, and boasts that it’s the only wine club that tailors its wine choice to an individual member’s preferences.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About Firstleaf
The Subscription Box: Firstleaf
The Cost: $79.95 per box + $9.95 shipping
ACTIVE DEAL: Intro offer $39.95 + free shipping no code needed. No coupon needed - just use this link.
The Products: 6 bottles of wine personalized to your individual tastes.
Ships to: the US, specifically these states: AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, and WY
Good To Know: You can adjust your shipment frequency and preferences in your account settings. An adult 21+ must be present at the time of delivery to sign for the shipment.
Firstleaf Wine Of The Month Club October 2018 Review
Firstleaf offers a pretty impressive level of customization. You can choose whether to receive all white, all reds, or a mix of both. You can also choose whether to receive US wines, imported wines, or a mix of both. You can also choose how frequently you’d like to receive boxes and indicate if you’re interested in Rose or Sparkling varieties.
The first insert included as a referral card. Anyone that uses your custom link gets the offer of 3 bottles for $5 plus free shipping, while you receive a $20 credit on your account. The envelope also contains a detailed card for each bottle of wine. I love this additional information – you can see detailed photos throughout the rest of the review.
The 2nd insert includes wine bottle tags for different occasions that include referral/coupon codes. I think this is a fun touch – it would be great to give to a new neighbor with one of the bottles!
2016 Wyetha Flame White Blend (California) – Listed Value $21.00 (Member Price $16.80)
Tasting Notes: Mineral. White Flowers. Tropical Fruits.
Awards:
- 90 Points, International Women's Wine Competition (2018)
- Gold Medal, International Women's Wine Competition (2018)
- Silver Medal, Harvest Challenge (2017)
- Silver Medal, Northwest Food And Wine Festival (2017)
The bold floral notes in this wine make it great to drink on its own or with lighter bites. This sweet, low acid, full-bodied wine is perfect to sip on its own. This blend is listed as 93% Chardonnay, 3% Viognier, and a touch of a few others – Vermentino, Sauvignon Blanc, and Verdelho.
I loved the label – it would be perfect for a bridal shower luncheon! I think it would be a crowd pleaser and I love the mineral quality to this white blend. It’s no wonder that it won a few international women’s wine awards – I think it’s a lady pleaser (it pleased this lady!)
2016 Fog Break White Blend (California) – Listed Value $22.00 (Member Price $17.60)
Tasting Notes: Pear, Apricot, White Flowers.
Awards:
- Double Gold Medal, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (2018)
- Silver Medal, San Diego International Wine And Spirits Challenge (2018)
- Silver Medal, International Women's Wine Competition (2017)
This wine works beautifully with fresh seafood. The flavors and soft mouthfeel make it a great food wine. I found this sweet wine very fruity, full-bodied and low acid. It was well balanced and felt like a "daytime" wine – the apricot flavor was the star for me, and I truly felt that this bottle was very reasonably priced.
2016 Beraelia White Blend (California) – Listed Value $22.00 (Member Price $17.60)
Tasting Notes: White Flowers, Pear, Apricot.
Awards:
- 91 Points, Sommelier Challenge (2018)
- Gold Medal, Sommelier Challenge (2018)
This wine has beautiful tastes of stone fruit that play beautifully off the smooth palate. With the same flavor profile as the other blends (sweet, low acid, full-bodied) it's no surprise that I enjoyed this as well. This bottle is a blend of Chardonnay and Viognier.
2017 Scissor Kick Cabernet Sauvignon (Australia) – Listed Value $22.00 (Member Price $17.60)
Tasting Notes: Blackcurrant, Tobacco, Chocolate
This wine has notes of cassis, tobacco and fine-grained tannins. A slight hint of eucalyptus and bright fruit play with the elegant style and dark chocolate notes. The focused fruit and nuanced herbal notes make a fantastic pairing with tender meats.
This rich, savory cabernet was very acidic, full-bodied, and heavy. It would pair well with red meat. While a bit dark & dry for my tastes, my husband quite enjoyed this more substantial wine.
2017 Dita Akello Cabernet Sauvignon (Australia) – Listed Value $22.00 (Member Price $17.60)
Tasting Notes: Oak, Leather, Blackcurrant
Optimum ripeness at harvest gives hints of cassis and layers of red currants to add complexity. The primary fruits shine in this wine, and the modest oak influence adds interest in the form of cigar box and brown spices. The result is a combination of focused fruit and herbal nuances that best complement herb-laced meat dishes, steak salads, and savory dishes. The fresh acidity stands up to rich foods such as bacon cheeseburgers, and hearty meals such as stews.
Again, this is a heavy wine. I personally don’t prefer forward oak taste – and like a fruitier and slightly sweeter red.
2017 Incarnadine Pinot Noir - Zinfandel (California) – Listed Value $22.00 (Member Price $17.60)
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Cherry, Pomegranate
Awards:
- Silver Medal, Sommelier Challenge (2018)
This was my favorite of the red wines that I was sent this month. It was medium bodied, with slightly more sweetness and less acidity than the cabs that I was sent. This blend was comprised of 86% Pinot Noir and 14% Zinfandel, a balance I found pleasing.
Verdict: This Firstleaf membership breaks down to around $14.98 per bottle, including shipping, for 6 bottles. Each of the bottles that I received retail for at least that (usually $20+) but to me, the convenience is the value that I love the most! I liked all of the whites that were sent but do wish that there were a bit more variety and introduction to new favorites. Perhaps they already have me pegged!
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Because of the curation, it’s unlikely that you would get the same items that I’m showing here.
ACTIVE DEAL: Intro offer $39.95 + free shipping no code needed. No coupon needed - just use this link.
Value Breakdown: This box costs $79.95 + $9.95 shipping, which means that each of the 6 items in the box has an average cost of $14.98.
Check out all of our Firstleaf Reviews and find more wine of the month clubs in the Drinks Subscription Box List!
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