Check out today’s pricing and retail availability for Black Box Merlot.
By way of background: Some folks have been recommending the Black Box varietal as among the best of the “boxy” merlots. So, given my general willingness to “Take one for the team”, I figured I would try it out. Sampled first in 2021 and then again almost four years later, in April, 2025,
Inspired by Black Box California Merlot: The Halloween party scored us a bunch of old-school chocolate treats: milk chocolate, caramel chocolates and crispy ones too!
Specs: This is Black Box Merlot, California, vintage 2019, finished at 13.5% alcohol, packaged in Madera, California, and first sampled two years from vintage date, in November 2021.
In the glass: Deep magenta, deeper in the middle of the glass, but not opaque anywhere.
On the nose: Poured at room temperature and swirled vigorously, shows a very light blush of cocoa, but little red or berry or dark fruit at all. Quite restrained.
On the palate: Brings a rich, sweet sip to the middle of your mouth, opening up waves of creamy chocolate surrounded by deep supporting red and black fruit. The sip rests for an unusually long time, finishing sleek with a nice resonant balance of tannins and darker fruit. Very gentle acids lead you toward the next sip.
In summary: Overall, rates a very impressive three stars with a plus for balanced layers on the five-star Spirit of Wine scale. This is an easy best-value at its bargain per-bottle equivalent price. I can see why the “boxers” give it a thumbs up!
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