Medium ruby colored, with medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  Medium intensity aromas of black cherry, baking spice, strawberry coulis, and some toasted oak.  It’s not overly complex, but typical for the variety.  The palate is slightly off-dry, with medium acidity, a medium (-) body, and low tannins.  Medium (-) intensity flavors of cherry, strawberry, baking spice, and chocolate powder lead to a medium (-) length finish.  There are times I would attribute sweetness to ripe fruit, but I somehow doubt this to be the case here.  I originally wanted to purchase this box, yes box wine, to use in cooking Coq Au Vin but I forgot my drivers license and had to come home empty handed, opting to pour a bottle of Bojo into the recipe instead.  Either way, I decided to try this box, on sale for $18 (that’s 4 bottles of wine inside!).  It’s a very serviceable weekday quaffer if you can deal with the residual sugar.   Alternatively- a very reasonably priced cooking red that will go nicely in any braise you could imagine, or even a gravy reduction.  In fact, that’s next, Sunday roast with a red wine sauce.  83 points is the best I can go, but for the price- 3 stars!  Drink immediately.  Salut….

Pale garnet colored with copper highlights and medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of red currant, cherry jubilee, red raspberry, baking spice and rose.  It’s a bit muted.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, a light body and low tannins.  Medium (-) intensity flavors of red fruit with a touch of spice and some minimal floral hints- quite a thin wine.  The finish is where it picks up steam- more red currants and some spice with gently increasing acidity and a medium length ending.  Not a stellar wine- drink now as it has no capacity to age further.  83 points for this $14 bottle makes it a 2 star effort.  Salut….