Ultra-cheap wine presents a dilemma. At what point is the wine so cheap that quality doesn’t matter and that it becomes nothing more than an alcohol delivery system, devoid of any pleasure except for the buzz that it provides?
That’s why the Wine Curmudgeon is so hard on these wines, which can roughly be defined as those that cost less than $6 a bottle. Cheap whiskey is for getting drunk. Wine – even inexpensive wine -- is for enjoyment.
Which is why I was intrigued by the Corbett Canyon, which won the Best of Class for Merlots below $15 at the 2009 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. The competition included some perfectly acceptable wines, including Red Truck, Cycles Gladiator, Mondavi Private Selection and Wente. The Corbett Canyon is $10 for a 3-liter box, or about $2.50 a bottle.
It’s certainly worth that, and even a bit more. Don’t expect a lot of depth or sophistication, and if this wine saw any oak it was a passing glance. But the Corbett Canyon tastes like merlot, and it’s not too jammy or fruity in the way other cheap merlots are. The tannins are even pleasant. Drink it on its own or with any red wine foods.
The biggest problem is the box. It’s not easy to get the spigot out of the side of the box, and, if you’re not careful, the spigot leaks. Make sure to turn the knob hard to the left to shut off the flow.
I was pleasantly surprised by Corbett Canyon Merlot, which our College Grad son brought to a family dinner the other night. This fit well into his present budget & surprised us beyond expectation! We are Ruffino, Cavit & Eco Domani wine drinkers, (no we're not wine snobs, but enjoy a reasonably priced, good wine) but Corbett Canyon can hold it's own to these well established Wineries. We could not believe the price! The wine is clear & distinguishingly fruity, not too dry. Very, very pleasant with fowl, fish or beef dinners. We will keep on hand along with our other favorites.
Posted by: Olivia@natureshealinggifts.com | August 05, 2009 at 06:00 PM
Yes, I was quite surprised, as well. Check out my recent reviews of some Italian wines you may not have heard of. I think you'll want to try those, too.
Posted by: Jeff Siegel | August 06, 2009 at 06:17 AM
This wine was recommended to me by a good friend. She told me the price and I was somewhat of a price snob. Several weeks later I tried it and was pleasantly pleased with the taste. I still keep the "premium' stuff on hand but, I've added Corbett Canyon to my stand-by list.
Posted by: Jeremy Gardner | April 18, 2010 at 12:47 AM
Although some of their wines were satisfactory, they apparently do not check their imported wines for quality.
I just recently bought a box of red wine that was so watered down that it tasted like cheap kool-aid. I sent them a number of emails and did not even send a courtesy reply.
Do not buy Corbett Canyon wines. They taste cheap and they could care less about the consumer or their quality
Posted by: Dennis scanlan | September 28, 2010 at 06:19 PM
Yall aRE F'ING KIDDING I love the canyon, its great wine and doesnt kill the buddgett. Shur if I wanted to drop a Jackson every night when I need my night cap and I had a Buffett allowance I would probably get a Coppola of a nice Merlot or Cab. But for the mula The canyon goes nicely with the Ambien and drops me off till morriow. But come weekend I grab an awesome J lohr some peruvian flake an go Viagara on the missus like we were 18 and legal to love. Corbett is grate as the warm up then hit the Lohr for the take down or hell get a coppola if ya got the smack enjoy baby enjoy
Posted by: retruvia galuterviklle | October 01, 2011 at 02:32 AM
It's better than water, but not much!
Posted by: bboswell42 | May 05, 2012 at 08:26 PM
I tried the cabernet sauvignon tonight for the first time. I like the idea of boxed wines to be eco-friendly and the fact it last six weeks after being opened. I have to say I am a bit disappointed in the taste. I guess I will go back to the Wella brand :-( Sorry folks thats my opinion for what its worth :-)
Posted by: Copeland | June 03, 2012 at 04:47 PM
I have found that mixing an inexpensive Morgado Port I buy at Trader Joe's for $6 at a 4:1 ratio with the Corbett Boxed Merlot makes a decent wine if you just want a glass or two of an evening meal instead of opening a bottle (and then having half a bottle sitting around for a day or two) and not finishing it. For a total cost of $3.20 it just gets across the acceptable line.
Posted by: Bobb | February 24, 2013 at 02:32 AM