Premium 3 Liter Bag-in-Box Chardonnay - Hardy's Stamp Australia 2005 & Black Box Monterey 2005

After spending a couple of weeks with several premium Box Chardonnays in the refrigerator, I'm looking for more of them to try.  In addition to the benefits of lower cost per glass, freshness, convenience, and ease, there is another benefit: the easy to recycle box.

Instead of hauling four glass bottles to the recycle center, you can open the box, remove the bag and spout inside, fold the box and put in your curbside recycle bin (in Nashville glass is not permitted in the curbside bin).

Here's a tip: The bag inside is likely to have a glass of wine left in it when the tap stops.  Therefore, when you remove the bag to recycle the box, just throw that bag (and that last glass of wine inside) in your refigerator for later.  To get the remainder out, cut through the top corner of the bag and pour it out.  This last bit is perfect for cooking, and fine for drinking.

Hardy's Stamp Australia 2005 - Tasting Notes: Color: Light straw.  Peach, vanilla and whiffs of smoke introduce this light, slightly sweet, fruity and tart Chardonnay.  Alcohol content: 13.0%.  Excellent value ($14/3.0 Liter = $3.50/750ml equivalent).

Black Box Monterey Chardonnay 2005 - Tasting Notes: Color: Light golden straw.  Juicy fruity tropical aromas are merged with hints of buttersotch in this nicely dry, clean Chardonnay.  The apple and pear flavors are charged with lemon and tinted by oak.  Alcohol content: 13.5%.
Excellent value ($18/3.0 Liter = $4.50/750ml equivalent).

Constellation Brands owns Black Box and Hardy's.   Ryan Sproule, the Winemaker and Founder at Black Box could be credited with inventing the 3.0 Liter premium box wine category.  Constellation is currently the most aggressive marketer in this fast-growing segment.

Comments

[Ddick Emlaw]

Any idea where I can buy Black Box in the Portland Or. area?

[rafael porras]

please refer to more places concerning information about bag in box wines
bst rgds,
rafael porras

[Leslie Ford]

I really like the Hardys Chardonnay but I'm having trouble finding it in Hilton Head, SC. Publix's has it occasionally. Any ideas?

[A Norton]

We've been drinking box wines for several years now. We discovered Black Box at the International Wine Festival in Washington, DC about 4 years ago. It finally came to our area about 2 years ago. We drink it all (Cab/Chard/Merlot) It's all great and an excellent value for the $$. I've not been so fond of the Hardy's. I must say I tried it long before I discovered the Black Box and was not particularly happy with it. But, perhaps I shoudl try it again!

[Diane Hammann]

Looking to find where to buy Hardy's Chardonnay in the Southern Illinois area. Our distributor no longer carries it. Must be places somewhere around us where we can find it. Please respond.

[Ray Herman]

I live in South Jersey and would like to know where we can purchase Black Box and Hardy's wines.

Thank you

[Susanah Gasper]

Is the bag inside made of clear plastic or that silvery mylar stuff?