Deep purple color; blackberry, strawberry, licorice, plum on the nose and palate.
Dry; mild tannins and acidity. Fruit-forward, light-medium body. Light touch on the oak. Natural wine, no fining or filtration, no sulfites, 100% malbec grapes organically grown, biodynamically farmed. The vinegrower uses sheep to weed the vineyards and bees to pollinate the vines. They produced a smooth, easy drinker. 14.5% ABV
Because Public Goods is a negotiant operation, SCEA Château Bordicotte Et Grand Ferrand produced and bottled this wine for Public Goods. This is not a wine you can buy at a wine store or supermarket. It basically is a shopping club that offers personal care items, household goods, vitamins and supplements, pet products, CBD products, and grocery items, including wine. You have to be a member to purchase, although there is a free two-week trial membership. Annual membership costs $79.
Public Goods asserts: “We’re a brand that delivers essentials across several categories, united by a set of values. We believe the products you use every day should be healthy, sustainable, and easy to access. We deliver well-designed, eco-friendly essentials directly to you.” There is an extensive description of the company’s philosophy, company culture, history, and business model on the website.
Public Goods Malbec, Bordeaux 2019 is an affable pour that may lack distinguishing character but will not offend anyone, especially those not into assertive, complex red wines. Fruity. Simple. Very easy, very fruit-forward easy drinker. Plus, its report card punches all the feel-good buttons on organic farming and being vegan-friendly. Throw in simplicity of packaging and lifestyle allure of company with a set of admirable values.
The downside, of course, is you have to be a member of the club to get this, you have to buy a minimum of six bottles—although you can mix your order with other wines. And you have to trust you will enjoy what you get (no returns, only credit if product is defective). The cost of a bottle of this merlot works out to $16.50, but you must purchase six bottles for a total of $99 if this merlot is all you want. You also must be a member of Public Goods, which—with the first-time membership fee—works out to $28.92 a bottle and a $173.50 ding on your credit card. You amortize the fee the more you buy, of course. If you are into the other wide range of warm-fuzzy products offered—tree-free toilet paper, for instance—this is something to explore.