Bold Leaf Wine is a collaboration between 2 Towns Ciderhouse and Stoller Wine to bring casual, everyday wine to drinkers in cans. The venture offers three varieties currently: Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and Bubbly Rosé. The website offers up a succinct bit of background:

Nestled into opposite ends of the Willamette Valley, both 2 Towns and Stoller share a mission to produce premium craft beverages with sustainably grown fruit designed for everyday people. From the grape selection, to the wine making, to the final blending, Bold Leaf from start to finish is designed specifically for cans. Canned fresh throughout the year, Bold Leaf is meant to be approachable and drink well at cool temperatures straight from the fridge as well as at cellar temperatures.

We set out to develop a wine meant specifically for cans. Why cans? Wine not!? Cans offer an environmentally friendly way to keep your wine ultra fresh while easily packing it along, as well as packing it out. Available in convenient 2-packs, it’s never been easier to bring along quality Oregon wine wherever your next adventure takes you!

2 Towns had sent me samples of each variety a few months back, and since then I’ve been seeing Bold Leaf wines in stores. They come in two-packs of cans, 375ml each, so two cans equals one bottle of wine. One can makes a nice split into two servings.

When I review wine, I tend to write down my impressions in a more free-form format than my beers reviews, though I approach the sensory in a similar way. On to my notes!

Bold Leaf Pinot Gris

It’s a 12% ABV white wine, as advertised. The description reads:

Made with Oregon grown Pinot Gris grapes this wine has strong gooseberry and white grape profile, notes of elderflower, honeydew, citrus and pear. With a full body and very high acidity, the Pinot Gris is fresh, snappy and food friendly.

My notes: Bright nose, with apple, pear, floral notes, grape skins. Flavor is juicy and lightly acidic, kind of crabapple-like, dry. Reminds me of Sauvignon Blanc. Apple skin, a touch of lemon, minerality in the body. Dry, lightly tart finish. Overall a nicely crisp white table wine, with good dry minerality in the structure.

Bold Leaf Bubbly Rosé

Also 12% alcohol, this rosé has some carbonation to it. The description:

Our Bubbly Rosé is made with Oregon grown Pinot Noir grapes and has light and fresh strawberry notes, hints of confectionary, stone fruit, and citrus. While light bodied, bubbly, well-balanced and easy drinking, this wine can hold it’s own.

My notes: Mellow, stone fruit in the aroma, hints of blackberry, herbal. Floral and gently fruity with a bitter(ish) mineral note in taste. Goes very well with sliced peach and aged cheddar. It is sparkling, it’s got a fizz, which might add to the light bitter character. Overall this is a good wine to pair with cheese and/or fresh fruit.

Bold Leaf Pinot Noir

This is a bigger wine, 14% ABV, a big bold red. The description says:

Oregon grown Pinot Noir grapes provide a strong red cherry profile intertwined with clear notes of toasted oak, tobacco, and vanilla as well as hints of cacao. Our Pinot Noir is full bodied, rich and smooth with a bold tannin profile.

My notes: Classic Pinot nose, with dark berry, earthy notes, a touch spicy (tobacco), deep fruitiness, river rocks. In flavor it’s got a bit, with some of that herbal/tobacco spice, forest floor, tart black/dark underripe berry. The flavor is tempered by chocolate, which makes a good pairing. It’s a touch hot. It’s decent and I think it would go best paired with food.

All together, these are casual table wines that are well-suited to the can format. The cans don’t impact the quality of the wine at all, in my opinion, while definitely contributing to the portability. Bold Leaf Wine is worth checking out.