The most recent installment in my quest to discover whether boxed wines live up to their billing, fulfilling my wish to have an easy-drinking table wine that doesn't need to be finished right away.

BOTA BOX MALBEC

DAY 1: Soft and rich, slightly off-dry with nice cedar, spice aromas and flavors. Medium body and pleasant, it finishes with spice and cocoa. Not my style, but very tasty (as I have found most all of the BotaBox wines so far).

DAY 3: Has a slightly meaty aroma, not gamey, but like Mourvedre, a bacon/smoked quality. Nice freshness, and like the other BotaBox wines, just a hint off-dry but full of varietal flavor.

DAY 5: Has pretty much the same aromatic quality, still fresh and very easy to enjoy.

DAY 9: Same flavors, ripe and soft, and even though the simple flavors are pretty straightforward, they are still easy to appreciate and holding well.

DAY 12: Has lost a touch of its vibrancy, still good though. The flavors are fading and becoming more one dimensional, but I do like the fact that I can still enjoy it without thinking too much.

DAY 14: Last glass, OK but not too exciting now. Drinkable, and not offensive, nice with pizza and two weeks is longer than anyone should need to drink this up.

Very nice, I will buy it again!

Shayne Hebert, Central Florida Wine Supervisor