Popping the tab on a can of wine has never tasted so good. A growing number of noteworthy vintners are packaging their wines in aluminum, and in some cases ditching bottles completely. That means consumers can find more wine styles and grape varieties in cans than ever before. This week, we've selected more than a dozen of the highest-rated canned wines from our recent blind tastings.
Canned wine sales continue to skyrocket, with no ceiling in sight. Read our latest news story on the hottest trend in wine packaging.
The quality of canned wines has seriously improved over the past few years. Case in point: Sans Wine Co.'s mouthwatering 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, packed with lemon, lime and tangerine flavors. Husband-and wife owners Jake Stover and Gina Schober tapped the Finley Road Vineyard in California’s Lake County, and aged the wine in stainless steel to keep its flavors fresh and vibrant. Larkin is another Golden State winery that's been elevating canned wines. Founder and winemaker Sean Larkin, who left a career in the sheet metal business to pursue wine, has produced two spotlighted whites this week: his rich 2018 Tin Knocker Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley, and his smooth and succulent 2019 Larkan white.
For fans of rosé, Amble+Chase's Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence 2018 is a delicate version offering melon, citrus zest and white cherry flavors. Sparkling canned wines are represented here as well: From Washington's Goose Ridge winery comes the Cascadian Outfitters label and its easygoing, fruit-forward Columbia Valley sparkling rosé.
Top-Scoring Recent Canned Wine Releases
The wines below were reviewed blind in Wine Spectator's Napa and New York offices, decanted into sterile glass bottles to disguise their original packaging and tasted alongside wines bottled in glass.
LARKIN
Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley Tin Knocker 2018
Score: 89 | $12/375ml
WS review: Succulent lemon curd, candied orange zest and subtle Key lime pie notes start off rich and fleshy, but a smooth thread of acidity weaves in and out, leading to a fresh finish. Sold as a 375ml can. Drink now. 1,000 cases made.—MaryAnn Worobiec
SANS WINE CO.
Sauvignon Blanc Lake County Finley Road Vineyard 2018
Score: 89 | $10/375ml
WS review: Intense, with a strong note of lemongrass to the bright, mouthwatering citrus flavors, led by Meyer lemon, lime and tangerine notes. A minerally detail of crushed stone lingers on the finish. Sold as a 375ml can. Drink now. 400 cases made.—M.W.
BROC CELLARS
Love Red North Coast 2019
Score: 87 | $10/375ml
WS review: Firm and juicy pomegranate, blood orange and wild strawberry flavors are fresh and focused. Black tea, dried rose petal and red licorice notes linger. Carignane, Valdiguié and Syrah. Sold as a 375ml can. Drink now. 990 cases made.—M.W.
LARKIN
Larkan White Napa Valley 2019
Score: 87 | $12/375ml
WS review: Ripe melon, peach and citrus flavors are smooth and succulent, with a touch of tangerine and soft acidity. Sauvignon Blanc. Sold as a 375ml can. Drink now. 1,500 cases made.—M.W.
SANS WINE CO.
Riesling Rutherford McGill Vineyard 2019
Score: 87 | $15/375ml
WS review: Features ripe melon, peach and apricot notes, showing off hints of candied ginger, spice and dried flowers on the finish, with moderate acidity. Sold as a 375ml can. Drink now. 200 cases made.—M.W.
WEST + WILDER
Pinot Noir Russian River Valley NV
Score: 87 | $NA/250ml
WS review: The dried cherry and berry flavors are firm, with notes of hot stone and underbrush that linger on the juicy finish. Sold as a three-pack of 250ml cans for $17. Drink now. 350 cases made.—Kim Marcus
WEST + WILDER
White American NV
Score: 87 | $NA/250ml
WS review: Distinct and aromatic, with honeysuckle overtones to the melon, peach and lemon curd flavors, set on a smooth, succulent frame. Moderate acidity keeps the flavors fresh. Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Muscat and Chardonnay. Sold as a three-pack of 250ml cans for $17. Drink now. 2,250 cases made.—M.W.
BROC CELLARS
Love White California 2018
Score: 86 | $10/375ml
WS review: The peach, pear and tangy lemon flavors show hints of fresh herbs, honey and yellow apple, with soft acidity. Marsanne, Picpoul, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc. Sold as a 375ml can. Drink now. 600 cases made.—M.W.
CASCADIAN OUTFITTERS
Rosé Sparkling Columbia Valley NV
Score: 86 | $5/375ml
WS review: A fruit-forward quaff, with watermelon and strawberry flavors. Sold as a 375ml can. Drink now. 5,000 cases made.—Tim Fish
FERDINAND
Albariño California 2019
Score: 86 | $9/375ml
WS review: Fresh, offering a lean yet mouthwatering mix of lime skin, lemon and green apple flavors, with a subtle floral aroma on the finish. Sold as a 375ml can. Drink now. 418 cases made.—M.W.
MANCAN
Red American NV
Score: 86 | $5/375ml
WS review: Firm, with a hint of black licorice to the dried blackberry and roasted plum flavors. The spicy finish features baker's chocolate accents. Merlot and Zinfandel. Sold as a 375ml can. Drink now. 10,000 cases made.—K.M.
MANCAN
White American NV
Score: 86 | $5/375ml
WS review: Soft and smooth, with focus to the ripe peach, vanilla bean and dried apricot flavors. Shows hints of spice and dried flowers on the finish, accented by fresh acidity. Chardonnay and Viognier. Sold as a 375ml can. Drink now. 10,000 cases made.—M.W.
AMBLE+CHASE
Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence Rosé 2018
Score: 85 | $NA/250ml
WS review: Melon, lemon zest and white cherry flavors show a salty undertone in this delicate rosé, with herb details on the finish. Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah. Sold as a four-pack of 250ml cans for $20. Drink now. 12,600 cases made, 12,600 cases imported.—Gillian Sciaretta
14 HANDS
Hot to Trot Red Columbia Valley NV
Score: 84 | $6/375ml
WS review: Soft and fruit-forward, with cherry and toasted spice flavors. Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc, Mourvèdre, Pinot Noir and Sangiovese. Sold as a 375ml can. Drink now. 13,900 cases made.—T.F.
VAMOS! VINO
Malbec Argentina NV
Score: 84 | $8/375ml
WS review: Medium-bodied, with light balsam accents to the red berry and dried cherry flavors. Short finish. Sold as a 375ml can. Drink now. 416 cases made, 416 cases imported.—K.M.
