Three Thieves Bandit Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

Price: $6
Maker: Rebel Wine, St. Helena, Napa County, California
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Packaging: 1-liter box
Alcohol: 13.9%
Our Rating: 8.5 out of 10

It seems like just about every Three Thieves product features somewhat unusual packaging, and Three Thieves Bandit Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 is no exception - it comes in a “Tetra Brick” one liter box. This aptly named box is indeed about the shape and size of a brick, and features a plastic screw cap. Inside the cap is a pull-tab seal. The box is a pure rectangular shape, and is highly space efficient. One caution - like other Tetra Paks, this box does not have an internal bag. Like a bottle, once you open it, the wine is exposed to the air inside it. With a one-liter size, that’s not a huge deal, but the “glass a day” drinker might want to consider alternate storage after opening. The Three Thieves Bandit wine is the first we’ve seen in our market packaged in the Tetra Brick box.

On to the wine itself… This cab’s aroma is mainly ripe berries… The wine is well-structured, with raspberry, plum, and herbal notes. It’s a nice wine for steaks or lamb chops.

Swanson Oakville Merlot (2002)

Tasting notes:

Ripe berries, milk chocolate, and spice on the nose

Round, plush texture on the palate


Dark berries, plums, chocolate, and oak notes on the finish

Don't diss Merlot- just drink good ones! This is one of the most reliable Napa Valley Merlot's, and I recommend it as a wine to enjoy with red meat or a richly flavored pasta dish.

This 2002 tasted awefully good with lots of ripe berry and chocolate. The key is that it's not overly oaked, which can mask the fruit flavors. Rather, the oak treatment here lends balance and refinement, along with added spice nuances.

Expect to pay $32

Prieler Pinot Noir 2002

Prieler Pinot Noir 2002 Silvia Prieler
Burgenland, Austria

My first impression..an aged Rhone wine..maybe Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
Why?..well..animal aromas..meaty..quite full..thick spices. I then saw what was in the bottle.
OK...search for Pinot...still think it is a Rhone!!!
Seriously though..the Austrian's style of the sexy grape is completely different to Germany...and you won't find many French wines like this either. Bacon aromas....well-balanced tannins...ready to drink now.
Points 17