Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Terre Di Plinio Sangiovese 11'

Naked Wine Review 145

Wine: Umbria IGP Red Wine
Grape: Sangiovese
Producer: Donini
Vintage: 11'
Region: Italy>Umbertide
Price: 10.00
Date tasted: 5/26/14
Place tasted: I was riding a white ostrich through the valley of the shadow of death, laughing at the fireflies and howling with the voles. We took rest and drank from the glistening stream of hope, and in the dim moon light I sipped wine and visualized Ballard. How could I not?
Served with: Foods with lots of acid and zip to them. Pasta with tomato sauces; grilled meats and roasts; or antipasto and hors d'oeuvres, such as baked artichoke dip, baked cheese olives, and easy tasty layered dip.
Appearance: She's scantily clad in a veil of clear vibrant garnet with rusty orange edges.
On the snoot: Heavy with ripe cherries, vanilla bean, star anise and creosote.
Taste: Delightful blend of cassis, cocoa, pipe tobacco and tar with a dash of salt. Light and dry yet complex and powerful with tons of cute fuzzy little tannins that purr as they are stroked through a long finish of masterfully muddled scents, flavors, and textures. 
Balance: Light and dry with gentle acids, no residual sugars, lively alcohol, and a plethora of scrumptious tannin. 
She sports a beautiful body with chorus line of deliberate, organized and symmetrical naked legs. 
Comments: Thank you once again to the experts at Wordens Wine Market in Missoula Montana for helping me chose yet another winner. If you can find this in your neighborhood for god sakes buy some. It's seriously good and wonderfully food friendly.    

 NOTE: If it walks like a chianti and quacks like a chianti, it's probably sangiovese.
       

Rating: 4 tipsys, excellent value

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Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Estancia Chardonnay 12'

Naked Wine Review 144

Wine: Estancia Chardonnay 
Producer: Estancia Winery
Vintage:  12'
Region: California>Central Coast>Monterey County
Price: 12.00 
Date tasted: 5/7/14
Place tasted: I was in a lush green meadow enjoying the company of a new friend who wore the most charming golden earring. Refreshments of ripe strawberries, Camembert, and a chilled bottle of delightful chardonnay rested at blankets edge while the late afternoon sun warmed our naked little toes. As afternoon turned to evening a brand new happy place was born and the taste of kisses, sweat and wine still flavor the edges of my memory. 
Served with: Camembert and strawberries. Would go well with cream sauces, chicken, seafood, soft cheeses and more subtle and delicate flavors, such as mushroom & pine nut risotto.
Appearance: Like a glass full of gentle moonlight with a glowing honeydew shine.
On the snoot: Ripe tropical papaya, with a breeze of honeysuckle and rain drizzled in caramel. 
Taste: A tropical fruit bowl that catches your attention while intertwining with kiwi and melon. She has an enchanting creamy smooth nature and fruity finish that comforts the palate in a sincere lingering afterglow. 
Balance: Muted acids and brightened sugars practically give her angel wings; very well balanced and supple bodied. Mountain ridges form and then slowly melt down the sides of your glass like a moving landscape. 
Comments: A sexy well crafted wine. Marilyn meets Jayne meets Deneuve...you get the idea. I would chose this chardonnay for any white wine occasion, but especially when romance is on the menu. 
Ah spring! I wish you all happiness and love.
Cin Cin.


Rating: 4 solid tipsy's
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Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Brujeria Red Blend 08'

Naked Wine Review 143

Wine: Red blend
Grapes: 50% Tempranillo, 20% Shiraz, 14% Grenache, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon
Producer: Some Young Punks for the Misfit Wine Company
Vintage: 08'
Region: Australia>South Eastern Australia 
Price: 10.00
Date tasted: 4/28/14
Place tasted: A black dog had chased me up a tree and I wasn't even wearing any shoes. I did however have a bottle of wine, cork screw, and an emergency glass in my wine2k bug out bag so I was prepared to wait it out till that black dog decided to give up and go bug someone else. The late afternoon sun warmed me and my naked feet and while sipping wine I let all my troubles tumble down the trunk of that tree where the dog gobbled them up like food. About half way through my glass I found myself smiling and humming a pretty tune. The next time I looked down I saw the dog walking away in defeat. 
May the black dog of misery never catch your scent. 
Cheers all.
Served with: Braised lamb shanks with balsamic vinegar... yummy! It would be good with many foods including grilled red meats, game, stews, roasts, lamb, medium to strong cheeses and of course, dark chocolate. 
Appearance: A sparkling alexandrite red with opalescent flashes of purple and orange. She's a looker, very pretty.
On the snoot: Enchanting perfume of sweet ripe plum and cherry with just a hint of fresh gummy fish.
Taste: Wow, what an incredible blend of grapes! It's like tasting a wine rainbow. Plenty of juicy gentle fruit laced with spice, leather, and smoke. Soft polished and understated tannins make one swoon and grin. Finish is smooth and wet. 
Balance: With a 14% alcohol you'd expect it to be kind of hot, but it's not, just delicious. She's as balanced and poised as a circus performer on a high wire. 
No bitterness, rich but not sweet, a tasteful amount of tannins, not too hot or too cold.... this wine is just right. 
Comments: I love it. I love everything about it. I'm going to make it a regular in my wine stash. You just can't not like this wine. 


Rating: 4 staggering tipsy's, excellent value

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Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Antano Crianza 09'
Red Blend

Naked Wine Review 142

Wine: Antano Crianza 
Grapes: 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo 
Producer: Garcia Carrion
Vintage: 09'
Region: Spain>Rioja
Price: 8.00
Date tasted: 4/14/14
Place tasted: I had spent the afternoon choosing a tree to plant in honor of the upcoming Earth Day Celebration (April 22nd). I'd decided on Chokecherry in hopes of one day harvesting fruit from which to make wine. Thoughts of spring and flowers, mountain hikes and meadows, and Saturday morning farmers markets made the edges of my lips curl up in in joyous expression. 
As the evening blossomed in layers of changing mood from earth to sky where a round yellow moon was hung in incandescence, my attention turned to the wine in my glass as a painting all its own and I marveled at the gift of my various senses. Being human is not without its perks. 
I wish us all the joy in divine truth and awareness today and always. 
Served with: Herby red sauced Italian dishes, grilled red meats, roasted vegetables (like red bell peppers), and of course rich dark chocolate things like flourless chocolate cake with ripe red strawberries. Just make sure there's something red in there and you'll be fine.
Appearance: A mysterious inky black garment with light rusty edges covers her curvy naked body.
On the snoot: The scent of black fruit and vintage rose petals on a sandy ocean beach caress the air around her.
Taste: Cassis, fig, and soft vanilla with mineral rain are wet on the palate; then woody tannins fill the mouth and gobble up all the fruit, leading into a long satisfying dry finish. A happy ending with a little spank. 
Balance: She sports a modest medium body with shy meaty legs. No residual sugar; she's bright with a bite but warms nicely after relaxing and breathing for a while. A plethora of tannins full of character and charm complete her well balanced character.
Comments: Spanish is among my favorite of wines. This one's a lively and food friendly delight. Pick some up and enjoy a festive and inspired day.
Salud! 


Rating: 4 tipsys, excellent value

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Sunday, March 30, 2014

milbrandt vineyards
Brothers' Blend 11'





Naked Wine Review 141

Wine: Brothers' Blend (Red)
Grapes: tempranillo, grenache, malbec, cabernet, and petit syrah
Producer: Milbrandt Vineyards Winery
Vintage: 11'
Region: Washington>Columbia Valley
Price: 13.00 
Date tasted: 3/7/14
Place tasted: I woke the morning after a night of working as a waitress in a cocktail bar, in 1984. I was so relieved that all these years had just been a strange dream and I really had not screwed anything up yet. 
With my lifes journey just beginning and 'knowing what I know now', I pondered all the many new and wonderful mistakes I would get to make this time around; at least they would not be the same ones I made last time, that much I promised myself. 
As twilight approached I was inspired to savour a bottle of rare wine from the future with some cozy simple comfort food. Then later as I listened to my Talking Heads records I felt the strangest sense of hope. I love that feeling.
Ah life, here we go again.
Cheers all!
Served with: Fantastic lamb meatloaf. She's an exceptionally food friendly wine. An antipasto spread would be nice, or grilled red meats, roasts and stews, herby pasta dishes, hearty vegetable creations, a nice fruit and cheese spread, or just a nice chunk of good dark chocolate.
Appearance: A deep haunting pond of clear beautiful pomegranate.
On the snoot: Her scent brings on visions of lake side cherry blossoms, and plump ripe blueberries dusted with cocoa. 
Taste: Robust flavors of dark cherry and chocolate carmel splash around the mouth. A hint of oak on velutinous tannins gently caress the pleasant melange of flavors through a pronounced, wet, fruity finish.
Balance: Remarkably balanced, dry yet wet with soft naked tannins and gentle alcohol. Lovely legs darning sexy maroon stockings melt down the sides of your lucky glass.
Comments: This is such a tasty unusual blend; another amazing wine creation from Washington State. If you want to purchase it there though you can go ahead and add another ten bucks to the price for taxes... I kid you not. The former Washington State Liquor Stores do not look like such a bad thing now, do they? Voters chose, what can I say? It worked out well for Costco. 

Rating: 3.9 tipsys, excellent value (in most states)





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Saturday, March 1, 2014

Kings Ridge Oregon Pinot Noir 12'

Naked Wine Review 140

Wine: Kings Ridge Oregon Pinot Noir
Producer: Union Wine Company
Vintage: 12’
Region: Oregon>Willamette Valley
Price: 15.00
Date tasted: 2/22/14
Place tasted: I was dancing on a flame, or was I in the flame? Maybe I was the flame; hot, inspired, and all too volatile. Would I devour forests, feeding on wind and earth, or would I be quickly snuffed by those same elements? Fate, however, did not seem to be my concern. 
Prance the prance… dance the dance… spin and burn… twist and turn. There is no truth in naked shame; no guilt nor pride, no one to blame. 
As I burned away through the snowy night I thought of you. How the hell are you anyway? 
Here's to our eternal connection, and to being in touch with our inner Dr. Seuss. 
Skal!
Served with: Cornish game hens in apricot sauce. She’d go well with the lighter flavors of poultry, seafood, and mildly prepared beef. Soft cheeses, creamy sauces, and mellow herbs and vegetables are nice as well.
Appearance: Fills your glass with the color of clear polished rubies and violets. Very easy on the eyes.
On the snoot: Heavy with rich red fruit and roses. 
Taste: Dry delicate and gentle cherry spirits dance around the palate in naked joy on a bed of rose petals and cocoa. Soft polished tannins make a brief impression but quickly blend into the background echoing in a lasting juicy brushed velvet finish. It’s a beautiful thing.
Balance: Slow lava lamp legs hypnotize and encourage a calm reflective mood. Light weight with a perfect blend of soft acids, lively alcohol, just a tiny sprinkle of sugar and minimal muted tannins.
Comments: She has the most lovely enchanting perfume. She’s also well dressed, graceful and tastes of happiness and bliss. You can’t not like this wine. Once again, Oregon does Pinot proud.

Rating: 4 tipsys, excellent value



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Friday, February 14, 2014

Joseph Drouhin
Chorey-les-Beaune 07'

Naked Wine Review 139

Wine: Chorey-les-Beaune
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Producer: Joseph Drouhin
Vintage: 07'
Region: France>Burgundy>Cote de Beaune>Chorey-les-Beaune
Price: 17.00
Date tasted: 2/13/14
Place tasted: I was palling around with some friends of mine on Sammy’s hovercraft. Jerry, the indigo scientist, engaged us in a delightful story about how he and his violet bride had met over three hundred years ago at a jazz club on Venus. Violet, named for her beautiful hue, blushed like a school girl. 
As I sipped my wine I gazed upon the memories of pets, friends, family, and lovers that have graced my existence this time around. Blessed and filled with love and gratitude I enjoyed good company, yummy food, and tasty wine. It was a truly wonderful evening.
Serve with: poultry, seafood, and gentle simply prepared meats, or soft delicate cheeses. I had it with chicken breast with rose petal sauce. Earthy subtle flavors of mushroom and light creamy sauces would compliment without overpowering.
Appearance: She has a mystical alexandrite sparkle; violet at times with a brilliant halo of orange sunshine. 
On the snoot: Ripe strawberries, wet grass, some star anise and just a hint of baby toes. Shows both unique and comforting qualities.
Taste: She arrives in elegant strawberry, evolved and pure with an afterthought of licorice giving her the illusion of weight. As she warms her breath becomes more like truffle and blackberries with a veil of tannin so fine it's almost not there. Finish is lingering clean and juicy.
Balance: Very light bodied and delicate. Nice levels of acid and alcohol with a soft gentle demeanor and no insincere sugars compromising her character.
Comments: A pleasant and pretty wine. If the 07’ is not available or you prefer a younger vintage, try the 09’ or the 11’.
A votre sante!


Rating: 3.7 tipsys

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Thursday, January 30, 2014

Domaine De Fontsainte
Corbieres 10'

Naked Wine Review 138

Wine: Corbieres Rouge " Reserve La Demoiselle"
Grape Varieties: Carignan 70%, Grenache Noir 20%, Mourvedre 10%
Producer: Bruno Laboucarie
Vintage: 2010
Region: France>Languedoc-Roussillon
Appellation(s): Corbieres, Corbieres Boutenac
Price: 17.00
Date tasted: 1/25/14
Place tasted: I was somewhere. There was a woman with me and she kept singing an ancient song in Chinese that made my teeth itch. She wore a powder blue dress and carried a red rose. The rose symbolized truth in memories; the dress was the soft harmonious connection among all energies; but the song was a warning to pay attention to that which is right in front of you when you stop seeing life through your cell phones eye. I thanked her for her painful song of wisdom and we sipped wine together in silence for a while. 
Served with: Vegetable wafers with Asian duck stuff. Goes well with more challenging flavors and spices. Try with bold cheeses such as bleu, super dark chocolate things, and any variety of grilled red meats and strong herby dishes.
Appearance: So deep and black you can't see the bottom of her mysterious pool. If you crunch her with light you'll find a heavy fuchsia drenched in wet dark purple.
On the snoot: A bouquet of wild flowers and cedar mixed with the slightest hint of black current. 
Taste: The journey begins with a mouthful of earth and pepper haunted by the soul of blossoming hyacinth. A quiet mist of dark fruit adds its blessing to the other elements completing the complexity of her spirit. Finish is very dry with polished soft leather tannins, sandalwood, and drops of sweat from a muscular naked ebony god. Very nice.
Balance: Jagged edges form at the top of her swell before slow thick bulbous legs texture the sides of your glass. Her personality is dry and bold. Acid, tannins, and alcohol combine in a beautiful way with no residual sugars to compromise her sincerity. 
Comments: A unique and interesting wine experience. Challenging, thought provoking, and all around delightful. 

Rating: 4 tipsys

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Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Cantina Zaccagnini
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 10'


Naked Wine Review 137

Wine: Red Dry
Grape: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Producer: Cantina Zaccagnini
Vintage: 10'
Region: Italy>Abruzzo>Pescara>Bolognano
Price: 13.00
Date tasted: 1/14/14
Place tasted: I was at home talking to my new ghost about the price of organic carrots. He was appalled! says back in his day ALL carrots were organic and only cost a penny or two a bunch. We then shared some quiet time while I prepared food and uncorked the wine. During dination & libation I described to him all the wonderful scents and flavors I was experiencing for his vicarious pleasure. 
I've decided I like having a ghost around the house. He can stay.
Served with: Try it with my special 'linguini & friends'. It is a very food friendly wine and would go well with a nice antipasto spread, herby red sauce dishes, strong cheeses, roasts, grilled meats, lamb, and game. Just stay away from the more subtle flavors of fish or cream sauces and you'll be just fine.
Appearance: Profound ruby hue with an incandescent candy apple red glow and violet refractions.
On the snoot: A strong handsome nose bursting with fruit and tastefully accessorized with sarsaparilla and mineral rich wet grass. 
Taste: She presents to the palate wearing a gown of black cherry with a halo of herby basil and licorice spice. Soft tannins like the nap on fine velvet are present throughout and linger in a slow woody finish even after the fruit has faded. 
Balance: She sports a slender graceful naked body with long fast athletic legs. Soft blossoming tannins suspend in a pool of well proportioned acid and alcohol with no icky residual sugars. A well structured wine, smooth and beautiful.
Comments: Great upon opening right out of the stunningly well dressed bottle. Born in beautiful Italy and most likely available in beautiful your neck of the woods. 
Give it a try, it's good anytime… doesn't matter, wine can't tell time. 
Cin Cin my friends.

Rating: 3.8 solid tasty tipsys
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Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Hidden Legend Pure Honey Mead


Naked Wine Review 136

Wine: Pure Honey Mead
Vintage: Not stated on label
Region: Montana>Victor
Price: 13.00
Date tasted: 12/31/13
Place tasted: In my happy place, singing with mead. I was a mere child when I was baptized in the fire of Bach's Christmas Oratorio. Today a thousand musical experiences flood my memory and fill me with joy. Take comfort with me now in music and raise a toast to the mother of all creation in all of our skewed perceptions, and in truth…prepare thyself Zion.
Served with: Brie with black currant preserves and brandy topping. It would go well with fowl, curries, and any spicy dry foods for contrast. 
Appearance: A tender golden topaz, deep and clear. 
On the snoot: Distinctive pear with layers of honey and a twinkling of oak.
Taste: Mellow succulent honey levitating through the power of alcohol and cradled in the spirit of an ancient troubadour. Soothing finish of ripe pear lingering in a late summer orchard.
Balance: Not dry but not sticky sweet either. Unlike many of us, she's pretty well balanced and good natured, AND she looks good naked. What more do you want?
Comments: This well crafted Montana mead is available in many states. I would urge you to try it and also seek out and try the various other meads available in your area. Explore, enjoy, have fun.
A toast to the ancestor of all fermented drinks. Gia' Sou!

Rating: 3.7 tipsys


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Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Fleur du Cap
Pinotage 11'


Naked Wine Review 135

Wine: Pinotage
Producer: Fleur du Cap 
Vintage: 11'
Region: South Africa>Western Cape>Stellenbosch
Price: 11.00
Date tasted: 12/10/13
Place tasted: I had been riding my blue magic carpet ($54 at Sports Authority) through galaxies gathering up energy and channeling it back to the Earth; she who belongs to no man. Even the ones who try to claim her power will be consumed by her in the end. This thought comforted me. How grounded and grateful I felt for the turning of the great wheel. A place to be born, and a place to rest. A place to sing, dance, and sip wine in the in between times. 
May holiday blessings twinkle in delight, and fill you with joy through the longest night. 
Cin Cin!
Served with: Marinated country style pork ribs. Would be great with grilled or roasted lamb, beef, pork, or game. It's a powerful wine and meets well with challenging spicy foods and strong heady cheeses or dark chocolate. 
Appearance: The blood and life force of the great Dionysus himself flows into the color and character of this wine. Black with deep garnet and purple secrets revealed only when held to light. 
On the snoot: Powerful snoot of dense herb and tar with black fatted fruit and fancy rubber band snaps. 
Taste: Blackberry compote with strong tobacco smoke and leather spanked vanilla beans. Very dry yet weighted with character and layers of delightful and varied tastes, like oak soaked trolls toes(for example). Zippy triangular tannins perform enchantingly throughout and follow through a long intensely satisfying finish.
Balance: She has the body of a majestic mountain with slow exotic naked legs flowing down from it. Not too sweet; not too hot; not too acid; lots of tannin. She's perfectly proportioned with great structure.
Comments: It's a rich and earthy contribution to what good Pinotage should be. I loved it so much I went and bought another bottle as soon as the first one was gone….and I never do that. 

Rating: 4 smitten tipsys

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Monday, December 2, 2013

'O' Wines
Red Wine 10'


Naked Wine Review 134

Wine: Merlot, Cabernet, Syrah
Producer: 'O' Wines
Vintage: 10'
Region: Washington>Columbia Valley
Price: 15.00
Date tasted: 12/1/13
Place tasted: I was wandering around outside late at night, or was it early in the morning? Lights were twisting behind a lost mountain in the distance where aliens howled like confused wolves at the silver crescent moon. I decided to go inside where I was safe that I might take comfort in wine, cheese and candlelight. Welcome to December.
Served with: Baked fennel with Gorgonzola. It's a hearty wine and would be good with grilled steak, lamb roasts, venison, strong cheeses, and herby red sauces.
Appearance: Dense garnet that when held to the light reveals a rusty neon halo.
On the snoot: She has a beautiful exotic nose; herby with sweet cherries and black currents muddled in a muscular punch to the snoot. 
Taste: Rich and full of character with ripe red cherry and cassis. Chiming notes of cracked pepper, cocoa, and cedar harmonize and blend with a plethora of warm toasted tannins following through a lengthy luscious finish. 
Balance: Well balanced showing meaty beautiful legs. Dry yet mellow with lots of tannin. She's fairly hot so let her breathe a while before imbibing. 
Comments: Another beautiful creation from Washington State. She's a great wine with great purpose. 
From the back of the bottle: "Your purchase helps O Wines provide scholarships to low income young women so they can meet their highest potential through education."  

Rating: 4 staggering tipsys


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