Nugan Estate Riverina Shiraz

Naked Wine Review 65

Wine: Vision Riverina Shiraz

Producer: Nugan Estate

Vintage: 09'

Region: Australia

Price: 8.50

Date tasted: 12/31/10

Place tasted: New Years Eve, continued....Well, after the Sparkling Wine (see review 64) I hailed a moon cab that took me to the planet Alprazolam, where life is beautiful and calm all the time. Frank had a bottle of Nugan Estate Shiraz already breathing in the kitchen of his sky view mansion. As I gazed upon a glorious orange sunset and cherished a glass of this delightful vino, more guests arrived. I knew when Bob showed up that this would be a New Years Eve I would surly wish I could remember. I'm pretty sure it was too. Were you there? I thought I saw you there.

Serve with: Mushroom & Penne Pasta Bowls. A naked friend covered in Fran's Chocolate, Caramel, or Raspberry Sauce for desert is completely optional, but highly recommended ;^) 

Appearance: Blood red ruby shining through an enlightened purple glow.

On the snoot: Ripe dripping plum and musky cocoa and spice mingle together stimulating and enticing the eager snoot. 

Taste:  Dense, jammy fruit on impact, moving into black cherry and a bit of licorice spice and soft cocoa in mid palate. She sings in rich full earth tones and toasted oak throughout. Feather dusty tannins sweep at gingerbread mens firm, naked bodies through a lingering yet gently penetrating and most satisfying finish. 

Balance: A lush, full bodied beauty. Sexy, toned, and well defined. The lady holds herself to a high aesthetic standard. 

Comments: If the road to hell is paved with good intentions, can the road to heaven be paved with bad ones? I don't know, but I can tell you that this wine will totally spin your chakras, and that is a very good thing indeed.  

Rating: 3.8 tipsys

Blanc de BlancsDomaine ste. Michelle 08'

Naked Wine Review 64

Wine: Blanc de Blancs

Producer: Domaine ste. Michelle

Vintage: 08'

Region: Washington State

Price: $9.00

Date tasted: 12/27/10

Place tasted: Four days into the future; It's New Years Eve and I have spent the whole day putting strings on tea bags. I have no brain left, but hey, it's a job, right? Anyway, my boss is a big pink rabbit who talks with a lisp, which I think is quite strange, you don't really hear lisps that often. No one else at my job even seems to notice either feature. Hum, whatever.
There is a New Years Eve party after work every year, and the bunny boss always supplies lots of Domaine ste. Michelle-Blanc de blancs. Unfortunately, he also supplies bacon wrapped plums stuffed with blue cheese. Anyway, it's still a pretty good time. Bob even shows up sometimes, and you all know how everyone loves Bob! Let the good times begin!
Still to come: Later that same evening....

Serve with: Hors d' Oeuvre plates including: Caviar, smoked salmon, brie, gouda, and no woman jamaican cheese. Some sliced apple, celery, grapes, pecans, and dried cranberries. Toast points and water crackers to give your snacks foundation. Then finally, a sweet plate of Posh Chocolat Truffels; and Fran's Chocolates, Double Chocolate Figs.

Appearance: Pale golden sunshine obfuscated by swarms of tiny shining bubbles.

On the snoot: Like pineapple and pear mingling in a cool breeze wafting over a grassy field.

Taste: Crisp Macintosh apple mixes with soft tropical fruits in tight little bubbles that dance about and tickle the giggling snoot. Finish is clean and bright as winter sunshine giving the palate a sense of clarity and enlightenment.

Balance: Skillfully balanced; light & dry with just enough gravity to hold the HWP elements of her lovely form.

Comments: For a nice little 'champaign cocktail' try this with some Raspberry flavored Stolichnaya Vodka. Happy New Years to all; May you live and dream in freedom & peace.

Rating: 4 stars

Red Blend, La Huella de Adaras 07'

Naked Wine Review 63
Wine: La Huella de Adaras, Almansa Red Wine-60% tintorera, 30% monastrell and 10% cabernet sauvignon
Producer: Bodegas Almansenas, SL
Vintage: 07'
Region: Spain
Price: 13.50
Date tasted: 12/20/10
Place tasted: Well it all started when I got back from my yearly Winter Solstice moon journey. I was wandering around, disoriented and thirsty when I noticed this beautiful bottle on the beach. I pulled the stopper out and a swirling of soft pink smoke escaped and formed into a beautiful woman right before my eyes! She smiled graciously at me and offered to grant me three wishes. When I wished for a bottle of wine, the genie brought forth La Huella de Adaras Red 07' (due to poor phrasing, I had to spend my second wish on a corkscrew). The conversation and wine flowed well into the evening as the genie and I became fast, and fabulous friends. It was a pretty typical solstice, lunar eclipse, full moon experience. Genies are so cool. What will I do with my last wish?
Serve with: Red meat; Aged cheeses, Stilton would be good; Perfect with Basque-Style Eggplant.
Appearance: Ruby with flashes of violet light.
On the snoot: Pheromones, hot & heavy. Like Gauloises, black cherries, dense earth, and just a hint of lingering lust on the breath of your naked lovers kiss.
Taste: Black current and dense cherry fruit upon impact with creosote and tar throughout. Wet earth and mineral saturate the palate as he expands to full on girth. Licorice and cracked pepper generate powerful emotion on the long, enchanting finish; with tannins linear, gentle, and understated.
Balance: Impeccable balance; a most harmonious quartet of acidity, sugar, alcohol, and tannin. His heavy, bulbous, and rather phallic legs were a delight to contemplate.
Comments: Just a beautiful wine experience. I think I even shed a few joyful tears during imbibation. This was one of my favorite wines this year. I would like to thank the genie, and CVS Pharmacy in Zootown for their wonderful wine selections and educated suggestions. Everyone loves the wine guy!

Rating: 4 stars

Red Blend, Goats do Roam 07'

Naked Wine Review 62
Wine:Red Blend-Shiraz 40%,Pinotage 18%, Cinsault 17%, Carignan 13%, Mourvedre 10%, Gamay Noir 2%
Producer: Goats Do Roam
Vintage: 07
Region: South Africa
Price: 9.00
Date tasted: 12/08/10
Place tasted: I was at an early morning gamblers ananomous meeting. The cigarette smoke was deafening and I could not help but process the hypocrocy of the situation. I don't know why I went to the meeting as I have never gambled a day in my life, but I was a little hung over and as it turned out I had just wandered into the wrong room. At least my coffee mug was full of this lovely South African nectar, and I sipped with delight while being regaled with many tales from this new group of fascinating friends.
Serve with: As a breakfast drink I would just go with one of Mary Jane's famous brownies. Normal people would serve in the evening with a lovely dinner of lamb, steak, or roast beef. Appetizers of aged cheddar, gouda, or bleu cheese and fruit would be nice. For desert, try anything done in rich dark chocolate.
Appearance: A liquid garnet that reminds me of the surrealistic inside world of the beautiful blood orange.
On the snoot: Fur, snow, and pipe smoke, twisting and curling around a sacred fig tree.
Taste: Rich black current, tar, leather, and spice that harden the nipples and get the juices flowing. He brings forth tiny naked clusters of tannin to chew on as he seductively pitches woo the the sensitive and receptive palate. Oh yeah, he can show you a good time. With his long, well endowed, heady finish, he will leave you wrapped in the loving embrace of a most charming and elegant afterglow.
Balance: As firm, buff, and focused as an ancient warrior. I'm really going to miss him when he's gone.
Comments: It's a very sexy man of a wine, who kinda has that whole bad boy thing workin' for him. Of course, I could not resist his charm, even if he did just love me and leave me once already. You should have seen me doing the happy dance at the supermarket when I saw him again. If you happen to find any of this anywhere, buy it up. Buy it ALL up... and then send it to me. Thanks.


NOTE: The 2008 Goats do Roam is a very beautiful wine. That said, it does not contain the Pinotage grape and will not taste the same as the previous years. There is however a wonderful Pinotage/Shiraz blend from the Goats do Roam folks called, Goats in Villages. I highly recommend you try both of these.


Rating: 3.8 stars

Red Blend, Cotes du Rhone Villages 07'

Naked Wine Review 61
Wine: Grenache/Syrah, 50/50
Producer: Perrin & Fils
Vintage: 07'
Region: Cotes du Rhone Villages, France
Price: $9.00

Date tasted: 12/1/10
Place tasted: I was naked, down in my laboratory working on a formula that would bring brownies and pretty rose colored bubbles to all the world; As the wheels spun with the intense thought processes involved in this peace-prize-winning project, I engaged in soulful sips of inspiration from a magical crystal goblet filled with this delightful nectar.
Serve with:
Cheeses: Gouda, Picodon, Bleu d'Auvergne.
Main Dish: Stuffed Cabbage or Cabbage Rolls, Pot Roast, or Pasta Dishes.
Appearance: A soft incandescent ruby glow.
On the snoot: Warm floral breezes drifting over a thick, berry rich bramble patch.
Taste: She is a pure shining black-raspberry goddess with an etherial violet aura, and quite tastefully draped in a lace gown of fine thousand-count tannin. The palate swoons with delight as she slowly and quietly slips away. She is know for leaving love notes written in graphite for you to remember her by. Now that's a nice finish.
Balance: Thin and softly dry, but not at all acrid. Instead, smooth and delicate. She has more legs than a centipede, but they are all very wispy; And the patterns rolling down the sides of my glass remind me more of faerie wings than gams.
Comments: Bow down and kiss her feet like you mean it, for she is your muse, and deserves nothing less than your gratitude, honor, and undying affection. As the saying goes: "the challis of every good person is filled with a beautiful wine". Now go out there, get yourself a bottle of this stuff, and solve a world problem. That's what I did. Brownies & Bubbles to all!


Rating: 3.8 stars (Wine Spectator gives it 91 points...fyi)

Dry Pear Wine, Ten Spoon

Naked Wine Review 60
Wine: Paradise-Dry Pear Wine
Producer: Ten Spoon Vineyard
Vintage: I don't know, they won't tell me.
Region: Montana Made-Washington Grown
Price: 10.00

Date tasted: 11/20/10
Place tasted: I was hanging out in this cave way high up in the Bob Marshall Wilderness where I had befriended a Big Foot named Darwin, which I thought was kind of ironic. I was very happy to have packed along that bottle of pear wine though. It was a nice treat after the long climb up the side of Cat View Cliff. Once in the cave, I poured us both a lovely glass of Paradise Pear. Then we plopped down in a couple of bean bag chairs, and marveled over this amazing view cave-partment, which had a real retro 70's decor with orange shag carpet, black lights, and lava lamps. It was an all around wonderful experience. This is a truly perfect wine for situations such as these.
Serve with: An appetizer of Wensleydale with cranberries, a rich and lovely English cheese; Little crackers; Little fruit of your choice. A mango would be nice. No, a mango is totally necessary! Then for dinner try Acorn squash, Baked Cod, and Fresh warm bread. I planned this meal, AND the cheese & mango, around this wine. It was a perfect pairing...paring? Pearing.
Appearance: This clear skin beauty is only slightly obfuscated with the breath of the Pear Spirits that bless her delicate structure.
On the snoot is a stroll through a late harvest orchard, crisp, ripe, floral, and fruity.
Taste: Smooth as a naked models bottom. Light, elegant, and very easy to drink. It tastes exactly like a perfect dry pear wine should. Finishes quickly with a gentle and deliberate peary kiss on the lips that will leave you wanting more. A wonderful Ten Spoon creation that absolutely ANYONE can love.
Balance: She is so very beautifully balanced and still, not unlike the silhouette of a master yogi in full King Dancer Pose at sunset.
Comments:  If I were a fairy tale witch, I'd fly south for the winter.....on a broom! Woo-Hoo!!

Rating: 3.8 stars

Merlot-The Velvet Devil 08'

Naked Wine Review 59

Wine: Merlot-The Velvet Devil

Producer: Charles Smith Wines

Vintage: 08'

Region: Washington State, Columbia Valley

Price: 10.00

Date tasted: 11/14/10

Place tasted: On a runway, waiting for the plane to take off. The pilot was still in the shower and I could see mechanics duct taping the wing just outside my window seat. G'z it was a hell of a wait. I finally decided to get off the damned thing and stay put. I mean duct tape, really?  I don't actually remember, but I think the plane left about 5PM. By that time I was standing at the gate, waving with one hand, and holding a half empty bottle of The Velvet Devil in the other. See ya.

Serve with: Moussaka. Would also be great with traditional lamb, or roast beef dinner. Finish the meal with a White Truffle Oil Truffle from Posh Chocolat.

Appearance: Glowing ruby red as the glint in Satan's eye.

On the snoot: Phat round notes of rich corinthian leather, wet celery, and sweet cherry/chocolate popsicle. 

Taste: Imagine bright red raspberries, peppercorn, a little tar, a little cedar. She is thin, but sports tender chocolate curves. Refreshingly dry with tannins as adorable and prolific as Tribbles that fade slowly into a sweet, soft, warm afterglow. A most deliberate and sexy finish.

Balance: A little acid, so let her breath for a while before you go devouring her, you cad. She is much thinner than the deceptively phat snoot would indicate, like a lovely naked woman all wrapped up in a faux mink coat. 

Comments: This wine is bursting with unique character and grace. I'd like to thank Mr. Smith for selling a twenty dollar bottle of wine for only ten bucks; Just delightful! I will be tasting, inhaling, and swooning in her charms again sometime....real soon.

Rating: 3.7 stars

Port Blend, Founders Reserve Porto 04'

Naked Wine Review 58
Wine: Founders Reserve Porto, Port Blend
Producer: Sogrape Vinhos
Brand: Sandeman
Vintage: 04'
Region: Port, Portugal
Price: 21.00
Date tasted: 11/9/10 Happy Birthday to Jane!
Place tasted: You wouldn't believe me if I told you.
Served with a Garam Masala Spice Posh Chocolate Truffle. It was the best chocolate creation I have ever experienced in my life! This wine is a great compliment to just about any classic holiday desert. And though a nice port like this is a rich and lovely after dinner treat, it would also nicely lend its charms to a variety of hors d'oeuvre and cheese trays featuring absolutely anything from Stilton to Brie.
Appearance: Like the brilliant glow on a pair of Ruby Slippers that any Dorothy would be proud to skip down the yellow brick road in.
On the snoot: it's an intense and exotic hit of sandalwood and cherry.
Taste: Chewy red velvet fruit with just a hint of pumpkin pie spice. There is also a charming element that represents all of the sweet splendor that dwells within the breast of dear Mother Earth; Such as wet clover, nasturtium, and sweet grass. Warms the palate, calms the spirit.
Balance: A rich, smooth, and delicate beauty. Tannins, acids, sweetness, and alcohol, all lift one another up until it almost disappears before you sense that you've swallowed it. Magic.
Comments: It's everything you want your naked lovers kiss to taste of. Sweet, passionate, and full of pheromones. Ya, it's really good.




Rating:3.8 stars

www.poshchocolat.com

Pinot Noir-Moonlight, Ten Spoon 08'

Naked Wine Review 57
Wine: Moonlight Pinot Noir
Producer: Ten Spoon Vineyard
Vintage: 08'
Region: Montana made-Oregon grown
Price: 17.00

Date tasted: 10/31/10
Place tasted: The ritual was intoxicating. A spirited ceremony filled with dance, song, and very repetitive yoga moves. We were lost in our secret location where the spirits of the past and the glowing soft radiance of the living moment mingled in joyous reconciliation. It was a Halloween celebration!
Serve with: We had chicken cacciatore on spaghetti squash baked with garlic and olive oil then topped with parmesan cheese. Yummy. It would be good with a variety of foods including vegetable dishes, pasta, and salmon.
Appearance: Rich velvety garnet with a copper twinkle in her eye.
On the snoot this wine is a stroll through a grassy meadow; Powerful wet and earthy with complex floral whispers on the exhale.
Taste: Layers that open in song with a bright berry and current show stopper, followed by dancing naked rose petals in Oregon rain, and on the finish a lingering blend of Pavarotti meets Pink Floyd in a world of gentle etherial tannins and tall cedar trees.
Balance: Light on her feet, she is a classical ballerina with sinewy toned muscles and passionate expression, giving great depth and meaning to her movement.
Comments: This is one of the best Pinot Noir wines I've ever had the pleasure of contemplating. The snoot is my favorite feature, but it's all very good. It was a big hit at this years Samhain celebration party!

Rating: 4 out of 4 stars

Malbec, Achaval Ferrer 08'

Naked Wine Review 56
Wine: Malbec
Producer: Achaval Ferrer
Vintage: 08'
Region: Argentina
Price: 22.00
Date tasted: 10/1/10
Place tasted: In rare 84 degree Autumn sunshine, overlooking a glorious raging river from the gentle, warm pool of a natural hot springs in the Idaho wilderness.
Served with: Blue dragonflies, chubby naked men, and very pretty ladies. Would probably be good with food, any food. I think it would be very nice with grilled steak, burgers, or most any red meat...or how about duck? Yes, good with duck; And I don't even like duck, except as friends. On second thought, lets give the duck a miss.
Appearance: Opaque blood red with muted garnet highlights.
On the snoot she boasts the scent of the rare and beautiful Argentinean paintberry.
Taste: A beautifully dry yet refreshing burst of condensed red raspberry that holds the palates attention like that special smiling naked dancer that always steals the show at that one place downtown you've only heard folks talk about, but never actually been to yourself. On the finish, prepare yourself for a lovely midnight walk down a long, captivating, dusty path of chewy tannins and faint licorice spice.
Balance: Well balanced, medium bottom..I mean body. Imagine perfection. I want more.
Comments: Bite into it with both fangs. It's a sexy, exciting, quite spooky little wine. I loved it, and so saved it for my Samhain review. Blessed be.

Rating:3.8 stars

Red Blend, Coteaux d' Aix 07'

Naked Wine Review 55
Wine: Rouge-50% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon
Estate: Commanderie De La Bargemone
Vintage: 07'
Region: France-Coteaux d' Aix en Provence
Price: I think it was just under $30 at the restaurant.

Date tasted:9/3/10
Place tasted: It was a perfect meal at my favorite Missoula restaurant, the Pearl, in the good company of a dear friend while enjoying a lovely bottle of French wine. What a great experience to add to my collection.
Served with: We began with ginger scallops in their shells and then both had the fresh Idaho trout. For desert we went crazy and shared a creme brulee. Amazing cuisine, as always. This wine paired just fine with the fish; I think because of it's rose-like, light hearted nature. No way it could overpower the fish. I think this wine is just fine with fish. Some of us just don't prefer whites, and I'm ok with that.
Appearance: Of a soft garnet pillow with a luminous enchanted glow.
Bouquet: Floral; Roses, the scent of roses is almost audible, like you can hear a soft, breezy song as you inhale, exhale, and then inhale again.
Taste: An eclectic blend of red fruit with a hint of that rose again. Subtle, very light tannins stroke the palate and make it purr. Has a lingering, etherial finish.
Balance: Long, wispy, naked legs roll in gentle curves down the sides of your glass. Her body is quite thin but not to worry, she has all the skill, grace, and beauty of a wild tiger....and she only wants to please you.
Comments: Thank you Dennis.

rating:3.5 stars

Red Blend, Columbia Crest 07'

Naked Wine Review 54
Wine: Two Vines Vineyard 10 Red-Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Grenache, Mourvèdre
Producer: Columbia Crest
Vintage: 07'
Region: Washington State
Price: 8.00

Date tasted: 10/13/10
Place tasted: Cuddled up in bed with a rerun of the Henry Rollins Show. I would like to thank Mr. Rollins for his IFC series; Black Flag; and for introducing me to the Mars Volta.
Served with a nice chunk of Gouda and a naughty hunk of Stilton. Also on the plate: Macintosh apples, orange honeydew melon, celery, water crackers, and Fran's glorious chocolate filled figs; available from Fran's Chocolates, Seattle Washington.
Appearance: Fully saturated garnet red with purple highlights, not unlike the brilliant blooms of the most beautiful Root Beer Truffle.
Bouquet: Astringent at first, then a kind of chocolate expression on the exhale. Some call it a vanilla, I call it a chocolate...blade-um-hmm. Go figure.
The taste is like that of a robust white chocolate cherry dipped genie wearing cinnamon spice cologne, drinking a cup of coffee, holding a leather whip, and offering you three wishes. I wonder what the whip is for? The wrap up involves soft elegant tannins clinging to the edges of a firm, long, lingering finish. Very nice.
Balance: Meaty, but well proportioned and beautiful, with chubby little legs on it's lovely androgynous body.
Comments: This angelic character sings big and operatic; probably prefers Richard Wagner. It's a great wine for licking off the ass of your naked best friend...or you could just drink it and watch t.v...up to you.

rating:3.5 stars