ESTE Red Blend 08'

Naked Wine Review 69

Wine: ESTE, The 6 Grapes Wine, Red Blend- 47% Monastrell, 23% Tempranillo, 12% Syrah, 6% Garnacha, 6% Cabernet, 6% Merlot

Producer: Bodegas Alto Almanzora ESTE

Vintage: 08'

Region: Spain

Price: 9.00

Date tasted: 3/12/11

Place tasted: I was wondering around Valhalla trying to find a shoe store after having been slain in combat during 'the Battle on Sanity Hill'. There were no shoe stores in Valhalla, but I did find a day spa called 'Be Here, Now Here', where they pamper you with pedicures, new doo's, deep tissue massage, and glass after glass of ESTE, the 6 Grapes Wine; after all, dying in battle can take a lot out of you. 

Serve with: Crema de Cabrales on toast points; fed to me by a nicely chiseled and dare I say, firm, naked man. They really spoil you at the 'Be Here, Now Here'.

Appearance: Garnet with deep orange reflections.

On the snoot: Mixed berries mingling with anise; and maybe just a hint of cardboard splashed with ether. It's nice.

Taste: Heavy blackberry on impact followed by notes of licorice spice and cracked pepper that mingle with tannins so cute and fuzzy, ya just wanna reach into the glass and pet em'. On the finish is the lingering image of a cat licking a raspberry. I quite liked it. 

Balance: Nicely balanced. Dances light on her feet while maintaining firm focus and integrity. 

Comments: Visualize Ballard Baby, I'm coming home to the Pugetopolis! Can't wait to be part of the puddle splashing, road rage hissing, bone dry cappuccino drinking, neurotic freak show team that I like to call 'my happy place'. I've missed you guys. I'm hoping to run into me while I'm there as well. I'm so excited. I hope I haven't gained weight.
By the by, the animal on the label, is a pregnant mare. I knew you were all wondering. 

Rating: 3.6 stars

Goats do Roam Red 08'

Naked Wine Review 68

Wine: Red Blend-61% Syrah, 14% Cinsault, 13% Mourvedre, Grenache 8%, Carignan 4%

Producer: Goats do Roam

Vintage: 08'

Region: South Africa

Price: 9.00

Date tasted: 3/1/11

Place tasted: In a hot jetted bathtub surrounded by bubbles, candles, shampoo, face wash, body wash, scrubby gloves, sea salt, the pink man, bottled water, lemon wedges, a glass glowing red with wine, crystals.....and NO SPOON! There is no spoon; remember? Sometimes you have to remind yourself. If you don't know what I'm talking about, watch The Matrix again. 

Serve with: Bobotie (pronounced ba-boor-tea) is a South African lamb dish usually served with yellow rice an chutney and it is wonderful with this wine. It's a good wine for many foods with strong character. Can handle a bit of spice just fine. May overpower foods of a more delicate nature such as seafood and other fish. Excellent with red meat; and of course, dark Posh Chocolate.

Appearance: of violet petals, viewed through a giant glowing ruby orb. 

On the snoot: Fig, tar, and the rare Suider-Paarl Snoot Fruit, which is quite similar to black cherry.

Taste: Blackberry and licorice spice open up into a full round naked cherry midsection that gently offers silky tannins up to the palate before giving way to a lingering cotton candy, tobacco & cedar finish.  

Balance: She's so well balanced, she practically levitates.

Comments: The life of a wine witch can be very trying sometimes. It doesn't matter, I take the red pill anyway; not the blue one. Always take the red pill! If you don't know what I'm talking about, sit back with a glass of Goats do Roam, and watch The Matrix. Now don't make me tell you again. Truth is my identity, Sat Nam. 

Rating: 3.4 stars