Sky River Raspberry Honey Wine

Naked Wine Review 88

Wine: Sky River Raspberry Honey Wine (Mead)

Producer: The Sky River Meadery

Vintage: I don't know, they won't tell me

Region: USA>Washington State>Sultan

Price: 14.00

Date tasted: 12/23/11

Place tasted: During a fallow moment, mid stride of one of the more special blossoms in my life's bouquet. As I faded out, and then faded back in again, I thought to myself, 'I have the most brilliant, talented, and funny family ever. How did I get so lucky?' I also thought, 'damn, this is really good mead!'

Serve with: Smoked salmon & brie snacks would mate well with her. She would also be fantastic with cheese cake or any rich desert that cries out for fruit. 

Appearance: Bright honey sunshine through dense raspberry red.

On the snoot: is the soft passionate breath of fresh naked raspberries.

Taste: Raspberries packed in honey. Bright to mellow and back again. It's like listening to the Echos' side of Pink Floyd's Meddle album. 

Balance: Sweet, but not sticky; a bright raspberry force combines with the inner strength of alcohol and pulls her into perfect balance. 

Comments: You know how scents are a huge memory trigger? Well it seems raspberry memories will always make you smile. Sip slowly, savor her charms, and go someplace nice in your past. I think you already did. 

I can't help but think of a lyric from the great and powerful, Fiona Apple...slow like honey, heavy with mood.

Rating: 4 glowing tipsys

Marina Piper Pinot Noir 08'

Naked Wine Review 87

Wine: Marina Piper Pinot Noir 

Producer: Cottonwood Winery

Vintage: 08'

Region: Oregon

Price: 16.00

Date tasted: 12/09/11

Place tasted: I had traveled six hundred miles to join my original clan who live near the north pole. The air was crisp and clean where the snow sparkled like cocaine under a full moon. There was a river edged with icy lace and the magical ability to erase any unnecessary thoughts that may otherwise have obfuscated the clarity of the moment. Happy to enjoy the simple pleasure of a glass of wine in the the warm comfort of fire, family, and food.

Serve with: Salmon and other seafood or mildly prepared beef, pork, and bird would all be good to match with this wine. Mushroom dishes and sweet veggies would be ideal as well. I had it with lemon pasta and seared scallops, yummy!

Appearance: Glowing ruby, infused with brilliant winter light.

On the snoot: Rose and lavender embrace and share their deepest secrets with all the comfort and trust of life long friends.

Taste: Strawberry softly muted with star annis and vanilla bean expands quickly along the palate like a riptide of vinum virtute. A solid structure lifts and suspends the senses in a perfect fruit, mineral, and earth heaven before exhaling into the finish, where she leaves behind a beach of lingering soft floral delights. 

Balance: Light bodied with lots of character. No sweet, no bite. Tannins are feathery and understated. 

Comments: 'This wine was recorded through a fly's ear; and you have to have a fly's eye to see it'....(altered from Captain Beefheart: Trout Mask Replica, a W.W. favorite!) 

Let her breath for at least an hour before imbibing. There is a naked classical ballerina earth spirit dancing in that bottle. Try it, you'll see. 

Rating: 3.8 tipsys, excellent value

Columbia Winery Merlot 07'

Naked Wine Review 86

Wine: Mostly Merlot (85%)

Producer: Columbia Winery

Vintage: 07'

Region: Washington>Columbia Valley

Price: Average price 13.00 (7.99 at Washington State Liquor Store)

Date tasted: 11/09/11

Place tasted: I was standing still in the long and loving embrace of rain. A beautiful mineral perfume hung heavy in the enchanted fogy air, while joyful music echoed on my windows. Her naked toes tapping out ancient healing mantra; a most glorious dance that by divine nature cleanses and revitalizes a tired, longing soul. A beautiful moment shared with a glass of fine merlot. 

Serve with: It says on the bottle to try with eggplant parmesan, so that's what I did. Wonderful!
It would also pair well with grilled red meats, strong cheeses, and dark chocolate.

Appearance: A clear and glowing deep Bing Cherry red.

On the snoot: are subtle wafts of cranberry and vanilla incense.

Taste: Tastefully understated cherry notes with moist tobacco, carmel, and a hint of cocoa bean. Softly rounded triangular tannins copulate and multiply with smoky oak on the warm bed of your grateful palate as it moves into a blissfully lingering finish. 

Balance: Well balanced and quite sturdy in all four elements of sugar, acid, tannin, and alcohol.  

Comments: A sexy, masculine, and eloquent wine that seems to bring on spontaneous visualizations of Aidan Quinn. Go figure. It will bring a smile to your lips as your sip and ponder away on a lovely, rainy evening. Life is good.

Rating: 3.7 tipsys

excellent value

Pendulum Red Blend 08'

Naked Wine Review 85

Wine: Red Blend>Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet, Barbera, Sangiovese, Cab Franc, Petite Verdot, & Malbec

Producer: Pendulum

Vintage: 08'

Region: Washington>Columbia Valley

Price: 15.00

Date tasted: 10/23/11

Place tasted: After honoring the presence of the one and only red tree in a sea of otherwise lemon colored leaves at Golden Gardens Park, I wandered down to the Puget Sound and played with the tide as she tried to touch my shoes back and forth, again and again. I then went to see Martin and we shared a bottle of this beautifully sculpted wine and talked about the purpose of laughter. A perfect day in a perfect city. There's no place like home.

Serve with: Expensive dark chocolate laced with fruit really brings out her inner beauty. I mean it, spend the money. Cheap stuff will offend the palate's IQ and give you zits. Don't go there. Posh; Frans; Chocolove; Lopez Winery's malbec truffles....mmmm. Go THERE!

Appearance: of a most beautiful garnet light, mingling with purple reflections.

On the snoot: An aromatic bouquet of mixed berry and cocoa beans balanced with soft mineral, licorice spice, and just a hint of lotus flower is presented lovingly to the cute, smitten little snoot. 

Taste: Forward on the palate are raspberry and black current mingling with cocoa and peppercorn. Mineral and wet meadow are present as well. Heavy, chewy tannins pull the finish into a long delightful journey through a sandy Persian desert until it flows into a sort of wet crystal pool of perceived oasis.

Balance: She is Garudasana in a bottle; balanced, focused, and clear as any bird of prey.

Comments: If you take a ride on this wine, she will take you through a vast spectrum of terrain; from berry patch, to spice land, to grassy meadow, across the desert, and into the wet lands. She's all that. 

The clock ticks and the Pendulum swings. It was a great ride, and I wanna go again....for lifetimes.

Rating: 4 tipsys

Copyright © 2009-2015 Shawna Watson. All rights reserved.

Did you enjoy my wine poetry? Was it useful to you?

If so, please click on the Paypal secure server logo and make a small donation to Shawna for the creation and maintenance of this site.

Blessings and Peace to All

Debauchery Carmenere 08'

Naked Wine Review 84

Wine: Debauchery Carmenere

Producer: Vina Fray Leon S.A. for the Gerard Wine Co.

Vintage: 08'

Region: Chile>Maipo Valley

Price: 13.00

Date tasted: 10/02/11

Place tasted: I think the sun was coming up; or was it going down? The clocks had all stopped and all I remember is there was a cat curled up in the corner of an otherwise empty room. I was sitting on the floor visiting with someone I had just met a moment ago, but had actually known for quite a long time. He shared many a story about the naked cowboys who roamed China in the late sixteen hundreds. Fascinating! 

Serve with: Quinoa with black beans and cilantro. Can handle a fair amount of spice. Would be great with stilton or other strong aged cheeses, or maybe some nice dark posh chocolate. 

Appearance: She enters your glass wearing a stunning crimson gown with a gentle ruby glow around the trim. 

On the snoot: are chocolate candy corns in a soft leather pouch with a smudging of nag champa.

Taste: She introduces herself with a sexy whisky, yet smooth voice that holds your attention with a mouthful of ripe berries, black current, tobacco, and cracked pepper echoing in the timbre. Finishes with the big 'O'; strong and lasting with special effects of soft elegant tannins on oak, vanilla, and vintage leather. 

Balance: HWP with slow thick sturdy legs that wrap around the inside of your happy glass. 

Comments: You need to get some of this; and I need to get more. She's a perfect ten.  I can't imagine anyone not loving this wine. If you are lucky enough to land on Orcas Island, you can pick it up at Country Corner Cellars. Just try to leave a bottle or two for me, ok?

Rating: 4 tipsys

Copyright © 2009-2015 Shawna Watson. All rights reserved.

Did you enjoy my wine poetry? Was it useful to you?

If so, please click on the Paypal secure server logo and make a small donation to Shawna for the creation and maintenance of this site.

Blessings and Peace to All

Chateau Ste MichelleCabernet 08'

Naked Wine Review 83

Wine: Cabernet

Producer: Chateau Ste. Michelle 

Vintage: 08'

Region: Washington>Columbia Valley

Price: 11.50  

Date tasted: 9/26/11

Place tasted: My soul was perched high on a golden sphere like an eagle; eyes sharp and focused on a multitude of shiny goals. My body lie injured on the rocks below, broken and in pain; my mind, both ally and enemy living in isolation behind my eyes. I surrendered my entire bank account to a triad of all consuming flames with complete faith that the will of the divine would send healing, truth, and purpose into my fully integrated being. Then I had a glass of cabernet. Actually, I had two glasses. 

Serve with: Red meat; dark chocolate; pasta dishes; medium to strong cheeses; zucchini casserole pie. 

Appearance: Black onyx with a muted garnet glow on.

On the snoot: The familiar scent of a dark chocolate covered cherry pixy soaking in a healing mineral bath.

Taste: Forward on the palate are dense ripe lambert cherry kittens who mingle with cocoa faced bunnies. In the perfect world inside my glass they go prancing through a grassy meadow waving celery stick wands and caramelizing everything they touch. Tannins soft and subtle contribute to a long but simple and elegant matte finish. 

Balance: She is perfectly poised and graceful, with delightfully Rubenesque full body.

Comments: "Hey there little fruit fly, GET THE HELL OUT OF MY CAB!!" Ah, the beauty and trials of Autumn. Time flies like the wind; fruit flies like your wine.

Rating: 4 tipsys

Hyatt Vineyards Merlot 05'

Naked Wine Review 82

Wine: Merlot

Producer: Hyatt Vineyards

Vintage: 05'

Region: Washington>Yakima Valley

Price: 6.00 

Date tasted: 09/11/11

Place tasted: I was tired from chasing lazer bugs around all day on the powdery surface of a glowing harvest moon. So I brushed myself off and then sat back down on the Earth to rest. When I looked up, my attention fell liquid into a mirror of starry light shining in twinkles and orbs above me. I suddenly felt very much at home in my body; and on my rock.

It was a distinct pleasure to share this wine with that moment. 

Serve with: Italian Roasted Veggies along side pasta and pesto with parmesan. It would also go nicely with steak, pork chops, or lamb.

Appearance: Vintage dark amber light over glowing 70's garnet colored lava.

On the snoot: A pheromonic raspberry and licorice spice perfume.

Taste: Rich black cherry and cracked pepper served on the old spare wheel from a classic Bentley S2. Sexy soft tannins with naked curves lovingly embrace the palate then mellow into a delightfuly dry and satisfying finish. A wine of true aesthetic, esthetic, and blissthetic nature. 

Balance: She's a lovely elegant lady and a well toned athlete as well. Low on sugar with just enough acid to send you on a safe and happy trip.

Comments: You can relax and delight in her experience, confidence, and uniquely manicured character. If Merlots have been disappointing you lately, get yourself a bottle of this and renew your faith in the grape!   

Rating: 3.5 tipsys 

excellent value

Chateau Ste. MichelleDry Riesling 10'

Naked Wine Review 81

Wine: Dry Riesling

Producer: Chateau Ste. Michelle

Vintage: 10'

Region: Washington>Columbia Valley

Price: 9.00 

Date tasted: 8/31/11

Place tasted: I was sitting heavy on a cloud; listening to the sweet moanings of Jolie Holland and becoming lighter by the moment. As the eyes of the sun slowly closed on the day, a gentle peace washed over my tired being....sip, sip, sip. 

Serve with: It would be delightful with all manner of Asian food. It's one of those rare wines that complements East Indian cousine beautifully as well.
I was lucky enough to run across a Thai Beef Curry Bento Box in my travels (actually I was tipped of to that). They were perfect together!

Appearance: is that of a Champagne diamond set in white gold with Peridot accents.

On the snoot: Soft pear with notes of gentle jasmine that ring high and true.

Taste: Delicate pear with a hint of something tropical combine with key lime to form a beautifully radiant disposition. Full with bright green fruit that is crisp and refreshing. Finish is soft and satisfying. 

Balance: Not a flaw on her naked body; just perfect. Bright without bite. Is she a ballroom dancer? figure skater? Maybe both.

Comments: This is a very happy wine. She will lift your spirits and cleanse your aura of all negativity. She is infused with all of the tolerance and gratitude necessary to get you through 'the ninety days of august'...smiling :)

Rating: 4 tipsys for sure

(of course, she graduated from Chateau Ste. Michelle's finishing school)

Copyright © 2009-2015 Shawna Watson. All rights reserved.

Did you enjoy my wine poetry? Was it useful to you?

If so, please click on the Paypal secure server logo and make a small donation to Shawna for the creation and maintenance of this site.

Blessings and Peace to All

Alamos Malbec 10'

Naked Wine Review 80

Wine: Malbec

Producer: Alamos

Vintage: 10'

Region: Argentina>Mendoza

Price: 12.00

Date tasted: 8/23/11

Place tasted: I had been kidnapped by monsters for three very long days. I was tortured, beaten, and brutalized. Thankfully on the third day I escaped and hid in what some would refer to as 'housekeeping quarters', whatever. Back home in what is actually a splendid little palace I opened a bottle of this beautiful glowing nectar and relaxed in a hot tub of epsom salts; chanting in Hindu and sipping in gratitude until all the 'happy' infused back into my being. I have never met a monster that could not be defeated. Durga Ma! May all beings everywhere be happy and free. 

Serve with: I enjoyed it with stuffed zucchini. With it's fruit forward impact and soft dry finish, it would pair well with all manor of quality beef, lamb, duck, or heavily herbed pasta dishes.

Appearance: Soft violet mumbles combine with dense black cherry and twinkle in the eye of the beholder. 

On the snoot: A brilliant powerful aroma of rich berry, celery, and sandy ocean beaches. 

Taste: Black cherry and dark berry combine on impact then give way to an etherial layer of spice and earth. Subtle tannin that gets bigger as you chew interacts with oak for a lingering, and intensely satisfying dry finish.

Balance: Nicely balanced. Full red lips, defined cheek bones, and sinewy luscious naked body. 

Comments: A fine bottle of wine with many redeeming qualities that speak well for her. Let breath for at least an hour before imbibing. Then enjoy and embrace the goodness in this, the one and only moment.  

Rating: 3.5 Tipsys

Copyright © 2009-2015 Shawna Watson. All rights reserved.

Did you enjoy my wine poetry? Was it useful to you?

If so, please click on the Paypal secure server logo and make a small donation to Shawna for the creation and maintenance of this site.

Blessings and Peace to All

William Knuttel Sonoma County Cabernet 08'

Naked Wine Review 79

Wine: Cabernet, blended with Malbec, Merlot, and Petit Verdot

Producer: William Knuttel

Vintage: 08'

Region: California>Sonoma County

Price: 22.00

Date tasted: 7/22/11

Place tasted: I'm trying to recall all the lovely wholesome details of the visit at the beginning of my journey a few weeks ago when this wine was so joyfully imbibed, but I can't concentrate over the cast and crew hanging out in the hotel room above me who right now this very minute are in the process of producing the most incredible porn movie EVER MADE! How weird is your August getting?

Serve with: Cher's Pesto & Sausage Lasagna

Appearance: Deep glowing purple over garnet.

On the snoot: a dark smoky bouquet with notes of cherry, and maybe just a little coriander.

Taste: Plum, cracked pepper, and anise lay down the foundation. Fine grain tannins provide a smooth ride through a lingering soft petal finish. Very nice.

Balance: Nicely balanced; sugar and acid share center stage while a gentle tannin and alcohol rhythm section cater to her lovely melody.

Comments: You could be sitting naked in the back of your car with a classy paper coffee cup full of Cabernet and your little Mac Book making stuff up that you kinda wish would happen during a three hour ferry line wait to return to your blessed island home. Maybe you'd rather be enjoying a wonderful lasagna dinner with friends and family, or just relaxing in your little cabin up in the middle of nowhere. Wherever you end up and whatever you feel like doing, this wine will go well with it. It's just a good solid anytime anywhere wine. So drink, enjoy, and be happy and free. 

Rating: 3.4 tipsys 

Rook Cabernet Merlot Syrah 08'

Naked Wine Review 78

Wine: Cabernet 15%, Merlot 45%, Syrah 40%

Producer: Corvade Wine Co.

Vintage: 08'

Region: Washington>Columbia Valley

Price: 8.99 at Country Corner Cellars on Orcas Island.

Date tasted: 07/29/11

Place tasted: I was in an art gallery I used to frequent but had not been to for six long years. The naked beauty in all of the paintings and sculptures moved me to tears, laughter, and deep silent contemplation; just as they did in times gone by. The most beautiful piece of art in the gallery was a gracefully animated creature who sang to me a delightful melody. She was all dressed up in a tortoiseshell hair suit with a sleek and elegant tail fixture attached at the end.

Serve with: Appetizers of bleu and other strong cheeses would be great. Follow up with red meat and hearty strong 'manly' main dishes, and dark posh chocolate deserts.

Appearance: A kind of mystical and opaque deep black purple. Not a lot of refracted light coming through. Who needs all that light anyway? Darkness unifies, while light separates.

On the snoot: is a dynamic trio of old leather, pepper, and plum.

Taste: Embraces the palate hard on impact with rich black current, and dark chocolate love. Masculine in nature with chewy tannins that linger and smolder in an exquisitely lasting dry pepper & oak finish. Just a beautiful thing.

Balance: Bursting with virility, as if endowed with way too much of everything in equal portions of sugar, acid, tannin, and alcohol, his shamelessly hedonistic nature abides, which I so love in a man...I mean a wine.

Comments: Were he a guy, he would pack a pistol and have cigarettes that he never smoked stashed in his cowboy boots. He would also be charming, kind, and super buff from lifestyle, not vanity. 'The gym is for posers and wimps.' Those are his words, not mine. I love the gym.

Rating: I give it 4 hard tipsys; an excellent value.

Red Bicyclette Pinot Noir 09'

Naked Wine Review 77

Wine: Pinot Noir

Producer: Red Bicyclette

Vintage: 09'

Region: California

Price: 9.00

Date tasted: 6/27/11

Place tasted: It was a lovely late evening limousine ride down Aurora Borealis Blvd. in the good company of a dear friend whom I am lucky and blessed to call my sister. 

Serve with: Stilton Burger ala Wine Witch & JoJo Potatoes. In general, keep your food flavors on the light side so not to overpower the delicate subtleties of Pinot Noir. It would be good with Salmon, Duck, Burgers; but NOT Salmon duck burgers. That's just not right. Light sauces incorporating basil, mushrooms, or lavender would be perfectly acceptable with Pinot Noir.

Appearance: A very clear light cherry red, sitting pretty in your glass.

On the snoot: is a faint and etherial wild rose and cherry blossom.

Taste:  She opens up to you with an enchanting floral breath that gently guides you down a path leading to Dionysus's own secret

orchard. Lingering notes of brilliant cherry and soft vanilla mingle and dance around the happy palate then move with ease into a light and elegant finish. 

Balance: She is svelte as Bhujanga with a magical naked body that transcends balance and goes straight into levitation. 

Comments: From grape to finish, a fine wine is an excellent example of how to live a good life. Each with its own unique qualities and beauty which peaks in character with maturity. The bottle is opened; it breathes; it is shared and becomes a beautiful lasting memory. It was always a good life, from grape to finish.

Rating: 3.4 tipsys

Copyright © 2009-2015 Shawna Watson. All rights reserved.

Did you enjoy my wine poetry? Was it useful to you?

If so, please click on the Paypal secure server logo and make a small donation to Shawna for the creation and maintenance of this site.

Blessings and Peace to All