Pacific Rim Dry Riesling 11'

Naked Wine Review 127

Wine: Dry Riesling

Producer: Pacific Rim

Vintage: 11'

Region: Washington>Columbia Valley

Price: 10.00

Date tasted: 8/18/13

Place tasted: My friend stole my pig and then asked if I'd help her butcher it and put it in my brothers freezer. I said no; why ya gotta go steal my pig like that? Then I woke up; no more afternoon naps for me. So I took my little bottle of wine and bolted up to lovely Lake Mary Ronan to visit the blessed and beautiful Tuffitland. Here's to the good times, past, present, and future. May all beings everywhere be happy and free. Cin Cin.

Served with: It's just perfect with curried chicken salad. It would be good with any Indian or Thai curries; fried or barbecued chicken or pork; tropical fruit with brie and other soft or subtle cheeses...lots of good options with this one. Experiment and enjoy.

Appearance: Clear, bright and caramelized summer sunshine.

On the snoot: A tropical breeze with high floral notes anchored in a heavy soft fruity syrup. 

Taste: Gentle as a butterfly, not too much edge. A nice plump peach, mango and papaya blend with maybe just a hint of citrus and pear. Finish holds the palate in the long smooth naked embrace of her confidence and comfort; much longer than you'd expect from a white. Very nice.

Balance: Light and lovely in balance with just enough sweet to temper the bright. No bite, no bitter, no drama.  

Comments: Good wine for hot summer day drinking. Take her on a picnic with you. She's a fun and entertaining companion so include her in your picnic plans.  

Rating: 4 solid tipsy's, excellent value.

Shooting Star Blue Franc 10'

Naked Wine Review 126

Wine: Blue Franc, or maybe it's Blaufrankisch, then again it could be Lemberger. 

Producer: Shooting Star>Jed Steele, winemaker/owner

Vintage: 10'

Region: Washington State>Yakima Valley

Bottled by Shooting Star, Kelseyville, Lake County, CA

Price: 13.00

Date tasted: 8/4/13

Place tasted: The soft scent of nag champ smudged my little cabin in the corner of a peaceful forest village. Someone near the center was tuning one of those things…no, not a guitar, the other thing. I quietly sipped my wine and thought about nothing. Through the looking glass, or some would call it 'window', I became one, or two with the presence of a large tree deeply textured with character and in the loving embrace of wildly prolific vines of hops. I sipped my wine; the air was wet and sweet; I thought of nothing. Being is a more productive form of doing. Sometimes I forget that. 

Served with: I enjoyed it with a lettuce wedge salad and Roquefort dressing. Would go well with herby pasta dishes, grilled-red meats; chicken; or salmon, most cheeses, lamb, game, and oh, duck! it would be great with duck….just stay away from cream sauces, white fish, and extremely delicate foods. She needs flavors to match her more acidic than sweet nature, but not so bold as to overwhelm her more subtle characteristics. Treat her like a nice pinot noir but don't tell her I said that.  

Appearance: A rich thick blood red in the garnet spectrum with slight violet crumble edges. Like staring into the gem world of alexandrite. Hypnotic, like that tree I once told you about. Remember that?

On the snoot: A bright and elegant pomegranate mixes with soft floral notes in a strong solid punch to the snoot. A brilliant and enchanting bouquet. I think the snoot is her finest feature.

Taste: Red pie cherry with a juicy quenching quality and just a hint of herb and spice. Finish is full of plush soft tannin, pronounced and deliberite if not a little fast. Still very satisfying.

Balance: She's got legs like Xena that wrap around the inside of your glass and just won't let go! Beautiful, naked strong, and a little scary but we like it. A nice light balance with no residual sugar(we like that too). Comes on a little hot right out of the bottle but mellows nicely after a few deep breaths. 

Comments: TV commercials featuring jingles sung poorly are neither cute nor funny. You should stop that. Stop that right now. Ya I'm talkin' to you, good neighbor. 

Oh the wine! Comments about the wine. Sure. Complex in her simplicity, she's a unique and exotic delight; a rare orchid among wines. Seems to induce wavy dreams of glowing Madrona trees. Open her up and let her breathe for a while before imbibing. 

Cheers & Good Singing to All.

Rating: 3.7 tipsy's

The Den Pinotage 10'

Naked Wine Review 125

Wine: The Den Pinotage

Producer: Jeremy Borg and The Painted Wolf Wines Pack

Vintage: 10'

Region: South Africa>Suider Paarl

Price: 10.00

Date tasted: 7/19/13

Place tasted: I was thinking about your tacky old Hawaiian print tennis shoes and how they so nicely accessorized your 'cool supermodel incognito' image.

Remember all the times we laughed in rose colored bubbles, sipping honey mead left for us by our faerie friends near the rivers edge? I'd give a penny to Satan for one more day like that, but neither he nor God can be found duking it out anywhere anymore. 

Somehow the deeply delicious Pinotage in my glass reminds me that all good things never really come to an end; they simply take turns entering into and emerging back out of my closet of landscapes and personas. It is of great comfort to know I'll see you again one day my friend. And on this evening soaked in the blackest of cosmic tar, the moon shines brighter for all that is good and right, here and now.

Cheers and peace to all beings in every dimension.

Served with: Steak au Poivre and steamed new potatoes. It would go well with lamb, grilled red meats, herby pasta dishes, strong cheeses, dark chocolate and things of that nature.

Appearance: Classic inky garnet. 

On the snoot: A powerful musky pherimonal hit with layers of smoke and early morning dew on a bramble patch.

Taste: Berry jam compote carried on currents of rich tars, aromatic basil, and chewy licorice root. Big majestic tannins throughout gather to the center of your tongue and gently pat the palate as they slowly fade, carrying this wines rainbow of luscious flavors off with them on a slow and fleshy finish. Love it.

Balance: Smooth full bodied with long sticky legs. Not too hot, not too sweet, not too acid….just right. Beautifully balanced with plenty of plush dense and delightful tannins.

Comments: Pinotage is rare gem among wines to me. I would love to see more of it around. With its full body, alluring color, and that rich earthy tobacco-tar nature it is just so impressive and satisfying. Lets get more Pinotage in the markets. The world needs more...Visualize Pinotage! 

Rating: 4 dancing naked tipsys, excellent value

Vidonya Vinho Verde White 10'

Naked Wine Review 124

Wine: Vinho Verde White 

Producer: Jose Maria da Fonseca

Vintage: 10'

Region: Portugal>Minho> Vinho Verde

Price: 7.00

Date tasted: 7/5/13

Place tasted: I was too hot and too homesick to breathe. I kept thinking of the way the ocean swells and breathes so easily; hiding magical secrets deep beneath her massive surface who occasionally punch through in pods of dancing creatures too big and too free for the hot and dried up land roaming masses to comprehend. 

A teary toast to the ocean blue. Until we meet again, Cin cin! 

Served with: Would go well with seafood, chicken, summer salads, hot curries, and tropical fruit with soft delicate cheeses such as brie or camembert. I had it with a tasty layered salad.

Appearance: A clear light glowing yellow topaz with clusters of multiple sized effervescent bubbles that leap enthusiastically from the sides of the glass as if to escape the reality of their existence.

On the snoot: The gentle scent of a carmel covered Red Anjou pear right after you bite into it. 

Taste: Crisp and snappy on impact with notes of citrus and pear that dance in shimmering elegance around the palate. Finish softens into a fine thirst quenching juicy treat. 

Balance: Light bodied with a 60/40 tart to sweet ratio. Not terribly acidic. She has an endearing giggly girlish demeanor.

Comments: Excellent summer picnic wine. Serve well chilled on a smoldering hot summer day and stay cool and comfortable.

Rating: 3.5 tipsy's

IQUE Malbec 11'

Naked Wine Review 123

Wine: IQUE Malbec

Producer: Bodega Foster

Vintage: 11'

Region: Argentina>Mendoza

Price: 12.00

Date tasted: 6/21/13

Place tasted: The moon was so bright and the night so lovely I decided to pull my good broom out of the closet and go for an evening fly about. Soaring high above the earth I gazed down in awe and wonder at the profound expression of that which is Divine, gracefully shining back at me in the beauty of my home planet. 

It is an honor to dance on her surface, to drink of and play in her waters, to breathe in the air around her, to feed on her many bountiful nourishments, and to bask in the warmth of her fire. It is an honor to love our Mother Earth. May we always charish, care for, and defend her integrity. Cin Cin All….and don't forget to look up once in a while. Perspective people, get some. 

Served with: Asado! Goes well with grilled meats, duck, red herby pasta dishes, and naked hard bodied cheeses. Stay away from more subtly flavored foods such as fish, chicken and cream sauces.

Appearance: Very pretty clear violet edged glow on a deep ruby orb of light. 

On the snoot: The scent of wet grass and blackberries growing among mineral rich stones near a running stream. Stop and smell the Malbec. 

Taste: Blackberry, dark fruits and pepper corn abound saturated with earth and stone. Finish is long and luscious with silky smooth tannins that get bigger as you chew. 

Balance: Medium bodied and well balanced. Smooth and dry with plentiful soft tannins showing refined character and integrity. Upon opening she's a little hot and acid. Let her breathe a while and she mellows right out. Air is like bong hits to this wine and she's at her best when stoned. Some wines are like that.

Comments: IQUE is special to me as it's the first Malbec I had the pleasure of tasting. It was love at first sip for the 05' and the 11' is just as grand. If you like Malbec, you'll love this wine.

Rating: 4 staggering tipsy's

Campo de BorjaMosen Cleto ReservaRed Wine 09'

Naked Wine Review 122

Wine: Mosen Cleto Reserva

Grapes: 75% Grenach & 25% Tempranillo 

Producer: Bodegas Aragonesas

Vintage: 09'

Region: Spain>Aragon>Campo de Borja

Price: 8.00 

Date tasted: 5/4/13 (Cinco de Quatro)

Place tasted: I counted backward slowly from ten and found myself in a canoe in the middle of a small lake surrounded by crystal clear water. Plush forests worship at her edges. Majestic mountains rise up from the earth that strokes her belly, and an invisible breeze brushes her hair into wavy statements of altered fashion.

In my fantasy wicker picnic basket I found a variety of fresh tropical fruits and various tasty cheeses. Hum…crackers, cork screw, glasses…now where is that damned paddle? Oh well, every silver lining has a dark cloud I suppose. Still, there is nothing wrong with this moment right now, nothing at all. Sip, sip, sip…it is pure naked truth, and I'm ready to become one with it. May the universe guide and protect us, the kind and gentle ones. Topa!

Served with: Antipasto, grilled red meats, stews, lamb, pork, venison/game, strong cheeses, dark chocolate…she's pretty versatile. I think she'd go wonderfully with Lamb Biryani though. You should probably do that for sure. (by the by, definitely pair thee not with ceviche) 

Appearance: Deep dark ruby red tied down in ribbons of soft black velvet. Very pretty.

On the snoot: Cherry vanilla truffles meet and mingle with a box of sandalwood in a sweet gentle embrace, then rise up in ecstasy to greet the happy snoot. 

Taste: Dry and a little tart with raspberry, yet smooth with vanilla and cherry. Faint essence of mineral and oak gently stroke the naked palate throughout imbibacourse, with plentiful tannins that nicely round off the finish. 

Balance: Well balanced in harmonious integration. Light to medium weight with the cutest chubby little legs, slow to form and slower to run. She's acid over sugar with good alcohol level and tons of tannin. A simple, kind, easy drinking wine.

Comments: I'm definitely going to call this one back, actually I already have… three times. I like her very much, and she's wearing such a cool bottle! I'd like to thank Cherlin for introducing us. You da' best. 

Rating: 3.8 tipsys, excellent value

Chateau Ste MichelleDry Riesling 11'

Naked Wine Review 121

Wine: Dry Riesling

Producer: Chateau Ste Michelle

Vintage: 11'

Region: Washington State>Columbia Valley

Price: 10.00

Date tasted: 3/19/13

Place tasted: A hoot owl echoes in the distance over traffics buzzing rush hour. The owl knows truth instinctively. The traffic carries ambition, insecurity, anger, and false identities down the road on its raging current. Suddenly a murder of crows take over a near by tree and the Katwoman begins to chatter in focused enthusiastic observance of them. I hear myself chuckle within my own observance as I ponder and sip on a soul soothing vessel of this delightful dry riesling.
Ah, life!

Served with: I had it with 'A Kind of Keema Curry'. Brie & fruit snacks; white fish; Thai or Indian curries; fried chicken; and apple pie would all work well with this one.  

Appearance: Effervescent clusters of tiny bubbles suspend and coat the glass trapping your vision in a liquid galaxy of pale moonlight.

On the snoot: A charmingly subtle snoot. Imagine a large bowl filled with colorful citrus fruits on an old oak table with a large bouquet of fragrant Iris along side. That's it.

Taste: Juicy pear with banana on the exhale overlaid with a twist of lime. Bright, crisp, and dry throughout. Finishes on a long powerful high note with interesting nuances of citrus and gooseberry pie. 

Balance: is lightweight and graceful. She shows an impressive trio of elements blending to please the palate . Sugar, acid, and alcohol sing in perfect harmony. 

Comments: An excellent summer naked picnic wine. Thirst quenching and happy in character. Ste Michelle can do no wrong in my world. 

Rating: 4 glowing tipsys

missoula soul red 09' & 10'

Naked Wine Review 120

Wine: Missoula soul red

Region: A melange of four lovely grapes from Washington's Columbia Valley

Vintage: Some 09' and some 10'

Producer: Missoula Winery

Vinted and Bottled: Missoula Winery>Missoula Montana

Price: 15.00

Date tasted: 5/5/13

Place tasted: I woke up in Kenya all spotted and alone; stretched my paws and waved my tail like a magic wand that could raise the sun on the Masai Mara. Ah, to have a tail again! to move in the form of a redeemable being. 

High in a tree and mowing down on Impala tartare, I was watching you as you sipped on bulbs of red nectar and giggled unaware…in general…silly humans. 

Served with: Marinated rosemary orange pork chops, grilled is best. Would pair well with lighter subtle earthy flavors such as mushroom, duck or salmon; mild red meats are also a good choice. 

Appearance: Deep cherry red with rusty orange refractions and a golden aura.

On the snoot: Bold snoot of dense cherry, fresh cut grass, and vanilla.

Taste: Nice, dry and fruit forward with ripe juicy cherry. Rich and slightly tart with gentle vanilla whispers on the exhale. Soft shy tannins gracefully emerge as she opens up. Finish is a slow montage of the subtle complex and well integrated flavors throughout…smooth and beautiful. 

Balance: Medium bodied with slow, lava lampy legs. She's a Goldie Locks 'just right' wine, very well balanced. 

Comments: I'd tell you what grapes were used but it would take all the fun out of guessing. Go to soulredwine.com for more information. 

Rating: 4 naked tipsys

Don Ramon, Perez JuanCampo de Borja 10'

Naked Wine Review 119

Wine: Don Ramon, Perez Juan 

Grapes: 75% Grenache, 25% Tempranillo 

Producer: Campo De Borja>Estate bottled

Vintage: 10'

Region: Spain>Aragon>Campo De Borja 

Price: 7.00

Date tasted: 4/22/13, Earth Day

Place tasted: In a deep afternoon napmare I was traveling to a new star system. I cried as the Earth vanished behind me, riding my dragon into outer space. I had a stow away toad I called Crocus to remember her by tucked safely in my shirt pocket. They spun lies of hatred and fear back there. I'll never forget the look of shocked betrayal on your face the day you found out they had been poisoning your morning coffee all this time. If only foresight were 20/20, or at least not completely blind. Then I woke up.

I have faith in the good guys, that's you & I. So my new dream buddy Crocus and I raise a glass of hope to the Earth every single day; and to Jane & Amanda: What Future, and Joy Camp, and to all good people who nurture the awakening of the masses. Go team 'Love the Earth'! Here's to you, Salud'. 

Served with: I had it with a Greek style stromboli. It would pair well with red sauce pasta dishes, earthy flavors like mushrooms, red meats and game, strong cheeses and things of that nature. Stay away from seafood, citrus or cream sauces.

Appearance: Dense dark cherry with the nostalgic glow of vintage red glass.

On the snoot: Sweet wild flowers, dark spice and cassis with just a whisper of fresh catnip. 

Taste: The journey begins with an exotic blend of rich blackberry, cardamum and eucalyptus. Plentiful toasty tannins gently caress the spirit as the finish walks you out from the shore a ways before dropping off quickly. Woo-hoo! Swim Wino, swim! Lets go again! 

Balance: Nice medium balance with slow moving wavy legs. An eloquently understated blending of the four elements.

Comments: A tasty fun wine that is easy to enjoy. She's a real Cinderella experience. I've had many wines not nearly as good as this one at twice the price. 

I think I'll go get a case of it just to have around. 

Rating: 3.8 tipsys, outstanding value.

Bogle Vineyards Petite Sirah 10'

Naked Wine Review 118

Wine: Petite Sirah

Producer: Bogle Vineyards

Vintage: 10'

Region: California

Price: 11.00

Date tasted: 4/1/13

Place tasted: There was a guy pointing a laser gun at what appeared to be a very frightened robot. I was just standing there wondering where my hands and my voice had gone. Suddenly the thought of a rainy day on an ocean shore crossed my mind and I was there, hands & voice intact. I closed my eyes and drew a deep wet breath of salty ocean magic and upon the exhale opened my eyes and was in a small cottage viewing the sea through fog and naked madronas, the rhythmic mantra of rain taping at my windows. A lively fire was glowing from behind the hearth warming my back as I sipped on a deep purple glass of happiness. A raging song welled in my heart till it bellowed out through my voice like massive water falling hard and fast to the earth where she absorbed me, my hands, my voice, and all of it. Forever here, forever gone. Where were you?

Served with: a slice of bleu cheese steak roll on creamy garlic smashed potatoes (you mash em', I smash em'). She would pair well with grilled meats, beef, lamb, game, pork tenderloin, strong cheeses, dark chocolate and things of that nature. 

Appearance: Like gazing into an opaque purple inky pool, and when the light hits just right it glows a surreal fluorescent fuschia.

On the snoot: A pungent and enchanting perfume etched with bramble patch and  oak, in a weighty old time corner tobacco shop base.

Taste: She exudes a rich and spicy character; heavy with blueberry, leather and pepper. From beginning to end she's a black night sky filled with galaxies of twinkling tannins that linger on a breath of smoke, licorice and cocoa. 

Balance: Big and bold with thick fat purple legs that saunter slowly down the sides of your glass. Not too sweet; not too acid; not too hot; and mmm, lots of tannin. She's just right. 

Comments: I love this wine. It is everything there is to love about wine in an affordable bottle. You really should try it.

I dedicate this review to my father on what was his birthday in this dimension. 

"Here's to Dad, may he be happy in another dimension."

(Molly said that)

Cin Cin

Rating: 4 tipsys...excellent value.

Sir Paz EstateParker Road Bin 8 07'

Naked Wine Review 117

Wine: Parker Road Bin 8

Grapes: Shiraz/Merlot

Producer: Sir Paz Estate

Vintage: 07'

Region: Australia>Victoria>Port Phillip>Yarra Valley

Price: 29.00 is average online

(on sale for 17.00 at Pattee Creek Market, Zootown, USA)

Date tasted: 3/26/13

Place tasted: Every time I turned around today I kept seeing this little garden gnome smoking a pipe and grinning at me. Yep, Lar Xydefub is up to his old tricks again. I love Lar, and was more than happy to hang with him for the day. He's the kind of guy who hides indigo secrets in silk pockets; a guy who keeps his paintings to himself. He is quick to pass you his pipe or share a glass of wine and a giggle with you though, or take you for a walk like his own giant human pet. 

An interesting friend on a warm blessed day in early springtime is a great place to taste the wine. 

Served with: Baghali Polo-Persian rice & lamb. It's great with lamb. Think big; grilled red meat, hearty stew, venison, strong cheeses and dark chocolates. Stay away from more subtle, mild foods. 

Appearance: Light garnet with a rusty orange etherial glow.

On the snoot: Big snoot full of cherry blossom, grass & wet earth. On the exhale is a hint of bullwhips and sandalwood. 

Taste: Tart cherry pie mellowed by licorice spice, tar, and leather. A thick musty energy travels throughout, lightly dusted with a gentle layer of tannin. Finish is a playful wet kiss full of talent and technique developed specifically for your pleasure. 

Balance: Nice medium balance with long symmetrical legs. A little on the acid side with none of those icky residual sugars we don't particularly care for. Shows classy and refined amounts of alcohol and tannin...nothing overstated.

Comments: It made me think of a guys locker room, in a good way. The glistening pheromone infused sweat beads pouring from his naked well formed...

bottle. 

Yes, its a very tasty wine. I find this one masculine in nature. Let him breathe for an hour or more to really enjoy at full potential. 

Cheers!

Rating: 3.8 tipsys

Apex Accent Chardonnay 09'

Naked Wine Review 116

Wine: Chardonnay

Producer: Apex Cellars

Vintage: 09'

Region: Washington State>Columbia Valley>Yakima Valley

Price: 12.00

Date tasted: 3/4/13

Place tasted: Warm and safe inside my cocoon I can feel the wings growing strong and hugging my back like a promise. I imagine what colors they might be, what shape they might take, and how far and high they might one day carry me. I sip my wine and I wait in this place for my inner Phoenix to rise again....

and dream my awakening.

Served with: It is wonderful with Thai Fish Curry. White fish, chicken, brie n' fruit treats, and creamy pasta dishes would all complement well with this wine.

Appearance: Burnt golden daffodil with a brilliant yellow topaz glow. She's very well dressed and hypnotic to gaze into.

On the snoot: Nectarine and honeysuckle perfume rise to bless the snoot and stir up memories of an enthusiastic mountain stream that quenches the springtime of high mountain desert. 

Taste: Soft mango, pear, and honey combine with a tiny high note of lime then melt together and do the dance of spring on your joyful palate before calming into a butterscotch smooth, slightly oaky, and well defined naked finish.

Balance: A solid medium body with well integrated alcohol, acids, and sugars rendering her nicely dry, yet smooth, subtle, and interesting. 

Comments: I believe that we should base our beliefs more on thoroughly diligent, honest, and scientific yet intuitive research, and less on lazy absorption of dictated propaganda. Do you not? 

Oh, comments about the WINE! yes yes....

She's a solid reliable wine with subtle charm and elegant grace. Have her over for dinner and enjoy the warm comfort of her company. 

Cin Cin

Rating: 3.7 tipsys