F Stephen Miller Black Label Old Vine Zinfandel, 2021, Lodi, California

29 Saturday Nov 2025

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$14, 5 stars, 89 points, california, Lodi, Naked Wines, Old vine Zinfandel, zinfandel

Medium garnet colored, with high viscosity (15.9% ABV) ! The nose has medium intensity aromas of black cherry, black plum, anise, blackberry, black raspberry, green herbs, and cracked pepper. The palate is dry, with medium acidity, a full body, and medium (+) tannins that are chalky. Medium (+) intensity flavors of blackberry, black cherry, black plum, iron, cracked pepper, and dark purple twizlers but no green herbs. The wine turns a bit juicy and the finish is medium (+) in length. The high alcohol is pretty well hidden but it finally sneaks up on the back end. This is a pretty silky wine, once the chalky tannins dissolve. The ripeness of the fruit is evident. I like it, but buyer beware, this one has a kick! I’m pairing it with smoked Duck breast. 89 points for this $14 wine makes it a 5 star effort. Drink till 2030. Salut….

Carmen Stevens Angels Reserve Shiraz 2022, Swartland, South Africa

31 Friday Oct 2025

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$11, 4 stars, 88 points, Naked Wines, shiraz, South Africa, swartland, syrah

Medium garnet colored, with slight staining and a high viscosity (14% ABV). The wine has a slightly murky look, perhaps it’s not filtered? The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of plums, pomegranate, blackberry, smoke, game, and cracked pepper. The palate is dry, with medium acidity, a medium body, and medium tannins that fade quickly. The flavors are medium in intensity and echo the nose, but with some added astringency, perhaps over-steeped black tea. The finish is medium (+) in length and shows off some sweetness of fruit. It’s a decent bottle that ran me $11 and gets 88 points, making it a 4 star effort. It has some cellaring capacity, perhaps till 2030. I am pairing it with smoked duck breast. Salut….

Luis Vieira Reserva Capital 2020, Portugal

18 Sunday May 2025

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$14, 4 stars, 88 points, Naked Wines, portugal, syrah, tempranillo, trincadeira

Deep ruby colored, with medium viscosity (13.5 % ABV). The nose has medium intensity aromas of black plum, blackberry, licorice, coffee, mint, a hint of game, and cracked pepper. The palate is dry, with medium (+) acidity, a medium body and medium tannins. Medium intensity flavors of blackberry, black plum, kirsch, licorice, coffee and black pepper. The finish is medium in length. Overall this is a well made wine that will drink nicely till 2028 and pair great with steaks, burgers, and pasta. It gets 88 points from me and for $14- 4 stars. An interesting blend of Trincadeira (40%), Syrah (40%), and Aragonez, aka Tempranillo making up the balance. Salut….

Sin Fronteras Los Primos 2021, California

08 Thursday May 2025

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$13, 4 stars, 89 points, california, Naked Wines

Deep purple colored with slight staining and a high viscosity (14.5% ABV). The nose has medium intensity aromas of black raspberry, black cherry, black plum, vanilla thread, violets, anise, cardamom, and espresso. The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium body, and medium tannins. Fruit intensity is medium and I get the darker red fruits I mentioned on the nose alongside a bit of spice by way of anise, vanilla and espresso. The flowery component is missing now as is the highly aromatic cardamom. There is a slight charred oak note as well as a hint of astringency on the mid-palate but overall this wine leads nicely into a medium length finish that is fruit driven. I like it. 89 points for this $13 effort makes it a 4 star wine to drink over the near term. Salut….

Arabella Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Western Cape, South Africa

02 Friday May 2025

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$13, 4 stars, 89 points, cabernet sauvignon, Naked Wines, South Africa, western cape

Medium ruby colored with slight staining, and a medium viscosity (14% ABV). The nose has medium intensity aromas of black cherry, black plum, licorice, charred oak, mint, tomato stalk, and coffee. The palate is dry with medium (-) acidity, a medium body and medium tannins that are plush. Slightly more intense flavors of black cherry, black plum, licorice, coffee, and a hint of tomato leaf. The finish is very smooth and lush, the tannins completely melded and the ripe fruit shining through. It’s a tasty drop with a structure to age short term that will pair nicely with filet, veal or a hearty roast duck. I enjoyed the 2019 vintage and think this one is on par at 89 points. Still running $13, it’s a solid 4 star wine. Salut….

Franck Massard Garnacha 2021, Spain

29 Tuesday Apr 2025

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$15, 4 stars, 89 points, grenache, Naked Wines, spain

Pale ruby colored, with medium viscosity (14.2% ABV). The nose has medium intensity aromas of red raspberry, garrigue, strawberry, funky mushroom, violet, and rhubarb. The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium (+) body, and medium tannins. There’s a noticeable astringency on the mid palate. Medium intensity flavors of red raspberry, rhubarb, pomegranate, strawberry, earthy dried herbs and some barnyard funk. The finish is a lively, tart affair that goes on medium length. An interesting wine that I am enjoying, as I did the 2019 vintage. It will pair well with lighter meat dishes, tapas, or even a roast hen. Drink till 2028. 89 points for this $15 bottling makes it a 4 star effort. Salut….

Benjamin Darnault Les Parcelles Grenache 2020, Languedoc, France

19 Saturday Apr 2025

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$15, 5 stars, 90 points, france, grenache, languedoc, Naked Wines

Medium ruby, hinting to garnet, with high viscosity (14.5% ABV). The nose of this Grenache has medium (-) intensity aromas of red raspberry, baking spice, rhubarb, lavender, orange peel, and juniper. The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium (+) body and medium tannins. Medium (+) intensity flavors of raspberry, red currants, rhubarb, orange peel, and baking spice. The finish is medium in length and charming- adding a point where the intensity of the nose lost one. It’s had five years to meld and has done so nicely, a smooth mouthfeel and juicy red flavors without much intervention. I am planning to pair with roasted suckling pork and sweet potatoes. It gets 90 points from me and for $15- 5 stars. Drink till 2029. Salut….

Karen Birmingham Reserve Zinfandel 2021, Lodi, California

15 Tuesday Apr 2025

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$15, 5 stars, 91 points, california, Lodi, Naked Wines, zinfandel

Deep ruby colored, with medium viscosity (15.2% ABV). The nose has medium intensity aromas of licorice, black plum, black raspberry, coffee, and violets. The palate is dry, with medium acidity, a full body, and medium (-) tannins. Flavors of blackberry, black plum, black raspberry, toasty oak, coffee and licorice. The finish is medium in length and silky, the mild tannins caressing. I plan to pair with Pork Tomahawks and this lower tannin level is perfect for the white meat. The high alcohol is noted both on the nose and the back end, but that’s to be expected of modern day Zins. It’s a tasty drop for sure and bests the 2020 vintage of the same wine I previously tasted. 91 points from me and at $15, it’s a 5 star wine to drink till 2029. Salut….

Brothers Miller Thankfulness Red 2022, Central Coast, California

05 Saturday Apr 2025

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$15, 4 stars, 89 points, barbera, california, central coast, grenache, Naked Wines, pinot noir, Valdigué

Medium ruby colored, with medium viscosity (14.1% ABV). The nose has medium intensity aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, acai berry, a touch of game, and red licorice. The palate is dry (perhaps a touch of RS? ), with medium acidity, a medium body, and medium tannins that are crunchy. Medium intensity flavors of black cherry, acai berry, charred oak, baking spice, black raspberry, and a medicinal hint. The finish has quite a bit of tannic grip but the fruit flavors go on mid length. My initial reaction to the nose was not overly favorable, but after a few sips I find myself enjoying it quite a lot. It has an interesting bitterness to it yet the fruit is quite ripe. Somewhat one-dimensional it lacks much complexity yet it delivers on what it has. I like it, 89 points worth. It came as part of a mixed case from a club and runs $15. This blend of Pinot Noir, Barbera, Grenache, and Valdigué gets 4 stars from me. I would drink it till 2028 and pair it with corned beef, filet or even a roast chicken. Salut….

Sam Plunkett The Butterfly Effect Cabernet Shiraz 2021, Victoria, Australia

11 Tuesday Feb 2025

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$13, 4 stars, 89 points, australia, cabernet sauvignon, Naked Wines, shiraz, Victoria

Deep purple colored turning slightly bluer on the edges with slight staining and medium viscosity (14.3% ABV). The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of ripe plum, eucalyptus, vanilla, blackberry, brambleberry, baking spices, purple licorice, tomato leaf, green and black peppercorns, and acai berry. It’s jam packed with dark fruit aromas. The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium (+) body, and medium tannins that are plush. The ripe black fruit weaves through eucalyptus, vanilla and spice notes. The green note I caught on the nose repeats on the mid palate with a touch of unripe stem coupled with some charred oak notes. The finish is juicy and medium (-) in length. I am enjoying the melange of flavors in this $13 bottle and think it will benefit from some short term cellaring. I give it 89 points and 4 stars. Salut….