F. Stephen Millier Black Label Petite Sirah 2021, California

03 Monday Feb 2025

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$14, 5 stars, 91 points, california, Naked Wines, petite sirah

Deep purple colored with medium staining, and a high viscosity (14.5% ABV). Medium intensity aromas of ripe blackberry, cassis, grilled black plum, eucalyptus, cocoa powder, tomato leaf, and a hint of shredded coconut. The palate is dry with medium acidity, a full body, and medium (+) tannins. Medium (+) intensity flavors of ripe blackberry, black currant, black plum, spice, eucalyptus, cocoa powder and that green note which I am enjoying. The finish is lush- gobs of ripe fruit with the silky tannins make for a delicious medium length ending. Lovely stuff that I am pairing with pan-seared ribeyes. 91 points. Drink this $14 wine till 2028. 5 stars. Salut….

Sharon Weeks Cattoo Malbec 2021, Paso Robles, California

30 Thursday Jan 2025

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$15, 5 stars, 90 points, california, Malbec, Naked Wines, paso robles

Deep purple colored with medium viscosity (14.3% ABV). The nose has medium intensity aromas of black plum, dark chocolate, blackberry, black raspberry, black cherry and tomato stalk. The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium body, and medium tannins that are powdery. Medium intensity flavors of dark berries, chocolate, black cherry, and that green note I got on the nose. Malbec is a very easy variety to love, its structure and mouthfeel are very user friendly and this is no exception. The finish is medium (+) in length- showing off the lovely fruit as well as the gorgeous tannins. I like this $15 effort a lot. 90 points and 5 stars. It’s a very nice wine that we’re pairing with roast beef sandwiches. Drink till 2027. Salut….

Patrice Grasset Chenin Blanc 2022, Vouvray, France

21 Tuesday Jan 2025

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$17, 5 stars, 90 points, france, loire valley, Naked Wines, vouvray

Pale lemon colored with strawberry highlights, and a high viscosity (12.5% ABV). The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of lemon zest, tangerine, wax, wool, grapefruit pith, quince, slate, white blossom, and white pepper. The palate is a hint off-dry with medium (+) acidity, and a medium (+) body. The flavors are quite pronounced- quince, grapefruit pith, lemon and tangerine with some interesting wool notes. There is a waxy feel to this wine which is varietally correct. The finish is medium (+) in length and weighty. I am enjoying this $17 bottle that I will be pairing with baked Mackerel. It gets 90 points from me and 5 stars. Drink till 2028. Salut….

Scott Peterson Rumpus Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, California

19 Sunday Jan 2025

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$14, 4 stars, 87 points, cabernet sauvignon, california, Naked Wines

Medium ruby to garnet colored with slight copper highlights, light staining, and high viscosity (14.8% ABV). The nose has medium intensity aromas of black plum, blackberry, ripe black raspberry, a hint of twizzlers, some smoke, coffee, black tea, and violet. The palate seems dry, but I suspect a touch of residual sugar. Medium acidity, a medium (+) body, and medium (-) tannins. Flavors of very ripe black raspberry- almost candied, black plum, pomegranate, black tea, coffee, smoke, and that floral violet note I got on the nose. There’s a strange astringency that hits me on the mid palate, not sure where that comes from. The finish is medium in length and pleasant, with a nice mouth feel. 87 points for this $14 effort makes it a 4 star wine to drink till 2026. (It opened up nicely after 30 or so minutes). Salut….

David Akiyoshi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Clarksburg, California

15 Wednesday Jan 2025

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$12, 3 stars, 84 points, cabernet sauvignon, califiornia, clarksburg, Naked Wines

Medium ruby with garnet highlights, slight staining, and a high viscosity (14.4% ABV). The nose has medium intensity aromas of candied raspberry, red plum, cranberry jam, cedar, tomato leaf, and pomegranate- decidedly red fruit driven. The palate is ever-so slightly off-dry, with medium acidity, medium (+) body, and medium tannins. The red fruit is sweet in nature and off-putting tbh. It tastes a little manufactured and will likely appeal to many, just not me. The structure is decent with some neat tannins, but nothing that screams ‘I’m a Cabernet Sauvignon’. The finish is a little hot and medium (-) in length. Whilst pleasant to drink, it will pair nicely with lighter meats or BBQ. I would drink this 84 pointer till 2027. For $12, it gets 3 stars from me. Salut….

Ashley Herzberg Petite Sirah 2022, Russian River Valley, California

13 Monday Jan 2025

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$22, 5 stars, 91 points, california, Naked Wines, petite sirah, Russian River

Inky purple colored with moderate staining, and a high viscosity (14.7% ABV). The nose has medium intensity aromas of ripe blackberry, black plum, a medicinal note (from oak?), acai berry, grape bubble gum, slate, and faint espresso notes. The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a full body, and high tannins that are somewhat chalky. Ripe flavors of blueberry, blackberry, and acai berry coupled with that medicinal note, some black tea and an espresso note. The finish leans heavily on the tannins, they are very grippy but allow the fruit to show off for a medium length ending. I like this $22 bottle and give it 91 points which makes it a 5 star effort to drink till 2030. I would pair it with hearty beef dishes and stews. Salut….

Scott Peterson ROX of the Andes Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Mendoza, Argentina

09 Thursday Jan 2025

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$16, 5 stars, 91 points, Argentina, cabernet sauvignon, Mendoza, Naked Wines

Deep ruby colored with light staining, and a medium viscosity (14.3% ABV). The nose has medium intensity aromas of black cherry, blackberry, black plum, mint, acai berry, violet, and charred, smoky oak. The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium (+) body, and medium (+) tannins that are integrating nicely. Medium intensity flavors of blackberry, acai, black plum, black cherry with black tea and smoke that lead to a medium length finish. Yummy stuff that has some aging capacity and structure to hold up to a juicy steak. I would drink this 91 point wine till 2030. For $16, it gets 5 stars. Salut….

Jacqueline Bahue Cabernet Franc 2023, Lodi, California

05 Sunday Jan 2025

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$11, 3 stars, 86 points, Cabernet franc, california, Lodi, Naked Wines

Medium ruby colored with iodine highlights, slight staining, and a medium viscosity (13.2% ABV). The nose has aromas of candied raspberry, perfume, pine sap, ripe pomegranate, leather, and lingonberry. If I could describe smelling something sweet- this would be it. Can’t wait to taste…..On the palate it is dry! Medium acidity, medium (-) body and medium (-) tannins make for a very easygoing wine that sips nicely. The red fruit driven nose is apparent on the palate along with a hint of oak but no sign of the tobacco, perfume or pine sap. The green note I was smelling did not materialize. The finish is relatively short and a touch tart. This is a basic wine without much structure that will enable any cellaring. It’s a great wine to pair with BBQ ribs or pizza. 86 points from me and for $11 it’s a 3 star effort to drink in the near term. Salut….

Quevedo Family Red Blend Xisto 2021, Portugal

22 Sunday Dec 2024

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$11, 3 stars, 86 points, Naked Wines, portugal, sousao, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional

Deep purple colored with a watery meniscus, and a medium viscosity (13% ABV). The nose has medium intensity aromas of black raspberry, red plum, acai berry, vanilla bean, menthol, and red licorice. The palate is slightly off-dry with medium acidity, a medium (-) body, and medium (-) tannins. Very light in the mouth with very little structure- it has nice flavors of raspberry, plum, acai berry and red licorice with some vanilla and menthol notes. The finish is medium (-) in length but pleasing with its fresh approach. A blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Sousão that drinks effortlessly. This easygoing style will appeal as an aperitif or with lighter fare. It runs $11 and gets 86 points from me which makes it a 3 star wine. Drink till 2027. Salut….

Miriam Syrah 2021, California

02 Monday Dec 2024

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$12, 4 stars, 86 points, california, Naked Wines, syrah

Deep ruby colored with slight staining and high viscosity (14.5% ABV). The nose has medium intensity aromas of ripe red raspberry, black plum, game, vanilla, cocoa, and blackberry. The palate is dry with medium acidity, a medium body, and medium (-) tannins that melt away. Flavors of ripe raspberry, plum, and blackberry with telltale meaty notes. There is a hint of cocoa and maybe some vanilla. The finish is medium (-) in length but pleasing. Not an overly complex wine, it drinks easily and will go well with a variety of dishes ranging from steaks and pasta to roasted chicken. Overall it gets 86 points from me and at $12, 4 stars. Drink till 2026. Salut….