Price: $13.99 @ liquor store in Porter Square
Price: $9.99 @ Gary's Liquors (W. Roxbury, MA)
Price: $10.99 
Price: $10.99 @ Gary's Liquors, W. Roxbury, MA
Price: $12.99
Tasting notes:
Tasting notes:
Tasting notes:
Tasting notes:
The Sicilian Nero D'Avola, truly a hearty grape that makes for a full bodied red, is grown at the Villa Pozzi vineyards located in the hills surrounding Marsala, Salemi and Mazzara del Vallo, in the western part of the island. The high altitudes of between 1000 to 1300 feet are where mountain vineyards make for hard working grapes.
Fermented in stainless steel and aged briefly in oak giving up aromas of black cherry, spices, tobacco and anise, while on the palate are a nice complexity of licorice, glycerine, a fruity lushness, with a ripe, chewy texture, spice, again cassis.
This is a very good food wine for between $8 & $11, comes in a screw top bottle, works well with pizza, pasta red sauce or red meats.
Made from 100% Nero d'Avola grapes fermented in stainless steel, aged in barriques (50% new, 50% used) for 10 months with another 6 months in bottle.
Expressively intense and fruit forward, with pretty aromas of blackberry pie, fruit compote and baked strawberry, while flavors are on the sweet side of dry with bing cherry and hints of blue fruits. Mild tannins are balance by fresh acidity and finish is long. Average $14/ bottle, good price for this gem.
This wonderful Morellino di Scansano is a Tuscan blend of mostly Sangiovese with a bit of Alicante and Malvasia Nera. Dark bluish ruby colors in the glass, as boysenberry and vanilla aromas permeate intensely, with exotic dark licorice scents and even a bit of wild underbrush, while on the palate resinous dark chocolate notes with cassis and red berries fill the mouth. Nice balance and long finish. Found this one at Il Poeta Restaurant.
Made with hand-harvested grapes from vineyards throughout the Cuyo/Mendoza region of Argentina, just east of the Andes, this stainless steel fermented 100% Malbec is a decent showing for the price (ranges from under $4 to $7).
Dark ruby colors in the glass, pastel aromas of violets and blueberry under a palate of blackberry and spice, pepper and hints of mint or eucalyptus, with a medium finish.
From Entre-Deux-Mers sub region of Bordeaux, here is a wonderful value in a red Bordeaux blend of merlot 57%, Cabernet Sauvignon 25%, and 18% Cabernet Franc, sustainably farmed, fermented in stainless steel vats, aged in oak barrels for 12 months, and in bottle for a year before labeling.
Dark rose colors with purple edges. Deep violet aromas, fresh mint mixed with complementary earth tones, suggestions of smoked meats, and attractive blackberry notes. Very easy on the palate with ripe cherries, cassis, and licorice... mild tannins but balanced acidity. Nice long finish. Great find on sale at Pop's for under $10.
Tasting notes:
Tasting notes:
Tasting notes:
Tasting notes:
Tasting notes:
Naked Wine Review 103Wine: Pinot NoirProducer: Lange WineryVintage: 10'Region: Oregon>Willamette ValleyPrice: 21.00Date tasted: 8/13/12Place tasted: In my dream I was in this bar where there were these machines that rang like bells and played little tunes. People would sit in front of them, put money into them, push buttons, and just stare at them for hours, their faces void of all expression. I began to feel a hopeless sense of depression wash over me. Abandoning my poorly designed cocktail (why pay for it twice?) I exited the disturbing and surreal situation by simply opening my eyes. 'It didn't really happen; it didn't really happen.' To shake it off I poured a savory glass of Pinot Noir and moved into the kitchen for some creative culinary therapy. Food & wine, it's a beautiful thing....nightmares, not so much.Served with: Perfect with Coq au vin. Stay with foods more subtle in character such as salmon, duck, chicken, mushrooms, mellow cheeses, and things of that nature.Appearance: Clear cherry red with antique edges of light and a childlike glow of innocence. On the snoot: A pungent perfume of violets and wild flowers growing in cedar soaked earth. I suggest you take a long moment to appreciate and ponder her unique and lovely scent.Taste: Sudden impact of bright strawberry followed by a soft herbal scented breath on the exhale; a beautiful marriage of yin/yang energies in one naked little sip. Finish is wet and lingers like sunshine in images of floral and wood. Balance: She has a well balanced light body with no residual sugar; minimal tannin; and a gentle, elegant demeanor.Comments: A good Pinot Noir is all about the snoot, don't cha' think? I was quite taken with the lovely bouquet on this one; after tasting however, I found her a bit too soprano for my personal taste. In human form she would sing like Kate Bush. If that's the kind of thing you like, you should go there. I find the timbre of Morphine or The Mars Volta a more spirit feeding experience. Either way, here's to your good health.-Cheers
Naked Wine Review 104Wine: Primitivo Producer: Palama ArcangeloVintage: 10'Region: Italia>Puglia>SalentoPrice: 15.00Date tasted: 8/31/12Place tasted: I was not yet drunk and pondering my luck in the fullness of the brightest red 'blue moon' you've ever seen. Though the fire of the moment seemed to singe the tender edges of my spirit, I took comfort visualizing my journey back to the place where all the blue spilled out. A glass of wine later I was smiling with eyes closed; faeries and fish gods healing around me. A ogni uccelll il suo nido e bello. Cin CinServed with: I enjoyed it with antipasto skewers. It would go well with quite a variety of things such as, burgers, pork ribs, red sauced pasta dishes, all kinds of cheeses, and luscious dark chocolate; available at Frans Chocolates in Seattle and online.Appearance: Clear bright garnet red with burnt orange edges.On the snoot: A heavy spirit filled with blackberry jam and vanilla perfume.Taste: Huge mouthful of juicy blackberry, tempered with a subtle hint of vanilla. Mid palate has a tiny ring of inoffensive tartness followed by just a hint of tannin on the finish, which is also kind of wet and jammy. Balance: Rubenesque; such is the nature of red zinfandel...a little light on acid, a little heavy on sugar.Comments: A red wine that people who don't like red wine will enjoy. Though she covers an acceptable spectrum of tasty, pretty, and nicely perfumed, she is lacking in complexity, rendering her a little uninteresting to me. Was she naked? I didn't notice.
Naked Wine Review 105Wine: Rhone Red WineGrenache 65%; Syrah 20%; Mourvedre 10%; Carignan 5%Producer: Vidal-FleuryVintage: 09'Region: France>Cotes du Rhone ControleePrice: 15.00Date tasted: 9/3/12Place tasted: I was holed up in a cheap motel room somewhere in Idaho, hiding from naked government spies.... don't ask.My dear friend and ally, Bob, had come along to help keep me calm and centered. Luckily I'd grabbed this bottle of Cotes du Rhone before we slinked out of town. Locked in our motel room under assumed names, with blinds drawn, wearing stolen clothes and driving a rental car, we felt as safe and warm as if we were living in an old episode of 'Leave it to Beaver'. So why not relax, sip, and enjoy a moment of artificial peace? Good ol' Bob; bad ol' spies. Served with: Moussaka, with it's rich sweet lamby goodness and gentle spices paired beautifully with the wines elegant dry complexities. This wine can handle strong flavors and plenty of acid and herb. Red pasta dishes, grilled meats, strong cheese...all good choices. Stay away from more subtle flavors as the wine will overpower them.Appearance: Dense blood red body with a glowing deep purple soul.On the snoot: Sandalwood and berries laced with wet, nose quenching minerality. Taste: Herb and earth forward with notes of the rare blueberry fig fruit and a slight mid range tang. Finish is long and captivating with peppery firm leather wrapped tannins. She's everything a fine wine should be.Balance: Hot, with light to medium body, high acidity/alcohol, no residual sugar, and a plethora of warm fuzzy little tannins. Very nice.Comments: Let breathe for an hour or so before imbibing. Her perfume is enchanting and her character, exotic yet subtle. You should buy some; and I should buy more. 
Naked Wine Review 106Wine: Red Bordeaux blend; 50% Cabernet 50% MerlotEstate: Chateau BonnetProducer: S.C.E.A. Les Vignobles Andre LurtonVintage: 09'Region: France>Bordeaux>Bordeaux ControleeBottling Location: Mis En Bouteille Au Chateau (bottled at the chateau)Price: 15.00 seems to be the average costDate tasted: September, it's all been the same day this month. Short month, long day.Place tasted: I tasted this wine comfortably in the memory of a rainy day. I was remembering what air was like and how much I really used to enjoy breathing it. I miss the days before the fires and smoke when undines fell from the sky, singing and gently tapping at my window beckoning me to join in their liquatious celebration. Until we meet again, I will smile with delight in anticipation of our inevitable joyous reunion. Cin Cin!Served with: Grilled sirloin steak & ratatouille. Complements with medium to strong flavors such as herby pasta dishes, grilled red meats, hard cheeses, dark chocolate, and wild wild women. Appearance: Deep cherry red draped in darkness moving with slow viscosity through someone else's moonlight. On the snoot: Heady and provocative, with a warm bouquet of black cherry, sweet pipe tobacco, and vintage leather.Taste: There's that black cherry again, but there's also a plum tree in the orchard. She's a mouthful of fruit leading to a place where smoky leather gently pats the naked fannies of multiple seductive tannins. In the afterglow, lingering visions of cocoa, earth, and peppercorn leave the palate euphoric and wandering through a long, well defined finish. Balance: Medium to full bodied and perfectly balanced with no aspect dominant or missing. She's smooth and dry with the gentle nature, poise, and grace of royalty. Long live the queen.Comments: Now THAT'S a Bordeaux! She's delightful company and eternally sexy, kinda like Catherine Deneuve. Naked Wine Review 103Wine: Pinot NoirProducer: Lange WineryVintage: 10'Region: Oregon>Willamette ValleyPrice: 21.00Date tasted: 8/13/12Place tasted: In my dream I was in this bar where there were these machines that rang like bells and played little tunes. People would sit in front of them, put money into them, push buttons, and just stare at them for hours, their faces void of all expression. I began to feel a hopeless sense of depression wash over me. Abandoning my poorly designed cocktail (why pay for it twice?) I exited the disturbing and surreal situation by simply opening my eyes. 'It didn't really happen; it didn't really happen.' To shake it off I poured a savory glass of Pinot Noir and moved into the kitchen for some creative culinary therapy. Food & wine, it's a beautiful thing....nightmares, not so much.Served with: Perfect with Coq au vin. Stay with foods more subtle in character such as salmon, duck, chicken, mushrooms, mellow cheeses, and things of that nature.Appearance: Clear cherry red with antique edges of light and a childlike glow of innocence. On the snoot: A pungent perfume of violets and wild flowers growing in cedar soaked earth. I suggest you take a long moment to appreciate and ponder her unique and lovely scent.Taste: Sudden impact of bright strawberry followed by a soft herbal scented breath on the exhale; a beautiful marriage of yin/yang energies in one naked little sip. Finish is wet and lingers like sunshine in images of floral and wood. Balance: She has a well balanced light body with no residual sugar; minimal tannin; and a gentle, elegant demeanor.Comments: A good Pinot Noir is all about the snoot, don't cha' think? I was quite taken with the lovely bouquet on this one; after tasting however, I found her a bit too soprano for my personal taste. In human form she would sing like Kate Bush. If that's the kind of thing you like, you should go there. I find the timbre of Morphine or The Mars Volta a more spirit feeding experience. Either way, here's to your good health.-CheersNaked Wine Review 104Wine: Primitivo Producer: Palama ArcangeloVintage: 10'Region: Italia>Puglia>SalentoPrice: 15.00Date tasted: 8/31/12Place tasted: I was not yet drunk and pondering my luck in the fullness of the brightest red 'blue moon' you've ever seen. Though the fire of the moment seemed to singe the tender edges of my spirit, I took comfort visualizing my journey back to the place where all the blue spilled out. A glass of wine later I was smiling with eyes closed; faeries and fish gods healing around me. A ogni uccelll il suo nido e bello. Cin CinServed with: I enjoyed it with antipasto skewers. It would go well with quite a variety of things such as, burgers, pork ribs, red sauced pasta dishes, all kinds of cheeses, and luscious dark chocolate; available at Frans Chocolates in Seattle and online.Appearance: Clear bright garnet red with burnt orange edges.On the snoot: A heavy spirit filled with blackberry jam and vanilla perfume.Taste: Huge mouthful of juicy blackberry, tempered with a subtle hint of vanilla. Mid palate has a tiny ring of inoffensive tartness followed by just a hint of tannin on the finish, which is also kind of wet and jammy. Balance: Rubenesque; such is the nature of red zinfandel...a little light on acid, a little heavy on sugar.Comments: A red wine that people who don't like red wine will enjoy. Though she covers an acceptable spectrum of tasty, pretty, and nicely perfumed, she is lacking in complexity, rendering her a little uninteresting to me. Was she naked? I didn't notice.Naked Wine Review 105Wine: Rhone Red WineGrenache 65%; Syrah 20%; Mourvedre 10%; Carignan 5%Producer: Vidal-FleuryVintage: 09'Region: France>Cotes du Rhone ControleePrice: 15.00Date tasted: 9/3/12Place tasted: I was holed up in a cheap motel room somewhere in Idaho, hiding from naked government spies.... don't ask.My dear friend and ally, Bob, had come along to help keep me calm and centered. Luckily I'd grabbed this bottle of Cotes du Rhone before we slinked out of town. Locked in our motel room under assumed names, with blinds drawn, wearing stolen clothes and driving a rental car, we felt as safe and warm as if we were living in an old episode of 'Leave it to Beaver'. So why not relax, sip, and enjoy a moment of artificial peace? Good ol' Bob; bad ol' spies. Served with: Moussaka, with it's rich sweet lamby goodness and gentle spices paired beautifully with the wines elegant dry complexities. This wine can handle strong flavors and plenty of acid and herb. Red pasta dishes, grilled meats, strong cheese...all good choices. Stay away from more subtle flavors as the wine will overpower them.Appearance: Dense blood red body with a glowing deep purple soul.On the snoot: Sandalwood and berries laced with wet, nose quenching minerality. Taste: Herb and earth forward with notes of the rare blueberry fig fruit and a slight mid range tang. Finish is long and captivating with peppery firm leather wrapped tannins. She's everything a fine wine should be.Balance: Hot, with light to medium body, high acidity/alcohol, no residual sugar, and a plethora of warm fuzzy little tannins. Very nice.Comments: Let breathe for an hour or so before imbibing. Her perfume is enchanting and her character, exotic yet subtle. You should buy some; and I should buy more. Naked Wine Review 106Wine: Red Bordeaux blend; 50% Cabernet 50% MerlotEstate: Chateau BonnetProducer: S.C.E.A. Les Vignobles Andre LurtonVintage: 09'Region: France>Bordeaux>Bordeaux ControleeBottling Location: Mis En Bouteille Au Chateau (bottled at the chateau)Price: 15.00 seems to be the average costDate tasted: September, it's all been the same day this month. Short month, long day.Place tasted: I tasted this wine comfortably in the memory of a rainy day. I was remembering what air was like and how much I really used to enjoy breathing it. I miss the days before the fires and smoke when undines fell from the sky, singing and gently tapping at my window beckoning me to join in their liquatious celebration. Until we meet again, I will smile with delight in anticipation of our inevitable joyous reunion. Cin Cin!Served with: Grilled sirloin steak & ratatouille. Complements with medium to strong flavors such as herby pasta dishes, grilled red meats, hard cheeses, dark chocolate, and wild wild women. Appearance: Deep cherry red draped in darkness moving with slow viscosity through someone else's moonlight. On the snoot: Heady and provocative, with a warm bouquet of black cherry, sweet pipe tobacco, and vintage leather.Taste: There's that black cherry again, but there's also a plum tree in the orchard. She's a mouthful of fruit leading to a place where smoky leather gently pats the naked fannies of multiple seductive tannins. In the afterglow, lingering visions of cocoa, earth, and peppercorn leave the palate euphoric and wandering through a long, well defined finish. Balance: Medium to full bodied and perfectly balanced with no aspect dominant or missing. She's smooth and dry with the gentle nature, poise, and grace of royalty. Long live the queen.Comments: Now THAT'S a Bordeaux! She's delightful company and eternally sexy, kinda like Catherine Deneuve. 