nakedwines.com – Page 2 – Appetite for Wine

Benjamin Darnault, Languedoc-Roussillon, nakedwines.com, Viognier, Wine

Viogn-Yay! Review: Benjamin Darnault Viognier 2015

July 27, 2016July 27, 2016 Appetite for Wine

I’m not normally a big Viognier fan. There are just too many low quality offerings out there that are off balance, and often the characteristic floral notes come off as just sweet. When I do buy Viognier, it’s usually for white sangria. So when this bottle arrived in a sample pack for review, I was a little apprehensive.

Benjamin Darnault produces wine for NakedWines.com. His flagship wine, Minervois, a Grenache-based blend from the Languedoc-Roussillon region, is an Angel favorite. He also produces some stunning Rhône wines. I’ve had several of these reds, and have always been impressed, so this gave me hope that his 100% Viognier would be a winner, too. Here’s what I thought when I gave it a try:

Many of the reviews here [on the NakedWines.com website] have said this is a great wine for a hot day. Well, it’s 106F today in my neck of NorCal, so this seems to be the day to give this a go!

Clear, straw color in the glass. The aromas…oh, my…the aromas! I could smell the floral and citrus aromas from, literally, 3 feet away as I poured! Honeysuckle, elderflower, white grapefruit, and mild apricot explode on the nose. On the palate, the floral notes mingle with apricot, mango, grapefruit, and lemon. Bright acidity gives it zip, while a creaminess at the back of the tongue softens it and provides a medium-full mouthfeel. The finish goes on and on with yellow citrus flavors.

Viognier is probably the only varietal my wife enjoys more than me, and I love this one! Crisp, refreshing, and delicious, this is a great hot-weather quencher, that also goes well with a variety of foods. Yum.

4.5 out of 5 Hearts (92-94 points)

Angel Price: $10.49

If this sounds like your kind of wine, and you’d like to try this or any of the dozens of other small batch, high quality wines available from NakedWines.com, click here for a voucher worth $100 off your first order of $160 or more. You’ll be glad you did!

Cheers!

Aromatic White Wine, LeisureLeigh, naked wines, nakedwines.com, Wine

Review: Leigh Meyering LeisureLeigh 2015

May 14, 2016 Appetite for Wine

It was with eager anticipation this week, that I opened a bottle of Leigh Meyering’s Aromatic White Wine, LeisureLeigh. I had my first taste of the 2013 vintage of LeisureLeigh in 2014, shortly after joining NakedWines.com. I’m normally a big, bold red wine drinker, so I was quite surprised at how much I enjoyed this light, floral, sweeter-style wine. But LeisureLeigh is absolutely delicious! It is a perfect, refreshing wine to enjoy on a hot summer day. It pairs well with swimming pools, lakes, river, and ocean beaches. It is also the exact wine my wife and I had been looking for to take to the summer “Concerts in the Park” series in the town where we live.

Leigh Meyering is a very talented winemaker, to be sure. She is also an enologist – a wine scientist, receiving her Master’s Degree in Enology from U.C. Davis. She runs myEnologist.com, a consulting service, and has worked in such notable wineries as Spring Mountain Vineyard in St. Helena, Clos Des Jacobins in St. Emilion, MacRostie in Carneros, and Charles Krug in St. Helena. Working with grapes in the lab, Leigh knows where all the best fruit comes from, so when she puts on her winemaker hat, she knows who to contact for the very best grapes. As you can probably guess by the name of the wine, Leigh also has a terrific sense of humor. All the wines she makes for NakedWines.com are a riff on her name: SeriousLeigh, her Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon; DeliciousLeigh, an appropriately named Bordeaux-style blend; and ElegantLeigh, a light, floral Zinfandel.

I’ve had the privilege of meeting Leigh in person, and she is a truly wonderful person; kind, caring, and giving, and she really does have a great sense of humor! In fact, I was so impressed with Leigh, the person, that when I was chosen to be a NakedWines.com “Archangel”*, she was the first winemaker I chose to sponsor.

At the 2015 Angel Tasting Tour

At the risk of overstating the obvious, I am a big fan of LeisureLeigh. It is a unique, refreshing blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Symphony, and Moscato, with a splash of Viognier. Here’s my review of the new, 2015 vintage:

Summer can now begin!

My shipment of LeisureLeigh has arrived! Last year’s vintage sold out so fast I missed it completely. 😦 Summer just wasn’t the same. I vowed I would never let that happen again!

Light straw color in the glass. I started it off fridge cold so I could experience the evolution of flavors as it warmed. Even cold, the aromas of honeysuckle, elderflower, and ripe pear are inviting and enticing. On the palate, those sweeter flavors continue, along with soft citrus of grapefruit and lemon. As the wine warms, these flavors become more pronounced and satisfying, peaking around cellar temp (55F). This is a refreshing, light bodied wine with zesty acidity and a delightful finish.

LeisureLeigh was one of the first NakedWines.com wines I tasted. It continues to be one of my favorites. As a former “reds only” drinker, I thank Leigh for this wine, which prompted me to start exploring whites.

Sweet? Yes, but balanced. Not cloying; but rather it is fresh, lively, and invigorating! Try it for yourself, but be forewarned: this stuff is seriously chuggable!

5 Stars (95+ points) Yes, I love this wine!

Available exclusively from NakedWines.com; MSRP: $17.49, Angel Member Price: $10.49.

If this sounds like your kind of wine, you can get LeisureLeigh by following this link and using the voucher worth $100 off a first-time order of $160 or more.

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* NakedWines.com members are known as “Angels” (click here for more info.) “Archangels” Angels who have been selected by NakedWines.com staff, because they are the most active and helpful in the NakedWines.com social media groups, and diligent in reviewing all the NakedWines.com wines they try. Archangels select winemakers (typically 3-6 of them) to support by answering questions about their wines posted by other Angels.

Cabernet Sauvignon, nakedwines.com, Napa, Wine

Review: Bruno Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2013

April 17, 2016May 7, 2016 Appetite for Wine

Cabernet Sauvignon. The king of the grapes. The stuff of Grand Cru Bordeaux, and Napa legends. From poets to journalists, critics to bloggers, much has been written about this most famous varietal, and much more will be in the future. None of the words put to print can adequately capture the magic that happens when a skilled winemaker plies his art on this noble grape, and produces the fine elixir sought by kings and paupers alike.

Ah, but I wax poetic. Who am I kidding? That’s not my style! Let me just say that Cabernet Sauvignon is some darn fine wine! It is one of my favorite varietals, and if you believe the stats, it is my #1 favorite. And you can’t argue with stats! I had always considered Zinfandel my favorite, but looking back on my wine apps, I have consumed and rated more Cabernet Sauvignon than any other varietal! So much so, that Vivino considers me an Expert of California Cabernet Sauvignon! I don’t know that I’m an expert of much of anything, but if Vivino says it of me, I’ll take it!If you follow my blog, or have read my very first post, Appetite for Wine, (found under the About tab), you know that I tend to live in the Under-$35 world of retail wine prices. Most of my purchases are in the sub-$20 region. At this price point, you can find quality, but a lot of Cabernet Sauvignon in this range is rather one-dimensional and uninspiring. Not that it’s all bad…many have very good flavor, but are often blends that dilute the unique terroir, and/or spend very little time in oak, which I consider to be very important for Cabernet. As I discussed in a previous post, A Cabernet is a Cabernet. Or Is It?, not all wines are created equally, and things like climate, soil, and blending can change the character of wines made from the same varietal. Generally speaking, as with most things in life, the higher the quality, the bigger the price tag.

Another thing you probably know about me is that I am a NakedWines.com Angel. NakedWines.com is a crowd funded winery, whose winemakers produce high quality, boutique wines, which they sell directly to Angels. By avoiding the costly and archaic three-tier system, NakedWines.com is able to pass their savings to the Angels by selling at reduced prices. Therefore, Angels get better quality for the price. NakedWines.com seeks out the best and brightest winemakers. Many of them have worked in big name wineries, and have years or decades of experience.

The wine I am reviewing today is an excellent example of both Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, and what makes NakedWines.com such a great deal. The winemaker, Richard Bruno, has more than 20 years of experience, making award-winning wines at such notable wineries as Francis Ford Coppola and Sebastiani. He is a recent addition to the NakedWines.com family, and this is the first of his wines that I have tried. It will not be my last!

Since Vivino considers me a California Cabernet expert, I am making an “Expert Recommendation” for this wine!

Oh wow! I had to double check the Angel price on this beauty! $19.99? Must be a typo. This is at least a $40-45 bottle of Napa Cabernet!

This wine is a great example of why Cabernet Sauvignon is the king of grapes. Deep garnet in the glass, the nose is a basket of freshly picked boysenberries, blackberries, and blueberries. On the palate these berries are joined by deep, dark black currant, spice, and hearty oak. The oak enhances, but does not overpower the wine. This is a dry wine with bold tannins. But even straight from the bottle without decanting or aerating, (yes, into a glass! I’m a oenophile, not a wino!) the tannins are not harsh, but are smooth and chewy, and balanced with bright acidity. After decanting for an hour, the tannins are even smoother, the flavors enhanced, and the acidity nicely balanced. The finish lingers long with berry, spice, leather, and smoke.

This wine will age gracefully for several years, but if you have a slab of beef or lamb laying around that needs grilling, open this one up and find out what everybody is talking about. 4.5 hearts (92-94 points) now. Definite 5.0 with a couple years of age.

If you’d like to try this, or any of the other outstanding wines available from NakedWines.com, click here for a voucher worth $100 off a first-time order of $160 or more. You’ll be glad you did.

Cheers!

Jac Cole, Mosaico, nakedwines.com, Wine

Review: Jac Cole Mosaico Napa Valley 2014

March 28, 2016March 29, 2016 Appetite for Wine

Regular readers know that Jac Cole has become one of my favorite winemakers. As one of the winemakers for NakedWines.com, his wines may be unknown to folks who are not Naked Wines Angels. Yet Jac knows his way around a winery. He’s been making wine in California for more than 40 years. Some better known labels for whom Jac has worked include Charles Krug, Spring Mountain, and Cliff Lede.

I reviewed Jac’s Mosaico Sonoma Valley 2013 here, so this will, in a way, be my first vertical review. I say “in a way” because I did not taste these wines at the same time, but more importantly, these are two distinctly different wines, from different regions. The 2013 was a blend of Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. The 2014 is all Napa Valley, and in addition to the Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, Jac added some Merlot to the blend. Still, these two wines showcase Jac’s winemaking talent in his ability to make consistently outstanding wines from varied blends, from different regions.

Despite their differences, both 2013 and 2014 are outstanding wines. Big, bold, and complex, showcasing the best of all the varietals in the blends, Jac’s Mosaico blends are fantastic now, and will continue to improve for several years in the cellar…if you can hold onto them that long!

Here’s what I thought of the Jac Cole Mosaico Napa Valley 2014, posted on NakedWines.com:

Jac, you’ve done it again! Your 2013 Mosaico Sonoma County was one of the best red blends I’ve tasted. This 2014 Mosaico Napa Valley surpasses it.

Deep purple color with a ruby rim. Aromas of blackberry, plum, and oak greet the nose. On the tongue, this is a rich, full-bodied wine with flavors of chocolate-covered cherry, ripe plum, blackberry, oak, and spice. Tannins are firm and full, but balanced with lively acidity. The finish is long and full, with dark berry, tobacco smoke, and spice.

Bearing the Napa Valley designation, the grapes may have come from all over the valley. However, the terroir in this wine is distinctive, and I would not be surprised to find there is Rutherford and/or Oakville fruit in the blend. Exquisite!

Although outstanding now, like the 2013, this wine will only improve with time. Get several, and lay some down for a year or 10.

5 out of 5 stars/hearts (95+ points)

MSRP: $34.99, Angel Price: $16.99

One of the really cool things about NakedWines.com is that Angels get to interact directly with the winemakers on the social media site. The day after I posted my review, Jac Cole replied, and confirmed that the Cabernet Sauvignon in this blend is, in fact, from Rutherford. This is high quality stuff!

You can only get Jac Cole Mosaico Napa Valley 2014 from NakedWines.com. If you haven’t tried them yet, here’s a voucher worth $100 off a first-time order of $160 or more. You’ll be glad you did!

Franc Dusak, nakedwines.com, Sonoma Valley, Wine, Zinfandel

Review: Franc Dusak Zinfandel Sonoma Valley 2013

March 19, 2016April 23, 2016 Appetite for Wine

I love Zinfandel. This may be in part because my red wine journey started in earnest with Zinfandel. Also, living minutes from the Sierra Foothills, famous for its Old Vine Zinfandel, I have access to some of the best Zin on the planet. I admit a Sierra Foothill bias, but I enjoy exploring other regions and have found a few that continue to impress me with outstanding Zinfandel. Among these are Dry Creek Valley, in Sonoma County, and the greater Sonoma County region in general. This is where today’s wine is from.

Zinfandel is a versatile grape that can present in a variety of different ways, from jammy fruit bombs; to big, bold, and spicy; to light and floral. I think a lot of people who say they don’t like Zinfandel have only been exposed to the former – those jammy, “please pass the peanut butter” fruit bombs. These tend to fall in the lower end of the price spectrum, which is where I have found most people start when exploring new varietals. Generally speaking, fruit bomb Zin comes from warmer climates, like Lodi in California’s Central Valley. Fruit bombs have their place, and many people prefer them. However, my personal preference is big, bold, and spicy Zinfandel. These are most common from slightly cooler regions like the Sierra Foothills and Sonoma County.

Having such a fondness for Zinfandel, imagine my excitement when Franc Dusak’s Zinfandel Sonoma Valley 2013 appeared for sale on the NakedWines.com website! I’ve had other Franc Dusak wines before, and been blown away by all of them, but this is his first Zinfandel for NakedWines.com. This wine spent 23 months in the barrel, which will give it a soft, smooth texture along with the delicious flavors. I ordered some the first day it was available.

Franc Dusak has been making wine for more than a decade, but his name has always been behind the scenes. About a year ago, NakedWines.com got ahold of him, and propelled him to instant stardom! (In my book, at least!) But enough with the lead-in…on to the review!

I’m a Zin freak. Over the years, I’ve had more Zin than any other varietal. Franc, your 2013 Sonoma Valley Zinfandel is dee-licious!

Deep purple with brick rim. Aromas of blueberries and blackberries, along with the promise of oak and spice. On the palate, blackberry, black pepper, black cherry, and promise kept: smooth oak and a spicy finish. Exceptionally balanced fruit and spice ratio; medium body. The tannins are velvety smooth and balanced with soft acidity. Those 23 months in oak really paid off! I’m glad I bought more than one!!

4.5 out of 5 hearts (92-94 points)

Available only from NakedWines.com. Angel Price: $13.99

If this sounds like your kind of Zinfandel, and you aren’t yet a NakedWines.com Angel, click the Naked Wines logo above, or here for a voucher worth $100 off a first-time order of $160 or more. You won’t be sorry you did!

Chardonnay, Jac Cole, nakedwines.com, Wine

Review: Jac Cole Oak Fermented Chardonnay 2014

January 26, 2016 Appetite for Wine

ABC – Anything But Chardonnay. That was me, until about a year ago. When I started my wine journey in the mid-1990’s, Big Oaky was king of Chardonnay. Just about everything coming out of California and many other regions was essentially oak juice, mixed with a little bit of fruit. A very popular style, to be sure, and it remains popular for some today, just not for me. So I abandoned Chardonnay, thinking that’s just what it tastes like. I prefer my whites with little or no oak. Don’t get me wrong, I like big oak in my wine…full-bodied red wine. As a newbie back then, I didn’t understand or appreciate the role oak plays in enhancing the flavor and texture of some white wines.

About a year ago I received, from NakedWines.com, a sample of Jac Cole’s Unoaked Chardonnay for review. I was astounded to discover that when left to itself, the Chardonnay grape is fruity and delicious! So I started to explore the varietal a bit more, including oaked styles. Further along in my journey now, I have a greater appreciation of the nuances, warmth, and flavors that oak brings to a finely crafted white wine.

Jac Cole Oak Fermented Chardonnay 2014 is just that: a finely crafted white wine. I’ve written about Jac and his wines before. Former winemaker at Charles Krug, one of my favorite Napa Valley producers, he is a highly skilled craftsman. I also had the honor to meet him about a year ago at a picnic, and he is a truly kind, humble man. This fact makes enjoying his wines even more of a pleasure.

Open Me — Always obedient when a cork speaks to me.

Here is my review, posted on the NakedWines.com website:

Once again, Jac Cole knocks it out of the park. Once, I was an ABC’er – Anything But Chardonnay. Then I tasted Jac’s Chardonnay, and I was converted.

Straw yellow on the glass. Aromas of creamy butter and golden delicious apple. On the palate, there is apple, pear, and pineapple, with soft oak. The mouthfeel is rich and creamy, with balanced acidity. On the finish there is green apple, caramel, and toasty oak, and butter.

We started well chilled, and enjoyed it as the wine warmed. Flavors emerged as the temperature increased. It is quite a complex wine. Paired with roasted chicken and butternut squash, it was magical!

Oak fermented, but not overly oaky. That’s Jac. He lets the delicious fruit of the grape shine, and allows the oak to enhance and soften.

ABC? You bet! Anything By Cole!!

4.5 out of 5 hearts

NakedWines.com exclusive, $13.99 member price.

Become a NakedWines.com Angel here, and order some today!

Cheers!

_____________________________________________

Italy, nakedwines.com, Sangiovese, Tuscany, Wine

Review: Maurizio Castelli Merletto Sangiovese 2014

January 19, 2016January 19, 2016 Appetite for Wine

Old World versus New World. What does that even mean? For those accustomed to Californian or other Western Hemisphere, New World wines, many Old World (European) wines may seem pale and acidic. The stereotype is of ripe, fruity New World wines that are enjoyable on their own, versus dry, acidic Old World that are best with food.

Here we have a great example of an Old World Italian wine. Historically, wine is much more a part of European culture than it is in the U.S. Remember, it was we crazy Americans who passed the Volstead Act – Prohibition – the effects of which still linger today in the U.S. In Europe, a meal isn’t a meal without a glass of wine.

Exclusively from NakedWines.com, the 2014 Sangiovese by Maurizio Castelli is a classic Italian wine, meant for Italian food. Below is an excerpt from Maurizio’s bio on his NakedWines.com page:

A famous Brunello consultant – Maurizio had a hand in many of the region’s most famous wines like La Ragnaie (100 point wine), Mastrojanni, Badia a Coltibuono, Bastianich, Mastrojanni, Grattamacco and a long list of other delicious wines that are even more expensive than they are difficult to pronounce.

And on top of knowing how to make landmark luxury wines, he knows how to create remarkable everyday sippers like Integolo (the top-rated value wine in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list)

Here’s my review, posted at NakedWines.com:

This is a young wine. Do yourself and Maurizio a favor and decant or aerate before drinking. You’ll enjoy it more. It’s also an Old World wine, leaning toward subtle fruit and food-friendly acidity. For some who only like California style smooth, jammy fruit bombs, that’s strike two. But if you are looking for a fresh tasting, complex wine to pair with some classic Italian cuisine, look no further!

The color is dark Ruby in the glass. On the nose, blackberry bramble and plum. Flavors of blackberry, cedar, and spice dominate, followed by subtle blueberry. Tannins are a bit harsh yet; as I said, it’s young; but smooth out with exposure to air. The acidity is brisk; not atypical for classically made Italian wines. This is a food wine. We paired it with spaghetti squash and marinara with Italian sausage. The wine enhanced the food, and vice-versa.

If you have a few bottles, lay them down a bit. This will be excellent in a couple of years.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 hearts

Price: Retail $17.99, Angel (member) price: $9.99

To get your bottles, click here to join NakedWines.com.

Cheers!

Australia, nakedwines.com, Pinot Grigio, Wine

Review: Boy Meets Girl Pinot Grigio 2015

December 7, 2015 Appetite for Wine

Boy Meets Girl Pinot Grigio 2015 is a NakedWines.com exclusive. This delightful white wine comes to us from Central Victoria, Australia, and is crafted by the husband and wife team of Adrian and Rebecca Santolin. Their story, described on their NakedWines.com winemaker page, is one of love and mutual vision. Adrian, the boy, met Rebecca, the girl, in 1999. They shared a dream of one day making their own wine. Together, with Adrian as winemaker and Rebecca doing the marketing, they have realized their dream. With experience at a number of Italian and Australian wineries, Adrian has an impressive C.V. His work includes helping with several award-winning projects. Their relationship with NakedWines.com has allowed them to take their winemaking dream to the next level.

Boy Meets Girl Pinot Grigio is their only wine currently available in the U.S. market, but in the Australia and U.K. markets, they have a complete portfolio of wines including a Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blend, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and their 2015 A & R Shiraz/Viognier blend, which won a gold medal and a trophy for “Best Red Blend” at the 2015 Victorian Wine Show.

But enough about their other wines. The 2015 Pinot Grigio is delightful. Made in a European, Pinot Gris style, they give the wine some time on the skins to impart more color, complexity, and texture. The name and label illustration impart fun – and a wine like this should make you happy when you enjoy it – and the embracing couple represents Adrian and Rebecca’s story.

I reviewed this on Vivino, but it’s an abbreviated version due to the 512 character limit (yea, I get a little wordy sometimes.) Here’s my full review, posted on NakedWines.com:

A beautiful liquid gold color in the glass, this Aussie Pinot Grigio delights the nose with aromas of stone fruit like apricot and white peach. These flavors are present on the palate as well, along with some light floral (elderflower?) and a bit of honeysuckle.

The mouthfeel is rich and creamy, more than other Pinot Grigios I’ve had. It is medium bodied with pleasant sweetness offset by subtle acidity. On the finish there is a bit of citrus; white grapefruit and lemon. Delightful, refreshing, and delicious!

This is a very well balanced wine; noticeably sweet with stone fruit flavors, but I wouldn’t consider it a sweet wine. Yet it’s not a dry white, either. This may be the perfect wine to try if you are a sweet wine lover who is interested in expanding your wine profile. Give it a try!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

Available exclusively from NakedWines.com, $9.99

One of the benefits of being a part of NakedWines.com is that we get to correspond directly with the winemakers. Rebecca replied to my review, and confirmed that the wine has low residual sugar, and that the sensation of sweetness is entirely fruit-driven.

To join NakedWines.com and receive a voucher worth $100 off your first order of $160 or more, click here. Cheers!

Bordeaux, nakedwines.com, Wine

Review: Pezat Grand Vin de Bordeaux 2011

November 30, 2015December 1, 2015 Appetite for Wine

You may have noticed that I am a member (or Angel, as members are known) of NakedWines.com. As an Angel, I buy and review a lot of NakedWines.com wine. In addition to their NakedWines.com wines, many of the winemakers who produce wine for NakedWines.com also have other projects and private labels. They’re not Naked, but they’re made by NakedWines.com winemakers, so they’re not entirely non-Naked. I like to refer to them as “Wines Scantily Clad.”

I’ve added a “Wines Scantily Clad” category under Reviews in the menu bar. Check back for more reviews as I come across these great wines!

From NakedWines.com’s own Jonathan Maltus, I scored his Pezat 2011 Right Bank Bordeaux for just $17. Robert Parker himself was pretty impressed with this wine:

88 pts.– Robert Parker: “From Jonathan Maltus, this is what Bordeaux is doing more and more of. It is wines such as this that will ultimately save the lesser properties from extinction. A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc from a humble appellation with a great price tag, this inky/purple-colored 2011 reveals copious amounts of black fruits. Straightforward and powerful, this sleeper of the vintage will offer a serious mouthful of wine over the next 3-4 years.”

Here’s my review from Vivino:

Bright, vibrant Right Bank Bordeaux. Ruby color with red brick at the edges. Aromas of raspberry, cranberry, and plum. Flavors of plum, cherry, and smoky spice, with a hint of oak. Tannins are pronounced, with bright acidity. This wine has great aging potential. The finish is spice, leather, and licorice. Like most Old World wines, this is best with food, and paired nicely with my grilled flank steak. At $17, a very nice Bordeaux.

Purchased from Underground Cellar.
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Thanks to Ryan O’Connell of NakedWines.com for suggesting and encouraging me to add “Wines Scantily Clad” to my blog. Check out Ryan’s blog, The Truth About Wine at https://nakedwinesdotcom.wordpress.com/.

Cheers!

Cellar, nakedwines.com, Wine, Wine Storage

What’s in Your Cellar?

November 19, 2015 Appetite for Wine

Some day my wine cellar will look like this. We all have dreams, right?

I am a condo dweller. I have no basement. I do not have sufficient space for a large wine refrigerator or upright cellar. Instead, I have a 34 bottle chiller. (Why 34, Vinotemp? Why not an even 3-case 36?) With the bin at the bottom, I can squeeze in a few extra bottles, expanding my capacity to 38 when needed. I have some shipping packaging in an interior closet to stack my occasional overflow, but for the most part, I’m limited to about 3 cases of inventory at any given time. The truth is, since I’m not a collector, this is ample storage.

But I can still dream, can’t I? When our son left the nest a couple of years ago, we converted his room to a home office. While the room is occupied, I have my eye on his walk-in closet. Currently it is full of storage, but in my mind’s eye, I can see it lined with wood racks, sealed, and a compressor installed. Can’t you just imaging that mirror replaced with a glass viewing panel? Dreams can come true, can’t they?

While pondering what I’d do with a 200+ bottle cellar, I thought about what wines I currently have in storage. As I say, I’m not a collector. My oldest bottle is a 2007 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. I’m holding it for another couple of years, with the intention of opening it in 2017, when it is 10 years old, for our 33rd anniversary. I know for some enthusiasts, 10 years is not a long time, but when you’ve limited space, it’s pretty darn long!

As a member of NakedWines.com, I have a lot of their wines. In fact, 18 of 33 wines in my current inventory are from NakedWines.com. Of these, some are “special” wines, including a 2010 Gianfranco & Serena Cordero Barolo DOCG, that I’m planning to hold for at least five more years.

I also have a three year vertical flight of Intertwine Napa Valley Merlot, by Bridget Raymond. (I recently reviewed the new 2014 vintage, here.) The 2012 was actually the first wine I opened in my NakedWines.com sample pack. It was so good, I immediately joined, and I haven’t looked back! In the spring of 2016, I’m planning to host a vertical tasting of the 2012, 2013, and 2014. (I’ll post the experience here afterward.)

Other, non-NakedWines.com wines in my chiller include several Sauvignon Blancs, left-over from the dog days of summer and my 2015 Sauv Blanc obsession, and a Montepulciano D’Abruzzo, my new favorite Italian red. I also have a couple of Cabernet Sauvignons; St. Supery and Castillo di Amorosa, from our Napa mini-vacation this summer. For that obligatory bottle of bubbles, I have a Zonin Prosecco.

Frankly, I think I have a bunch of great wines on hand! Compared to a lot of my wine friends, it’s a small quantity, but it works for me. Some day, perhaps, I’ll be able to convert that closet, but until then, my 34 bottle chiller works just fine.

Which brings me to my original question: What’s in your cellar?

I’m interested in what other wine lovers have in storage. Whether you have a six-bottle rack on your kitchen counter, or the cellar of my dreams, full of auction-worthy classics, please leave a comment and share some of your special bottles. I may not be able to taste them, but we can all enjoy each others wines vicariously.

Cheers!