Chris Henderson

Archangel • Joined 21 September 2012

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02082025 "I can't believe it's already February" edition of WTW (Wine Tasting Weekend) and hard to believe the first month of 2025 has come and gone already! I have 3, count'em, 3 wines I'll be tasting this weekend. Here they are: Rob McNeill NV California Brut Rosé , F. Stephen Millier 2022 Angels Reserve Lodi Shiraz, and Jacqueline Bahue 2023 Lodi Cabernet Franc. Well, well, well, we ALL know what time it is now, eh, Peeps? That's right! It's MILLIER Time! His Shiraz is ready to go, and I'm ready to taste it! Huzzah! In the glass, the wine is a medium ruby to purple in color, but no inky heart as I can easily see my fingers through the glass. Sniffy Sniff time – a deep ol sniffy sniff of this Shiraz shows blackberry and plum fruit on the nose, with some sweet tobacco leaf, hints of allspice, and cedarwood. Tasty Taste time – taking a big tasty taste shows a mouthful of blackberry cobbler with some plum sauce topping it off, and maybe some dark chocolate, and smoky oak. Medium plus tannins and medium acidity with a smooth and voluptuous texture ending with a jammin', fruit-filled finish! Whoo-Haa! It's kinda weird noticing that this is Stephen's 13th vintage of this wine, and I believe I may have had one from back in the 2010 vintage when it was released here later. If not, then the 2011...anyway, all these years later, and it's still a kick tasting this wine! It's big and bold and needs time to breathe the O2, but you will be rewarded by your patience! Plus, QPR is off the charts at <$11 a bottle, so stock up on this one can be aged for some fun times ahead, if you can wait, that is! Ba-da-ba-ba-ba, I'm Lovin' it! I'm a die hard fan of the Nakedwines.com prior heart rating scale, to provide a bit more nuance to my rating beyond Like and Love (1-5): 5 hearts! Oh Yeah (think Ferris Bueller classic song there)... Remember you are in the #1 BEST PLACE at Nakedwines.com - Best Wine Club according to USA Today and ME - for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and TADA - 2024! We are the LEVIATHAN that will not LOSE! Let's do it again in 2025! Cul sec! https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-wine-club-2024/naked-wines/

Price:

$19.99

Angels:

$10.99

02092025 "I can't believe it's already February" edition of WTW (Wine Tasting Weekend) and hard to believe the first month of 2025 has come and gone already! I have 3, count'em, 3 wines I'll be tasting this weekend. Here they are: Rob McNeill NV California Brut Rosé , F. Stephen Millier 2022 Angels Reserve Lodi Shiraz, and Jacqueline Bahue 2023 Lodi Cabernet Franc. Well, this time it's Ladies last it appears, but when it's JB's Cab Franc, that is a good thing! Let's see how this vintage tastes! In the glass, the wine is a pale to medium ruby in color, with no inky heart as I can easily see my fingers through the glass. Sniffy Sniff time – the nose of this Cab Franc is showing some plum fruit, roasted red pepper notes, and hints of cigar box and oak. A touch of bell pepper was present but disappeared over breathing time. Tasty Taste time – moving onto the palate, red plum fruit is joined by a bit of stewed strawberry, with red pepper, some spice, and generous oak. Medium plus tannins and high acidity with a sultry texture and a rich finish with a slight hint of bitters and some zing! Yowza! I feel a bit deja vu all over again ;) - I'm reminded how I had a bottle of he Cab Franc solo back in 2012 when she began with Nakedwines.com, and so many vintages later, we're still sharing wines together! While this definitely enjoyed its breathing time prior to review, I think another couple bottles stored away will be beneficial still as its got legs! That being said, I enjoyed this quite a bit per usual, and would class this as another LOVE in the new rating parlance. Sweety Peeps will not want to go near this one at all, but that's ok as it's more for us Red Heads! I'm a die hard fan of the Nakedwines.com prior heart rating scale, to provide a bit more nuance to my rating beyond Like and Love (1-5): 4 hearts! Another great vintage from JB! Remember you are in the #1 BEST PLACE at Nakedwines.com - Best Wine Club according to USA Today and ME - for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and TADA - 2024! We are the LEVIATHAN that will not LOSE! Let's do it again in 2025! Cul sec! https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-wine-club-2024/naked-wines/

Price:

$24.99

Angels:

$10.99

01172025 We're already into a New Year edition of WTW (Wine Tasting Weekend) and hard to believe the first month is already over halfway over! I have 3, count'em, 3 wines I'll be tasting this weekend. Here they are: Rob McNeill NV California Brut, Matt

Price:

$24.99

Angels:

$14.99

Matt Parish Napa Valley Tino 2021

$29.99

04122024 WTW Wine 3 - It's WTW (Wine Tasting Weekend (or Weekday depending on when I post - hah!) - As always, I have 3, count'em THREE, wines I'll be tasting each day (one per day, unless I get antsy or late). I have selected the following wines to taste: F. Stephen Millier 2022 Angels Reserve Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon, Benjamin Darnault 2021 Minervois, and Matt Parish 2021 Napa Valley Tino. Finishing up WTW (right as the weekend is starting - weird, right?) with Matt's stellar Tino blend! This is one of my many faves of his releases, so was excited to try the newest vintage! Come on down! In the glass, the wine is a deep ruby to purple in color with an inky heart as I can barely see my fingers through the glass. Sniffy Sniff time – this wine has a fruit forward nose, with bright cherry and blackberry fruit, smoky spices, hints of violet, oak, and a teense of Eucalyptus. Tasty Taste time – onto the palate, the blackberry fruit with lesser cherry notes carry over, with some additions of vanilla, mocha, and rich oak. Medium plus tannins and acidity, a silky smooth texture, and a mouthwatering finish! Please, sir, may I have some more? Yep - that there is the Tino-riffic wine! It was pretty much a no brainer that I would love this having rated the 2016-2020 releases I have tasted at 5 hearts. While this seems like it may be a bit young, it is showing super well already, and will mellow and get more complex with age. That being said, I LOVE it already (surprised? - NOT). 5 hearts! More to stash away for the future per the usual with Matt's wines. Remember you are in the #1 BEST PLACE at Nakedwines.com - Best Wine Club according to USA Today and ME - for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and TADA - 2023! We are the BEHEMOTH that can't be BEAT! Let's do it again in 2024! Bas vers le haut! https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-wine-club-2023/

Price:

$54.99

Angels:

$29.99

Matt Parish Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

$44.99

06012024 WTW Wine 3 - It's WTW (Wine Tasting Weekend or Weekday depending on when I post - hah!) - As always, I have 3, count'em THREE, wines I'll be tasting each day (one per day, unless I get antsy or late). I have selected the following wines to taste: Rob McNeill 2020 Russian River Valley Brut, Karen Birmingham 2021 Lodi Zinfandel, and Matt Parish 2021 Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Well, Peeps, its time for the big boy - MattyP's Reserve Napa Cab from 2021. I know I should wait a while longer, but I decided to grab it now and regret it later (or will just order more). Ready? Onward we go! In the glass, the wine is a deep ruby in color, with quite the inky heart as I can barely see my fingers through the glass. Sniffy Sniff time – A deep sniffy sniff of this cab shows bramble fruit, black cherry, hints of violet, graphite, and smoky cedarwood. Smells rich and decadent! Tasty Taste time – Some of the same fruits carry over to the palate. Blackberry, cherry, and currant fruit, with some hints of baking spices, and toasted oak. Medium tannins and acidity with a silky smooth texture that coats the palate. The finish leaves you wanting another sip (or another glass) immediately! Sha-ZAM! As always, we have a signature Matt Parish Cab here, Peeps. You know why you get this, cuz you want the good stuff, top-o-the-shelf cabs, and MattyP delivers! I saw if I could have been MORE patient, the ideal time to drink this one begins in 2026. I'll have to make sure I sit on the other bottle (or buy some more) to ensure I can taste some then as well. I appreciate the specific dates, Matt - Nakedwines.com in general should do that vs. the ages for 'X' years IMHO. :) So, even though I'm early on this party, you know this was going to end up amazing still (so imagine it in a few more years). Do decant to help this one if you open early, as always. For me, this one gets, 5 hearts! Remember you are in the #1 BEST PLACE at Nakedwines.com - Best Wine Club according to USA Today and ME - for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and TADA - 2023! We are the BEHEMOTH that can't be BEAT! Let's do it again in 2024! Cul sec! https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-wine-club-2023/

Price:

$99.99

Angels:

$44.99

Matt Parish Special Bottling Rutherford Petit Verdot 2021

$38.99

06072024 WTW Wine 3 - It's WTW (Wine Tasting Weekend or Weekday depending on when I post - hah!) - As always, I have 3, count'em THREE, wines I'll be tasting each day (one per day, unless I get antsy or late). I have selected the following wines to taste: DRG Daryl Groom 2022 Russian River Valley Chardonnay, Karen Birmingham 2021 California Red, and Matt Parish 2021 Special Bottling Rutherford Petit Verdot. Saved MattyP's special Petit Verdot for last. I have been able to grab some bottles of each vintage released, and always look forward to a new one. Let's see how the 2021 tastes! In the glass, the wine is a deep purple in color, with quite the inky heart as I can't see my fingers through the glass. Sniffy Sniff time – this PV is showing some blackberry fruit, violet, herbacious notes, and a touch of burnt oak on the nose. Tasty Taste time – splashing some across my palate yields notes of black plum, black tea, with some sage spice, crushed rock minerality, and smoky oak. Strong tannins with medium plus acidity. A luscious, velvety texture coats the palate with flavorful goodness, and a rich finish! As Campbell's Soup slogan likes to say...this is MMM...MMM...GOOD! Oh boy! I have loved every vintage of this wine from Matt, and well, this one is right there too! Usually, my Petit Verdot is part of the blend in other red wines, but Matt's solo PV is a fave of mine since the first release in 2013. While this one will definitely benefit from aging in the cellar, I had to open one now to finally see how it tastes (decanted for a while before reviewing to let it open up quite a bit - please do so as this wine needs its O2!). It was a pleasure to taste! While a solo PV is not for all palates, this wine gets 5 hearts from me! Remember you are in the #1 BEST PLACE at Nakedwines.com - Best Wine Club according to USA Today and ME - for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and TADA - 2023! We are the BEHEMOTH that can't be BEAT! Let's do it again in 2024! Cul sec! https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-wine-club-2023

Price:

$61.99

Angels:

$38.99

Matt Parish Special Bottling Napa Valley Merlot 2021

$29.99

04272024 WTW Wine 2 - It's WTW (Wine Tasting Weekend or Weekday depending on when I post - hah!) - As always, I have 3, count'em THREE, wines I'll be tasting each day (one per day, unless I get antsy or late). I have selected the following wines to taste: Matt Parish 2022 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, Matt Parish 2021 Special Bottling Napa Valley Merlot, and Ana Diogo-Draper 2021 Pine Mountain Vineyard Cloverdale Peak Cabernet Sauvignon. I'm sticking with MattyP today, and his Napa Merlot. I haven't had many merlots in a while but if Matt makes it, I must taste it! In the glass, the wine is a deep ruby in color with a slightly inky heart as I can somewhat see my fingers through the glass. Sniffy Sniff time – a deep sniffy sniff of this Merlot shows lots of cherries (a basket, bushel full?) hints of cocoa, and toasty oak. Tasty Taste time – a rich tasty taste feels like I'm biting into some juicy chocolate covered (dark?) cherries (sans the sweet cordial part). Also, getting some nice mocha notes, nutmeg spice, and oak. Fairly strong tannins (not chewy though), and medium acidity with a silky smooth texture, and toasty oak notes on the finish. Be still my heart! I rarely drink Merlot since it was an IN thing back in the day (anyone recall Sideways?), as my palate seems to prefer other varietals now, specifically Cabs. However, when Matt releases a new varietal with his label on it, I must try it (and since I missed the 2020, that means the 2021 vintage). Well, Peeps, color me IMPRESSED with Merlot again! While I think this one could do with a bit more cellar time like the Pinot yesterday, I have more, so CAN DO! If you haven't tried it yet, grab a couple bottles at least so you can try one now, and one in say 3-5 years. Another 4.5 hearter for this weekend's tastings! Remember you are in the #1 BEST PLACE at Nakedwines.com - Best Wine Club according to USA Today and ME - for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and TADA - 2023! We are the BEHEMOTH that can't be BEAT! Let's do it again in 2024! Cul sec! https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-wine-club-2023/

Price:

$51.99

Angels:

$29.99

Matt Parish Alexander Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2023

$19.99

08182024 Until I get my next case, I'm going to have to switch away from my WTW as I have almost caught up on all my new wine reviews, so switching over to doing a wine a week for a bit. Back with another Matt Parish wine - but this time it's his Inaugural Sauvignon Blanc from Alexander Valley. While SBs aren't my fave varietal, my Peeps know I still try them (especially if Matt is going to make one for us) and see what I think. I have enjoyed quite a few (just not as much as Napa Cabs and other Reds or Sparklers - yep, I roll with both those extremes). Let's go! In the glass, the wine is a medium yellow to gold in color. Sniffy Sniff time – the nose of this SB is showing nice citrus fruit notes, with hints of honeysuckle, and some grassiness. Tasty Taste time – moving onto the palate, the citrus fruit continues with grapefruit, lemon curd, wet stone, and hints of gooseberry. Very crisp acidity with a zingy texture and a zesty finish! Huzzah! Matt always makes great wines for my palate, and while this is not one of his reds (and recall, I don't typically go for a Sauvignon Blanc) this one is pleasing to my palate. Not as much as his reds, truth be told, but it's very crisp and refreshing to sip. I'm enjoying it, and if you enjoy fresh and crisp white wines, you can't go wrong with this one. Glad I tried it out for the experience! Now, if I can just convince Matt to make us a Sparkler, or Port wine, that would complete me. 4.5 hearts (which is high marks for an SB from me, mind you - hah!). Sweetie Peeps beware as this one is quite dry, so won't be to your liking me thinks...others, grab some for your next case to see what you think! Remember you are in the #1 BEST PLACE at Nakedwines.com - Best Wine Club according to USA Today and ME - for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and TADA - 2024! We are the LEVIATHAN that will not LOSE! Let's do it again in 2025! Cul sec! https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-wine-club-2024/naked-wines/

Price:

$40.99

Angels:

$19.99

Jacqueline Bahue Lodi Cabernet Franc 2023

$10.99

Price:

$24.99

Angels:

$10.99

Karen Birmingham Reserve Lodi Petite Sirah 2020

$13.99

01012025 A "new year is coming" - UPDATE - IS NOW HERE edition of WTW (Wine Tasting Weekend) this week since New Years falls during the week vs. a weekend! I have chosen 3 wines to celebrate beginning New Year's Eve EVE, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day

Price:

$20.99

Angels:

$13.99

F. Stephen Millier Angels Reserve Lodi Shiraz 2022

$10.99

Price:

$19.99

Angels:

$10.99

Matt Parish Sonoma Coast Rosé of Pinot Noir 2023

$16.99

12302024 A "new year is coming" edition of WTW (Wine Tasting Weekend) this week since New Years falls during the week vs. a weekend! I have chosen 3 wines to celebrate beginning tonight, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. Here they are: Matt Parish 202

Price:

$31.99

Angels:

$16.99

Rob McNeill California Brut Rosé NV

$14.99

02072025 "I can't believe it's already February" edition of WTW (Wine Tasting Weekend) and hard to believe the first month of 2025 has come and gone already! I have 3, count'em, 3 wines I'll be tasting this weekend. Here they are: Rob McNeill NV California Brut Rosé , F. Stephen Millier 2022 Angels Reserve Lodi Shiraz, and Jacqueline Bahue 2023 Lodi Cabernet Franc. I'm popping the cork on Rob's Cali Brut Rosé to get things started, and it's ready to go! In the glass, the wine is a medium copper in color. Sniffy Sniff time – the nose of this sparkler is quite fresh, with hints of raspberry fruit, clementine fruit, and a touch of watermelon rind. Tasty Taste time – moving to the palate, we are greeted with Rob's signature ultra fine bubbles. Such effervescence on the tongue - Wow! Once they calm down you are hit with quite a bit of raspberry fruit, and to a lesser extent strawberry, with crushed rock minerality, and some chalk dust. Very crisp acidity, and delightful flavors continue through the finish. Why do mimosas when this is great out of the bottle, eh? Excellent! This weekend is off with a POP, and a fine start, I'd say! I really enjoyed Rob's Cali Brut last month, so moved onto his Cali Brut Rosé this month, and yeppers, Peeps! It's also excellent! This is right up there with the Brut, and thus, I'm thinking I enjoy them both equally...so yep, Love this one too! I'm a die hard fan of the Nakedwines.com prior heart rating scale, to provide a bit more nuance to my rating beyond Like and Love (1-5): 4.5 hearts! Same as the Brut from last month! Remember you are in the #1 BEST PLACE at Nakedwines.com - Best Wine Club according to USA Today and ME - for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and TADA - 2024! We are the LEVIATHAN that will not LOSE! Let's do it again in 2025! Cul sec! https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-wine-club-2024/naked-wines/

Price:

$24.99

Angels:

$14.99

Rob McNeill California Brut NV

$14.99

Price:

$24.99

Angels:

$14.99

Matt Parish Carneros Sonoma Rosé of Pinot Noir 2023

$17.99

01182025 "We're already into a New Year" edition of WTW (Wine Tasting Weekend) and hard to believe the first month is already over halfway over! I have 3, count'em, 3 wines I'll be tasting this weekend. Here they are: Rob McNeill NV California Brut, Mat

Price:

$35.99

Angels:

$17.99

Lindsey Rich

USA

Mick Schroeter

USA

Ken Wright

USA

Kyle Burke

USA

Ashley Herzberg

USA

Baptiste Gazeau

France

Megan & Ryan Glaab

USA

Montse Reece

USA

Peter 'Juicy' Gajewski

Australia

Mitchell Masotti

USA

Scott Steingraber

USA

Jonathan Pey

USA

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Chris Henderson

You and Chris

Are you and Chris a TasteBud Match?

Chris's Top 3 Wines

F. Stephen Millier Angels Reserve Lodi Shiraz 2022

Jacqueline Bahue Lodi Cabernet Franc 2023

Rob McNeill California Brut NV

What Chris has been up to

Matt Parish Napa Valley Tino 2021

Matt Parish Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Matt Parish Special Bottling Rutherford Petit Verdot 2021

Matt Parish Special Bottling Napa Valley Merlot 2021

Matt Parish Alexander Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2023

Jacqueline Bahue Lodi Cabernet Franc 2023

Karen Birmingham Reserve Lodi Petite Sirah 2020

F. Stephen Millier Angels Reserve Lodi Shiraz 2022

Matt Parish Sonoma Coast Rosé of Pinot Noir 2023

Rob McNeill California Brut Rosé NV

Rob McNeill California Brut NV

Matt Parish Carneros Sonoma Rosé of Pinot Noir 2023

Winemakers Chris is Archangel to

Rudy von Strasser

Stephen Millier

Dalia Ceja & Everardo Robledo

Penelope Gadd-Coster

Ana Diogo-Draper

Mitchell Masotti

Jesse Katz

Montse Reece

Baptiste Gazeau

Scott Peterson

Matt Parish

Karen Birmingham

Jacqueline Bahue

Lindsey Rich

Mick Schroeter

Ken Wright

Kyle Burke

Ashley Herzberg

Baptiste Gazeau

Megan & Ryan Glaab

Montse Reece

Peter 'Juicy' Gajewski

Mitchell Masotti

Scott Steingraber

Jonathan Pey

Chris's Friends

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