The Naked Grape Cabernet Sauvignon is a non-vintage, unoaked Cabernet sourced from more than one California grape growing AVA. The Naked Grape is one of E & J Gallo’s 59 labels. There does not seem to be anything special about the Naked Grape Cab, just grapes turned into wine with the bare minimum of manipulation. But, if done right, if quality grapes are used, you can get a very enjoyable, flavorful, young wine. This is exactly the same template that Spanish winemakers use to keep the locals supplied with young Garnacha’s and Tempranillo’s. The alcohol content is 13%.
The color is dark, shiny and see thru raspberry jelly red. The nose is cherry, strawberry, new mown hay and a little cocoa powder. Medium bodied and nicely balanced (surprisingly so), it tastes of ripe plum and Snickers bar chocolate, with some blueberry juice and fresh strawberry. It doesn’t really have a transition to the mid palate, what you see upfront is what you get. But, in this case that is ok, what happens upfront tastes pretty good. There are enough tannins hanging around to provide for a bit of structure and the acidity is well balanced. The finish is mild and fades fairly quickly.
The Naked Grape Cabernet Sauvignon is a pretty decent young wine. There is a lot of flavor, more structure and balance than you would expect and you should find it selling for well under ten bucks. Just remember it is a young wine, don’t try to compare it to an oaked Cab (apples and oranges) and you should have a satisfying glass of wine.
