Naked Wines, a direct-to-consumer wine company, is a quarterly subscription box that sends curated wine selections directly from independent wine makers from around the world to subscribers. For our review, we received the Wine Genie box, which is smart wine box based on your preferences and feedback. After trying the wines you are asked to rate them so the Wine Genie becomes familiar with your likes and dislikes, thus sending bottles more attuned to your taste in every subsequent shipment. The price of varies based on the wines in your delivery. Shoppers can also buy individual wines by the bottle.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
First Impressions
First of all, greetings from the Midwest! I just made a big move from Southern California to Ohio, so I was beyond excited to see that my Wine Genie box contained all California wines. Although I’m from Ohio, California was home for several years, so I was really happy to have a taste of wines from my favorite regions now that I can’t easily go winetasting one weekend a month anymore.
I could tell that Naked Wines was adjusting to my taste preferences over time with this box based on the wines I received. From crisp sauv blanc to a very delicious zinfandel, I was really impressed with how these wines suited my tastes.
This is my third box, and as you drink more wines and rate them, Naked Wines gets better at finding wines that you’ll like. That was certainly the case for me this month. If you’d like to learn more about the process to subscribe or what to expect in your first box, check out my First Impressions review of my initial Naked Wines box.
What's Inside My October 2024 Naked Wines Box
Each box is customized to user preferences, so other members’ boxes may not look quite like mine. However, fellow Naked Wines subscribers can still purchase any of the wines I had in my box if they sound intriguing.
Here are the wines I tried in my October Wine Genie box:
Sparkling Pénélope North Coast Blanc de Blancs NV
I don’t drink bubbly wines very often, maybe for special occasions, but this one calls for making every weekend a celebration. It has very fine bubbles and I tasted notes of peaches, green apples, and oranges. The finer texture of the bubbles make this a less aggressive bubbly that will be my go-to for casual and fancy brunches.
Jacqueline Bahue California Sauvignon Blanc 2023
This crisp, refreshing sauvignon blanc was one of my two favorite wines in this shipment (yes, I had to pick two…it was too difficult to choose just one favorite!). It smelled like stone fruit and orange blossom, but the taste leaned more citrusy and zesty before leaning back into an apricot flavor. This wine was a perfect balance of sweet and dry, with a hint of salinity to keep it interesting. My partner, Matt, and I nearly finished this bottle in one evening, which is rare for us.
Mick Schroeter Russian River Chardonnay 2023
I’ll be honest. I’m not normally big on chardonnay. That buttery flavor from the oak is usually too savory for what I want in a wine, but this chardonnay may have changed my mind. Yes, it’s still buttery, and it even had a scent that reminded me of lemony pasta, but this version was also so balanced in sweet and savory notes that it was more complex than a single oaky flavor. Because of the savory element, we paired this wine with a creamy mustard chicken and veggies, and it was the ideal companion to this dinner.
Scott Peterson ROX Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2022
I enjoyed the versatility of this pinot, which was light and smooth enough to pair with all types of food (although I sipped it solo and still enjoyed it that way). On the nose, this came off very jammy with a hint of earthiness. The flavor was berry forward but still subtle enough to complement a savory meal or a sweet dessert.
Derek Rohlffs Deering Vineyard Organic Moon Mountain Zinfandel 2023
Wow, wow, wow—it’s really difficult to explain how much I loved this wine. First, just opening the bottle, I got a strong whiff of simmered fruit. Sipping it was even more rewarding, as this wine was sweet without being cloying, and it had enough acidity to balance out the sweeter flavor without being too acidic, either. If Matt and I hadn’t gone through the whole bottle in record time, I would’ve loved to make this into a sangria or mulled wine…guess I have to order a few more bottles of this one!
Matt Parish Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
This bottle poured out the most beautiful, almost purple wine, and I couldn’t wait to try it. The smell was also incredibly rich and complex, with a blend of simmered fruit, leather, and even smoke. I took one sip and immediately noticed the tannins, which left a rapidly drying mouthfeel that almost made me pucker. I got notes of cherry, cinnamon, pepper, and wood, and I thought this would be a perfectly warming wine for winter.
Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: The Wine Genie box cost varies, depending on the wines you receive. You can also become a crowdfunder, known as an Angel, where you contribute $40 per month, and that cost goes into your next purchase, including for subscription orders. Angels get up to 60% off each wine.
Total Value: $206.94 (or $130.94 with Angel Prices)
Value Breakdown:
- Sparkling Pénélope North Coast Blanc de Blancs NV: $25.99 (or Angel Price of $22.99)
- Jacqueline Bahue California Sauvignon Blanc 2023: $16.99 (or Angel Price of $11.99)
- Mick Schroeter Russian River Chardonnay 2023: $29.99 (or Angel Price of $16.99)
- Scott Peterson ROX Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2022: $34.99 (or Angel Price of $21.99)
- Derek Rohlffs Deering Vineyard Organic Moon Mountain Zinfandel 2023: $39.99 (or Angel Price of $26.99)
- Matt Parish Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021: $58.99 (or Angel Price of $29.99)
Key Takeaways
This box was full of wines that my partner and I enjoyed, and it worked out that there was so much variety during a time of year that gets so many different kinds of weather (yes, I am still adjusting to the temperature swings of the Midwest after so long in warm, sunny California!).
One warm day, I was sipping on refreshing, zesty sauvignon blanc; a few days later, the weather was practically freezing (okay, 60°F…), and I sat in a sweater with a warming glass of the zinfandel.
Overall, this month I noticed that nearly every wine was a hit for me, proof that the personalization feature of the Wine Genie club was working. With this month’s rankings in my profile, I can only assume that my next box will be even better.
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? You can join the Wine Genie subscription anytime, but based on your wine preferences outlined in the Naked Wines quiz, you may get different wines in your box. However, you can order any of these bottles any time.
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What do you think of this box from Naked Wines? Which wine are you most looking forward to trying?
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