Freddy R. Troya

9.2

The Black Square — Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater, Oregon, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
100% Cabernet Sauvignon from this basalt-strewn, high-desert terroir shows a distinctly savory expression, structured, mineral-driven, and aromatic. Less plush Napa, more earth and place. A refined, terroir-forward Cab with tension and character.

Aromas & Flavors
Black Forest cake, ripe dark cherry, cassis, crushed rock, dried herbs, sagebrush, violet, subtle graphite.

Mouthfeel
Medium+ body, firm yet polished tannins, dry, lifted acidity, savory and linear rather than plush. Elegant grip with excellent balance.

Food Pairings
Grilled lamb chops, rosemary steak, mushroom ragù, duck breast, aged Manchego.

Verdict
A Cabernet that speaks landscape more than oak. Complex, herbaceous, and harmonious, cerebral and refined rather than showy. Terroir lovers’ Cab.

🍷 Did You Know?
The Rocks District is famous for its cobblestone soils (ancient river stones), which often give wines a distinctive savory, herbal, and stony character rarely found in classic California Cabernet. — a day ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Alta Nova Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 — Napa Valley, California 🇺🇸

Overview
A polished, concentrated Napa Cabernet crafted with finesse under winemaker Britt Richards. Ripe red and dark fruit lead the profile, supported by firm structure, layered depth, and well-judged oak. Powerful yet controlled, delivering intensity without heaviness or excess.

Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, cassis, plum, raspberry compote, cedar, vanilla, cocoa, baking spice, toasted oak.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus to full-bodied with confident structure. Grippy but refined tannins, fresh acidity, and a punchy, energetic core. Dense and multilayered while remaining balanced and composed. Long, polished finish.

Food Pairings
Grilled ribeye, lamb chops, braised short ribs, mushroom risotto, aged cheddar.

Verdict
A serious yet approachable Napa Cab that favors elegance over excess. Concentrated, complex, and thoughtfully built, strength with precision rather than volume.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is my kind of Napa: structured, grippy with grace, and multilayered. Punchy in the right way, power with finesse, not a fruit bomb. Credit to the winemaking hand of Britt Richards here.

Did You Know?
A new wave of Napa winemakers is prioritizing balance, earlier picking, and restrained oak to highlight freshness and terroir over sheer ripeness. — a day ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Crossfork Creek — Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Yakima Valley (Sheridan Vineyard), Washington, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A polished, elegant Yakima Cabernet showing classic Sheridan Vineyard finesse. Structured yet supple, with cassis-driven depth, dark fruit richness, and a cool-climate herbal lift that feels both refined and quietly powerful. Tastes far more expensive than it is.

Aromas & Flavors
Cassis, black plum, blackberry, subtle mint, eucalyptus, cocoa, graphite, and light oak spice.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus to full-bodied with silky tannins and excellent balance. Lush but not heavy, smooth and layered, finishing long and composed.

Food Pairings
Grilled ribeye, lamb chops, rosemary chicken, mushroom risotto, aged cheddar, or slow-braised short ribs.

Verdict
Beautifully made and genuinely elegant. Complex, expressive, and harmonious without excess weight. A terrific example of Washington Cabernet that delivers both power and finesse.

🍷 Did You Know?
Sheridan Vineyard is one of Yakima Valley’s most respected sites, often supplying fruit to premium Washington producers thanks to its warm days, cool nights, and naturally concentrated Cabernet character.

Personal Pick
Right in my sweet spot, plush fruit, lifted freshness, and silky structure. The kind of bottle that feels “special” without needing a special occasion.
— a day ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Clos Lointain – The Spectra Grenache 2023, Côtes Catalanes (Roussillon) IGP, France 🇫🇷

Overview
100% Grenache from organically grown vines in Côtes Catalanes, crafted in a silky, old-vine Mediterranean style, translucent yet concentrated, emphasizing texture, perfume, and elegance over power.

Aromas & Flavors
Wild strawberry, raspberry compote, red plum skin, dried rose, white pepper, crushed herbs, and a subtle stony/mineral whisper. Pure red-fruit spectrum with beautiful lift.

Mouthfeel
Medium body, ultra-smooth and velvety. Fine, powdery tannins with a seamless glide across the palate. Silky, almost Burgundian texture for Grenache. Balanced warmth (14.7%) but never heavy.

Food Pairings
Herb-roasted chicken, grilled lamb chops, ratatouille, mushroom dishes, or simple charcuterie. Also dangerously good on its own.

Verdict
A graceful, texture-driven Grenache that shows restraint and polish. Elegant, soulful, and quietly complex, this is finesse Grenache, not blockbuster mode. My kind of bottle all day.

🍷 Did You Know?
Roussillon’s schist and limestone soils plus old-vine Grenache often deliver that signature silky texture and aromatic lift, more “whisper and glide” than the richer, jammy styles from warmer regions. — a day ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.5

1858 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 — Paso Robles, California 🇺🇸

Overview
A bold, ultra-ripe, fruit-saturated Paso Cabernet built in a plush, modern, high-octane style. Massive dark fruit, heavy extraction, and sweet oak tones dominate the profile. More power and impact than finesse or restraint.

Aromas & Flavors
Plum jam, blackberry compote, baked black cherry, cocoa powder, mocha, vanilla, sweet spice, and toasted oak.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and dense with thick texture. Low perceived acidity, high ripeness, and a warm finish. Broad, mouth-filling, almost chewy, built like a fruit bomb rather than a structured Cabernet.

Food Pairings
BBQ brisket, ribs, smoky burgers, heavily seasoned grilled meats, or anything that can stand up to the intensity.

Verdict
Big, loud, and unapologetically ripe. A crowd-pleaser for lovers of plush, sweet-toned, modern California Cab, but overwhelming if you prefer balance, freshness, and elegance.

🍷 Personal Pick
Respect the style, but not my lane. Feels like getting hit with a fruit cannon, I reached for water more than another sip.

Did You Know?
Paso Robles’ hot days and long hang times often push Cabernet toward very ripe, jammy profiles, and producers linked to the Caymus family are known for this signature plush, cocoa-vanilla, fruit-forward style. — a day ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Mascota Vineyards — Unánime Gran Vino 2021 — Mendoza, Argentina 🇦🇷

Overview
A heavily extracted, Cabernet Sauvignon–led blend built in a bold, high-impact style. Dense, structured, and oak-driven, this wine prioritizes power and concentration over finesse, delivering an intense, muscular expression that leans rustic and grippy rather than polished.

Aromas & Flavors
Dried black fruits, cassis paste, dark plum, cocoa nibs, espresso, charred oak, leather, and smoky spice.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and bone dry with aggressive tannins and firm grip. High structure, noticeable oak, and a drying finish. More forceful than elegant, demanding either extended aging or very rich food.

Food Pairings
Best with fatty or hearty dishes — ribeye, short ribs, brisket, grilled sausages, or smoky BBQ.

Verdict
Well-made but stylistically too intense for my palate. Built for those who love bold, extracted, powerhouse Cabernets rather than balance or finesse.

Personal Pick
Appreciate the craftsmanship, but not my lane. I’ll take elegance and freshness over muscle any day.

🍷 Did You Know?
“Unánime” means “unanimous,” referring to the winery team’s collective agreement that this is their flagship, most powerful expression. — a day ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Halos de Jupiter Viognier, 2024 — Pays du Gard IGP, France 🇫🇷

Overview
100% Viognier showing a fresher, lighter Southern France expression. Generous stone-fruit aromatics with bright citrus lift and floral nuance, delivering charm and approachability rather than the typical heavy, oily, bomb-style Viognier profile.

Aromas & Flavors
Apricot, ripe peach, nectarine, tangerine zest, orange blossom, yellow flowers, subtle honeysuckle.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied but lively. Clean, refreshing acidity with a gentle roundness and soft texture. Uplifting and easygoing with a crisp, fruit-driven finish.

Food Pairings
Grilled shrimp, lemon chicken, Moroccan spices, goat cheese salads, sushi rolls, light creamy pastas.

Verdict
A bright, casual Viognier that keeps the varietal’s charm while skipping the heaviness. Aromatic, cheerful, and dangerously drinkable — perfect for relaxed evenings or sunny afternoons.

🍷 Personal Pick
I love this style: all the apricot-peach personality without the weight. Fresh, floral, and uplifting, a “pour another glass” kind of white.

Did You Know?
Viognier from cooler or coastal Mediterranean zones like the Gard often shows higher acidity and lighter texture compared to the richer, oilier styles from Condrieu. — a day ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

District Series, Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, Sonoma County, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A plush, modern Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon delivering warm-climate generosity and velvety texture. Lush, fruit-forward, and comfort-driven — more “couch and playlist” than “decant and debate.”

Aromas & Flavors
Blackberry compote, ripe black cherry, cassis, licorice, vanilla bean, sweet baking spice, and a soft mocha note.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus to full-bodied. Rounded, creamy tannins that hug the palate. Low edge, low grip, high plushness. Smooth, decadent, easygoing finish.

Food Pairings
BBQ ribs, burgers, carne asada, pizza night, aged cheddar, or honestly… Netflix and sweatpants.

Verdict
Not chasing complexity, chasing pleasure. Approachable, juicy, and dangerously easy to sip. A comfort Cabernet that overdelivers for pure drinkability.

🍷 Personal Pick
Total “sweatpants Sonoma” energy. Rich, cozy, and ridiculously satisfying — the kind of bottle that disappears before the second episode loads.

Did You Know?
Alexander Valley’s warm days and cooling river influence help Cabernet develop ripe fruit and soft tannins, which is why the style often leans plush and crowd-friendly rather than structured and austere. — a day ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Carmen — Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, D.O. Maipo Valley, Chile 🇨🇱

Overview
A simple, casual, easygoing Cabernet built for everyday drinking rather than contemplation. Lightly spicy with juicy red and black fruit, soft structure, and friendly tannins, more “Netflix couch wine” than cellar trophy.

Aromas & Flavors
Black currant, red cherry, plum, mild peppery spice, touch of cocoa and gentle oak.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied, smooth and approachable, modest tannins, easy finish with no hard edges.

Food Pairings
Burgers, weeknight pasta, roast chicken, tacos, pizza night, or honestly… takeout + sofa.

Verdict
Straightforward and pleasant. Lacks complexity or depth, but delivers exactly what it promises: a relaxed, no-thinking-required pour. Good value, low stress, easy company.

🍷 Did You Know?
Carmen is one of Chile’s historic wineries (founded 1850) and was instrumental in rediscovering Carménère as a distinct variety after it was long mistaken for Merlot.

Personal Pick
Not a study wine, a “second glass without noticing” wine. Perfect for unwinding when the day’s over and the brain is off duty. — a day ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Château La Tour de Bessan Margaux 2022 — Margaux, Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A classic Left Bank blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon · 30% Merlot · 5% Petit Verdot (estate typically varies slightly by vintage) delivering structure, elegance, and aromatic finesse. Great frame and graphite tension coming from the Cab Sauv., mid-palate polish thanks to Merlot, and liked how Petit Verdot brings subtle spice and color depth. A beautifully traditional, unclassified Margaux that punches above its weight.

Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, blackberry, cassis, violet, pencil shavings, cedar, light tobacco, and crushed stone. Fruit stays fresh and pure with delicate floral lift typical of the appellation.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus body with polished, fine-grained tannins. Dry, linear, and elegant rather than powerful. Balanced acidity keeps everything lifted and graceful with a clean, savory finish.

Food Pairings
Roast chicken with herbs, grilled lamb chops, duck breast, mushroom risotto, lentils, Comté or aged goat cheese. A very food-friendly claret.

Verdict
Proof that Margaux elegance doesn’t require classified growth pricing. Refined, honest, and beautifully composed. Delicious now with air, but easily cellar-worthy for 6–10 years.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is my kind of “weekday Bordeaux”, structured yet graceful, polished without heaviness. The sort of bottle that quietly disappears over dinner because everything just clicks.

Did You Know?
La Tour de Bessan is run by Marie-Laure Lurton (of the Lurton family estates) and is known for crafting textbook, terroir-driven Margaux expressions that emphasize finesse over extraction. — a day ago