Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Angeleno Wine Company – The Meadow Rosé 2023 California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Angeleno Wine Company has carved out a name for championing Los Angeles–area vineyards and rare varietals, often reviving forgotten plots and turning them into expressive, small-production wines. The Meadow is their signature rosé, a field blend of Rhône and Iberian varietals (exact percentages vary by vintage), produced with minimal intervention to highlight freshness and site-driven character.

Aromas & Flavors
Delicate notes of wild strawberry, raspberry, and watermelon, laced with rose petal, orange peel, and a whisper of white pepper. Bright citrus undertones keep it lifted and refreshing.

Mouthfeel
Light-bodied, crisp, and bone-dry with vibrant acidity. The texture is clean and precise, finishing with a subtle mineral edge that speaks to the vineyard’s hillside character.

Winemaking Notes
Naturally fermented, aged in stainless steel to preserve brightness, and bottled with minimal sulfur. This rosé reflects Angeleno’s philosophy of low-intervention winemaking and transparency of terroir.

Food Pairing
Perfect with charcuterie boards, shrimp tacos, or grilled Mediterranean vegetables. Its crispness also makes it an ideal aperitif on a warm day.

Verdict
A lively, refreshing rosé that embodies Angeleno Wine Co.’s pioneering spirit in L.A. winemaking. Both playful and serious, it shows that Southern California can deliver authentic, terroir-driven wines.

Personal Pick Highlight
Ultra-limited and very L.A. at heart, this rosé stands as one of the most authentic expressions of California’s new-wave winemaking — a bottle that feels as much about place and community as it does about the wine itself. Cheers! — 10 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Angelino Wine Company – “California Crackler” Albariño – NV
Los Angeles County, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
An extremely limited sparkling release (only 55 cases made) by Angelino Wine Company, crafted from 100% Albariño sourced from the Sierra Pelona Valley in Los Angeles County. Produced using the Méthode Champenoise, this small-batch wine represents one of California’s most creative takes on Albariño, vibrant, textural, and truly distinctive.

Aromas & Flavors
A lively bouquet of yellow opal apple, grilled pineapple, and citrus zest, accented by subtle brioche notes from lees aging. On the palate, bright acidity and fine bubbles reveal layers of tropical fruit, lemon cream, and a hint of salinity.

Mouthfeel
Brilliantly crisp and refreshing with smooth, creamy undertones. The mousse is fine and persistent, delivering a polished texture and a moderate, lingering finish that balances fruitiness and dryness with precision.

Food Pairings
Perfect with oysters, sushi rolls, grilled prawns, or goat cheese crostini. Its acidity and effervescence make it a versatile companion to coastal cuisine.

Verdict
A dazzling California sparkler that redefines Albariño in bubbly form, youthful, expressive, and refreshingly local. A vibrant fusion of innovation and tradition that leaves a lasting impression.

Did You Know?
Sierra Pelona Valley is one of the few high-elevation vineyard areas in Los Angeles County, benefiting from cool nights that preserve Albariño’s natural acidity while showcasing its tropical personality.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
A rare find and an absolute joy to taste, lively, original, and perfectly balanced. This bottle amplifies your palate with every sip. If you spot it, don’t hesitate. Cheers! — a year ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Very young and extremely fresh red wine out of 100% Alicante Bouschet grapes sourced locally in Los Angeles county. Light, fruity, bright and deliciously. Serve chilled for refreshing experience as tannins are inexistent. Perfect pairing with turkey, roasted chicken and vegetables. — 2 years ago

Jennifer

9.0

Bright and light red. Great served chilled. No allergic reactions to this. — 6 years ago

Jackie Martinez

9.2

Tastes like candy! And even better the second day. (Silverlake) — 8 years ago

Mark Oldman

9.1

outrageous Angeleno deliciousness at Roy Choi's Commissary in #Koreatown w luscious chicken confit & bright, nuanced Ground Effect "Gravity Check" Chenin Blanc 2013 from Santa Ynez Valley — 10 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Angeleno Wine Company – Syrah 2020
Los Angeles County – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A bold, expressive Syrah from Angeleno’s ethos of cultivating unique Southern California terroir. This wine embodies their natural winemaking approach, minimal intervention, no additives, and full vegan transparency. The estate draws from diverse AVAs inclusive of Sierra Pelona and Clement Hills, plus historic LA County vineyards, anchoring this Syrah in place and intention.  

Aromas & Flavors
Driven by deep blackberry and huckleberry aromas that mingle with pepper, leather, and a hint of smoked meat. Expect a darker berry palette with savory earthiness and a whisper of spice that lingers. 

Mouthfeel
Rich and full-bodied, yet gracefully balanced. Its flavors envelop the palate and lead into a structured finish, showcasing both heft and finesse, a Rhône-inspired expression with California energy.  

Winemaking Notes
True to Angeleno’s values, this Syrah is vegan, minimal-intervention, and terroir-driven, reflecting LA’s wine heritage and the winery’s mission.  

Food Pairing
Pairs beautifully with grilled meat? think lamb, game, or smoked brisket, and heartier dishes like ratatouille, or slow-roasted pork shoulder with spice.

Verdict
A compelling example of California Syrah done right—bold and expressive yet balanced, layered with both fruit and structure, and deeply tied to its place of origin.

Personal Pick Highlight
A standout in Angeleno’s lineup, this Syrah is a personal favorite for its sense of LA place, natural spirit, and surprising complexity, and absolutely worthy of the next tasting flight. — 10 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Angeleno Viognier 2024. A beautifully crisp and aromatic Viognier with a super fresh personality. Bursting with notes of orange blossom, lemongrass, sweet mint, honey, and a hint of lime rind, this wine is light, zesty, and really refreshing. Picked early and cold fermented to lock in that bright acidity, it keeps things lively from start to finish.

On the palate, it’s silky and smooth, with a balanced fruit core, think of peach, candied pear, guava, mango, and a little crystallized ginger for kick. The mouthfeel is plush yet vibrant, showing off that clean acid line without losing softness.

Delicate and elegant, this Viognier is made for oysters, lobster rolls, and all things from the sea. A real stunner for warm days and fresh pairings. — a year ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

This is a very exotic “White Field Blend” of Galician varietals: 35% Godello, 35% Loureiro and 30% Treixadura sourced from the Sierra Pelona Valley (near Los Angeles), CA. It is another unique master piece from Jasper Dickson, a proprietor/winemaker of Angelino Wine Co. who is part of the rediscovering White Field Blends in the California while developing naturally made wines with minimal intervention.

All varietals were picked at 21 Brix and whole cluster pressed the grapes, and were co-fermented in stainless steel tanks. The result is a very rare, complex, dry and refreshing wine with an array of aromas of orange and acacia blossom.

On the palate is very crisp, with solid citrus characters and some stony fruit and yellow opal apple. As for mouthfeel, the wine has lots texture, sediments with a moderate-to-long finish. It can be an acquired taste as well.

Every vintage of the White Field Blend is completely different, the V.2021 the came out very aromatic, and some fresh wild grass and the wine as finished product is very hazy! It can be paired with seafood, apéritifs and lighter dishes. Clams steamed, Vietnamese summer rolls with prawns would a nice pairing option as well.

Also heartier as lightly-flavored cuisine can be another pairing alternative. Cheers! — a year ago

Ellen Clifford

9.1

So much ripe/dried fruit ala fig newtons. — 3 years ago

Suhaib Abdali

9.7

Bay Grape wine club. Very mellow grenache, spicy notes. — 8 years ago

Joe Corsini

9.0

Nice freaking work, Jasper! — 10 years ago

with Elizabeth

Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Angeleno Wine Company – Old-Vine Zinfandel, Süss Vineyard 2019
Clement Hills AVA, Lodi, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
This Zinfandel hails from organically farmed, century-old vines in Lodi’s Clement Hills AVA, a historic stronghold for California Zin. Angeleno keeps their natural winemaking philosophy at the forefront, allowing the terroir and vine age to speak with depth and authenticity.

Aromas & Flavors
Bold blackberry, boysenberry, and dried cranberry dominate the nose, wrapped in baking spice, clove, and a touch of smoke. On the palate, the fruit richness carries through with black plum, dark cherry, and mocha notes, lifted by savory spice and a faint earthy minerality.

Mouthfeel
Velvety, lush, and generous, with polished tannins and a structure that balances fruit power with elegance. A long, spice-laden finish rounds it off.

Winemaking Notes
• Vine age: ~100 years old, organically farmed.
• Fermentation: 100% whole-cluster, maximizing texture and aromatic lift.
• Aging: ~32 months in oak barrels.
• Bottled unfined and unfiltered, staying true to minimal-intervention style.

Food Pairing
Pairs beautifully with grilled ribeye, lamb chops, or smoky BBQ. Also shines with aged cheeses like Manchego or cheddar.

Verdict
A deep, terroir-driven Zinfandel with character, structure, and generosity. Proof that old-vine Zin can be both bold and refined.

Personal Pick Highlight
The 2019 vintage shows why this vineyard is special—ultra-limited, rooted in heritage, and expressive of place. A bottle that always sparks conversation at the table.
— 10 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Angeleno Wine Company – Gold Line White Blend (Skin Contact) 2023
Alonso Family Vineyards, Sierra Pelona Valley (Los Angeles County), California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A natural, skin-contact (orange-style) white wine showcasing the Los Angeles terroir’s unique character. This 2023 Gold Line comes from sustainably farmed vineyards at Alonso Family Vineyards in the Sierra Pelona Valley, reflecting Angeleno’s mission to revive LA’s forgotten winemaking heritage and spotlight rare Iberian varietals.

Grape Composition
A field blend of Treixadura, Godello, Loureiro, and Muscat (Moscato), all indigenous to Spain and Portugal—chosen for their aromatic intensity and textural complexity   .

Aromas & Flavors
Engaging notes of dried apricot, orange zest, chamomile, and honeyed florals, with a gentle spice and beeswax undertone. The skin contact also brings a savory nuttiness and subtle herbal complexity.

Mouthfeel
Textured and dry, with a pleasantly grippy tannic edge. Medium-bodied and marked by lively acidity, it finishes savory with a lingering citrus-peel lift.

Winemaking Notes
Native yeast fermentation and extended skin contact provide its orange color and layered complexity. The wine is organic, vegan, unfined/unfiltered, and crafted with minimal intervention—true to Angeleno’s natural winemaking ethos  .

Food Pairing
Ideal with rich game birds (duck, goose), charcuterie, saffron-laced dishes, or warm, spiced Mediterranean fare.

Verdict
A fascinating and refined expression of LA’s newfound wine identity—bold without bravado, expressive without excess. A standout that bridges history, place, and style.

Personal Pick Highlight
Only 300 bottles were made of the 2023 vintage—extremely limited and increasingly hard to find. Personal favorite for its authenticity and rarity. — 10 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Truly artisan, made in small batches from the Angeleno Wine Co. This is a quite different Albariño sourced in collaboration with Bokisch Vineyards. The V.22 was the only vintage they made as it ended up being a little bit of a warmer year in California. Grapes for this wine were harvested on August 2022 at 20.9 brix, destemmed and macerated for 20 hours overnight, then pressed it off.
It fermented in tank and then racked half of it into stainless steel barrels and half in regular neutral Hungarian oak barrels. Fermentation took off from the indigenous yeasts on the fruit and in the winery. The wine in stainless steel was not allowed to go through MLF, while the wine in oak barrels was allowed to go through MLF naturally. After 7 months, it was blended the two wines together, filtered it, then bottled.

All this processes resulted a compelling multi-layered and extremely complex Albariño never tasted before, the array of citrusy from lemon peel, ripe mandarine, to some hints of fermented pineapple on both nose and palate, takes you to a joyful savory roller-coaster, it has the prefect balance of oak and acidity, perfectly balance on the mid-and-back-end of the palate. Mouthfeel is exotic and sharp but not tarty, a very harmonious combination of acidity and dry, clean and crispy finish. If you are lucky to find it, get it as it will not disappoint. Cheers! — a year ago

Kyle Hayes

9.1

Love this new local LA winery — 8 years ago

Kristine Eller

9.0

An herbaceous flower bomb! Medium body and juicy. — 8 years ago