Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Ridge Three Valleys 2023
Sonoma County, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A classic Sonoma field blend composed of 71% Zinfandel, 16% Carignane, 9% Petite Sirah, 2% Mataro, and 2% Alicante Bouschet. Crafted in Ridge’s signature transparent style, this vintage leans toward a riper and more fruit-driven expression than many of the winery’s other bottlings.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackberry preserves, ripe plum, black cherry, and raspberry compote dominate, supported by touches of black pepper and baking spice.

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with polished tannins and a broad, generous texture. The fruit lingers across the palate with a warm, persistent finish.

Food Pairings
A natural companion for barbecue, smoked meats, burgers, and hearty pizza.

Verdict
While impeccably made, this is one of the few Ridge wines that didn’t quite resonate with my palate. It leans a bit too jammy and overripe for my preference, though lovers of rich, fruit-forward California reds will likely find plenty to enjoy.

Did You Know?
Ridge has long been one of California’s pioneers of ingredient transparency, listing the exact grape composition directly on the label.

🍷 Personal Pick
I truly love Ridge wines, but I’d still reach for Lytton Springs or Geyserville before this bottling. If bold, juicy Zinfandel blends are your style, however, this one could easily become a favorite. — 21 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Château Cantemerle 2023 – Haut-Médoc, BDX, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A beautifully expressive Left Bank blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 71%, Merlot 18%, Petit Verdot 7%, and Cabernet Franc 4% that delivers immediate charm while retaining classic Haut-Médoc structure and aging potential. The wine shows vibrant fruit purity, polished tannins, and a well-judged touch of oak, making it approachable young yet capable of evolving gracefully over the coming decade.

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe blackberry, black cherry, cassis, and plum layered with subtle cedar, vanilla spice, graphite, and a gentle floral lift. Fresh berry brightness carries through the palate, framed by light savory notes and a refined oak accent that enhances rather than dominates.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with supple texture and finely integrated tannins. Juicy, energetic entry with excellent balance between fruit concentration and freshness. Smooth mid-palate flow and a clean, persistent finish that stays lively and inviting.

Food Pairings
Grilled steak, roast chicken, lamb chops, mushroom risotto, charcuterie boards, aged Gruyère or Comté, and classic bistro fare. A versatile table wine that shines across a wide range of savory dishes.

🍷 Personal Pick
Cantemerle never disappoints, this is pure drinking pleasure wrapped in Bordeaux elegance. Juicy, polished, and instantly enjoyable, yet grounded with just enough structure to remind you why Haut-Médoc remains timeless. A perfect bottle when you want serious pedigree without serious effort.

Did You Know?
Château Cantemerle is classified as a Fifth Growth in the historic 1855 Bordeaux Classification and is known for producing some of the most consistently approachable and age-worthy wines of the Médoc, often offering outstanding value relative to its pedigree. — 5 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Savoury red cherry with powdery lavender aromas. On the palate sour red cherry - a brilliant food wine. As Morrell wines said and I agree, “2016 is without a doubt the finest vintage for Chianti Classico. “ Drinking well right now. We had the last bottle on 21st December 2025 with similar tasting notes. — 10 months ago

Samuel Dean

9.4

Christmas, family, food and this delectable wine = good times! Nothing petit about this one! — 8 years ago

Joseph Ernst

9.0

Fruit forward... slightly sweet... not dry... very drinkable. Can easily be drank without food — 8 years ago

Kat Rudberg

9.1

Funky and tart but surprisingly light. Pairs well with a variety of food. — 9 years ago

with Matthew

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Deep Ruby red color with aromas of berry fruit and earthy spice, aged for 24 months in stainless and large oak barrels, Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon blend, #17 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2025. On the palate flavors of cherry and plum with tobacco, floral and earthy flowery notes. Full-bodied, well balanced approachable tannins on a medium+ finish ending with fruit, espresso and a mineral character. Grab some Italian food and enjoy. — a month ago

Amanda Drazka

9.2

This medium bodied Nebbiolo offers aromatics of fruit and spice with tart cherry and nutmeg on the palate. This wine is easy and approachable. The medium tannins carry the fruit through the finish. This wine can be enjoyed on its own or paired with food. This is a staple wine as it is very versatile. — 4 months ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Beautiful nose of black currants, plums, licorice, light oak, spices, chocolates, earth, eucalyptus and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with currants, plums, cooked cherries, spices, oak, licorice, tobacco, herbs, earth, dark chocolates, coffee and peppercorn.

Medium finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 7 year old Rioja is starting to drink very nicely now. Elegant and nicely balanced. Complex and entertaining.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.

Good by itself as a sipping wine or with food.

14% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$20. — 7 months ago

Jake Hajer

9.2

Can still use time. Thyme, pomegranate, tomato. Nice wine. Great for food. — 7 months ago

Scott Arnold

9.2

Fabulous wine, medium weight, some cherry, slight tar and spice, good complexity, great with a variety of Italian food. — 5 years ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured out of a 1.5L and this was lights out good. I love the 2005 vintage in Barbaresco and this was a beautiful example and seemed to have so much left in the tank! The fruit was still bright and full of life. Tannins are still firm. Great acid for food and paired beautifully with frutta di mare fra diavolo. Secondary characteristics are just barely creeping into the fore. Wish I had another mag to drink in 2029. — 7 years ago

Ben Christen

9.4

Smooth, heavy body with good tannin, some oak, still good with food. Really nice. — 8 years ago

Tom Garland

9.4

Inspire Napa...Best of Oakville wine tasting
Moderated by Antonio Galloni, founder Vinous

WINES
2023 Favia cabernet
2016 Dalla Valle Maya
2013 Opus One
2023 Gamble estates cab
2023 Vine Hill Ranch cab
2023 Keplinger cab franc Detert vineyard

PANEL
Tom Gamble...Gamble estates
Ray Isle...wine editor,  Food and Wine
Bruce Phillips...owner Vine Hill Ranch
Michael Silacca...winemaker, Opus One
Maya  Dalla Valle...winemaker Dalla Valle — 2 months ago

with Brenda

Michael Borrello

9.0

2020, lovely balance body, medium up front light finish. What could go better with great Italian food? — 6 months ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Dark copper in color. A beautiful color.

Strong nose and medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing raspberries, cherries, citrus, apples, spices, light earth and herbs.

Nice finish with lemons and light almonds.

This tasty Rosé from Bandol is still very young, and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly.

Already drinking very nicely, and will continue to get better in the next 10 years. I had the 2023 vintage recently, and it is already drinking better now.

Rich and well structured. Nicely balanced and easy drinking.

A nice sipping wine, good by itself or with food.

A blend of 70% Mourvedre, 25% Cinsault and 5% Grenache.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$35. — 7 months ago

Victor Hsu

9.0

Juicy, fruity and perfumed, with balanced sweetness. Excellent food wine but also a fine aperitif or anytime drink. With only 8.5 ABV, this wine is perfect for summer day-drinking. Enjoyed this gem at the Black Sheep restaurant in Santa Barbara. — 3 years ago

Regina

9.0

Perfect with Italian food. Acidic, high alcohol and fruity. A bit too spicy to be tasted ok its own tho. — 6 years ago

Pooneet K

9.1

Really nice, and showing quite well with 7 years of age. Medium color, extremely well balanced. Dark earth, black olive, savory notes for sure. Long finish with great acid. Excellent food wine. — 8 years ago

Lyn Farmer

9.2

Medium ruby color and a pronounced nose of raspberry, violet and a spice note reminiscent of sandalwood incense. Lovely medium body with silky texture. Good acid balance for food pairing and a long lovely finish. Wonderful evocation of serious Beaujolais — 9 years ago