Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Alpine Roots Humagne Rouge 2023, AOC Valais, Switzerland 🇨🇭

Overview
100% Humagne Rouge, an indigenous Alpine variety from the Valais region of Switzerland. Grown in steep mountain vineyards with strong sun exposure and cool alpine influence. A terroir-driven wine that reflects the purity, freshness, and rustic charm of Swiss mountain viticulture.

Aromas & Flavors
Wild dark berries, red currant, cocoa powder, subtle dried herbs, and a touch of alpine earthiness. The fruit remains fresh while savory tones begin to emerge with air.

Mouthfeel
Light to medium body with soft edges and refined rusticity. Gentle tannins and bright acidity keep the wine lively and approachable. A textured palate that leans savory rather than fruit-heavy.

Food Pairings
Charcuterie, roasted poultry, mushroom dishes, alpine cheeses, lamb sausages, or herb-driven Mediterranean dishes.

Verdict
Distinctive and surprisingly charming. A wine that doesn’t try to imitate global varieties but instead celebrates its mountain identity. Approachable, food-friendly, and quietly intriguing.

Did You Know?
Humagne Rouge is native to the Swiss Alps and thrives in the steep terraces of Valais, where intense sunlight and cool mountain nights help maintain freshness and aromatic clarity.

🍷 Personal Pick
A wonderful curveball wine. Rustic, cocoa-tinged, and incredibly food friendly, the kind of bottle that makes people ask, “Wait… Switzerland makes wine?” — 4 months ago

Tom Barras

9.3

The 2013 vintage enjoyed Classic cool weather, and the 2013 San Polo reveals what old time Brunellos were like prior to global warming. It is medium bodied, colorful, with persistent fruit and underbrush aromatics; flavorsome, balanced, crisp and energetic with refined tannins. Lovely wine. — a year ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.4

Needed something a bit more predictable after that Overnoy. Step right up JJ Girard. Maddeningly consistent. Love this version of a great 1er Cru. Global warming is helping Beaune 1er Crus.

Nose is tight but has lovely spice, dark flowers and black cherries. This is such a serious 1er Cru. Wispy sour cherry, herbs. Super complex and opening by the minute. Fruit filling in big time. Sour cherry, dark cherries, early season cherries. Brambly now. So pretty and deep. Perfect hint of framing oak. Girard is so good. Palate is just gorgeous. Young but awesome. Showing some wood but huge sap, density and really fresh. Girard is always invigorating. Good concentration and really black fruited palate. Black cherries and they are so clear. Long palate staining finish. Persistent. So juicy and with such a serious structure. Plus that just maddeningly consistently delicious Girard fruit. — 4 years ago

Adam Beasley

9.0

Bright, snappy, and crunchy red perfect for holiday food. Cherries, strawberries, lavender, black pepper aromas and flavors, high acid and low tannins. Effortless to drink and just super fun. A hit with the family. — 6 years ago

Marzia Brumat

Founder, Vinous

9.1

Not my style but a very good one too sweet for my taste — 8 years ago

David Kline

9.0

Cloudy and grey to red-brown Amber through the pour. Leesy-teasy. This voluminous lady sprung a shock white, unexpectedly pure pate. Cinnamon baked apple and caramel are soft suggestions initially. Barley and malt cameo as themselves with a whole jar of raw honey and ginger snap crumbles. These aromas are deceptive. She’s not that sweet, really. She snaps between a mineral texture and a pretzel bun with a Hawaiian bread middle. There is lingering almond butter after a briny lemon and a citrus tea that drags it all back. There is a decidedly German depth to the beer, which embraces a baked bread quality, but this is lean and sleek, sidestepping the heartburn of some styles. Hazelnut oil, almond flower, pecan, and sunflower seed persist in a lees-y postlude. #brauereimaxliebinger #unfiltered #zeppelin #germanbeerday #deutschland #Deutschebier #bier #beer #lees #strangebrew #gettheLedout #Hindenbeerg — 8 years ago

with Courtney

Tom Barras

9.5

Then 2013 Salvioni La Cerbaiola is drop dead Gorgeous in all aspects, including the deep, dark and dense ruby-red, garnet appearance, the fruit-laden, perfumed aromatics and flavors, as well as the well balanced structure of ample fruit, medium acidity, and gentle tannins at the long satisfying finish.

Overall, it’s medium/full, particularly elegant and vibrant, from a cooler than normal vintage that many described as a “return to classicism.” I’m unfamiliar with older vintages (prior to global warming) but this is MY style of Brunello. Refined, Classy and a Joy to swirl, sniff and savor.
— 9 months ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

Intense but way softer and fruitier than expected, likely due to vintage conditions. Intensely mineral on the nose but vying for primacy with copious amount of deep orchard fruit (greengage?). Rich and intense in the mouth. Lowish acids. Very very good but seemingly atypical (or maybe this is global warming typical). — a year ago

with Rebecca and Angelo

Tom Casagrande

9.2

This is a great value in a CDR that tastes the way CDRs used to taste before global warming. Nose has lots of spicy dark berry fruit, and loads of assorted roasted green herbs and minerally, earthy notes. It’s bright and intense on the palate. Just ripe enough, not jammy at all. Tons of clingy, savory elements. Soft textured, with good acidity. More please! — 2 years ago

Joshua Figg

9.0

Typical light Chianti. Fruity, quite a bit of acidity. Not bad! — 5 years ago

David Shaw

9.2

Tasting a more recent vintage, 460 cases produced, 16.7% alc/vol (seriously?!) So how does it compare with previous vintages? Purple red, highly extracted pigment. Wood in nose, wood, black cherry and black currant in mouth initially. Letting it breathe... Mint and blackberry flavors emerge after 30 minutes, and there’s got to be some RS in this. Well made, balanced, surprisingly not hot or alcoholic (which explains the sweet fruitiness), slightly syrupy in mouthfeel. A really nice wine. Reminds me why, growing up, Zin was always my favorite. Moderate chewy tannins emerge after 60 minutes, but acceptably so; they later dissipate. Fresh fig and tar emerge after that, greatness! Makes me wonder if, with global warming, the future of Zinfandel is here in the Pacific Northwest — 6 years ago

Ma Lazaridi

9.0

Light and fresh — 8 years ago

Thomas Bennett-Stroud

8.9

Don’t be fooled by its relatively dark color: this rosé is not flabby, nor is it sweet (although it does have a little RS). Strawberries and cream meets the tartness of rhubarb. Pair with a bendy straw and a back porch in the summer. — 8 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Armagedon 2017 – Hevron Heights Winery
Judean Hills, Israel 🇮🇱

Overview
A bold red blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 5% Syrah, aged for 24 months in French oak. Produced by Hevron Heights Winery, this wine reflects the unique terroir of the Judean Hills — one of the oldest winemaking regions in the world, now regaining global recognition for producing structured, world-class wines.

Aromas & Flavors
Deep and concentrated, with aromas of ripe blackcurrant, plum, and dried herbs, layered with espresso, cedar, and a touch of vanilla from the extended oak aging. The palate shows dark fruits, cassis, blackberry compote, and hints of spice and earthy tobacco.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied, robust, and structured with firm tannins and notable concentration. The finish is long, lingering with both fruit and savory oak-driven notes. Still youthful but beginning to soften beautifully.

Winemaking Notes
Carefully selected fruit, traditional vinification, and extended oak maturation (24 months in French barriques) yield a wine that balances richness with complexity. Built for longevity.

Food Pairing
Pairs perfectly with roasted lamb, beef short ribs, or spiced Mediterranean dishes. Also a great match with aged cheeses.

Verdict
A powerful, age-worthy red from the Judean Hills, Armagedon 2017 showcases both the depth of the blend and the rising reputation of Israel’s terroir. A bottle that commands attention and rewards patience. Cheers! — 10 months ago

TH

9.4

白ソーセージで有名な、ヴァイセルブロイハウスの白ビール。麦芽が生きたコクがあり爽やかなに味わい。午前中から飲める — 2 years ago

Traci Bartkus

9.5

Resident Christmas party, found at the Cellar — 3 years ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.6

My last Gratitude, so now I’m bitter🥴

In the spring of 2018, our Winemaker, Jordan Fiorentini, headed Down Under to work a harvest in Barossa Valley, Australia with one of Bill Armstrong’s good wine buddies, Michael Twelftree of Two Hands Wines. During Jordan’s visit, the two bonded over their love of Grenache, and thus, worked together to create a wine from some stunning 70-year-old Grenache vines in the area. The 50% whole cluster fermentation took place in Barossa, but the resulting wine made its way back to Paso Robles to do its barrel-aging and bottling in our winery. This collaboration between two countries is the perfect way to say thank you to doctors, nurses, & volunteers who serve on the front lines during this global pandemic.

$40 a bottle; all proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders — 6 years ago

Nick H

9.4

What can derail you from Delectable for a few months? Perhaps a global pandemic and all the associated work it brought? Hopefully back to stay and rating the backlog that got me through it 😂 Classic Cali Chard - tropical, citrusy notes with almost a waxy or silky mouthfeel. Very little if any butter or oak, and always a delight! — 7 years ago

Bryce Wiatrak

9.2

Greywacke is Kevin Judd's present label, after serving as winemaker at Cloudy Bay and propelling the winery to global acclaim. The name Greywacke refers to a type of river stones found throughout New Zealand. At Greywacke, Judd proves to still be a master of Sauvignon Blanc, and his "Wild Sauvignon" is no excpetion. This is the apex of what oak-fermented New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc can be - one doesn’t lose the untethered audacity of its varietal character. Tactile and lengthy, it tastes of sesame seeds, grapefruit, thyme, parsley, green apple skin, and sea salt. Palate coating, but still feral and daring. — 8 years ago

Chris Johnson

9.3

Espectacular! — 8 years ago