Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Mina Mesa – Cabernet Sauvignon Hazeline Reserve 2021
Paso Robles AVA – California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A family-owned project led by Troy Javadi in Paso Robles’ Tin City, Mina Mesa crafts approachable, fruit-driven wines that celebrate California’s Central Coast terroir. This bottling is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Hazeline Reserve vineyards.

Aromas & Flavors
Dark concentrated berries, ripe black currant, and plum layered with subtle hints of vanilla and spice.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and generous with smooth tannins and a long, juicy finish. Bold yet crafted to remain approachable and balanced.

Food Pairings
Perfect with grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, smoky BBQ, or a hearty mushroom risotto.

Verdict
A Paso Cab that overdelivers—lush, bold fruit meets structure, showing both richness and easy drinkability. A true expression of the Central Coast spirit. Cheers!

Did You Know?
Paso Robles has more than 60 different soil types, ranging from calcareous limestone to sandy loam, giving winemakers a wide canvas for bold, fruit-forward Cabernets. — 7 months ago

Mike R

9.6

Ok it is finally here - the wine nerd herd 5 year reunion has started - in 2016 - the herd met in NYC - there were amazing bonds and friendships developed and are intact to this day and growing 
Initially there was @Carl Fischer @Ron R @Joe Lucca @David L well as myself @Mike R and one other who had such a blast we have decided to this get together as a herd frequently and for most part we have been United and strong even doing zoom tastings whenever 
Not long after the initial conclave in 2016 we traveled and expanded to include @Bill Bender @Shawn R @Eric L. and a true foundation of youth and knowledge @Shay A we have been to Palm Beach, Raleigh, San Diego, San Antonio, Des Moines, Paso Robles and now back to the starting place - NYC - 5 years later 
Get ready New York as the herd is running hard and with purpose in the city that never sleeps 
The picture / posting are two tune up tastings last Saturday with locals in Raleigh as I need practice a) red wines below 50 and b) red wines above 100
Standout to me was the Muga in the less than 50 and in the over 100 - all were good but Paul Hobbs, myriad, switchback ridge, Pulido walker
Of course the krug and aubert were good but maybe not able to keep up 
The carnival of love and Don Melchor were delicious as well but were not equivalent to the Napa cabs that are all world class vineyards and winemakers 
Again I say all this to say training is over and let the games begin in NYC as we have landed 
Thank you @Ron R and @Carl Fischer for hosting the herd and I am stoked 
Bam 💥🐂❤️🍷 — 5 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

Super mineral and yeasty, gorgeous nose. Provocative. Pure. Palate is skeletal and rich at the same time. Elegant and finesse driven with more fruit than the previous two and inner moron is floral and green apple but also yeast city. Great mouthfeel and mousse. This is so fine. Airy and finesse style. — 9 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.4

The sleeper in Julien’s lineup. A stunning wine. Deep nose of spice, herbs, early to mid season red cherries, and wow that spice penetrates deep. Just such a clear nose. Really has. lipstick like intensity. Palate is sapidity city with fantastic red cherry on the early side with vibe crunch and depth. Fresh as all can be but also luscious and deep. Really long. Just fantastic for the level. Outrageous inner mouth aromas and sweet fruit now with air. — 3 years ago

Mike R

9.2

Ok it is finally here - the wine nerd herd 5 year reunion has started - in 2016 - the herd met in NYC - there were amazing bonds and friendships developed and are intact to this day and growing 
Initially there was @Carl Fischer @Ron R @Joe Lucca @David L as well as myself @Mike R and one other who had such a blast we have decided to this get together as a herd frequently and for most part we have been United and strong even doing zoom tastings whenever 
Not long after the initial conclave in 2016 we traveled and expanded to include @Bill Bender @Shawn R @Eric L and our newest and a true foundation of youth and knowledge @Shay A and we have been to Palm Beach, Raleigh, San Diego, San Antonio, Des Moines, Paso Robles and now back to the starting place - NYC - 5 years later 
Get ready New York as the herd is running hard and with purpose in the city that never sleeps 
The picture / posting are two tune up tastings last Saturday with locals in Raleigh as I need practice a) red wines below 50 and b) red wines above 100
Standout to me was the Muga in the less than 50 and in the over 100 - all were good but Paul Hobbs, myriad, switchback ridge, Pulido walker
Of course the krug and aubert were good but maybe not able to keep up 
The carnival of love and Don Melchor were delicious as well but were not equivalent to the Napa cabs that are all world class vineyards and winemakers 
Again I say all this to say training is over and let the games begin in NYC as we have landed 
Thank you @Ron R and @Carl Fischer for hosting the herd and I am stoked 
Bam 💥🐂❤️🍷 — 5 years ago

Kyle Groombridge

9.2

Mmm, this bottle brings me back to St. Emilion, one of the prettiest cities to walk around and take in the surroundings. Just outside the city wall sits Clos Fourtet where we spent a beautiful evening dining with the owners and winemakers of about 12 different Chateau on the right bank of Bordeaux. This bottle brought me back there.

After a 3 hr decant, the nose was beautifully perfumed with kirsch, red currant, black cherry, and a whif of smoke and charcoal. The palate is really fresh and lively, especially for being so young. The red currant and black cherry sing together harmoniously, with a perfectly balanced mouthfeel and just slight tannins. The sweet red fruit and touch of minerality continually lure you in for more. This has a long life ahead of it due to its beautiful balance, but it is a fine drink right now as well. — 9 years ago

Ryan Beckemeyer

9.0

EDIT! Chill this motherfucker out for two days and listen to R. Kelly and then like Shazaam it's smooth and buttery and your main chiller that just lives life day to day with that li'l bit of sour butter that you know you love anyways. 8.4 change 9.0 - would recommend, beach city. — 9 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.1

The 2021 Smash City is bright and floral with a wild blend of crushed strawberries, dusty rose, citrus and spice. This is juicy and fruit-focused, with crisp red berries elevated by traces of citrus under an air of violet inner florals. The Smash City cleans up beautifully, full of energy and perfumed, leaving the palate nicely refreshed. This lively Pinot Noir is produced with all Bien Nacido fruit. (Eric Guido, Vinous, May 2023) — 3 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.7

Nose is saffron city and clean botrytis. Just gorgeous. Superb clean slate and minerals. Guava as well. The exoticism of Goldtropfchen is on full display. Wow. Herbal and some fresh honey as well. This is so pretty. Some dried honey as well. Wow that palate is something else. Super focused and precise with unreal purity. Super creamy and fresh. Glides across the palate. Stunning length to it. Brilliant inner mouth aromas and energy. Minerals and exotic fruit all over the place. Coats the mouth but it’s framed and focused and so juicy. Wonderful finesse and elegance and a brilliant finish. Unreal density and material here. The finish is minutes long not seconds. Profound!

After some hours nose is a bit quiet. But that palate. So juicy and so fresh with awesome compactness and purity. Explosive and structured. Super deep but holding back unlike the BJS Ausless 18 after 3 hours. This needs 2-3 years. But wowza it’s stunning. Still sticking with my 9.7. The elegance in this is top notch. Amazing weightlessness. — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

So, when fine wine drinkers think Chablis, it’s Raveneau & Dauvissat they desire the most. I would say that you could add Pattes Loup to that list and it is less expensive than the fore mentioned. Really appreciate the 11.4% ABV.

The nose is beautiful revealing; golden & green apple, ripe pineapple, lemon with peel, lime zest, tropical melon with green dominant, peach, apricots, grapefruit, orange citrus blend, some brown butter, excellent cream notes, caramel, honeysuckle, waxy notes, vanillin bean, butterscotch candy, slivered almonds, amazing chalkiness, volcanics, sea fossils, touch of saline, understated white spice, light herbaceousiness with yellow flowers/lilies. A dash of spring flowers framed in orange blooms and jasmine.

The body is full, round, waxy & gorgeous. Excellent viscosity for those that enjoy that. It is simply a beautiful elegant wine. Golden & Granny Smith green apples, ripe pineapple, lemon with peel, lime zest, tropical melon with green dominant, more peach on the palate than nose, apricots, grapefruit, orange citrus blend, some brown butter, excellent cream notes, melted, salted caramel, warm toast, honeysuckle, waxy notes, vanillin bean, butterscotch candy, slivered almonds, amazing chalkiness, crushed & powdery volcanics, sea fossils, touch of saline, soft woodiness, understated white spice with delicate palate heat, fresh Provence herbs with yellow flowers/lilies. A dash of spring flowers framed in orange blooms and jasmine. The round acidity is voluptuous & near perfect. The long finish is simply, rich, lush, well balanced and persists delicately for minutes. A wine well worth seeking out if you have not tried Pattes Loup. This bottling will pick up another point or two with 3-5 more years in bottle.

Photo of, Domaine Pattes Loup, Owner-Winemaker Thomas Pico and their beautiful Chardonnay grapes on their way to be pressed.

Producer notes & introduction. Third generation vigneron, Thomas Pico, took over his grandfather’s work in 2004. Pico’s grandfather planted and worked his terroir in the hillsides near Courgis and Preys, the two highest altitude villages within Chablis, with vineyards up to 300 meters. It was in the 1970’s when Pico’s father took over the Domaine.

In 2004, Pico returned back to his home town of Courgis after completing his studies of viticulture and oenology in Beaune. Pico began farming 8 hectares of vines immediately converting the vineyards to organic. In 2006, Pico released his first wines under the Pattes Loup label founded on the principles of organic farming, low yield harvesting, and minimal intervention. In 2009, the domaine was certified Agriculture Biologique by ECOCERT. Pico gained a reputation locally and internationally as one of Chablis most exciting growers/winemakers releasing wines with only one issue, there wasn’t enough.

In August of 2011, Antonio Galloni professed, “Pattes Loup is arguably the single most exciting young Domaine’s in Chablis today… Stylistically, Pico’s wines remind me of the laser-like focus of Cedric Bouchard‘s Champagnes combined with the richness and inner sweetness found in the wines of the late Didier Dagueneau. Simply put, these are some of the most ground-breaking, intensely captivating wines being made in Chablis today.”

All work at the domaine is done by hand. Only indigenous yeasts are used in the cellar and élevage occurs on the lees at cold temperatures for 14 to over 30 months. Malolactic fermentation begins and finishes naturally. Pico works with a combination of concrete egg shaped fermenters along with stainless steel tanks and used French oak of different sizes depending on the cuvée. The wines are never fined or filtered before bottling. Pico is evolving and is always fine tuning his work in the cellar. Over the years, he has decreased the amount of his sulphur use, extended élevage, and is now using expensive Portuguese wood corks for bottling believing, “the cork is my finishing touch.” — 6 years ago