Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Saxum — James Berry Vineyard White 2023
Paso Robles – Willow Creek District AVA, California 🇺🇸

Overview
A powerful, Rhône-inspired white blend composed of 46% Grenache Blanc, 30% Roussanne, 20% Chenin Blanc, and 4% Chardonnay, sourced entirely from the iconic James Berry Vineyard, delivering intensity, texture, and serious structural presence.

Aromas & Flavors
Dense stone fruit, baked pear, preserved citrus peel, and subtle tropical tones lead the aromatics. Layers of honeysuckle and warm orchard fruit intertwine with gentle herbal nuance and faint almond creaminess. On the palate, ripe yellow peach, quince, lemon oil, and savory mineral notes unfold with depth and clarity.

Mouthfeel
Rich, broad, and commanding with impressive mid-palate weight. The wine carries a firm line of tension through the back palate, preventing any sense of heaviness despite the elevated alcohol. Texture is polished, energetic, and confidently structured, warm yet controlled.

Food Pairings
Roast chicken with herbs and lemon. Grilled halibut or monkfish with beurre blanc. Moroccan spiced tagine. Aged Comté or Alpine cheeses. Cream-based seafood pasta.

Verdict
Serious, layered, and unapologetically bold, this is a thinking person’s white wine. Intensity meets balance, delivering both immediate impact and clear aging potential. A standout expression of Paso Robles whites pushing into Grand Cru mindset territory.

Did You Know?
James Berry Vineyard is one of Paso Robles’ most celebrated sites, better known for producing legendary Rhône-style reds. Seeing this level of complexity and structural precision translated into a white blend highlights just how versatile and elite this terroir truly is.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is not a casual patio white, it’s a layered, expressive, high-octane wine (15.2% ABV) built for contemplation, food, and cellar evolution. Definitely a white wine for red wine lovers. — 10 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Gibbs – Cabernet Sauvignon “Three Clones” 2022
St. Helena AVA, Napa Valley, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Gibbs Vineyards, a family-run estate in St. Helena, has carved a niche for producing small-lot, limited-production wines that often fly under the radar compared to Napa’s bigger names. The “Three Clones” bottling brings together Cabernet Sauvignon from three distinct clonal selections across their estate vineyards, creating a wine that is both powerful and finessed.

📌 Educational Note: St. Helena AVA is one of Napa’s most prized subregions, known for its warmer climate that produces plush, fruit-driven Cabs with round tannins, rich concentration, and a signature balance of power and elegance.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackberry, cassis, and ripe plum lead the way, accented by violet, baking spice, and subtle cedar. On the palate, juicy dark cherry, mulberry, and cocoa powder intertwine with graphite and a touch of vanilla oak.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and polished, with well-integrated tannins and vibrant acidity. The finish is long, balanced, and fruit-driven, lingering with spice and dark chocolate.

Winemaking Notes
Estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon crafted from three clonal selections, fermented in small lots, and aged in French oak (about 30% new). The clonal mix adds both power and nuance, making the wine more layered and expressive.

Food Pairing
Perfect with grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, or lamb chops with rosemary. For a cheese match, aged Gouda or Manchego highlight its rich fruit and structure.

Verdict
A Napa Cab that overdelivers—structured yet approachable, with depth from its clonal blend and a polished finish. Gibbs proves that small-lot Napa producers can deliver as much excitement as the icons, often at a friendlier price. — 5 months ago

Aaron Tan

9.6

Wow, it has been quite some time since I’ve had a wine so profoundly pure and energetic. Tasting this rare bottling from Thibaud Boudignon is truly a privilege - a scant 1,000 bottles crafted from ungrafted vines within Clos de la Hutte. There’s a youthful reticence here, a sense of coiled power, even after a double decant and three hours of air. Yet the aromas are captivating: flint, chalk, and lemon oil intertwine with green apple, lanolin, and a touch of mint. On the palate, the wine is almost shocking in its intensity. Viciously taut, with enamel-stripping acidity, a saline spine, and gripping dry extract. Despite its lean structure, there’s a surprising volume and density that unfolds on the palate. The finish is remarkably long, staining the sides of the palate with a chalky salinity that seems to resonate endlessly. For me, this wine perfectly fulfils its intent - an unadorned expression of terroir, delivering minerality and purity without artifice. Absolutely my kind of wine. — a year ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Bella Novello – Cabernet Sauvignon – Vintage 2023
Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A tribute wine named after Teresa Novello, this Cabernet Sauvignon carries the elegance of heritage with the power of Napa terroir. Crafted in limited production (just 850 cases), Bella Novello is youthful yet already expressive, shaped by winemaking that blends Italian finesse with Napa Valley boldness.

Aromas & Flavors
Aromas of blackcurrant, ripe plum, and blackberry intertwine with cedar, graphite, and touches of dried violet. Subtle hints of mocha and spice round out its aromatic depth.

Mouthfeel
Structured and youthful, with firm tannins and a focused core of dark fruit. The mid-palate shows promise of expansion, leading to a lingering finish marked by cassis and savory spice. Designed to reward both patience and curiosity.

Food Pairings
Pair with classic dishes like bistecca alla Fiorentina, braised lamb shanks, or wild mushroom risotto. Its backbone of tannin and freshness makes it ideal for rich, protein-driven meals.

Verdict
Bella Novello is a Cabernet with poise, combining Old World inspiration and Napa’s hallmark concentration. Drinkable now with decanting, but truly a wine built to age gracefully over the next decade.

Did You Know?
The Novello family’s Italian roots are deeply honored through this label, bringing a personal story of heritage to the heart of Napa winemaking.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This Cabernet feels like a future classic, bold yet refined. While still youthful, it already hints at the elegance it will achieve with time. A bottle worth cellaring, but also one to enjoy now with the right meal and good company. Cheers! — 3 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Etude – Heirloom Pinot Noir 2012
Grace Benoist Ranch, Carneros AVA – California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Estate-grown from the celebrated Grace Benoist Ranch, this Heirloom Pinot underscores Etude’s mastery of Carneros terroir. Over a decade since harvest, it has aged with remarkable poise, offering proof that Carneros Pinot can rival the greats for longevity. This one delivers the wow-factor in spades.

Aromas & Flavors
Dried cherry, black raspberry, and plum layered with rose petal, tea leaf, and subtle leather. Mature accents of forest floor and truffle bring savory depth to the fruit core.

Mouthfeel
Silky and seamless, with tannins fully resolved into finesse. Bright acidity carries the wine gracefully, while the finish lingers in layers of spice, earth, and fruit. Quite literally, the wine dances in the mouth.

Food Pairing
A natural match with duck confit, wild mushroom risotto, or aged Comté cheese. The wine’s silky texture and earthy notes intertwine beautifully with savory, umami-rich dishes.

The Verdict
A captivating Pinot Noir that reaffirms Etude’s finesse and Grace Benoist Ranch’s pedigree. This 2012 shows the sweet spot for Etude Heirloom around the 10–12 year mark, where fruit, earth, and structure harmonize in peak expression. Among Carneros’ top benchmarks for age-worthy Pinot. Cheers! — 5 months ago

Ericsson

9.8

Just visited Vina Tondonia in Rioja and it is a privilege to try this gem of wine, it is one of the most sought after white wines in the world. Released with a minimum of twelve years of ageing at the winery, and composed of Viura and a touch of Malvasia from the iconic vineyard at the banks of the Ebro. This one is twenty one years old to be exact. Enjoying this wine is a near-ethereal experience to say the least. It’s an intellectual wine, it's a fun wine, it’s great with food, but most of all, it's f-en good! Had this with a variety of Spanish cheeses + Spanish lechon taco and it was enlightening.

The color is deep gold with amber reflections, showcasing its extensive age. The nose is exceptionally complex and captivating. The nose has aromas of dried apricots, bruised apples, orange marmalade, and chamomile blend with savory notes of toasted almonds, beeswax, and antique wood. There is a hint of baking spices, and an intriguing saline minerality. The palate is rich, layered, and full-bodied, yet surprisingly fresh given its age. Flavors of preserved lemon, dried pineapple, and caramelized nuts intertwine elegant oxidative tones. The wine’s acidity is bright and precise, creating remarkable tension against the creamy depth. The texture is both oily and firm, leading to a gripping, mineral-driven finish. The finish is incredibly long and evolving, leaving impressions of dried fruit, bitter almond, and a distinct, almost Sherry-like salinity. @delectable — 10 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Magistrate – Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019
Paso Robles AVA, Central Coast – USA 🇺🇸

Overview:
A limited production release of just 2,698 cases, this Cabernet Sauvignon captures the sun-drenched character of Paso Robles while offering an approachable, easy-drinking style. Crafted with a balance between fruit concentration and accessibility, it reflects the Central Coast’s charm.

Aromas & Flavors:
Bursts of ripe red fruits, blackberry preserves, and raspberry jelly intertwine with a subtle touch of spice and vanilla. A jammy core gives way to notes of plum compote and a hint of cocoa in the background.

Mouthfeel:
Medium-bodied with a juicy, fruit-forward palate. The tannins are soft and rounded, creating an inviting structure that leads to a smooth, lingering finish full of berry-like sweetness.

Food Pairings:
Perfect for casual settings—think BBQ ribs, grilled burgers, or pizza with pepperoni. It also plays well with cheddar or gouda cheeses for a laid-back pairing.

Verdict:
A fruit-driven, approachable Paso Robles Cabernet that shows off the region’s sun-kissed terroir. Casual and comforting, this bottle is all about enjoyment rather than contemplation. Cheers! — 4 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Bodegas Muga – Aro 2019
Rioja DOCa – Spain 🇪🇸

Overview
A prestige cuvée from Bodegas Muga, Aro represents one of the most refined modern expressions of Rioja. Crafted in small quantities from Tempranillo with a touch of Graciano, the 2019 vintage balances juicy fruit with structure, elegance, and longevity. (Educational note: Muga ferments with indigenous yeasts in oak vats and ages Aro in French oak, blending traditional Rioja methods with modern precision.)

Aromas & Flavors
Juicy red berries (raspberry, strawberry, and red plum) lead the way, framed by subtle blackberry and cassis. Layers of vanilla, cocoa, and spice from oak intertwine with floral and mineral notes.

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with polished tannins. Decanted for 2 hours, it opened beautifully — long, elegant, and persistent, with a finish that shows both fruit purity and savory depth.

Food Pairings
Pairs well with roasted lamb, Iberian pork, or grilled steak. Also excellent with manchego cheese or mushroom-based dishes.

Verdict
A superb Rioja — juicy, refined, and complex. The 2019 Aro is a treat that shows both immediate charm and long-term potential. A true collector’s Rioja with class and depth. 🍷

Did You Know?
The name “Aro” is a nod to the hoops (aros) that bind the staves of Rioja’s traditional oak barrels, symbolizing craftsmanship and unity.

Collector’s Rarity 📌
Produced in limited quantities, Aro is one of Rioja’s most sought-after wines — a modern icon that rivals Spain’s greatest reds. — 4 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Vernice Garden Falanghina 2024
Campania, Italy – IGP 🇮🇹

Overview
100% Falanghina, one of the oldest cultivated grapes of southern Italy, celebrated since Roman times for its aromatic charm and refreshing style. Classified as an IGP wine, it reflects both tradition and flexibility, allowing for a fresh and expressive style that captures the sunny Mediterranean spirit of Campania.

Aromas & Flavors
Floral tones of broom flower, rose, and sage intertwine with pineapple, banana, yellow peach, mango, and lemon zest. On the palate, crisp white peach, green apple, honeyed hints, and wet stone minerality lead to a clean citrus finish.

Mouthfeel
Light-bodied, zesty, and energetic, with lively acidity that makes it vibrant and food-friendly.

Winemaking Notes
Fermented in stainless steel to preserve freshness and Falanghina’s distinctive aromatic lift.

Food Pairing
Perfect with prawns, mussels, caprese salad, tomato-based pastas, vegetable soups, or mozzarella. Its balance of fruit and minerality makes it an ideal partner for Mediterranean cuisine.

Verdict
A cheerful and versatile IGP Falanghina that embodies ancient roots with a modern charm—easy to love, perfect for summer, and a must for casual sipping. Cheers! — 8 months ago

Christine Lee

9.5

Fragrances of sweet fruits intertwine with hints of Mediterranean spices, vitalized by a bright acidity that is balanced by balsamic and fragrant notes. This extends the finish of this Sangiovese, This wine is light and versatile, pairing perfectly with lighter dishes, a salad or a vegetarian meal.
Lovely drinking by itself as well! Definitely must buy again!! — a year ago