Freddy R. Troya

9.0

10Nineths Radius Pinot Noir 2023
Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County, California 🇺🇸

Overview
A clean, approachable Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir that leans into freshness, elegance, and easy drinkability rather than power or extraction. Produced in a small lot of just 680 cases, this is a polished, straightforward expression of cool-climate Pinot, offering clarity of fruit, balanced structure, and an effortlessly drinkable profile that feels true to the AVA’s coastal DNA.

Aromas & Flavors
Bright red cherry, raspberry, and fresh strawberry lead the nose, supported by subtle rose petal, light baking spice, and a touch of damp earth. On the palate, the fruit remains vibrant and pure, with gentle cranberry lift, soft herbal nuances, and a clean, refreshing finish that stays focused and precise rather than layered or dense.

Mouthfeel
Light-to-medium body with supple tannins and lively acidity. Silky, smooth, and very easy on the palate, delivering freshness and flow without weight or heaviness. Elegant, balanced, and highly approachable.

Food Pairings
Roast chicken or turkey. Grilled salmon or trout. Mushroom risotto or lentil dishes. Charcuterie and soft cheeses. Herb-driven pasta or light poultry dishes.

Verdict
A well-made, classic Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir that emphasizes drinkability, finesse, and freshness. Not designed to be profound or highly complex, but very satisfying for casual enjoyment, by-the-glass pours, or pairing versatility. A reliable expression of coastal California Pinot elegance.

Did You Know?
Sta. Rita Hills is one of California’s coolest AVAs, shaped by strong transverse ocean winds from the Pacific that funnel inland, extending hang time and preserving natural acidity, a key reason Pinot Noir here often shows vibrant freshness and aromatic precision.

🍷 Personal Pick
Not a personal “wow” bottle for my palate, but a very solid, honest Pinot that I’d happily pour in social settings where elegance, freshness, and easy drinkability matter most. — 7 days ago

Scott Walton

9.5

More expensive version of the radius bottle. Tart cherry taste, easy to drink on its own. Paid $18. — 9 years ago

Mark Freund

9.1

Peaches, apricots, lemon, stony. Refreshing acidity with nice wright and length. Really delicious Chard. Sadly the last Hyde Chard from Rudius. Buy it if you can. — 10 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Radius Reserve – Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Columbia Valley – Washington, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Washington’s Columbia Valley has built a strong reputation for Cabernet Sauvignon that balances New World ripeness with Old World restraint. Thanks to wide diurnal shifts — hot days and cool nights — the grapes develop both generous fruit and refreshing acidity, a hallmark of the region. Radius Reserve 2022 captures that balance with polish and ease.

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe black cherry, blackberry, and cassis lead, accented by mocha, vanilla, and light oak toast. Hints of dried herbs and graphite underline its Washington character.

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with polished tannins and a lively backbone of acidity. Smooth, velvety texture with a long finish of fruit and spice in harmony.

Food Pairings
Perfect with grilled steak, prime rib, or short ribs. Also complements mushroom dishes, roasted poultry, and aged cheddar.

Verdict
A Columbia Valley Cabernet that overdelivers with plush fruit and structure. Versatile and crowd-pleasing, it showcases why Washington remains one of the most exciting U.S. regions for Cabernet. 🍷cheers! — 5 months ago

Emily Mayhew

9.4

Great body, full flavor, smooth finish — 4 years ago

Darian Shirazi

9.4

Celebrating an incredible Q3 @Radius! — 9 years ago

with Hilary

Allyson Vaccaro-Pelton

9.5

Local pink bubbles?! Yes please — 3 years ago

Z Nicolazzo

9.0

Nice red fruit and highly drinkable. Nice both with dinner and some dark chocolate, I’d for sure buy this again. — 3 years ago

Paul Ryan

9.0

$9.00 perfect!
— 9 years ago

Meg

9.6

Wax on, wax off: this evening I took a rare field-trip to Waxhaw, which is way beyond my typical radius of existence. I had planned an anniversary dinner at Heritage, and my good friend "Coach Witty" encouraged me to run a mile race with her at track night in those parts beforehand (why not run a 5min race right before a nice dinner?!) I ended up winning and getting a PR, and Heritage was worth the trek. Food Babe walked in and sat down next to us - hopefully she only had good things to say about Paul Verica's passion project, as I loved it!! As for the wine...I have been asked, "what's a good wine to give as a nice gift?"....and I often suggest Caymus cab. It's always solid, a fruit bomb, and elegantly-finished. A known quantity. Perfectly paired with the local summer vegetables and my steak. And last but not least, let's all raise a glass to Pat Summit - the winningest coach in D1 history to date - that certainly gains my respect. May her legacy live on #caymus #theextramile — 10 years ago