Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Corvelia Sauvignon Blanc 2025
Paso Robles – California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Sustainably grown in the rolling hills of Paso Robles, this 100% Sauvignon Blanc takes a more delicate and refined approach than many of its New World counterparts. Rather than leading with bold tropical fruit, it focuses on freshness, subtle aromatics, and graceful balance, making it an elegant everyday Sauvignon Blanc.

Aromas & Flavors
Lifted aromas of citrus blossoms, white flowers, white peach, lemon zest, and hints of green tropical fruit. The palate is bright and refreshing, offering subtle citrus, crisp orchard fruit, and a clean mineral touch.

Mouthfeel
Light to medium-bodied with lively acidity and a silky texture. Fresh, vibrant, and beautifully balanced, finishing clean with lingering citrus and floral notes.

Food Pairings
Excellent with grilled shrimp, ceviche, oysters, sushi, fresh salads, goat cheese, or herb-roasted chicken.

Verdict
An elegant, easy-drinking Sauvignon Blanc that favors finesse over intensity. Crisp, refreshing, and versatile, it’s an excellent choice for warm afternoons or light cuisine.

Did You Know?
Although Paso Robles is internationally recognized for bold Cabernet Sauvignon, Rhône varieties, and Zinfandel, its cooler western districts and elevated vineyards are increasingly producing expressive Sauvignon Blanc with freshness and restraint.

🍷 Personal Pick
I really enjoyed the elegance of this wine. Instead of the explosive tropical profile often associated with New World Sauvignon Blanc, it leans toward subtle citrus, white flowers, and freshness. A lovely bottle for those who appreciate finesse over power, and one I’d happily pour as a relaxing aperitif or alongside a light seafood dinner. Cheers! — 3 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Domaine Gabrielle Vivien – Saint-Bris AOC 2023
100% Sauvignon Blanc – Burgundy, France 🇫🇷

Overview
One of Burgundy’s best-kept secrets. Saint-Bris is the region’s only appellation dedicated to Sauvignon Blanc. Sourced from 25-year-old vines planted on Kimmeridgian limestone soils just west of Chablis, this wine delivers remarkable precision, minerality, and freshness while offering a distinctly Burgundian interpretation of the variety.

Aromas & Flavors
Vibrant aromas of lime zest, grapefruit, white flowers, and freshly cut herbs open the nose. The palate is crisp and energetic, revealing citrus, green apple, subtle gooseberry, and distinctive wet stone minerality that builds beautifully toward a long, savory finish.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with lively acidity and remarkable tension. The texture is sleek and elegant, balancing freshness with a persistent mineral backbone that keeps every sip engaging.

Food Pairings
Outstanding with grilled mahi-mahi, oysters, ceviche, goat cheese, sushi, or herb-roasted chicken.

Verdict
A fascinating expression of Sauvignon Blanc that combines the grape’s aromatic character with Burgundy’s unmistakable sense of place. Elegant, mineral-driven, and wonderfully food-friendly.

Did You Know?
Saint-Bris is the only appellation in Burgundy where Sauvignon Blanc is the authorized flagship grape, making it a unique exception in a region otherwise dominated by Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

🍷 Personal Pick
One of my favorite Sauvignon Blancs. I love how it expresses the grape from soils traditionally devoted to Chardonnay, proving that Burgundy can still surprise me. The 2023 continues that beautiful tradition with freshness, elegance, and unmistakable character. — 3 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Grace Koshu 2023 – Yamanashi GI, Japan 🇯🇵

Overview
Produced from 100% Koshu, Japan’s signature indigenous white grape, this wine is fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel to preserve purity and transparency. Grown in the elevated vineyards of Katsunuma, Yamanashi, it beautifully expresses the restrained elegance that has made Grace Wine an international benchmark for Japanese fine wine.

Aromas & Flavors
Yuzu, lemon peel, green apple, white peach, Asian pear, and delicate white flowers lead into subtle mineral notes with hints of wet stone and citrus zest. Delicate rather than aromatic, everything is driven by finesse.

Mouthfeel
Light to medium-bodied with vibrant acidity, a steely mineral backbone, and exceptional precision. The texture recalls the purity of Chablis with a subtle sake-like silkiness, finishing remarkably clean, refreshing, and focused.

Food Pairings
Sashimi, sushi, crudo, oysters, grilled white fish, tempura, steamed shellfish, or lightly seasoned Japanese cuisine.

Verdict
An elegant expression of Japan’s flagship white grape that prioritizes freshness, balance, and precision over power. Refined, mineral-driven, and wonderfully food-friendly, it stands comfortably among the world’s finest delicate white wines.

Did You Know?
Koshu has been cultivated in Japan for nearly 1,000 years and is believed to descend from ancient grapes that traveled along the Silk Road before adapting to Japan’s humid climate. Today, Yamanashi is considered the spiritual home of premium Koshu wines.

🍷 Personal Pick
One of the purest and most distinctive white wines I’ve experienced. Its combination of crystalline freshness, mineral precision, and understated elegance makes it a benchmark not only for Japanese wine, but for delicate, terroir-driven whites anywhere in the world. It has earned a permanent place among my favorite food wines. — 3 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Île de Conas Le Blanc 2025, Vin de France – France 🇫🇷

Overview
A blend of 65% Sauvignon Blanc and 35% Souvignier Gris, this bright and easygoing French white is crafted for pure enjoyment. Combining the freshness of Sauvignon Blanc with the softer, aromatic character of Souvignier Gris, it delivers an approachable style that overperforms well above its price point. A perfect reminder that great everyday wines don’t have to be expensive.

Aromas & Flavors
Fresh aromas of citrus, white peach, pear, melon, and spring flowers lead into flavors of ripe orchard fruit, lemon zest, and delicate floral notes. The fruit is slightly more expressive than classic Loire Sauvignon Blanc, making it immediately appealing to a wide range of palates.

Mouthfeel
Light-bodied with refreshing acidity and a smooth, easy-drinking texture. Crisp, clean, and balanced, finishing with pleasant fruit and floral persistence.

Food Pairings
Excellent with grilled shrimp, fish tacos, fresh salads, goat cheese, light pasta dishes, or simply enjoyed on the patio with friends.

Verdict
An outstanding value that punches above its weight. Dry, aromatic, and incredibly approachable, it’s the kind of bottle that disappears quickly whenever it’s shared.

Did You Know?
Souvignier Gris is a modern fungus-resistant grape developed in Germany by crossing Cabernet Sauvignon with Bronner. It has gained popularity because it requires fewer vineyard treatments while producing expressive, aromatic wines.

🍷 Personal Pick
This was one of the most approachable crowd-pleasers I’ve poured recently. While it’s a touch fruitier than my personal preference, I completely understand why everyone around the table loved it. Fresh, balanced, and incredibly easy to enjoy, it’s the kind of patio pounder that proves you don’t need to spend much to have a genuinely fun bottle. — 3 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Rosa Dell’Olmo – Gavi DOCG 2025
Cortese – Piemonte, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
Made from 100% Cortese, the 2025 vintage stays remarkably faithful to the elegant Gavi style. Compared with the 2024, the profile is strikingly similar, showing perhaps a touch more freshness and lift while preserving the crisp, mineral-driven character that makes this appellation so consistently enjoyable.

Aromas & Flavors
White flowers, pear, green apple, lemon zest, and subtle citrus blossom, supported by delicate mineral notes and a clean, dry finish.

Mouthfeel
Light to medium-bodied with lively acidity, refreshing minerality, and a slightly more vibrant energy than the previous vintage. Crisp, graceful, and effortlessly drinkable.

Food Pairings
Oysters, grilled shrimp, seafood pasta, sushi, fresh salads, goat cheese, or enjoyed as a refreshing aperitif.

Verdict
Rather than reinventing the wine, the 2025 vintage builds on the strengths of the 2024. The differences are subtle, with a slightly brighter and more uplifting profile, making it another reliable expression of classic Gavi.

Did You Know?
Gavi was the first white wine in Piemonte to earn DOCG status. While the region is famous for Barolo and Barbaresco, Gavi has long been considered one of Italy’s benchmark dry white wines thanks to the Cortese grape’s naturally vibrant acidity and mineral elegance.

🍷 Personal Pick
What impressed me most is the consistency. Tasted side by side, the 2025 doesn’t try to be dramatically different—it simply feels a touch fresher while preserving everything I enjoyed about the 2024. That’s exactly the kind of reliability I appreciate in a well-made Gavi. — 3 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Pago del Cielo Celeste Verdejo Sur Lies 2023 – Rueda DO, Castilla y León, Spain 🇪🇸

Overview
Made from 100% Verdejo, this wine undergoes sur lies aging, allowing extended contact with the lees to build texture and complexity while preserving the variety’s vibrant freshness. The result is a beautifully balanced Verdejo that overdelivers with remarkable depth and value.

Aromas & Flavors
Lime zest, grapefruit, green apple, white peach, fennel, fresh herbs, and subtle citrus blossom are complemented by delicate lees-derived notes of fresh bread and almond.

Mouthfeel
Bright and energetic with lively acidity wrapped around a creamy, silky texture. The sur lies aging adds weight and complexity without introducing buttery richness, creating a beautifully focused and refreshing finish.

Food Pairings
Grilled shrimp, oysters, ceviche, seafood paella, roasted vegetables, goat cheese, sushi, or herb-roasted chicken.

Verdict
An expressive and remarkably well-crafted Verdejo that combines freshness with texture in a way few wines at this price point achieve. Elegant, refreshing, and immensely satisfying.

Did You Know?
“Sur lies” means the wine remains in contact with its spent yeast cells after fermentation. Gentle stirring of the lees (bâtonnage) can further enhance creaminess and complexity while preserving freshness, a technique often associated with top white Burgundies but increasingly embraced by premium Verdejo producers.

🍷 Personal Pick
This wine genuinely surprised me. It delivers far more complexity than expected, with the creamy lees texture beautifully balancing its vibrant acidity. For anyone who thinks Verdejo is simply another crisp white, this bottle proves just how compelling, and underrated Rueda can be. — 3 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Angelica Zapata Chardonnay 2021 – Mendoza, Argentina 🇦🇷

Overview
Crafted from 100% Chardonnay sourced primarily from high-altitude vineyards in Mendoza, this wine showcases Catena Zapata’s philosophy of combining mountain freshness with Burgundian precision. Beautifully balanced and remarkably age-worthy, it demonstrates why Argentina deserves a place among the world’s finest Chardonnay producers.

Aromas & Flavors
Lemon curd, white peach, ripe pear, Meyer lemon, crisp apple, and citrus blossom unfold alongside subtle notes of hazelnut, vanilla, and delicate mineral undertones. Every layer feels focused, energetic, and seamlessly integrated.

Mouthfeel
The defining feature is its remarkable equilibrium. Vibrant acidity meets a creamy, refined texture, creating a striking sense of precision, tension, and length. Rich without excess, fresh without sharpness, finishing with exceptional clarity and persistence.

Food Pairings
Butter-poached lobster, grilled halibut, roasted chicken, creamy mushroom risotto, scallops, or aged Gruyère.

Verdict
A world-class New World Chardonnay that effortlessly balances richness, freshness, and finesse. Complex enough for the cellar yet irresistible in its youth, it rivals many top-tier Chardonnays from far more celebrated regions.

Did You Know?
The Angelica Zapata range is named after Nicolás Catena Zapata’s mother and is sourced from some of the estate’s highest-elevation vineyards, where cool mountain nights preserve acidity and allow the wines to develop remarkable aging potential.

🍷 Personal Pick
Without hesitation, this has become my favorite Chardonnay from the Southern Hemisphere. The balance between acidity, texture, precision, and tension is simply captivating. It’s one of those rare bottles that makes you want to pour another glass before you’ve finished the first. An outstanding Chardonnay that has unquestionably earned a permanent place in my cellar. — 3 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Pazzia – Vermentino – Puglia, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
A refreshing take on 100% Vermentino from southern Italy. While the grape is most closely associated with Sardinia and the Tuscan coast, this Puglian expression highlights a slightly different personality, less broad than expected, yet beautifully crisp, mineral-driven, and remarkably balanced. An excellent reminder that great Vermentino isn’t confined to its most famous homes.

Aromas & Flavors
Fresh lemon zest, green apple, white peach, Mediterranean herbs, and delicate white flowers mingle with subtle saline and stony mineral notes. The palate is clean, vibrant, and wonderfully refreshing, finishing with a gentle citrus lift.

Mouthfeel
Light to medium-bodied with lively acidity and a sleek, dry texture. The balance between freshness, fruit, and minerality is seamless, making every sip effortless and inviting.

Food Pairings
Outstanding with grilled shrimp, oysters, calamari, seafood pasta, grilled vegetables, lemon chicken, or simply enjoyed as an aperitif on a warm afternoon.

Verdict
An unexpectedly impressive Vermentino that overdelivers for its style and price. Bright, elegant, and refreshingly mineral, it proves Puglia can produce expressive white wines well beyond the region’s red wine reputation.

Did You Know?
Although Vermentino is strongly associated with Sardinia and the Tuscan coast, it is also cultivated throughout several Mediterranean regions of Italy. Puglia’s warm climate often gives the grape a slightly riper profile, yet skilled producers can still preserve the vibrant acidity and mineral freshness that make Vermentino so appealing.

🍷 Personal Pick
This was my very first Vermentino from Puglia, and I honestly wasn’t expecting it to impress me this much. I usually gravitate toward Sardinian or Tuscan examples, but this bottle reminded me why stepping outside our comfort zone is so rewarding. A delicious discovery that I’d happily pour again, and one I’ll definitely mention when teaching about Italy’s diverse white wines. — 3 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Clos de los Siete by Michel Roland, Malbec Blend 2021, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina 🇦🇷

Overview
A Bordeaux-inspired blend led by 59% Malbec, 15% Merlot, 13% Syrah, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Petit Verdot, crafted under the vision of Michel Rolland. Compared to the 2019 vintage, the higher proportion of Malbec gives the 2021 greater concentration, depth, and a more distinctly Argentine personality while maintaining its polished French-inspired elegance.

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe blackberry, black plum, cassis, violet, dark chocolate, espresso, graphite, cedar, and sweet baking spices unfold in generous layers. The fruit feels darker and more concentrated, revealing additional complexity with air.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied with a luscious, velvety texture and beautifully integrated tannins. The extra Malbec brings added richness and depth, while vibrant acidity keeps the wine energetic. The finish is notably longer, more textured, and impressively persistent.

Food Pairings
Argentine asado, grilled ribeye, lamb chops, braised beef, mushroom risotto, aged Manchego, or hard Alpine cheeses.

Verdict
An outstanding evolution of Clos de los Siete that leans into a deeper, more expressive profile without sacrificing balance. Richer, more textured, and exceptionally harmonious, the 2021 stands out as one of the strongest recent vintages of this iconic blend.

Did You Know?
Although Clos de los Siete is inspired by Bordeaux, the increasing prominence of Malbec in recent vintages reflects the confidence of Argentina’s Uco Valley terroir, allowing the region’s signature grape to take center stage while the Bordeaux varieties provide structure and finesse.

🍷 Personal Pick
Having enjoyed both vintages, I found the 2021 even more compelling than the already excellent 2019 (also reviewed in Delectable). The additional Malbec adds a deeper core of fruit, greater texture, and a remarkably persistent finish that elevates the wine into an even more complete and satisfying expression. It has officially become my favorite Clos de los Siete vintage to date. — 3 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Grace Koshu 2023 – Yamanashi GI, Japan 🇯🇵

Overview
Produced from 100% Koshu, Japan’s signature indigenous white grape, this wine is fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel to preserve purity and transparency. Grown in the elevated vineyards of Katsunuma, Yamanashi, it beautifully expresses the restrained elegance that has made Grace Wine an international benchmark for Japanese fine wine.

Aromas & Flavors
Yuzu, lemon peel, green apple, white peach, Asian pear, and delicate white flowers lead into subtle mineral notes with hints of wet stone and citrus zest. Delicate rather than aromatic, everything is driven by finesse.

Mouthfeel
Light to medium-bodied with vibrant acidity, a steely mineral backbone, and exceptional precision. The texture recalls the purity of Chablis with a subtle sake-like silkiness, finishing remarkably clean, refreshing, and focused.

Food Pairings
Sashimi, sushi, crudo, oysters, grilled white fish, tempura, steamed shellfish, or lightly seasoned Japanese cuisine.

Verdict
An elegant expression of Japan’s flagship white grape that prioritizes freshness, balance, and precision over power. Refined, mineral-driven, and wonderfully food-friendly, it stands comfortably among the world’s finest delicate white wines.

Did You Know?
Koshu has been cultivated in Japan for nearly 1,000 years and is believed to descend from ancient grapes that traveled along the Silk Road before adapting to Japan’s humid climate. Today, Yamanashi is considered the spiritual home of premium Koshu wines.

🍷 Personal Pick
One of the purest and most distinctive white wines I’ve experienced. Its combination of crystalline freshness, mineral precision, and understated elegance makes it a benchmark not only for Japanese wine, but for delicate, terroir-driven whites anywhere in the world. It has earned a permanent place among my favorite food wines. — 3 days ago