Freddy R. Troya

9.8

M. Chapoutier “Le Pavillon” Ermitage Rouge 2011, Rhône Valley, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A legendary single-parcel Hermitage Syrah from the Le Pavillon vineyard, planted on granite soils with vines averaging more than 65 years old. Production is extremely limited, with only a few thousand bottles produced.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackberry, raspberry, smoke, licorice, and dark chocolate with subtle notes of spice and tobacco.

Mouthfeel
Deep, powerful, and velvety with extraordinary structure and aging potential.

Food Pairings
Game meats, lamb, venison, or slow-braised beef.

Verdict
One of the most iconic Syrah expressions of Hermitage, combining power, precision, and immense aging potential.

🍷 Personal Pick
An incredibly subtle yet deeply structured Syrah that reminded me why tasting great wines is such a joyful experience. Sophisticated, intense, and beautifully balanced without ever becoming overwhelming. The aging potential is extraordinary.
— 5 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

M. Chapoutier “Les Granits” Saint-Joseph Blanc 2020, Rhône Valley, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A single-terroir expression of Marsanne grown on steep granite slopes in the Saint-Joseph appellation near Tournon. The granite soils contribute to the wine’s pronounced structure and mineral backbone. Fermentation occurs partly in vats and partly in large wooden barrels, followed by lees aging.

Aromas & Flavors
Floral aromatics dominate with honeysuckle, lily, and white blossoms, layered with mineral notes, beeswax, honey, and subtle spice.

Mouthfeel
Powerful yet precise. The granite soils give the wine strong structure and tension while maintaining balance and elegance.

Food Pairings
Lobster, roasted poultry, creamy mushroom dishes, truffle risotto, or aged cheeses.

Verdict
A structured and age-worthy Saint-Joseph Blanc with remarkable minerality and complexity.

🍷 Personal Pick
This wine twisted my brain upside down in the best way possible. The floral opening and persistent honeysuckle notes create a beautifully structured yet dangerously delicious wine.
— 5 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Besserat de Bellefon “Bleu Brut” NV, Champagne, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A gastronomic Champagne crafted by Besserat de Bellefon, known for producing wines designed specifically for food pairing. This cuvée is composed of 45% Pinot Meunier, 30% Chardonnay, and 25% Pinot Noir, with disgorgement in January 2022. The house style intentionally uses a lower dosage during secondary fermentation to create a softer, finer mousse.

Aromas & Flavors
Intense yeasty notes, lime blossom, fresh citrus, and baked brioche. With air, hints of honeysuckle, toasted hazelnut, and subtle pastry cream begin to emerge.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with an elegant and diaphanous mousse. The bubbles are extremely fine and silky, creating a refined texture while maintaining vibrant freshness and balance.

Food Pairings
Oysters, scallops, sushi, roasted chicken, creamy cheeses, or mushroom-based dishes.

Verdict
A refined and gastronomic Champagne that prioritizes texture and finesse over aggressive effervescence. Elegant, balanced, and built to shine at the table.

Did You Know?
Besserat de Bellefon intentionally reduces the pressure during secondary fermentation to about 4.5 atmospheres instead of the usual 6, creating a softer, creamier mousse designed to pair seamlessly with food.

🍷 Personal Pick
A beautifully textured Champagne with ultra-fine bubbles and impressive complexity. A fantastic example of a house style built for gastronomy rather than pure aperitif drinking. — 7 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

M. Chapoutier “Monier de la Sizeranne” Hermitage Rouge 2020, Rhône Valley, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A classic Hermitage Syrah sourced from several parcels including Les Bessards, Le Méal, and Les Greffieux. The vineyards combine granite and clay soils that give the wine both structure and richness.

Aromas & Flavors
Raspberry, blackberry, and cassis are complemented by black pepper, licorice, and subtle smoky notes.

Mouthfeel
Elegant yet structured with concentrated tannins and a long, spicy finish.

Food Pairings
Venison, roasted beef, duck, or aged cheeses.

Verdict
A refined Hermitage Syrah that captures the balance of power and elegance characteristic of the appellation.

🍷 Personal Pick
A beautifully structured Hermitage Syrah that showcases the depth and elegance of the appellation with impressive balance and complexity. — 5 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

M. Chapoutier “De L’Orée” Ermitage Blanc 2021, Rhône Valley, France 🇫🇷

Overview
One of Chapoutier’s most celebrated single-vineyard Marsanne wines, sourced from very old vines (60–70 years) in the Les Murets parcel. The ancient alluvial soils contribute immense concentration and depth.

Aromas & Flavors
Intensely aromatic with citrus, acacia, caramel, ripe orchard fruit, and floral undertones, layered with toasted nuts and subtle spice.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied, powerful, and incredibly complex with remarkable length and precision.

Food Pairings
Lobster, scallops, foie gras, roasted poultry, or rich cream-based dishes.

Verdict
A monumental expression of Hermitage Blanc that demonstrates the extraordinary potential of old-vine Marsanne.

🍷 Personal Pick
My absolute favorite of the lineup. This single-vineyard Hermitage shows the firepower of old vines with stunning depth and complexity, easily among the best Marsanne ever tasted. Phenomenal.
— 5 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Thorn-Clarke “Shotfire” Shiraz 2020, Barossa Valley, Australia 🇦🇺

Overview
A classic Barossa Valley Shiraz from Thorn-Clarke Wines. The Shotfire name pays tribute to a family ancestor who worked in the Barossa goldfields in the late 1800s as a “shotfirer”, the person responsible for handling explosives during mining operations. This cuvée reflects the rich, bold style Barossa is famous for while remaining notably approachable and polished.

Aromas & Flavors
Dark blackberry, ripe plum, and black cherry layered with sweet baking spices, cocoa, and hints of black pepper. Subtle notes of mocha and dark chocolate appear as the wine opens.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied yet remarkably smooth. Ripe, rounded tannins and a plush texture create an effortless drinking experience, with a soft and lingering finish typical of modern Barossa Shiraz.

Food Pairings
Grilled ribeye, smoked brisket, lamb chops, barbecue ribs, or hearty mushroom dishes.

Verdict
A very approachable and well-balanced Barossa Shiraz that delivers generous fruit, spice, and texture without overwhelming the palate. Smooth, inviting, and simply delicious.

Did You Know?
The Barossa Valley is home to some of the oldest continuously producing Shiraz vines in the world, with many vineyards dating back to the 1800s thanks to Australia remaining free of phylloxera in many regions.

🍷 Personal Pick
A highly enjoyable Shiraz that overdelivers in drinkability and balance, an excellent example of Barossa’s rich style presented in a smooth, approachable way. — 7 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

M. Chapoutier “La Bernardine” Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2022, Rhône Valley, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A classic GSM blend dominated by Grenache (≈80%), with Syrah and Mourvèdre adding structure and depth. The vineyards sit on Châteauneuf’s famous galets roulés over clay and sandy soils.

Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, plum, cassis, and spice dominate the nose with notes of licorice, roasted herbs, and subtle coffee.

Mouthfeel
Silky and full-bodied with supple tannins and excellent balance between richness and freshness.

Food Pairings
Lamb, grilled meats, braised short ribs, Mediterranean dishes, or roasted vegetables.

Verdict
A beautifully classic Châteauneuf-du-Pape that reflects the elegance and power of this historic appellation.

🍷 Personal Pick
Impressively good and a truly representative style of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. I enjoyed every single drop. — 5 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

M. Chapoutier “Chante-Alouette” Hermitage Blanc 2021, Rhône Valley, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A benchmark Hermitage Blanc made from Marsanne sourced from multiple parcels including Le Méal and Les Murets. The soils combine clay, limestone, and decomposed granite, contributing both richness and tension.

Aromas & Flavors
Complex and layered with quince, acacia honey, almond, ginger, and delicate floral tones. Hints of walnut and spice emerge with air.

Mouthfeel
Rich yet balanced with vibrant tension. The palate shows remarkable depth with a long, textured finish.

Food Pairings
Lobster, foie gras, roasted poultry, truffle dishes, or aged cheeses.

Verdict
A sophisticated Hermitage Blanc that showcases the complexity and longevity of Marsanne from this legendary hill.

🍷 Personal Pick
A horse of a different color, deeply complex and cerebral. The nutty, honeyed character balanced by vibrant tension makes this a fascinating and thought-provoking wine. — 5 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.5

Lanchava Collection “Anastasia 9” Kindzmarauli 2022, Kakheti, Georgia 🇬🇪

Overview
A traditional Kindzmarauli wine from the Kakheti region of Georgia made from 100% Saperavi. This style is naturally semi-sweet, produced by stopping fermentation early to retain residual sugar while preserving Saperavi’s deep color and character.

Aromas & Flavors
Compote of red berries, cherry preserves, raspberry jam, and marmalade-like fruit. The profile leans toward ripe and confectionary fruit with subtle floral undertones.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with soft tannins and gentle acidity. The sweetness rounds the palate and makes the wine smooth and approachable with minimal structural grip.

Food Pairings
Spicy cuisine, barbecue, aged cheeses, dark chocolate desserts, or dishes with sweet and savory contrast.

Verdict
A classic representation of the Kindzmarauli style: fruit-forward, semi-sweet, and very accessible. While it may feel overly fruity for those who prefer structured dry reds, it resonates strongly with drinkers who favor softer and sweeter red wine profiles.

Did You Know?
Kindzmarauli is one of Georgia’s protected appellations, where the naturally high acidity of Saperavi allows the wine to maintain balance even when made in a semi-sweet style.

🍷 Personal Pick
Not quite aligned with a preference for structured, dry reds, but a very approachable gateway wine for those exploring Georgian wines or who prefer softer, fruit-driven styles. — 7 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Urban Series Vacqueyras Blanc 2022, Rhône Valley, France 🇫🇷

Overview
An uncommon white expression from the Vacqueyras AOP in the southern Rhône Valley. This blend consists of 50% Clairette, 40% Grenache Blanc, and 10% Viognier, showcasing the aromatic lift and herbal tension typical of Rhône white blends while maintaining freshness and balance.

Aromas & Flavors
Fresh herbs, white peach, citrus peel, and subtle floral notes with hints of fennel and Mediterranean garrigue. The aromatic Viognier component adds lift while Grenache Blanc contributes body and texture.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with lively acidity and pleasant tension. Not overly rich or heavy, yet more structured than simple crisp whites. Balanced and refreshing with a clean, savory finish.

Food Pairings
Grilled seafood, herb-roasted chicken, Mediterranean dishes, goat cheese, or vegetable-forward cuisine.

Verdict
A distinctive Rhône white that highlights the region’s lesser-known side. Aromatic, refreshing, and well-balanced, offering an interesting alternative to more common southern Rhône whites.

Did You Know?
While Vacqueyras is widely known for its Grenache-based reds, the appellation also permits white blends built around Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, and Viognier, though they remain relatively rare.

🍷 Personal Pick
A pleasantly surprising Rhône white with great aromatic complexity and refreshing structure. A fun and educational bottle for exploring the lesser-known whites of Vacqueyras. — 7 days ago