Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Louis Eschenauer – Sauternes 2023
Sauternes AOP – Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
An approachable, entry-level Sauternes that hits the classic marks without overindulgence. Crafted from a traditional Sauternes blend led by Sémillon with supportive roles from Sauvignon Blanc and often a touch of Muscadelle, this wine reflects noble rot influence in a fresh, balanced style.

Aromas & Flavors
Apricot, peach, and ripe stone fruit take center stage, intertwined with lemon custard, orange blossom, and honeyed citrus peel. Aromatic complexity is present but never heavy, leaning into fruity brightness rather than dense sweetness.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with a supple texture. The sweetness is measured and framed by lifted acidity, leading to a clean, gently lingering finish.

Personal Pick Highlight 🍷
This is an entry-level Sauternes that quietly overdelivers. Balanced sweetness, vibrant acidity, and just enough botrytis character to stay expressive without becoming heavy. Dangerously drinkable, especially when acidity is doing its job. The kind of dessert wine you don’t plan to finish… and then suddenly the bottle is empty (even if it’s a 375 ml).

Food Pairings
Classic pairings like foie gras or blue cheese are wonderful, but this also works beautifully with fruit tarts, lemon desserts, almond shortbread, or as a lightly chilled, contemplative glass on its own.

Verdict
A reliable, crowd-friendly Sauternes that delivers the essentials of botrytis-influenced sweetness with freshness and poise, excellent value for the category.

Did You Know?
Sauternes’ signature richness comes from Botrytis cinerea (noble rot), which both concentrates sugars and enhances aromatics. The dominance of Sémillon in the blend helps build glycerol and lushness, while Sauvignon Blanc contributes lift and acidity to prevent cloying sweetness. — 7 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Damilano – Lecinquevigne Barolo – 2016
Barolo DOCG – Piemonte, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
A classic, elegant Barolo from Damilano, sourced from multiple vineyards across the Barolo commune (“Lecinquevigne” = five vineyards). 100% Nebbiolo, expressing a refined, traditional profile with precision rather than brute force. The 2016 vintage delivers clarity, balance, and aromatic purity, an excellent example of Barolo with both structure and charm.

Aromas & Flavors
Beautifully expressive bouquet of rose petals, dried cherry, tart red berries, orange peel, and subtle spice. The aromatic profile remains lifted and graceful through the glass, maintaining freshness and definition until the last sip.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with vibrant acidity and finely knit tannins. Elegant, linear, and well-proportioned. After ~45 minutes of decanting, the wine opens nicely, gaining aromatic depth and textural harmony without losing its Nebbiolo-driven tension.

Food Pairings
Ideal with braised meats, mushroom-based dishes, truffle pasta, veal, or aged hard cheeses. Also compelling with savory, umami-driven plates.

Verdict
A very well-made, classic Barolo that emphasizes elegance and aromatic finesse over power. The 2016 vintage shines here, offering balance, poise, and a clear expression of Nebbiolo’s signature “rose and tart” character.

Did You Know?
Lecinquevigne is Damilano’s interpretation of a multi-vineyard Barolo, designed to showcase the broader Barolo terroir while maintaining consistency and approachability, especially in strong vintages like 2016.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
Graceful and expressive rather than imposing. After a short decant, this Barolo truly comes alive, floral, tart, and polished. A refined take on Nebbiolo that rewards patience and attention. — 14 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Saladini Pilastri – Pecorino – Offida DOCG
Offida DOCG | Le Marche, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview:
A classic Le Marche white made from 100% Pecorino, organically farmed by Saladini Pilastri. This is a textbook expression of the grape: mineral-driven, citrus-forward, and effortlessly food friendly.

Aromas & Flavors:
Bright citrus, lemon zest, grapefruit, subtle white flowers, and a clean stony/mineral core. Fresh and precise without excess aromatics.

Mouthfeel:
Medium-bodied with lively acidity and a gentle, saline edge. Approachable yet structured enough to hold its own at the table.

Food Pairings:
Perfect with Adriatic seafood, grilled fish, shellfish, vegetable-based pasta, fresh cheeses, and classic Mediterranean dishes.

Verdict:
A reliable, authentic Pecorino that delivers exactly what you want from Offida DOCG, purity, balance, and versatility. Organic farming adds an extra layer of appeal.

Did You Know?
Despite its name, Pecorino has nothing to do with sheep or cheese. It’s an ancient indigenous grape of central Italy, prized for its natural acidity and mineral tension, making it one of Italy’s most food-friendly whites.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
A go-to Italian white for the table, fresh, mineral, and honest. This is the kind of wine that quietly elevates food without stealing the spotlight. — 15 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.8

Viña Marchigüe – Panilonco “Chief of Lions” Reserva 2024
D.O. Valle de Colchagua – Chile 🇨🇱

Overview
A casual, fruit-forward Colchagua red crafted from a 70% Merlot / 30% Malbec blend. Designed for immediate pleasure, this wine leans into ripe fruit expression, smooth texture, and broad appeal, making it an easy choice for everyday drinking and social settings.

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe blackberry, black cherry, and dark red fruits dominate, supported by soft plum, subtle cocoa, and a touch of sweet spice. Clean, expressive, and uncomplicated.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with rounded, polished tannins. Smooth entry, soft mid-palate, and a gentle, easy finish with no aggressive grip.

Personal Pick Highlight 🍷
This is a true crowd-pleaser. Approachable, friendly, and versatile, it resonates equally well with casual drinkers and those simply looking for a reliable, enjoyable glass without overthinking.

Food Pairings
Burgers, grilled sausages, roasted chicken, empanadas, pizza, or casual pasta dishes. Also works nicely as a standalone pour.

Verdict
Not a contemplative wine, but a dependable, ripe, and smooth Merlot-driven blend that delivers comfort and accessibility at a sensible price point.

Did You Know?
In Colchagua Valley, Merlot provides softness and plush fruit while Malbec contributes color, depth, and darker fruit tones, an ideal combination for Reserve-style wines built for approachability. — 8 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Champagne Drappier – Carte d’Or Brut (Kosher Mevushal), Champagne, Urville – France 🇫🇷

Overview
A kosher mevushal Champagne from one of the most Pinot Noir–driven houses in the Aube. Drappier’s Carte d’Or leans into fruit clarity and approachability, offering a bright, juicy profile that remains true to the house’s DNA while fitting kosher requirements.

Aromas & Flavors
Immediate notes of Honeycrisp apple, ripe pear, yellow plum, and a gentle touch of honey. Fresh orchard fruit dominates, with very subtle brioche and minimal autolytic weight.

Mouthfeel
Light-bodied with a lively, soft mousse. Juicy entry, clean mid-palate, and a straightforward, refreshing finish. Acidity is present but rounded, keeping the wine easy and accessible.

Personal Pick Highlight 🍷
This is a kosher Champagne I’d reach for when freshness and drinkability matter more than complexity. Ideal for celebrations, Shabbat dinners, or casual gatherings where you want Champagne energy without heaviness.

Food Pairings
Excellent with smoked salmon, gravlax, sushi, fried appetizers, soft cheeses, or simply on its own as an aperitif.

Verdict
Bright, juicy, and uncomplicated. While it doesn’t aim for depth or long lees-driven complexity, it succeeds as a reliable, crowd-pleasing kosher Champagne with genuine Drappier character.

Did You Know?
Drappier is renowned for its high Pinot Noir content and low-intervention philosophy. Even in its mevushal bottlings, the house prioritizes fruit purity and balance over overt winemaking signatures. — 11 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.6

Besserat de Bellefon – Cuvée des Moines Rosé Brut – N/V
Épernay - Champagne – France 🇫🇷

Overview
A refined, gastronomic rosé Champagne from one of Épernay’s quiet icons. This non-vintage cuvée is crafted in Besserat de Bellefon’s signature lower-pressure style, resulting in a more vinous, creamy texture rather than aggressive effervescence. A blend of 35% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, and 35% Pinot Meunier, delivering balance between freshness, structure, and roundness. The rosé is produced via red wine addition (assemblage) rather than saignée, the classic and more controlled Champagne rosé method.

Aromas & Flavors
Delicate red berries, wild strawberry and red currant, interwoven with citrus peel, subtle florals, and a gentle pastry nuance. The fruit expression is restrained and elegant, never overpowering, with a refined, savory edge.

Mouthfeel
Silky and refined with a fine, soft mousse. Creamy mid-palate, dry and precise, finishing clean with quiet persistence. The reduced CO₂ makes this Champagne notably food-friendly and composed.

Food Pairings
Exceptional with crudo tuna tartare (especially with Japanese seasoning), heirloom beet and burrata salad, shellfish, sashimi, or lightly seasoned Mediterranean dishes.

Verdict
An elegant, understated rosé Champagne built for the table rather than the spotlight. Subtle, balanced, and gastronomic, this is a Champagne that rewards attention and pairing rather than spectacle.

Did You Know?
Besserat de Bellefon has historically designed its Champagnes specifically for gastronomic service, even adjusting pressure levels to enhance harmony with food. That philosophy is clearly expressed in the Cuvée des Moines range.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This is not a party popper, it’s a serious, food-driven rosé Champagne. I loved how seamlessly it paired with both tuna crudo and a beet & burrata salad, adapting effortlessly across cuisines while maintaining elegance and balance. — 14 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.8

Latitud 42 – Rioja Blanco – 2023
Rioja DOCa | Spain 🇪🇸

Overview:
A very light, uncomplicated Viura-based Rioja Blanco aimed squarely at casual sipping. The focus here is simplicity and drinkability rather than depth or nuance, with an added emphasis on sustainability and regional biodiversity.

Aromas & Flavors:
Subtle and restrained, soft citrus peel, faint green apple, and a whisper of herbal notes. Clean but modest, without much aromatic lift or complexity.

Mouthfeel:
Light-bodied and easy, with gentle acidity and a straightforward, short finish. Designed to refresh rather than provoke.

Food Pairings:
Simple fare works best: light salads, mild cheeses, grilled vegetables, or as a low-key aperitif.

Verdict:
Nothing outstanding, but perfectly acceptable for those who enjoy very simple white styles. A glass or two will satisfy when expectations are set toward ease and sustainability over expression.

Did You Know?
Viura (Macabeo) is Rioja’s cornerstone white grape. While capable of complexity and aging in certain styles, it often shows a lighter, cleaner profile when vinified for early drinking, exactly the case here.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
A no-fuss, light-sipping white for relaxed moments, best appreciated by drinkers who value simplicity, eco-conscious production, and regional honesty over aromatic intensity. — 15 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.5

Château de la Roche – Val de Loire Sauv Blanc
Loire Valley – France 🇫🇷

Overview
A very classic and straightforward Val de Loire Sauvignon Blanc that leans fully into regional typicity. 100% Sauvignon Blanc, focused on freshness and herbal drive rather than fruit generosity. Casual, approachable, and clearly made for everyday drinking.

Aromas & Flavors
Grassy and herbal right from the start, with notes of fresh-cut grass, dill, green herbs, lemon pith, and a subtle vegetal edge. Clean and linear, with citrus peel rather than ripe citrus flesh.

Mouthfeel
Light-bodied with crisp, refreshing acidity. Straightforward structure, no mid-palate weight, and a clean, slightly pithy finish that fades quickly.

Personal Pick Highlight 🍷
This is a textbook Loire Sauvignon Blanc for those who want that grassy, herbal profile without any embellishment. Easy to pour, easy to understand, and perfect when you’re craving something simple and refreshing.

Food Pairings
Goat cheese, simple green salads, grilled vegetables, herb-forward dishes, or light fish preparations. Also works well as a casual aperitif.

Verdict
Nothing fancy, nothing complex, but honest and typicité-driven. A reliable, everyday Loire Sauvignon Blanc that delivers exactly what it promises.

Did You Know?
Many entry-level Loire Sauvignon Blancs prioritize freshness and herbal expression over fruit richness, reflecting the cooler climate and limestone-influenced soils typical of the region. — 10 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.7

Amici Cellars – Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville Ranch – 2016
Oakville AVA, Napa Valley, California 🇺🇸

Overview
A limited-production Cabernet Sauvignon crafted by Tony Biagi (Winemaker of the Year, 2020), sourced from the iconic Oakville Ranch. This special collaboration highlights one of Napa Valley’s most revered hillside sites, known for power, elevation, and depth. A serious, terroir-driven Napa Cab with precision and restraint.

Aromas & Flavors
Layered and compelling from the start: blackcurrant, dark cherry, graphite, crushed violets, cedar, and subtle baking spice. As the wine opens, notes of cassis liqueur, cocoa powder, and savory herbs emerge, adding complexity and dimension.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied yet beautifully balanced. Structured tannins with a polished, velvety texture. After ~60 minutes of decanting, the wine gains lift and cohesion, climbing steadily in aromatic intensity and textural finesse. Long, refined finish with remarkable persistence.

Food Pairings
Ideal with dry-aged ribeye, lamb rack, grilled prime cuts, or mushroom-forward dishes. Also excellent with aged hard cheeses.

Verdict
A standout Oakville Cabernet that showcases both site and craftsmanship. Powerful yet controlled, expressive without excess. This is Napa Cab done with intention, built to impress now with air and to reward further cellaring.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This wine truly comes alive with time in the decanter. After an hour, it shifts gears, elevated aromatics, deeper layers, and seamless structure. A benchmark example of Oakville Ranch fruit interpreted through a refined, boutique lens.

Did You Know?
Amici Cellars began as a passion project, amici meaning “friends” in Italian, focused on making small-lot wines from Napa and Sonoma’s most prestigious vineyards. That philosophy still defines the winery today, with each bottling designed to spotlight a specific, highly acclaimed terroir. — 14 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

ArmAs – Reserve – 2015
UruUu Estate Bottled
Armavir, Armenia 🇦🇲

Overview
A bold, estate-bottled Armenian red from ArmAs Estate, made 100% from Karmrahyut, an indigenous teinturier grape. Aged 24 months in new French and Artsakh oak, this is a powerful, structured wine built for serious food pairings rather than casual sipping.
Despite its age, this 2015 vintage strongly benefits from extended decanting, not optional, but recommended.

Aromas & Flavors
Deep and concentrated with dark cherry, blackberry paste, and sour plum, layered with savory herbs, graphite, and subtle smoky spice. The profile leans more savory than fruit-forward, emphasizing depth and intensity over freshness.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and commanding with firm, grainy tannins and a dense, textured palate. Even after over 2 hours of decanting, the wine remains tightly coiled, underscoring its serious structure and long aging potential.

Food Pairings
A wine that demands food. Best with braised lamb, grilled game, rich stews, or deeply savory dishes where fat and umami can balance the tannic grip.

Verdict
A powerful, uncompromising wine that rewards patience and context. Not a crowd pleaser and not a casual pour, but an authentic and intense expression of Armenian terroir. Decanting is essential, and even then, this wine speaks best at the table.

Did You Know?
Karmrahyut is one of Armenia’s rare teinturier grapes, meaning both the skin and pulp are pigmented, contributing to the wine’s deep color, structure, and bold personality.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This is a serious, food-driven wine. Even with extended decanting, it remains powerful and demanding, fascinating for adventurous palates, but not forgiving. A wine to approach with intention, patience, and a proper meal. — 15 days ago