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! — 8 days ago

David Shaw

9.0

Excellent clarity, moderate pigment extraction, ruby red with purple tinge. Raspberry and white pepper aromas, raspberry, white pepper and black tea flavors, as promised on back label. Lots of loose seedy tannins on finish with a kids’ grape fruit juice aftertaste. Needs time to open. After an hour, tart, moderate astringency. After three hours, the raspberry and white pepper flavors were fully resolved, but the skin tannins were still largely expressive with all their astringency. Decant even longer! — 5 months ago

Maggie Harrison

9.1

floral, strawberry, lovely viscosity, long finish. — 6 months ago

Jim Stehli

9.0

Cherries and herb. Medium light feel. It’s very nice. Do again. — 2 months ago

Johannah Tyer

9.2

Waynesville, NC august 2025, found at wegmans — 3 months ago

TwiLea Fletcher

8.9

07.1125
Quite quite nice. — 4 months ago

Maggie Harrison

9.4

cinnamon, cinnamon hot candies, floral- the burgundy color iris aroma. Then earthy. dried red cherry. — 6 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! — 2 months ago

Marco Rodriguez

9.1

Well balanced wine. Dark fruit with really nice lingering spice and tannins. — 4 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2021 vintage. Last tasted 01.29.25 (9.6). Double decanted and tasted after one hour. Sumptuous medium body. Feminine-styled nose. Delicate flavors with über-fine tannins. Obvious presence without needless fanfare. Regal with a quiet, enduring elegance and pedigree. 05.21.25. — 6 months ago