Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Barba – i Vasari “Old Vines” Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC – 2022
Abruzzo, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
From one of Abruzzo’s most respected family producers, the Barba i Vasari Old Vines embodies the soulful depth of mature Montepulciano vineyards. Crafted from low-yielding old vines rooted in clay-limestone soils, this DOC wine bridges intensity and elegance, a fine showcase of what Abruzzo can achieve when tradition meets restraint.

Aromas & Flavors
Dark cherries, black plum, and crushed violets lead the way, followed by nuances of black pepper, cocoa, and a touch of sweet tobacco. Hints of dried herbs and vanilla complete the aromatic frame.

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied, silky in texture yet structured with supple tannins. There’s a satisfying balance between ripe dark fruit and savory spice, culminating in a long, refined finish.

Food Pairings
Perfect with lasagna alla bolognese, grilled lamb chops, wild mushroom risotto, or aged pecorino.

Verdict
A beautiful expression of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, intense yet approachable, generous but never overbearing. Old vines deliver concentration and charm in equal measure. Cheers!

Did You Know?
The “i Vasari” vineyards trace their origins to the 1700s and sit near Pescara, between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennines. This position brings cool coastal breezes that preserve acidity even in warmer years.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
A deliciously balanced Montepulciano that delivers both depth and drinkability. A genuine Italian gem I’d pour confidently for any gathering of Italian wine lovers. — a month ago

Brandon Boesch

10

So freaking good at 25 years. So fresh. A lot of earth and forest but also good fruit and balance still. Leather dried cherry, cinnamon stick, what a wine! Celebrating a huge birthday! — 8 months ago

Eric Grasser

9.0

Pineapple and oak predominate with sliced apples and pears. Balanced with a nice elegant feel that bridges the profiles of California and France — 2 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Williams Selyem – Pinot Noir – Vintage 2023
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
An exquisitely balanced Pinot Noir that bridges sophistication and accessibility with effortless grace. This Sonoma Coast expression from Williams Selyem encapsulates the winery’s hallmark finesse, purity of fruit, silky texture, and a sense of place that feels both coastal and timeless.

Aromas & Flavors
A radiant medley of red berries; strawberry, raspberry, and cranberry, accented by rose petals, wet stone, and a touch of baking spice. The fruit feels pure and translucent, lifted by cool coastal energy.

Mouthfeel
Silky and impeccably polished, with a seamless mid-palate glide. The interplay of fruit, acidity, and texture is so harmonious it makes you pause between sips , a masterclass in balance.

Food Pairings
Ideal with cedar-plank salmon, duck breast with cherry glaze, or wild mushroom risotto. Its versatility shines across both elegant and rustic cuisine.

Verdict
A Pinot that pleases both the collector and the casual drinker, sophisticated yet inviting. It resonates with critics and enthusiasts alike, a true reflection of Williams Selyem’s craftsmanship on the Sonoma Coast.

Did You Know?
The Sonoma Coast AVA, cooled by Pacific fog and ocean breezes, produces some of California’s most refined and age-worthy Pinot Noirs. This 2023 vintage captures that maritime freshness beautifully.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
A wine of quiet brilliance, where restraint meets depth. Each sip feels intentional, reminding you how elegant California Pinot can truly be. — a month ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Valserrano – Tempranillo & Graciano – 2018
Rioja DOCa – Rioja Alavesa, Spain 🇪🇸

Overview
A classic Rioja Reserva blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano aged in oak. The 2018 vintage delivers a modern, fruit-driven expression with refined structure, balancing ripe fruit intensity and traditional Rioja elegance.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackberry, redcurrant, blueberry, and dried cherry with hints of vanilla custard, nutmeg, and aromatic herbs. Subtle raisin and toasted spice add depth without heaviness.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied, smooth and polished with rounded tannins just below medium-plus. Fresh, balanced, and still fruit-driven through a long, refined finish.

Food Pairings
Roast lamb, pork loin, Manchego, earthy paella, or mushroom tapas.

Verdict
A thoughtfully crafted Reserva that bridges classic Rioja character with a fresher, contemporary profile. Approachable, flavorful, and quietly elegant, a great value in the category.

Did You Know?
Rioja Alavesa wines often show brighter acidity and finer tannins than Rioja Alta or Rioja Oriental, thanks to higher elevation and limestone-rich soils. — 9 months ago

Randy Fuller

9.6

This wine smells delicious - a bright cherry overlay with raspberry and coffee notes, plus a generous supply of earthiness. The palate holds plenty of red fruit with mocha, tea and a hint of vanilla in the flavor profile. The tannins are gentle and the sip is quite smooth. This is a lovely example of Oregon Pinot, one that bridges the gap between California and Burgundy very well. — 3 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Chateau Larrivet Haut-Brion, 2019
Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A classic Left Bank red blend composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 15% Cabernet Franc, from the highly regarded 2019 Bordeaux vintage. This vintage is widely celebrated for its depth, structure, and balance, ranking alongside 2018 and 2020 as exceptional years.

Aromas & Flavors
Nose: lifted aromas of blackcurrant, redcurrant, plum, and blackberry, laced with herbal notes, tobacco leaf, and subtle spice.
Palate: generous layers of dark fruits, cassis, herbs, and a touch of savory earthiness, supported by ripe, velvety tannins and a structured frame.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied, with polished tannins, fresh acidity, and a harmonious balance between richness and elegance. The finish is long, perfumed, and textured, leaving a graceful impression of fruit and spice.

Winemaking & Style
Château Larrivet Haut-Brion is known for its meticulous vineyard management and refined winemaking, which consistently produces expressive Pessac-Léognan wines that balance fruit concentration with terroir-driven minerality and finesse.

Food Pairing
Perfect with grilled lamb chops, duck breast, roasted game, or earthy mushroom risotto. Also excellent alongside firm cheeses like Comté or aged Gouda.

Verdict
A standout Pessac-Léognan from an exceptional vintage — complex, elegant, and age-worthy, yet already a pleasure to drink. A wine that bridges power and finesse beautifully.
— 5 months ago

Roman Ochocki

9.0

Another vintage. Still very good. Deep dark with dark fruit (a plum, blackberry), tobacco and leather. — 6 months ago

Manda D

9.3

Delicious! Worth the dirt roads!
Smooth with a tiny bit of effervescence. — a year ago

Darren Dittrich

9.5

Fantastic effort from a somewhat difficult vintage… bridges the style gap for most in our tasting crew (modern vs traditional). Needs 2+ hours of air or 4+ years in bottle, but everyone loved this one. 2nd bottle tasted from this vintage, both terrific. — 3 years ago