Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Gérard Bertrand – Oriane Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Pays d’Oc IGP – Sud de France 🇫🇷

Overview
A 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the Languedoc region, crafted by Gérard Bertrand, one of the most influential winemakers of Southern France. This bottling aims for freshness and approachability, showing off the Mediterranean take on the grape.

Aromas & Flavors
Lemon peel, citrus zest, and a touch of white peach. Less grassy than Loire styles, more on the ripe and sunny side with a clean, fruit-forward lift.

Mouthfeel
Light, crisp, and refreshing. Zippy acidity keeps it lively without being sharp.

Food Pairings
Perfect with goat cheese, grilled shrimp, summer salads, or a simple plate of oysters.

Verdict
An easy-drinking Sauvignon Blanc with Mediterranean charm, approachable, vibrant, and uncomplicated. A casual, crowd-pleasing white from a master of the region. Cheers! — 8 months ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.4

Strange combo yes but awesome. Cinsault and Riesling foot-stomped. 11%. Whole Cluster. On the skins for 10 days. Stupid drinkable. Tart strawberries, apricots, spice, touch bitter, bitter almonds, sour cherries. Quite turbid. For what it is high rating. This is great. Should have bought more. A great pit stop in Santa Barbara if driving in the 101 to SF. — 3 years ago

Martinez

9.0

I recall loving Roberto Henriquez’ Rivera del Notro white, but his 2018 País just blew my mind. After all, he is one of Chile's most promising young winemakers and largely responsible (alongside Luyt) for the resurgence of Pipeño, a derogatory slang for peasant wine generally made with the local País or Mission grape. Grapes for this wine were sourced from 200-year-old vines in Nacimiento, in the Bio Bio region, about 300 miles south of Santiago. Light-bodied, elegant and super drinkable 😋 — 7 years ago

Brian Callaway

9.2

Bing cherries, subtle licorice and mocha, dried tobacco. Grubby but pleasant tannins. Great acidity. Which we could find this here. Great price for a reasonably complex wine! — 10 years ago

Janika Vihlman

9.1

I like! Pretty sweet for medium dry wine in my opinion. Doesn't have a strong after taste. Let's see what it tastes like with cheese. — 11 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Merry Edwards – Pinot Noir “Meredith Estate” 2011
Russian River Valley AVA, Sonoma – USA 🇺🇸

Overview:
From one of California’s pioneering female winemakers, this estate Pinot Noir highlights the depth and elegance of Russian River Valley fruit. Crafted in the méthode à l’ancienne, it reflects a hands-on, traditional approach that balances richness with finesse.

Aromas & Flavors:
Ripe cherry, black plum, and wild strawberry layered with rose petals, forest floor, and a hint of baking spice. Subtle notes of cocoa and cola emerge with air.

Mouthfeel:
Fuller-bodied than many Pinots, with velvety tannins and remarkable depth. The palate combines juicy red fruit brightness with earthy undertones and a lingering, warm finish.

Food Pairings:
Duck breast with cherry glaze, mushroom risotto, or roasted salmon. For cheese lovers, try with brie or camembert.

Verdict:
A bold and expressive Pinot Noir, showing the hallmark concentration of Merry Edwards’ style. At over a decade old, it has softened beautifully, yet still holds vibrancy and structure.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight:
A memorable vintage that demonstrates how Russian River Pinot Noir can age gracefully. A true collector’s gem from one of California’s most respected winemakers. — 9 months ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.2

See previous notes. Unfortunately for wine Club members only - but they sold me a bottle anyway. — 4 years ago

Joe Bello

8.9

Herbal and vegetal nose with hints of underripe peach. Balanced acid with low alcohol. Great for a sunny day at the beach with some cheese or oysters — 9 years ago

Nik Weinberg-Lynn

9.1

Bright red fruits and herbal aromatics. Snappy acidity with cranberry notes. Length to survive for multiple days. — 10 years ago

Julia Feng

9.5

OVERVIEW GRAPE VARIETY VINEYARD REGION WINE ANALYSIS MATURATION VINTAGE CONDITIONS COLOUR NOSE PALATE PEAK DRINKING LAST TASTED Bin 2 was first released in 1960, yet was discontinued in Australia in the 1970s at the height of the white wine boom. The original Bin 2 was an ‘Australian Burgundy’ style (despite its Rhône varieties) – typically a soft, medium-bodied wine based on Shiraz. The Bin 2 blend of Shiraz and Mourvèdre is still relatively uncommon in Australian table wines. Also known as Mataro or Monastrell, Mourvèdre was introduced to Australia in the 1830s. Sometimes used in fortified wine production, this grape is widely planted in the Barossa Valley. It is greatly valued by winemakers for its blending attributes, adding complexity and palate grip. Interest in Bin 2 has grown as the popularity of traditional Rhône varieties and blends continues to flourish. 89% Shiraz 11% Mourvèdre Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Padthaway Alc/Vol: 14.5%, Acidity: 6.2 g/L, pH: 3.64 10 months in seasoned French and American oak Winter rainfall was lower than the long-term average for most parts of South Australia. Variable conditions continued through the period from October to December, merging to a mild summer, with a few short periods of heat. The mild daytime temperatures and cool evenings across most of the ripening period, allowed for impressive flavour development, without inflated baumés. Balanced canopies matched fruit load, providing even yet not too speedy ripening. Warm dry conditions continued throughout harvest with fruit picked in optimal condition. Smaller berry and bunch sizes were noticeable in most regions and this, coupled with favourable weather conditions, saw great results for some quality markers – colour, tannin profile, fruit concentration and flavour depth. Deep plum red Inviting. Lifted aromatics hovering above – sweet yeast bun, fresh liquorice. Red curranted fruits, sour cherry, fresh quince... A ‘trifled’ vinous chromatogram – jelly/custard/coconut! Expansive (for a Bin 2!). Only a fleeting suggestion of background oak. Tea-leaf/talc tannins... fathered by Shiraz or Mourvèdre?! Savoury and charcuterie flavours charmingly mesh with those reminiscent of Jamaican raisined dark chocolate. Now – 2020 November 2013

Food Pairing

Beef Lamb Spicy food Mature and hard cheese

Grapes

Shiraz/Syrah · Mourvedre

Price
$30
— 11 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Corley Yewell Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Saint Helena AVA, Napa Valley – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Crafted by Chris Corley, one of Napa’s most consistent and visionary winemakers, this single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from the Yewell Vineyard in Saint Helena, a site known for its intensity and structure. The 2018 vintage was one of Napa’s most balanced years in recent memory, giving this wine both depth and refinement.

Aromas & Flavors
Opens with a generous nose of blackberry, cassis, and ripe plum layered with dark chocolate, graphite, and subtle cigar box spice. On the palate, concentrated black fruits mingle with licorice, espresso, and a faint herbal lift, showing both power and finesse.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied with a muscular yet polished tannin structure, seamless integration of oak, and a long, velvety finish. The balance of fruit intensity, acidity, and texture makes this Cabernet age-worthy but approachable with decanting.

Winemaking Notes
Aged in French oak, with Chris Corley’s hallmark precision of blending power and elegance, the wine showcases both vineyard expression and vintage purity.

Food Pairing
Ideal with ribeye, braised short ribs, or herb-roasted lamb. It can also elevate a cheese course with aged Gouda or blue cheese.

Verdict
A masterful Napa Cabernet from an exceptional vintage — bold yet graceful, structured yet inviting. One of those bottles that reminds you why Napa’s single-vineyard expressions stand among the world’s great wines.

Personal Pick Highlight
I’ve had the privilege of sharing a wine class with Chris Corley himself, and that connection makes tasting his wines even more special. His precision, humility, and brilliance shine through in every bottle — this one included. Truly spectacular. Cheers — 10 months ago

Adriana Fabbro

8.9

Black cherry, cassis, bramble fruit, blueberry, violets, lavender, black pepper, some stemmy/tarragon/tomato leaf/underbrush. You don’t find too many natural winemakers taking on bold reds like Petite Sirah, but I’m glad Beaver Creek does and has no qualms about going up to 14+% alc. The wine feels a little thin on the palate for a California Petite, but really over delivers on the range, intensity and precision of favors, especially for the <$20 price—and it’s from a biodynamically farmed single-vineyard (Horne Ranch, which seems like a pretty majestic place from the photos I’ve seen) to boot! Great with bacon-eggplant-cheese burger. — 5 years ago

Doug Bennett

8.9

Great Rhone blend from Dave potter. Stick it in the fridge for a few minutes. Bright red fruits, tart cherry, red pepper berries — 9 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.4

Color: Dark ruby red
Nose: Cassis, 
Palate: Very fruity for a. South African,  split between napa style and french Bordeaux.  Finish is a little dry. Moderate tannins 5.5, moderate body. 
Opinion: Great cheese wine.  Remember before food wine. — 11 years ago

with Sean and India

Laura Wasek-Throm

9.3

Easy drinking, perfect for a warm night outside. — 12 years ago