Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Champagne Cattier – Brut Rosé Premier Cru (N/V)
Montagne de Reims, Champagne – France 🇫🇷

Overview
Produced by the Cattier family (vinegrowers in Champagne since 1763, now in their 13th generation), this Premier Cru Brut Rosé blends 31% Chardonnay, 26% Meunier, 43% Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims. Crafted with precision, it highlights the house’s reputation for balance and finesse.

Aromas & Flavors
Delicate raspberry and wild strawberry notes, lifted by citrus zest and a whisper of brioche. Hints of red currant and rose petals add charm.

Mouthfeel
Crisp, creamy, and elegant with fine bubbles. The mousse is persistent yet delicate, and the finish is both refreshing and silky.

Food Pairings
Pairs beautifully with smoked salmon, tuna tartare, charcuterie, or fresh berry desserts. Also excellent as an aperitif.

Verdict
A well-made Premier Cru Champagne rosé that delivers finesse, freshness, and subtle complexity. A fine choice for those seeking elegance at a relatively approachable price point. 🥂cheers!

Did You Know? 📌
Cattier is also the family behind the ultra-prestige label Armand de Brignac (“Ace of Spades”), but their own Cattier-branded Champagnes often deliver outstanding value for their pedigree. — 2 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Armagedon 2017 – Hevron Heights Winery
Judean Hills, Israel 🇮🇱

Overview
A bold red blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 5% Syrah, aged for 24 months in French oak. Produced by Hevron Heights Winery, this wine reflects the unique terroir of the Judean Hills — one of the oldest winemaking regions in the world, now regaining global recognition for producing structured, world-class wines.

Aromas & Flavors
Deep and concentrated, with aromas of ripe blackcurrant, plum, and dried herbs, layered with espresso, cedar, and a touch of vanilla from the extended oak aging. The palate shows dark fruits, cassis, blackberry compote, and hints of spice and earthy tobacco.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied, robust, and structured with firm tannins and notable concentration. The finish is long, lingering with both fruit and savory oak-driven notes. Still youthful but beginning to soften beautifully.

Winemaking Notes
Carefully selected fruit, traditional vinification, and extended oak maturation (24 months in French barriques) yield a wine that balances richness with complexity. Built for longevity.

Food Pairing
Pairs perfectly with roasted lamb, beef short ribs, or spiced Mediterranean dishes. Also a great match with aged cheeses.

Verdict
A powerful, age-worthy red from the Judean Hills, Armagedon 2017 showcases both the depth of the blend and the rising reputation of Israel’s terroir. A bottle that commands attention and rewards patience. Cheers! — 3 months ago

Big Wave Dave

9.3

Imagine picking this up on a wine list for $140!! Yep - welcome to the famous Le Soufflot in Mersault. The Coche reductive struck match is there, along with lemon, white flowers, and mineral. The palate is dense and clearly would benefit from more time. This was excellent, but frankly a bit underwhelming given the reputation. Perhaps +2-3 pts in 5+ years — 8 months ago

Jim Wagonfeld

9.3

A singular expression of SB that with this bottle matches the reputation and expectation. I keep these no more than 10 years and like others on CT have experienced multiple oxidized bottles. — 3 years ago

with Judy

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Clos Floridène – 2021
Graves, Bordeaux – France 🇫🇷

Overview
Founded by the late Denis Dubourdieu, Clos Floridène has built a reputation for producing approachable yet refined wines from Graves. This 2021 vintage is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot, delivering structure with easy drinkability. (Educational note: Graves, one of Bordeaux’s oldest appellations, is famed for its gravel soils that add freshness and balance to its reds and whites.)

Aromas & Flavors
Juicy red fruits (cherry, raspberry, plum) with blackberry and cassis, framed by cedar, oak spice, and a subtle earthy note.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with polished tannins and balanced acidity. Solid yet affable structure, making it an effortless “uncork and pour” wine.

Food Pairings
Great with roasted chicken, duck breast, grilled lamb chops, or charcuterie. Also pairs with earthy mushroom dishes or semi-aged cheeses.

Verdict
A charming Graves red — approachable, structured, and thoroughly enjoyable. The 2021 Clos Floridène captures Left Bank elegance in a wine ready to drink today. 🍷

Did You Know?
Clos Floridène was founded in 1982 and guided by Denis Dubourdieu, one of Bordeaux’s most respected enologists, often called the “pope of white wine.” — 2 months ago

Vanessa

9.3

🍷Cheers to this compelling Morgon crafted by one of the region’s luminaries!✨

We’re talking about the ‘Côte du Py’ Morgon (Gamay Noir) by the revered Jean Foillard.

This Gamay hails from Morgon – a “Cru” within the broader appellation of Beaujolais – with a reputation for producing structured & age-worthy wine.

👁️ This wine is medium ruby in color, like a gemstone with the delicate haze you’d expect from an unfiltered wine.

👃 The aromas & flavors are perfumed with ripe red and black cherry, wild strawberry, blueberry, pomegranate, blood orange, mulberry, rosehips, hibiscus, lilac, black tea, rooibos, black licorice, star anise, potting soil, gunflint, & clove.

👄 On the palate, it’s dry with vibrant acidity, warming alcohol, a medium body, fine, ripe tannins, followed by a persistent finish.

In sum, this is a captivating, soulful, & expressive wine; a beautiful representation of Morgon, so deliciously drinkable now, with its layers of lush fruit, florals, & spice, while demurely holding the spine, structure, & intensity to age…

I can imagine it gaining mushroom, earthy, leather, & cured meat dimensions with time.

It offers power and elegance; a wine to sip, savor, & appreciate. — 4 months ago

with Deked1

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured from magnum; enjoyed over the course of two days. Best on Day 2 as the wine came into better balance. The 2015 “Caravina” pours a deep ruby with a nearly opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. One the nose, the wine is developing with notes of black cherry, brambles, tobacco, violets, herbs, and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine with dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and the acid plays a significant role, giving some real lift to the lush fruit. And while we’re on the topic, I’ll just share an observation that the acid is a significant characteristic for Seavey. In their youth, they are somewhat tough to fully appreciate (Ridge also has this reputation). I’m not suggesting Seavey is an analogue to Monte Bello, rather just stating they seem to be playing the long game…and I’m here for that. That being said, these are good now but will be more pleasurable in another couple years (at least in this format) and should be lovely through 2035. — 2 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Macchia – Delicious Barbera 2023
Lodi, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Barbera may be native to Italy, but in Lodi it thrives in the warm days and cool nights, producing generous, fruit-driven wines. Macchia has built a reputation for crafting some of the most expressive New World Barberas, with a track record of winning international medals (including Gold at the International Barbera Competition in Italy for earlier vintages). This 2023 vintage keeps that pedigree alive with a vibrant, approachable style.

Aromas & Flavors
Explodes with blackberry, ripe plum, and dark cherry layered with chocolate, spice, and hints of licorice. There’s an intensity of fruit without losing freshness, showing why Barbera adapts so beautifully outside its homeland.

Mouthfeel
Juicy, full of energy, with supple tannins and balancing acidity. Medium-plus body with a long, fruit-forward finish dusted with cocoa and spice.

Food Pairing
Pairs effortlessly with rich tomato pasta, grilled lamb chops, or a hearty sausage pizza. Also excellent with strong cheeses that complement its ripe fruit core.

The Verdict
Macchia delivers again with a Barbera that’s as delicious as its name. The 2023 vintage stands out as a casual yet compelling New World take on an Old World classic—backed by a winery whose style already carries international pedigree.

✨ Personal highlight: This wine style has pedigree from past events, but the 2023 is very much its own statement. It’s “delicious” in every sense and shows how consistent Macchia has been across vintages. Cheers! — 3 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Blackcurrant and leather notes. Very savoury on the palate - a little disappointing to be honest. See previous Delectable note. I haven’t had a lot of experience with Cornas and was looking forward to this because of its stellar reputation. I have a reasonable collection of Clape Cornas in my cellar which are not ready to drink yet. To be honest this was a bit underwhelming compared to many stellar Shiraz we are lucky enough to have in Australia. Hopefully the Clape, the Rostaing and the Jamet with time in my cellar will be impressive. — 6 months ago

Pooneet K

9.1

The Albe always has a reputation for being a well valued Barolo and with this example I have to agree. I do think the 5 years have helped. Pretty classic Nebbiolo perfumed nose. Dried flowers and nice fruit. Some leather. On the less intense side, nice lifting acid on the finish. — a year ago