Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Château de Fesles – La Chapelle Vieilles Vignes Chenin Sec 2010. Anjou, Loire Valley – France 🇫🇷

Overview
A limited-edition bottling from one of Anjou’s most historic estates, this Chenin Blanc comes from old vines (“vieilles vignes”) rooted in schist soils surrounding the chapel of the domaine. Château de Fesles is renowned for producing some of the Loire’s most age-worthy Chenins, and this 2010 shows just how gracefully the grape can evolve.

Aromas & Flavors
Complex layers of baked quince, dried apricot, acacia honey, chamomile, and lanolin, underpinned by beeswax and a mineral flintiness. Secondary notes of almond and brioche hint at its decade-plus of bottle age.

Mouthfeel
Dry (“sec”) yet textured, with a medium+ body, bright acidity still intact, and a long, savory finish. The balance between freshness and maturity is remarkable, showing both vitality and evolution.

Winemaking Notes
Fermented in oak and matured patiently, with low yields from old vines contributing depth and concentration. Loire Chenin’s natural high acidity is what makes wines like this so age-defiant.

Food Pairing
Perfect alongside roasted chicken with herbs, veal in cream sauce, or rich seafood like lobster and scallops. A natural match also for aged goat cheese (think Valençay or Crottin de Chavignol).

Verdict
A stunning example of aged Loire Chenin Blanc: vibrant, layered, and endlessly complex. Proof of why Anjou and Loire whites belong among the world’s most cellar-worthy wines. — 25 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Grapes sourced from 2 vineyards, high altitude sandy souls in Vera d’Alba & Renesio Incisa cru in Canale. Originally called "Nebbiolo bianco" due to the shape of the bunch and the size of the berries similar to Nebbiolo. Pale lemon with aromas of stone and citrus fruits with herb notes. On the palate flavors of lemon, apple and herb character. Medium finish, lively acidity balance, ending with creamy citrus and mineral character. Nice value! — 3 years ago

Aaron Rankin

9.2

Wine geek Pinot. Own rooted, carbonic maceration, no sulphur, magnum. Personally I’d love to taste this with traditional fermentation. The fruity crunchiness almost gets in the way; yet that’s what it’s supposed to be. I’m asking for inauthenticity. For what this is, the expression is incredibly pure, nose to tail. — 4 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Château Coucheroy Blanc 2019
Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A 100% Sauvignon Blanc crafted by the esteemed Vignobles André Lurton family at Château Coucheroy. Located in Pessac-Léognan, this estate combines noble Bordeaux heritage with modern elegance. The wine’s name—rooted in legend of King Henri IV’s visit—underscores its timeless appeal.  

Aromas & Flavors
Pale yellow with green highlights, the nose is bright and vibrant with notes of lemon, citrus, and floral undertones. The palate mirrors this freshness with lime zest, delicate white florals, and a subtle saline touch that adds harmony.  

Mouthfeel
Refreshing and balanced, this wine is well-rounded yet crisp. Its texture is smooth and approachable, finishing with a clean, lingering mineral accent. 

Winemaking Notes
Vinification blends complexity and purity: partially fermented and aged in oak barrels for structure, and part in temperature-controlled stainless steel for freshness. Lees aging enhances depth without overpowering natural vibrancy.  

Food Pairing
Perfect with bright, lightly seasoned seafood: think green asparagus flans, grilled langoustines, or classic Saltimbocca alla Romana. 

Verdict
Château Coucheroy Blanc 2019 is a beautifully crafted expression of Sauvignon Blanc from Graves. It pairs refreshing acidity and mineral clarity with elegant texture—making for both a delightful aperitivo and a refined pairing wine. Its appeal lasts across meals and moments. Cheers! — a month ago

Delectable Wine

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9.4

The 2020 Chardonnay Katherine's Vineyard is bright and wonderfully saline, with plenty of mineral and savory accents. Citrus peel, mint, white pepper, chalk and dried flowers open nicely with a bit of time. There's terrific energy and plenty of cut. Most of this fruit is sourced from the own-rooted vines first planted in 1971. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2022)
— 3 years ago

Martinez

9.1

Entry-level Chardonnay from 25-35 years-old vines rooted in clay and limestone soils. Aged in oak for 6 months. Fresh, mineral. Hints of yellow apple and yeast on the nose. Tart green apple flavors, saline on the palate. Long, tasty finish. Great wine, incredible value — 4 years ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.0

Light ruby , bright pink rim . Little more reserved on the nose , with some spiced cherry , wild strawberry and herbal elements , touch of earthiness also . On the palate this has a bit more richness to it , and a little more tannin , slightly darker fruits , red cherry and some strawberry notes . Good balanced acidity and ok length . Touch of pepper , mineral hint on the finish . Drink from now over the next few years . At Vinous Icons NY, Pier 60 , Feb 2025 — 2 months ago

Seth Masterson

9.2

To me good wine stands out from average wine when I can sense three things from it: time, place and intention.
This rustic garnacha clearly carries these three indices.
The top layer of smell is rustic- farm, soil. Sticking my nose in the glass I'm greeted with a maraschino liquor soaked cherry wood barrel.
The palate tells me it's been maturing and mellowing for three quarters of a decade - this is mature but eagerly waiting to be opened. There aren't layers to this- it's straight forward, direct, open and expressive. Elegant in it's simplicity but certainly not posh. Dry, but very much alive, like the garrigues that was once rooted where this vineyard now stands. This is central Spain. — 3 years ago

Martinez

9.0

100% Pedro Ximenez from vineyards in Moriles Altos, one of the top areas within the Montilla-Moriles appellation. Vines are rooted in albariza (tosca hojaldrada) soils. Aged for an average of 3 years under flor in the solera system and bottled en rama (unfiltered). Intense nose with notes of toasted almonds and yeast. Sharp, very dry and saline on the palate. A very powerful and sapid, quite persistent wine. Umami 💣 — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Deep Ruby with aromas of dark fruits, blossom and sweet spice, spending 20 months in new French oak, grapes grown mostly in alluvial sandy souls. On the palate flavors of blackberry and currants with notes of licorice, cacao and spice, savory. Full fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit, spice and mineral character, slight alcohol presence. Tried about a year ago, aging well! — 4 years ago