Freddy R. Troya

8.9

KEF by Karas White 2023, Armavir, Armenia 🇦🇲

Overview
A lively and approachable white blend from the Armavir region in Armenia’s Ararat Valley. Produced by the team behind Karas Wines, this wine blends 60% Kangun (an indigenous Armenian grape) with 40% Chenin Blanc, combining local heritage with international structure. The name “Kef” derives from the Armenian word for feast or celebration, reflecting the wine’s convivial and easy-drinking spirit.

Aromas & Flavors
Fresh grapefruit, white flowers, citrus peel, and subtle mineral notes. The Chenin Blanc adds brightness and lift while Kangun contributes texture and gentle orchard-fruit character.

Mouthfeel
Light to medium-bodied with crisp acidity and refreshing vibrancy. Smooth and clean on the palate with a lively, food-friendly finish.

Food Pairings
Mediterranean mezze, grilled vegetables, seafood, fresh salads, herb-driven dishes, or light poultry.

Verdict
A fun and compelling blend that highlights Armenia’s indigenous Kangun while remaining accessible through Chenin Blanc’s familiar structure. Underrated, refreshing, and very easy to enjoy.

Did You Know?
Armenia is considered one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world, with winemaking traditions dating back more than 6,000 years, including the discovery of the world’s oldest known winery in the Areni cave complex.

🍷 Personal Pick
A vibrant and joyful wine that delivers authenticity and approachability at the same time. A great introduction to Armenian whites while still showcasing the personality of Kangun. — 4 months ago

Sharon B

9.4

Delicious blend 65% Saperavi 20% Rarā Neagrā 15% Bastardo. “Celebrating the free spirit. A courageous blend produced from three indigenous grape varieties native to Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. A tribute to the people of these three countries that do not take their freedom for granted” cheers! — 3 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

8.9

A wine with a biodynamic spirit, not much interventionist. Deep ruby color. Nose bearing the typicity of the two grape varieties: plum caramel for Merlot; blackcurrant and plants for Cabernet. Half-bodied body + counterbalanced by a beautiful freshness, with interesting mineral accents. Cuvée on fruit, gourmet and digestible. To drink on its youth.

Un vin à l’esprit biodynamique peu interventionniste. Robe rubis profonde. Nez portant la typicité des deux deux cépages: caramel prune pour le Merlot; cassis et végétaux pour le Cabernet. Corps demi-corsé + contrebalancé par une belle fraîcheur. Cuvée sur les fruits, gourmande et digeste. À boire sur sa jeunesse. — 4 years ago

Carlos Gomes

9.4

An exceptional surprise.
Very smooth, extraordinary well balanced between vanilla, macapan and orange, and still with a long final body.
Bronze - International Wine & is a Spirit Competition 2019 — 6 years ago

Kristen Grimes

9.0

The juice from the Chard grapes with chard grape Brandy!? Some of the same nutty notes, nice thick body and good sweetness. — 6 years ago

Sharon B

9.3

Mmm this is why I like Petite Sirah! Lots of dark fruit with a smooth finish. Great story on the bottle about how a Count from Europe immigrated to America. He became the first Sheriff of San Diego County then moved to Northern California to pursue grape growing. As legend has it, he was eaten by a crocodile while in Nicaragua. This wine honors his spirit as an entrepreneur, an explorer, a true daredevil at heart. — 6 years ago

Mason Balistreri

Sommelier, International Wine Guild; Balistreri Vineyard; Sales, Joy Wine and Spirits

9.6

It might shock you, but my favorite rosé is not French but instead comes from California! Blasphemy, I know - but Bedrock's Ode to Lulu is just that good. The difficulty is actually finding a bottle. For the last three years, I've only been allocated a case (or less) to sell here in Denver. It's possible you are one of the select few I've actually told about this wine... If not, now is your chance. This is the first year there's an "okay" supply. It won't last, but you should be able to get a bottle.

So yes, it's not French but it's made in the same style and method of Tempier Bandol Rosé- the most sought after, cult rosé out there. The name "Ode to Lulu" is actually an homage to the 4.5 foot tall, 101 year old woman named "Lulu" Peyraud (born Lucie Tempier) whose father gifted the Mourvedre heavy estate to her and her husband Lucien Peyraud. The wines they would go on to produce from the 1940's onward quite literally defined Bandol and put it on the map as some of the best rosés out there. She's still alive and presumably drinking plenty of wine.

This California-born "Ode to Lulu" is modeled after the great Tempier, but has some unique properties compared to it's French namesake. For one, the vines are EXTREMELY old. Tempier defined itself by focusing on old Mourvèdre and Grenache plantings, but even these French vineyards cannot compare to what Bedrock is working with in California. If you don't know, Bedrock is the winery of Morgon Twain Peterson, son of legendary Ravenswood founder Joel Peterson. Morgon grew up making wine and through his father has cultivated relationships with some of the most important heritage vineyards in California. The "Ode to Lulu" is made from Mourvèdre and Grenache planted as far back as 1888! These are some of the oldest plantings of these grapes around and make for unbelievable wines. Tempier's average vine age is around 40 years old today. Bedrock's is over 3x as old. Insane.

Morgon may be young, but he has a life time of winemaking experience. He started making wine with his father when he was 5 years old and hasn't stopped yet. In addition to absorbing his father's knowledge on heritage vineyards, he is a real student in the world of wine, earning a "Masters of Wine" designation (this industry's highest achievement). I've been drinking his wine for several years and I can say that his wine is made extremely thoughtfully and with expert attention to detail. This is true even with a wine as humble as rosé.

Unlike most California pink wine, Bedrock is not produced by "bleeding off" juice from a red wine. Instead, the grapes are picked early and separately at very low potential alcohols, and whole cluster pressed with low extraction. This preserves the freshness and acidity, creating a wine of clarity. In an old blog post I dug up, Morgon explains this idea:

"I pick at potential alcohols lower on the scale where brightness and lift still exist. This is not to say that fruit does not matter—I use Mourvedre from a block planted over 120 years ago for requisite concentration of complexity of flavor—but like fine champagne, the wonders of rosé lie in its unbearable lightness of being."

I agree with this idea of rosé and I think most people instinctively do as well. It's no coincidence that our best selling bottles come from provence. However, I urge you to pick up at least one bottle of this Ode to Lulu. It's a wine that's close in spirit to the best French rosé but made from vineyards that are American and unrivaled in age.

This is the fourth vintage of Ode to Lulu I've tasted, and I would say that's the most elegant yet. The 2015 was maybe my favorite for it's depth and I picked a few up to age, drinking my last bottle recently... This new vintage is great now, but it will reward with a short cellaring time. Honestly, if you can hide 2 bottles and drink them before fall or into next year, you will be blown away. Bandol rosé is a wine that improves dramatically over the course of 6 months to several years (Tempier Rosé is known to go decades). This bedrock is no different.

I can personally attest to past vintages gaining depth with time. How is this possible? Unlike other rosé which should be drank young, Bandol and Ode to Lulu are made of Mourvedre, a grape that is naturally reductive and resistant to oxidation. Further, the acidity is high and alcohol low. As the acidity starts to fall away, a depth and richness of character will emerge. In fruitier/riper rosé with more alcohol, this richness becomes too sweet and cloying... Not the case here. This keep balanced through time, gaining complexity while remaining refreshing. 

You should buy this wine. However, I think there is one more important facet to rosé that I should mention before you do... Rosé is not always about what's in the glass itself. Rosé is really an ethereal thing... It's more so an "essence" of terroir and vintage rather than a sturdy, hard representation like red wine is... Sorry if that doesn't make sense but what I'm trying to say is that sometimes rosé is more about the place and the people you enjoy it with than the exact flavors themselves. Of course, we cannot all visit the picturesque village of Bandol to visit Lulu Peyraud; but I think, with this sunny Colorado weather, we can come close. Perhaps Morgon said it better than I can:

"Proper rosé is refreshing, life-nourishing stuff that revives the soul... I drink as much for pure pleasure as for intellectual stimulation. In the warmer months there is something sacred about a late afternoon meal of cold chicken, fresh garden tomatoes, and rosé. It is one body in the sacred trilogy of rustic simplicity." - Morgon Twain Peterson

#rose #oldvine #lulu #tempier #bedrockwineco — 8 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.1

VELENOSI, Offida DOCG 2024, Pecorino, Marche, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
100% Pecorino from the Offida DOCG in Marche, one of the highest qualitative expressions of this once nearly-forgotten indigenous grape. A refined yet approachable interpretation showing how Pecorino can balance freshness, texture, and understated sophistication.

Aromas & Flavors
Delicate white peach, citrus zest, green apple, subtle floral notes, and a gentle herbal nuance. Flavorful without being loud, everything precise, clean, and beautifully integrated.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with a smooth, lightly creamy texture balanced by vibrant acidity. Casual in spirit yet polished in execution. The finish is clean, persistent, and quietly elegant.

Food Pairings
Grilled branzino, lemon herb chicken, pasta with clams, burrata with olive oil, or simple seafood risotto.

Verdict
Terrific expression of DOCG Pecorino. Subtle, flavorful, and texturally engaging, a wine that delivers both everyday pleasure and elevated finesse.

Did You Know?
Pecorino was close to extinction in the late 20th century before being revived in central Italy. Offida DOCG represents one of its most structured and age-worthy forms.

🍷 Personal Pick
The best Pecorino I’ve tasted so far — proof that this grape, when handled seriously, offers far more than a casual summer white. — 4 months ago

Matt

9.6

Ah, “Bienbebido Come Pulpo y Bebe Vino Alvarinho,” a title that rolls off the tongue like a well-aged Barolo at a soiree! Hailing from the lush vineyards of the Rías Baixas region in Spain, this Alvarinho is a veritable treasure from the Atlantic coast, where the grape thrives in a climate as forgiving as a doting grandmother.

On the nose, one is greeted with exuberant aromas of ripe stone fruits—think peach and apricot—tinged with a whisper of sea breeze. The palate is a harmonious blend of zesty acidity and luscious mouthfeel, reminiscent of sun-drenched beaches and long, leisurely lunches.

Interestingly, the producer—known for their adventurous spirit—often hosts “wine swims”—yes, I do mean swims, not swimsuits, though that may be a sight! Alvarinho, famed for its high acidity, shines particularly well in seafood pairings; grilled octopus and citrus-infused dishes elevate the experience to euphoric heights.

Professionally lauded by the critics at Wine Enthusiast, it received a commendable 93 points. It’s a little scandalous to enjoy such a marvel—but who said good taste had to be virtuous? — a year ago

David Kline

9.2

Cran-grape-blackberry sensibility with dark roast coffee undertones, milk chocolate, carnation, caramel, dried parsley, carrot purée. Palate is coffee coated black currant, chicory, dried blackberry, bramble, cedar, tight and green oak notes, violet, baseball glove, tart cherry, tart raspberry and raspberry reduction. Rich offering here to satisfy the lofty spirit, but needs time to coalesce.
Pair with warm fires.


#shafer #napa #napavalley #shaferonepointfive #onepointfive #stagsleapdistrict #shafervineyards #shafercabernet #shafercab #cab #cabernetsauvignon #stagsleapnapa — 4 years ago

David Kline

9.4

Unbending purple-black. Lovely nose of lavender and thyme, dusty black cherry, dried blackberry and ripe black currant, as well as a lovely mint moment of varietal introspection. Vanilla and cedar remain in check, as oak bolsters without overwhelming. A thing of beauty. Intense black cherry and currant wash over a scree of firm tannins. Great backbone, stellar integration. Strangely, I’m drinking it, but looking forward to the next bottle? Hmm. The purity of the fruit shines through with raspberry and dried strawberry notes making spirit cameos alongside Connecticut tobacco, plum and Roobios tea, but also an unusual citrus and leather-pepper. I wasn’t expecting so many differing fruit profiles , and such un-manipulated purity of grape expression. Great job! No need for makeup and plastic surgery for this action star! #schrader #doublediamond #schradercellars #napacab #napawine #napawinning #oakville #cabernetsauvignon #cabsauv #schraderdoublediamond — 6 years ago

with Courtney and

Evan Orensten

9.3

Crisp and lovely, an usual and difficult to grow grape — 9 years ago

with Cee and Josh

Mo and Laurie

8.9

Grape
Tropical fruity sweetness, lychee (Laurie says like Chinese lychees)
Slightly fortified taste
White spirity grappa like edge on the nose
A bit like Chinese white spirit, flower
Balanced
Really deep rich sweetness. Growing on Mo — 9 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

occata Classico 2020
Santa Barbara County AVA, California 🇺🇸

Overview
A uniquely Italian-inspired blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and the very rare Piedmontese grape Freisa. Grapes are sourced from Los Alamos Vineyard (66%) and Valley View Vineyard (34%), both within Santa Barbara County. This cuvée reflects the region’s versatility and pays homage to Old World traditions with a distinctly Californian expression. Extremely approachable and crowd-pleasing, it’s a true bridge between Italian heritage and California winemaking.

Aromas & Flavors
On the nose, dark cherry, ripe plum, and dried roses are lifted by subtle baking spices and a hint of tobacco leaf. The palate continues with layers of blackberry, cassis, and a whisper of earthy leather, with Freisa adding a rustic twist of red berries and herbal undertones.

Mouthfeel
Medium-to-full bodied with velvety tannins, balanced acidity, and a polished structure. It feels plush and seamless, finishing long yet inviting, with a touch of savory spice.

Winemaking Notes
A thoughtful blend composition highlighting both classic Bordeaux varieties and the rare Italian Freisa, fermented and aged in French oak to achieve elegance while preserving fruit vibrancy.

Food Pairing
Pairs beautifully with osso buco, Tuscan-style grilled steak, roasted lamb, or rich tomato-based pasta. Also versatile enough for charcuterie and hard cheeses.

Verdict
A standout example of Santa Barbara’s Italian-driven winemaking spirit. Elegant, smooth, and versatile — this blend is both serious and fun, making it perfect for casual gatherings yet polished enough to impress the connoisseur. — 10 months ago

Romain Fitoussi

9.0

Roussillon trip #4
Very beautiful wine with a biodynamic, natural spirit. Dominant of Mourvèdre (what a beautiful grape variety!) Assembled with Cinsault and Grenache. As expected, the dress, moderately deep, pulls on the red hues, with purplish reflections and a beautiful glow. On the nose, the notes of currant, red fruits, and floral, of the Mourvèdre dominate, enriched with the perfumes of other grape varieties in a bouquet putting the fruit in the spotlight. The mouth is juicy and flexible, of great purity. A very elegant thirsty wine, to drink young a priori.

Très beau vin à l’esprit biodynamique, naturel. Dominante de Mourvèdre (quel beau cépage!) assemblé avec Cinsault et Grenache. Comme attendu, la robe, moyennement profonde tire sur les teintes rouges, avec des reflets violacé et un bel éclat. Au nez les notes groseille, fruits rouges, et florales, du Mourvèdre dominent, enrichie des parfums des autres cépages dans un bouquet mettant le fruit à l’honneur. La bouche est juteuse et souple, d’une grande pureté, avec une fraîcheur salivante. Un vin de soif très élégant, à boire jeune a priori. — 4 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.2

The nose is full throttle from the get-go—a surprise reminding me of my recent trip to Magic Mountains, as West Coast Racers is a roller coaster with no slow-burn climb uphill. Oh no—you zoom out the gates and go through a series of twisty-windy loops and it’s a shock to your system but then you’re like “let’s do it again!”
And so with this. That explosive nose is savory and earthy like a blackberry compote kissed by a forest spirit. On the palate the tannins are the epitome of velvety and well-integrated. I get all the aromas of the nose here, plus some more red fruit. And vanilla. And then again with almost an…iodine herb thing I always associate with Italian wines, no matter the grape. And then a hint of…Montenegro? Is this the wine for both roller coaster and amaro aficionados? Stand-up Merlot. Do it. — 5 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

8.9

Expression of Malbec "on the fruit" Glu-glu wine. Friendly and approachable. All the characteristics of the grape varieties are expressed here without artifice with a nice know-how. A sort of Beaujolais in darker and more condensed! "Nature" spirit attested by a light sparkling mouth when opening, testifying to a very low sulphite intake. To drink with simple meals, charcuterie boards / mezze cheese, antipasti. Treat!

L’expression parfaite du Malbec « on the fruit » gourmand. Amical et accessible; Toutes les caractéristiques du cépages sont ici exprimées sans artifice avec un beau savoir faire. Une sorte de Beaujolais en plus noir et plus condensé! Esprit « nature » attesté par une bouche perlante à l’ouverture, témoignant d’un apport très réduit en sulphite. A boire avec des repas simples, planches de charcuterie/fromage mezze, antipastis. — 6 years ago

Connor Smith

9.4

There are a lot of California wineries out there that are valuable to the man at the top mostly as a way to impress their friends. There are not many that are primarily a way to satisfy the founder’s hopeless geekery for wine, soil, weather, and getting his hands dirty. 🍇🌞💨⛏

Kevin Harvey made his money in Silicon Valley as an entrepreneur and investor. But his journey to winemaking didn’t begin with a business transaction, but by planting vines in his backyard and vinifying it himself in his garage. He had the itch: he had to get real with it.

Harvey has spent most of the past 20 years developing brand new vineyard sites - often targeting old Christmas tree farms! He is deeply involved with research, planning, getting soil and grape analytics, setting up weather stations, and viticulture - though, with the fruits of his labor (pun intended) being of such remarkable potential, it is perhaps wise to turn the cellar work over to veteran winemaker Jeff Brinkman to realize it.

The result of Harvey’s outstanding grape material and Brinkman’s capable hands in undeniable. In a world full of California winemakers trying to take their shot at Burgundy, Rhys has accomplished what so often gets lost in the pursuit of style: an honest and clear communication from the vines. That’s the true Burgundian spirit.

Harvey has said their goal is to get you “staring into a glass of vineyard”. This Horseshoe Vineyard Pinot Noir, facing west toward the Pacific taking in a daily blanket of foggy marine layer, can only come from one place. In what seems like the blink of an eye, Rhys has become one of the most celebrated wines in America, with good reason. 🇺🇸🍷 — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

The history of Lugana dates back to 1993 when Sergio first understood the potential of the Trebbiano di Lugana grape. The Wine embodies his innovative and foresight spirit, as well as the courage to propose the Lugana in a renewed style. Golden yellow with aromas of exotic fruit and floral notes. Palate shows passion fruit, savory full-bodied, lively acidity and mineral tones on a lingering finish. — 9 years ago

Scott Taddeo

9.2

Hard to rate this wine as its far too young to be drunk, but alas. Shows pronounced youthful aromas of boysenberry, plums, violets, glazed walnuts, brown sugar and slight grape spirit. Intensely structured wine, insanely deft but ample tannin profile giving serious shape to the wine. Needs to be visited years from now. — 9 years ago