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. — 3 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

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. — 3 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

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. — 9 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