Freddy R. Troya

9.2

The Black Square — Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater, Oregon, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
100% Cabernet Sauvignon from this basalt-strewn, high-desert terroir shows a distinctly savory expression, structured, mineral-driven, and aromatic. Less plush Napa, more earth and place. A refined, terroir-forward Cab with tension and character.

Aromas & Flavors
Black Forest cake, ripe dark cherry, cassis, crushed rock, dried herbs, sagebrush, violet, subtle graphite.

Mouthfeel
Medium+ body, firm yet polished tannins, dry, lifted acidity, savory and linear rather than plush. Elegant grip with excellent balance.

Food Pairings
Grilled lamb chops, rosemary steak, mushroom ragù, duck breast, aged Manchego.

Verdict
A Cabernet that speaks landscape more than oak. Complex, herbaceous, and harmonious, cerebral and refined rather than showy. Terroir lovers’ Cab.

🍷 Did You Know?
The Rocks District is famous for its cobblestone soils (ancient river stones), which often give wines a distinctive savory, herbal, and stony character rarely found in classic California Cabernet. — 8 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Alta Nova Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 — Napa Valley, California 🇺🇸

Overview
A polished, concentrated Napa Cabernet crafted with finesse under winemaker Britt Richards. Ripe red and dark fruit lead the profile, supported by firm structure, layered depth, and well-judged oak. Powerful yet controlled, delivering intensity without heaviness or excess.

Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, cassis, plum, raspberry compote, cedar, vanilla, cocoa, baking spice, toasted oak.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus to full-bodied with confident structure. Grippy but refined tannins, fresh acidity, and a punchy, energetic core. Dense and multilayered while remaining balanced and composed. Long, polished finish.

Food Pairings
Grilled ribeye, lamb chops, braised short ribs, mushroom risotto, aged cheddar.

Verdict
A serious yet approachable Napa Cab that favors elegance over excess. Concentrated, complex, and thoughtfully built, strength with precision rather than volume.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is my kind of Napa: structured, grippy with grace, and multilayered. Punchy in the right way, power with finesse, not a fruit bomb. Credit to the winemaking hand of Britt Richards here.

Did You Know?
A new wave of Napa winemakers is prioritizing balance, earlier picking, and restrained oak to highlight freshness and terroir over sheer ripeness. — 8 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

ITER — Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A soft, velvety Napa Cabernet focused on approachability and immediate pleasure. Vanilla-driven oak, rounded tannins, and polished dark fruit create an easygoing, comfort-style Cab that overdelivers for the price without tipping into jammy or heavy territory.

Aromas & Flavors
Vanilla, cocoa, ripe black cherry, blackberry, plum, sweet spice, light toast, and a touch of mocha.

Mouthfeel
Medium to medium-plus body with supple tannins and a creamy texture. Smooth, plush, and easy-drinking with a gentle, rounded finish.

Food Pairings
Burgers, pizza night, BBQ chicken, weeknight pasta, tacos, or simply a couch + Netflix situation.

Verdict
A lovely everyday sipper. Not built for contemplation, but built for enjoyment, balanced, velvety, and dangerously easy to pour that second glass.

🍷 Did You Know?
ITER focuses on sourcing fruit across Napa Valley to craft stylistically consistent, value-driven wines that highlight plush texture and early drinkability rather than cellar structure.

Personal Pick
Exactly my kind of “no-thinking required” Cab, soft, comforting, vanilla-smooth, and perfect when I just want to relax and sip without overanalyzing. — 8 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Clos Lointain – The Spectra Grenache 2023, Côtes Catalanes (Roussillon) IGP, France 🇫🇷

Overview
100% Grenache from organically grown vines in Côtes Catalanes, crafted in a silky, old-vine Mediterranean style, translucent yet concentrated, emphasizing texture, perfume, and elegance over power.

Aromas & Flavors
Wild strawberry, raspberry compote, red plum skin, dried rose, white pepper, crushed herbs, and a subtle stony/mineral whisper. Pure red-fruit spectrum with beautiful lift.

Mouthfeel
Medium body, ultra-smooth and velvety. Fine, powdery tannins with a seamless glide across the palate. Silky, almost Burgundian texture for Grenache. Balanced warmth (14.7%) but never heavy.

Food Pairings
Herb-roasted chicken, grilled lamb chops, ratatouille, mushroom dishes, or simple charcuterie. Also dangerously good on its own.

Verdict
A graceful, texture-driven Grenache that shows restraint and polish. Elegant, soulful, and quietly complex, this is finesse Grenache, not blockbuster mode. My kind of bottle all day.

🍷 Did You Know?
Roussillon’s schist and limestone soils plus old-vine Grenache often deliver that signature silky texture and aromatic lift, more “whisper and glide” than the richer, jammy styles from warmer regions. — 8 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.5

1858 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 — Paso Robles, California 🇺🇸

Overview
A bold, ultra-ripe, fruit-saturated Paso Cabernet built in a plush, modern, high-octane style. Massive dark fruit, heavy extraction, and sweet oak tones dominate the profile. More power and impact than finesse or restraint.

Aromas & Flavors
Plum jam, blackberry compote, baked black cherry, cocoa powder, mocha, vanilla, sweet spice, and toasted oak.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and dense with thick texture. Low perceived acidity, high ripeness, and a warm finish. Broad, mouth-filling, almost chewy, built like a fruit bomb rather than a structured Cabernet.

Food Pairings
BBQ brisket, ribs, smoky burgers, heavily seasoned grilled meats, or anything that can stand up to the intensity.

Verdict
Big, loud, and unapologetically ripe. A crowd-pleaser for lovers of plush, sweet-toned, modern California Cab, but overwhelming if you prefer balance, freshness, and elegance.

🍷 Personal Pick
Respect the style, but not my lane. Feels like getting hit with a fruit cannon, I reached for water more than another sip.

Did You Know?
Paso Robles’ hot days and long hang times often push Cabernet toward very ripe, jammy profiles, and producers linked to the Caymus family are known for this signature plush, cocoa-vanilla, fruit-forward style. — 8 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Crossfork Creek — Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Yakima Valley (Sheridan Vineyard), Washington, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A polished, elegant Yakima Cabernet showing classic Sheridan Vineyard finesse. Structured yet supple, with cassis-driven depth, dark fruit richness, and a cool-climate herbal lift that feels both refined and quietly powerful. Tastes far more expensive than it is.

Aromas & Flavors
Cassis, black plum, blackberry, subtle mint, eucalyptus, cocoa, graphite, and light oak spice.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus to full-bodied with silky tannins and excellent balance. Lush but not heavy, smooth and layered, finishing long and composed.

Food Pairings
Grilled ribeye, lamb chops, rosemary chicken, mushroom risotto, aged cheddar, or slow-braised short ribs.

Verdict
Beautifully made and genuinely elegant. Complex, expressive, and harmonious without excess weight. A terrific example of Washington Cabernet that delivers both power and finesse.

🍷 Did You Know?
Sheridan Vineyard is one of Yakima Valley’s most respected sites, often supplying fruit to premium Washington producers thanks to its warm days, cool nights, and naturally concentrated Cabernet character.

Personal Pick
Right in my sweet spot, plush fruit, lifted freshness, and silky structure. The kind of bottle that feels “special” without needing a special occasion.
— 8 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Bienbebido – “Come Pulpo y Bebe Vino” Albariño 2024, Galicia, Spain 🇪🇸

Overview
100% Albariño from Spain. A casual, low-ABV (11%) coastal style focused on freshness and drinkability rather than classic saline or mineral complexity. Light, zippy, and built for easygoing meals, the kind of bottle that disappears before you realize it.

Aromas & Flavors
Lime zest, green apple, citrus peel, light peach, subtle white flowers, clean orchard fruit.

Mouthfeel
Light-bodied, crisp, refreshing acidity, lean and thirst-quenching with a quick, clean finish.

Food Pairings
Octopus (of course 😄), ceviche, shrimp tacos, grilled fish, tapas, salty snacks, patio afternoons.

Verdict
Not a contemplative Albariño, this is a “patio-pounder.” Simple, cheerful, and dangerously easy to finish. Perfect poolside or with seafood and friends.

🍷 Did You Know?
“Come pulpo y bebe vino” literally means eat octopus and drink wine, a playful nod to Galicia’s classic pairing of Albariño with pulpo a la gallega. — 8 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Halos de Jupiter Viognier, 2024 — Pays du Gard IGP, France 🇫🇷

Overview
100% Viognier showing a fresher, lighter Southern France expression. Generous stone-fruit aromatics with bright citrus lift and floral nuance, delivering charm and approachability rather than the typical heavy, oily, bomb-style Viognier profile.

Aromas & Flavors
Apricot, ripe peach, nectarine, tangerine zest, orange blossom, yellow flowers, subtle honeysuckle.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied but lively. Clean, refreshing acidity with a gentle roundness and soft texture. Uplifting and easygoing with a crisp, fruit-driven finish.

Food Pairings
Grilled shrimp, lemon chicken, Moroccan spices, goat cheese salads, sushi rolls, light creamy pastas.

Verdict
A bright, casual Viognier that keeps the varietal’s charm while skipping the heaviness. Aromatic, cheerful, and dangerously drinkable — perfect for relaxed evenings or sunny afternoons.

🍷 Personal Pick
I love this style: all the apricot-peach personality without the weight. Fresh, floral, and uplifting, a “pour another glass” kind of white.

Did You Know?
Viognier from cooler or coastal Mediterranean zones like the Gard often shows higher acidity and lighter texture compared to the richer, oilier styles from Condrieu. — 8 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

District Series, Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, Sonoma County, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A plush, modern Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon delivering warm-climate generosity and velvety texture. Lush, fruit-forward, and comfort-driven — more “couch and playlist” than “decant and debate.”

Aromas & Flavors
Blackberry compote, ripe black cherry, cassis, licorice, vanilla bean, sweet baking spice, and a soft mocha note.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus to full-bodied. Rounded, creamy tannins that hug the palate. Low edge, low grip, high plushness. Smooth, decadent, easygoing finish.

Food Pairings
BBQ ribs, burgers, carne asada, pizza night, aged cheddar, or honestly… Netflix and sweatpants.

Verdict
Not chasing complexity, chasing pleasure. Approachable, juicy, and dangerously easy to sip. A comfort Cabernet that overdelivers for pure drinkability.

🍷 Personal Pick
Total “sweatpants Sonoma” energy. Rich, cozy, and ridiculously satisfying — the kind of bottle that disappears before the second episode loads.

Did You Know?
Alexander Valley’s warm days and cooling river influence help Cabernet develop ripe fruit and soft tannins, which is why the style often leans plush and crowd-friendly rather than structured and austere. — 8 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Carmen — Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, D.O. Maipo Valley, Chile 🇨🇱

Overview
A simple, casual, easygoing Cabernet built for everyday drinking rather than contemplation. Lightly spicy with juicy red and black fruit, soft structure, and friendly tannins, more “Netflix couch wine” than cellar trophy.

Aromas & Flavors
Black currant, red cherry, plum, mild peppery spice, touch of cocoa and gentle oak.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied, smooth and approachable, modest tannins, easy finish with no hard edges.

Food Pairings
Burgers, weeknight pasta, roast chicken, tacos, pizza night, or honestly… takeout + sofa.

Verdict
Straightforward and pleasant. Lacks complexity or depth, but delivers exactly what it promises: a relaxed, no-thinking-required pour. Good value, low stress, easy company.

🍷 Did You Know?
Carmen is one of Chile’s historic wineries (founded 1850) and was instrumental in rediscovering Carménère as a distinct variety after it was long mistaken for Merlot.

Personal Pick
Not a study wine, a “second glass without noticing” wine. Perfect for unwinding when the day’s over and the brain is off duty. — 8 days ago