Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Gérard Bertrand – Oriane Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Pays d’Oc IGP – Sud de France 🇫🇷

Overview
A 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the Languedoc region, crafted by Gérard Bertrand, one of the most influential winemakers of Southern France. This bottling aims for freshness and approachability, showing off the Mediterranean take on the grape.

Aromas & Flavors
Lemon peel, citrus zest, and a touch of white peach. Less grassy than Loire styles, more on the ripe and sunny side with a clean, fruit-forward lift.

Mouthfeel
Light, crisp, and refreshing. Zippy acidity keeps it lively without being sharp.

Food Pairings
Perfect with goat cheese, grilled shrimp, summer salads, or a simple plate of oysters.

Verdict
An easy-drinking Sauvignon Blanc with Mediterranean charm, approachable, vibrant, and uncomplicated. A casual, crowd-pleasing white from a master of the region. Cheers! — 14 days ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.4

Strange combo yes but awesome. Cinsault and Riesling foot-stomped. 11%. Whole Cluster. On the skins for 10 days. Stupid drinkable. Tart strawberries, apricots, spice, touch bitter, bitter almonds, sour cherries. Quite turbid. For what it is high rating. This is great. Should have bought more. A great pit stop in Santa Barbara if driving in the 101 to SF. — 2 years ago

Martinez

9.0

I recall loving Roberto Henriquez’ Rivera del Notro white, but his 2018 País just blew my mind. After all, he is one of Chile's most promising young winemakers and largely responsible (alongside Luyt) for the resurgence of Pipeño, a derogatory slang for peasant wine generally made with the local País or Mission grape. Grapes for this wine were sourced from 200-year-old vines in Nacimiento, in the Bio Bio region, about 300 miles south of Santiago. Light-bodied, elegant and super drinkable 😋 — 6 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Merry Edwards – Pinot Noir “Meredith Estate” 2011
Russian River Valley AVA, Sonoma – USA 🇺🇸

Overview:
From one of California’s pioneering female winemakers, this estate Pinot Noir highlights the depth and elegance of Russian River Valley fruit. Crafted in the méthode à l’ancienne, it reflects a hands-on, traditional approach that balances richness with finesse.

Aromas & Flavors:
Ripe cherry, black plum, and wild strawberry layered with rose petals, forest floor, and a hint of baking spice. Subtle notes of cocoa and cola emerge with air.

Mouthfeel:
Fuller-bodied than many Pinots, with velvety tannins and remarkable depth. The palate combines juicy red fruit brightness with earthy undertones and a lingering, warm finish.

Food Pairings:
Duck breast with cherry glaze, mushroom risotto, or roasted salmon. For cheese lovers, try with brie or camembert.

Verdict:
A bold and expressive Pinot Noir, showing the hallmark concentration of Merry Edwards’ style. At over a decade old, it has softened beautifully, yet still holds vibrancy and structure.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight:
A memorable vintage that demonstrates how Russian River Pinot Noir can age gracefully. A true collector’s gem from one of California’s most respected winemakers. — 18 days ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.2

See previous notes. Unfortunately for wine Club members only - but they sold me a bottle anyway. — 4 years ago

Joe Bello

8.9

Herbal and vegetal nose with hints of underripe peach. Balanced acid with low alcohol. Great for a sunny day at the beach with some cheese or oysters — 8 years ago

Nik Weinberg-Lynn

9.1

Bright red fruits and herbal aromatics. Snappy acidity with cranberry notes. Length to survive for multiple days. — 9 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Corley Yewell Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Saint Helena AVA, Napa Valley – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Crafted by Chris Corley, one of Napa’s most consistent and visionary winemakers, this single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from the Yewell Vineyard in Saint Helena, a site known for its intensity and structure. The 2018 vintage was one of Napa’s most balanced years in recent memory, giving this wine both depth and refinement.

Aromas & Flavors
Opens with a generous nose of blackberry, cassis, and ripe plum layered with dark chocolate, graphite, and subtle cigar box spice. On the palate, concentrated black fruits mingle with licorice, espresso, and a faint herbal lift, showing both power and finesse.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied with a muscular yet polished tannin structure, seamless integration of oak, and a long, velvety finish. The balance of fruit intensity, acidity, and texture makes this Cabernet age-worthy but approachable with decanting.

Winemaking Notes
Aged in French oak, with Chris Corley’s hallmark precision of blending power and elegance, the wine showcases both vineyard expression and vintage purity.

Food Pairing
Ideal with ribeye, braised short ribs, or herb-roasted lamb. It can also elevate a cheese course with aged Gouda or blue cheese.

Verdict
A masterful Napa Cabernet from an exceptional vintage — bold yet graceful, structured yet inviting. One of those bottles that reminds you why Napa’s single-vineyard expressions stand among the world’s great wines.

Personal Pick Highlight
I’ve had the privilege of sharing a wine class with Chris Corley himself, and that connection makes tasting his wines even more special. His precision, humility, and brilliance shine through in every bottle — this one included. Truly spectacular. Cheers — 2 months ago

Adriana Fabbro

8.9

Black cherry, cassis, bramble fruit, blueberry, violets, lavender, black pepper, some stemmy/tarragon/tomato leaf/underbrush. You don’t find too many natural winemakers taking on bold reds like Petite Sirah, but I’m glad Beaver Creek does and has no qualms about going up to 14+% alc. The wine feels a little thin on the palate for a California Petite, but really over delivers on the range, intensity and precision of favors, especially for the <$20 price—and it’s from a biodynamically farmed single-vineyard (Horne Ranch, which seems like a pretty majestic place from the photos I’ve seen) to boot! Great with bacon-eggplant-cheese burger. — 4 years ago

Doug Bennett

8.9

Great Rhone blend from Dave potter. Stick it in the fridge for a few minutes. Bright red fruits, tart cherry, red pepper berries — 8 years ago