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. — 2 months 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

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 — 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. — 5 years 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? — 6 months 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. — 3 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. — 4 years 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

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. — 3 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 — 5 years ago

with Courtney and