Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Gambino Vini – Tifeo Etna Bianco 2023
Etna DOC, Sicily – Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
A striking white blend from the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna, crafted with 72% Carricante and 28% Catarratto, two of Sicily’s most important indigenous grapes. Etna Bianco wines are fast becoming symbols of Italy’s volcanic terroirs, delivering mineral-driven, authentic expressions far from mainstream white styles.

Aromas & Flavors
Expressive and layered, offering citrus zest, green apple, and pear, complemented by wild herbs and subtle floral tones. A hint of saline minerality underscores the volcanic origin, while a smoky whisper adds complexity.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with vibrant acidity and a lingering citrus-stone finish. Textured yet refreshing, it balances richness and precision beautifully.

Winemaking Notes
High-altitude vineyards on Etna’s northern slopes provide cool nights and intense sun exposure, yielding grapes with freshness and concentration.

Food Pairing
Perfect with seafood pasta, grilled swordfish, Sicilian caponata, or fresh cheeses. A versatile choice that can elevate both traditional Sicilian fare and modern pairings.

Verdict
A compelling introduction to Etna’s whites: mineral, distinctive, and deeply expressive. For wine lovers seeking to explore volcanic terroirs, this is a must-try.

📚 Educational Sidebar – Why This Can Age
Carricante, Etna’s flagship white grape, has been cultivated for over 1,000 years. With naturally high acidity and strong minerality, it develops honeyed, nutty, and petrol-like complexity over time, much like Riesling. While delicious now, top Etna Bianco blends like this can age gracefully for 7–10 years, layering depth without losing freshness. Cheers! — 25 days ago

Shengli Hu

9.0

2018 much more minerality on the nose! Not what Zin reminds you of. Red cherries blackberry black pepper spices licorice medium acidity long spicy finish moderate body dark. notes from visit to the winery.

Alexander Valley. Bright red volcanic soils, steep rocky slopes and western exposure. — 3 years ago

Vanessa

9.0

Deliciously juicy Gaja and Graci collaboration from the southern slopes of Mt. Etna on the island of Sicily.

A volcanic blend of 90% Nerello Mascalese and 10% Nerello Cappuccio. Vintage 2017; ABV 14.5%

I love that this wine was named Idda (‘she’) referring with admiration to the majestic Mt. Etna.

This wine is ripe with notes of cherry, kirsch, alongside tomato leaf, mint, cardamom, crushed stone and flinty minerality. — 4 years ago

with Deked1

Paul T HB

9.6

Had this last week and forgot to post, Big wine for $40.00😳 this will go another 20 years easy Notes from the winery, - -Focusing first on the cabernet fruit from four mineral-rich, volcanic soil sites nestled on cooler hillside slopes in the Alexander Valley, this vintage’s blend is uniquely crafted with delicate inclusions of merlot, malbec, and petit verdot.
Available in 750ml and 1.5L magnum formats
“Opaque ruby purple in the glass, it has an incredible perfume loaded with oral nuances, its cassis and boysenberry fruit tempered by a mineral streak and accented by notes of dried thyme, fresh tobacco leaves, mint chocolate, clover and bay leaves. The palate is stunning, powerful but silky and fresh, lushly fruited and nuanced and finishing very long. While this 2018 is approachable and utterly delicious now, it will reward cellaring and should be very long lived.” 97 pts – Erin Brooks, Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate
— 5 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Willamette Valley Vineyards – Elton Pinot Noir 2017
Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Willamette Valley, Oregon – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
This single-vineyard Pinot Noir comes from the famed Elton Vineyard, first planted in 1983 and regarded as one of Oregon’s premier Pinot Noir sites. Perched on the east-facing slopes of the Eola-Amity Hills, the vines benefit from volcanic Jory soils and the cooling Van Duzer Corridor winds, which preserve acidity and enhance complexity.

Aromas & Flavors
Opening with seductive aromas of ripe red cherry, cranberry, and black raspberry, layered with rose petals, baking spices, and subtle forest floor. On the palate, it reveals red currant, pomegranate, and a savory touch of clove and tea leaf, supported by a refined mineral edge.

Mouthfeel
Elegant and medium-bodied, with silky tannins and vibrant acidity. The wine strikes a beautiful balance between fruit purity and earthy depth, finishing long with a persistent, savory echo.

Winemaking Notes
Hand-harvested from old vines at Elton Vineyard. Fermentation in small lots, some whole-cluster inclusion for structure, then aged 15–18 months in French oak (around 30–40% new). Crafted in a Burgundian-inspired style while remaining true to Oregon’s terroir-driven character.

Food Pairing
Perfect with cedar-plank salmon, roast duck, wild mushroom risotto, or herb-roasted chicken. Its elegance also makes it a natural fit with soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert.

Verdict
A graceful, terroir-driven Pinot Noir that reflects both the pedigree of Elton Vineyard and the finesse of the 2017 vintage in Eola-Amity Hills. Balanced, complex, and age-worthy — a benchmark Oregon Pinot. Cheers! — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Dark Ruby with youthful purple notes - very dense almost black. After decanting a whiff of high quality French oak. Black and blue fruits. Might have opened this a little young. It’s full bodied and powerful. 70% Petit Verdot, 30% Cesanese, somewhat of a unicorn - I doubt if I could find this in Australia. Bought at the Cellar door on a Sicily tour with Scud MW at Franchetti on the favoured northern slopes of Mount Etna. In a blind tasting I would pick this as Bordeaux. The fruit richness dominates and doesn’t allow much Etna derived volcanic minerality to show through. Much riper and richer than you would expect from an Etna wine. This is the premium cuvée from Franchetti. Would love to try another one in 5 years if I had one. — 2 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.3

This wine does a little Pinot Noir act, medium ruby in the glass with earthy red fruit on the nose. The Sicilian grapes were grown on the slopes of Mt. Etna, and owner Michele Faro spoke during a Zoom gathering about his love of the volcanic soil. The nose also offers notes of coffee, sage and eucalyptus. The palate definitely shows the volcanic origin along with spice and pepper, plus a firm tannic structure. The sip finishes clean and savory. Very tasty. — 4 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

A striking red from the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily, crafted primarily from Nerello Mascalese. This wine showcases the region’s hallmark character: vibrant cherry fruit, a touch of tar, and that signature volcanic grip that brings texture and depth.

The mouthfeel is chewy and structured, making it a perfect match for slow-cooked pork, hearty pasta sauces, or rosemary-grilled lamb chops.

Not built for the long haul, enjoy now, and for best results, give it a quick decant to let those earthy, smoky layers unfold.

Volcanic elegance in a glass. Cheers!
— 3 months ago

Willem Booij

9.4

The Iconic Wines of Estate Argyros – Santorini’s Volcanic Elegance in a Glass

On the windswept volcanic slopes of Santorini, Estate Argyros crafts some of the island’s most expressive and age-worthy wines. This historic family-run estate, founded in 1903, combines deep-rooted tradition with modern precision to showcase the full potential of Santorini’s unique terroir—defined by volcanic soils, scarce rainfall, and sun-drenched vineyards.

🍷 Cuvée Evdemon

One of the estate’s flagships, this biodynamic Assyrtiko is sourced from old, ungrafted vines and reflects power, minerality, and finesse. A wine of great depth and aging potential, with citrus oil, wet stone, and saline energy on the palate.

🍷 Cuvée Monsignori

Named after one of the oldest vineyards on the island, Monsignori is a single-vineyard expression of Assyrtiko, made from vines over 200 years old. It’s precise, textured, and layered—combining volcanic tension with elegant complexity.

🍷 Vinsanto 4, 12 & 20 Years

These legendary sweet wines, made from sun-dried Assyrtiko, Aidani, and Athiri grapes, are a tribute to Santorini’s history. Aged for years in oak barrels, they offer stunning aromas of dried apricot, honey, caramel, and spice. Rich, balanced, and endlessly long on the finish.

🍷 Cuvée Palatia (New Release)

The latest jewel in Argyros’ crown, Cuvée Palatia is a bold yet refined new interpretation of Assyrtiko. Crafted from a meticulous blend of grapes from seven different vineyard plots, each adding its own nuance, the wine is strikingly complex. Vibrant acidity, intense minerality, and layers of citrus, flint, and white flowers make this a truly distinctive, age-worthy wine that speaks of place, precision, and innovation.

Estate Argyros’ premium wines are more than just drinks—they are stories bottled in glass, capturing the essence of Santorini’s raw, ancient beauty and the passionate craftsmanship behind every vintage. A must for any serious wine lover. — 5 months ago

Eric Urbani

9.2

Mark Royer's inaugural vintage. Very Burgundian. Clones include Dijon 76, 95, and 548 among others. Elevation 600-700' which is relatively high for OR. Soils are a mix of Ritner, Witzel, Nekia, and Jory of volcanic origin. South and West slopes. Mesoclimate: "Very windy".
— 4 years ago