Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Château Clinet 2023 – Pomerol. BDX France 🇫🇷

Overview
A beautifully composed Pomerol delivering charm, polish, and unmistakable aristocratic poise, driven by a 70% Merlot-dominant blend with 30% Cabernet Sauvignon support. The wine balances generous fruit with refined structure, showing approachability without sacrificing depth or pedigree, making it both immediately pleasurable and quietly serious.

Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, ripe plum, blueberry compote, violets, cocoa powder, crushed gravel, subtle truffle nuance, sweet spice and gentle cedar.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus body with a plush, silky entry, finely grained tannins, excellent mid-palate cohesion, integrated acidity, and a long, smooth finish that glides with elegance and restraint.

Food Pairings
Roast duck, veal tenderloin, mushroom risotto, herb-crusted lamb, truffle pasta, aged Comté or Brie de Meaux.

Verdict
A charming yet aristocratic Pomerol that delivers immediate pleasure with refined balance and textural finesse. It communicates confidence through polish rather than power, making it an excellent expression of Pomerol elegance.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is a wine that wins you over quietly, candid, friendly, effortlessly drinkable, yet undeniably noble at its core. The kind of bottle that feels comforting and sophisticated at the same time, with a personality that invites conversation and repeat pours. — a day ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Château Canon 2023 – Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, 1er Grand Cru Classé, BDX, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A poised and beautifully balanced Saint-Émilion showing depth of fruit, polished texture, and quiet structural authority, driven primarily by Merlot 70% with Cabernet Franc 30% support. Dark fruit concentration is layered with mineral tension and refined oak, delivering a wine that feels complete yet still evolving in the glass, inviting extended exploration.

Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, ripe plum, blackberry compote, crushed stone, violet, subtle cocoa dust, graphite whisper, gentle spice and refined cedar.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus body with supple entry, fine-grained tannins, excellent mid-palate density, seamless acidity integration, and a long, resonant finish that lingers with freshness and precision.

Food Pairings
Roast duck, lamb loin, mushroom risotto, beef tenderloin, truffle pasta, aged Comté or Gruyère.

Verdict
A composed, terroir-driven Canon showing purity, balance, and textural polish rather than brute force. The finish is especially compelling, signaling strong aging potential and classic limestone-driven Saint-Émilion finesse.

🍷 Personal Pick
This one pulls you back for a second lap, deep fruit framed by elegance, not excess, with a finish that keeps unfolding. It feels confident, grounded, and quietly powerful, exactly the kind of wine that rewards patience and attention. — a day ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.4

Medium dar rubi robe, more like a grand cru burgundy than a St Emilion. Nose of top soil, asphalt, tobacco, cherries and a hint of flowers. Very light on its feet, with a great length on tannins that are velvety in spite a touch of green ness in the end. A great Figeac and such a wonderful bottle. — 15 days ago

with Jose, veronique and 1 other

Freddy R. Troya

9.6

Clos Fourtet 2023 – Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, 1er Grand Cru Classé. BDX, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A profoundly complete and multi-layered Saint-Émilion delivering depth, finesse, and seamless balance, driven by a 86% Merlot-dominant blend with 8% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon support. The wine unfolds progressively in the glass, revealing complexity and polish without heaviness, combining power with docility and precision in a remarkably composed expression.

Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry compote, ripe blackberry, plum reduction, crushed limestone, violet petals, dark cocoa, subtle espresso, sweet spice, graphite and gentle herbal lift.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus to full-bodied with a silky, luscious texture, ultra-fine tannins, beautifully integrated acidity, layered mid-palate density, and a long, velvety finish that glides effortlessly while continuing to evolve.

Food Pairings
Prime rib, dry-aged ribeye, duck breast with cherry reduction, truffle risotto, mushroom bourguignon, aged Comté or Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Verdict
An elite-level Clos Fourtet showing precision, complexity, and harmony at a very high register. It delivers both immediate pleasure and serious aging potential, balancing richness with clarity and refinement. A reference-point Saint-Émilion for the vintage.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is my kind of wine, layered, progressive, luxurious yet disciplined, and dangerously easy to drink. Silky, luscious, and perfectly balanced, it feels like a bottle that disappears far too quickly because every sip invites the next. My stamp. No pit stop needed, full throttle to the checkered flag. A simplified winner 🏆 — a day ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Château Pavie Macquin 2023 – Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Premier Grand Cru Classé. BDX France 🇫🇷

Overview
A refined and confidently composed Saint-Émilion driven by a 78% Merlot-dominant blend with 20% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon support, showcasing noble structure, polished fruit, and effortless balance. The wine emphasizes finesse, reliability, and clarity rather than sheer power, delivering a harmonious expression that feels immediately approachable while retaining long-term pedigree.

Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, blackberry, red plum, crushed limestone, violet petal, subtle graphite, cocoa powder, gentle spice and fresh herbal nuance.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus body with a supple, graceful entry, finely woven tannins, beautifully integrated acidity, excellent mid-palate harmony, and a long, elegant finish that glides with precision and calm authority.

Food Pairings
Roast chicken with herbs, duck confit, filet mignon, mushroom risotto, aged Comté, grilled vegetables with olive oil and thyme.

Verdict
A beautifully proportioned Right Bank wine emphasizing elegance, consistency, and structural purity. It delivers high-level craftsmanship without excess drama, a wine that earns trust and admiration through balance and restraint.

🍷 Personal Pick
This feels like a wine you can always count on, noble, polished, quietly confident, and endlessly drinkable. Tons of finesse without any rough edges, making it both comforting and impressive at the same time. The kind of bottle that never disappoints. — a day ago

Tom Garland

9.4

First wine of 2026 and had to open something fun.

Double decant for sediment and pour. A wondrous deep garnet with some bricking. On the nose: Expressive nose captivates with some perfumed red fruit, stewed meat, mint, wet earth, vanilla toast. Taste: Elegant, seamless, balanced wine with red plum, graphite, green bell pepper, cinnamon, tobacco, and a long mocha dark chocolate finish. YUM!! — 22 days ago

with Brenda

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Château Canon-La-Gaffelière 2023 – Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Premier Grand Cru Classé

Overview
An immediately approachable yet confidently structured Saint-Émilion driven by Merlot 45% blend with Cabernet Franc 45% and Cabernet Sauvignon 10% as a support. Expressive dark fruit, polished tannins, and vibrant freshness combine to deliver a wine that feels energetic, juicy, and dangerously easy to drink while still carrying clear pedigree and depth.

Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, ripe raspberry, plum skin, violet, crushed limestone, sweet baking spice, cocoa nib, subtle graphite and fresh herbal lift.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus body with a silky, flowing entry, finely textured tannins, lively yet integrated acidity, supple mid-palate juiciness, and a clean, polished finish that glides effortlessly.

Food Pairings
Grilled duck breast, pork tenderloin, herb-crusted lamb, mushroom tagliatelle, aged Gouda, charcuterie boards.

Verdict
A beautifully tuned balance between accessibility and sophistication. The wine shows clarity of fruit, finesse of structure, and immediate pleasure without sacrificing complexity, a modern, confident Saint-Émilion expression.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is pure driving joy, confident lines through the corners but relaxed enough to enjoy the scenery. Slightly juicy, deliciously drinkable, and dangerously charming, it’s the kind of bottle that disappears faster than expected while still leaving a serious impression. — a day ago

Paul J

9.6

1hr+ decant. No mistaking this for Bordeaux. Nose is a massive bouquet of flowers! Same on the palate with some blackberries and meat in olive oil. Medium depth that is somewhat juicy with that a long lingering finish. Excellent! — 5 days ago

with Brooke

Zach D

9.5

Improved with another year of bottle age; I think it is entering the drinking window and will prob be apex in 5-7 years. Kland’s bday — 9 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.2

2016 vintage. 75 Merlot and 25 /Cabernet Franc).Owned by the Vauthier family (of Ausone fame),this is one of their cheaper offerings. The 2016 drinks well now. I like the rather restrained style of this wine, with its distinctive minerality. Don't expect a flashy "sweet" style, but more of an understated, gastronomic wine. Moreover, it doesn't break the bank. Abv. 13,5%. — 6 hours ago