Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Terre D’Arrigo – Etna Rosso - Red Blend 2024 - Etna Rosso DOC – Sicily – Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
Primarily Nerello Mascalese, potentially complemented by a small portion of Nerello Cappuccio, grown on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna. This wine reflects the region’s signature high-altitude freshness, mineral-driven character, and rustic elegance shaped by lava-rich soils.

Aromas & Flavors
Red cherry, wild strawberry, and subtle dried herbs lead the profile. Earthy undertones, volcanic minerality, and a touch of spice give it that rustic, slightly smoky edge.

Mouthfeel
Light to medium-bodied with bright acidity and fine, structured tannins. The texture is lively and lifted, with a savory, slightly gritty (in a good way) volcanic grip on the finish.

Food Pairings
Ideal with grilled meats, mushroom-based dishes, charcuterie, or rustic Italian fare. Also shines slightly chilled for a more refreshing experience.

Verdict
A deliciously rustic and approachable Etna Rosso that delivers authenticity without being overly complex. Fresh, earthy, and energetic, this is volcanic terroir doing its thing in a very drinkable way.

Did You Know?
Mount Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, and its constant eruptions continually reshape vineyard soils, making each site incredibly dynamic and expressive.

🍷 Personal Pick
A great “casual Etna” bottle, when you want that Burgundy-meets-volcano vibe without overthinking it. — 3 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Bacci – Terre di Talamo, Vento – Vermentino
Toscana IGT – Maremma, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
A casual, coastal Vermentino from the Maremma, shaped by Mediterranean breezes and sun-lit hillsides near the Tyrrhenian Sea. This is a straightforward, easygoing expression focused on freshness and drinkability, delivering a zippy, approachable style that feels effortless and authentic to place.

Aromas & Flavors
Delicate white florals lead, followed by citrus blossom, ripe pear, and hints of tropical fruit—pineapple and a touch of mango. Clean and precise, with a subtle saline note that nods to its coastal origin.

Mouthfeel
Light- to medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a refreshing, linear palate. Clean, dry, and lively through the finish, inviting the next sip.

Food Pairings
Perfect with seafood pasta, grilled shrimp, calamari, crudo, summer salads, or light antipasti. Also a great companion to casual aperitivo moments.

Verdict
An easy, crowd-pleasing Vermentino that delivers exactly what it promises: freshness, balance, and pure coastal charm. Not complex by design, but simply delicious and highly drinkable.

Did You Know?
The Maremma is one of Tuscany’s prime areas for Vermentino, where maritime influence enhances aromatic lift and natural acidity.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This is my kind of casual white, zippy, floral, and refreshing. A go-to Vermentino for relaxed meals and warm days, with just enough character to keep things interesting. — 4 months ago

Ted Lau

9.1

Low sulfites from Italy. — 8 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Tenuta di Renieri (Bacci) – Chianti Classico Riserva 2022
Chianti Classico DOCG – Tuscany – Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
Primarily Sangiovese, crafted in the heart of Chianti Classico under the iconic Gallo Nero designation. This Riserva highlights tradition, structure, and regional identity, with added depth from extended aging and organically grown grapes.

Aromas & Flavors
Red cherry, dried cranberry, and plum lead the profile, layered with classic Tuscan notes of dried herbs, leather, and a touch of spice. Subtle earthy undertones reinforce its sense of place.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with vibrant acidity and structured, well-integrated tannins. Balanced and energetic, with a firm backbone and a savory, lingering finish.

Food Pairings
A quintessential pairing with pizza, charcuterie, and aged cheeses. Also excellent with pasta in tomato-based sauces or grilled meats.

Verdict
A true expression of Chianti Classico, structured, traditional, and proudly regional. Deliciously authentic and versatile, delivering exactly what you want from a Riserva at this level.

Did You Know?
The Gallo Nero (Black Rooster) symbol represents the Chianti Classico consortium, a historic emblem dating back to medieval Florence and Siena, today it guarantees authenticity and origin.

🍷 Personal Pick
A go-to Chianti Classico Riserva for classic pairings, this is “open with food and watch it shine” territory. — 3 days ago

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.3

Thanks Santa. Dark chocolate covered cherries. Subtle peppermint aroma. Perfectly balanced.

93+ points — 4 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Renieri – Re di Renieri – 2021
Toscana IGT – Tuscany, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
A Bordeaux-inspired Super Tuscan blend made from organically grown grapes: 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. Modern in style but deeply Tuscan in attitude — bold, structured, and expressive.

Aromas & Flavors
Black plum, blackberry compote, cassis, licorice, graphite, and dried herbs, with hints of cocoa and cedar. Dark, savory, and layered.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied, dry, and punchy with assertive tannins and fresh acidity. Youthful power and drive, but well-integrated structure. Long, spicy finish.

Food Pairings
Bistecca alla Fiorentina, braised short ribs, wild boar ragù, aged pecorino, or grilled portobello mushrooms.

Verdict
An impactful, character-driven Super Tuscan that flexes richness, structure, and attitude. Not shy, but compelling and delicious.

Did You Know?
Renieri is part of the Bacci family of estates, known for farming organically long before it became fashionable in Tuscany, and for crafting expressive reds with a distinct volcanic-soil signature. — 5 months ago

Tobin Spratte

9.4

Renieri uses French and Slavonian oak on this, adding significant complexity unlike some of the modernizing producers. Dried cherry and cranberry on first pour but after breathing the leather, cigar box, and forest floor come through. Dramatic lengthy finish with characteristic tannins that make aged sangiovese interesting. — a month ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Bacci Wines — Tesoro della Regina “Il Grande” Toscana IGT 2022 — Toscana, Tuscany. Italy 🇮🇹

Overview:
A classic Toscana IGT red leaning into a more traditional Tuscan expression, built around Sangiovese with supporting international varieties. The style favors bright red fruit, savory lift, and food-friendly structure over plushness, delivering an honest, rustic-meets-polished profile that feels very at home on a trattoria table.

Aromas & Flavors:
Red cherry, cranberry, dried herbs, light tobacco, subtle leather, and earthy spice with a gentle tomato-leaf freshness.

Mouthfeel:
Medium-bodied with lively acidity and firmer, grippier tannins than modern Bolgheri blends. The palate shows linear structure and savory edges, finishing clean and slightly dry, clearly built for food rather than sipping “solo”.

Food Pairings:
Pappardelle al ragù, lasagna, pizza, grilled sausages, bistecca, roasted vegetables, aged pecorino, tomato-based dishes.

Personal Pick:
This drinks exactly how I expect a traditional Tuscan table wine to behave, bright, savory, and structured. Not plush or “international,” but authentic and meal-driven. The kind of bottle that shines with food and disappears halfway through the second course.

Verdict:
A straightforward, Sangiovese-led Toscana delivering freshness, acidity, and classic regional character. More “rustic-charming” than luxurious, and all the better for it.

🍷 Did You Know?:
Many Toscana IGT wines use Sangiovese as the backbone but blend in small amounts of Bordeaux varieties for balance, creating styles that sit between classic Chianti structure and modern Super Tuscan polish.
— 3 months ago

Walter Fahr

8.9

Nice super Tuscan at a reasonable price. Pairs well with a variety of pasta and red meat. Drank in December 2025 — 5 months ago

Peter Heyboer

9.0

Had this with pasta alla Trapanese and it paired beautifully. Served a little too chilled but once it warmed there was plenty of fresh berry and a nice melon character on the nose and palate. Finished with a little acidity but very well balanced. Would drink again. — 8 months ago

with Matthew, Ethan and 2 others