Freddy R. Troya

9.4

SATRICO 2024, Bianco IGP. Lazio, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
A precision blend of Chardonnay 34% · Sauvignon Blanc 33% · Trebbiano 33% from Casale del Giglio combining Chardonnay’s structure, Sauvignon Blanc’s aromatic lift, and Trebbiano’s freshness. Bottled at 13.5% ABV, this wine bridges modern technique with ancestral regional identity.

Aromas & Flavors
Layered and multidimensional. Citrus zest, white peach, subtle tropical hints, and delicate herbal notes weave together seamlessly. Aromatically complex without being aggressive, everything in tension and harmony.

Mouthfeel
Structured yet energetic. Chardonnay provides body, Sauvignon brings edge and lift, and Trebbiano adds linear freshness. The result is a dynamic, evolving palate that feels architectural and intellectually engaging.

Food Pairings
Branzino, herb-crusted chicken, pasta alle vongole, roasted vegetables, or aged pecorino.

Verdict
A cerebral white blend that moves faster than language. Dimensional, balanced, and deeply expressive of Lazio’s evolving white identity. This is serious white wine.

🍷 Personal Pick
Strategic allocation territory. This isn’t just a blend, it’s a statement. One for near-term reflection. One for future “I knew this was special” validation. — a month ago

Joshua Figg

9.3

Starts with lots of mineral and citrus notes, crisp all the way through. Paired to perfection with Branzino. — 2 years ago

Ericsson

9.1

Going big on a Monday with sum salt crusted Branzino and White Burgundy by one of my favorite producers. The Chardonnay is round with slight citrus notes, deep acidity and a honey suckle finish. Absolutely delightful pairing. — 3 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Ca’ del Bosco “Annamaria Clementi” Franciacorta 2016, Franciacorta DOCG, Lombardy, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
Prestige cuvée Franciacorta from Ca’ del Bosco, crafted using the traditional method and aged extensively on lees. The blend includes Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, and Pinot Bianco, the latter adding a distinctive Italian identity rarely seen in Champagne. The 2016 vintage shows exceptional balance and refinement, delivering the depth and elegance expected from one of Italy’s most iconic sparkling wines.

Aromas & Flavors
White peach, baked apple, citrus zest, toasted brioche, almond pastry, and delicate floral tones. Subtle hints of honey, lemon curd, and crushed stone emerge with air, giving the wine impressive aromatic complexity.

Mouthfeel
Ultra-fine mousse with a creamy yet energetic texture. Structured and layered with vibrant acidity supporting a deep mid-palate. Long, persistent finish with elegance and precision, prestige cuvée level balance that rivals top Champagne houses.

Food Pairings
Lobster or scallop crudo. Oysters with citrus mignonette. Truffle risotto. Branzino or Dover sole. Aged Parmigiano Reggiano

Verdict
A striking example of Franciacorta at its highest level, refined, expressive, and unmistakably luxurious. The structure and finesse easily evoke comparisons with tête de cuvée Champagne, yet the presence of Pinot Bianco adds a subtle Italian nuance that sets it apart.

Did You Know?
Franciacorta requires longer minimum lees aging than Champagne for vintage wines (at least 30 months for vintage expressions), contributing to the creamy texture and complexity found in prestige cuvées like Annamaria Clementi.

🍷 Personal Pick
Absolutely a “whoa factor” sparkling wine, each glass reveals depth and refinement comparable to top Champagne prestige cuvées, yet with a distinctive Italian signature.
— a month ago

Bo Hemian

9.1

A really lovely value skin contact from Slovenia. Delicate oak on the nose, one expects a bit of sweetness but it is bone dry and acidic. It’s surprising but turns out to be great for food (branzino for us). Super clean and elegant for a skin contact wine. Curious if anyone has had an aged bottle… would consider cellaring a couple bottles. — 3 years ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.2

Crisp, clean, dancing across the palate with zippy acidity. Lemon, yuzu, grapefruit…. Low ABV. Laser-like sharpness cleanses the richness of cacio Pepe and black olive branzino…1200 ft vineyards…absolutely brilliant! — 4 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Bisson “ü Pastine” Bianchetta Genovese 2023
Portofino DOC, Liguria, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
A rare white wine made from 100% Bianchetta Genovese, an indigenous Ligurian grape, cultivated in steep coastal vineyards above Portofino. The “U Pastine” bottling highlights winemaker Pierluigi Lugano’s commitment to reviving traditional Ligurian varieties. Fresh, saline, and deeply tied to its maritime terroir.

Aromas & Flavors
Fragrant notes of citrus zest, green apple, white peach, and Mediterranean herbs. Subtle accents of sea spray and crushed rocks give the wine its unmistakable Ligurian identity.

Mouthfeel
Light-bodied, crisp, and energetic with zippy acidity. The finish is marked by a refreshing saline minerality and a delicate citrus lift.

Winemaking Notes
Hand-harvested grapes from terraced vineyards overlooking the sea. Vinified in stainless steel to preserve freshness and purity of fruit. Bisson is also known for the famous Abissi Metodo Classico — a sparkling wine aged in the sea off Portofino — though U Pastine is a still white wine, equally unique in its coastal character.

Food Pairing
Perfect with Ligurian seafood classics — anchovies, branzino, or seafood pasta with pesto. Also excellent with raw oysters, fresh mozzarella, and light salads.

Verdict
A vibrant, terroir-driven Ligurian gem that captures the essence of sea, sun, and stone. Refreshing, honest, and endlessly food-friendly — a must-try for lovers of coastal Italian wines. — 7 months ago

Holly Gamblin

10

@Estiatorio Milos in Miami enjoying this lovely Sancerre with our Dover Sole and Branzino. This has got to be the lightest, feathery Sancerre we’ve ever had. Sancerre is my favorite for many reasons. Just a beautiful wine for any time of year but beckons you to the beach and a warm breeze. — 3 years ago

Ericsson

9.3

Very round and progressively open White Burgundy. Pairs with salt baked Branzino with cappers and lemon. C’est magnifique. — 4 years ago

Michael Fiur

10

Smooth white. Trattoria Tramonto. With pizza and branzino — 4 years ago