Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Piccolo Cru’ – Red Blend – Vintage 2021
Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
An Italian-inspired Bordeaux blend crafted under the steady hand of winemaker Gabriella Gazano, who has guided the estate for over 25 years. This cuvée unites 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 15% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. It’s a wine that marries the structural power of Bordeaux varietals with Mediterranean elegance and Napa Valley ripeness.

Aromas & Flavors
Vibrant layers of dark cherries, cassis, and ripe blackberry, supported by graphite, cocoa, and a whisper of dried herbs. Hints of cedar, vanilla, and warm spice from the oak complete the aromatic tapestry.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied yet graceful. Firm, polished tannins give structure while a velvety mid-palate carries richness and depth. The finish is persistent, balancing dark fruit with savory spice.

Food Pairings
Made for hearty and soulful fare: osso buco, braised short ribs, Tuscan ribollita, or grilled ribeye. A natural partner for Italian-inspired dishes that emphasize flavor and tradition.

Verdict
Piccolo Cru’ is a harmonious bridge between Old World refinement and New World power. Structured, soulful, and deeply satisfying, it captures both the strength of Napa terroir and the finesse of Italian winemaking artistry.

Did You Know?
Calistoga, the northernmost tip of Napa Valley, is famed for its volcanic soils and hot days cooled by evening breezes. These extremes allow Bordeaux varietals to develop ripeness and structure in equal measure, ideal for blends like Piccolo Cru’.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This bottle sings of duality: a Tuscan heart wrapped in Napa muscle. It’s soulful, elegant, and powerful, a wine I’d revisit for its depth, story, and sense of place. — 7 days ago

Danny Martinez

9.5

Happy Boxing Day 2022 from 🇭🇰! Ok. Bottle is done. Meal is complete. Honest review to follow. One — this wine. Serve this to anyone and they will be thrilled with its drink ability and balance coupled with depth and refinement. It’s Brunello de Montalcino’s finest (according to Sr and Sra Martinez). While service was a bit slow — where were we to go? Nowhere other than to people watch and enjoy the show. Technically it’s still alba truffle season; one tagliatelle order later (don’t ask the price); so happy. A dual of meat dishes: delightful (though don’t leave Danny alone w pomme purée) — but at the end of the day, it is the desserts that reign supreme. The sgroppino! The soufflé! Pannetone with mascarpone cream! The box of chocolates and truffles (and a side of limoncello). Visit at Christmas, we insist. This was a lovely visit at a staple favorite. 5 stars! — 3 years ago

John Bratincevic

8.9

Smells creamy and fresh. A little honeyed. Really inviting. Very smooth and deep. Almost a little oaky? Tastes like a mild Chardonnay. Has nowhere near the lemony taste I am used to with most Sauvignon Blanc I’ve tried - markedly different. Gentle flowers? A little melon? It’s good. Not worth the price to me ($25?) but good. — 4 years ago

Jan de Weerd

9.0

We are into the 10 year old wines this weekend. And as we are heading to Walla Walla, we thought to give this wine a try after it was been in my cellar for more than 10 years. And…. hmm, a bit disappointed. Had expected much more complexity, layers of flavored and endless finish. Nope. Nice wine though, smooth, balanced, great vibrancy but, yeah, still single note and I don’t think there is more to discover with aging. — 5 months ago

with Tammy

Chris Thompson

9.0

This is a nice “easy-to-drink” wine! Soft enough for almost any pallet yet pairs with so many things: burgers, red meat, cheese, fruit, or just sip! — 3 years ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.1

This is the 2016 Pepper Bridge Trine Walla Walla Valley Estate Vineyard Bordeaux Blend from Walla Walla, Washington. This is a blend of 35% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec.

On the nose there is black cherry, seeet strawberry, blackberry, black plum, bkack currant, graphite, violet, green bell pepper, vanilla and earth.

On the palate there is cherry, strawberry, black cherry, green bell papper, black pepper, licorice, spice, cedar and earth.

This wine is medium to full bodied with a smooth savory mouthfeel medium + acidity and medium + smooth mouth filling tannins that brings a long blue and black fruit graphite finish. A very nice wine from Washington and winemaker Jean-Francois Pellet. Let's all have a great weekend. Please stay safe and healthy. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 3 years ago

Ming L

9.2

I opened my go-to Knights Valley Cabernet to compare it with the Trace Ridge from Jackson Estate. While the two share a similar aromatic profile, this offers a fuller body, greater depth, and a firmer structure, making it the more sophisticated of the two.

This is the KB, the entry level cab. Prior notes apply. — 5 months ago

Shay A

9.3

Had this a few times, but I was finally able to sit down and analyze it over an evening. Their only cuvée produced in 2014.

Upfront, rollercoaster aromatics initially…rich, then mellowed out with an hour of air. After a few hours of air, a much more ripe CdP profile came out. Great bridge wine from Cali GSMs to bigger CdPs. Deep red in the glass with aromatics of fig, brambly red and black fruits. On the palate, big but not unbalanced. No trace of brett. Soft fig, muddled underripe black cherry, garrigue (smoked herbs); lengthy finish. Kiss of black pepper. Big Grenache vibe here. Lovely with air. Probably best in the near term based on the fruit forward structure. — 2 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2019 vintage. Surprisingly, hooky lead vocals drinkability with decent backing fruit and a helluva solo electric guitar spice bridge. Ripe and ready to rock. California-styled French effort. — 3 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.6

An absolute monster of a wine. 4 hours in the decanter served perfectly to allow this 2001, perhaps one of the best Hommage vintages ever, to flaunt its incredibly complex aromatic array of black fruits, roasted Provençal herbs, licorice, campfire smoke and Christmas spices.

It’s still youthful with ripe tannins and a ton of muscle. Nowhere near its peak. But it’s entering its drinking window seamlessly, being incredibly giving and expressive with sufficient air. Similar to how VV Gonon differs from the regular bottling, Hommage just cranks everything up to 10 and it’s concentrated flavors come at you in waves. But it never gets heavy as there is just enough lift and precision to keep everything harmonious. A very special bottle from a very special vintage indeed. — 4 years ago