Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Casalino – Brunello di Montalcino 2020
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG – Tuscany – Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
100% Sangiovese (Brunello clone) from Montalcino, crafted in a more approachable, mid-range style. This vintage emphasizes balance and harmony, showcasing the elegance of Brunello without excessive austerity.

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe red cherry, plum, and dried cranberry lead the profile, layered with hints of leather, tobacco, and subtle spice. A touch of earthiness adds depth and classic Brunello character.

Mouthfeel
Medium to medium-plus body with soft, well-integrated tannins and a refined structure. The balance between acidity and texture is seamless, leading to a long, smooth, and satisfying finish.

Food Pairings
Ideal with braised meats, wild game, mushroom risotto, or aged cheeses. Also shines with classic Tuscan dishes like bistecca alla Fiorentina.

Verdict
A beautifully balanced Brunello that leans into elegance and drinkability. Not overly aggressive—just harmonious, structured, and genuinely enjoyable. A great entry point or casual luxury Brunello.

Did You Know?
Brunello di Montalcino must be aged a minimum of 5 years before release (including at least 2 years in oak), which is why even approachable styles carry inherent depth and structure.

🍷 Personal Pick
A “weekday Brunello” (yes, that’s a thing 😄) refined enough to impress, relaxed enough to enjoy without ceremony. — 2 months ago

Scott Kahn

9.2

Very enjoyable Cabernet Franc with ripe fruit - completely lacking the herbaceous notes sometime present with this varietal. Rich flavors and elegant nose - 2009 seems to be an ideal year for Loire Cabernet Franc — 9 months ago

Galen Hasler

9.0

Perfect balanced. Ideal food pairing better alone — 2 years ago

Galen Hasler

9.0

Good not ideal — 6 years ago

Javier Garagorri

9.1

Somehow rustic but in a good sense, an intriguing wine that challenges you to keep discovering more and more its nuances. Full of personality and excellent value for money. Ideal entrance to Raúl Pérez universe. — 6 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.1

Vintage 2017 / young and frivolous! Biowine from Sicily with characteristic Italian acidity on the tongue and raspberry smell. Very quaffable. Nice. / Paired with pasta porcini and green salad. The winegrower says it is ideal with fish (like tunafish) and I can imagine so. Made from Nero d’Avola and Frappato. Did not think you could make such fun wine from Nd’A. — 7 years ago

Meg Herring

9.1

A yummy, toasty Chardonnay. It’s an ideal white wine for winter. — 7 years ago

Robert Swart

9.1

An unexpected treat! A little past its ideal drinking window but interesting pencil shaving notes. — 5 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Château du Tertre, Red Blend – 2018
AOC Margaux – Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷
5th Growth, Grand Cru Classé en 1855

Overview
A historic Margaux estate, Château du Tertre sits on a prominent gravel “tertre” (hillock) that gives the château its name. The 2018 vintage was a warm and generous year, producing wines with depth, richness, and polished tannins. The estate’s blend for the V.18 crafted Cabernet Sauvignon 40%, Merlot 30%, Cabernet Franc 25%, and Petit Verdot 5%, delivering the quintessential Margaux elegance.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, blackberry, and ripe plum layered with graphite, cedar, and cigar box. Hints of violets, licorice, and cocoa weave through the bouquet, adding complexity.

Mouthfeel
Elegant yet bold: medium to full-bodied with polished and structured tannins, a silky mid-palate, and a long, harmonious finish. A wine showing its prime with youthful vibrancy and well-integrated oak.

Food Pairings
Roast lamb with herbs, beef Wellington, duck breast, Truffle risotto, porcini pasta, mushroom burgers, aged Gruyère, Manchego, or Brie de Meaux.

Verdict
The 2018 vintage is a standout for Margaux, and Château du Tertre shines with a balance of power and finesse. Dark-fruited, silky, and aromatic, this wine embodies the elegance that Margaux is celebrated for, approachable now, yet cellar-worthy for another decade.

Did You Know?
Château du Tertre shares historical ties with Château Giscours (also in Margaux), once under the same ownership. Its elevated gravel terroir provides excellent drainage, making it ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon’s deep root systems.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight: For me, the 2018 du Tertre is the sweet spot, Margaux elegance meets ripe, modern Bordeaux style, without sacrificing finesse and within a reasonable price point. Cheers! — 8 months ago

Adam Kincaid

8.9

This will please some garnacha fans, though I can’t say it’s my ideal Reserva blend. 78% Tempranillo and 22% garnancha, which seems like way too much. Has a sweaty sock aroma that blends with some cherry and vanilla flavors. Almost like a tart cherry pie. The cherry flavors continue throughout with some chocolate and a bit of caramel. Round and silky, and seems loosely structured. Just slightly less dimensional than I would want. — 4 years ago

with Jillian

Ross Baldassaro

9.3

Oof, lovely balance of power and finesse. Wild-grown red and black cherries/berries with a tug-of-war between earth and fruit. Some clay. Tannins still need some integration and this vintage would be best with a few more years; 4-8 ideal. Lovely to drink; enjoyed with duck which was a treat to pair. — 6 years ago

Scott Layne

9.5

Pretty ideal Syrah. Peppery, tobacco aromas, well balanced. Paired well with Indian butter chickpeas. — 6 years ago

Pooneet K

9.0

Very nice wine. You can tell there is a bit of skin contact but it doesn’t scream orange in any way. Tons of honeysuckle and peach on the nose. Mouth filling. One level less precise than ideal but still really nice, especially with some air. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Deep roots of Beaulieu were first planted back in 1900, when founder Georges de Latour noticed similarities with his native Bordeaux and declared the Napa Valley ideal for winemaking. A blend of 76% Cab Sauv, 13% Merlot, 11% of Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Aromas of sweet dark berry fruit and earthy floral scents. On the palate blackberry and currants, spicy notes on full soft ripe tannins, nice mouthfeel, lingering finish ending with earthy mineral character. — 7 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Smith Bench – Chardonnay – 2023
Arroyo Seco AVA – Monterey County – California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
100% Chardonnay sourced from the cool-climate Arroyo Seco AVA in Monterey, produced under the Wente Family Estates umbrella. Arroyo Seco’s strong diurnal shifts and well-drained gravelly soils help retain freshness while allowing full phenolic ripeness. This is a polished, approachable California Chardonnay that leans slightly toward oak influence without losing varietal clarity.

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe pineapple, golden apple, baked pear, and hints of mango, layered with vanilla, toasted oak, and a subtle touch of baking spice.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with a smooth, rounded texture. The oak adds creaminess, while underlying acidity keeps the palate lively and prevents heaviness.

Food Pairings
Roast chicken, grilled shrimp with butter, lobster rolls, creamy pasta dishes, corn risotto, or mild washed-rind cheeses.

Verdict
An easy-drinking, crowd-pleasing Chardonnay that showcases the classic Wente family style, fruit-forward, lightly oaked, and well-balanced. Ideal as a casual sipper or reliable dinner companion when you want comfort and familiarity without excess weight.

Did You Know?
The Wente family is widely credited with introducing the Chardonnay clone that became the foundation of much of California’s Chardonnay plantings, making them one of the most influential names in U.S. Chardonnay history. — 7 months ago

Scott Kahn

9.0

This well-preserved bottle did not disappoint albeit I think that it is in decline from its ideal maturity. The tannins were perfectly integrated and soft, and the fruit has started to decline on the front palette. The color is claret and is less intense than a younger Bordeaux. — 2 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

9.0

A real vinous sparkling wine. Extra dry. Beautiful pale dress, fine but numerous bubbles. Very expressive nose of peach, pear, candied citrus, brioche, dried fruits, hazelnut, and a saline touch, which extends on a sharp final. With 5 years of aging 2017, offers unity and a beautiful relief. Ideal to accompany a meal. Relevant alternative to Champagnes, especially in terms of its price!

Un vrai pétillant vineux, extra sec. Belle robe pale, bulles fines mais nombreuses. Nez très expressif de pêches, poire, agrumes confits, notes briochées, fruits secs, noisette, et un toucher salin, qui se prolonge bien sur une finale tranchante. Avec 5 ans de garde 2017 offre une unité et un beau relief. Idéal pour accompagner un repas. Alternative pertinente aux champagnes, surtout au regard de son prix! — 4 years ago

Raphael Scheib

9.0

Dunkel, schwer, ideal zu rotem Fleisch — 6 years ago

Patrick Schultz

9.0

Amidst the crazy times we are all facing, spaghetti and a little super Tuscan sounds ideal. Fun wine. Bright aromatics. The Sangiovese shines through being a little plummy at this age. Stay healthy, happy and thirsty my friends! — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Our first bottling from this small production family winery in Calistoga.

My first impressions of this wine, it’s a classic older Calistoga Cabernet. It’s nicely resolved but, not at the end of its life as some have predicted. It is a shade past its prime but, drinking nicely with the exception it’s a touch hot, even after all this time in bottle and when temp’s were not pushing alcohol levels like they can now. However, heat aside, I enjoy wines just the other side of their prime and beyond. Brings out additional complexity-characteristics and are infinitely more interesting.

The nose reveals, stewed & baked fruits of; blackberries, black plum, black cherry extract, black raspberries with some deep blue fruits. Loads of baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Dark spice, dark chocolate, sweet tarriness, mocha, caramel, walnut shells, anise to black licorice, steeped, dark fruit teas, mint/eucalyptus, dry crushed rocks, leather, tobacco, graphite, used charcoal, dark liqueur and cola, dry herbs with dark, red, blue, purple, fresh & withering flowers accented with lavender.

The body is rich, lush, ruby, statin, velvety and thick. The tannins are rounded & softened but, still speaking loudly. The structure, tension, length and balance are in a very good place. This wine has legs to stand for another 5-10 years depending on how you enjoy them. Stewed, candied & baked fruits of; blackberries, black plum, black cherry extract, black raspberries deep blue fruits, purple fruit blend, haunting raspberries with poached strawberries as it sets. Loads of baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Dark spice with good palate heat, dark chocolate, sweet tarriness, mocha, caramel, walnut shells, anise to black licorice, steeped, dark fruit teas, mint/eucalyptus, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, slightly, moist clay, pronounced, fine volcanic minerals, leather, tobacco, graphite, used charcoal, dark liqueur and cola, dry herbs with dark, red, blue, purple, fresh & withering flowers accented with lavender. The acidity is round & exquisite. The long finish is; well balanced fruit & earth, very complexity, rich, delicious and persists endlessly.

Photos of; Stephanie Jones Bailey, Rick and Elaine Jones, Estate view, their Cabernet fruit close to harvest and vineyard staff managing fruit clusters & leafing.

Producer notes...they were founded in 1996. Jones Family Vineyards specializes in estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. Thomas Rivers Brown makes their wines, two Cabernet wines...Jones Family Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and The Sisters. TRB also makes an extremely limited production of aged Sauvignon Blanc that is cellared for over 3 years in barrel and bottle.

Jones Family has ten acres of south facing vineyards that lie 600 to 800 feet off the valley floor, resting above the fog line, an ideal altitude for growing Cabernet in the Napa Valley area.

@Paul T- Huntington Beach FYI. — 7 years ago