Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Pencarrow — Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Martinborough, New Zealand 🇳🇿

Overview
A refined, cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc from Palliser’s acclaimed Pencarrow range, showcasing Martinborough’s elegant, mineral-driven expression rather than overt tropical intensity. Built on precision, freshness, and aromatic clarity, this is Sauvignon in a restrained, food-friendly lane.

Aromas & Flavors
Delicate citrus blossom, lime zest, green apple, and subtle white peach lift from the glass. Aromatics remain airy and focused, supported by gentle herbal nuance and fresh-cut citrus. On the palate, bright lemon, crunchy orchard fruit, and a faint saline edge create a beautifully layered, refreshing profile.

Mouthfeel
Light-bodied yet energetic with crisp, well-integrated acidity. The texture stays sleek and clean, offering lift and tension without sharpness. The finish is lively and inviting, encouraging repeat sips.

Food Pairings
Fresh oysters or ceviche. Goat cheese and citrus salads. Grilled shrimp with herbs. Sushi and light sashimi preparations.

Verdict
Elegant, expressive, and effortlessly drinkable, this is a Sauvignon Blanc that prioritizes finesse over flash. A beautifully balanced example of Martinborough purity that delivers clarity, charm, and serious refreshment value.

Did You Know?
Martinborough’s gravelly soils and consistently cool growing season favor slower ripening and higher natural acidity, allowing Sauvignon Blanc to express aromatic detail and structural tension rather than overt tropical ripeness.

🍷 Personal Pick
Not a bombastic Sauvignon, this is a graceful, highly drinkable charmer. Crisp, aromatic, and dangerously easy to finish. The kind of bottle that quietly disappears faster than planned. Total chugger energy (in the best possible way). 😏 — 5 months ago

Peter Sultan

9.2

Decanted less than an hour but still strutted its stuff during a sloppy Knicks first playoff win: rose petals, ripe red cherries, autumnal leaves, all folded into an elegant fine tannin & medium bodied, svelte charmer. — 3 years ago

with Owen

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; enjoyed over two days. Best on Day 1. The 2011 “Caravina” pours a deep, we’re going to call opaque, garnet with some slight browning towards the rim. There appear to be signs of very light sediment. Medium viscosity and medium staining of the tears. On the nose, cassis, tobacco, bell pepper and the faint smell of baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry and notes from the nose are confirmed. Medium tannin and medium acid. Finish is a bit clipped so I would place at medium-. On Day 2, the wine was still intact but it seemed to have lost some of the energy that it had on Day 1 and now came across even more green and earthy than before.

This 2011 Caravina is probably the most “2011” Cabernet from Napa that I’ve had in some time. It’s green and lacks the structure I would want for longevity. While I would still call this a good wine, it’s not the charmer that Caravina is in most vintages these days. Drink now with a meal. In this case, it worked well enough with Cincinnati-style chili 😋.
— 3 years ago

Willem Booij

9.1

This is a charmer in a Botlek, lovely second label from this great estate. — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over three hours. Pours a dark ruby with a transparent core. Medium+ viscosity, medium+ intensity. On the nose, Twin Bing, roses, alpine air, forest floor, tar, and a small dash of baking spices. On the palate, mixed red fruits, blood orange pith, tobacco, and fresh green herbs. Quite a bit rounder than I’m used to for Barolo but it’s undeniably a charmer. The finish is very long, bone dry. Yes…this is very becoming indeed! Medium+ tannin, medium+ acid, medium + alcohol. Hedonistic and drinking so well now. — 5 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

This bottle was one in a brace of Brunellos, generously shared and curated by our friend Tim.

Served blind after a lengthy slow-ox, I knew we were drinking Brunello di Montalcino but that’s it. Visually, there were no obvious signs of age. Initially quite reticent, I found this slow to come around but after an hour or so in the glass, it became quite the charmer! Tart cherries, black tea, earth and minerals. Long, lip smacking finish. Great balance. Seemed ultra traditional to me.

Revealed to be a 1997 “La Palazzetta” Riserva. There seemed to be a youthfulness about this wine that belied its 23 years of age. I have little doubt that we’ll stores examples will be drinking well in 2030. Killer with meal of certified Piedmontese eye of ribeye and simple pasta with red sauce. — 6 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Vintage 2023 | great effort, real charmer with beautiful fruitiness — a year ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Vintage 2018 | Tasted blind | Deep dark colour with a cardinalred rim, rich smell with wagon loads of cherries, still tannins and a promising attraction. Charmer. — a year ago

ESF

9.5

Spectacular! Really wanted something special and this delivered: purchased in CdP, and lugged across the world 12 years afterwards. Showing some maturity w/med ruby colored and bricking on edges. After 30mins in decanter started showing enticingly complex nose of Chinese 5 spice, mulberry, stewed blueberry, bramble & bush, white pepper, sweet earth, baking spices, hoisin, etc. A real charmer. Med weight on palate, lithe smooth graceful regal, impeccable balance & cut. Stood up to grilled NY Strip & Filets w/sautéed shiitake, asparagus & baby potatoes. — 2 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.2

The 2019 Pinot Noir Jolie is the most ethereal and lifted of these Pinots. Crushed red berry fruit, cedar, mint and orange peel hover across the palate. Understated and classy to the core, the 2019 is impeccably balanced, not to mention a real charmer. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2023) — 3 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.0

Love ending meals with Champagne! This is always a charmer. Some pastry richness and excellent energy. — 4 years ago

William Travis

9.1

Enjoyed 2017 in April 2022 with great balance, medium tannins, black and red berries, a real charmer that will continue to develop. — 4 years ago

Willem Booij

9.2

Ok it’s not the greatest year, but this wine is very nice. A real classic Margaux with stil some dark forest fruit, some pencil and a box filled with vanilla stuffed Havana’s. Not a full bodied wine but a real charmer. — 5 years ago

Peter Sultan

9.1

30% Montepulciano, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese, 10% Marselan, and 10% Alicante & an absolute charmer — a year ago

Delectable Wine

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9.1

The 2022 Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard is redolent of sweet dried cherry, spice, new leather, mint and sweet pipe tobacco. This aromatic, gracious Pinot is a charmer. All the elements are nicely balanced throughout. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2024)
— 2 years ago

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9.2

The 2021 Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard is bright and effusive. Crushed red berry fruit, flowers, dried herbs and a kiss of sweet French oak are nicely lifted. This racy, exuberant Pinot is quite the charmer. It, too, will benefit from a bit of cellaring. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, November 2023)
— 3 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.0

The 2021 Soave is a charmer. Vividly fruity, floral and wickedly fresh on the nose, it blends candied lime and salty minerals with sour melon, all driven by juicy acidity. A tropical flourish appears as this tapers off with lovely tension. Enjoy soon to take advantage of its zesty character. $15.00 (Eric Guido, Vinous, April 2023) — 3 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

Great vintage for Boussey and this charmer of a wine. Expansive cherry and lovely dry, dusty earth on the nose and the fruit has a lipstick like intensity. Lovely, inviting and aromatic depth. Palate is silky, sweet and bursting with fresh cherries and lovely finesse and some good refinement for this level. Juicy and long with great fruit presence. Can’t ask for more in an under $30 Burgundy. — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.1

This was brought to a gathering by a guest, opened and served immediately. The “Hochar Père et Fils” is often thought of as Chateau Musar’s second wine but it’s really just a different wine made in a similar fashion using grapes from a single vineyard and sees a little less time in oak. The lighting was really poor so I couldn’t really take any visual notes. A little funky and mostly red fruited, cherries, and spices. Some VA there for sure. The finish was long, medium+ tannin and acid. Balanced and quite the charmer. Lovely. — 5 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Tasted alongside the 2015 vintage. Both wines were opened about eight hours in advanced and allowed to slow-ox at cellar temp (51°F). Comparatively, this was more open for business. Dark cherry, gym sock, dried herbs, leather, and tomato leaf on the nose. On the palate, dusty cherry fruit with black tea and dried herbs. Rustic. Quite an old school charmer! Towards the end of the bottle, this started to tighten back up a bit but it was still my favorite of the two vintages tonight. I expect this to enjoy a long life. — 5 years ago