Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Piaggia Carmignano Riserva 2021
Carmignano DOCG – Tuscany – Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
A compelling Tuscan blend composed primarily of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc, crafted by Piaggia, one of Carmignano’s benchmark estates, recognized for low yields, concentration, and precision-driven winemaking while preserving regional identity. The 2021 vintage beautifully captures the structured, terroir-focused soul of Carmignano without leaning into excessive ripeness or modern exaggeration.

Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, ripe plum, dried herbs, tobacco leaf, cedar, earthy undertones, and subtle graphite unfold with remarkable balance and restraint. Dark fruit remains fresh and vibrant rather than jammy, allowing savory and mineral nuances to shine through.

Mouthfeel
Medium+ bodied with elevated tension, polished yet firm tannins, and beautifully integrated acidity. Structured and intentional, carrying both power and elegance through a long, refined finish.

Food Pairings
Excellent with bistecca alla Fiorentina, grilled lamb chops, wild boar ragù, roasted meats, or aged cheeses such as Pecorino Toscano or Parmigiano Reggiano.

Verdict
A serious and historically compelling Tuscan red that feels refreshingly authentic in a world often dominated by overhyped “Super Tuscans.” Piaggia delivers structure, terroir expression, and sophistication without sacrificing regional character. This is Tuscany speaking fluently through discipline and balance rather than sheer opulence.

Did You Know?
Long before the “Super Tuscan” movement emerged, Carmignano producers were already legally blending Sangiovese with Cabernet Sauvignon as far back as the 1700s, after Cabernet vines were introduced to Tuscany under the Medici family. In many ways, Carmignano quietly pioneered the concept centuries earlier.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is exactly the kind of under-the-radar Tuscan wine that rewards drinkers looking beyond prestige labels and chasing authenticity, structure, and historical soul instead. Cheers! — 2 months ago

Iris Wormington

9.2

Easy to drink, medium bodied and extremely minimal tannins. Had with lemon ricotta pasta — 6 months ago

ESF

9.2

wanted to love tbis more - don't think it has the longevity of other vintages — 7 months ago

Andy B

9.4

Bright, delicious. A NZ sauv blanc! — 3 years ago

Miles Perry

9.4

An outstanding value. Everything I expect from a Red Mountain Cabernet. Lots of dark cherry flavors. — 4 years ago

Mono Head

9.2

Fragrance is amazing. So floral. Just magnificent. Taste is on the lighter side but well integrated. Easy to drink. Cherries and some green, fruit but well balanced. It’s really good. I would not recommend this with a steak — 5 years ago

Edo Wachters

9.3

The Venus La Universal Dido La Solució Rosa is a wine made in Montsant, Spain, by Sara Pérez (known from Mas Martinet) and René Barbier (known from Clos Mogador). It is an unusual rosé cuvee from Garnacha, Tempranillo, Macabeo and Cariñena. The result is a complex wine, with lots of character - a rosé which drinks both like a fresh white as well as an elegant red. Really great! — 2 months ago

Ted

9.0

The wine is still incorrect. Red licorice immediately upon opening. It hung around the whole bottle. Dark fruit. Very enjoyable. — 5 months ago

with Jeni

Scott Kahn

9.0

This is a beautifully balanced example of a Garnacha-cariñena blend from the DO adjacent to Priorat. Crafted by the children of Mogador and Mas Martinet - and at a much better price point — 6 months ago

Donald Williams

9.2

Course 1 wine, perfect with the Caprese salad. Salty sea breeze, yellow fruits ripe citrus. Lovely. — 3 years ago

with Bonnie

Mary Ellen Bonisteel

9.4

Love the Prosecco very happy with the rose. Will definitely will buy. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

See previous notes. They still apply. All the hallmarks of modern Australian Chardonnay. Nutty leesy aromas with rock melon notes - from the cool climate district near the city of Orange. A light to medium weight palate. Proving that the Orange/Tumbaramba district is a great area for cool climate Chardonnay with Penfolds sourcing fruit from here for their top Chardonnays like Yattarna. Also Phillip Shaw (former winemaker for Rosemount when they were famous) has set up a winery here under his own name. — 5 years ago

Brendan Powell

9.5

Oh yes, this is the Provence Rose style we have been chasing. — 6 years ago

Hart Dutczak

9.1

First day delish. Second day, not as great. — 7 years ago

Sam Tarantino

9.0

absolute fucking steal to get this for $15 good Lord Almighty — 2 months ago

Kristin C

8.9

Light red, medium-light body, floral and slightly mossy notes on the nose, very tart cherry on the front palate, smooth finish — 5 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Jerusalem Heights Cabernet Sauvignon–Merlot 2023 – Judean Hills, Israel 🇮🇱

Overview
A bold red blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon · 50% Merlot that expresses the rugged power and elevation-driven intensity of the Judean Hills rather than classic Bordeaux balance. Cabernet brings structure, dark fruit depth, and firm backbone, while Merlot contributes mid-palate weight, savory flesh, and dark plum richness. This is not a plush or polished style, it leans muscular, serious, and expressive of place. Elevated intensity, concentration, and tension suggest strong aging potential, with the wine expected to show even greater harmony by 2028+, though approachable now with air.

Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, ripe plum, cassis, and dark blackberry. Savory notes of dried herbs, black pepper, cedar, and warm stone. Subtle earthy undertones with hints of tobacco leaf and dark cocoa. The profile leans deep and structured rather than sweet or fruit-forward.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus to full-bodied with firm, youthful tannins and a dense core. Structured, slightly angular on opening, softening with air. Fresh acidity keeps the power in check while maintaining lift. Long, savory finish with persistent dark fruit and spice. Built for food and cellaring.

Food Pairings
Grilled lamb chops, beef short ribs, ribeye steak, roasted duck, slow-braised meats, mushroom-driven dishes, aged hard cheeses, and Middle Eastern spice-forward cuisine. Benefits from decanting 1–2 hours.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is not a crowd-pleasing, plush red, it’s a serious, punchy expression that rewards patience and attention. I love how it shows its regional muscle and personality instead of chasing polish. A bottle for slow evenings, hearty food, and watching a young wine stretch into its future potential.

Did You Know?
The Judean Hills sit at higher elevations with limestone soils and strong diurnal shifts, producing wines with firm structure, savory character, and excellent aging capacity. Cabernet and Merlot here often show more tension and mineral grip than their softer New World counterparts. — 5 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

Always with such incredible expression of terroir, Agrapart’s 2016 Venus is fabulous today riveting with energy; just electric on the palate. There’s such an incredible combination of richness and purity with impeccable concentration and fruit density. Layers of perfumed citrus oils, ripe orchard fruit, almond skin and crushed stones waft from the glass. The palate is long, vibrant and intense with a mineral and saline inflicted finale. A killer BdB. — 3 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.5

This wine has a nice golden color in the glass. I get a muted nose with apricot aromas foremost and citrus minerals chasing. The palate shows stone fruit and minerals galore. Acidity is nice and fresh, even zippy. The finish is medium long and carries the minerals back for a revisit. — 5 years ago

Aravind A

9.5

Lot May 2011, disg. Feb 2014. Muted upon opening, but give this a little bit of air....then, oh my god. This is so much better than my last btl, it's hard to believe. On the nose: soft honey, dense lemon oil, soft vanilla, a touch of oxidative golden apple. On the palate: fantastic acidity, soft and fine mousse, gorgeous density and richness, pomelo, and a lovely soft, velvety finish. — 5 years ago