Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Donnachiara – Greco di Tufo – 2021
Greco di Tufo DOCG – Campania – Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
A more expressive and intense take on Greco di Tufo from the 2021 vintage, showcasing the varietal’s natural structure, depth, and aging potential. This DOCG-level wine leans into richness and tension, delivering a more evolved and character-driven profile.

Aromas & Flavors
Layered and pronounced with ripe stone fruit, citrus peel, and hints of almond and dried herbs. Subtle smoky and mineral nuances reflect the volcanic soils, now slightly more integrated with time.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with elevated tension and a textured, almost grippy feel. Bright acidity keeps it lifted, while the added bottle age brings a more rounded, cohesive structure and a long, persistent finish.

Food Pairings
Grilled seafood, roasted chicken, shellfish, creamy pasta dishes, or aged cheeses. Also great with richer Mediterranean flavors.

Verdict
A bold and character-driven Greco di Tufo, expressive, complex, and structured. The 2021 vintage adds a layer of integration and depth, making it both serious and highly rewarding.

Did You Know?
Greco di Tufo is one of Southern Italy’s few white DOCGs and is known for its ability to age, developing nutty, honeyed, and mineral complexity over time.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is my “textured white with presence”, when I want something layered, slightly evolved, and far from simple. Cheers! — 14 days ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.1

As always really nice. No formal notes. He stopped making the Marine 😞. It was always one of my favorites. — a year ago

Leo Gentile

9.5

Pale straw color beautifully clear and no honey or brick. Apple and pear faint lemon peel. In magnum aged exceptionally. Amazing wine making. — 5 years ago

Daniel M

9.0

Forgotten bottle at my in laws. What a good surprise! Didn't know I had left it there 🤷🏻‍♂️.
This is again a very biaised review as this comes from a vineyard located 10 miles away from where I grew up. A blend of negrette and syrah.
There is a strong violet, blackberry, irony, pepper nose. Very inviting. The palate is very much defined by its acid backbone and its vibrant blackberry and cherry note. There is a huge tannins wall in the middle here, drying up everything in its wake but making way to a fruity, peppery finish with a fruity twist. Huge wine for less than 10 euros — 5 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste 2023 – Pauillac, Grand Cru Classé en 1855, BDX France 🇫🇷

Overview
A benchmark Pauillac delivering depth, precision, and classical balance at a very high level, driven by a 75% Cabernet Sauvignon–dominant blend with 20% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc as a support. The wine shows beautifully layered red fruit, refined structure, and seamless integration, expressing terroir purity and composure from start to finish.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, red cherry, wild raspberry, cassis, graphite, cedar, pencil shavings, subtle tobacco leaf, gentle cocoa and crushed gravel.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus to full-bodied with finely polished tannins, excellent mid-palate density, vibrant yet controlled acidity, elegant grip, and a long, harmonious finish that remains lifted and precise.

Food Pairings
Prime rib, grilled ribeye, rack of lamb, beef Wellington, mushroom-forward dishes, aged hard cheeses.

Verdict
A beautifully executed Pauillac that balances power and finesse effortlessly. Everything feels aligned, fruit purity, structure, tension, and length, making this a top-tier reference for the appellation and vintage.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is Pauillac done right, deep fruit, flawless execution, and a finish that feels complete and satisfying rather than forced. A wine that earns admiration through balance and quiet authority. Hard to pass, even harder to forget. — 4 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

After pressing dried grapes from making Amarone, Valpolicella wine is passed over the still warm skins of Amarone for 2nd alcoholic fermentation, increasing the alcoholic content, aromas and color. Blend of 85% Corvina, 10% Rondinella, 5% Oseleta. Deep Ruby with aromas of sweet dried berry fruits and pepper spice. On the palate ripe blackberry, currants and sweet cherry with complex spice. Well balanced with acidity and alcohol, full-body with soft tannins on long finish. Nice value. — 5 months ago

Daniel M

9.2

The nose is made of lemon, crushed rocks, chalk and there is little touch of juicy pear that pops up after a while and when the wine is warming up slightly. We could add a tiny touch of vanilla from the barrel but it's very discreet. Lovely. This is everything I'm expecting from a 1er cru chablis. The palate is made of a massive acid backbone, almost overwhelming! There is matter to balance it but it's trodding on a very thin edge. Notes of chalk and lemon, and lemon peel are showing all around the way making for a super dynamic, vivid mouthfeel. The finish lasts for ever with this lemony and chalky notes but that vanilla touch that appeared in the rear on the nose makes a discreet comeback in the end and on the sides and that almost reminds me of white burgundies from way down south around meursault and puligny. Awesome, intellectual wine that delivers! — 4 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Château Cantemerle 2023 – Haut-Médoc, BDX, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A beautifully expressive Left Bank blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 71%, Merlot 18%, Petit Verdot 7%, and Cabernet Franc 4% that delivers immediate charm while retaining classic Haut-Médoc structure and aging potential. The wine shows vibrant fruit purity, polished tannins, and a well-judged touch of oak, making it approachable young yet capable of evolving gracefully over the coming decade.

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe blackberry, black cherry, cassis, and plum layered with subtle cedar, vanilla spice, graphite, and a gentle floral lift. Fresh berry brightness carries through the palate, framed by light savory notes and a refined oak accent that enhances rather than dominates.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with supple texture and finely integrated tannins. Juicy, energetic entry with excellent balance between fruit concentration and freshness. Smooth mid-palate flow and a clean, persistent finish that stays lively and inviting.

Food Pairings
Grilled steak, roast chicken, lamb chops, mushroom risotto, charcuterie boards, aged Gruyère or Comté, and classic bistro fare. A versatile table wine that shines across a wide range of savory dishes.

🍷 Personal Pick
Cantemerle never disappoints, this is pure drinking pleasure wrapped in Bordeaux elegance. Juicy, polished, and instantly enjoyable, yet grounded with just enough structure to remind you why Haut-Médoc remains timeless. A perfect bottle when you want serious pedigree without serious effort.

Did You Know?
Château Cantemerle is classified as a Fifth Growth in the historic 1855 Bordeaux Classification and is known for producing some of the most consistently approachable and age-worthy wines of the Médoc, often offering outstanding value relative to its pedigree. — 4 months ago

Nathan Renfro

9.5

I’ve become such a fan of this wine, having the ‘18 multiple times, and blown away by it. This is my first ‘11. Structure is pretty close to solid, a bit more acidity would be just right, but the fruit is ripe, black and blue, the tannins have softened up beautifully making it drink so easily. The finish is medium. While not up to the ‘18s, for an ‘11 this is a great wine. And both vintages, still offering great value. I have some ‘16 and ‘19 that I looked forward to comparing. — 3 years ago

GHol

9.3

Decanted for 24 hours so that it could open up as it’s so young.
Incredible flavour, complex, red fruits but not too bold and some nuisance too.
Time will serve this well. A winemaker who dances to his own tune and making great music. — 5 years ago