Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Alpine Roots Humagne Rouge 2023, AOC Valais, Switzerland 🇨🇭

Overview
100% Humagne Rouge, an indigenous Alpine variety from the Valais region of Switzerland. Grown in steep mountain vineyards with strong sun exposure and cool alpine influence. A terroir-driven wine that reflects the purity, freshness, and rustic charm of Swiss mountain viticulture.

Aromas & Flavors
Wild dark berries, red currant, cocoa powder, subtle dried herbs, and a touch of alpine earthiness. The fruit remains fresh while savory tones begin to emerge with air.

Mouthfeel
Light to medium body with soft edges and refined rusticity. Gentle tannins and bright acidity keep the wine lively and approachable. A textured palate that leans savory rather than fruit-heavy.

Food Pairings
Charcuterie, roasted poultry, mushroom dishes, alpine cheeses, lamb sausages, or herb-driven Mediterranean dishes.

Verdict
Distinctive and surprisingly charming. A wine that doesn’t try to imitate global varieties but instead celebrates its mountain identity. Approachable, food-friendly, and quietly intriguing.

Did You Know?
Humagne Rouge is native to the Swiss Alps and thrives in the steep terraces of Valais, where intense sunlight and cool mountain nights help maintain freshness and aromatic clarity.

🍷 Personal Pick
A wonderful curveball wine. Rustic, cocoa-tinged, and incredibly food friendly, the kind of bottle that makes people ask, “Wait… Switzerland makes wine?” — 4 months ago

Jake Hajer

9.1

Distinctive. Anise. Herbal. — 3 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.4

The 2019 Chardonnay Seascape Vineyard is another incredibly distinctive wine in this range. Candied ginger, passionfruit, lemon confit, white flowers and tangerine oil give this mid-weight Chardonnay tons of character. Bright acids lend freshness and verve to a Chardonnay that is very much on the exotic side of things. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2023) — 3 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.4

The 2020 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard is a dense, potent wine. The purity of the fruit is remarkable. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2020 is still incredibly primary. Inky red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, menthol and rose petal open with a bit of coaxing. All this needs is time and a bit more polish. As always, the Colson Canyon Syrah is one of the most distinctive wines in Joey Tensley's range. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2022)
— 4 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.4

Brilliant.

Hot on open. Fine after 15.

Nose is beautiful. Intense peach flower.

As this opens almost like old Riesling. Like old muellen. There’s some extra element I can’t put my finger on that takes it to the next level. Plus that mountain stream freshness. Wow.

Palate is really clean. Mountain stream. Peach nectar. Balanced. Very good deliciousness without being over the top.

A great wine. Very distinctive.

Bought from fass selections — 4 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.3

Very good.

Nose is cherry, lilacs. A bit penetrating in a good way. As it opens more Burgundian, savory and serious.

Palate is very fresh. Dense mid season cherries. Lingering in a great way. So juicy. Burgundy but with a German twist.

Very distinctive and great. 9.35. Lacks some complexity and density to be truly great but for the price you can’t beat it.

Lovely cherry licorice finish.

An hour in is much better and more serious.

Tannins interfere a bit at this point. They should smooth out in 2-3 years.

Bought from fass selections. — 5 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.4

Nose is just piercingly clear cherry and cherry flower. A hint of mountain field.

Palate is so clean. Almost like a mountain stream infused with cherries. Some spice. Almost a lavender extract. Wow. Very distinctive. As it opens some lovely dustiness on the palate.

Finish is so perfect. Cherries. Lingering cherry licorice. — 6 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.5

Not a riserva.

Needs a 60 minute decant. Then amazing. Sweet spices on the palate with midseason cherry. Allspice. Nutmeg. Distinctive and delicious.

As this opens you get that sweet Nebbiolo spice on the nose. Magnificent sweet roses.

Fass selections — 9 months ago

Matthew Cohen

9.7

Silvaner Maria im weingarten Richard ostreicher.

This NEEDS a and hour decant. Do NOT a drink sooner.

Nose: yellow flowers. White flowers. Lovely. Really a great nose.

Palate: lemon Zest. Hints of tropical fruit. Mineral. A bit confused. Let’s see where this goes.

As this opens its like elite unoaked condrieu. Silky minerals. Just a hint of tropicality it not so much as to make it annoying. Elegant. Wow.

A great contrast to weltner which is denser and more impactful. This is way on the elegant side of things. Wispy.

Very distinctive

Fass selections — 2 years ago

LM Segal

9.3

Quite nice with a distinctive brioche overtone. Full and round, May still need a few years. Been feeling lately like more distinctive profiles in the grower champs vs the big dogs (at big dog $$). — 3 years ago

Nicolas Greinacher

8.9

This wine screams where it’s from. Pale lemon with green reflexes, the nose reveals intense aromas of elderflower, asparagus, green bell pepper, gooseberry, ripe peach and melon, followed by a medium body with a pungent acidity, defining the wines distinctive freshness. Drink now until 2024. — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Blend of 96% Sauv Blanc with 4% Sauv Gris adding an interesting dynamic to the wine & distinctive aromas (prior to ‘18 vintage some Semillon added). Pale lemon color, citrus, tropical & floral aromas. On the palate peach, melon, herb & earthy tones, well balanced with acidity, smooth yet robust on a long finish ending rich with wet stone character. Good value! A Fav!! Very consistent! — 4 years ago

Jim Wagonfeld

9.3

A unique and distinctive wine from the genius that is Envinate. Slightly cloudy, mid yellow. Nose features briny rock, sea shells and lemon. Palate mineral driven with Meyer lemon. Long + acid on the finish. Clearly volcanic and “Atlantic”. We loved it! — 4 years ago

with Judy

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

Young CLB never ceases to amaze. Pop and pour magic once again as high toned red fruit, violets and distinctive CLB spice soar from the glass with almost no reduction getting in the way. Finely detailed and ethereal palate with a simultaneous intensity of vivid fruit and a mineral infusion that leads to its seamless transition to finish. Always a special experience to drink CLB. — 5 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Chenevièrs – “Grandes Vignes” Chablis 2023
Chablis, Burgundy, France 🇫🇷

Overview
100% Chardonnay grown on a plateau of Kimmeridgian limestone soils in “La Chapelle Vaupeltigne,” a northern sector of the Chablis appellation. This terroir is prized for its fossil-rich soils, which impart the minerality and precision that make Chablis so distinctive.

Aromas & Flavors
Fresh-cut lemon, crisp green apple, and white peach layered with chalky minerality and subtle floral notes. Hints of oyster shell and wet stone nod to the limestone soils beneath the vines.

Mouthfeel
Light to medium-bodied with razor-sharp acidity, dry and mineral-driven. A very clean and linear style, finishing with elegance and a lingering citrus zest freshness.

Winemaking Notes
Fermented in stainless steel to preserve fruit purity and terroir transparency. Unoaked, ensuring the vibrancy of Chardonnay shines in its most authentic Burgundian expression.

Food Pairing
Ideal with oysters, mussels, or any shellfish. Also pairs beautifully with goat cheese, light poultry, or simply as a crisp aperitif.

Verdict
A textbook Chablis that captures the essence of its limestone terroir. Elegant, refreshing, and precise—an affordable way to enjoy one of Burgundy’s most distinctive white wines. Cheers! — 9 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

Sooo seems 2010 Northern Rhône is ready! After a stunning 2010 Jamet in recent weeks I was inspired to try ‘10 Allemand. A multi-hour decant has it simply rocking, wafting distinctive, captivating Allemand aromatics of deep dark fruit, olive tapenade, charcuterie, violets and a liquid rock minerality. It’s at the point where fresh primary fruit meets the cusp of secondary, tertiary character. The palate is silky, vibrant and mineral with its structured tannins beginning to soften. I wonder how 2010 Reynard would compare. But Chaillot, with air, is most certainly ready, but of course only entering its prime drinking window. Love these wines! — 2 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.6

This wine is absolutely stunning on hour 2+ so that’s where my notes will reflect. Just wish it showed this way longer! After a lengthy decant 2012 Reynard finally comes alive to flaunt explosive, layered and distinctive Allemand aromatics of cassis, violets, olive and crushed stones. The palate has such concentration, depth and fruit intensity that’s seamlessly balanced with its layered minerality. Finish just keeps on going. Love these wines so much. — 3 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

Initial is the most produced in quantity and can be referred to as the “entry level” bottling for Selosse but really, it is anything but, and should not be overlooked. Particularly so with some bottle age. 2018 disgorgment is in a great spot and wafts from the glass with distinctive Selossien aromas of caramelized stone fruit, roasted nuts, honeycomb, gun smoke and floral undertones. The palate is rich, powerful and deep with racy acids and a chalky mineral core. It has both freshness and oxidative complexity yielding a complete, balanced and utterly seamless Champagne. Selosse perfection for me is 5-6 years post disgorgement and this is entering that window in great fashion. Always a treat. — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

A blend of 75% Corvina, 20% Rondinella & 5% Molinara, deep Ruby with distinctive raisiny berry fruit flavors and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of cherry and strawberry with vanilla spice, nicely balanced with soft and smooth warming tannins on a long finish ending with fruit, licorice and tobacco. Can age well. Nice! — 5 years ago

Carla D

9.7

The 2018 has a nice nose, nice palate. Features inviting asparagus on the nose. Really like this wine. Very approachable and tastes beyond its price point. Think it would go nice with some distinctive cheeses. — 5 years ago