Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Gérard Bertrand – Orange Gold – 2023
Vin de France – France 🇫🇷

Overview
A thoughtfully crafted orange wine made from a blend of 40% Chardonnay, 30% Grenache Blanc, 15% Viognier, 10% Muscat, and 5% Gewürztraminer. This is a cerebral, texture-driven expression that leans into aromatic intensity and phenolic structure rather than immediate approachability.

Aromas & Flavors
Honeysuckle, ripe peach, and orange peel lead the profile, followed by roasted almonds and subtle spice. A gentle grapefruit-like bitterness adds lift, while floral and exotic notes from Muscat and Gewürztraminer bring complexity.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with a distinctive textured grip. Light tannic astringency from skin contact gives structure, balanced by fresh acidity. The interplay between softness and phenolic tension keeps the palate engaged throughout.

Food Pairings
Glass noodles with vegetables and shrimp, Mediterranean dishes, roasted poultry, spiced cuisine, or dishes with umami depth. A strong performer at the table.

Verdict
A fascinating and layered orange wine that rewards attention. This wine can be an acquired taste when enjoyed on its own, but truly shines when paired with food. A true “thinking wine.”

Did You Know?
Orange wines are made by fermenting white grapes with their skins, similar to red wine production, extracting tannins, color, and structure rarely found in traditional white wines.

🍷 Personal Pick
A wine that keeps your brain really busy, in the best way. Pair it with food and it absolutely shines. — 2 months ago

James O’Donohoe

9.0

Juicy and refreshing, chill it, gives watermelon and red cherry notes. It’s delicious — 5 months ago

romo

9.0

Called non-Austrian Gruner. Better than the 24, insane QPR. — 6 months ago

Dave

9.0

Another fine value from Cahors. This has a bit more oak than last night's offering, but tastes more Malbec-y. Leans towards New World. Medium tannins, acidity in place. Enjoyable.
Listening to Gram Parsons — a month ago

Ryan

8.9

Delicious. Sweet. Lovely bottle. Great color — 4 months ago

romo

9.0

Drink early. Hope 24 has more stuffing. — 6 months ago

Zach D

9.3

Wow. Such a nice wine coming from humble origins. Needs some air to express itself. On the nose yellow lilies, apple blossom, almost a hint of jasmine, just ripe yellow apple, just ripe pear, a touch of fresh vanilla. On the palate, this really shines. Ripe orchard fruits, rich without being cloying. Blind I would place this as a village Meursault. Yellow apple, pear, touch almond, buttery and rich texture with minimal oak, crème brûlée; I’m assuming from skillful lees management . Good acidity, decent length. 13 abv. 24 usd at the grocery store. I haven’t seen ratings anywhere near where I’ve placed this, but maybe this is a product of a good vintage? Either way, huge fan — 7 months ago

Jason Phillips

8.9

Decent nose. Ruby color. Smooth on the palate but not bold. Lots of resources fruit. Merlot 37%, Syrah 30%, Cabernet Sauvignon 12%, Caladoc 11%, Grenache Noir 4%, Mourvedre 3%, and Carignan 3%. — 3 months ago

Sam Friedland

9.2

Very nice wine, maybe needs a few more year. Integrated tannins. Little fruit. Went great with couscous and merguez. — 4 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Vignobles Lacheteau – Pouilly-Fumé / 2024
Pouilly-Fumé AOC – Loire Valley / France 🇫🇷

Overview
100% Sauvignon Blanc from the eastern Loire, grown on classic Pouilly-Fumé terroirs dominated by limestone and flint (silex). This style emphasizes tension, minerality, and restraint rather than overt fruit, showcasing the smoky, stony expression that defines the appellation.

Aromas & Flavors
Crisp lemon zest, grapefruit peel, green apple, and white peach, layered with flinty smoke, wet stone, and subtle herbal notes. The aromatic profile is precise and lifted, with restrained fruit framed by mineral depth.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with bright, linear acidity. Clean, focused, and energetic on the palate, finishing dry and refreshing with a saline-mineral edge and lingering citrus tension.

Food Pairings
Classic goat cheese (Crottin de Chavignol), oysters, shellfish, grilled fish, lemon-herb chicken, asparagus dishes, or light vegetable-forward plates.

Verdict
A textbook Pouilly-Fumé that delivers clarity, minerality, and balance. Not flashy or tropical, but elegant, terroir-driven, and highly versatile at the table.

Did You Know?
The “fumé” in Pouilly-Fumé refers to the smoky, flinty character derived from silex soils, not oak or smoke exposure, one of the Loire Valley’s most distinctive Sauvignon Blanc signatures.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This is exactly the style of Sauvignon Blanc I gravitate toward: mineral-driven, restrained, and quietly complex. A refreshing counterpoint to overtly aromatic New World expressions, and a reminder of why Loire Sauvignon remains one of my benchmarks for elegance and precision. — 5 months ago