Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Villa Sparina Gavi Cortese 2024
Gavi DOCG – Piemonte, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
Made from 100% Cortese, the 2024 vintage feels even more uplifting and rounded compared to the already solid 2023 release. Villa Sparina continues to showcase why Gavi remains one of Northern Italy’s most dependable white wine styles, balancing freshness, elegance, and effortless drinkability. This vintage particularly shines with its harmony and polished personality.

Aromas & Flavors
Bright citrus, crisp green apple, white peach, and subtle pear notes lead the way, followed by delicate floral tones and a touch of almond on the finish. The fruit profile feels more expressive and integrated in 2024, giving the wine extra charm without losing its mineral-driven identity.

Mouthfeel
Light to medium-bodied with refreshing acidity and a beautifully rounded texture. Clean, vibrant, and very balanced from start to finish, offering both tension and softness in a way that makes the wine incredibly easy to revisit glass after glass.

Food Pairings
Excellent with seafood pasta, grilled shrimp, lemon herb chicken, oysters, risotto, or fresh cheeses. Also fantastic as a pure aperitif wine.

Verdict
The 2024 vintage feels more complete and harmonious than the previous release, showing extra polish while keeping the classic crisp personality of Gavi intact. Refreshing, elegant, and dangerously easy to enjoy.

Did You Know?
Gavi DOCG is produced exclusively from Cortese grapes in southeastern Piemonte, near the Ligurian border, which partially explains its coastal-like freshness and saline edge despite being an inland appellation.

🍷 Personal Pick
This has officially become my “wine king opener” and one of my new Northern Italy staples. The 2024 vintage simply feels more alive, rounded, and balanced, a bottle that surprises everyone and every time I have pour for friends that have never taste it. Cheers! — a month ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Orballo Albariño – Rías Baixas DO, Galicia, Spain 🇪🇸

Overview
A pure expression of Atlantic Albariño from Rías Baixas, showcasing the grape’s natural brightness, saline tension, and coastal freshness. Cool maritime influence keeps the fruit vibrant and the acidity precise, delivering a wine that feels energetic, refreshing, and effortlessly drinkable. This is classic seaside Albariño — clean, expressive, and built for seafood and sunshine.

Aromas & Flavors
Fresh pineapple, mango, and white peach lead the nose, followed by citrus zest, green apple, and subtle floral lift. Light saline notes and crushed stone minerality frame the fruit. The palate stays crisp and dry with a refreshing tropical core and a clean, lightly briny finish that keeps pulling you back for another sip.

Mouthfeel
Light- to medium-bodied with lively acidity and a smooth, polished texture. Bright entry, crisp mid-palate, and a refreshing, mouthwatering finish. Energetic without being sharp, making it extremely easy to drink.

Food Pairings
Perfect with oysters, ceviche, shrimp cocktail, grilled octopus, fish tacos, sushi, and shellfish pastas. Also works beautifully with citrus salads, light tapas, and salty cheeses. A natural match for anything that loves acidity and freshness.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is exactly why Albariño is a warm-weather hero. Crisp, tropical, refreshing, and endlessly food-friendly. One of those bottles that disappears faster than expected, especially when chilled and paired with seafood.

Did You Know?
Rías Baixas vineyards are heavily influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, which gives Albariño its signature salinity, high acidity, and aromatic lift. Many vines are trained on pergolas to improve airflow and protect grapes from humidity, preserving freshness and purity in the fruit. — 5 months ago

Stephen Gill

9.2

On the nose, it shows fresh citrus, green apple, and hints of stone fruit, balanced with subtle yeasty notes from the secondary fermentation. The palate is crisp and refreshing, with flavors of apple, pear, and lemon zest, complemented by a touch of creamy brioche. The finish is clean, dry, and well-balanced, making it very easy to drink. — 9 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Light yellow in color with a golden hue.

Nose of citrus, limes, green apples, light peaches, light oak, wax, light vanilla and minerals.

Medium-bodied with medium plus acidity. Crisp and refreshing.

Dry on the palate with limes, green apples, light grapefruits, light oak, spices, earth, herbs and light vegetables.

Tangy finish with limes and grapefruits.

This is a delicious Chardonnay from California. Spicy and complex, with light oak notes to compliment it. Tangy and interesting.

Nicely balanced, and neither tart nor bitter, which is how I like it.

Needs 30 minutes of airtime to open up properly, and better when not very cold.

This Single vineyard Chardonnay feels young and fresh, and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly. Would be nice to revisit it in 3 years and see how it evolves.

Fruit forward and elegant. Easy drinking and good by itself or with food.

Aged on its lees in (30% new) French Oak barrels for 14 months. Vegan and unfintered. A small production of only 6,600 bottles.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$75. — a year ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Pale lemon yellow color with aromas of citrus and stone fruit with fresh herb notes. On the palate flavors of green apple and grapefruit, with herbs and crisp mineral tones. Medium finish, well balanced on a soft ending. Easy drinking. Very nice! Consistent quality. — 2 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Blend of Friulano and Ribolla Gialla. Straw gold color with green highlights. Nice aromas of vanilla ice cream and white flowers with hints of fresh pears. The palate is much more fruit forward featuring pear, lychee, melon and tropical fruits. Touch of citrus and minerals on the long finish. Medium-plus bodied and perfectly balanced. Juicy and quite easy to drink. Winner! Thanks for sharing this bottle, Kase. — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Pale lemon yellow color with aromas of citrus and stone fruit with fresh herb notes. On the palate flavors of green apple and grapefruit, with herbs and crisp mineral tones. Medium finish, well balanced on a soft ending. Easy drinking. Very nice! Consistent quality. — 3 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Trader Joe’s — Reserve Lot #258 Pinot Gris 2025 — Willamette Valley, Oregon. United States 🇺🇸

Overview
A lively and expressive 100% Pinot Gris from Willamette Valley, crafted in a fresh, approachable style that overdelivers at its price point. Compared to the previous vintage, the 2025 shows a more savory edge and greater vibrancy right from the first pour.

Aromas & Flavors
Lemon zest, ripe pear, green apple, and subtle orchard fruit layered with a lightly savory touch and clean citrus lift.

Mouthfeel
Light to medium-bodied with bright, energetic acidity. The wine feels more alive and immediately expressive, with a crisp, refreshing texture and a clean, polished finish.

Food Pairings
Light seafood, grilled chicken, salads, picnic fare, or simply on its own as an easy, everyday sipper.

Verdict
A standout value that hits the mark effortlessly. Fresh, vibrant, and well-balanced, this vintage elevates the experience with added liveliness and savory nuance.

Did You Know?
Pinot Gris from cooler climates like Willamette Valley often shows a balance of fresh acidity and subtle savory tones, especially in vintages where ripening conditions preserve both fruit and structure.

🍷 Personal Pick
This vintage really hit the spot, more alive, more savory, and incredibly satisfying from the first sip. At this price, it’s hard to beat.
— 3 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Aragosta — Vermentino di Sardegna DOC
Sardegna, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
A 100% Vermentino from Sardegna DOC, crafted in a fresh, coastal-driven style that captures the island’s marine influence. This is a casual, vibrant expression built on lift, salinity, and drinkability, a true Mediterranean white with energy to spare.

Aromas & Flavors
Bright lemon zest, green apple, and white peach with clear sea-breeze salinity and subtle herbal undertones. There’s a crisp citrus core that feels sharp and focused, yet never aggressive.

Mouthfeel
Lively and razor-fresh, with uplifting acidity and pronounced saline tension. It’s “crazy sharp” in precision but rounded at the edges, finishing smooth with a light, pleasant textural glide that keeps it balanced and highly approachable.

Food Pairings
Grilled shrimp, seafood linguine, oysters, calamari, light fried fish, beachside antipasti, or simply chilled on a warm afternoon.

Verdict
A bright, energetic Sardinian Vermentino that delivers exactly what you want from a coastal white, freshness, salinity, and clarity. Casual in spirit, yet technically well-balanced and satisfying.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is the type of Vermentino that makes you appreciate the island breeze in liquid form. Sharp, refreshing, and dangerously easy to drink, a reliable Mediterranean companion. — 4 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Castillo Clavijo – Rioja Blanco – 2024
Rioja DOCa | Spain 🇪🇸

Overview:
A very casual, approachable white from Rioja DOCa, a region better known for reds, this bottle delivers exactly what it promises: simplicity, freshness, and value. Viura-driven, made in a clean, straightforward style that favors easy drinking over complexity.

Aromas & Flavors:
Fresh and subtle with notes of green apple, lemon zest, and soft white florals. There’s a gentle herbal edge typical of Viura, but nothing overt or demanding, clean and unfussy.

Mouthfeel:
Light- to medium-bodied with refreshing acidity. Smooth, easygoing, and crisp, finishing clean without weight or oak influence.

Food Pairings:
Grilled fish, light salads, seafood tapas, simple chicken dishes, or anything olive-oil driven. A reliable companion at the table without stealing the spotlight.

Verdict:
A “does-the-job” Rioja white that makes sense on the value side. Not meant to rival more serious white Rioja expressions, but a pleasant, practical option from a red-dominant region, especially when you want something uncomplicated and food-friendly.

Did You Know?
Viura (also known as Macabeo) is Rioja’s primary white grape, capable of both simple, fresh wines like this and age-worthy, complex whites when blended or oak-aged.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This is the kind of easy, reliable white you reach for when you want something light, affordable, and regionally honest, proof that Rioja can still deliver on the white side, even if reds remain its calling card. — 6 months ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Pale lemon in color.

Medium in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing limes, lemons, green apples, light wood, earth, herbs and minerals.

Nice finish with limes and almonds.

This is a very young Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley in France.

I had a few vintages of this wine and it is definitely better with age. Needs 5 years in the bottle to mature properly, but starting to drink nicely now.

This 9 year old Sauvignon Blanc drinks very fresh and young. Elegant and easy drinking.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 45 minutes of airtime.

Good by itself or with food.

13% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$250. — a year ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Pale lemon in color.

Elegant nose of citrus, green apples, spices and minerals.

Light to medium in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with limes, light grapefruits, citrus, lemons, green apples, spices, light herbs and white pepper.

Tangy finish with limes.

This is a delicious Sauvignon Blanc from Yountville in Napa Valley. Showing nice balance and mouthfeel. Elegant and rich.

Easy drinking right out of the bottle, and neither bitter nor tart, which I loved.

Drinking at its peak now. Complex and fruit forward. Spicy and tangy.

A good quality wine that will continue to drink nicely in the next few years.

I had the 2018 last year, and it is very consistent.

This Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc is good by itself as a sipping wine, and paired beautifully with fresh oysters.

A blend of 97% Sauvignon Blanc and 3% Sémillon. Aged for 9 months on its lees.

13% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$30. — 2 years ago

"Odedi"

9.0

Pale Lemon in color.

Very aromatic nose with lots of gooseberry and citrus notes.

Medium in body with medium plus acidity.

Fruit forward with mild complexity.

Dry on the palate, crisp and refreshing.

Showing limes, citrus, light grapefruits, green apples light herbs, minerals and spices.

Tangy finish with limes and light almonds.

This Israeli Sauvignon Blanc is nicely balanced and enjoyable by itself. Easy drinking, tangy and a little bit spicy. Fresh and fruit forward.

I've had a few vintages of this Sauvignon Blanc before, and it is very consistent.

A great party wine, and good for the pool too.

Grapes are grown in the Golan Heights region. Kosher.

13% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$20. — 3 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Aia Vecchia – Vermentino / 2024
Toscana IGT – Tuscany / Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
100% Vermentino from coastal Tuscany. A fresh, Mediterranean-driven expression highlighting purity, salinity, and balance. Crafted to emphasize drinkability without sacrificing varietal character.

Aromas & Flavors
Citrus zest, green apple, and white peach layered with subtle herbal notes and a touch of sea-breeze salinity. Clean, bright, and inviting.

Mouthfeel
Light to medium-bodied with a zippy, refreshing profile. Acidity is well-controlled, giving lift without sharp edges. The finish sits right in the middle, neither short nor extended, making it incredibly easy to keep going back for another sip.

Food Pairings
Seafood, grilled vegetables, light pasta, bruschetta, or simple appetizers.

Verdict
A pure, clean, and beautifully made Vermentino that overdelivers in drinkability. Not flashy, just precise, refreshing, and consistently satisfying.

Did You Know?
Vermentino thrives in coastal regions like Tuscany and Liguria, where maritime influence enhances its natural salinity and freshness, often giving the wine its signature “sea-breeze” character.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is my kind of “patio pounder”—zippy, dry, and dangerously easy to drink. Not because it lacks complexity, but because it’s so well made that it flows effortlessly. Whether by the pool or alongside light bites, this wine adapts and delivers every time. — 3 months ago

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

"Odedi"

9.1

Pale lemon in color.

Fruity nose and medium in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with lemons, light gooseberries, lime juice, green apples, light grapefruits, herbs and minerals.

Tangy finish with limes and light honeysuckle.

This is a crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley. Showing nice complexity with a nice mouthfeel.

This Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc is fruit forward and easy drinking.

Good right out of the bottle, and good by itself or with food. Will pair nicely with fresh seafood.

100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes. A small production of only 3,200 bottles.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$38. — 9 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

This is the Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru with fruit sourced from Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Mesnil-sur-Oger from mostly the 2017 vintage and some from the 2016 vintage. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The NV BdB Grand Cru pours a light straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is youthful with notes of tart fruit: green apple, star fruit, split almonds, limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. This is super fresh and easy to love, in the house style. Drink now but could easily be cellared for years. Disgorged Q2 of 2023. — a year ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Ruby in color with a wide reddish rim and medium intensity.

Lots of fresh red fruits on the nose with tobacco leaf, herbs, light oak, wild flowers, vegetables, light barnyard, mushrooms, spices and light earth.

Medium bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with red plums, fresh picked cherries, strawberries, spices, light wood, herbs, green tea, black pepper, earth and light dark chocolates.

Elegant finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very tasty Pinot Noir from Williamette Valley. Nicely balanced with nice complexity, albeit still very young.

This Single Vineyard Pinot Noir is a good quality wine. Easy drinking and made in Burgundian style.

Good right out of the bottle, and better with some air time. The nose becomes more flowery after 45 minutes of airtime.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 8 years. Would be nice to revisit it in 5 years.

Good by itself as a sipping wine or with food. Paired very nicely with the triple cream Brie cheese with wild mushrooms.

100% Pinot Noir grapes were aged for 10 months in (35% new) French Oak barrels.

13.4% alcohol by volume.

91 points

$60. — 2 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Deep ruby color. Beautiful aromas of wild red berries, strawberries and raspberries. Distinct fresh herbal (notably dill and oregano) green note. Medium bodied with very soft tannins. Juicy with plus acidity. So easy to drink. Gulpable. Appreciate you sharing this one, Kase! — 3 years ago

Peg Hanssen

10

A fabulous find!! Grasevina is a dry, fresh, aromatic white wine with apple-like notes. It’s typically considered to be a neutral and easy-drinking wine. The everyday wine of Central Europe, Grasevina is also known as Welschriesling. Recognizable features of the grape are its acid and slight almond-like bitterness. Belje began in 1697 when Roman Emperor Leopold gifted the estate to Prince Eugene of Savoy. The wine is straw yellow with hints of light green. The wine itself is beautifully fruity and flowery, fresh and crisp acidity that resembles citrus with the slightest hint of sweetness. This wine is well balanced, finishes with a beautiful orange peel note and a nice bite. An exceptional food-friendly wine that is unfairly overlooked and underappreciated.  Surdyks March 2023 $13.99 (Reg $16.99) — 3 years ago