Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Bella Novello – Cabernet Sauvignon – Vintage 2023
Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A tribute wine named after Teresa Novello, this Cabernet Sauvignon carries the elegance of heritage with the power of Napa terroir. Crafted in limited production (just 850 cases), Bella Novello is youthful yet already expressive, shaped by winemaking that blends Italian finesse with Napa Valley boldness.

Aromas & Flavors
Aromas of blackcurrant, ripe plum, and blackberry intertwine with cedar, graphite, and touches of dried violet. Subtle hints of mocha and spice round out its aromatic depth.

Mouthfeel
Structured and youthful, with firm tannins and a focused core of dark fruit. The mid-palate shows promise of expansion, leading to a lingering finish marked by cassis and savory spice. Designed to reward both patience and curiosity.

Food Pairings
Pair with classic dishes like bistecca alla Fiorentina, braised lamb shanks, or wild mushroom risotto. Its backbone of tannin and freshness makes it ideal for rich, protein-driven meals.

Verdict
Bella Novello is a Cabernet with poise, combining Old World inspiration and Napa’s hallmark concentration. Drinkable now with decanting, but truly a wine built to age gracefully over the next decade.

Did You Know?
The Novello family’s Italian roots are deeply honored through this label, bringing a personal story of heritage to the heart of Napa winemaking.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This Cabernet feels like a future classic, bold yet refined. While still youthful, it already hints at the elegance it will achieve with time. A bottle worth cellaring, but also one to enjoy now with the right meal and good company. Cheers! — 14 hours ago

Jerry Raphael

9.1

Another rollercoaster experience with Bedrock but happily this was on the up side; maybe 10 years is the key. Opened, tasted put in an aerator and went to dinner. The wine was excellent start to finish and did not seem to change much. A lot of dark fruits all around, smooth finish and just drinking great. Too busy at dinner with friends to have detailed notes. — 7 months ago

Keith Crump

9.5

2014, this could have travelled for another decade and still be fantastic, living at the bottom of the Pacific our Australian cousins make there own version, great for a BBQ but this had a far more noble heritage — 2 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Château Cantegril – Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle / 2019
AOC Barsac – Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A Grand Vin de Sauternes crafted by the Dubourdieu family in Barsac, this 2019 vintage blends the region’s classics: Sémillon dominant, Sauvignon Blanc, and a touch of Muscadelle. Botrytis cinerea (noble rot) weaves its magic here, concentrating sugars and intensifying aromas.

Aromas & Flavors
Lush notes of apricot, candied orange peel, and pineapple rise from the glass, layered with honey, acacia blossom, and a hint of saffron. The sweetness is deeply expressive but never cloying.

Mouthfeel
Silky and opulent, yet balanced by Barsac’s hallmark freshness and mineral tension. A luscious golden core with excellent length, pure heaven in a glass.

Food Pairings
Perfect with Roquefort, foie gras, or blue cheeses, but equally divine alongside fruit tarts, crème brûlée, or spicy Asian cuisine. For a daring contrast, try with fried chicken.

Verdict
2019 Château Cantegril is heaven on earth, an elegant and classic Barsac that shows the Dubourdieu family’s mastery. A wine that proves Sauternes and Barsac remain unmatched when it comes to liquid gold.

Did You Know?
Barsac AOC wines can legally be labeled either “Barsac” or “Sauternes.” Château Cantegril is often described as one of the “entry gates” to the Dubourdieu family’s sweet wine heritage, offering top quality at a more approachable level than their Château Doisy-Daëne.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight: This is one of those wines that makes you stop mid-sip and smile, it’s just that magical. — 7 days ago

Jody Scharf

9.0

another find, nice wine at a cheap price, it's a buy. — 6 months ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

RRV has never been one of my favorite Zin regions, but an old vineyard like this trumps that. Even at this young age the nose is lively, with deep spicy blackberry fruit and gravelly earth notes. intense and quite structured on the palate, with full body and nice acids. I’m drinking it way too young. It will age beautifully. 9.32 right now, likely higher in a few years. — 2 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

Vintage 1980 | paired with an apple crumble | at Family winter bbq — 3 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Château Coucheroy Blanc 2019
Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A 100% Sauvignon Blanc crafted by the esteemed Vignobles André Lurton family at Château Coucheroy. Located in Pessac-Léognan, this estate combines noble Bordeaux heritage with modern elegance. The wine’s name—rooted in legend of King Henri IV’s visit—underscores its timeless appeal.  

Aromas & Flavors
Pale yellow with green highlights, the nose is bright and vibrant with notes of lemon, citrus, and floral undertones. The palate mirrors this freshness with lime zest, delicate white florals, and a subtle saline touch that adds harmony.  

Mouthfeel
Refreshing and balanced, this wine is well-rounded yet crisp. Its texture is smooth and approachable, finishing with a clean, lingering mineral accent. 

Winemaking Notes
Vinification blends complexity and purity: partially fermented and aged in oak barrels for structure, and part in temperature-controlled stainless steel for freshness. Lees aging enhances depth without overpowering natural vibrancy.  

Food Pairing
Perfect with bright, lightly seasoned seafood: think green asparagus flans, grilled langoustines, or classic Saltimbocca alla Romana. 

Verdict
Château Coucheroy Blanc 2019 is a beautifully crafted expression of Sauvignon Blanc from Graves. It pairs refreshing acidity and mineral clarity with elegant texture—making for both a delightful aperitivo and a refined pairing wine. Its appeal lasts across meals and moments. Cheers! — 2 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

They might want to rename this bottling to, “Everything Including the Kitchen Sink”. It is a blend of mostly; Zinfandel 65%, Syrah, Petite Syrah. Tempranillo, Trousseau, Castets, Cabernet, Merlot, Alicante Bouschet, Grand Noir, Lenoir and more. 🤯

It’s aged in 25% new oak for 10 month and the rest in used oak.

It drinks like a Zinfandel that you might think has a couple other varieties, not that long list.

It is pleasant at pop & pour. But full disclosure, I don’t embrace much in the way of Zin’s. When I do it’s primarily Ridge’s blend.

This is juicy, red, purple & blue fruity fruits. Some dry top soil, some used leather, light pepper, moist clays, some herbaceous notes, dark chocolate to mousse, mid berry cola, lots of fresh, red, blue and purple flowers, pleasant, round acidity, a nicely balanced, lush, elegant, polished finish that lands on earthiness & wood powder.

It is not bad but at $54.95, there are Ridge’s I buy first for under this price point. — 5 months ago

Steve Goore

9.1

Rating is for the Chardonnay of the Edna Valley. A solid crisp Sonoma Chard with hints of apple. What a buy at TJs for just $10 for a limited time. — 3 years ago