Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Fait-Main – Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2023
St. Helena – Napa Valley – California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the iconic Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard in St. Helena. Crafted by Benoît Touquette (Fait-Main), this 2023 vintage is a powerful yet precise expression of Napa Valley Cabernet, emphasizing vineyard character, concentration, and structural integrity. Las Piedras’ rocky soils and warm site deliver intensity, while Touquette’s restrained hand preserves balance and clarity.

Aromas & Flavors
Dense and focused aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry compote, and ripe plum lead the nose. The palate follows with layers of dark cherry, cassis, graphite, crushed stone, and subtle espresso. Secondary notes of cocoa, cedar, and sweet spice emerge with air, adding depth without overshadowing the fruit.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and commanding, with firm, muscular tannins that give the wine its signature “bite.” The texture is polished but unapologetically powerful, carrying weight and concentration through a long, structured finish. This is a Cabernet built for longevity rather than immediacy.

Food Pairings
Grilled or dry-aged beef, lamb chops, braised short ribs, or mushroom-driven dishes. Also excellent with hearty, umami-rich preparations that can stand up to the wine’s structure.

Verdict
A serious, no-compromise Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Concentrated, structured, and expressive of both site and winemaker. This is not a casual pour, it’s a wine that demands attention and rewards patience.

Did You Know?
Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard is known for its rocky, iron-rich soils, which naturally limit vigor and contribute to the wine’s intense structure, minerality, and age-worthy tannins.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This wine has punch and precision. Dark, deep, and unapologetically bold, with a real bite that reminds you that you’re drinking something special. A standout Cabernet that shows why Las Piedras and Touquette are such a formidable combination. — 6 months ago

"Odedi"

9.4

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish/brick rim.

Fruity nose with blackberries, black plums, dried figs, cedar, vanilla, licorice, tobacco, chocolates, spices, herbs, light eucalyptus, light earth, black tea and black pepper.

Full-bodied, soft and elegant, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, toast, light vanilla, licorice, light herbs, spices, light earth, chocolates, tobacco, peppercorn, coffee and cola.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Napa valley. Rich and extracted. Fruit forward and complex. Well balanced and elegant.

An iconic wine that still needs more time in the bottle to mature properly. Although it is 9 years old, it still feels very young. Will continue to age nicely in the next 25 years. This Single Vineyard is showing great potential.

Good right out of the bottle, and so much better after 3 hours of decanting.

Wine Advocate 98 points. Wine Spectator 96 points.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

14.8% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$750. — a year ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.5

One of my favorites from Premiere Napa Valley 2020. #pnv20 #pnv2020 #napa only 5 cases produced. Highlights

A vibrant blend of two clones of Cabernet Sauvignon and a bit of Merlot, revealing silky tannins, complexity and elegance
The heritage Pellet Vineyard dates to 1863 and is among the earliest in St. Helena
100% estate, 100% French oak (Darnajou and Cadus), 100% passion; produced by hand, vineyard to bottle
A very lucky find indeed—the best of the best from the Pellet Vineyard, a true labor of love

Pellet Estate’s 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon “Trouvaille” is 100 percent estate fruit from the historic Pellet Vineyard and is a blend of Clone 4 and Clone 337 Cabernet Sauvignon, with a bit of Merlot. It is a wine with grip – vibrant and complex, yet shows elegance, balance, all while packed with flavors of dark fruit, hints of chocolate and spice, showing silky tannins with a seductive mouthfeel. This wine represents the absolute authentic expression of the Pellet Vineyard and is classically made by iconic vintner Tom Rinaldi. Quite frankly, as Tom and Eric think, “It’s a lucky find indeed.”


Wine Facts

Wine is unfiltered
Single vineyard wine
Sustainably produced
Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled — 5 years ago

with Ron

"Odedi"

9.0

This is #MerlotThursday and it is time for some Merlot.

Dark ruby in color with a short purple rim.

Fruity nose with black currants, blackberries, cherries, vanilla, earth, wood, spices, pencil lead and peppercorn.

Full bodied and bold with medium acidity and long legs.

Fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, sweet cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, spices, tobacco leaf, light vegetables and peppercorn.

Medium plus in finish with grippy tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a young Right Bank Bordeaux. Fruit forward and big, with a grippy mouthfeel.

This second wine from this iconic winery, needs a couple of hours to open up properly.

This 7 year old is very young and unbalanced, but already drinking very nicely, and will be better in 5 to 10 years.

I had it at a blind tasting, called it, but missed the vintage by 2 years. Good enough for me. 😊

I paired it with light appetizers.

A blend of 85% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged for 12 months in French oak barrels (100% 1 year old barrels).

14.5% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$35. — 7 years ago

Kevin Bohlin

9.4

Wow. First taste of mature Mugnier and Zuni's iconic roast chicken. Could not be a better pairing. Soft and integrated red and black fruit with subtle spice and just a touch of that Nuits St. George rustic tannin but balanced and led by Mugnier's elegance and generosity. Nuits St. George meets Chambolle Musigny. Yes please — 9 years ago

Chris M

9.6

Stronger flavoured wine but still very smooth. Lots of depth. Nice tabacco undertone. — 9 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Château Chauvin – Grand Cru Classé 2010
Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux – France 🇫🇷
Blend: 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon

Overview
A Grand Cru Classé estate on Bordeaux’s Right Bank, Château Chauvin’s 2010 vintage reflects both the power of the year and the estate’s Merlot-driven finesse. (Educational note: Saint-Émilion’s Right Bank wines are often Merlot-heavy, offering richness, depth, and long-lived structure.)

Aromas & Flavors
Plum, blackberry, and cassis at the core, layered with violet, graphite, and cigar box. Secondary notes of cedar, spice, and earthy mineral tones hint at complexity yet to fully unfold.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and concentrated, with tightly woven tannins. Decanted for over 2 hours yet still showing a firm grip — tannins remain punishing but promising. Intense fruit lingers into a long, structured finish.

Food Pairings
Best with ribeye steak, braised short ribs, or lamb shank. Also pairs beautifully with aged hard cheeses and truffle-infused dishes.

Verdict
An impactful, ageworthy Saint-Émilion. The 2010 Chauvin is both delicious and intense, a wine that needs time but already impresses with power and complexity. 🍷

Did You Know?
2010 was one of Bordeaux’s most celebrated vintages of the 21st century, known for firm tannins, high concentration, and exceptional aging potential — especially on the Right Bank.

Collector’s Rarity 📌
As a classified Grand Cru Classé from an iconic vintage, the 2010 Chauvin is highly collectible, with decades of life ahead. — 9 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

St. Supéry – Merlot 2019
Rutherford, Napa Valley, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Made from 100% estate-grown Merlot, this wine comes from St. Supéry’s iconic Rutherford vineyards in the heart of Napa Valley. Known for its iron-rich, alluvial soils, Rutherford imparts the famed “Rutherford Dust” character — a mix of fine tannins and earthy elegance that sets these wines apart.

Aromas & Flavors
On the nose, vibrant red and dark fruits dominate — ripe cherry, plum, and blackberry — accented by hints of violet, graphite, and a dusting of cocoa. The palate is layered with red currant, cassis, and chocolate, alongside savory undertones of sage and tobacco.

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with velvety tannins and bright acidity. The wine is plush yet structured, with an elegant balance that lingers on a smooth, cocoa-dusted finish.

Winemaking Notes
Estate fruit is hand-harvested, sorted, and fermented in stainless steel to retain freshness, followed by aging in French oak (a combination of new and seasoned barrels). This approach builds texture and depth while allowing the varietal character to shine.

Food Pairing
Pairs beautifully with roasted duck, pork tenderloin, mushroom risotto, or herb-crusted lamb chops. A natural companion to semi-hard cheeses like Manchego or aged Gouda.

Verdict
A benchmark Rutherford Merlot, marrying plush fruit with earthy elegance. The 2019 vintage offers depth and refinement, drinking beautifully now yet capable of aging gracefully for another 6–8 years. Cheers! — 10 months ago

Gregory Fulchiero

9.0

Iconic bottle. So good at this price point. Cassis, chocolate, leather. — 4 years ago

Antonio Galloni

Founder, Vinous

9.7

An iconic wine in a iconic vintage. More accessible today than I would have expected. Positively stellar, a classic through and through. Tasted during our St. Helena & Conn Valley Vinous Learn masterclass. — 6 years ago

Severn G

9.1

On the Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Pops Orchestra. Our Pops conductor Keith Lockhart is leading a live-to-picture performance of Star Wars: A New Hope, a showing of the classic 1977 film, with the Orchestra performing Mr. Williams’ iconic score.
For live-to-picture productions, the orchestra performs the entire movie score in real time as the film unspools. (Vocals, dialogue and effects are isolated from the original music track.)
Generally we get to here Star Wars scores a couple times per season here at Tanglewood, but tonight we get a chance to hear them with the backdrop of the movie (Episode IV) that launched a franchise, to say the least!

I celebrated another full trip around the sun, since my coming into this world, earlier this week. Tonight my wife, some dear friends and me will be enjoying some enticing wines along with our movie night. So notes...maybe, but I'll try! — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

Of the Napa wines I tasted over 4 days on this trip, the 16 Sinegal Reserve & the 13 Seavey Cabernet were my favorites. Both great wines but, stylistically very different. The Seavy big and bold and the Sinegal pure beauty & elegance.

The nose reveals very dark currants. Dark & milk chocolate. Blackberries, creamy black raspberries, black plum & plum, mocha powder, core of anise, beautiful dark spice, soft volcanic soils, some dry brush and lavender, violets and fresh dark red florals.

The body is full. The tannins are really meaty but, exceptionally soft, fine and meaty. Lots of dark spice with plenty of heat. The mouthfeel is gorgeously sexy with feminine elegance. Dark & milk chocolate. Blackberries, creamy black raspberries, black plum & plum, mocha powder, core of anise, beautiful dark spice, big sweet tarry notes, soft volcanic soils, some dry brush, lavender, violets and fresh dark red florals. The acidity is perfect. The finish is well balanced sexy and gorgeous. The structure, tension say this needs to cellar eight to ten years.

Photos of; tasting cellar area, modern stainless tanks, outside terrace tasting and or dining area and their grounds and lake.

Producer history and notes...Sinegal Estate was founded in 2013 with wines made from their 30 acre Inglewood estate in St Helena (not to be confused with the Inglenook Estate in Rutherford). This is not a new property, it was part of an original land grant and its more modern day history dates back to 1879 when owner Alton Williams purchased the property and planted the first vines in 1881.

The property has changed owners a number of times over the decades. At one point the Jaegers’ owned the estate, Bill Jaeger and his wife Lila lived here. These Napa Valley pioneers were in part responsible for helping establish Freemark Abbey and Rutherford Hill. Lila was also a gardener and established beautiful gardens on the property.

Owners, David (father)and James (son) Sinegal purchased the property in 2013. James was the co-founder of Costco and once CEO. David worked at Costco for 21 years.

After the purchase, David divided each of their vineyards into smaller blocks, picking selectively (30 times in 2013) rather than all at once, and adding technology to the vineyards so they have up to the date reports on a number of data points including temperatures, soil moisture and various barometric pressures. If they want to selectively water, say vine #67 in row number three, they can do so with their irrigation system. Extremely efficient!

Nine acres of vines are planted to various red varietals including; Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. They have some of the older Cabernet Franc vines in the valley that are 30+ years old.

The soils here are diverse and can vary even within small geographic ranges on the property. Some of their vineyards are planted on the valley floor – while their upper vineyards are hillside, on the edges of the Mayacamas Mountains.

Their landscape above the property is interesting and part of the Mayacamas Mountains. Visually, it appears drier than other parts of this mountain range and the vegetation reflects that with grey pine and more open natural vegetation rather than the thicker wooded vegetation more commonly associated with parts of Spring and Diamond Mountains to the north.

After purchasing the property, David created planned and laid out his vision to create a world-class boutique wine making operation. Many wineries in the Napa Valley can take years before they come to fruition, not so here. After only about 10 months, the existing winery was remodeled. 6,500 feet of caves were expanded and drilled into the hillside behind the winery and a new hospitality center was built. The hospitality center ties in very well with the winery. From the small tasting room, large doors open revealing the tanks.

A vegetable garden slightly under an acre grows just south of the winery building. Vegetables from this garden are sold to nearby restaurants.

A skeleton key appears on the labels of their wine and is prominently displayed on the outside of their winery building. This has historical significance. The original key opens the front door to the historic home on site and is displayed in the tasting room. With respect to the history of this property, this one key has already become iconic to the brand.

You only need to look inside of the winery to see that their wine making team is focused on quality. Each of the small lot tanks have built in pumps which can be controlled and programmed to do pump-overs anytime of the day or night. In addition, these tanks have multiple points at which the temperature can be controlled. These tanks do not necessarily handle all their fermentation’s. They also ferment small lots in puncheons and barrels as needed. Control across the board is the key here and it is the control of the details in wine making that is is so integral from when the fruit first arrives through to when it is bottled.

2013 was their inaugural release. The focus is currently on two primary varietals, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2013 Sauvignon Blanc were sourced from the estate but, then it was determined it was growing in an area better suited for red varietals so it was torn up and new plantings were made in the back of the property. While not far from these original plantings, their new home for their Sauvignon Blanc features different soils and is growing in a cooler part of the property.


The wine making team has been experimenting with the style of this varietal since 2013 with subsequent vintages seeing more oak. Especially, using the slightly longer cigar shaped barrels , which have extra surface area for maximizing complexities including textural feel imparted from aging the wine on the lees in these particular barrels. Maceration on the red wines is often 8-10 days and sometimes up to 20 days.

Most of their sales are direct to visitors or through their mailing list. However, they do have some distribution outside California in Florida, New York and Washington. Primarily to restaurants. — 8 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

St. Supéry – Dollarhide Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Napa Valley, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
The Dollarhide Ranch, a 1,530-acre estate in the northeastern hills of Napa Valley, is St. Supéry’s crown jewel, with over 500 acres planted to vines at elevations ranging from 600 to 1,100 feet. The high-altitude soils and warm, sunny climate yield Cabernet Sauvignon of great concentration and structure. The 2019 Dollarhide is 100% estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, a pure expression of this iconic vineyard.

Aromas & Flavors
Opens with powerful aromas of cassis, blackberry compote, and black cherry, intertwined with hints of licorice, dark chocolate, tobacco leaf, and a subtle graphite edge. On the palate, layers of ripe black fruit meet notes of espresso, cedar, and dried herbs, all lifted by a touch of vanilla and spice from oak aging.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied, dense, and powerful, with firm, fine-grained tannins and a solid backbone of acidity. The finish is long and persistent, echoing dark fruit, cocoa, and savory spice, promising longevity.

Winemaking Notes
Estate fruit is carefully hand-harvested, sorted, and fermented in stainless steel. The wine spends 18–20 months in French oak barrels (≈40% new), giving structure, polish, and subtle oak complexity without overpowering the fruit.

Food Pairing
Ideal with grilled ribeye, short ribs, or lamb chops. It also shines with braised meats or hearty dishes like beef bourguignon. For a vegetarian option, pair with mushroom risotto or lentil stew.

Verdict
A bold yet refined Napa Valley Cabernet, 2019 Dollarhide captures the essence of mountain-grown fruit: concentrated, structured, and age-worthy. Drink with decanting now, or cellar for 10–15 years to reveal its full complexity. Cheers! — 10 months ago

Dennis Hogenkamp

9.4

13.6% ABV Light in color. Bright acid, ample citrus, apple. Mixed white vineyard planted in 2010. Consists of 14 varieties propagated at Old Hill Ranch utilizing cuttings from iconic heritage sites— including Malvasia, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Chasselas, Clairette, Semillon and Grenache Blanc planted on St. Charles rootstock.

Really nice wine, great job Will! — a year ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Petit-Figeac 2021
Saint-Émilion, (Right Bank) Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
This is the second wine of Château Figeac, one of the most iconic estates in Saint-Émilion, known for its unique terroir of gravel and its mastery of blending. The 2021 Petit-Figeac is crafted primarily from Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, offering a more approachable and earlier-drinking alternative to the Grand Vin, yet still carrying the château’s unmistakable finesse.

Aromas & Flavors
Nose: charming and expressive, with ripe red berries, fresh plum, redcurrant, and subtle floral notes, accented by hints of cedar and graphite.
Palate: elegant progression with cherry, cassis, and blackberry, wrapped in gentle oak spice and refined tannins, leading into a long, polished finish.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied, with a silky texture, precise acidity, and a refined balance between fruit and structure. Less powerful than the Grand Vin, but wonderfully harmonious and expressive, highlighting its youthful vibrancy.

Winemaking & Style
Produced with the same care as Château Figeac, using fruit from younger vines and select parcels. Aged in French oak barrels, it offers a more accessible and supple version of Figeac’s signature style, while still carrying excellent complexity.

Food Pairing
Ideal with roast duck, beef carpaccio, lamb chops, or mushroom risotto. Also pairs beautifully with semi-hard cheeses like Comté or Manchego.

Verdict
A refined and beautifully balanced second wine that captures the spirit of Figeac in a softer, earlier-drinking style. Enjoy now through the next 7–10 years. A brilliant way to taste the elegance of this legendary estate without opening the Grand Vin. — a year ago

Boris Mathiszik

9.0

The original Pilsener from my home town. Everyone in Hamburg rates it at least 90 points and everyone else rates in no higher than 80 points. 🤣 iconic, smooth, and mild. And in quarantine on St Patrick’s, it’s ok to have a German Pilsener. — 6 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.4

Needs an hour to integrate. Then is majesty. Nose of a tropical fruit basket. Palate is mineral and the essence of tropical fruit - guava papaya. But not overwhelming as it lives with the minerality. Brightly acidic. Moderate pleasant richness. An iconic northern Rhône white. Bought from Fass selections. — 7 years ago

with Lyle

Bryce Wiatrak

9.8

If I had to list my favorite Napa producers on one hand - Spottswoode would make the cut by the time I reached my pointer finger each time. The 2013 is impeccable - structured and dusty tannins from a to-be iconic vintage. Cassis, pencil shavings, and blueberry meet for a beaming high-pitched finish that seems ceaseless and impenetrable. — 8 years ago

Benjamin Keator

9.6

Hint of menthol ( not near La Tache levels), dry, cinnamon candy. This is an absolute iconic wine and a treat to experience, but was outdone by the 1990 Angelus. What a treat — 9 years ago

Kyle Groombridge

9.3

"I make wine at Lafite and Latour, but my heart is at Calon"... I can see why Nicolas Alexandre Marquis de Segur said these iconic words after having this wine in my glass. The nose is so inviting with warm spice, cigar smoke, embers, and toast. Raspberry syrup, plums, vanilla, and toffee on the palate. Nice thread of smoke throughout with nice balancing fresh fruit. What an enjoyable wine! 20 months in new oak - obviously the more accessible style the new owners are going for... the Pinot the other night gave an experience, this one tells a story. — 10 years ago