Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Piccolo Cru’ – Red Blend – Vintage 2021
Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
An Italian-inspired Bordeaux blend crafted under the steady hand of winemaker Gabriella Gazano, who has guided the estate for over 25 years. This cuvée unites 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 15% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. It’s a wine that marries the structural power of Bordeaux varietals with Mediterranean elegance and Napa Valley ripeness.

Aromas & Flavors
Vibrant layers of dark cherries, cassis, and ripe blackberry, supported by graphite, cocoa, and a whisper of dried herbs. Hints of cedar, vanilla, and warm spice from the oak complete the aromatic tapestry.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied yet graceful. Firm, polished tannins give structure while a velvety mid-palate carries richness and depth. The finish is persistent, balancing dark fruit with savory spice.

Food Pairings
Made for hearty and soulful fare: osso buco, braised short ribs, Tuscan ribollita, or grilled ribeye. A natural partner for Italian-inspired dishes that emphasize flavor and tradition.

Verdict
Piccolo Cru’ is a harmonious bridge between Old World refinement and New World power. Structured, soulful, and deeply satisfying, it captures both the strength of Napa terroir and the finesse of Italian winemaking artistry.

Did You Know?
Calistoga, the northernmost tip of Napa Valley, is famed for its volcanic soils and hot days cooled by evening breezes. These extremes allow Bordeaux varietals to develop ripeness and structure in equal measure, ideal for blends like Piccolo Cru’.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This bottle sings of duality: a Tuscan heart wrapped in Napa muscle. It’s soulful, elegant, and powerful, a wine I’d revisit for its depth, story, and sense of place. — 8 months ago

Vanessa

9.1

Catching up on my March Issue of Decanter, which, among other things, celebrates the wines of Spain from regions such as Rioja, Toro, Rias Baixas, Alicante, Manchuela, Valencia, and Jumilla. 🍷🍷🍷 This Issue reminds me of how much I have yet to explore in this country. 🇪🇸 It inspired me to have a glass of Rioja made from the Tempranillo and Garnacha (Grenache) grapes.

👁 This wine has a medium ruby hue with garnet rim variation. 👃 It has a medium intensity of developing aromas. 👄 Aroma and flavor notes are concentrated and include black cherry, red currant, plum sauce, violet, black licorice, anise, balsamic vinegar, black olive, sweet tobacco, leather, cedar, nutmeg, vanilla, clove, earth, and peat. This wine has medium acidity, medium tannins, high alcohol, and a medium(+) finish. It’s complex; it has finesse.

This wine is from La Rioja Alta, S.A., Viña Ardanza, Reserva 2012, with an ABV of 14.5%. This wine is predominately Tempranillo (78%), coming from 30-year-old vines, which is blended with Garnacha (Grenache) (22%). It has extended American oak aging.

I have tried numerous wines from this producer – La Rioja Alta, S.A. – and have loved them all. — 5 years ago

with Deked1

Ron R

9.6

Absolutely gorgeous in every way.
We were inspired by @Shawn R. Beautiful detail and delineation, coupled with bold dark fruits, and subtle oak treatment. Finishes with coffee notes and sage - stunning. — 7 years ago

with Anne-marie

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Inspired by the golden hills that frame the landscape of San Bernabe Vineyard at the southern edge of the Santa Lucia Mountain range. Deep color with berry fruit aromas and notes of toasty honey scents. On the palate blueberry and cherry flavors with vanilla, cacao and toasty notes. Smooth tannins balanced well with acidity, lingering ending with espresso and spice character. Nice value. — 7 years ago

Rick Billups

9.3

Unbelievably smooth. Big finish — 8 years ago

Doug Hengel

9.4

I don't drink dessert wines often, this one has inspired me to make Sauternes part of my regular diet. Rich and refined. — 8 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Lime and citrus notes with saline notes. Inspired by a recent note @Ira Schwartz about a delicious Chablis he had. Oak has been thoroughly absorbed. I haven’t had many Chablis from Les Clos but lived up to its exalted status. See previous Delectable note. Great with fresh Pacific Oysters. — a year ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Jean-Pierre, François and Pierre Perrin craft wines, inspired by the memory of their grandfather, Pierre Perrin. Mostly Grenache, this is a classic Châteauneuf du Pape. Vivid Ruby with dark fruit and spice aromas. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry with notes of herb pepper and leathery character. Soft tannins, good balance, long finish ending with fruit and spice, very nice! — 5 years ago

Greg

9.5

In a prime drinking window at 9 years young this is clearly a Bordeaux inspired masterpiece from knights valley. If it had a napa Ava, it would be 2-3x the price. I’m struggling to recall a better cab or Bdx blend from sonoma. Will definitely drink more of this wine. Bravo Luc. — 5 years ago

Andrew Holod

National Sales Grapes of Spain

9.1

Hat tip to @Delectable Wine @Josh Raynolds for the vintage guidance.
Everything in its place for this mid week pairing w grilled peppers and Persian inspired lamb burgers.
Plenty of dark fruits on the nose. Not a lot of funk. Hint of CO2 on palate entry that dissipates w time in decanter. Suave, silky texture and with balanced acids that seem fairly mild. — 6 years ago

Patrice Conxicoeur

9.0

Never disappointed with this Alsace-inspired blend from Okanagan which includes Gewurtztraminer, pinot blanc, pinot meunier, riesling and a touch of muscat. Not as sweet as one might think. Clearly on the young side but perfect with a steelhead trout. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Grabbed another bottle, keeps getting better with age. The Prisoner Wine Company’s eponymous first wine was inspired by the drinkable “mixed blacks” made by the Italian immigrants who originally settled in Napa Valley. Fruit from vineyards in warm Oak Knoll and cool-climate Carneros with just a touch of Roussanne. Pleasant aromas of tropical fruits and citrus. Fresh flavors of peach, apple and lemon zest, well balanced, vivid acidity with nice mouthfeel. Lingering finish ending with mineral notes. wow! — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Pingus is produced by Peter Sisseck, of Denmark, who arrived in Spain in 1993 to manage a new project. While planting he began thinking about the old vines around the Ribera del Duero. By the 1995 vintage, Peter had found ancient vineyards that inspired him to make "Pingus," after childhood nickname. Concentrated dark fruit aromas with gently smoky notes. On the palate Rich Cherry flavors, sweet vanilla spice, well balanced, soft tannins, lingering ending with slight oaky tones. Very Nice! — 7 years ago

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.0

The 2021 Nero d'Avola is spicy in the glass, displaying a woodland-inspired blend of mentholated herbs, shaved pine, mandarin and crushed wild berries. This is pleasantly sweet upon entry, with cocoa-tinged red berry fruits complicated by hints of sage and an air of lavender. Staining and potent, the 2021 tapers off with dramatic length, leaving firming tannins and notes of licorice to linger on. (Eric Guido, Vinous, June 2024)
— 2 years ago

Tom Garland

9.4

Seavey spring release party. Barbecue and the following wines:
2020 Seavey merlot
2020 Caravina cabernet
2019 Seavey estate cabernet
1999 Seavey estate cabernet

Had to buy a magnum of the 1999 Seavey estate cab to drink tonight....such an inspired wine and in its prime (see previous notes). — 3 years ago

with Brenda

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.2

In the day these guys were Epic! I traded for this wine (Covid inspired) and on a particularly cold, blustery Chicago Saturday... we did big-ass burgers and left over Greek potatoes and green beans. Match made in Heaven! Haven’t seen a plastic cork in years... 16.1... Holy Shit! No sign of alcohol on the palate... did you get that? 16.1... no alcohol on the palate? Dark, rich, cloudy, chewy—classic black fruit, pencil lead, saddle-leather notes. Still alive and balanced. What a fun wine with food on a cold winter night. — 5 years ago

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.2

The nose on the 2015 Monte di Grazia is incredibly fresh yet also packed with zesty bright red berry fruits, as citrus-inspired floral tones and hints of wild herbs come together, creating a lifted expression. On the palate, soft textures are contrasted by tart red and black fruits, as vibrant acids make the mouth water, giving life to spicy inner floral tones. The finish is long yet buzzing, with energy and freshness, resonating on savory herbs, bright red fruits, and hints of fine tannin. This is already so easy to like, yet it will coast effortlessly for ten years or more in the cellar. (Eric Guido, Vinous, May 2020)
— 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Inspired by “mixed blacks” first made by Italian immigrants originally settling in Napa, blend of Zinfandel, Cab Sauv, Petite Sirah, Syrah & Charbono. Deep Ruby aromas of berries and complex spice. Aged 30% on new oak, combo of French/American barrels. Palate shows big flavors of cherry, blueberry & raspberry, bold spice lively acidity, vanilla & cedar notes, good balance. Fine tannins, long finish. Nice, cellar this for a while. Note, ‘17, bigger & bolder than ‘16. — 7 years ago

Chip Hughes

9.4

Wow. Just when I can’t take another slim, emaciated glass of lemon water, I luck out and get an old-school Chablis that isn’t afraid to show its class. Rich, but still refined and inspired. — 7 years ago

Sharon Su

9.3

As good as 2013. Blend of Cab Sauv, Merlot, Cab Franc, Malbec. Very easy to drink. Great top shelf table wine. Worth buying a case of this. — 8 years ago