Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Rocca Felice – Nebbiolo d’Alba – 2023
Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC – Piedmont – Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
A regional expression of Nebbiolo crafted in a more approachable, early-drinking style. While rooted in Piedmont tradition, this bottling leans toward accessibility, offering a softer and more casual interpretation of the grape.

Aromas & Flavors
Juicy red fruit profile with cherry, raspberry, and subtle cranberry notes. Light hints of rose petal and a touch of tartness are present, though not as pronounced or intense as in more structured Nebbiolo styles.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with moderate tannins and fresh acidity. Noticeably softer and more rounded than classic Barolo/Barbaresco expressions, making it easygoing and immediately drinkable.

Food Pairings
Pizza, pasta with tomato-based sauces, charcuterie, or casual Italian fare. Also works nicely as a standalone sipper for relaxed evenings.

Verdict
A truly Piedmontese yet approachable Nebbiolo—m, juicy, affable, and tasty. It tones down the grape’s typical intensity, making it perfect for casual drinking without losing its regional identity.

Did You Know?
Nebbiolo d’Alba often offers a more accessible entry point into Nebbiolo compared to Barolo or Barbaresco, with earlier drinkability while still showcasing the grape’s signature character.

🍷 Personal Pick
My “pizza night Nebbiolo”, all the charm, none of the intimidation. Cheers! — 2 months ago

Dave Meyers

9.2

Always a textural interpretation of Chablis, the ‘17 rendition of the Vent d’Ange has developed even better than I expected. There is a real salinity that balances out the depth that comes from a long elevage and extended lees contact. — 4 years ago

Eric Grasser

9.1

Elegant interpretation of floral ambiance, lemon, fresh pear, sea salt and minerals. Splendid wine for shellfish and white fish — 4 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

9.1

Very nice interpretation of the gamay, balanced from one end of the tasting to the other. Blindly, we are in a triangle somewhere between Loire, Burgundy and Beaujolais (or PN from Alsace) The finish is carried by a very beautiful mineral weft unusual in this region. Nice finesse. Very good value for money/pleasure.

Très belle interprétation du gamay, équilibré d’un bout à l’autre de la dégustation. A l’aveugle, on est dans un triangle quelque entre Loire, Bourgogne et Beaujolais, (ou même un Pinot-noir alsacien). La finale est portée par une très belle trame minérale peu courante dans cette région. Belle finesse. Très bon rapport qualité/prix/plaisir. — 5 years ago

Michael Meyer

9.0

In the Folonari family. A more (simply) elegant and fruit forward interpretation of BdM. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Aromas of Cherry Spice Pepper and Earth. Northern Rhone in style. Like this interpretation of Aussie Shiraz. Medium bodied with medium minus tannins. Probably my favourite Under $30 Red wine in Australia. This is the 2nd wine to the big gun “Langi” from this producer. From the Grampians District in Central Victoria. — 7 years ago

Tom Inners

9.4

So old world in its interpretation and how it showed with graceful age here in 2019. Very little intervention in the winemaking as I have come to understand it from Randall and getting to know these wines past and present. A surprise winner of the bottles opened as part of dinner in good company. I will keep my eyes peeled for more bottles of the 1980’s vintages from LG as I have seen a few pop up across Sonoma County’s wine honey holes 🍯 — 8 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Realm Cellars – Farella Vineyard – Red– 2021
Coombsville AVA – Napa Valley – California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A site-driven, estate Cabernet Sauvignon from Realm Cellars’ Farella Vineyard in the cool-climate Coombsville AVA. The 2021 vintage is composed of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from a high-elevation block within the vineyard known as the “rockpile,” named for its dense concentration of stone and gravel soils. This unique position in the foothills of the Vaca Mountains delivers natural freshness, complexity, and refined structure.

Aromas & Flavors
Layered aromas of red and black cherry, cassis, and ripe plum unfold alongside graphite, crushed stone, subtle floral tones, and hints of cedar. As the wine opens, nuanced notes of spice, earth, and mineral depth continue to build, revealing impressive complexity.

Mouthfeel
Medium-to-full bodied with a remarkably polished and silky texture. The tannins are refined and seamless, offering structure without weight. Fresh acidity from the cool Coombsville site carries the wine effortlessly through a long, graceful finish.

Food Pairings
Herb-crusted lamb, grilled filet mignon, roasted duck breast, mushroom-forward dishes, or aged hard cheeses.

Verdict
A beautifully composed Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that emphasizes elegance over brute force. Complex, multi-layered, and progressively expressive, this is a refined interpretation of mountain-influenced Coombsville Cabernet.

Did You Know?
Coombsville is one of Napa Valley’s coolest AVAs, influenced by morning fog and volcanic soils from the Vaca Mountain range, often producing Cabernets with heightened aromatic complexity and natural acidity.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
I was genuinely surprised by how smooth and delicate this wine is for a site of such intensity. Multi-layered, graceful, and beautifully balanced, it’s an exceptional Cabernet that showcases finesse as much as depth. — 6 months ago

Brandon T

9.4

Put anything from Fulldraw jn front of me and it disappears! Not a huge Tempranillo fan normally, but this was a stellar burger wine. — 4 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

8.9

A round interpretation of Madiran, a wine of character in essence. Balanced, with marked but soft and encompassing tannins.

Une interprétation toute en rondeur du Madiran, vin de caractère par essence. Équilibré, avec des tanins certes marqués mais doux et englobants. — 5 years ago

Alder Yarrow

Wine Blogger Vinography

9.1

From time to time find myself craving this crunchy berry and herb and deeply stony interpretation of Gamay from the Loire. There’s a lot to love here especially when you can buy it for sixteen bucks. — 6 years ago

David Aiken

10

We really like this Italian interpretation red blend. — 7 years ago

Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Owner, Brix Wine Consultants

9.5

I was thinking Corton-Charlemagne all night drinking this concentrated yet airy Friulian interpretation of Burgundies finest white wines. Enzo Pontoni is a master on so many levels and even in this rather warm vintage, his wines capture true complexity and multiple layers of flavour. No rush here. — 7 years ago

michael pandolfo

9.2

If you gonna have merlot, you might as well have one of the classic. Perfect napa interpretation. Soft, velvety and round. Plum dominates. Integrated tannins — 8 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2012 vintage. From the only other winery in Knights Valley besides that Peter Michael endeavor. This Beckstoffer To-Kalon/To Kalon/Tokalon/ToKalon (pick your interpretation-seen 'em all) goes for a older-school, much leaner approach vs the decided, new school, über-concentrated style as far as this vineyard is concerned. Goes even leaner than the older, vineyard incorporated Mondavi Reserves from the 80's/90's (which I would rate in the middle ground). All the way to the left for the history buffs. Tremendous concentration but on the dry, dusty, dirty side vs the biggie extracted ripe style in vogue the last decade+. Instructive and elucidating. Twere I doing a Tokalon Vineyard retrospective/blowout dinner, this wine would be first. 9.6.23. — 3 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

Punchy nose of red cherries, superbly mineral and earthy with all of the fruit and earthy perfectly balanced on the nose. Some licorice as well. Palate is juicy, dense, sapid and pure. Lovely dusty tannins and fine finesse. I love the elegant interpretation of this site from young Willliam Whitehead. Excellent ripe tannins and gorgeous purity. Such an impressive wine. — 4 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

Superb nose of mineral, lemon zest, pink grapefruit and wonderful lime flesh and zest. Gorgeous mineral depth here. Lots of earth as well. Almost a Burgundian interpretation of Sancerre. Juicy and insanely complex palate that is finesse driven and so delicate. Wonderful sap and has a grandiose quality to it and finish that does not quit. Hugely concentrated but never heavy and a gamey/savory element on the palate. So sappy and pure. Round like Keller can be. Just a gorgeous bottle. Blown Away. Will last 10-15 more years. — 4 years ago

David Shaw

8.9

Arizona GSM, 40/20/40 blend, 14% alc/vol. Purple-red, moderate pigment extraction. Butter floral and red fruit aromas. Cherry, berry, cola and black currant flavors, slight seed bitterness and skin astringency on finish. A solid interpretation, not overly ripe vs other similar wines from the same origin. — 7 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.2

He really nice interpretation of this vineyard's fruit. Didn't really know much about this but saw that it was from one of my favorite vineyards. The nose was more of a roasted fig, blackberry, blueberry. Entry was definitely dark. A little more brambly, with hints of dark chocolate and baking spices to the middle. started to show some of the red clay towards the finish. The tannins on this wine or not nearly as stiff as I had imagined. Definitely toasted, good fruit backbone, and definitely feel that this wine will continue to evolve over the next five to seven years. Overall, still prefer Mia Klein's interpretation (IMO of course). — 7 years ago

Matt

9.4

Denis Varnier is one of my favorite producers in the Cote de Blancs/Avize. His passing was tragic but the magic of his work lives on in these bottles and Thanksgiving seemed like an appropriate time to enjoy one. Classic Avize power but this cuvée always has a real mineral cut to it. This was gorgeous with air, balance of pure orchard fruits, rocks, and earthy elements like mushroom and fresh cut hay. Another facet I love in these wines is the texture, there’s room for interpretation, but you cannot get around the lengthy imprint these leave on your palate. 100 CH from “Clos du Grand Père,” 5 years sur lie, 9/2014 disgorgement — 8 years ago