Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Château Malartic-Lagravière – 2022
Grand Cru Classé – Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A jewel of Graves, this Grand Cru Classé de Graves estate is owned by the Bonnie family and consistently delivers wines of depth and precision. The 2022 vintage was marked by a hot, dry summer, yet the gravelly soils of Pessac-Léognan preserved freshness, giving balance to the ripeness. This V.22 blend features Cabernet Sauvignon 53%, Merlot 43%, Cabernet Franc 1.5%, and Petit Verdot 2.5%.

Aromas & Flavors
Deep layers of blackcurrant, ripe plum, and blackberry, with notes of graphite, smoke, and cedar. Subtle accents of spice and cocoa add elegance.

Mouthfeel
Multi-layered and structured, with a perfect balance of ripe fruit, freshness, and polished tannins. Full-bodied yet graceful, this wine already shows harmony, but its true depth will unfold with a few years of patience.

Food Pairings
Roast duck with black cherry reduction, grilled ribeye, venison, mushroom and truffle pasta, chargrilled lamb burgers, Comté, aged Cheddar cheese.

Verdict
A serious, cellar-worthy Pessac-Léognan. Concentrated and elegant, it’s very approachable in youth, (had it on Oct 23-2025, it was outstanding!), but destined to hit peak stride around 2027 and beyond as a full extend of its brilliancy, rewarding the wait with even greater complexity. Cheers!

Did You Know?
Château Malartic-Lagravière is one of the few Bordeaux estates classified for both its red and white wines,a rare honor showcasing its exceptional terroir. — 8 days ago

Jason Gelman

9.6

absolutely epic. crown jewel of an unbelievable dinner and wine pairing at rekondo in san sebastián. — a year ago

Matt

9.7

Ah, "Terras Gauda Rías Baixas Albariño'-a veritable jewel from the spectacular landscapes of Spain's Galicia, specifically the picturesque Rías Baixas DO, where the Atlantic whispers sweet nothings to the vines. This splendid Albariño unveils a bouquet of zesty lemon, fragrant white flowers, and a hint of sea breeze, tantalising the senses like a playful flirtation. The producer, Bodegas Terras Gauda, founded by the illustrious Ramón V. de Garay, is famed for its commitment to sustainable practices. Fun fact: they pioneered the use of genetic research in their vineyards-a cleverer endeavor than my attempts at crossword puzzles! Albariño, that beguiling grape, is renowned for its bright acidity and versatility; a wonderful partner in crime for seafood, particularly oysters, as the minerality complements their briny sweetness. It also loves the spicy embrace of Asian cuisine, where its zesty notes dance playfully. This delightful nectar has garnered praise, earning a commendable 90 points from Wine Enthusiast. Truly, it's one to uncap whilst contemplating life or... other intimate matters far too risqué for polite company! — a year ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Villa Sparina, Gavi 2023
Piedmont, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
Made from 100% Cortese grapes, Villa Sparina is one of the benchmarks of the Gavi DOCG. Known for its amphora-shaped bottle and consistent quality, this estate showcases the elegance of Piedmont’s flagship white wine.

Gavi DOCG is the crown jewel of Cortese, recognized as one of Italy’s most important white appellations—celebrated for its mineral-driven freshness and ability to rival more famous whites from Burgundy or Loire.

Aromas & Flavors
Fresh, crisp aromas of white peach, green apple, and citrus zest, with delicate hints of almond and wildflowers. On the palate, it’s lively and precise, offering citrus and orchard fruit layered with a touch of minerality and a subtle saline note.

Mouthfeel
Light to medium-bodied with bright acidity and a clean, elegant finish. Refreshing, harmonious, and very approachable—everything you want in a classic Gavi.

Winemaking Notes
Hand-harvested Cortese, fermented in stainless steel to preserve freshness and purity. Minimal oak influence ensures the varietal character shines through.

Food Pairing
Perfect with grilled fish, seafood risotto, or a classic Caprese salad. Also a wonderful aperitif thanks to its crisp, mouthwatering finish.

Verdict
A benchmark Gavi—zesty, mineral, and impeccably balanced. Villa Sparina continues to set the standard for what Cortese can deliver: elegance and everyday drinkability with a touch of Italian charm. — 2 months ago

Billy L.

9.4

New Years Eve Blind Tasting NV 🍾QPR Champion @ $39.99 Cheers 🍾👍🏻👏🏻
Winemaker Notes:
“The Blanc de Blancs Signature Brut is the jewel of Maison Philippe Gonet, founded in 1830, in the village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. This exceptional cuvée is made from Chardonnays from prestigious terroirs of the Côte des Blancs, the Côte de Sézanne and Montgueux, offering a pure expression of the 100% Chardonnay grape variety.” — 10 months ago

Delectable Wine

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9.1

The 2020 Barbera d'Alba Aves is a gorgeous wine. Over the last few years, Fabio Alessandria has dialed back the overtness in the Aves, which yields a much more refined wine than in the past. In 2020, the Aves is especially restrained and also not that far stylistically than the straight Barbera. I would drink it over the next few years, while the fruit is vibrant. The Aves is a selection of fruit from vineyards in Verduno and Roddi. It sees about ten months in 500L barrels, including some acacia in the mix. This super-classic Barbera is a jewel of a wine. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2022)
— 4 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.4

The 2019 Chardonnay Sanford & Benedict emerges from Block T15, one of the original parcels planted in 1971. It is a bright, focused jewel of a wine. Crushed rocks, mint, white pepper and lemon peel all race out of the glass. The 2019 is a bundle of energy. Give it a few years to come together. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, October 2021)
— 4 years ago

Lisa McKinnon

9.0

This was the jewel of all of the wine options at this particular restaurant. Full-bodied, a bit fruit-forward; went well with both veal Marsala and lasagna. Bonus: the leftover wine, when corked and stored in the refrigerator, held up well for a week. — 3 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.6

The rarest of them all and a crown jewel of D'Oliveiras, one of only two who even make Bastardo. So complex with unbelievable power and intensity and racy acids balancing its delicate sweetness. Finishes forever. A profound Madeira! — 7 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

The final wine at the Yarra Yering dinner in Brisbane last Thursday night 3rd October 2024 with winemaker Sarah Crowe. Fitting that Dry Red No. 1 should be the final wine - arguably the Jewel in the Crown. Initial aromatic impressions are gorgeous. This is the 50th vintage of Dry Red No. 1. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Brief notes - blackberry, aniseed and bay leaf. A medium bodied Cabernet with M+ intensity and finishing with fine boned tannin structure. Power with poise, concentration with finesse. Will live for 20 years plus. I have been buying on an irregular basis for many years. The 1990 was a highlight. I asked Sarah, who was Chairman of the Royal Sydney Wine Show this year to compare 3 of the main Cabernet producing areas in Australia - Yarra Valley leafy fragrance, Coonawarra Mint, and Margaret River herbaceousness. At Restaurant Dan Arnold. — a year ago