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! — 9 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Martinelli family has been farming in Sonoma County since 1860. Deep Ruby color with aromas of red berry fruit and sweet spices. On the palate ripe cherry and blueberry flavors, with some dried fruit notes, oak, cinnamon spice and cola tones. Fine mouth coating tannins with balanced acidity carry this rich wine to a long finish. Good now will age a bit! — a year ago

Kelly Way

9.5

Fantastic! — 3 years ago

Marco Rodriguez

9.1

Well balanced wine. Dark fruit with really nice lingering spice and tannins. — 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2006 Juliet pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated dark fruits: cassis, blackberries, plums, tobacco, leather, mixed dead flowers, old wood, organic earth and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (integrated) and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ with an attractive, plush texture. This is in a really good spot and fully mature. Drink now through 2031. — 5 months ago

Neil Blaze

9.0

This beauty offers up notes of peach, pear, and spiced citrus, balanced by a flinty minerality. Very enjoyable. Made from partially dried grapes. 100% Garganega. 11/5/22. — 3 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.4

So freaking good, the first version of the NV 4-5 years from release. The "hype" is real, just make sure you give Stella's wines time to do their thing! — 4 months ago

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.4

Top Margaret River Cabernet in a unique expression. I love this. — 7 months ago

Sándor Jaguar

9.2

So fluffy @ gibsons — 9 months ago

with Sydne, Lynn and 22 others

K L

9.0

Still very good but needs more time to be great. Good standby. Drinking nice with the aerator but a very big wine still. — 3 years ago

with Matt