Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Château Cantegril – Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle / 2019
AOC Barsac – Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A Grand Vin de Sauternes crafted by the Dubourdieu family in Barsac, this 2019 vintage blends the region’s classics: Sémillon dominant, Sauvignon Blanc, and a touch of Muscadelle. Botrytis cinerea (noble rot) weaves its magic here, concentrating sugars and intensifying aromas.

Aromas & Flavors
Lush notes of apricot, candied orange peel, and pineapple rise from the glass, layered with honey, acacia blossom, and a hint of saffron. The sweetness is deeply expressive but never cloying.

Mouthfeel
Silky and opulent, yet balanced by Barsac’s hallmark freshness and mineral tension. A luscious golden core with excellent length, pure heaven in a glass.

Food Pairings
Perfect with Roquefort, foie gras, or blue cheeses, but equally divine alongside fruit tarts, crème brûlée, or spicy Asian cuisine. For a daring contrast, try with fried chicken.

Verdict
2019 Château Cantegril is heaven on earth, an elegant and classic Barsac that shows the Dubourdieu family’s mastery. A wine that proves Sauternes and Barsac remain unmatched when it comes to liquid gold.

Did You Know?
Barsac AOC wines can legally be labeled either “Barsac” or “Sauternes.” Château Cantegril is often described as one of the “entry gates” to the Dubourdieu family’s sweet wine heritage, offering top quality at a more approachable level than their Château Doisy-Daëne.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight: This is one of those wines that makes you stop mid-sip and smile, it’s just that magical. — 8 months ago

Aaron Tan

9.8

An unforgettable bottle to crown our Taiwan trip. Gerard Potel’s 96’ Jarollières was just emotional and a testament to his mastery - he simply doesn’t miss. My first encounter with this Pommard vineyard revealed a wine less filigreed than Potel’s Volnay bottlings, leaning into darker, earthier tones, yet still imbued with his genius: crystalline purity and weightless intensity.

The nose unfolded sweet dark and red fruits, black tea, dried roses, violets, and a whisper of nutmeg and other spices. On the palate, it had plush, silky textures and extraordinary minerality - perhaps the most mineral-driven Potel I’ve encountered. With air, it deepened and felt livelier, revealing sweet red cherries, smoky tar, and irony minerality intertwined with earthy, tea-like nuances. Zen-like really, as it danced between sweetness and mineral precision, delivering a finish as haunting as it was beautiful. Pure Potel magic. — 2 years ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.6

Wow. SO good. So clean, expressive, structured. Has the character, wild elegance and terroir of burgundy. This vineyard is amazing. Consistently so rocky and granitic, full of austere and noble blackberry fruit, amazing sappy concentration. Handles the heat of the vintage with Jedi mastery, yielding a wine with good acid, fantastic fruit and incredible mineral structure. — 5 years ago

J. Kim

9.0

The aroma is similar to Azelia, authentic and pure, but missing some bass components. It even shows some natural wine tendencies, slightly volatile and gassy, which settles down quickly. The structure lacks the authority and the weight but it scores high in transparency and dynamics. It will not challenge the supremacy of Conternos, Mascarellos and Odderos because its aroma is less complex and powerful, but its structure is built on radically different geometry, which makes it very exciting. There is also a Burgundian sense of mastery of texture, and distinctiveness of aroma that separates it from more pedestrian Barolo’s. Also worth noting that while it shows the authentic character of Barolo it does not forego a strong individuality of the winemaker. — 6 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

9.2

Always a pleasure to taste the wines of JP Brun. This purple-colored Moulin-à-Vent delivers magnificent airy notes of undergrowth, ash, accompanied by a floral burst of dry roses / peonies; Morello cherry, blackberries. The mouth is very fine. silky tannins testify to a great mastery of winemaking. 2017 vintage begins to « pinote » wonderfully and will win again with a few years in the cellar (for those who enjoy Burdundy style). Reference!

Toujours un plaisir de gouter les vins de JP Brun. Ce Moulin-à-Vent à la robe violine, délivre de magnifiques notes herbacées de sous-bois cendrées, accompagné d’un eclat floral de roses séchées/pivoines; de cerise griotte et mûrs. La bouche est souple, d’une grande finesse. Les tanins soyeux tapissent la bouche sans en avoir l’air, témoignant d’une grande maitrise de vinification. La cuvée 2017 commence à pinoter merveilleusement et gagnera encore avec quelques années en cave, pour ceux qui aiment le style bourguignons. Référence ! — 6 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

9.3

Jean Claude Lapalu is a magician. Like its other cuvées, this wine is a nectare of fruit. 100% gamay, "natural" wine without sulphites added (or very little) ... a complete, round, harmonious and homogeneous wine from one end to the other. Carbonic maceration bringing a lot of freshness and an explosion of fruit / flowers on the palate. A wonderful comtempory wine for those who like fruit and freshness. Endless finish, proof of the great mastery of the winemaker — 6 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

St. Supéry – Élu Red Blend 2019
Napa Valley, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Élu (“the chosen one” in French) is St. Supéry’s flagship red blend, crafted from their estate vineyards in Rutherford and Dollarhide Ranch. The 2019 vintage is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon (≈68%), with Merlot (≈15%), Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc completing the Bordeaux-inspired blend. It’s a wine that epitomizes both power and refinement, showing off the estate’s mastery of blending.

Aromas & Flavors
The bouquet opens with black cherry, cassis, ripe plum, and blueberry, interwoven with espresso, graphite, and a touch of violet. On the palate, dark fruits remain at the core, layered with cocoa, cedar, anise, and subtle tobacco. The blend strikes a beautiful harmony between ripe fruit richness and savory nuance.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and layered with polished, fine-grained tannins. There’s depth and density here, yet the wine remains elegant and balanced. The finish is long and persistent, lingering with flavors of blackberry, dark chocolate, and a whisper of bay leaf.

Winemaking Notes
The estate fruit is hand-harvested and sorted, with each varietal vinified separately before blending. Aged in French oak barrels (about 60% new) for 20 months, the oak influence adds texture and spice while preserving vibrancy.

Food Pairing
This wine sings with grilled ribeye, lamb chops, venison, or braised short ribs. For a vegetarian option, try mushroom wellington or truffle risotto. It’s also an excellent match with aged cheeses like Comté or Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Verdict
A commanding yet elegant Bordeaux-style blend from Napa, the 2019 Élu is polished, powerful, and beautifully expressive of Rutherford and Dollarhide terroir. Drink now with decanting, or cellar for 10–15 years to watch it evolve. Cheers! — 10 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.7

Premier Cru, but really Grand Cru, Malco, one of my favorite wines on the planet is just rocking tonight, pnp perfection wafting an unmistakable Dujac nose with layers of violets, cocoa beans, fresh red berry fruit and whole brunch stemmy spice. The palate is pure silk with a mastery in balance of richness, purity and delivery of fruit, texture and acids with a finish that just keeps on going. Amazing wine. — 3 years ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.4

Incredible food wine — a bright, beautiful orange wine with just the right amount of grip. Apricot, orange marmalade, seashell, and an elusive floral perfume.

With all the hype around skin contact wines (and the Friulan mastery of the style) I’m amazed that these Skerk wines aren’t more of a thing.

Also amazed that Vitovska, native to the Carso of Friuli / Kras in Slovenia, isn’t more of a thing. This variety fucks…. — 3 years ago

Ely Cohn

9.1

When winemakers devote themselves to the mastery of one grape, every bottling from top to bottom tends to be exceptional.

Such is the case with Raul Perez and his consistent ability to make Mencia bloom.

Vico is aromatically rich and complex. Cedar, new leather, blackberry, black currant, cinnamon, cocoa, coffee.



— 5 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

9.0

Round and supple, with a very generous body on the usual notes of well-crafted Syrah: blackberries, blueberries, chocolate, roasting, caramel, tapenade, pepper, violet. The attack is fresh, and the finish not that long, but the whole is very mastery. The perfect wine for grilled meat, pepper or shallot sauce.

Rond et souple, avec un corps très gourmand sur les notes habituelles de la Syrah bien travaillée: mûres, myrtille, chocolat, torréfaction, caramel, tapenade, poivre, violette. L’attaque est fraiche, et la finale pas si longue, mais l’ensemble est d’une grandes maîtrise. Le vin parfait pour une viande grillée, sauce poivre ou échalote. — 6 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

9.0

Light and fruity, trendy nature. Very easy to drink. The nose is charming with beautiful floral nuances (peony, rose, violet) and very Gamay red fruits. the juice is fresh, the matter on the palate is delicious. Jean Paul Brun has a great mastery of his art. At € 13.50 a bottle, what more can I say !? — 6 years ago

Lam S

9.0

When open the cap, plum aroma dashed out straight away. Dark berries, slightly oak. Medium to full body. Spice. Soft tannin, high acidity 8/10. Long lasting. Not very happy with the strong bitterness. Overall well balanced. Mastery wine aud$14.9 from danmurphy — 6 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

A blend of Cab Sauv. Tempranillo and Durif give an abundance of red fruits with an intense velvety notes and taste. Persistent notes of baked black cherry and raspberry pie. Powerful and luscious, Some leather and cacao flavors are mostly by the back-end of the palate. Lingering finish. — a year ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Chappellet – Signature Cabernet Sauvignon – 2021 🇺🇸
Pritchard Hill – Napa Valley AVA – California, USA

Overview
A beautifully balanced, Bordeaux-inspired mountain Cabernet from one of Napa Valley’s most respected hillside estates.
The 2021 blend shows slightly more varietal diversity than the 2022, with a composition of: 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 7% Malbec, 6% Merlot.
This creates a wine that leans toward roundness, polish, and aromatic complexity, while still showcasing the powerful structure Pritchard Hill is known for.

Aromas & Flavors
Deep and concentrated, offering layers of blackberry, cassis, dark cherry, and wild mountain herbs.
Subtle undertones of clove, graphite, cocoa nib, espresso, and warm baking spice rise with air.
Beautifully expressive with that signature Chappellet purity.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied yet impressively balanced.
The slightly higher percentage of Malbec and Merlot gives the 2021 a plusher mid-palate and more rounded tannins compared to the 2022 vintage.
The finish is silky, persistent, and coated with lingering notes of cacao, espresso, and black fruit.

Food Pairings
Herb-roasted lamb, braised short ribs, ribeye with thyme butter, porcini dishes, or aged Manchego.

Verdict
A true gem from Pritchard Hill. Elegant, concentrated, and wonderfully proportioned, the 2021 stands as one of the most harmonious expressions of Signature Cabernet in recent years. A wine that balances power, finesse, and aromatic depth with remarkable ease. Cheers!

Did You Know?
Chappellet was one of the early pioneers of high-elevation Napa Cabernet, developing Pritchard Hill long before the area became a coveted source for collectible hillside wines.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
The 2021 holds a special place, refined, complete, and aromatically irresistible. A vintage that shows Chappellet’s mastery at its most elegant. — 2 years ago

Myles Keyt

9.3

col d'orcia 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is an alluring creation with 14.5% alcohol content, boasting a medium body that dances gracefully on the palate. Its mesmerizing hue of medium purple enchants the eyes, while its vibrant high acidity adds a delightful zing to the overall experience, accentuating the flavors.

As the wine meets the nose, a captivating bouquet unfolds, reminiscent of a Tuscan spring garden. Notes of balsamic, basil, and sundried tomatoes intermingle with the freshness of thyme, creating a harmonious symphony of aromas. The scent of ripe red cherry adds a touch of fruity allure to the ensemble.

Upon the first sip, one is immediately greeted by the invigorating burst of sour cherry, a defining characteristic that lingers tantalizingly. The wine's exceptional quality shines through, making it an excellent choice to accompany a fine meal. It effortlessly complements a variety of dishes, elevating the dining experience to new heights.

With a rating of 96, col d'orcia 2018 Brunello di Montalcino stands as a testament to the mastery of winemaking. This wine is not merely a beverage but an invitation to indulge in the artistry and craftsmanship of Italian viticulture. It is the perfect companion for cherished moments shared with great friends at an authentic Italian restaurant, where the ambiance matches the wine's essence. Cheers to unforgettable memories and the pleasure of savoring this remarkable wine! — 3 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

8.9

Nice entry level cuvée for this Moulin-à-vét of which Château is one of the sure values ​​of the appellation. Crunchy and fruity, yet with discreet aging notes that suggest mastery and savoir-faire. Simple but classy.

Belle entrée de gamme pour ce moulin a vent dont le Château fait parti des valeurs sûres de l’appellation. Croquant et fruité avec néanmoins les notes d’élevage discrètes qui suggèrent maîtrise et savoir faire. Simple et classieux. — 5 years ago

J. Kim

9.2

One immediately notices livelier Nebbiolo aromas, higher acidities, polished fruit. The only downside is a simpler lighter structure. The aroma has a full, continuous range, unreally pure, its perfectionist style could feel clinical but the intensity of fruit and the mastery of winemaking is of the highest order. This has a focus, distinctiveness and definition, the qualities expected from lot of single vineyard Barolo’s but almost always never delivered. The bullet-proof aroma remains stable for three days. Unlike some Barolo’s with out of control acidities, it manages to be bright and pervades the whole structure with consistency of glow. — 6 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

9.0

My favorite wine merchant pushed me to go to this winemaker .. carefully, I start with this entry-level cuvée around 13-15 €. The color is deep ruby, the nose is discreet. The palate confirm the visual intensity. Aromatic tones typical of Cabernet-Franc grape variety: strawberry, pepper, anise. A medium-bodied wine with a silky texture that testifies the mastery of winemaking. The aging is discreet, putting the fruit in the spotlight, more than the tertiary notes. It’s a friendly, accessible wine. For its price it's really great! it clearly makes you want to explore the rest of the winemaker’s Cuvées. — 6 years ago

Dan Weisshaar

9.3

Drinking beautifully, 45 min decant. Excellent tart red fruit, excellent balance and tannin integration. Spare stateliness, personified. Drinking this wine is like watching Gene Kelly dance: elegance, mastery, nothing wasted. Paired with London broil and chocolate pasta, cacio e pepe . Ty, Fass Selections. — 7 years ago

with Lyle and Matthew