Freddy R. Troya

9.6

Moraga Estate – Sauvignon Blanc – Vintage 1999
Bel Air, Los Angeles, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A remarkable bottle of 100% Sauvignon Blanc from Moraga Estate, located in the rolling hills of Bel Air. Despite its 25+ years of age, this wine has defied time, showing incredible vitality and freshness. A rare showcase that Sauvignon Blanc, under the right terroir and winemaking, can achieve serious longevity.

Aromas & Flavors
Notes of preserved lemon, dried apricot, lanolin, and beeswax unfold gracefully, interlaced with hints of chamomile tea and subtle nutty oxidative tones. The acidity remains vibrant, keeping the palate lifted, with a saline, mineral edge that speaks of its unique site.

Mouthfeel
Still taut and structured, with an oily richness balanced by a linear, mouthwatering acidity. The texture is round yet precise, with a finish that lingers beautifully.

Food Pairings
Ideal with aged goat cheese, seared scallops, or roast chicken with lemon and herbs. A wine this nuanced also shines solo, worthy of quiet contemplation.

Verdict
Astonishing endurance from a varietal not usually associated with long-term cellaring. This is more than a wine, it’s history in a glass.

Did You Know?
Moraga Estate is one of the only commercial wineries operating within Los Angeles city limits, with vineyards planted in the limestone-rich canyons of Bel Air facing south west. Its wines have long been a hidden treasure, often snapped up by Hollywood insiders.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This bottle was a revelation, proving that California Sauvignon Blanc, under the right conditions, can rival the ageability of Old World whites. A true collector’s gem and a memorable experience. — 8 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

8.9

Deep ruby color. Aromas of cranberry, baked fruit pie, brown sugar and baking spices. Good structure, loads of black fruit, long lingering finish.

🥇90 Points - Wine Spectator — 6 years ago

Ryan Anderson

9.1

Super fruity and easy drinking. A great find. — 7 years ago

Vinod Peris

9.0

My kind of Cab. Dark ruby red and viscous with a grippy finish. I can’t ask for more. — 7 years ago

TheWineStalker

9.0

The color is a deeeeep blackish red. On the nose there’s aromas of plums, blackberries, lavender, mint, vanilla, and cocoa. There’s also my beloved burn from ethanol fumes. On the palate it’s medium bodied with a chalky mouthfeel, powdery tannin, and quite a bit of heat from the alcohol. There’s flavors of plums, cranberries, milk chocolate, and creamed coffee. It finishes with cranberries, creamed coffee, astringency from the tannin, and heat from the alcohol. — 9 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.4

The Mercer Malbec looks dark ruby in the glass. The nose offers some beautiful dark fruit - plums, blackberries and currant - and sticks a lovely dose of French oak in there. A nice, savory hint of black olives lurks in the background. The palate is just as enjoyable, with a fruity focus augmented by peppery spice and cinnamon. This is a wine that will be a hit at the holiday table, no doubt. It's a festive, fun red that can hold its own with the standing rib roast. — 9 years ago

"Odedi"

9.4

#AgedWineTuesday

Deep gold in color.

Beautiful nose of diesel, lemons, yellow apples, spices, honeysuckle and minerals.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Off dry on the palate with apples, limes, light tropical fruits, minerals, light peaches and spices.

Long finish with lemons and light herbs.

This 13 year old Riesling from Yakima Valley is drinking beautifully now. Nicely balanced, elegant and rich. Complex and entertaining.

Still feels fresh and lively, with enough fruits to balance the acidity. Fruit forward, interesting and delicious.

This gorgeous Riesling will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.

At this point, less than 15 bottles are left at the winery cellars. Very cool to try these kind of wines.

Good right out of the bottle, and good by itself or with food.

13.3% alcohol by volume.

94 points. — 10 months ago

Pippy Thatcher

9.6

Oh so good. Berries. Cherry. Soft and eminently drinkable. To Monday! — 6 years ago

TwiLea Fletcher

9.0

Jeopardy... Tournament of Champions — 6 years ago

with Neal

Richard Benitez

9.0

Soft notes of honey, lots of apricot, and lots of savory butter on the nose. Very sweet up front, almost ripe apricots, hints of banana, vanilla, ripe white ripe fruit. Savory and slightly dry in the back. Very good wine. — 7 years ago

LM Archer

9.5

Amazeballs. — 8 years ago

Paulette Denman

9.8

Excellent, refined and delicious, not oak-y, not acidic, not buttery... mature and perfect. — 9 years ago

Francisco Perez

8.9

Excellent blend. Good nose and structure. Full/medium body with ripe red and black fruit blend. Nice to drink alone but great with Pagliacci Pizza in Seattle. — 9 years ago

Andrew Formi

9.2

1998 … now that’s what I was expecting! — 10 months ago

William Paley

9.5

accidentally left open on counter 48 hrs plus….no stopper. This thing goes for miles and miles, deep, pungent, astral canyons and glazed smoke…hits the back of the tongue and then lacerates the soul. get what you can and lay it down and toss the key…await grandchildren. — 4 years ago

with Jess

Thomas Barnes

9.1

Date night at Mercer — 6 years ago

Michael Chelus

9.1

Blackberry, vanilla, cherry, raspberry, plum, licorice and oak. Good structure and soft tannins. — 7 years ago

Kendall Carter

9.5

Amazing cheap cab sav I tasted at Vienna Vitner. Lots of body — 8 years ago

TheSkip

8.9

As with any mystery meat - when you think you’re done, you aren’t! I found this one and it isn’t a big winner. Poorly integrated and decidedly heavy tannins with somewhat subdued black fruits. This might improve in several more year

You live and die by the sword. — 9 years ago

James P Grover

8.9

This has dark berry and plum fruit, ripe and sweet. Tastes like it was freshly pressed. Acidity is moderate, and tannins and minerality are weak. Lighter in body than its deep color. So this is a juicy and simple wine. — 9 years ago