Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Piccolo Cru’ – Red Blend – Vintage 2021
Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
An Italian-inspired Bordeaux blend crafted under the steady hand of winemaker Gabriella Gazano, who has guided the estate for over 25 years. This cuvée unites 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 15% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. It’s a wine that marries the structural power of Bordeaux varietals with Mediterranean elegance and Napa Valley ripeness.

Aromas & Flavors
Vibrant layers of dark cherries, cassis, and ripe blackberry, supported by graphite, cocoa, and a whisper of dried herbs. Hints of cedar, vanilla, and warm spice from the oak complete the aromatic tapestry.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied yet graceful. Firm, polished tannins give structure while a velvety mid-palate carries richness and depth. The finish is persistent, balancing dark fruit with savory spice.

Food Pairings
Made for hearty and soulful fare: osso buco, braised short ribs, Tuscan ribollita, or grilled ribeye. A natural partner for Italian-inspired dishes that emphasize flavor and tradition.

Verdict
Piccolo Cru’ is a harmonious bridge between Old World refinement and New World power. Structured, soulful, and deeply satisfying, it captures both the strength of Napa terroir and the finesse of Italian winemaking artistry.

Did You Know?
Calistoga, the northernmost tip of Napa Valley, is famed for its volcanic soils and hot days cooled by evening breezes. These extremes allow Bordeaux varietals to develop ripeness and structure in equal measure, ideal for blends like Piccolo Cru’.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This bottle sings of duality: a Tuscan heart wrapped in Napa muscle. It’s soulful, elegant, and powerful, a wine I’d revisit for its depth, story, and sense of place. — 15 days ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.2

Vintage 2011 | House sparkling. Not photographed with a steady hand… 😏. Happy New Year to the Delectable hedonists. — 4 years ago

Philip Patston

9.6

Superb beer. 4.8% alcohol. “Real ale” of course, meaning hand pumped, not carbonated. Very English beer. Not driven by excess hoppiness. — 6 years ago

Norman

9.0

Samakkee Lager. This beer is described as a crisp, sessionable lager, and its name, "Samakkee", embodies the Thai value of "harmony".
Thai lager. Liking the IPA a lot better. This is a Singha (also had with it) without the umph. Btw I also prefer Singha in a bottle versus can. May be bs but I think there’s a difference. Need to blind test it but cold bottle in hand brings back too many memories. Listening to SZN4 (they picked the wrong song) — 3 months ago

David Kline

9.6

Jumping spider eye bubbles mass in a parabola foam while smaller bubble sheens fill the bursting absences, until the whole becomes an espresso foam, and equally oiled. Unction lacings lean Hebraic but ultimately are the dream fonts writ by the hand of G-d. Mene Mene Tekel Parsin they seem to say before fluttering away as constellations on a starling’s back. Fair warning as this is a heavy purse to carry. Six years in and taking stock. Figs, dates, treacle, raisins, carob, caramel, vanilla bean, sweet potato casserole, bacon fat, mincemeat. Rich on the palate with milk chocolate, molasses, Turkish coffee, gingerbread, candied date, and espresso-tobacco finish. Gloriously integrated and complex complexions.



#oldstockale #oldstock #2016 #northcoastbrewing #bièredegarde #agedbeer #bier #beer #birra #biere #cerveza #northcoast — 3 years ago

Mark Howard

9.6

Old school Napa Cabernet showing place and wine maker. Delicious fruit with integrated tannins. Quintessential Rutherford dust, eucalyptus with the wind and floral characters under a calm hand. Big, bold, fruit characteristics, yet a refined finish from a steady hand. Shows the trademark of Chuck all the way through. — 6 years ago

with Elizabeth

Daniel Bloom

9.6

Wow!
N:Mushrooms and cherries anyone. Root beer, cedar, glorious !
P: When you taste this, it explodes and fills your entire mouth. Browns, reds, oranges, a multicolored experience. No heaviness here.
Sassafras again ( root beer) cedar, spice, meat,
This is alpine Nebbiolo that’s gone to heaven. At least 50 yr old vines at 450m southern exposure, picked and carried by hand. At least 6 yrs combined big wood and bottle before release.
Thanks@FassSelections
Oh My! — 2 years ago

Daron Watson

9.3

New Anthem Beer Project : Clapback (Strata Triple Dry Hopped)

hand select Citra in the kettle, whirlpool, and then twice in a very generous double dry hop ~ THEN dry hopped a final time w Strata

honeydew and cantaloupe, then passion fruit and mango, w hints of citrus (grapefruit and maybe orange julius) — 4 years ago

Danielle

9.2

This peanut butter stout is so tasty, with creamy peanut butter and hints of chocolate it’s really like a peanut butter cup beer. Just enough sweetness. — 5 years ago

Ross Fulton

9.1

Please hand me my vitamin — 6 years ago