Jay Kline

9.6

I’ve said before that the wines of Chateau Rayas are almost singular in the AOC; certainly one of the purest expressions of Grenache in the world. However, there is another producer that for me, might be an even more archetypal expression of the character of Chateauneuf-du-Pape: Henri Bonneau. Henri’s wines were also predominately Grenache however, they are denser and darker, particularly the Cuvée Marie Beurrier. This is probably more to do with the small addition of other local varieties along with terroir for Mrie Beurrier (Courthézon). Henri had strong feelings about varieties, vine age and cellar practices. He didn’t really like Syrah in CdP (though he had a little of it). He didn’t like ancient vines (most were 30-50 years old and would be torn out and replanted if they were getting up there in the age range) and he believed in extended aging in wood, a collection of very old barrels and foudres. Regardless of whether one agrees or disagrees with his approach, the results were undeniably special.

Opened prior to dinner; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2000 “Cuvée Marie Beurrier” pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing (still!). Layered notes of dark brambles, black cherry, garrigue, dried red flowers, beef stew with all the veggies and mixed inorganic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is forever long. This is tremendously well balanced and a wine that I just wanted to keep coming back to…and I did. Drink now through 2040. — 2 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

La Source, Seven Springs Estate Chardonnay 2022. Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Oregon. USA🇺🇸

Overview
A distinctive cool-climate Chardonnay sourced from the celebrated Seven Springs Estate in Eola-Amity Hills, delivering precision, freshness, and layered texture rather than overt richness. This is a terroir-driven expression that challenges the classic American Chardonnay stereotype, emphasizing tension, mineral lift, and elegant restraint.

Aromas & Flavors
Fresh lemon zest, green apple, pear skin, and subtle white peach lead the nose. Delicate floral notes and faint almond skin weave through the aromatics, supported by gentle saline minerality. On the palate, crisp citrus, orchard fruit, and chalky mineral tones unfold with clarity and finesse, finishing clean and sharply defined.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied, vibrant, and tightly framed with refreshing acidity and a fine-textured mid-palate. The wine carries precision and lift without sacrificing mouthfeel, offering energy rather than weight, and maintaining excellent balance through the finish.

Food Pairings
Grilled halibut or sole with lemon butter. Roast chicken with herbs. Dungeness crab. Seared scallops. Fresh chèvre or triple-cream cheese.

Verdict
A beautifully calibrated Chardonnay that reframes expectations for Oregon and American expressions alike. Elegant, crisp, and quietly complex, it showcases how site-driven winemaking can deliver depth without excess.

Did You Know?
The Eola-Amity Hills AVA benefits from the Van Duzer Corridor winds, which cool the vineyards, thicken grape skins, and preserve natural acidity, a key reason the region excels with Burgundian varieties like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

🍷 Personal Pick
This wine genuinely shifted my perspective on Chardonnay from this location. Crisp, expressive, and quietly layered, it delivers charm and clarity without heaviness, a Chardonnay for precision lovers rather than oak seekers. — 4 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Balthasar Ress – Riesling GG – 2018
Nussbrunnen – Rheingau – Germany 🇩🇪

Overview
A beautifully crafted dry Riesling from the prestigious Nussbrunnen vineyard, classified as Grosse Lage, the highest tier in the VDP hierarchy. The 2018 vintage shows depth, nuance, and quiet power, offering a sophisticated, structured expression that stands in perfect contrast to the simpler regional Rieslings. This is top-tier Rheingau elegance.

Aromas & Flavors
Yellow apple, ripe citrus, and peach skin layered with chamomile, crushed slate, and almond blossom. Notes of honeycomb, subtle smoke, and cool minerality add remarkable dimension as it opens.

Mouthfeel
Textured yet incredibly refined. Medium-bodied with a taut spine of acidity, supported by a rounded, elegant mid-palate. Complex, layered, and beautifully balanced with a long, mineral-driven finish. Classic GG restraint paired with depth.

Food Pairings
Seared scallops, crab cakes, herb-roasted chicken, pork tenderloin, sushi, or aged Comté. Its structure and subtle richness make it versatile with refined cuisine.

Verdict
A top-level Trocken that captures everything a GG should be: layered, nuanced, structured, and quietly luxurious. One of the finest expressions from Nussbrunnen and unquestionably among my favorite dry Rieslings from Balthasar Ress.

Did You Know?
“GG” (Grosse Gewächs) is Germany’s equivalent of a Grand Cru designation. Only the best, lowest-yielding parcels in Grosse Lage vineyards can produce GG wines, all vinified dry to highlight precision, minerality, and terroir. Nussbrunnen is one of the Rheingau’s most historic and revered sites.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
A simply lovely GG, graceful, complex, and structured. A benchmark Trocken that shows why Nussbrunnen stands among the elite vineyards of the Rheingau. — 6 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Rive di Campea, Bisol 1542 – N/V Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, Veneto, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
100% Glera sourced from the steep hillside vineyards (“Rive”) of Campea in Valdobbiadene. Crafted by the historic Bisol family, whose winemaking roots date back over five centuries and 21 generations. This Prosecco Superiore expresses the precision, minerality, and elegance that define the best terroirs of Valdobbiadene.

Aromas & Flavors
Fresh orchard fruit with notes of green apple, pear, and delicate stone fruit. Subtle citrus and floral tones layered with mineral freshness.

Mouthfeel
Bright and lively with fine, persistent bubbles. Crisp acidity and a distinctive, sharp profile lead to a long, clean finish.

Food Pairings
Aperitivo, seafood crudo, oysters, light appetizers, fried calamari, delicate cheeses.

Verdict
A refined and terroir-driven Prosecco that showcases the elegance and precision of Valdobbiadene hillside vineyards.

Did You Know?
“Rive” indicates a single steep hillside vineyard area within the Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG. Wines from these sites are considered among the most terroir-expressive expressions of Prosecco.

🍷 Personal Pick
A benchmark expression of Valdobbiadene Prosecco, vibrant, precise, and beautifully structured. — 3 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Holocene — Aureolin Chardonnay 2024
Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Oregon, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A mineral-driven, cool-climate Chardonnay sourced from the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, shaped by persistent marine winds and long, slow ripening. The wine balances precision, freshness, and layered texture, delivering a distinctly non-California expression that leans toward tension, clarity, and terroir transparency.

Aromas & Flavors
Fresh citrus peel, green apple, and pear skin lead the nose, followed by subtle white florals, crushed stone, and faint saline notes. On the palate, lemon zest, underripe peach, and chalky minerality dominate, supported by restrained orchard fruit and delicate savory undertones that build quietly with air.

Mouthfeel
Linear, vibrant, and tightly coiled with crisp acidity driving the structure. Texture is fine-grained and energetic rather than creamy or heavy, offering excellent lift and persistence through the finish. The balance between tension and finesse keeps the wine refreshing while maintaining depth.

Food Pairings
Oysters or crudo. Grilled halibut with citrus and herbs. Dungeness crab. Goat cheese salads. Light poultry with lemon and thyme.

Verdict
A beautifully precise Chardonnay that reframes expectations of American expressions. Fresh, mineral, and terroir-driven, this wine delivers clarity, elegance, and compelling drinkability with excellent balance and finesse.

Did You Know?
The Eola-Amity Hills sit directly in the path of the Van Duzer Corridor, where strong afternoon ocean winds naturally slow ripening, extend hang time, and concentrate flavor development. This cooling influence is a major driver behind the region’s signature tension, mineral edge, and vibrant natural acidity.

🍷 Personal Pick
This wine genuinely shifted my perception of Eola-Amity Hills Chardonnay. Not plush or oak-driven, instead focused, energetic, and quietly complex. A bottle that rewards attention and keeps pulling you back for another sip. — 4 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Vignobles Lacheteau – Pouilly-Fumé / 2024
Pouilly-Fumé AOC – Loire Valley / France 🇫🇷

Overview
100% Sauvignon Blanc from the eastern Loire, grown on classic Pouilly-Fumé terroirs dominated by limestone and flint (silex). This style emphasizes tension, minerality, and restraint rather than overt fruit, showcasing the smoky, stony expression that defines the appellation.

Aromas & Flavors
Crisp lemon zest, grapefruit peel, green apple, and white peach, layered with flinty smoke, wet stone, and subtle herbal notes. The aromatic profile is precise and lifted, with restrained fruit framed by mineral depth.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with bright, linear acidity. Clean, focused, and energetic on the palate, finishing dry and refreshing with a saline-mineral edge and lingering citrus tension.

Food Pairings
Classic goat cheese (Crottin de Chavignol), oysters, shellfish, grilled fish, lemon-herb chicken, asparagus dishes, or light vegetable-forward plates.

Verdict
A textbook Pouilly-Fumé that delivers clarity, minerality, and balance. Not flashy or tropical, but elegant, terroir-driven, and highly versatile at the table.

Did You Know?
The “fumé” in Pouilly-Fumé refers to the smoky, flinty character derived from silex soils, not oak or smoke exposure, one of the Loire Valley’s most distinctive Sauvignon Blanc signatures.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This is exactly the style of Sauvignon Blanc I gravitate toward: mineral-driven, restrained, and quietly complex. A refreshing counterpoint to overtly aromatic New World expressions, and a reminder of why Loire Sauvignon remains one of my benchmarks for elegance and precision. — 5 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Château La Tour de Bessan Margaux 2022 — Margaux, Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A classic Left Bank blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon · 30% Merlot · 5% Petit Verdot (estate typically varies slightly by vintage) delivering structure, elegance, and aromatic finesse. Great frame and graphite tension coming from the Cab Sauv., mid-palate polish thanks to Merlot, and liked how Petit Verdot brings subtle spice and color depth. A beautifully traditional, unclassified Margaux that punches above its weight.

Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, blackberry, cassis, violet, pencil shavings, cedar, light tobacco, and crushed stone. Fruit stays fresh and pure with delicate floral lift typical of the appellation.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus body with polished, fine-grained tannins. Dry, linear, and elegant rather than powerful. Balanced acidity keeps everything lifted and graceful with a clean, savory finish.

Food Pairings
Roast chicken with herbs, grilled lamb chops, duck breast, mushroom risotto, lentils, Comté or aged goat cheese. A very food-friendly claret.

Verdict
Proof that Margaux elegance doesn’t require classified growth pricing. Refined, honest, and beautifully composed. Delicious now with air, but easily cellar-worthy for 6–10 years.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is my kind of “weekday Bordeaux”, structured yet graceful, polished without heaviness. The sort of bottle that quietly disappears over dinner because everything just clicks.

Did You Know?
La Tour de Bessan is run by Marie-Laure Lurton (of the Lurton family estates) and is known for crafting textbook, terroir-driven Margaux expressions that emphasize finesse over extraction. — 4 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Villa Maria Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Wairau Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand 🇳🇿

Overview
A serious, elevated expression of 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the Wairau Valley, enhanced by extended lees contact (over six months), delivering layered texture, added complexity, and greater structural depth while preserving freshness.

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe citrus, white peach, passion fruit skin, crushed herbs, and subtle flinty tones lead the nose. The palate unfolds with layered citrus oils, stone fruit, gentle saline minerality, and savory nuance, showing depth beyond simple fruit expression.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with beautiful roundness and creamy texture from lees aging, yet still driven by precise acidity. The wine carries weight without heaviness, finishing long, clean, and polished.

Food Pairings
Grilled scallops or prawns. Roasted chicken with lemon and herbs. Creamy risotto with spring vegetables. Seared halibut. Aged chèvre or Alpine-style cheeses.

Verdict
A refined, terroir-driven Sauvignon Blanc that balances complexity, texture, and freshness seamlessly. This is a serious step up from entry-level Marlborough, sophisticated, structured, and highly satisfying.

Did You Know?
The Wairau Valley is Marlborough’s original and most diverse subregion, where gravelly riverbed soils and cooling maritime influence create wines with both concentration and finesse, ideal for crafting premium, age-worthy Sauvignon Blanc expressions.

🍷 Personal Pick
This hits my sweet spot: texture, tension, and layered complexity without sacrificing brightness. A Sauvignon Blanc for Burgundy lovers who still crave freshness. — 4 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Balthasar Ress – Pinot Noir Trocken – 2022
“Von Unserm” – Rheingau – Germany 🇩🇪

Overview
A bright, cool-climate Pinot Noir that showcases the Rheingau’s growing talent beyond Riesling. The 2022 vintage delivers lifted aromatics, lively acidity, and a clean, red-fruited profile. A refreshing, elegant alternative to Burgundy with a style that pleasantly echoes the finesse of Martinborough, New Zealand.

Aromas & Flavors
Red cherry, raspberry, and cranberry accented by subtle rose petal, light spice, and a gentle earthy note. Fresh, pure fruit leads the way with admirable clarity.

Mouthfeel
Light to medium-bodied with vibrant acidity and silky tannins. Fresh, balanced, and clean, finishing with a lively mineral edge.

Food Pairings
Roast chicken, grilled salmon, mushroom dishes, charcuterie, or herb-seasoned pork.

Verdict
A lovely and polished Pinot Noir—uplifting, fresh, and beautifully balanced. An excellent cool-climate alternative that stands confidently beside both Burgundy and Martinborough expressions.

Did You Know?
“Von Unserm” (“from ours”) is a traditional designation used by Balthasar Ress to highlight wines that express the estate’s core identity—high quality, terroir-driven, and crafted from selected parcels across the Rheingau. — 6 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Chappellet – Signature Chenin Blanc – 2024 🇺🇸
Pritchard Hill, Napa Valley AVA – California, USA

Overview
An exceptional and expressive Chenin Blanc from the iconic slopes of Pritchard Hill. Crafted by winemaker Phillip Corallo-Titus, this small-production white showcases the precision and elegance that Chappellet is known for.
Molly Chappellet’s signature featured on the label, along with the distinct bottle silhouette, reflects her refined aesthetic and the wine’s singular personality.

Aromas & Flavors
A vibrant aromatic spectrum: lemon, fresh pineapple, nectarine, and tropical white flowers. Subtle French-oak influence reveals whispers of nutmeg, vanilla, and lightly toasted spice without overshadowing the fruit purity.

Mouthfeel
Bright and lively with toned acidity that keeps the wine energetic. Layers of citrus, lychee, and stone fruit unfold across the palate, finishing with candied lemon zest, mineral lift, and a refreshing, persistent length.

Food Pairings
Perfect with grilled halibut, lemon-herb chicken, shrimp scampi, soft goat cheese, or spring vegetable risotto. Its acidity and texture make it incredibly versatile at the table.

Verdict
A stunning, beautifully composed Chenin Blanc that highlights Napa Valley’s ability to produce world-class whites beyond Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Elegant, complex, and irresistibly fresh, a wine that captivates from first aroma to final sip.

Did You Know?
Chenin Blanc was once widely planted in Napa Valley in the 1960s–70s. Chappellet is one of the rare estates preserving and elevating this noble Loire variety on premium hillside terroir.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
A uniquely compelling white that impressed me from the first whiff, polished, aromatic, and brimming with personality. One of the most memorable Chenin Blanc expressions coming out of California today. Cheers! — 6 months ago