Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Donnachiara – “Resilienza” – Beneventano Falanghina – 2023, Beneventano IGT – Campania – Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
A vibrant Falanghina-based blend from Campania that showcases the grape’s natural brightness and aromatic lift, complemented by small amounts of indigenous white varieties for added dimension. The “Resilienza” line focuses on purity and freshness, with no malolactic fermentation to preserve acidity and precision. Compared to the 2022 vintage, the 2023 shows noticeably brighter acidity and a more refreshing overall profile.

Aromas & Flavors
Expressive and aromatic, with tropical fruit, citrus zest, and stone fruit at the core. Subtle floral notes enhance freshness, while ripe pear and a touch of melon add softness and charm.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with crisp, lively acidity and a refined, clean texture. The absence of MLF keeps the wine energetic and focused, leading to a fresh, mouthwatering finish with slightly elevated brightness in this vintage.

Food Pairings
Seafood risotto, grilled octopus, lemon-based pasta dishes, fresh cheeses, and Mediterranean appetizers.

Verdict
A beautifully executed Falanghina blend that leans into freshness and drinkability while maintaining complexity. The 2023 vintage stands out for its enhanced vibrancy and refreshing character, elegant, expressive, and incredibly enjoyable.

Did You Know?
“Resilienza” reflects the enduring nature of Falanghina, an ancient Campanian grape that survived phylloxera and continues to thrive in southern Italy’s volcanic-influenced soils.

🍷 Personal Pick
One of my top Falanghina picks in the $25–$30 range, reliable, vibrant, and a consistent crowd-pleaser that always delivers. — 2 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

San-Lurins Sparkling Malvasia 2019
Venezia Giulia IGT, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
100% Malvasia from Friuli’s Venezia Giulia, where aromatic whites thrive under Adriatic breezes and Alpine influence. This bottling is a “sparkling by nature” style (ancestral / pétillant naturel method), showcasing both the grape’s perfumed character and the region’s tradition of lively, naturally fizzy wines.

Aromas & Flavors
Aromatic and lifted, with floral tones of orange blossom and jasmine, alongside ripe pear, apricot, and tropical hints of lychee. On the palate, citrus zest and stone fruit meet herbal touches and a gentle nutty nuance.

Mouthfeel
Crisp and refreshing, with fine, natural bubbles that carry a light creaminess. Medium body, vibrant acidity, and a savory, saline edge that reflects its coastal terroir.

Winemaking Notes
Sparkling “by nature,” likely via spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts and bottled with residual sugar for a secondary fermentation in bottle. This results in a slightly rustic, artisanal charm with leesy complexity.

Food Pairing
Perfect with Venetian cicchetti (small bites), fried calamari, seafood risotto, or fresh cheeses. A playful aperitivo wine that also works well with light Asian-fusion dishes.

Verdict
A fun, aromatic, and regionally distinctive sparkling Malvasia—full of personality, charm, and refreshment. This is Friuli at its most approachable, bridging history and modern pét-nat appeal. — 10 months ago

Daniel Bloom

9.1

I’m not sure where my previous note went.
Just when you thought you knew Italy, up pops this might as well be SwissFrench alpine darling from the Vallée D’Aoste.
Blanc de Morgex et de la salle. The town/village of Morgex lies just below Mt. Blanc. The Prié Blanc vines thrive in soil that has not known phylloxera.
Stones, herbs,and lemons all wrapped up in a rather electric pkg. I think drink young. Cold, the nose doesn’t have much to say past stone fruit, maybe rainier cherries.,But the palate is pow! Lemons, herbs, mineral, high acid and refreshing. With fried Branzino, perfect!
Always a sucker for high altitude Italian.
Thanks@ AstorWines — 3 years ago

Erik Rini

9.2

I have not historically been a fan of NY state wines but a recent trip to the north fork of Long Island showed me the dramatic improvement of quality over the years. This Chardonnay has such purity of fruit with bursting apple and just a little oak. McCalls wines are stellar and I recommend a trip to their tasting room if you are in the area. You cannot buy their wines at stores with such low production. This one is only 125 cases folks!!! Great proof that Chardonnay can thrive in NY state! — 5 years ago

Rita Ernst

10

Thrive Wine — 5 years ago

Coco Quinn

9.1

Color- drying blood red
Brightness- yeah
Legs- didn’t check
Aroma- floral, rose
Taste- complex notes. an adventure. Clean aftertaste.

Pip + Plow 2018 Merlot Washington
Discover Washington winemaking at its finest with this must-try award-winning Merlot In Washington’s cool climate, it’s the warmest vineyards that make a wine worth waiting for. And wait a little you must. In these regions, the grapes take their time to ripen and develop the distinct flavor that makes this Merlot unmissable. The experts at Pip + Plow combined the sites in Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills and Wahluke Slopes to create an environment that lets this wine thrive. The result? A blend of black fruit flavors that glide across the palate with a soft velvety finish. Look out for plum and blackberry with heady notes of tobacco and clove simmering beneath the surface. Enjoy with family and friends over a roast turkey and homemade cranberry sauce. Judges love it too! It took home a Silver medal at the 2020 Toast of the Coast Competition. It retails for $24 — 6 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Toccata – Riserva Red Blend – 2020
Santa Barbara County – California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview:
A Super-Tuscan–inspired red blend from Santa Barbara County, built on a Cabernet Sauvignon–led composition of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Merlot, Freisa, and Petit Verdot. Italian varieties thrive in the cooler Los Alamos Valley sites, while French varieties contribute structure from warmer hillside vineyards, creating a rounded, balanced wine that reflects both Old World inspiration and regional California expression.

Aromas & Flavors:
Ripe red and black cherry, plum, dried herbs, subtle baking spice, and a touch of earthy nuance. Sangiovese and Freisa add savory lift while Cabernet anchors the fruit core.

Mouthfeel:
Medium-plus body with supple, polished tannins and integrated acidity. Smooth and approachable, yet structured enough to hold its shape at the table.

Food Pairings:
Grilled meats, herb-roasted chicken, lamb chops, mushroom risotto, pasta with tomato-based sauces, and semi-aged Italian cheeses.

Verdict:
A thoughtfully composed, approachable Super-Tuscan–style blend that balances complexity with drinkability. Versatile, food-friendly, and expressive of Santa Barbara County’s diverse terroirs.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight:
I enjoy this wine for its balance and versatility, it delivers Italian-inspired nuance without heaviness, making it an easy yet thoughtful choice for casual dinners or relaxed evenings when I want complexity without intensity. — 6 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Cusumano – Merlot Terre Siciliane IGT 2023
Sicily – Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
Cusumano is one of Sicily’s most progressive family-owned wineries, blending modern winemaking with the island’s ancient terroirs. This 100% Merlot comes from vineyards planted in the rolling hills of the Terre Siciliane IGT, showcasing how international varieties thrive under Sicily’s Mediterranean sun and volcanic-influenced soils.

Aromas & Flavors
Plum, blackberry, and red cherry dominate the nose, with soft accents of violets, Mediterranean herbs, and a touch of cocoa. On the palate, it’s juicy and fruit-driven, supported by hints of spice and earth that keep it grounded.

Mouthfeel
Smooth and medium-bodied, with round tannins and fresh acidity. A vibrant, approachable wine that finishes gently with a fruity, slightly savory edge.

Winemaking Notes
Vinified in stainless steel to preserve freshness and fruit purity, with short aging in neutral vessels. Cusumano’s style emphasizes clean, modern lines rather than heavy oak influence.

Food Pairing
Perfect with pasta alla norma, margherita pizza, grilled sausages, or aged caciocavallo cheese. Its balance of fruit and freshness makes it versatile for everyday Mediterranean dining.

Verdict
An easy-drinking, modern Sicilian Merlot that’s both accessible and expressive of place. Proof that international grapes can shine beautifully on the island, especially when crafted with balance and restraint. A la salute! — 10 months ago

Joseph Misiti

9.2

It’s a hard grape to grow, as you know. It’s thin-skinned, temperamental. It’s not a survivor like Cabernet that can grow anywhere and thrive even when neglected. PINOT needs constant care and attention, you know? And in fact it can only grow in these really specific, little, tucked away corners of the world. And, and only the most patient and nurturing of growers can do it, really. Only somebody who really takes the time… to understand PINOT’S potential… can then coax it into its fullest expression.” — 3 years ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.3

Wouldn’t pay full price, auction price 👍🏼

The Planeta family have been making wines in Sicily since the 1600s. Cometa, comprised of 100% Fiano grapes, comes from Ulmo, the family’s first winery situated on the banks of the Arancio Lake in eastern Sicily. The deep and chalky soil is perfect for this ancient grape variety to thrive in. Cometa is an intense, yet elegant white wine with a wide range of aromas like lychees, nectarines, mandarin, peppermint and hints of chamomile and wild thyme. It is outstanding when paired with seafood and vegetable dishes. — 5 years ago

Martinez

8.9

Pinot Noir from a tiny family-run estate in Ronda. Founded by Austrian architect Martin Kieninger, the winery works with mostly Austrian varieties and rootstock Kieninger brought from Austria - Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch and Pinot Noir, a variety that seems to thrive in the Ronda-. Whole-cluster fermentation with indigenous yeasts and 12 months aging in French oak barrels. Shy nose. Red fruit and herbal notes. Full-bodied and quite bold (15% ABV!) for a Pinot Noir. Not terribly complex. — 5 years ago

Rita Ernst

10

Thrive Wine — 5 years ago

Jackie Tilton

8.9

Organic Thrive purchase. Not too sweet — 6 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Chappellet – Cabernet Franc – 2022
Napa Valley AVA · Pritchard Hill · California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A refined Bordeaux-inspired blend anchored by 76% Cabernet Franc, supported by 17% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot. The vines, planted in 1989, thrive in the volcanic soils of Pritchard Hill, yielding concentrated fruit with remarkable aromatic lift. Aged 22 months in French oak (60% new), this wine shows both the elegance and mountain intensity that define Chappellet’s signature reds.

Aromas & Flavors
Beautifully expressive with cedar, graphite, sage, red currant, rose petal and a hint of sandalwood. As it opens, deeper tones of black cherry, anise, white pepper and subtle earthiness reveal themselves with grace.

Mouthfeel
Velvety and layered, with seamless tannins and a poised structure. The palate shows depth without heaviness, leading to a long, complex finish that carries dark fruit, spice and a gentle mineral echo.

Food Pairings
Perfect with herb-roasted poultry, pork tenderloin, mushroom dishes, grilled vegetables or aged semi-firm cheeses. Anything savory or herb-accented will meet this wine beautifully.

Verdict
Elegant, balanced and quietly powerful. This Cabernet Franc stands as one of Napa’s finest expressions of the grape, capturing both sophistication and mountain character.

Did You Know?
Cabernet Franc is one of the parents of Cabernet Sauvignon (crossed with Sauvignon Blanc), giving this wine a noble lineage and distinct personality on Pritchard Hill.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
A wine I reach for when I want tradition, depth and grace in one glass. This is the “big papa” of Cabernets, and sometimes the best pairing truly is myself. — 7 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2022 vintage. Medium-medium heavy body. Chalky cherry nose. A waterfall of flavors with both punch and tannins. Was really close to rating this a 9.3 but held back just barely. This VV can go PNP now or stow it away for a decade. It's got plenty of stuffing to survive and thrive. 06.12.25. — a year ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Nicely done! An approachable Cabernet Sauvignon grown at their own vineyards; Yertabulti & Provis by the northern end of the Clare Valley in South Australia, which deemed has a perfect climate for this varietal to thrive.
Plenty aromas of juicy dark cherries, dark chocolate with a subtle touch of herbs, on the palate it dances gracefully thanks to his soft tannings and mouthfeel. Medium-bodied with nice structure. The finish is also medium and pleasant with recurrence of the herbals sensed on the nose initially. — a year ago

Douglas Braun

9.0

2019 Vintage - this a great bargain , Saumur- IChampigny (Cabernet Franc) pencil lead ,rose petal , cherry fruit , subtle oak need to buy more super fun Kudos to the buyer at Thrive  — 4 years ago

Rita Ernst

8.9

Grenache Syrah blend Thrive Wine — 5 years ago

Martinez

9.2

The estate’s flagship wine, Samsara is 100% Petit Verdot from Ronda in southern Spain, a region that is gaining certain notoriety for its Petit Verdot. A late ripening grape variety, Petit Verdot is a minor ingredient in Bordeaux blends where it often fails to ripen properly. But it seems to thrive in warmer regions like Australia, certain parts of California and here in Ronda, where it was first introduced in the early 1990s. Grapes are sourced from El Juncal vineyard, a very cool site at about 2,800 ft elevation, on clay-sandy soils. Fermented with indigenous yeasts (50% whole-cluster) and aged in French and Hungarian oak for 9 months. Dense, dark ruby color. Dark fruit on the nose and palate. Herbal and balsamic notes and a whiff of cinnamon. Complex, structured, very smooth tannins. — 5 years ago

Mia Lamanuzzi

9.5

Clos de la Briderie Purete de Silex Crémant de Loire - from Thrive Market (Champagne with charcuterie for Ana's Zoom wedding 8/22/20) — 6 years ago