Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Tyrrell’s — Vat 1 Semillon 2018
Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia 🇦🇺

Overview
A benchmark, 100% Semillon from one of Australia’s most historic producers, crafted from old vines in the Hunter Valley, a region globally revered for producing age-worthy, low-alcohol, high-acid Semillon of extraordinary precision and longevity. This cuvée captures purity, tension, and evolution in perfect balance, expressing both site transparency and classic Tyrrell’s restraint.

Aromas & Flavors
Lifted citrus blossom, lemon curd, kaffir lime, and delicate white florals lead the aromatics. Subtle layers of green apple skin, preserved lemon, and faint tropical notes emerge with air. Underneath, a gentle mineral thread, wet stone and crushed river rock, adds depth and quiet complexity without overpowering the fruit.

Mouthfeel
Silky, finely textured, and beautifully tension-driven. Creamy without weight, with linear acidity carrying the wine effortlessly across the palate. The structure feels energetic and precise, offering freshness, elegance, and remarkable drinkability without richness or heaviness.

Food Pairings
Oysters with citrus mignonette. Grilled prawns with lemon butter. Poached halibut with herbs. Sushi and sashimi. Fresh chèvre or lightly aged goat cheese.

Verdict
An exceptional example of New World Semillon executed with Old World discipline. Elegant, mineral-driven, and quietly powerful, this wine delivers layered complexity while remaining feather-light on its feet. A timeless style that continues to reward both immediate pleasure and long-term cellaring.

Did You Know?
Hunter Valley Semillon is famous for being bottled young at low alcohol and evolving dramatically with age, developing toast, honey, and lanolin complexity over decades while maintaining razor-sharp acidity. Tyrrell’s Vat Semillon wines have been among Australia’s most collectible and ageworthy whites for generations.

🍷 Personal Pick
Pure nostalgia in a glass. This wine reconnects me with the region that sparked my early love for Australian whites, refined, disciplined, expressive, and endlessly drinkable. A masterclass in tension, restraint, and terroir clarity. This is Semillon at its highest form. — 4 months ago

Ericsson

9.6

The timeless elegance of Latour. — a year ago

Mark Rosse

9.4

Great cork. Looked 15 years younger. Lovely and timeless — 2 years ago

Ericsson

9.4

I love R Lopez de Heredia wines. Still made the way they were made hundred years ago. Wines for old souls who really appreciate timeless art and low intervention. — 4 months ago

Ericsson

9.7

Yes—exactly that kind of wine: timeless, composed, and quietly authoritative.

It smells so good on first pour. Damp pine forest floor and clean mountain air register immediately. Everything else unravels from there; but that initial pop-and-pour sniff is pure magic.

On the palate, blackcurrant, cedar, graphite, and dried herbs unfold with control, carried by freshness and finely etched tannins in a medium body.

So classic, so intellectual, and deeply mesmerizing. Drink now or age. — 5 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.3

Burke y daniel m — 9 months ago

Norman

9.0

Way too young — a year ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Château Cantemerle 2023 – Haut-Médoc, BDX, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A beautifully expressive Left Bank blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 71%, Merlot 18%, Petit Verdot 7%, and Cabernet Franc 4% that delivers immediate charm while retaining classic Haut-Médoc structure and aging potential. The wine shows vibrant fruit purity, polished tannins, and a well-judged touch of oak, making it approachable young yet capable of evolving gracefully over the coming decade.

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe blackberry, black cherry, cassis, and plum layered with subtle cedar, vanilla spice, graphite, and a gentle floral lift. Fresh berry brightness carries through the palate, framed by light savory notes and a refined oak accent that enhances rather than dominates.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with supple texture and finely integrated tannins. Juicy, energetic entry with excellent balance between fruit concentration and freshness. Smooth mid-palate flow and a clean, persistent finish that stays lively and inviting.

Food Pairings
Grilled steak, roast chicken, lamb chops, mushroom risotto, charcuterie boards, aged Gruyère or Comté, and classic bistro fare. A versatile table wine that shines across a wide range of savory dishes.

🍷 Personal Pick
Cantemerle never disappoints, this is pure drinking pleasure wrapped in Bordeaux elegance. Juicy, polished, and instantly enjoyable, yet grounded with just enough structure to remind you why Haut-Médoc remains timeless. A perfect bottle when you want serious pedigree without serious effort.

Did You Know?
Château Cantemerle is classified as a Fifth Growth in the historic 1855 Bordeaux Classification and is known for producing some of the most consistently approachable and age-worthy wines of the Médoc, often offering outstanding value relative to its pedigree. — 4 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Château Coucheroy Blanc 2019
Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A 100% Sauvignon Blanc crafted by the esteemed Vignobles André Lurton family at Château Coucheroy. Located in Pessac-Léognan, this estate combines noble Bordeaux heritage with modern elegance. The wine’s name—rooted in legend of King Henri IV’s visit—underscores its timeless appeal.  

Aromas & Flavors
Pale yellow with green highlights, the nose is bright and vibrant with notes of lemon, citrus, and floral undertones. The palate mirrors this freshness with lime zest, delicate white florals, and a subtle saline touch that adds harmony.  

Mouthfeel
Refreshing and balanced, this wine is well-rounded yet crisp. Its texture is smooth and approachable, finishing with a clean, lingering mineral accent. 

Winemaking Notes
Vinification blends complexity and purity: partially fermented and aged in oak barrels for structure, and part in temperature-controlled stainless steel for freshness. Lees aging enhances depth without overpowering natural vibrancy.  

Food Pairing
Perfect with bright, lightly seasoned seafood: think green asparagus flans, grilled langoustines, or classic Saltimbocca alla Romana. 

Verdict
Château Coucheroy Blanc 2019 is a beautifully crafted expression of Sauvignon Blanc from Graves. It pairs refreshing acidity and mineral clarity with elegant texture—making for both a delightful aperitivo and a refined pairing wine. Its appeal lasts across meals and moments. Cheers! — 9 months ago

Josh Betz

9.1

Gods country. Water to wine! — 3 years ago