Jay Kline

9.0

Drank this while watching Midsommar which, was a visually impressive film. The 2017 Black Boar Zinfandel is 79% Zinfandel and the balance is Petite Sirah. Aged for 18 months in a mix of French and American oak; 25% new. Bright, zippy and full of vigor. Red and dark fruits with dried herbs. Based on notes from earlier vintages, the style must have changed because this was far from being a big jammy Zinfandel. This was quite arresting, actually, in a good way. Given the acid, I expect this will improve with some age. Quivira is a Certified Biodynamic producer from Dry Creek. If you’re ever in the area, I highly recommend a visit. Picking and eating produce from their organic and biodynamic garden is a highlight. They’re doing some great things. 662 cases made. — 2 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

A huge wine; nearly port-like. Massive, rich, raisiny fruit (almost Luxardo cherry-like), chocolate, figs and baking spices. The tannins are stiff but not punishing. A touch boozy but what do you expect? I don’t drink Amarone very often but this was fun to share with the boys while we complain about our country’s continuously ever more tragic trade policy. Tariffs on French wine, Scotch whiskey and Italian cheeses?!! 🤦🏼‍♂️ — 19 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Holy smokes. It’s been a couple of years since I last drank this traditional producer’s wine and while the winemaking style is consistent (non-interventionalist), the 2015 vintage was particularly flattering. From the pop and pour, this was bursting with character. Loads of pure, crunchy red fruit, cracked black pepper, spices, garrigue...intensely spicy actually which I’m sure comes from the fact they don’t ever de-stem. What a lovely wine and it was positively smashing with our meal. Definitely the best I’ve tried from Gour de Chaulé. Bravo!! — 23 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Direct from the winery. Popped and poured; consumed over several hours. The bouquet was tart red fruits and tobacco...plus, there was a rather fascinating aroma of braised beef...like an awesome stew with veggies and the whole bit. It was all very nice actually! On the palate, a combination of dark and red fruits; think slightly under-ripened blackberries and red currants. As time went on, it became more red fruited in profile. A little thin and a touch green which is indicative of the vintage. The tannins, which are still very much present, are fairly well integrated at this point. I’m a big fan of Seavey and their Caravina is deserving of being considered one of, if not the best, second wine in Napa. Drink now and enjoy! — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups™️, brambles, cumin seed and dried Italian herbs. Firm tannins and zippy acid; long-ish finish. So tasty for so little money. Great with food but plenty interesting to enjoy on its own. Huge value. Makes me wonder how good the Barbarescos will be! — 10 days ago

Jay Kline

8.9

Deep, dark purple. Plenty of brambles and spice...but really, there’s nothing here that gets me excited. This is a good wine and it’s quite quaffable actually, but not particularly remarkable to me. A bit of a reminder as to why I only focus on a handful of producers in CdP anymore. — 19 days ago

Jay Kline

8.4

This ended up at the house as a leftover from a party. Always fun to try different things. Kinda reminds me of that Vanilla Yoplait with mixed berries; that sort of berries and cream thing? There’s a lot of vanilla going on. It’s a decent quaffer but there are so many other wines for similar or less money that would be far more enjoyable to me. That being said, anyone who’s really into that big fruit and vanilla thing would probably like this quite a bit. — 8 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Decanted for 90min; consumed over 4 hours. This was very Bordeaux-like with cassis, dark cherry, tobacco and forest floor. Medium-bodied. Great structure. Not super deep but classic and almost even rustic in some ways. Very good. If I was holding onto these, I would plan to drink sooner than later. I should note, this was a 1.5L bottle. — 10 days ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Super tasty Langhe Nebbiolo. Bright fruit. So fresh! Super approachable. Punching way above its weight. — 19 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

This falls squarely into the category of rando bottles in the cellar that just need to be opened and shared. Particularly since I have no history with this label (though I am quite familiar with Goldschmidt’s wine making). Popped and poured. It smells quite fresh and rather inviting for being 14 years young. On the palate, it was very enjoyable and obviously Cabernet Sauvignon with loads of cassis, tobacco and some very distinctive green bell pepper. The tannins have mostly resolved themselves and there’s a really nice texture to this. The finish is long and satisfying. Quite good! But I’m not so sure it’s very a distinctive wine with all that being said. Upon some research, I guess this is the top label from his portfolio of wines and frankly, I think it tastes like it certainly has the care to warrant that title. However, for the price these bottles retail for these days, not a very compelling QPR. — 24 days ago