Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured. Enjoyed over three days and it was more or less consistent throughout. No formal notes. The 2017’s are beautifully balanced with deep, dark fruit; a combination of ripe and dried (but mostly on the riper end of the spectrum) mixed with some lovely baking spices too. Secondary characteristics have not yet entered the frame. Was an awesome pairing with grilled burgers. Drink now or over the next 10-15 years easy. — 5 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

This is 4g/l so Extra Brut. Popped and poured, the wine pours a light straw color with a moderate mousse. Medium viscosity. On the nose, white peach, golden raspberry, lemon, candied almonds, brioche. One the palate, the wine is dry with medium++ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose with an added rhubarb note. The finish is super long with lemons and chalk for dayz. There is a balance of power and structure that is so 2008. Lovely now but has the legs to perform well for another 10+ years. Disgorged June of 2022. — 18 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured, consumed over three days and best on Day 3. The wine presents a deep straw color with a persistent moose and very tiny bubbles. On the nose, the wine is intense with notes of strawberry raspberry, lemon bar, marzipan macaroons, nougat, Turkish delights and brioche. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes on the nose though it definitely has more of the citrus and a good bit of a yogurt thing on the finish which is medium+. Tons of chalky minerals. This was more of a gastronomic champagne, particularly on Day 1. It really begged for food. By Day 3, it was equally enjoyable as a food wine or an aperitif. A lovely bottle of bubbles in that rich(er) style. No disgorgement data on the lable. — 20 days ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Oh. My. Goodness. I recently made a comment on another tasting note for a 2018 Barolo; pointing out that great producers made killer, classic wines in 2018. This is an even more remarkable example. Popped and poured; consumed over two days. Day 1 had the most beautiful aromatics; Day 2 brought the power. Both brought illumination. This was my first experience with Olek Bondionio. The wine pours a gorgeous, pale garnet color with a transparent core. No obvious staining of the tears. Medium+ viscosity and no signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is intense. A mix of red and dark fruit: Morello cherry, blackberries and positively redolent of roses. There is more, however. Perfumed scents of cedar, dried green herbs and dry earth can be smelled from across the table as the wine sits in the glass. Seriously, my 16 year-old son asked what smelled so good from across the dinner table. I asked him to smell the glass and he said, “yep…that’s it!”. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes on the nose. On Day 1, the wine came across lighter and more Burgundian. On Day 2 it filled out; becoming darker…and bigger with an almost chewy texture. It finishes with a flourish and in a way that only Piemonte can do. It makes an impression. In this case, I’m now a fiend for it. This is a fabulous expression of the Roncagliette MGA. Drink now with patience or enjoy over the next 20 years. — 24 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

The last bottle from my cellar. No formal notes. This has become more black fruited; structure remains status quo. Apropos, this remains an delicious wine that begs for food. The RTW series from CCC and Lodi continue to be one of the wines I look forward to most each year. Drink now and over through 2030. — 5 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Butteaux is a famous lieu-dit that sits on the top of the hill of the Montmains 1er Cru. The 2019 Butteaux from Romain Collet pours a very light, straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, delicate notes of lemon, lime blossom, verbena, tangerine, and slightly under ripe pineapple. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the nose. There is a beautiful creamy texture with a fabulous mineral finish: limestone and flint. Super long refreshing and easy to crush yet, there is a deft richness that makes it so versatile. Drink now and over the next 10+ years. — 13 days ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Popped and poured; enjoyed over three days. “Les Lys” is a lieu-dit that technically falls within the Vaillons 1er Cru. It’s known for producing wines with a fresher, zippier style than most other 1er’s due to its northeastern exposure. The 2010 “Les Lys” by Daniel-Etienne Defaix is exemplary. It pours a bright golden color with a silvery rim; no signs of particles or gas. Medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is intense. Developing (still!), with all of the citrus fruits: redolent of ripe lemon, lime, and tangerines mixed with some pineapple, wildflowers, minerals and some brioche. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium(+?) tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes on the nose loads of limestone minerals. Leesy with a very long, oily finish. The notes were consistent over the three days the bottle was enjoyed however, it gained some weight and power over that time. It also started to show more oxidative notes: candied nuts and marmalade. This is stupidly good. Drink now and over the next ten+ years, easy. It has the stuffing and the acid to go the distance and age gracefully. — 19 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured, no formal notes. The 2018, Rafanelli is throwing a lot of sediment already in its relative youth. It’s also restrained in the typical Rafanelli, but atypical Zinfandel way. Great balance, and quite delicious however the fruit shows on the slightly under ripened end of the spectrum. That being said, I expect age to be very kind to this vintage. Drink now with a short decant and over the next 15+ years. A lovely pairing with grilled steaks. — 13 days ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured. The wine appears a light straw color with a moderate mousse. Notes of lemon bar, brioche, chalky minerals. On the palate the wine is dry confirming the notes on the nose. Medium plus acid. Citrus, chalky mineral finish. A lovely aperitif. No disgorgement data. — 18 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured. The 2000 A. Rafanelli Cabernet Sauvignon Terrace Select presents a deep ruby color with an opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. Signs of significant of sediment made obvious by what looks like top soil that catches the side of the glass with every swirl before it settles to the bottom. On the nose, the wine is intense. Vinous. Powerful notes of dark fruit: cassis, blackberries, and black cherry with huge amounts of tobacco, bell pepper, cedar box, leather and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium acid. Everything is well integrated at this point. Alcohol comes across medium+. The texture is absolutely luxurious and the finish goes on for minutes. These are ready to drink yet, they have plenty left in the tank if you’re not in a particular hurry. I just don’t see it giving more down the road from here. Drink now or enjoy through 2030. — 22 days ago