Jay Kline

9.2

Double-decanted about 90min prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 2025 pours a deep, wild caught salmon color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with bright notes of Pluot, Rainier cherry, watermelon Jolly Rancher, pink pepper corn, red and purple flowers and dry earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with low tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and slightly saline. This is delicious with Bánh mì Smash Tacos and enjoys a good amount of air. Drink now through 2035. — a day ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Opened about an hour prior to service. The 2023 Clos de la Rougeotte pours a ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe strawberry, raspberry, cranberry, roses, sous bois, some white pepper and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Already impressive, I believe this will need some time before it will show its best. Better after 2030 and through 2048. — 7 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

This is the “Legend Label” Howell Mountain. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2018 Howell Mountain “Legend Label” pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with beautiful notes of black currants, blackberries, tobacco, poblano pepper and rocky earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with significant structure; medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Total mountain fruit deliciousness. Drink now through 2048+. Bottle No. 230. — 9 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 2022 “Les Crêts” pours a golden color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of slightly bruised golden apple, white flowers, pineapple, yogurt, and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and a touch saline. A lovely, slightly oxidative approach to Chardonnay what worked well with duck confit. Drink now through 2037. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.6

Presented to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core and some moderate rim variation; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with beautiful notes of ripe and slightly dried black and blue fruits: dark brambles, plum, fig, purple flowers, leather ball glove, something spicy and green that has me debating between rotundone or pyrazines (but which?), rocky earth and fine baking warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Alcohol is medium. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. What a beautifully made wine.

Initial conclusions: this could be Cabernet Sauvignon (or a blend with associated Bordeaux varieties), Cabernet Franc, Merlot (blended with associated Bordeaux varieties) or Syrah from France, the US or Australia. This is older; probably 20+ years of age based on the secondary characteristics or dried fruit and old leather. While the fruit plays a starring role here, the alcohol seems almost modest so I can’t place this in Australia or the US. The problem I’m having, are there pyrazines or rotundone? I don’t get a lot of black pepper or animale, or olive for that matter…so I’m leaning towards this being Bordeaux. Final conclusion: this is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine with a blend of Bordeaux varieties, from France, Bordeaux, Pulliac, from a classified growth, 2004. Whoa!!! 2005 Clape?! What a treat! I feel like I should have nailed this wine. Alas…I still have to get better at differentiating between pyrazines and rotundone with age. Drink now with a decant, through 2045+ — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Opened about 30 minutes prior to service and enjoyed over the course of two hours. The 2023 pours a deep garnet/purple with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe, mostly black fruit: mulberries, blackberries, plums, purple flowers, exotic spices, mocha, some wood varnish and organic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and sanguine with a velvety texture. Modern and insane value. Drink now through 2038. — 10 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The NV Grand Cru Brut Réserve pours a pale copper color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with bright notes of raspberry, strawberry, white peach, lemon bar, almond and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is medium+. Quite lovely stuff. Drink now. Disgorged March 2023 — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Presented to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep ruby/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart black fruits: black cherry, plum, some cocoa, dry leaf tobacco, vanilla and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. The alcohol is medium. This is tart and tasty; young and built for age.

Initial conclusions: this could be Cabernet Sauvignon (or a blend including Bordeaux varieties), Zinfandel (with a decent amount of Petite Sirah, Tempranillo or even Malbec from France, the US, Spain or Argentina. But I think the wood is playing a key role in the tannin here, meaning that I think it spends a lot of time on it. I don’t think it’s all American because it don’t get a bunch of coconut and dill…but this is probably a modern leaning Rioja. So that’s my call. This is Tempranillo from Spain, Rioja, Reserva level and younger, 2019. Boom. This is solid and reliable even though I don’t think it has the personality of Heredia or Pescina. Drink now through 2049. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course a few hours. The 2024 Contra Costa County pours a ruby/purple color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is youthful and fresh with notes of bright tart, brambles, black cherry, black pepper, purple flowers, some black pepper and inorganic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from nose. This finish is medium+ and loaded with minerals. Distinctive and full of energy. Drink now through 2044+ — 9 days ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The NV Brut pours a straw color with persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of stone fruits, raspberry, lemon curd, freshly baked brioche and chalky, limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and the texture is creamy. Very easy to enjoy. Drink now. — 15 days ago