Jay Kline

9.4

Let’s get one thing clear right away: this was more about checking in on the early days of a wine that has a history of lasting for decades. Having that out of the way, it’s fun to check in on great wines in their youth, when you get the opportunity. Splash decanted sometime before service, no formal notes. The 2016 “Unico” is already showing its quality with abundant, beautifully ripened fruit and effortless elegance. That being said, having some experience with properly aged Unico, the better days (to my palate) are well ahead. Drink now if you have multiple bottles and can’t help yourself. Give it some air at least. Otherwise, better after 2036 and through 2076, probably. — 2 days ago

Jay Kline

8.9

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days. Consistent throughout. The 2016 pours a deep garnet/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of cassis, plum, purple flowers, graphite, and a combination of cool 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. I think this is my first experience with the second wine of Chateau Lagrange. Went well with my burger. Plenty of life left in it. Drink now through 2036. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2005 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 Bing cherry, raspberry, strawberry, red flowers, mushroom, sous bois, and a mix of cool 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+. Drink now through 2040. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

I always get excited when there’s a bottle of Calon-Ségur open. Classic Saint-Estèphe and, to my palate, these wines consistently deliver what I want from a Left Bank Bordeaux. I believe this bottle was double-decanted prior to service. The 1988 pours a garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with winsome notes of ripe, tart and dried fruits: cassis, mixed brambles, pencil shaving’s, tobacco, capsicum, a whiff of horse blanket, gravelly earth and a mix of herbs and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is long. I absolutely love it. This is the picture of Bordeaux in the dictionary. Drink now through 2048+. — 10 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Opened sometime before dinner. The 2023 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 strawberry, raspberry, red flowers, anise, forest floor and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Lovely, fresh, textbook Pinot Noir from E-A. Drink now through 2038. — 2 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90min. The 2016 Reserva pours a deep purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with fabulous notes of ripe and dried, black and red cherries, Fig Newtons, dill, toasted coconut, leather, anise, old wood, dry earth and spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again, Hermanos de Peciña Reserva is one of the great wine values in the world. Drink now through 2046. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

Bottle was in excellent condition; cork and capsule showed no signs of seepage. The color was hazy garnet with quite a bit of orange on the rim. Lots of sediment. On the nose, the wine was giving oxidized notes and showing signs of fatigue. We gave this a few hours of air to see if it would freshened up. It didn’t. There was underlying intrigue, showing the quality of the wine. However, having some experience with these wines, it’s seemed to be more advanced than what I would expect, even when considering the warmth of the vintage. I’m not convinced this was what the winemaker intended. No rating. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90min before and during dinner. The 1995 pours a straw color with a gorgeous, persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with apples, ripe passion fruit, fresh brioche, lemon curd, toasted marshmallow and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. A freaking delicious Champagne. Drink now through 2035. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

8.9

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2023 pours a straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of yellow apple, pineapple, white flowers, and a touch of lemon cream. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. Pretty delicious stuff considering the humble price. Drink now. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Double-decanted prior to service. The 1989 pours a garnet/purple color with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of cassis, brambles, tobacco, leather, cocoa, some graphite, inorganic earth and a mix of herbs 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+. The fruit is generous and sort of the star of the show. There is no wonder why so many love Cos. Still years and years to go. Drink now with some air and through 2049+. — 8 days ago