Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour; not nearly enough but the evidence is palpable. The 2021 “Berri” pours a brilliant garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of Morello cherry, raspberry, cranberry, roses, tar, talcum powder, dried green herbs and dusty earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from then nose. The finish is long. From my humble perspective, Trediberri are truly a producer in their ascendency and the 2021 example simply affirms that. Drink now with patience and through 2061+ — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner at Paloma in the 20th Arr. The 2022 “Gibraltar” 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 fresh raspberry, red flowers, underbrush, and stony minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. Fresh as a daisy, this was a charming, no fuss, biodynamic Grenache from Roussillon. Drink now through 2032. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some rim variation along with signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with powerful notes of ripe and slightly dried black and red brambles, red and purple flowers, maybe some rotundone, leather, stony earth and a mix of cool spices and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the ABV is medium+ to high.

Initial conclusions: this could be a GSM blend, a Bordeaux blend, or a Tempranillo (and blends) from France, the United States or Spain. Despite the powerful fruit, I felt that the wine leaned more towards its structure and non-fruits so I wanted this to be in the geography formerly known as the Old World. I also felt the generosity of the fruit and elevated ABV was pushing me towards a Southern Rhône GSM. Furthermore, I thought this saw a generous use of new oak. Final conclusion: this is a GSM blend from France, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, from a modern producer, 2007. Close!! This is another really great showing of “Cuvée La Côte Ronde”. Drink now through 2035. — 5 days ago

Jay Kline

8.9

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Best on Day 1. The 2022 “Levantine de Musar” pours a deep ruby/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 mostly tart, red and black fruit: blackberries, raspberries, cherry, some anise, and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. Overall, a fresh and easy expression Musar that’s great with a variety of fare. Drink now through 2032…but best fresh. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner at Le Mazenay. The 2017 “Les Vergers” 1er Cru pours a light straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of green apple, passionfruit, starfruit, lemon curd, honeysuckle, a touch of raw almond, some matchstick, and limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Solid stuff and showing really well. Drink now through 2037. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Enjoyed a single glass at Ambassade de Bourgogne. The 1985 “Les Feusselottes” pours a pale garnet color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of desiccated strawberry, dried res flowers, mushrooms, sous bois, licorice, dried herbs and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (resolved) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. A fully mature Les Feusselottes that is showing its age, but showing well. Drink now. — 5 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2022 “Le Cros Martin” (which is a lieu dit that sits just below Champans) pours a deep ruby color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with beautiful notes of strawberry, raspberry, red flowers, sous bois, gentle cool and warm spices and limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. A lovely Volnay from a Pommard producer I had not tried before. Drink now through 2037. — 5 days ago

Jay Kline

10

Amongst the rarest elixirs I’ve ever had the privilege to try. “Une Chartreuse” is so scarce, many Chartreuse lovers don’t even know it exists. They make a yellow and a green and this is the only bottle I’ve seen of either. Perfect as far as I’m concerned. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner at Le Mazenay. The 2019 pours a deep ruby/purple color with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe mixed brambles, some dried red and purple flowers, a touch of VA, some black pepper, some anise and dry earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. A fantastic pairing with partridge. Already showing very well in its youth. Drink now through 2034+. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Graciously gifted to Holly and I by Pierre and Mathilde Demets. Popped and enjoyed directly from the bottle, on the streets of Paris, in celebration of our 20th wedding anniversary. “Intransigeance” is a fabulous cuvée made from a combination of selected fruit from both “La Forêt” in Gŷe-sur-Seine and “Fins” in Neuville-sur-Seine; 67% Pinot Noir and 33% Chardonnay. No formal notes due to the setting but I can confidently state that the 2018 vintage is utterly delicious. We laughed and reveled as we took pulls under the Eiffel Tower and walked to lunch through the 7th and 6th. We had a blast. Disgorged July 6, 2023. Only 7306 bottles made. We need more Intransigeance, please @Lyle Fass ! — 4 days ago