Jay Kline

9.0

Why Delectable describes a 1er Cru Chablis as a “white blend” is beyond me.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of lunch. The 2022 Vaucoupin pours a straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe pineapple, yellow apple, white flowers, Meyer lemon and 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. This is a powerful, rather rich (by Chablis standards) expression which, considering the vintage and the vineyard, tracks. Thoroughly enjoyed by the group. Drink now through 2032. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Opened about an 90min prior to dinner and then poured into a decanter 30min before service. The 2004 Clos Martinet pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears and some light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe Bing cherry, raspberry, plum, dried red flowers, anise, some tobacco, a touch of cocoa and leather and stony earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Whoa…what a beauty. I gotta say, when I first opened this, it smelled a little stewed and tired. By the time I had poured the first glass, the nose had opened to a beautiful bouquet and it was quite fresh. It was great with paella too. If I had more bottles, I would be drinking them over the next 5-10 years. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Presented double-blind at dinner. The wine pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core and a slightly orange rim with considerable variation; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated fruit: black currants, blackberries, plum, pipe tobacco, capsicum, pencil shavings, a touch leather, organic earth and a mix of dried herbs and some 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+. Really tasty stuff.

Initial conclusions: this is an old wine, likely 30-40 years old. That being said, it’s still very distinguishable as it’s showing varietal characteristics. This could be Cabernet Sauvignon (or a blend thereof), Cabernet Franc (or a blend thereof), or Merlot (or a blend thereof). I can see this being Napa because the fruit is still showing some generosity. But there’s a lot of non-fruits there too. Regardless, this was giving Left Bank vibes so I could also see this being Bordeaux from a great vintage like 1982. And that’s my call, Cabernet Sauvignon-blend from France, Bordeaux, Saint-Estèphe, from a classified growth like Calon-Ségur. Shucks. But I’m not mad about my choice! Old Opus One’s are tricky to differentiate. Drinking very well right now but this will live well past 2035. — 8 days ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of lunch. The Cuvée Prestige pours a straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of apple, raspberry, fresh brioche, lemon curd and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Most of my experience with this producer has been focused on its Special Club bottling (I know, poor me), but I gotta say, this is a great representative of the family’s style! Super easy to enjoy. Drink now. Disgorged November of 2021. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Checking in on the 2018 vintage. My notes from February 2024 still apply. If anything, this is more squarely in the window of where I like Rafanelli Zinfandel. Really delicious and I suspect it will remain that way for many years. Tons of sediment. Drink now through 2043+. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 2023 Lomas Coloradas “Itata” Cariñena pours a deep ruby/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 and tart raspberry, cranberry, licorice, fresh herbs and graphite minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. I like Carignan and this expression from Chile is quite good. I’d love more time with it. Drink now through 2037. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Splash decanted and enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 2014 “Viña Bosconia” 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 Montmorency cherry, dill, toasted coconut, tobacco, leather 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 long and elegant. Delicious already in its relative youth and there’s a long, bright future ahead. Drink now with patience through 2044. — 8 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2012 Terrace Select pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of black currants, blackberries, tobacco, Poblano pepper, mixed flowers, dried herbs, fine warm spices and dry, gravelly earth. 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 texture is divine. At the very early stages of its window, this is already exceptional. Wonderfully complex and delineated. Drink now through 2047. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

I thought I would check in on the 2018 so I brought this along for dinner at Mertz. Looking back on my experience from January of 2024, I’d say my previous notes still apply, perhaps not hitting quite the same as it did that night but not far off. This is still classically perfumed and well structured. An excellent Barolo from a tougher vintage. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

8.8

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2020 “Sabotage” pours a deep ruby/purple with a transparent core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with bright notes of Bing cherry, black brambles, purple flowers, licorice, some finely ground black pepper and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. Quaffable and has personality. I dig it. Drink now through 2030. — 6 days ago