Jay Kline

9.3

I sort of forgot that today marked the 50th anniversary of the Judgement of Paris and this was the best I could do to celebrate in the moment; a wine from a participating producer but in the red category, instead of white. From magnum, the 2010 “Elivette” pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and significant sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with lovely notes of black currants, blackberries, Fresno chili, dried purple flowers, purple SweeTarts, tobacco, some dried herbs and fine spices with minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ viscosity and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes form the nose. The finish is long with ferrous minerals. Tasty stuff. Drink now with some patience and through 2040. Bottle No. 095/900 magnums. — 19 hours ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Best on Day 2. The 2024 Lodi pours a ruby/purple color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is youthful with notes of ripe Bing cherry, raspberries, Marionberries, purple flowers, and wet rocks. 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 less jammy and the tannins seem more fierce on Day 2. Sooooo primary. A wine that demands some air at this stage but there’s a lot of fun in its youth. Drink now with patience but better after 2027 and through 2039. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet/orange color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and signs of significant sediment and rim variation. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of mostly dried and desiccated black and fruit: brambles, cherry, tobacco, dried flowers, old leather bound books, organic earth, and old wood. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose where there is a bit of a green streak that may be telling. The finish is medium+. Alcohol is medium.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet Sauvignon or blend thereof, a Tempranillo (or blend) or Sangiovese (or blend) from the United States, Spain or Italy. However, I think the fruit (though dried) is too forward facing to be from either Spain or Italy so I’m taking this to the United States. And because of the color, rim variation and sediment, I believe this has over 40 years of age. Final conclusion: this is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine from the United States, California, Napa from 1981. Whoa!!! It’s a Cary Gott-made Zinfandel from the bicentennial year! Dammit, I keep forgetting about Zinfandel. Proof once again, of this variety’s staying power. The tannin’s are wildly intense, still! So impressive. Drink now. — 5 days ago

Jay Kline

9.0

This Jeroboam was opened and poured into decanters prior to service and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2013 Baker’s Ridge pours a ruby color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Bing cherry, strawberry, cherry cola, red flowers, licorice, a touch of mushroom and earth with some fine spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ with a slightly confected texture. Large formats are always fun at celebrations and this was no exception. Drink now through 2033. — 20 hours ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of Top Gun. No formal notes because it’s a movie theater and we’re drinking out of paper cups. The 2023 is a light, fun and yet serious Trousseau that’s easy to love. Drink now through 2033. — a day ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and some signs of very fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of mostly ripe with some tart and drying fruits: cassis, blackberries, pipe tobacco, Serrano pepper, purple flowers, leather, and a pleasant 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 long and the alcohol is medium+. FWIW, this is an impressive wine on the nose and the palate.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet Sauvignon (or blend there of) or Sangiovese-blend, or Tempranillo (or blend) from the United States, France, Italy or Spain. However, the shear generosity of fruit and lavish oak treatment leads me to Napa. Additionally, there’s a structure that gives me mountain fruit vibes. Final conclusion: this is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend from the United States, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain, 2015. Perhaps I was trying to be a bit too clever but scoring lots of points nonetheless. Probably one of the more memorable, contemporary Freemark Abbey’s I’ve had. Really impressive. Drink now through 2050. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

I’ve had a lot of grappa over the years and they’ve been fun, in a rustic way, but few have ever really impressed me. This one did. It was more complex, layered and about as smooth as any I have tried. Drink now or whenever. — 5 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of Top Gun. No formal notes because it’s a movie theater and we’re drinking out of paper cups. The 2018 is showing quite well with red berries, lovely florals and spice. I rarely drink the reds from Chassagne-Montrachet; perhaps I should consider it more often? Drink now through 2033+. — a day ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of Top Gun. No formal notes because it’s a movie theater and we’re drinking out of paper cups. The 2023 “Folatièries” is youthful but already delicious; I’m sure the vintage has a role to play. There’s a lovely balance of fruit and structure. Classic Beaune characteristics. Drink now through 2023 — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and dried, mixed fruits: brambles, plum, blueberry, purple flowers, leather, earth 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 rich. Alcohol is medium+. Pretty tasty stuff.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Merlot (or blend thereof), Cabernet Franc (or blend), Cabernet Sauvignon (or blend), Shiraz (or blend) Tempranillo or Syrah from the United States, France, Australia or Spain. The fruit is the star here so I’m taking this to the “new world”. Plus, there is a generosity and elevated alcohol that gives me Aussie vibes (though I find the wine balanced). I also think this has 15-20 years of age. Final conclusion: this is a Shiraz blend from Australia, Barossa, 2005. Daaaaaang. Andrew Will! I don’t hate my call but I should have probably done better with this one since I’m very familiar with these wines. Still much to learn. Drink now through 2037. — 4 days ago