Jay Kline

9.2

Opened about an hour in advance of dinner and enjoyed over the course of several hours alongside the 2019 La Tourtine and 2020 Lulu & Lucien. No formal notes. The 2017 La Migoua is a veritable bank vault. The darkest of fruits and a mountain of structure. Like every other La Migoua I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing, this requires decades of time to uncoil. Keep this is the deepest, darkest part of your cellar for years to come. To my palate, I would probably hold until 2032 and then enjoy through 2057. — 3 hours ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Opened just prior to dinner and decanted. The 2010 “Reflet” pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady notes of dark brambles, spiced cured meat, purple flowers, black pepper, Kalamata olive, dried green herbs, granitic earth, and a kiss of 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. This is squarely in the zone and fantastic stuff. Drink now through 2035+. — 9 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2021 pours a pale garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Morello cherry, raspberries, red flowers, tar, dried green herbs and gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. One of the better bargains in the world of wine. Drink now through 2041. — 12 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Opened about an hour in advance of dinner and enjoyed over the course of several hours alongside the 2017 La Migoua and 2020 Lulu & Lucien. No formal notes. The 2019 La Tourtine is phenomenal. Surprisingly more open than expected but still showing its youth with everything still primary. On this night, to my palate, it was far and away the most impressive of the three. It had a streak of dried herbs and smoked meat that was really attractive. Structure for dayzzzz. Baller stuff with traditional cassoulet. Drink now with patience through 2044. — 3 hours ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; Enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2019 “Les Caillerets” 1er Cru, Cuvée Amphore pours a brilliant, ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with beautiful notes of black cherry, strawberry, red flowers, porchini, sous bois and exotic spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. This is a very pretty wine. Drink now through 2039. — 12 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2021 pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of black cherry, espresso, black tea, dried herbs and gentle 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 with patience but, to my palate, I think this will be better with a few more years in the cellar so the oak can better integrate. This is built to last well past 2041. — 12 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2016 pours a deep purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with mostly dark fruit: black cherry, plum, purple flowers, animale and earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Tasty stuff. Drink now through 2041. — 13 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Poured into a decanter about 30min prior to service; enjoyed over the course of several hours alongside the 2017 La Migoua and 2019 La Tourtine. No formal notes. At this juncture, despite being the youngest, the 2020 “Lulu & Lucien” (formerly labeled as their standard Bandol Rouge) is the most open and freshest of the three. Delicious with traditional cassoulet. Definitely something that can be appreciated now through 2035. — 3 hours ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Best on Day 2. The 2023 Amador County pours a bright, deep straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart orchard fruit: peach, lemon, tangerine, white flowers, lanolin, and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the texture is waxy. Obviously young but I can’t help but feel that these Chenin’s from Tegan just keep getting better and better. Drink now through 2039. — 18 hours ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Opened sometime prior to dinner; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2010 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 dark, bramble fruit, black pepper, purple flowers, anise, cocoa, mixed herbs and gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Currently in the zone. Delicious stuff. Drink now through 2035.  — 13 days ago