Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two hours. The 2019 pours a garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart red fruits: strawberry, raspberry, Morello cherry, roses, dried green herbs, and gravely earth. On the palate the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. From one of the lesser known Conterno’s…but still quite lovely. Drink now through 2039 — 8 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days. Best on Day 1 and 2. The 2017 Inferno, Fiamme Antiche pours a deep garnet color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart fruit: Morello cherry, roses, espresso, leather, alpine herbs and granitic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Elegant and ever so lovely. Drink now through 2037. Only 6,206 bottles produced. — 8 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. No formal notes due to the setting but I’m pleased to report that the 2018 “Très Girard” is positively delightful at this stage of its evolution. Still developing, there is a pleasant mix of dark and red fruit with earth and spice and enough structure to gracefully continue its evolution over the next 10 to 15 years. Drink now through 2038. — 8 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2021 Pagani Ranch pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart black and red fruits: mixed bramble fruit, black cherry, black pepper, red flowers, tobacco, 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+. Yum. — 8 days ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Opened an unknown amount of time before being poured into a red Solo cup. No formal notes; obviously. The 2021 is varietally correct and leans heavily into the violets and pyrazines. There good structure and a solid finish. A wine of good character. Drink now through 2036. — 8 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

This bottle had been opened an unknown amount of time before I was presented my first glass and it was enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2018 Arborina pours a 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, raspberry, roses, tar, a mix of cool and warm spices and dry gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. While the wine making at Renato Corino leans heavily modern, I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. It’s a bit flashy but it maintains its sense of place. Drink now through 2038. — 8 days ago

Jay Kline

9.7

When it comes to spirits with personality, Mezcal tends to be amongst the most rambunctious. But over the years, the Mezcal from Real Minero is the very best I’ve ever had. It never fails to impress. This example is made with the Cuishe variety. I wish these bottles weren’t so expensive these days…but certainly worth it. — 8 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Never had a rum from Fiji before. This is tasty stuff though. It’s big and rich…but what else do you expect from a 17yr aged rum? — 8 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

This bottle was opened sometime earlier in the evening before a glass was handed to me. Pacalet’s 2018 Cornas 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 wild notes of ripe and tart black and red fruits: mixed brambles, freshly cracked black pepper, bacon fat, lavender, dried green 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+. Considering Philippe is Burgundian, I think he does a great job with Cornas; certainly showing a sense of place with the feral nature of Serine. Drink now through 2038. — 8 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 2020 pours a deep ruby purple with a near opaque core and a magenta rim; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is youthful with notes of Montmorency cherry, tart plums, licorice, purple flowers, cocoa, 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+. Tasty stuff and a very nice pairing with braised short rib. Drink now through 2040. — 8 days ago