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. — 19 hours ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2019 pours a pale straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of bright tropical fruit, apple, petrol, white flowers and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ with zippy minerality. So tasty. Drink now through 2034. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2005 pours a garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of cassis, black plum, capsicum, tobacco, horse blanket, gravelly earth, and a 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 medium+ and elegant. Drink now through 2055. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Another year for the marriage, another lovely bottle of Bérêche, Brut Réserve. Still a benchmark NV for me. Previous notes apply. This bottle was disgorged November 2024 — 8 days ago

Jay Kline

9.5

The Bart family is based in Marsannay and most famous for wines from their own village. However, like many OG families in Burgundy, they often have holdings in other areas. In the case of the Barts, they have holdings in Fixin, and even a couple of Grand Cru vineyards: Clos de Beze and Bonnes Mares. Their holdings in Bonnes Mares amount to a little over two acres that were inherited through the Clair side of the family. The vines are on the Chambolle Musigny side, right next to Comte Georges de Vogüe, and almost half of the vines are over 100 years old.

This bottle was opened sometime prior to dinner by our host. The 2016 pours a ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of kirsch, black plum, mixed brambles, musk, red and purple flowers, sous bois and 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 long and the texture is silky; elegant. Every now and again, a wine comes into your life when you least expect it and leaves such an impression that you can’t stop thinking about it. This is one of those wines. I want more of this in my life. Drink now and take your time with it, through 2046+? — a day ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Cascina Baricchi is a unique Barbaresco producer that focuses exclusively on a near extinct clone of Nebbiolo: Nebbiolo Rosé. They basically make one wine, separated into two releases, both labeled as Riserva.

This bottle was opened about 30min prior to service and enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2018 “Rose delle Casasse” pours a garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with beautiful notes of Morello cherry, raspberry’s, roses, tar, talcum powder, licorice, and dry earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and slightly savory. Gorgeous stuff and a perfect spring with rack of lamb. Drink now with some patience and through 2053. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Celebrating our 21st wedding anniversary on the night of a lunar eclipse, this bottle seemed perfectly appropriate.

Poured into a decanter about 90 minutes prior to service and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2005 Eclipse pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core and some rim variation. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of black cherry, licorice, leather, dried red flowers, inorganic earth and spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (integrated) and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. A rather deft pairing with grilled spiny lobster tail and T-bone steaks.

While this is not my preferred style (16% ABV !!!) there was something about it that kept my total interest. Yes, it was a big boy but it wasn’t some ponderous oaf. It danced across the palate with discipline and sophistication. Drink now, with an hour in the decanter to allow it time to freshen up, and through 2030. — 8 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

“Clos de la Barre” is a lieu dit monopole that has been owned by the Lafon family since 1894.

Opened sometime prior to dinner. The 2018 “Clos de la Barre” pours a pale straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with apples, pineapple, white flowers, a whiff of matchstick, lemon, and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and creamy. A really pretty wine. Perhaps even a little shy tonight. Quality is unquestionably high. Drink now through 2038. — a day ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several days. Consistent throughout. The 2018 pours a straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Bartlett pear, passion fruit, lanolin, honeysuckle and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and soooooo wooly. These Sandlands Chenin Blancs are fun with some age. Drink now through 2033. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2005 “Crossroads” pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and loads of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous and deeply perfumed with a mix of ripe and dried currants, blackberries, a mix of red and purple flowers, pipe tobacco, cocoa, organic earth and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (integrated) and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. This has held up really well. Drink now through 2035. — 4 days ago