Jay Kline

9.3

Poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2015 “Caravina”pours a deep garnet with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of mostly ripe, dark fruits: cassis, blackberries, tobacco, poblano pepper, a mix of red and purple flowers 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 medium+.

At ten years young, the 2015 is showing brilliantly; squarely in its prime. Drink now through 2035. — 9 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2013 “Etichetta Bianca” pours a garnet color with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with fascinating notes of ripe and desiccated fruits: black cherry, pomegranate, red flowers, roasted beef, cedar chest, alpine herbs and rocky 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 savory. Ferrando’s Carema (both white and black labels) are never short on personality and always such a joy to share with others. Drink now through 2043.  — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2015 Judge Family Vineyard Syrah pours a deep, inky, ruby/purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with pungent notes of bacon fat, dark brambles, toasted blueberry crisp, lavender, dried green herbs and fine baking spice. 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 aging slowly and gracefully. This remains my favorite Syrah made in the United States. Drink now through 2045. — 3 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2000 pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated red and black fruits: mixed brambles, black cherry, some fruit leather, some actual leather, pipe tobacco, black pepper, some mushrooms and decomposing earth and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (integrated) and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose where the fruit comes across a bit more desiccated and no less delicious. The finish is long. Drink now. — 14 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2020 Classico pours a garnet color with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Morello cherry, pomegranate, red flowers, old wood, 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 medium+. My first time trying the 2020 vintage of Produttori’s Classico and it’s another really lovely, benchmark example of Barbaresco. Drink now through 2040. — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Best on Day 2. The 2020 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, red roses, talcum powder, strawberry and raspberry cream, wood varnish, green herbs and dried 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+ and savory. Drink now through 2040.

These gotta be some of the best values left in Barolo. It’s probably worth noting that I had been wanting to try the wines from Tomaso Gianolio for many years however, distribution was almost non-existent. Thanks for changing all that @Lyle Fass — 3 months ago

Jay Kline

9.6

Popped and poured (not particularly recommended at this young age); enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2019 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 fabulous notes of wild, dark brambles, purple flowers, bacon fat, spiced cured meats, purple Flintstones vitamins, a touch of the animale, a balanced combo of cool and warm spices and granitic minerals. 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 like a mink glove. Baller Cornas. Drink now through 2054. Thanks for the assist @Lyle Fass — 8 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Poured into a decanter about 30 minutes prior to service and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2019 San Valentino pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and a decent amount of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with sensational notes of Bing cherry, plum, licorice, Palo Santo, varnish, balsamico, exotic spices, and a mix of dried under brush and 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 there is no shortage of excitement. A wine that simultaneously makes you think and fills you with joy. Drink now through 2034. — 17 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2017 “Estate” pours a deep garnet color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of mostly ripe, black and red fruit: Blackberry, Mulberry, bruised strawberry, Bing cherry, red flowers, mushrooms, rich mahogany, sand mixed with rocky 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, silky and slightly savory. Wouldn’t you believe it, another outstanding vintage from McHenry. Drink now through 2037. Only 100 cases made. — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Opened a few hours prior to service and enjoyed over the course of an hour. This bottle of the 1986 was re-corked at the chateau in 2011. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and some dried dark and red fruits: black currants, brambles, black plum, tobacco, pencil shavings, some dried flowers, green pepper, leather, some earth and a gentle 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. This seemed evergreen and this bottle spending most of its life in the cellars of the chateau likely has a lot to do with that. Fabulous stuff. Drink now through 2046. — 4 months ago