mik bafana

9.2

Well balanced sale. Smooth finish. Off dry. — 5 days ago

with Shweta

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Better on Day 2. The 2023 Zinfandel pours a ruby/purple color with a magenta rim; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is youthful with notes of ripe and tart black, red and some blue fruits: black berries, black cherries, raspberries, fig, green herbs, a touch of rubber pool toy, black pepper, dry earth and some 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+. From my experience, this is the most youthful expression of Rafanelli Zinfandel I can recall. Good, but to my palate this will probably be better after 2028. — 22 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours and this gained momentum as the minutes rolled by. The 2016 “San Valentino” pours a deep 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 ripe black and red fruits: black berries, black plum, Morello cherry, spiced meat, old wood, varnish, cumin 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, tangy and slightly savory. These are showing very well at this stage and I don’t expect that to change for many years to come. Drink now with patience (perhaps even a 30min decant) and through 2036. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Decanted about 30 minutes prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2007 pours a deep ruby color with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with powerful notes of ripe red and dark fruits: brambles, kirsch, plum, tobacco, purple flowers, green bell pepper, leather, cocoa, and earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. This is positively delightful right now and there are little signs of slowing down. Drink now through 2037. — 3 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days. Best on Day 3 though, this was pretty tasty throughout. The 2023 Mataro CCC pours a pretty ruby/purple color with a magenta rim; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is youthful with notes of tart and ripe, black and red fruit: blackberries, raspberries, black pepper, dried thyme, gentle warm spices and wet 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+. Fresh and full of life. An awesome pairing with lamb/beef kofta and tabouli. Drink now through 2038. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Consistent throughout. The 2023 “Contra Costa County” 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 notes of tart and ripe mixed bramble fruit: blackberries, Marionberries, raspberries, black pepper, orange zest, menthol, and gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose where the orange citrus notes show a bit more prominently. The finish is medium+, bright and refreshing. 9 barrels produced. Drink now through 2038.  — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2022 pours a pale, slightly hazy ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe red fruit: raspberry, strawberry, maraschino cherry, watermelon, rose water and minerals. 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 impossibly easy to gulp down. Fresh, juicy and silky smooth. Drink now through 2032. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Decanted about an hour in advance and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2022 Cuvée Réservée 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 powerful notes of ripe and tart bramble fruits: blackberries, Marionberries, raspberries, “Oops All Berries!!”, garrigue, red and purple flowers, black pepper, licorice, a balance of cool and warm spices, river rock. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from nose; particularly the power and quality of fruit. The finish is long. Early days for the 2022 Cuvée Réservée but holy smokes is it already pretty special. The ABV is a scorching 16% but you would never know it. The power and freshness of fruit with the titanic structure keep everything in balance. Drink now through 2042. — 22 days ago

Jay Kline

9.0

The fruit from this vineyard was planted in 1886 by Joseph Spenker. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2023 pours a ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of fresh raspberries, lingonberries, Earl Grey, purple flowers, cool spices, and old wood. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and slightly spicy. This is one of the more elegant vintages of the Lodi Cinsault. Drink now with some air and through 2033. 13 barrels produced. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2011 “Gavarini Chiniera” 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 red fruit: Morello cherry, roses, licorice, tar, cigar box, Alpine herbs, menthol, truffle, and dry 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 long juicy and grippy. Certainly a wine in full stride right now. If you have some, open a bottle now and enjoy the benefits of this solar vintage. Enjoy the rest before 2041. — a month ago