Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured, enjoyed over the course of two days. Consistent throughout. The 2018 Founder’s Reserve pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and no obvious signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe, dark fruit: black currants, black plum, blackberry, black cherry, tobacco, some grilled poblano pepper, baking chocolate, vanilla, and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with mediumt+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. This wine has developed nicely over the last several years and from my perspective, squarely in its prime. Drink now through 2030. — a day ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Double decanted two nights before service. The 2013 Insignia pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing but still quite youthful with notes of tart and ripe dark fruit: dense brambles, purple flowers, tobacco, vanilla and 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 11 years of age, this remains tightly coiled and needs more time to open up and tell more of its story. All that being said, this is very good now…but to my palate, better after 2027 and through 2043. — 5 days ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Multiple bottles opened from the same source; all stored in ideal cellar conditions. The 2014 “Basarin” pours an almost turbid garnet color with an orange rim; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. Some light signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of bruised strawberries, a combination of dead and dried flowers, leather, mint and earth. Some VA. Showing some oxidation. On that palate, the wine is bone dry with medium+ tannin and high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose though I might add a slight Balsamic note. Medium finish. Despite presenting more advanced than I would expect, it came across fairly polished. This is my first experience with this producer so I’m curious if this is characteristic? This could also just be the 2014 vintage doing 2014 vintage things. If I had any of these, I would consider drinking them before 2029. — 6 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2022 Sandlands Lodi Zinfandel pours a deep ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with mostly tart and ripe mixed bramble fruit: blackberries, Marionberries, mulberries, raspberry, ground black pepper, a mix of red and purple flowers, and stony earth. On the palate, the white is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and juicy. This is a fresh, zippy and utterly classic in the sense that it reminds me of how Zinfandel was made 40 years ago. Other producers in Lodi wish they could make balanced Zin like this. Wow. Drink now with glee and through 2037. — 10 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Poured into a decanter about three hours prior to dinner. The 2012 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears and no obvious signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with heavy notes of Morello cherry, exotic spices, bergamot, black tea, red flowers, cola nut and stony earth. 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 a remarkable 2012 Riserva that hides its 15% alcohol about as good as any I have encountered. Full of character and full of life. My last bottle, but I hope to encounter this beauty again at some point in the future. Drink now through 2032. — 2 days ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Double decanted two nights before service. The 2004 Haut Brion pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. One the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart and ripe dark fruit: Black currants, blackberries, tobacco, pencil lead, purple flowers, gravelly earth and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid; the structure is very well integrated. Confirming the notes from the nose with the addition of Flintstones vitamins. The finish is long and ferrous. This continued to build in the glass and had such a fabulous nose! Drinking well now (after a lot of air) but this has a long life yet ahead, 2054 with ease. — 6 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed on an outdoor patio on a beautiful autumn afternoon hence, no formal notes. The 2023 Domaines Bunan Rosé delivers what you want of a Rosé from Bandol: the texture and substance of Mourvèdre in a lighter, brighter package. Almost chewy, this delivers such a sense of place for the money. Drink now, on a porch, with a friend. — 9 days ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Double decanted two night prior. The 2016 Rose Rock pours a pale ruby color with no staining of the tears. On the nose, effusive fresh strawberry, red flowers and mint. Medium structure. Unmistakably New World with a heavy dose of inspiration from Burgundy and while this has plenty of substance, it’s all about the fruit and super clean; almost cutesy, very demure. Balanced. Drink now but should drink well through 2031. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Double decanted two nights before service. The 2006 pours a deep, slightly hazy garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a mix of desiccated fruit and funky umami notes: bruised and desiccated strawberry, red rope licorice, nori, Cherry Dr. Pepper, cracked black pepper and leather. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is forever long and saline; it just hangs around forever. Initially, this came across as bit backward but it really gained power and character the more time it spent in the glass. Drink now with patience and through 2036. — 6 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Opened about an hour prior to taking dinner at Via Farina. The 2015 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. No obvious signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of powerful, dark and red fruits: black cherry, ripe strawberries, horse blanket, red flowers, new leather, black tea, exotic spices and dry earth. A touch of VA. 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 a beautiful, powerful example of Terre Nere BdM with the best parts of the 2015 vintage on full display. Bold and balanced. Lovely now and wouldn’t hesitate to open one if you’ve been patiently waiting. A solid pairing with a variety of central Italian fair. Drink now with some air and through 2035. — 6 days ago