Jay Kline 
Mt. Brave
Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Better on Day 1 but still very enjoyable on Day 2. The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon pours a deep garnet/purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining and loads of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe black currants, blackberries, purple flowers, leaf tobacco, sweet minty herbal notes, espresso and stony, inorganic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (integrating) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes form the nose. The finish is medium+. To my palate, this is textbook Mt. Veeder and the 2014 is currently singing. Drink now through 2034+. — 16 days ago
Domaine Philippe Viet
Mosaïque Haute-Ronze Régnié Gamay 2021
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2021 pours a garnet/purple color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of bramble jam, pomegranate, licorice, black pepper 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 quite remarkable at 10.5% ABV. It’s nearly sacramental! Perfect over lunch with light fare. Drink now through 2031. — 16 days ago
Patrick Sullivan
Bull Swamp Chardonnay 2025
Popped and poured and served double-blind; no formal notes. The 2025 “Bull Swamp” is made in a style inspired by white Burgundy and its convincing. The nose showed some diacetyl that seemed to blow off with time. Lovely fruit and structure. Good stuff.
— 3 days ago
Giovanni Sordo
Gabutti Barolo Nebbiolo 2021
The Giovanni Sordo holdings in the Gabutti MGA are directly west and northwest of Cappellano’s. They have been bottling a single-vineyard expression of Gabutti since 1982.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2021 “Gabutti” pours a beautiful ruby color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with lovely notes of Morello cherry, orange peel, a room of freshly cut roses, talcum powder, some cedar and dry organic earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose though, it took about 30min of air to reflect that continuity. The finish is long. This is quite a lovely wine; I’m impressed! Silly value. Drink now with patience through 2046+. — 16 days ago
L. Aubry Fils
Brut Rosé 1er Cru Champagne Blend
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The NV Brut Rosé 1er Cru pours a pale salmon color with a persistent mousse. The color is so pale in fact, that I’ve seen BdN with similar color! No matter, it’s pretty all the same. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of peach, apple, raspberry, lemon curd, some white flowers and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Fabulous Rosé with depth and precision. Disgorged November 2024. Drink now through 2034. — 16 days ago
Alzinger
Dürnstein Federspiel Wachau Riesling 2024
“Screw top, drop-top”; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2024 Dürnstein pours a pale straw color and medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart tropical fruit, lemon, a touch of petrol, and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. I love the brightness and energy! This is delicious. Drink now through 2038. — 17 days ago
Podere le Boncie (Giovanna Morganti)
Le Boncie Chiesamonti Toscana IGT Sangiovese 2019
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of days. This was gorgeous on Day 1 and was even more remarkable on Day 2. The 2019 “Chiesamonti”, which comes from a small plot in Castelnuovo Berardenga that used to be blended into Cinque (5), pours a slightly hazy garnet color with transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady notes of Morello cherry, richly varnished wood, red ripe licorice, red flowers, the stems of those red flowers, dried herbs, and dry organic 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 almost decadent for a “Chianti Classico”, even if it’s not labeled as such. This is stunning. Yes, there’s a fair amount of VA but this is Italy we’re taking about and the quality is out of this world. Drink now through 2039. — 16 days ago
Jay Kline
Presented to me double-blind. The 2020 “Les Poulettes” pours a deep ruby/purple; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of dark brambles, black pepper, purple flowers, earth, leather 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. Hmmm…
Initial conclusions: this could be Syrah, Gamay, and GSM blend, a Zinfandel blend, a Tempranillo blend, or Bordeaux-style blend from France, the USA or Spain. But to me, this was giving Northern Rhône vibes so I’m going Syrah, from France, from the Rhône, Saint-Joseph 2020. Wut? Yikes. Not familiar with this producer but Kermit Lynch?! I’m surprised this didn’t show more sense of place. Drink now if you want to melt your mind. — 15 hours ago