Jay Kline

9.3

Presented to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and rust colored rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and drying fruits: lightly stewed blackberries, black cherry, plums, tobacco, dried green herbs, old fine wood, vanilla 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.

Initial conclusions: this could be Tempranillo, Malbec, Merlot (or based blend), or Zinfandel-based blend from Spain, Argentina, France or the United States. However, the staining was a bit much unless there was a lot of PS in the blend so I eliminated Zinfandel. I also didn’t think this was purple enough for Malbec. This left me with Tempranillo or Merlot and I felt that this leaned more towards its structure than fruit so I was leaning Spain or France with 15-20 years of age and from a solar vintage. Ultimately, I chose Tempranillo, from Spain, Rioja, Gran Reserva from 2006…from a quality producer like C.V.N.E. Yeah, I can see Pomerol. Shoot. This is stuff and ready to drink now and will drink well through 2032+. — 17 hours ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2018 “Il Rosso delle Donne” 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 ripe and tart, mostly red fruits: Morello cherry, raspberries, strawberry, roses, a whiff of horse blanket, red rope licorice, dried green herbs, and dry gravel. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This is a slightly wild but positively gorgeous example of a Nebbiolo-based blend from Alto Piemonte. There’s an old school feel about this that completely charms the heart. Too bad there is so little of it: the entire Boca DOC has less than 50 acres planted to vine. Castello Conti only made 3912 bottles of this gem. Drink now through 2048+. — 7 days ago

Jay Kline

9.0

From a tiny, walled Monopole of the estate. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The Clos du Dessus des Marconnets (Pernot) pours a ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with a mix of tart and ripe mostly red fruit: strawberry, raspberry, cherry, red flowers, green herbs, some forest floor and subtle warm spices. On the palate, wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. A lovely and utterly classic expression of Bourgogne Rouge. Drink now through 2033+. — 13 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

From magnum. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Slightly better on Day 2. The 2016 Caravina pours a deep garnet with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate seeing of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart, predominantly, dark fruit: black currant, black cherry, Anaheim pepper, purple, flowers, cocoa powder, green herbs, 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. Drink now through 2036; longer in this format. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 2015 pours a deep amber 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 orchard fruit: apricots, peach, and orange pith; along with pu'er tea, dead flowers, nuts, and dry earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with low tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and there is a slightly waxy texture. This is a wine that gives you that sort of, “open your head, lift out brain, spin it around, and reinsert” sort of experience. Special. Drink now through 2030+. Bottle No. 03507/11970 — 7 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Not to be confused with the La Serra MGA from La Morra. This "La Serra" is actually from the Serra MGA from Serralunga d'Alba. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2026 “La Serra” pours a garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with gorgeous notes of Morello cherry, tar, red roses, talcum powder, sweet pipe tobacco, curaçao, gravely earth, new leather, and a mix of exotic spices. 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 savory. This is a tremendous wine that builds with character over the course of time in the glass. Way more exciting than this was back in 2017 (when I last enjoyed this vintage of La Serra). Drink now with patience through 2046. — 7 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2023 1er Chalumaux pours a straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart orchard and tropical fruit: yellow apple, white peach, orange Cuties®️, pineapple, starfruit, lemon curd, white flowers, slivered almonds, and river rock. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and laden with minerals. Lovely balance. Classic. Drink now through 2043. — 13 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

It is customary for the wines of Chateau Musar to be released seven years post-vintage. However, in 2013, the decision was made to hold the vintage back. 2006 was unusual for two reasons. The first, were the cool climatic conditions in the Bekaa; the likes of which had not been seen since the 1950’s. There was a two-week period in winter where the valley was blanketed in snow and mild temperatures remained in effect throughout much of the growing season. The second was much more tragic: 2006 was a war year in Lebanon. On July 12th of that year, Israel and Hezbollah engaged in a bloody conflict that lasted (officially) a little over a month. Sadly, thousands of lives were lost. In 2017, eleven years after harvest, the 2006 vintage was deemed ready for release.

Poured into a decanter about 90min prior to service. The 2006 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 black cherry, blackberries, black currants, tobacco, horse blanket, leather, some red and purple flowers, dried herbs and Eastern 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 absolutely delicious. A triumph and perfect with lamb chops. Drink now through 2046+.

How Chateau Musar endures to make wines from the Bekaa remain one of the great examples of human grit and determination available in the world of wine. Frankly, it’s a minor miracle this vintage ever made it to the winery. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

8.9

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2021 pours a pale golden color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart orchard fruit: peach, honeysuckle, Marcona almonds, and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ with a waxy texture. Pretty tasty stuff from Correggia. Drink now through 2031. — 7 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Delicious throughout. The 2022 Cuvée Cassaneas pours a straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with a mix of ripe and tart, orchard and tropical fruit: pineapple, green apple, peach, white and yellow flowers, limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and loaded with minerals. A touch rounder than the 2021 version. Another beautiful wine that reaches way beyond its humble Bourgogne Blanc designation. Drink now through 2037. — 8 days ago