Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2024 CCC pours a deep garnet/purple with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of mixed brambles, kirsch, black pepper, licorice 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. A bright, delightfully balanced Zinfandel. Drink now through 2039. — 7 hours ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2015 “Southing” pours a deep ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and bruised strawberry, raspberry, pomegranate, red flowers, mushroom 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. Drink now through 2035. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2020 pours a deep ruby/purple with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of pomegranate, tart plums, purple flowers, minerals, and gentle 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. Rustic, youthful and exuberant. A wine with personality. Drink now through 2035. — 5 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days. Consistent throughout though, I think I slightly preferred it after some air on Day 1. The 2024 pours a pale ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with winsome notes of bruised strawberry, watermelon Bubblicious, cranberry, pink flowers, and wet cement. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Tegan has become a master of Trousseau as this is about as good as any you will have, including the Jura. Drink now through 2034. — 7 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2017 Mailbox Vineyard pours a deep purple/garnet color with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of dark cherry, purple flowers, cocoa, pipe tobacco, a mix of organic and inorganic earth 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+. Keenan does Merlot really well and this is a prime example. Drink now through 2037+ — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2018 “S” pours a slightly hazy garnet/purple color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of pomegranate, cranberry, strawberry, licorice, purple flowers, green herbs and crushed rock. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is medium+. I love me some Lapierre. Drink now through 2038. — 5 days ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2006 Bussia Riserva pours a deep garnet color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears and a good bit of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady notes of Morello cherry, an entire shop of red roses, tar, curaçao, truffle, talcum powder, cedar chest, dried green herbs and 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. What a brilliant showing with so much life left. Drink now (but maybe decant off the sediment immediately before service) through 2046. — 7 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 2008 pours a garnet color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of cassis, kirsch, green bell pepper, graphite, dried purple flowers, earth 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 and sanguine. Old school Bordeaux and delicious. Drink now through 2038. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2018 pours a slightly hazy purple color with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and signs of some fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with gorgeous notes of mixed brambles, figs, lavender, animale, bacon fat, black pepper, black olive brine, a touch of smoke and a winsome 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. Brilliant stuff from this overlooked producer and a delicious pairing with lamb and mendi rice. Drink now through 2043. Thanks for the assist @Lyle Fass — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2009 Cerretta pours a deep garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears and a significant amount of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and dried fruits: Morello cherry, desiccated strawberry, tar, truffles, espresso, well oiled leather, cedar and organic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. This is an intense representation of a solar vintage that probably would appreciate more air than I gave it. In the future, I would decant for sediment and allow more time to track the wine’s development throughout the evening. A lovely expression of 2009 Barolo entering into its fully mature window. Drink now through 2039. — 7 days ago