Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. “Le Sucrier Velours” pours a deep ruby/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart brambles, currants, fig, blueberries, tobacco, Serrano pepper, red and purple flowers, a mix of organic and inorganic earth, along with cool and warm spices. At this stage, the pyrazines seem to overshadow the rotundone. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. This has aged very nicely and was lovely with burgers. Drink now through 2031. — 15 hours ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2021 pours a pale straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tropical fruit, lemon drop, freshly struck match, Spring white tree flowers, and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+, textured and saline. I thought this benefitted from a lot of air as my last glass was my favorite but this was pretty awesome from the PnP. Drink now with a little patience and through 2036. — 2 days ago

Jay Kline

8.8

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few days. The 2023 pours a pale straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with textbook notes of grapefruit, passion fruit, lemon grass, banana pepper and steely minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. Drink now through 2030. — 6 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 1998 pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with positively charming notes of plum, brambles, grilled Poblano pepper, pipe tobacco, dried mixed flowers, a mix of organic and inorganic earth, fine wood 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 long and savory. This is about as traditional as it gets and was simply brilliant tonight. Squarely in the zone. Drink now through 2038+. — a day ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2017 “Les Saint Georges” pours a deep ruby color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with gorgeous notes of raspberry, strawberry, cranberry, pomegranate, red flowers, sous bois, mushroom, and exotic spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. The nose alone is worthy of songs. Drink now through 2037. — 2 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The “Grand Cellier” pours a pale straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of bright, tart fruit: green apple, star fruit, Meyer lemon, a whiff of brioche, and chalky, limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. I freaking love Vilmart. Drink now through 2038. Disgorged December of 2018. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

From magnum. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2012 pours a garnet color with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with punchy notes of Morello cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, orange rind, red flowers, and a mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and the texture is almost chewy. The 2012 is still an awesome value; really tasty stuff. Drink now through 2042. — 2 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Poured into a decanter to remove sediment prior to service; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 1986 pours a garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of cassis, dried blackberries, green bell pepper, tobacco, dried purple flowers, earth and fine cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium (integrated) tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. A solid but somewhat demure showing, particularly in the midpalate. Drink now. — 2 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2012 Special Club pours a straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of raspberry, apple, strawberry, peach, lemon curd, toasted brioche, almond, and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Delicious. Drink now through 2042. Disgorged October of 2022. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2017 Caravina pours a deep garnet/purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of black currants, blackberries, black cherry, Poblano pepper, tobacco, some red and purple flowers, cocoa, dried 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 medium+. One of my favorite vintages of Caravina in the last 20 years. Delicious with rib roast. Drink now through 2037. — 7 days ago