Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course a few hours. The 2024 Contra Costa County pours a ruby/purple color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is youthful and fresh with notes of bright tart, brambles, black cherry, black pepper, purple flowers, some black pepper and inorganic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from nose. This finish is medium+ and loaded with minerals. Distinctive and full of energy. Drink now through 2044+ — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The NV Brut pours a straw color with persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of stone fruits, raspberry, lemon curd, freshly baked 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+ and the texture is creamy. Very easy to enjoy. Drink now. — 9 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2022 pours a bright ruby color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with fresh, pretty notes of red fruits: raspberries, Bing cherry, red flowers, white pepper, rocky earth and some 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+ and juicy. Drink now through 2042. — 11 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2005 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 developing with notes of ripe and dried fruits: blackberry, black cherry, plum, pipe tobacco, purple flowers, cocoa, leather, organic earth and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (integrated) and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. If you ever had an itch for some Right Bank Bordeaux, this will scratch that itch. Drink now through 2035. — 13 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

This is the “Legend Label” Howell Mountain. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2018 Howell Mountain “Legend Label” pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with beautiful notes of black currants, blackberries, tobacco, poblano pepper and rocky earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with significant structure; medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Total mountain fruit deliciousness. Drink now through 2048+. Bottle No. 230. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2023 pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and dried mixed brambles, Luxardo cherries, red and purple flowers, black pepper, vanilla and dry earth. 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 one of the more approachable young Geyserville’s I’ve had in a long time and remains on of my favorite Zinfandel-based blends from Ridge. Drink now through 2048. — 9 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a two days. Better on Day 2. On the pop and pour, this bottle was backward and really seemed resistant to show much. I didn’t detect any real flaws or faults…just sort of, “meh”. On Day 2, it had opened considerably. The 2017 pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart and ripe blackberries, currants, mixed flowers, black tea, ferrous earth 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+. Drink now with patience and through 2042. — 12 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Opened about 30 minutes prior to service and enjoyed over the course of two hours. The 2023 pours a deep garnet/purple with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe, mostly black fruit: mulberries, blackberries, plums, purple flowers, exotic spices, mocha, some wood varnish and organic earth. 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 with a velvety texture. Modern and insane value. Drink now through 2038. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90min. The 2024 “White Hill” pours a pale straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with bright notes of star fruit, passion fruit, stone fruits, lemons, a touch of freshly struck matchstick, 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+ and slightly saline. I love the character of these wines. Really tasty stuff. Drink now through 2034+. — 10 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Consistent throughout. The 2016 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 cassis, blackberries, tobacco, pencil shavings, Poblano pepper, dried flowers, a mix of organic and inorganic earth along with some 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+. A lovely, classic left bank Bordeaux with all of the characteristics I want. I love the sense of place these wines deliver. Drink now through 2056. — 11 days ago