Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; consumed over three days. Day 1 was super duper primary and “okay” but not all that interesting. Day 2 was better. Day 3? Now it had my attention. Dark cherry, Fig Newton™️, and conditioned leather. Dry. Medium tannins. Medium-plus acid. Versatile. I was on the fence with this...but I’ve come around. I dig it, but it needs time (or significant air). — 5 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Tasted double blind. Ruby red core, medium viscosity, clean with developing vinosity, medium plus intensity, stewed black plums, black cherry and cranberry, red flowers, underbrush, myrtle, leather, clay, European oak; On the palate, dry, medium plus body, high acid and high tannin. Red and black fruit with cranberries. Savory underbrush and conditioned leather. This is killer, easily the best vintage of Monsanto CCR I’ve ever had. — 10 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

This is a fastball straight down the middle of the plate. Popped and poured. On the nose, pipe tobacco, old leather shoe, dill, and green olives. On the palate, cassis, blackberry, and baking spice. The oak is integrating well...yet tannins are still pretty firm. Good acid. Long finish. Really great showing. I think these just need a little bottle age to become more interesting. — 18 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Slightly turbid. Noticeable VA (not at all out of place considering Bea). Powerful notes of cherry, stone fruits (apricot and peach), and cool, damp forest earth. Medium tannins and high acid. The finish is wild and satisfying. If my previous experience with this vintage was the reference, this was not quite as impressive as it was and based on the challenges of the 2014 vintage, probably time to drink and enjoy! — 5 days ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Tasted double blind. Grapefruit, Lemon citrus, yellow flowers, minerals, wet stone, medium plus acidity, medium body, medium alcohol. I guessed New World, Dry Creek Sauvignon Blanc...but started not to like my guess because it didn’t have the piercing acidity of SB. Totally understood the Gruner when it was revealed. Really lovely stuff. So refreshing. — 15 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

This bottle was hand carried from the Middle East, seven years back, and my first time enjoying the 2002 since release. Cork was perfect. On the nose, some VA but nothing crazy. Notes of balsamic, teriyaki, sandalwood and charred meat. On the palate, still quite primary with dark cherries and dried dark fruits being predominate. Plenty of structure. The texture is remarkably fine and silky. Quite classy actually! Nevertheless, this isn’t the most soul stirring vintage of Musar Rouge. At nearly 19 years of age, this bottle still comes across as youthful with developing vinousity. Perhaps time will coax more out...but I suspect, as others have previously stated, that the 2002 is more of a modest wine by their standards...which is still quite delicious and enjoyable in its own right. This will easily live for another 10+ years. — 18 days ago

Jay Kline

8.4

Interesting interpretation of Barbera. This almost comes across astringent. Incredibly tart with a characteristic that recalls biting into a Granny Smith Apple. I wonder if they had challenges getting to full ripeness? It is dark fruited with seemingly little tannin. Acid is elevated for sure. Finish seems clipped however. This really needs food to fully appreciate. — 21 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

This bottle has been open for about 1 year. Yes, you read that right. And let me tell you, it was fantastic in the most oxidative ways imaginable. This was like a liquid graham cracker. Honeyed and biscuity...more like a Belvita cracker now that I think about it. This is a wine of perfect balance; giving a glimpse of the way wines were enjoyed from long ago — 9 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

My 16th Valentines Day with Holly so why not celebrate with a wedding year wine from one of my favorite producers in Montalcino. Cork pulled perfectly. Decanted for about two hours before our meal. On the nose, dark cherries, candied almonds (the ones you get from a German toaster), sandalwood, smoldering piñon, and leather; on the palate, hommade cherry/rhubarb pie, balsamic, mushrooms, black tea, and dried herbs. After a couple of hours, chocolate covered oranges entered the profile. It was awesome. Still quite tannic. Very dry. Acid is medium plus. The 2005 vintage is often overlooked but these wines are drinking fabulously right now. — 16 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured. Wet asphalt, dark cherry and purple flowers on the nose. Ripe bramble fruit, fine tannins, great acid. Long. Unbelievably fresh! Delicious on its own but even better with a meal. Out of this world QPR. Pérez truly is a wizard. — 19 days ago