Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured into red Solo cups. The 1995 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and some desiccated, black and red fruits: cassis, brambles, tobacco, leather, organic earth, minerals and gentle baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (mostly integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This was a fantastic showing for the Napa and there’s quite a lot of life left. Drink now through 2035+. — 11 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Opened sometime prior service; enjoy over the course of an hour. The 2021 Howell Mountain 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 ripe and tart black fruits: blackberries, currants, plum, mixed flowers, tobacco, rocky earth and a pleasant 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+. Very similar to the standard Napa bottling but there’s a touch more depth and power. Drink now through 2046. — 23 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured into red Solo cups. The 2012 “Grands Terroirs” pours a straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, this is intensely autolytic with notes of fresh, toasted brioche, baked apple, raspberry, lemon curd and limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. From magnum. Drink now through 2037. Disgorged June 2021. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service. The 2005 “Panoplie” pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous, with notes of ripe and desiccated black and red fruit: blackberries, Marionberries, raspberries, black cherry, strawberry, leather, mushrooms, purple flowers, cocoa, old wood and a mix of dry organic and inorganic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and simply delicious. Drink now through 2040+. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured into red Solo cups. The 1997 “Radici” Riserva pours a garnet color with a near opaque core and a slightly orange rim; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe, tart, and some desiccated fruit: Montmorency cherry, plum, licorice, smoked meat, balsamico, a mix of organic and inorganic earth, exotics spices and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tanning and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and earthy. This was quite the departure from the Napa wines surrounding it but made a statement. Drink now through 2037. — 11 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Opened sometime prior service; enjoy over the course of an hour. The 2021 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 ripe and tart black fruits: blackberries, currants, plum, mixed flowers, tobacco, some Rutherford dust 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 medium+. Solid. Drink now through 2041. — 24 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured from magnum into red Solo cups. The 1993 Proprietary Red pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with lovely notes of ripe, mostly dark fruits: cassis, plum, blackberries, pipe tobacco, leather, purple flowers, baking spices and a mix of organic and inorganic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. In a lovely place. Drink now through 2033. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured into red Solo cups. The 1995 pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some decent sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of mostly ripe and some desiccated black and red fruits: black, currants, blackberries, black cherry, plum, cocoa, tobacco, old leather bound books, dried purple flowers, a mix of organic and inorganic earth and gentle 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. I sometimes feel like Cardinale is an overlooked label in the Jackson Family lineup. It’s been around for decades and these wines always impressed me, especially with age. Drink now through 2035. — 11 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Before I get into the notes, Flora Springs “Trilogy” is one of those wines from my formative years in this wine journey. Subsequently, it holds a special place in my heart. You can probably imagine how excited I was to enjoy the 1994 a vintage I likely drank long ago, out of a double-magnum no less! Giddy.

Popped and poured from double-magnum into red Solo cups and enjoyed her the course of an hour. The 1994 “Trilogy” pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and significant sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated dark and red fruits: brambles, currants, plums, tobacco, old leather, dusty earth and gentle 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+ and the texture is silky. The large format has no doubt had an effect on this wine’s nearly evergreen properties but what a treat! Drink now regardless of format and enjoy this in its full maturity. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Delicious Day 1 but Day 2 might have the edge. The 2021 “Pierreux” 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 gorgeous notes of blackberries, strawberries, black cherries, cedar chest, purple flowers, sarsaparilla, a touch of black pepper and stony earth. There’s a touch of VA but well within the acceptable range. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+, laden with minerals and wonderfully fresh. Lip smacking stuff. Drink now through 2031. — a month ago