Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two hours. The 2021 “Date Night…” Cabernet Sauvignon pours a deep ruby purple with an impenetrable core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with tart and ripe notes of black fruit: blackberries, black plum, black currants, purple flowers, some tobacco, vanilla and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. While this is meant to be their workhorse wine, it’s got plenty of stuffing for aging and I think this vintage would appreciate some cellar time. Already tasty though. Drink now through 2036. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.3

This bottle was one in a brace of Brunellos, generously shared and curated by our friend Tim.

Served blind after a lengthy slow-ox, I knew we were drinking Brunello di Montalcino but that’s it. Visually, there were no obvious signs of age. Initially quite reticent, I found this slow to come around but after an hour or so in the glass, it became quite the charmer! Tart cherries, black tea, earth and minerals. Long, lip smacking finish. Great balance. Seemed ultra traditional to me.

Revealed to be a 1997 “La Palazzetta” Riserva. There seemed to be a youthfulness about this wine that belied its 23 years of age. I have little doubt that we’ll stores examples will be drinking well in 2030. Killer with meal of certified Piedmontese eye of ribeye and simple pasta with red sauce. — 4 years ago

Fiona Crambrook

9.1

Grenache made like its meant to be, light, addictive and soul warming. If you ever need an excuse to open a red to make the day fade away fast, then this is your wine. AU$25. — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. Although this is Godello from Bierzo, this was meant to be a fun counter example to Sketch which is arguably a bit unique when it comes to Raul Pérez’s typical style. The 2020 “La Claudina” pours a deeper straw color with notes of lemons, grapefruit, Brazil nuts, hazel nuts (yeah, it’s definitely more in the oxidative style) and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and saline with a slightly sherried, creamy texture. Charming stuff and definitely something I would like to track over time. Enjoy now through 2035. — 6 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Presented double-blind; cloudy in the glass, sediment?…almost opaque but not quite. Color a deep ruby with a slightly lighter rim. Aromas of red and dark fruits with baking spice and damp forest floor. On the palate, very generous black and red fruit with baking spice, earth and leather. Apparent use of some new French oak. Medium plus alcohol, medium acid. Tannins are soft and integrated. Long, immensely satisfying finish. Most thought it had 5-10 years of age on it; Napa or Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon. Some thought Southern Rhone…noting that it shared some similarities in profile to Pegau and Rayas (!!!). Everyone swooned with it was revealed to be 2007 Rafanelli Zinfandel. FWIW, this wine has many years ahead of it. — 4 years ago

MaJ CappS

9.0

Smells of sweet grass and a barnyard.

A large strapping wine, both in mouthfeel, and heft.
Minty, gravelly, horehound, sweet grass, herbaceous and savory cracked pepper.
This is a meal on its own, throw the food away now, this is meant to be acknowledged solo.
Heard. — 5 years ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

DARK, slightly clingy purple. Inviting nose and medium full palate of baked plum and blueberry compote. Dusty medium tannins and medium acidity. What Merlot was meant to be. A fine accompaniment to beef in all formats from meatloaf to filet. Drink now through 2030. — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over a several hour period. No formal notes. I figured this would be a baby and it certainly was. At this point, everything is wound up into a tight coil. The nose is loaded with dark crunchy fruits, green bell pepper, tobacco, dried Italian herbs, aromatic wood and light baking spices. On the palate, the fruit is super fresh. This comes across elegant however the structure is pretty significant; the acid in particular with the tannin being a bit more on the sneaky side. I drank alongside the 2018 Beta “Maus” and while the nose on the San Leonardo was a bit more exotic, these shared a lot of similarities from a body, texture and structure standpoint. I expect this will begin to show better after 2026 however, I have no plans to touch my remaining bottle until after 2030. Patience will be handsomely rewarded. — 2 years ago

Chris Blanchard

9.1

2009 vintage opened July 26th, 2020. After all this time and given Mexican wines are not necessarily meant to be laid down for much if any time...I have to say I really enjoyed it. It took longer to open than expected but it was worth the wait and a real gift. Love the dark cherry, plum, oak and earth notes. — 4 years ago

Dan Weisshaar

9.2

Lovely acidity, endless finish, nutty citrusy balanced beauty. Not to be shared with a cheap date, but with a keeper. — 5 years ago

with Lyle and Matthew