Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days. Consistently enjoyable throughout, but best after several hours of air and through Day 3. The wine pours, a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. No signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with expressive notes of ripe and dried cherry, plums, toasted coconut, fresh dill, cedar chest, and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose however, the fruit is much more tart. The finish is long and tangy. A textbook example of old-school Rioja. Lovely. Drink now with patience and through 2036. — a month ago

Steven Lee

9.0

everyone says it is strange but it grew on me and think it is ok — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Opened and poured into a decanter about four hours prior to service. The 2005 pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears and some sediment. One the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of ripe brambles, garrigue, cool spices, leather, licorice, and espresso. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, tart and sapid. A wine of pedigree and yet, has a rusticity that gives a nod to its origin. Drink now through 2035+? — 3 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2022 Contra Costa County pours, a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with bright notes of fresh and tart, brambles and plums with licorice, flowers, and hot tarmac. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, enhanced with a touch of black pepper. The finish is medium+; grippy and zippy. Yet another very lovely Mataro from Sandlands. Drink now to enjoy the freshness of youth and through 2037. Only 5 barrels produced. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.6

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Consistent both days though more of the typical Syrah characteristics seemed to be more pronounced on Day 2. The 2017 “Judge Family Vineyard” pours a deep, ruby purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady notes of black and blue fruits: blackberries, mulberries, Marion berries, blueberries, and plums along with black pepper, olive brine, incense, new leather 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 long and immensely satisfying. This continues to be an utterly delicious example of Syrah from the New World with unmistakeable nods to the Old World. At this point, it still continues to benefit greatly from a few hours of air. Drink now with lots of patience and through 2037. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Opened and decanted about an hour prior to service. The 2016 San Valentino is a blend of mostly Sangiovese mixed with some local varieties. It pours a deep ruby purple with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the palate, the wine is developing with fascinating notes of ripe cherry, blackberry, exotic spices, wild underbrush, old leather and rich woody notes, some VA and dried rocky earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ viscosity. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and lovely and despite the concentration of flavors, surprisingly nimble and super versatile with the variety of fare on the table including sturgeon in a miso with noodles (it kinda blew my mind actually). Sublime. Drink now with patience and through 2036. — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Best on Day 2. The 2019 pours a pale garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Morello cherries, red roses, tangerine, pomegranate, talcum powder, dried sage, truffle, and dried stony earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and savory. A lovely expression of 2019 Barbaresco. Drink now with patience and through 2049. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Opened about 30min before service; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2010 currently pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, developing with dark cherry, blackberry, plum, raspberry compote, pencil lead, licorice, mint, forest floor, tobacco, green bell pepper, cocoa and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin, medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and slightly bitter. The nose is the star with such a complex perfume; I could spend the entire night with my nose in the glass. A lovely Fourth Growth. Drink now through 2040+. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Splash decanted; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2017 “Tip Top Vineyard” pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with tart and ripe black and red fruits: brambles, plums, cherry lozenges, black pepper, 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+. This worked really well with a variety of grilled fare though I suspect a few more years in the cellar would help add some complexity. Drink now with patience through 2032. — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Opened about 8 hours prior to service and Audouze’d. The 1989 pours a deep garnet color with a transparent core and a slightly watery rim; medium viscosity and light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated black and red fruits: brambles, poblano pepper, smoked and candied pork belly, leather, mint, damp decomposing earth, gentle 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 still pretty grippy. What’s wild is how relatively “modern” this wine comes across; especially considering the more humble Côtes de Bourg appellation. Drink now. — 3 months ago