Jay Kline

9.5

“Les Lys” is one of the eight climats within Vaillons but it’s peculiar in terms of its exposure and the soil contains a bit more clay. The wines are equally unique expressions and typically long lived. This bottle is no exception.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a hour. The 2010 “Les Lys” pours a bright yellow color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with explosive notes of tart and ripe orchard and tropical fruits: green apple, starfruit, passion fruit; a mixed bag of citrus with lemon, lime and even some tangerine. There’s white flowers, a whiff of brioche and racy minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. It has been a few years since I last had the 2010 and it’s no less stunning. Drink now through 2035+ — 15 hours ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2012 pours a hazy garnet color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart and ripe mixed fruits: raspberry, pomegranate, strawberry, Bing cherry, licorice, horse blanket, forest floor and rocky minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. This finish is long. A wild wine; literally and figuratively. Teeters on the edge of being too careless but it doesn’t cross over into the realm of gerbil cage. Drink now. — 7 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

It is customary for the wines of Chateau Musar to be released seven years post-vintage. However, in 2013, the decision was made to hold the vintage back. 2006 was unusual for two reasons. The first, were the cool climatic conditions in the Bekaa; the likes of which had not been seen since the 1950’s. There was a two-week period in winter where the valley was blanketed in snow and mild temperatures remained in effect throughout much of the growing season. The second was much more tragic: 2006 was a war year in Lebanon. On July 12th of that year, Israel and Hezbollah engaged in a bloody conflict that lasted (officially) a little over a month. Sadly, thousands of lives were lost. In 2017, eleven years after harvest, the 2006 vintage was deemed ready for release.

Poured into a decanter about 90min prior to service. The 2006 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of black cherry, blackberries, black currants, tobacco, horse blanket, leather, some red and purple flowers, dried herbs and Eastern 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 absolutely delicious. A triumph and perfect with lamb chops. Drink now through 2046+.

How Chateau Musar endures to make wines from the Bekaa remain one of the great examples of human grit and determination available in the world of wine. Frankly, it’s a minor miracle this vintage ever made it to the winery. — 12 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a hour. The 2021 “aequorin” pours a bright yellow color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart and ripe orchard and tropical fruits: yellow apple, pineapple, starfruit, marshmallow, butter, a mix of white and yellow flowers, and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. A fun, modern take on New World Chardonnay. Kinda gives me Liquid Farms vibes. Drink now through 2040. — 2 days ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2023 pours pale pink color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with pretty notes of strawberry, raspberry, a mixed bouquet of flowers, watermelon and stony minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium and refreshing. Crush now with some good weather, some good mates and some light fare. — 7 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Presented to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and rust colored rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and drying fruits: lightly stewed blackberries, black cherry, plums, tobacco, dried green herbs, old fine wood, vanilla 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 long.

Initial conclusions: this could be Tempranillo, Malbec, Merlot (or based blend), or Zinfandel-based blend from Spain, Argentina, France or the United States. However, the staining was a bit much unless there was a lot of PS in the blend so I eliminated Zinfandel. I also didn’t think this was purple enough for Malbec. This left me with Tempranillo or Merlot and I felt that this leaned more towards its structure than fruit so I was leaning Spain or France with 15-20 years of age and from a solar vintage. Ultimately, I chose Tempranillo, from Spain, Rioja, Gran Reserva from 2006…from a quality producer like C.V.N.E. Yeah, I can see Pomerol. Shoot. This is stuff and ready to drink now and will drink well through 2032+. — 9 days ago

Jay Kline

8.9

Popped and poured from magnum; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The Brut NV pours a deep straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart apple, lemon curd, some white flowers, brioche and limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. An easy, breezy Champer that’s an easy quaffer. Drink now. — 2 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

I was given the responsibility of opening and serving this bottle to the guests of a 40th birthday celebration. From double-magnum. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2005 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and signs of significant sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous, with notes of ripe and slightly desiccated fruit: cassis, blackberry, black plum, tobacco, leather, Pablano pepper, vanilla, earth, and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (that is mostly integrated) and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This wine, from this format is in a really lovely spot. Drink now through 2035. — 6 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

From magnum. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Slightly better on Day 2. The 2016 Caravina pours a deep garnet with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate seeing of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart, predominantly, dark fruit: black currant, black cherry, Anaheim pepper, purple, flowers, cocoa powder, green herbs, 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. Drink now through 2036; longer in this format. — 11 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 2015 pours a deep amber color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with fascinating notes of ripe orchard fruit: apricots, peach, and orange pith; along with pu'er tea, dead flowers, nuts, and dry earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with low tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and there is a slightly waxy texture. This is a wine that gives you that sort of, “open your head, lift out brain, spin it around, and reinsert” sort of experience. Special. Drink now through 2030+. Bottle No. 03507/11970 — 15 days ago