Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2020 “Ut Bibendum” (which is a blend of Canaiolo, Black Malvasia, and Pugnitello) 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 cherry, wood varnish, red and purple flowers, tomato leaf, tobacco leaf, leather and scorched earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, zippy and just a touch mousy. This a remarkable, rustic and charming wine from Roberto Moretti and Luca Mori, complete with soul to spare. Drink now through 2035. — 31 minutes ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2024 CCC pours a deep garnet/purple with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of mixed brambles, kirsch, black pepper, licorice and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. A bright, delightfully balanced Zinfandel. Drink now through 2039. — 5 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2015 “Southing” pours a deep ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and bruised strawberry, raspberry, pomegranate, red flowers, mushroom 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 medium. Drink now through 2035. — 7 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2021 pours a garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe Morello cherry, roses, tar, talcum powder, cedar box, dried green herbs and gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Drink now through 2046. — a day ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Etna: Poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service; enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2021 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears and some fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with Bing cherry, Asian five spice, porchini, oregano, crushed gravel and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Another stunner from this incredible, own-rooted parcel in the Calderara Sottana contrada featuring vines over 140 years old. Insane. Drink now with some air and through 2041. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 2008 pours a garnet color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of cassis, kirsch, green bell pepper, graphite, dried purple flowers, earth and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium and sanguine. Old school Bordeaux and delicious. Drink now through 2038. — 7 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2018 “S” pours a slightly hazy garnet/purple color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of pomegranate, cranberry, strawberry, licorice, purple flowers, green herbs and crushed rock. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is medium+. I love me some Lapierre. Drink now through 2038. — 10 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days. Best on Day 1 and 2. The 2012 Riserva pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of Morello cherry, red flowers, Pu-er tea, porchini, leather, cigar box, old wood, dried green herbs and dry gravelly 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 delicious. A brilliant example of 2012 BdM Riserva. Drink now through 2037.. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2017 Mailbox Vineyard pours a deep purple/garnet color with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of dark cherry, purple flowers, cocoa, pipe tobacco, a mix of organic and inorganic earth 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+. Keenan does Merlot really well and this is a prime example. Drink now through 2037+ — 7 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2018 pours a slightly hazy purple color with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and signs of some fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with gorgeous notes of mixed brambles, figs, lavender, animale, bacon fat, black pepper, black olive brine, a touch of smoke and a winsome 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 long. Brilliant stuff from this overlooked producer and a delicious pairing with lamb and mendi rice. Drink now through 2043. Thanks for the assist @Lyle Fass — 9 days ago