Jay Kline

8.9

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2019 pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart and ripe red and black fruits: Montmorency cherry, plums, horse barn, purple and red flowers, crushed rocks 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 laden with minerals. This is not faking the funk on a nasty dunk. Drink now through 2029. — 2 days ago

Jay Kline

9.5

The label was in absolute tatters but all other signs appeared to be good with this bottle. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 1990 Grand Année Rosé pours a deep coral color with very little mousse that dissipates in the glass quickly. On the nose, this was funky initially so we tossed it in the decanter which freshened it up. After 30min, it was positively singing! Desiccated strawberry, crème brûlée, pink flowers, and fino sherry. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. This showed remarkable power which was so impressive. I can’t say I’ve ever had a Rosé with quite this amount of age but boy did it ever work. If anyone has any of these laying around; I might suggest giving it a splash in the decanter for 30min first. Drink now. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 2015 pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with fairly significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe black and red fruits: black cherry, mixed bramble berries, spices, horse blanket, espresso…powerful. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and wild. Whoa, the structure is significant. Drink now and through 2040. Bottle No. 07992/14373 — 6 days ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Consistent throughout. The 2018 pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe black and red fruits: black currants, blackberries, raspberries, red rope licorice, leather ball glove, a touch of tobacco, a bit of bell pepper, rich organic 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+ with savory minerals. Quite a lovely, straight forward second-wine from Malartic-Lagravière. Drink now through 2033. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course an hour. The 1976 pours a golden color with a little, but quickly dissipating mousse. On the nose, sensational notes of toasted marshmallow, quince, apricot, boozy pineapple, fino sherry, chalky minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose where the chalky minerals played a role in the texture…in a good way. Such an elegant, regal bottle of bubbles. It’s a rare treat to drink old Champagne and even more special when it’s Krug. Drink now. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2016 pours a deep ruby/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe black and red fruits: cassis, blackberries, raspberries, red plum, tobacco, a touch of bell pepper, earth, old wood, and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. A classic expression of Bordeaux during a period where the lines between New and Old World have been blurred. This is tasty and showing well in its early drinking window. Drink now through 2036+. — 6 days ago

Jay Kline

8.9

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two hours. The 2021 “Right Bank” pours a deep 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 and red fruits: blackberries, plums, chocolate covered cherries, purple flowers, some vanilla and associated 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 2031. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several days. The 2020 pours a deep purple color with an opaque core and a ruby rim; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart and ripe black and red fruits: cassis, black cherry, raspberries, plums, pencil shavings, purple flowers, licorice, iron rich 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+ with some really nice minerals. This was a surprisingly delightful, classic, if not somewhat rustic Right Bank Bordeaux. I really dig this. Drink now through 2035. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2016 Reserva pours a deep ruby/purple 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 red and black fruits: black cherry, tobacco, cocoa, dill, vanilla and associated 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 is a textbook, modern leaning and clean version of Rioja Reserva. Drink now through 2046. — 6 days ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2022 Passetoutgrains pours a 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 tart berries, like a mixed berry jam. There’s also some red and purple flowers along with some underbrush 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 has a nice juicy mineral finish. This might benefit from a little time on its side to gain a little more complexity but the quality is undeniable. Drink now through 2032. — 6 days ago