Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2023 pours a bright garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of raspberries, pomegranate, rose bushes in bloom, licorice, gravelly 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. This was a perfect red for duck confit outside on a warm day. Drink now through 2033. — 21 hours ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Terres de Sables is a cuvée assembled from vines planted in predominantly sandy soils, unusual in Champagne but found sporadically in a few areas. La Petite Montagne de Reims and especially, Chamery is one of those areas. It is a blend of half Chardonnay with the balance made up by Pinot Noir and a little bit of Meunier. It is delicious.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90min. The wine pours a bright straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with tropical notes of pineapple, mango, passion fruit and lemons with a hint of brioche, white flowers and laden with minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is medium+ with a touch of salinity. This is a really fine NV that I could see myself enjoying often. It should be noted that this bottle opened considerably after about 30min and continued to build up in energy. Drink now with some air. Disgorged October 2024. Thanks for the assist @Lyle Fass — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of Top Gun. No formal notes because it’s a movie theater and we’re drinking out of paper cups. The 2018 is showing quite well with red berries, lovely florals and spice. I rarely drink the reds from Chassagne-Montrachet; perhaps I should consider it more often? Drink now through 2033+. — 5 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Excellent on both days but for different reasons. The 2023 VV pours a deep ruby color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing and on Day 1, showed more crunchy, tart fruit like pomegranate and cranberry. On Day 2, the profile shifted to more of a ripe and tart raspberry and Bing cherry, with freshly cut red flowers, sous bois and assorted Eastern spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Quite a lovely Fixin that worked really well with food and on its own. Drink now through 2038. Thanks for the assist @Lyle Fass — 2 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

I sort of forgot that today marked the 50th anniversary of the Judgement of Paris and this was the best I could do to celebrate in the moment; a wine from a participating producer but in the red category, instead of white. From magnum, the 2010 “Elivette” pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and significant sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with lovely notes of black currants, blackberries, Fresno chili, dried purple flowers, purple SweeTarts, tobacco, some dried herbs and fine spices with minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ viscosity and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes form the nose. The finish is long with ferrous minerals. Tasty stuff. Drink now with some patience and through 2040. Bottle No. 095/900 magnums. — 5 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Best on Day 2. The 2024 Lodi pours a ruby/purple color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is youthful with notes of ripe Bing cherry, raspberries, Marionberries, purple flowers, and wet rocks. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. The fruit is less jammy and the tannins seem more fierce on Day 2. Sooooo primary. A wine that demands some air at this stage but there’s a lot of fun in its youth. Drink now with patience but better after 2027 and through 2039. — 8 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Opened with the assistance of a Durand and decanted about an hour prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 1981 Rubicon pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a combination of dried, ripe and tart, red and black fruits: mixed brambles, red and black currants, black cherry, tobacco, Poblano pepper, old leather, dried flowers, a mix of organic and inorganic earth, minerals and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is medium+ and sanguine. A rather remarkable ‘81 that seems almost evergreen when considering the color and condition of the fruit. In fact, it seemed to gain energy with air. Impressive. Drink now with a short decant and through 2041. — 2 days ago

Jay Kline

9.0

This Jeroboam was opened and poured into decanters prior to service and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2013 Baker’s Ridge pours a ruby color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Bing cherry, strawberry, cherry cola, red flowers, licorice, a touch of mushroom and earth with some fine 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 a slightly confected texture. Large formats are always fun at celebrations and this was no exception. Drink now through 2033. — 5 days ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of Top Gun. No formal notes because it’s a movie theater and we’re drinking out of paper cups. The 2023 is a light, fun and yet serious Trousseau that’s easy to love. Drink now through 2033. — 5 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of Top Gun. No formal notes because it’s a movie theater and we’re drinking out of paper cups. The 2023 “Folatièries” is youthful but already delicious; I’m sure the vintage has a role to play. There’s a lovely balance of fruit and structure. Classic Beaune characteristics. Drink now through 2023 — 8 days ago