Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The Brut Tradition pours a turbid, brassy color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the cider is developing; fresh with notes of apple pastry, white flowers, horse blanket, and earth. On the palate, the cider is bone dry with medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. This is a really lovely cider. Drink now. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2018 Rocche dell’Annunziata pours a beautiful 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 and tart, mostly red fruit: Morello cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, roses, talcum powder, tar, mixed green herbs and dry gravity 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 texture is silky. Another stunning bottle from this little known, staunchly traditional producer. A wine that keeps you thinking about it for days after. Drink now through 2048.  — 10 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped in poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2019 Bricco delle Viole pours a garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with lovely ripe notes of Morello cherry, raspberry, roses, tar, talcum powder, dried herbs and dry gravelly 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. Typically, I feel as though Vaira’s wines need significant time in the cellar however, this is one of the finer examples of a young Vajra that I have had in a long time. Drink now with patience through 2049. — 18 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2017 “Estate” pours a deep garnet color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of mostly ripe, black and red fruit: Blackberry, Mulberry, bruised strawberry, Bing cherry, red flowers, mushrooms, rich mahogany, sand mixed with rocky earth, 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, silky and slightly savory. Wouldn’t you believe it, another outstanding vintage from McHenry. Drink now through 2037. Only 100 cases made. — 10 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. No formal notes due to the setting however, looking back on my previous notes, that assessment still applies. The 2017 Amador County continues to be an absolutely delicious expression of the variety. Drink now through 2032.  — 10 days ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Poured into a decanter prior to service; enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2015 “Oliveto p.56” Riserva pours, a deep sienna color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with very light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with drop dead, gorgeous notes of funky Morello cherry, red flowers, black tea, cigar box, fresh green herbs, dried blood orange, old leather, old wood, horse blanket, and dry, dusty 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 the texture is silky and slightly savory. So Italian that it nearly makes me weep with emotion; this gives me the vibes of old school Brunello Riserva and I’m in love. So much personality! I think this is absolutely phenomenal right now and will likely chill in this window through the remainder of this decade and live well beyond. Drink now through 2040-ish. — 14 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2013 “Etichetta Bianca” pours a garnet 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 and desiccated fruits: black cherry, pomegranate, red flowers, roasted beef, cedar chest, alpine herbs and rocky 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 savory. Ferrando’s Carema (both white and black labels) are never short on personality and always such a joy to share with others. Drink now through 2043.  — 10 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2019 “Les Romains” pours a bright, pale yellow color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of bright, tropical and citrus, fruits: grapefruit, starfruit, lemon; a touch grassy with fresh herbs and a whole lot of flint. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is long and a touch creamy. This bottle was absolutely bangin’! Drink now through 2029.  — 10 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2021 pours, a ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and significant signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of fresh blackberries, black cherry, mixed flowers, and dry, rocky earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. A great sophomore effort of the “Levantine de Musar”. Drink now through 2031.
— 15 days ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2015 Judge Family Vineyard Syrah pours a deep, inky, ruby/purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with pungent notes of bacon fat, dark brambles, toasted blueberry crisp, lavender, dried green herbs and fine baking spice. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This is aging slowly and gracefully. This remains my favorite Syrah made in the United States. Drink now through 2045. — 20 days ago