Jay Kline

9.3

Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and no obvious signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of ripe and some dried fruits: bramble berries, slightly stewed black cherry, dried herbs, stony earth, 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. The alcohol is high.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Grenache-based blend, Corvina-based blend or Sangiovese-based blend from France or Italy. I felt the combination of slightly stewed cherry and spices ruled out what I would want from a Sangiovese blend. Which, left me to decide between Southern Rhône or Valpolicella. I liked this wine…the oak treatment was interesting. I was getting a French barrique. Hmmm…

So, for my final conclusion: I’m calling this a Grenache-based blend, from France, from Southern Rhône, from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, 2017, from a more modern leaning producer using a good portion of barrique. I’ll be damned! I don’t hate my call but I gotta get better at distinguishing these wines from Southern Rhône. I probably just need to drink more of both, lol. Tasty stuff! Drink now through 2039. — 2 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour; not nearly enough but the evidence is palpable. The 2021 “Berri” pours a brilliant garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of Morello cherry, raspberry, cranberry, roses, tar, talcum powder, dried green herbs and dusty earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from then nose. The finish is long. From my humble perspective, Trediberri are truly a producer in their ascendency and the 2021 example simply affirms that. Drink now with patience and through 2061+ — 7 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner at Le Mazenay. The 2019 pours a deep ruby/purple color with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe mixed brambles, some dried red and purple flowers, a touch of VA, some black pepper, some anise and dry 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 fantastic pairing with partridge. Already showing very well in its youth. Drink now through 2034+. — 7 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

From a double-magnum. The 2012 “Il Carbonaione” pours a deep garnet color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing and initially reticent. After almost an hour of air, the bouquet emerged to reveal some funky cherry, red flowers, bergamot, horse blanket, green herbs, old wood and dry earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is medium+. After plenty of air, this became really tasty stuff but the large format has really retarded the aging process. Similar bottles likely need well into the next decade to enter the zone. Killer with food. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2011 pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of blackberries, black plum, black cherry, tobacco, cocoa, some dried herbs and purple flowers, damp 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. I think age has been kind to the 2011 vintage and while this Troplong-Mondot has plenty of gas left in the tank, it’s drinking really well now. Best through 2036. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

10

Amongst the rarest elixirs I’ve ever had the privilege to try. “Une Chartreuse” is so scarce, many Chartreuse lovers don’t even know it exists. They make a yellow and a green and this is the only bottle I’ve seen of either. Perfect as far as I’m concerned. — 7 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Solid on Day 1 but even better on Day 2 under a muzzle. The BdB Grand Cru NV pours a straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Gala apple, white flowers, a whiff of brioche, lemon curd, marzipan, and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Beautiful stuff that has a ways to go. In typical fashion, Madame Fallet blends two vintages and this bottle was based on 2015/2016. No disgorgement data provided. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2021 pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of cassis, mixed brambles, plum, tobacco, some red and purple flowers, dried herbs, dry 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+. This is still very youthful and, to my palate, its best years are still ahead. Already delicious though. Drink now through 2051+. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

8.9

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Best on Day 1. The 2022 “Levantine de Musar” pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of mostly tart, red and black fruit: blackberries, raspberries, cherry, some anise, 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. Overall, a fresh and easy expression Musar that’s great with a variety of fare. Drink now through 2032…but best fresh. — 7 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner at Le Mazenay. The 2017 “Les Vergers” 1er Cru pours a light straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of green apple, passionfruit, starfruit, lemon curd, honeysuckle, a touch of raw almond, some matchstick, and limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Solid stuff and showing really well. Drink now through 2037. — 7 days ago