Jay Kline

9.4

La Ca’Növa is now under fifth generation leadership; they used to sell all their fruit to Gaja. Super traditional methods with a twist; they used botti made of Austrian oak instead of Salvonian. Vigna Bric Mentina is a sub cru of the Montefico MGA where the soils are relatively sandy.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two hours. The 2015 “Vigna Bric Mentina” pours a garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity and no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe Morello cherry, raspberry, strawberry, roses with freshly cut stems, cedar chest, dried herbs and gravelly earth and minerals. There’s also a kiss of VA, just in case you needed a reminder that this is a traditional Italian wine, lol! On the palate, the wine is bone dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and slightly savory. This is absolutely baller. How did I sleep on this producer for so long? Oh yeah…I remember: access. I live in Omaha. Welp…now I have another producer to chase. Drink now with patience (enjoy the ride!) and through 2045. — 18 hours ago

Jay Kline

9.3

“El Tamboril” is a tiny, north-facing, high altitude vineyard that produces Garnacha Tinta, Garnacha Blanco and Garnacha Gris. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 2020 El Tamboril Tinto pours a deep ruby color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe, fresh Bing cherry, strawberry, red flowers, rocky earth, and a 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. This is a beautiful wine that balances power with elegance about as well as any. Drink now through 2040. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days. Delicious throughout. The 2023 Lodi pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with beautiful notes of Bing cherry, mixed brambles, red and purple flowers, licorice, rocky 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 long and has a slightly peppery, mineral finish. Might be the best Zinfandel made in Lodi. Drink now through 2038. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Best on Day 2. The 2020 Riserva pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe Morello cherry, red rope licorice, dried red flowers, saltwater taffy, Twin Bing, dried green herbs, cedar box 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+. Really freaking good. Drink now with patience and through 2040. — 20 hours ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days. Good through throughout, but probably best on Day 1. The 2022 pours a ruby color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears and loads of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Morello cherry, red flowers, red rope licorice, fresh basil and dried green herbs, dried gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and mineral laden. This is a delicious and winsome Chianti Classico from Radda. Day 1, it reminded me a little of Montevertine “Pian del Ciampolo”. Drink now through 2042.  — 2 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Enjoying this knowing my Cornhuskers already punched their ticket to their first ever Sweet 16 last night in one of the games of the tournament so far.

At this point, it’s a “pick’em” between the Bérêche Brut Réserve and Caillez-Lemaire’s “Éclats” for the title of, “Kline Fam house Champagne”. They just delivery in the way I want/trust/expect and can afford. This is the November 2025 disgorgement. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three hours. The Brut Réserve pours a straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of apple, pineapple, raspberry, lemon curd, brioche, marzipan, and a mix of chalk and limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and laden with minerals. So easy to love. Drink now but you can hold for many years if you want as well. — 7 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Opened about an hour prior to service; enjoyed over the course of two hours. The 2019 Cepparello pours a garnet color with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with ripe notes of Morello cherry, red flowers, black tea, a combination of cool and warm spices 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. A beautiful Cepparello and although it’s quite young, it’s showing well in its relative youth! Drink now with some patience through 2044. — a day ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The “Les Hautes Varennes” NV pours a straw color with a persistent moose. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of bright tropical and orchard fruit with some lightly toasted brioche, white flowers, lemon curd, and packed with chalk and limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. This is an absolutely gorgeous Champagne that gains power and complexity the more time it was open. Drink now with patience. Bottle No. 612/1050. Lot 0823 — 2 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Opened prior to dinner; enjoyed over several hours. The 1998 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 mixed brambles, black pepper, just a hint of animale, Kalamata olive, purple flowers, dried green herbs, and rocky minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Delicious and doesn’t seem to be dropping from a cliff soon. Drink now through 2033 — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.6

I’ve said before that the wines of Chateau Rayas are almost singular in the AOC; certainly one of the purest expressions of Grenache in the world. However, there is another producer that for me, might be an even more archetypal expression of the character of Chateauneuf-du-Pape: Henri Bonneau. Henri’s wines were also predominately Grenache however, they are denser and darker, particularly the Cuvée Marie Beurrier. This is probably more to do with the small addition of other local varieties along with terroir for Mrie Beurrier (Courthézon). Henri had strong feelings about varieties, vine age and cellar practices. He didn’t really like Syrah in CdP (though he had a little of it). He didn’t like ancient vines (most were 30-50 years old and would be torn out and replanted if they were getting up there in the age range) and he believed in extended aging in wood, a collection of very old barrels and foudres. Regardless of whether one agrees or disagrees with his approach, the results were undeniably special.

Opened prior to dinner; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2000 “Cuvée Marie Beurrier” pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing (still!). Layered notes of dark brambles, black cherry, garrigue, dried red flowers, beef stew with all the veggies and mixed inorganic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is forever long. This is tremendously well balanced and a wine that I just wanted to keep coming back to…and I did. Drink now through 2040. — 7 days ago