Jay Kline

9.5

Popped and poured; enjoyed as we prepped for dinner. I’m not sure what’s left to say about “La Pucelle” that hasn’t already been said, but I’ll try. As far as Blanc de Noirs made from Pinot Noir are concerned, this has got to be the most chiseled version I’ve ever come across. It’s like a laser beam of tiny bubbles, minerals and acid. Incredible balance of cut and power. Brilliant. Disgorged January of 2024. — 17 hours ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Opened sometime before service; enjoyed in the company of Natalie Oliveros. The 2022 pours a bright ruby color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Bing cherry, red flowers, black tea, dried green herbs and 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. A lovely, quaffable RdM that scratches the itch I want with aplomb. Drink now through 2037. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Presented to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a pale straw color with medium viscosity: no signs of sediment/particles or gas. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of green apple, white tree flowers, a hint of freshly struck match, lemon curd and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and full of minerals with a creamy texture. The alcohol is medium.

Initial conclusions: this could be Chardonnay, Albariño or Pinot Gris from France, the US, Spain or Italy. This is giving me Chardonnay vibes and while my first thought was Chablis, this has the markers of a Sashi Morman wine. So I’m going with that. Final conclusion: this is Chardonnay, from the US, Oregon, Eola-Amity Hills, 2022 and because I said it, Evening Land. LOL! Do I get credit for calling the winemaker and not the winery? Scoring points for sure. Tasty stuff in the style I’ve come to expect. Drink now through 2032. — 6 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Double-decanted about 90min prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 2025 pours a deep, wild caught salmon color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with bright notes of Pluot, Rainier cherry, watermelon Jolly Rancher, pink pepper corn, red and purple flowers and dry earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with low tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and slightly saline. This is delicious with Bánh mì Smash Tacos and enjoys a good amount of air. Drink now through 2035. — 7 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Opened sometime before service; enjoyed in the company of Natalie Oliveros. The 2018 Brunello Fiore di NO pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Montmorency cherry, raspberry, red flowers, black tea, tobacco, some varnished wood, dried green herbs, warm spices and dry 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+. An arguably more modern, polished expression of La Fiorita’s Brunello. Drink now through 2048. — 19 hours ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Opened sometime before service; enjoyed in the company of Natalie Oliveros. The 2010 Brunello pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Morello cherry, raspberry, red flowers, Earl Grey, varnish, dried green herbs and dry 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+. Lovely. The energy in this 2010 is electric still, 16 years from vintage and hardly showing signs of a secondary characteristics. The VA reminds you that it’s Italian, but well within the range of charming. The structure remains an impenetrable bunker and yet, the fruit is more than up for it; many years to go. Drink now with patience through 2045. — 2 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Splash decanted just prior to service. The 1989 pours a deep yellow color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is clean and laden with tangerine, carmelized pineapple and assorted orchard fruit: pear, peach, ripe golden delicious apple, along with honey, chamomile, wet asphalt, and almond skin. On the palate, the wine is off-dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Absolutely stunning and seemingly evergreen. Drink now through…I don’t know, 2039+? Thanks for the assist @Lyle Fass — 6 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Opened sometime before service; enjoyed in the company of Natalie Oliveros. The 2015 Brunello Riserva pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Morello cherry, raspberry, red flowers, black tea, tobacco, some varnished wood, dried green herbs and dry 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+. This was a lovely pairing with venison. Drink now through 2045. — 20 hours ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Opened sometime before service; enjoyed in the company of Natalie Oliveros. The 2008 Brunello pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears and showing some fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous and beautifully perfumed with notes of Morello cherry, raspberry, dried red flowers, Pu-erh tea, cigar box, porcini mushrooms, dried green herbs and dry 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+. This is in a fabulous spot and another example proving that the 2008 vintage from Brunello is squarely in its glow up phase. Drink now. — 20 hours ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Presented to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with very faint staining of the tears and no signs of sediment or gas. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of ripe and some tart and dried red fruits: Morello cherry, dried orange peel, roses, tar, dried green herbs, talcum powder, 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 medium+ and so is the alcohol. Powerful and delicious.

Initial conclusions: this could be Nebbiolo, Sangiovese or possibly a Grenache blend from Italy or France. But if I’m trusting me notes here, this has gotta be Nebbiolo so that’s what I’m calling. Final conclusion: this is Nebbiolo from Italy, Piemonte, Barolo, and for the hell of it, I’m going to call Serralunga d’Alba…from a producer like Massolino, 2021. Ha! Vietti!! And I don’t hate my call because Castiglione Falletto is right next door. Tasty stuff, of course. Drink now with patience and through 2051. — 5 days ago