Keaton Kail

9.0

My first Etna Rosso. Intensely stony tannins and a noticeably mineral-driven weight. Boozy wild strawberry and dark cherry fruit open up and lighten with some air. Hard edges, but was a treat with the ol’ Long Island sausages and peppers. — 2 days ago

Keaton Kail

9.3

Beautifully aromatic with a clean mineral overtone - ripe white peach, lemon, honeydew melon, honeysuckle, tarragon, white pepper, arugula. Palate has loads more honeysuckle and white melon and some chewy, citrus-squeezed greenness that blessedly avoids that cloying bitter herbal note I fear from Rhône whites.

Fresh from the fall mailing. I want this next time for brunch with eggs Florentine. Wouldn’t be surprised if it ages brilliantly.

44% Viognier, 29% Marsanne, 19% Grenache Blanc, 8% Roussane — 14 days ago

Keaton Kail

9.4

Tablas Creek representing for the Rhône Rangers and coming out swinging with this chewy, juicy beast: smells like honey baked ham, stewed black cherries and plums and dark tobacco. On the palate it’s a mouthful. Grounded by weighted, pillowy tannins— like a down comforter— finishing leisurely with a lingering meaty char and more sultry braised blue and black fruit. I’d vote for opening this now if you’ve got em. 65% Mourvèdre, 28% Grenache, 7% Syrah. I’ve never tasted the Mourvèdre based Homage a Jacques Perrin but I hope it’s this and more. — 20 days ago

Keaton Kail

9.3

Impressively complex for the price. Lilting purple flowers, black cherry, black plum skin, raspberry compote, tarragon and something like fresh sweet mint leaf which I’ve never had from Syrah. Great acid. — 3 days ago

Keaton Kail

9.5

I feel like I’m rating this so high but if you’ve got a more impressive $30 American Chardonnay tell me about it 👇🏻.

Seamlessly mineral-driven, unencumbered on the palate by a kiss of oak, and distinguished by a bright purity of acid expressed as citrus oil and apple juice. Greek yogurt, lemon curd, perfectly ripe Granny Smith, tart pineapple, salted butter puff pistachio pastry. — 13 days ago

Keaton Kail

9.1

Watery yellow-gold. Unexpected hint of petrol/rainwater on the nose before lilting yellow flowers, butter-poached Bosc pear. Acid still clean and bright, lifting a medium body and (at this point) integrated oak. — 17 days ago

Keaton Kail

9.2

Opened as a study wine that could probably have waited a couple more years, my first taste of Cornas as an appellation was awesome. Deeply concentrated ruby-purple. Left an hour in the air. The fruit on the nose was dark, baked and integrated with smoked bbq meats, black pepper jerky and wet tobacco. Brighter and tangier on the palate with a clean topnote of ripe red plum and blackberry. More black pepper and hits of anise and cardamom. Tannins are dusty and unassertive. — 23 days ago

Keaton Kail

9.1

Nacho juice. — 7 days ago

Keaton Kail

9.2

Love this. Beautiful nose that blew off a bit of molasses and farmyard at first but relaxed into pure sweet red and and blue fruit. Some herbaceous and green spice tones. Great acid and a lovely velvety texture. Drinks smooth, substantial, but light. — 9 days ago

Keaton Kail

9.1

Billed with one of my favorite Italian words, “grilli” — literally “crickets”, colloquially “whims”. Pinkerton sings “Amore o grillo?” in Butterfly, wondering if his love is true.

The wine is a damn pleasurable pop and pour at $30. Ripe with sweet red fruit on the nose, and glides into an unctuous inky plum and cocoa thing on the palate. Very drinkable, would be a heavenly cheeseburger wine. @Delectable Wine this years blend is 80/20 Cab/merlot, no Sangiovese as in the title here. — 22 days ago