Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Best on Day 2. The 2023 Lodi pours a deep ruby color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with lifted notes of fresh brambles, licorice, mixed floral bouquet, exotic spices 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+ and has a really spicy quality to it. Really solid stuff but super fresh and patience will be required to enjoy the best from this vintage. Better after 2028 and through 2038. — 7 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

It’s been nearly two years since I last enjoyed the 2010 Chianti Classico and the results are consistent with my previous experience. This bottle was double decanted a few hours prior to dinner and enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2010 Chianti Classico 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 a mix of Montmorency and Balaton cherry, pipe tobacco, red rope licorice, carnations, mushrooms, decomposing forest floor, leather, tomato leaf, and cedar box. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long with saline minerals. Drink now through 2040. — 8 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Poured into a decanter about 30min prior to service and enjoyed over the course of several hours. This bottle of the 1985 was more recently acquired from the chateau and in pristine condition. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated dark and red fruits: black currants, mixed brambles, tobacco, pencil shavings, some dried purple flowers, some green bell pepper, mushrooms, leather, some ferrous earth and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and slightly savory. Elegant and beautiful this was such a fun and rewarding wine to follow as the hours rolled by. A very strong showing at 40 years young and not slowing down soon. Drink now through 2040. — 2 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.5

Not too woody like most extra añjeo tequilas that I have tried — 3 years ago

Konrad Ziegler

9.2

From Fermented wine shop in Canton. Chehamlem Mountains AVA — 4 years ago

jochen rueckert

9.0

Nice cheap orange not crazy — 6 years ago

Adelia Shiffraw

9.0

Dry, tannic, smoky finish — 7 years ago

Monk Funkster

9.1

So much subtlety going on with this wine. Lots of flavors from great fruit and great minerality. Lots of complexity that is super fun to unpack. Definitely have the sensation of never being able to taste all of the flavors in this. — 8 years ago

Karamo Nicoise

9.5

Rich darkness — 9 years ago

Jose Torres

10

Sweet and unique taste — 10 years ago

Matt FELDMANN

9.3

Very fine bubbles at first, fine acidity and structure, light not overly complex taste, hint of spring flowers. Very good aperitif wine. — 11 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Presented to me, double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears, and some signs of light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a mix of ripe and desiccated, mostly dark fruits: cassis, black cherry, plum, mixed brambles, old leather, pipe tobacco, pencil shavings, and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (that is mostly integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend, Tempranillo (or based blend) or Grenache-based blend from France, Spain or the United States. I feel like this leans more towards its fruit than its structure, even though it is a fairly well balanced wine in both regards. As a result, I am calling this a Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend from the United States, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain from a producer like Dunn, 2006. Shiiiiiit. To be honest, I’m not terribly surprised since this is Cos and from a warm vintage no less. Drinking well now and should through 2050+. — 8 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Poured into a decanter about 30 minutes prior to service and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2019 San Valentino pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and a decent amount of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with sensational notes of Bing cherry, plum, licorice, Palo Santo, varnish, balsamico, exotic spices, and a mix of dried under brush and 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 there is no shortage of excitement. A wine that simultaneously makes you think and fills you with joy. Drink now through 2034. — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of four days. Best on Day 3 and 4. The 2022 Estate pours a ruby color with a slightly hazy, transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart red fruit: tiny underripe woodland strawberries, dried green herbs, red flowers, mushrooms, sous bois, spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and super fresh. Better after 2027 through 2037. Only 100 cases made. — 2 years ago

David Shaw

9.0

Been a couple of years since visiting the cidery. Still dry, appley, good lactic and malic balance from native yeast. Well crafted cider from a small family operation worthy of your support — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

A couple of weeks back, I opened a bottle of the 2017 that was supposed to be my first impression of the latest release. Ferrando’s Carema “Etichetta Bianca” is one of my favorite wines in Piemonte and, well, it was a false start. It was brown, tasted like it was 30 years old, full of secondary characteristics and lacking any of the elegance or structure I’ve come to expect from these wines year in and year out. The cork appeared to be perfect; not sure what happened. It was just, flat. So, I opened another one of my bottles this weekend to see if I was dealing with a much broader issue. Much to my delight, this bottle was proper.

Tonight, the wine poured a striking, garnet color with a transparent core and a slightly watery rim. No staining of the tears. No signs of sediment. The wine is intense, woodsy, and has the smell of strong BO, spicy but in a good way? Like someone put on a fancy cologne to cover the fact that they haven’t showered in a week. Weird…I know…but trust me. You’ll smell it and then you’ll like it. Red flowers, red fruits like dried cherries and porchini too. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Long finish. Dried cherries, exotic spices and dried herbs. Overall, I got the impression of a round but rustic wine; unique in a way I have come to expect from these wines over the years. I had a little bit left in the bottle that I held over until the next day and it became even more fresh on Day 2. Based off my experience, you can certainly open these now and enjoy with some patience but I think these will benefit from some time in the cellar. Next bottle after 2027. — 5 years ago

Bob Dylan

9.1

smoky! no or minimal skin contact — 7 years ago

Wendi Hudson

9.0

Apricot and dried herbs on the nose and palate. Great texture and balanced acidity.
— 8 years ago

John Han

9.5

The best creamy beer I've ever had. — 9 years ago

Elena Moroz

9.0

Kvevri, вяжет — 10 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 1998 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and loads of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady notes of dark cherry, mixed brambles, mixed flowers, mushroom, a touch of funk, pine sap, forest floor, a little VA, and a mix of cool and warm spices for good measure. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin medium+ and acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. F***ing awesome. One of the greatest experiences with Zinfandel that I’ve ever had. Drink now through 2038. — 8 months 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. — a year ago

Jeremiah Diaz

9.1

Deep ruby color; black cherries, oak, and blackberry jam on the nose; high acidity; high tannins; tastes like blackberry sauce, sweet tabacco, sassafras(I think), and a hint of camphor with a long fruity finish. It has a little bit of a children's cough medicine flavor at the end. It's not enough to be bad. I really like this wine, but it's enough to knock my rating down a point. — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; consumed over two days. No formal notes. The 2020 Mataro pours a deep garnet/purple with a nearly opaque core and some staining of the tears. Predominately dark fruited with some pepper, and minerals. The wine is dry with very good structure. Tart and so fresh at this stage! I’m going to give my remaining bottles a bit more time. — 4 years ago

Rob Havana

8.9

Fabre meeting — 5 years ago

Ben Norman

8.9

Good, weird — 7 years ago

Michael Everett

8.9

More Georgian! Dank — 8 years ago

Pooneet K

8.9

Nice orange wine from Georgia. Gives the impression of sweetness without actually being sweet. Some real grip without tannins, sort of an interesting orange wine mouthfeel. Nice. — 9 years ago

jo wino

9.0

yup, this was a good choice with the ameribella. cheese from Indiana; who knew — 10 years ago

James Newell

9.5

Jammy and fantastic. Will definitely get this one the next time I see it. — 11 years ago