Jay Kline

9.4

Opened a few hours prior to service and enjoyed over the course of an hour. This bottle of the 1986 was re-corked at the chateau in 2011. 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 some dried dark and red fruits: black currants, brambles, black plum, tobacco, pencil shavings, some dried flowers, green pepper, leather, some earth and a gentle 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 seemed evergreen and this bottle spending most of its life in the cellars of the chateau likely has a lot to do with that. Fabulous stuff. Drink now through 2046. — 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Delicious throughout. The 2016 Contra Costa County pours a deep, slightly hazy garnet/purple with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and signs of light sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart, mostly black and blue fruit: blackberries, blueberries, plums, Montmorency cherry, purple flowers, black pepper, 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+. I’m very happy to have holed away some bottles from the first few years of Sandlands. Not only do I believe these older vintages are showing well, but I also believe his newer vintages will be even better. Drink now through 2031. — 4 months ago

mik bafana

9.2

Well balanced sale. Smooth finish. Off dry. — 7 months ago

with Shweta

Jay Kline

9.3

Decanted about an hour in advance and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2022 Cuvée Réservée 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 powerful notes of ripe and tart bramble fruits: blackberries, Marionberries, raspberries, “Oops All Berries!!”, garrigue, red and purple flowers, black pepper, licorice, a balance of cool and warm spices, river rock. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from nose; particularly the power and quality of fruit. The finish is long. Early days for the 2022 Cuvée Réservée but holy smokes is it already pretty special. The ABV is a scorching 16% but you would never know it. The power and freshness of fruit with the titanic structure keep everything in balance. Drink now through 2042. — 7 months ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Splash decanted; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2017 “Tip Top Vineyard” 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 tart and ripe black and red fruits: brambles, plums, cherry lozenges, black pepper, 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 worked really well with a variety of grilled fare though I suspect a few more years in the cellar would help add some complexity. Drink now with patience through 2032. — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. It was very good on Day 2 but I think it was more interesting on Day 1 after about 90min of air. The 2015 Donjon pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, developing with notes of dark brambles fruits, some bruised strawberry, some garrigue, some stony minerals and spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium(+?) tannins and medium acidity. Confirming the notes from the nose with a touch of cracked black pepper there too. The finish is medium. To my palate, this has entered that awkward, quiet stage that some CdP’s enter between year 5-10. It’s trying to show some secondary character but it’s just not willing to use its voice. A lot of the ingredients are there though. Drink now with some patience and grace otherwise I wouldn’t try again until after 2025. FWIW, it was a lovely pairing with cassoulet. — 2 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.5

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

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days; consistent throughout. The 2021 Chianti Classico pours a garnet color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with very light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes tart and ripe red fruits: Morello cherry, raspberry, bergamot, porcini, red flowers, green herbs, an old wood. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, tart and juicy. Damn, I wish I had better access to the wines of San Giusto a Rentennano! Drink now through 2041. — 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2004 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart mixed fruit: Blackberries, black cherry, dill, olives, leather, toasted coconut, some vanilla, dried green herbs and fine 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 in a very lovely place. Drink now through 2044.  — 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe, mostly dark fruits: plums, black cherry, dark brambles, purple flowers, sweet tobacco, anise, leather, vanilla and baking spices. I believe this wine sees some new, small format oak. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the texture is smooth and luxurious. Alcohol is medium+. The wine is fairly well balanced.

Initial conclusions: this could be Merlot or a Merlot-based blend, Cabernet Franc (or based blend), Syrah, Tempranillo, Malbec or Carménère from the United States, France, Spain or Argentina. From my experience, I didn’t think it was purple or single-toned enough for Malbec. There wasn’t any rotondun or reductive qualities I usually get from Syrah; so I eliminated that as well. There weren’t enough pyrazines for Cab Franc. It left me with Tempranillo or Merlot and since this was lavishly oaked (I felt most new French oak), I veered towards Merlot and since it was leaning pretty heavily towards its fruit and the ABV was elevated, I was going New World instead of Right Bank. Final conclusion: Merlot or Merlot-based blend from the United States, from California, Napa Valley from 2015. Gosh dammit. I forgot about the possibility of Tempranillo from Toro. I totally get it but don’t hate my analysis or call. I’ve had Termes and Numanthia countless times but this was the first time trying Termanthia. It’s a big boy…but pretty well balanced considering the power. Drink now through 2032+. — 6 months ago

Jay Kline

9.0

The fruit from this vineyard was planted in 1886 by Joseph Spenker. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2023 pours a ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of fresh raspberries, lingonberries, Earl Grey, purple flowers, cool spices, and old wood. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and slightly spicy. This is one of the more elegant vintages of the Lodi Cinsault. Drink now with some air and through 2033. 13 barrels produced. — 7 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 1993 pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears and signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of desiccated black fruit: cassis, blackberries, along with celery, tobacco, green bell pepper, forest floor, and baking spices. On the palate the wine is dry with medium tannins (integrated) and medium+ acid. The finish is medium and satisfying. This was a very nice showing for the 1993 and it’s clear that well-stored examples are drinking well right now and should continue to do so through 2031. — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Woof. One smell of the 2020 Levet Côte Rôtie and you know it’s happening! The wine pours a deep ruby with a purple tinge and a near opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. No signs of sediment or gas. The nose: absolutely feral. Holy whole-cluster Batman! All of the rotundone your heart could desire. Funky dark bramble fruit, deli case, black pepper, blueberry crisp, lavender, dried green herbs, inorganic earth, and subtle baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes on the nose. The finish is long with a generous streak of minerals. An awesome Levet that’s already showing off, in its relative youth. Drinking surprisingly well right now and I expect it will continue to do so, well through 2035. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2010 pours a hazy garnet/purple color with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of tart, ripe and desiccated fruits: blackberries, black licorice, horse blanket, some animale, mushrooms, forest floor, rocky earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. It has been eight years since I last enjoyed this vintage of the VV and it continues to age with a lot of grace. Drink now through 2030+. — 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2017 (S) pours a garnet color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with pretty notes of mostly red, tart fruit: strawberry, raspberry, Montmorency cherry, licorice, dried green herbs, menthol, and rocky 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 just a touch mousy but within the acceptable range. Refreshing and a lovely pairing with burgers on a warm Spring evening. Drink now through 2032. — 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three hours. The 2012 Villero pours a pale, slightly hazy garnet with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing and initially a little grumpy with the fruit showing a touch stewed and everything a little muddled. However, with about 30min of air, it started to freshen up! This is a trait I find common with traditionally made Nebbiolo from Barolo and Barbaresco in solar years. Morello cherry, raspberry, bruised strawberry, dried roses, tar, dried green herbs, talcum powder, and 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 long and grippy. There is so much nuance and yet, the quality is undeniable. Hard to stay away from. Drink now with patience to let it freshen up in the glass after opening but this should drink well through 2037. — 6 months ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Consistent throughout. The 2023 “Contra Costa County” pours, a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart and ripe mixed bramble fruit: blackberries, Marionberries, raspberries, black pepper, orange zest, menthol, and gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose where the orange citrus notes show a bit more prominently. The finish is medium+, bright and refreshing. 9 barrels produced. Drink now through 2038.  — 7 months ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2022 pours a pale, slightly hazy 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 red fruit: raspberry, strawberry, maraschino cherry, watermelon, rose water 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. This is impossibly easy to gulp down. Fresh, juicy and silky smooth. Drink now through 2032. — 8 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Ruby in color with medium plus intensity.

Fruity nose with lots of fruits, cedar and chocolate notes.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.

Showing sweet cherries, currants, cedar, licorice, light vanilla, tobacco, chocolates, light earth, coffee, herbs, spices and black pepper.

Long finish with soft tannins and cherries.

This 7 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa is peaking now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 years.

Delicious, complex and fruit forward. Nicely balanced and soft. Reminds me of a Left Bank Bordeaux.

This Single Vineyard is easy drinking and good by itself or with food. A great sipping wine.

I paired it with a Florentine steak.

A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot. Aged in French oak barrels for 20 months. A very small production of 1,500 bottles.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$125. — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.0

As far as I’m concerned, these School House Mescolanzas are like, the anti-Napa Zinfandel. They are just so different from anything else out there. Until they get close to 10 years from vintage, they are backward; lean, green and mean. But if one has the patience, they eventually become quite charming. For this bottle, I did not follow my own advice.

Popped and poured, consumed over four days. On Day 1, this was completely coiled and the oak seemed a bit out of balance. I finished my glass and placed the cork back in the neck of the bottle. I checked in for a small taste on Day 2 and 3. By Day 4, it had opened enough to really enjoy. The 2016 School House “Mescolanza” Zinfandel Blend pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core. Medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. There appears too be some very faint signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing. Expressive of dark bramble fruits, stone minerals, and baking spices. On the palate the wine is dry with medium(+?) tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes on the nose. The finish is medium(+). This has all of the trappings for very nice expression of this wine but it’s a little young to my taste. Best after 2025 and these will drink well through 2037…and possibly longer. — 2 years ago