Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2020 Siccagno pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of blackberry, black cherry, pomegranate, dry leaf tobacco, wood varnish, and volcanic 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 a fresh, if not slightly volatile Siccagno but it was lovely with cappellacci on a warm summer day. Drink now through 2035. — 2 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two hours. The 2019 pours a garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart red fruits: strawberry, raspberry, Morello cherry, roses, dried green herbs, and gravely earth. On the palate the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. From one of the lesser known Conterno’s…but still quite lovely. Drink now through 2039 — 12 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Never had a rum from Fiji before. This is tasty stuff though. It’s big and rich…but what else do you expect from a 17yr aged rum? — 12 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

This bottle was opened sometime earlier in the evening before a glass was handed to me. Pacalet’s 2018 Cornas pours, a deep ruby purple with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with wild notes of ripe and tart black and red fruits: mixed brambles, freshly cracked black pepper, bacon fat, lavender, dried green herbs and gentle 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+. Considering Philippe is Burgundian, I think he does a great job with Cornas; certainly showing a sense of place with the feral nature of Serine. Drink now through 2038. — 12 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Best on Day 2. The 2020 pours a garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Morello cherry, red roses, talcum powder, strawberry and raspberry cream, wood varnish, green herbs and dried 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 savory. Drink now through 2040.

These gotta be some of the best values left in Barolo. It’s probably worth noting that I had been wanting to try the wines from Tomaso Gianolio for many years however, distribution was almost non-existent. Thanks for changing all that @Lyle Fass — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.7

When it comes to spirits with personality, Mezcal tends to be amongst the most rambunctious. But over the years, the Mezcal from Real Minero is the very best I’ve ever had. It never fails to impress. This example is made with the Cuishe variety. I wish these bottles weren’t so expensive these days…but certainly worth it. — 12 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days. Best on Day 1 and 2. The 2017 Inferno, Fiamme Antiche pours a deep garnet color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart fruit: Morello cherry, roses, espresso, leather, alpine herbs and granitic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Elegant and ever so lovely. Drink now through 2037. Only 6,206 bottles produced. — 12 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days and frankly, this was spectacular throughout. The 2020 pours a deep, ruby-purple with an opaque core and a magenta rim; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine smells like walking into a European delicatessen; developing with notes of mostly ripe and some tart, black, red and blue fruits. There’s mixed brambles, fig, blueberry, lavender, black pepper, olive brine, a melange of cool and warm baking spices 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 long. It’s been a couple of years since I last enjoyed this vintage of Graillot and it remains absolutely brilliant. Drink now through 2040. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2021 Pagani Ranch 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 notes of ripe and tart black and red fruits: mixed bramble fruit, black cherry, black pepper, red flowers, tobacco, 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+. Yum. — 12 days ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Opened an unknown amount of time before being poured into a red Solo cup. No formal notes; obviously. The 2021 is varietally correct and leans heavily into the violets and pyrazines. There good structure and a solid finish. A wine of good character. Drink now through 2036. — 12 days ago