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Wine Scores
Below is a listing of the wine review scores we frequently reference in our notes. While these sources remain an excellent source of information, we always recommend that you trust your own palate. Scores in these publications often represent the personal taste of an individual critic, which may not always coincide with your own. We have a huge team of excellent wine professionals that can match wines you've had in the past with new arrivals that meet your flavor profile.
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Staff Favorites - Scott Beckerley
Scott Beckerley
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I wear a number of “hats,” so to speak (covers my bald head well). I am an assistant manager at the SF store. I also manage the SF tasting bar and work sales as well. Working the sales floor allows me to explore different vineyards and regions. Luckily, there are opportunities at K&L to bounce around a lot. I’ve developed a preference for wines that are drier, more tart and more complex. Fruit bombs are not my thing like they were when I was, ahem, younger. I definitely prefer more terrior and wines that are “earthy,” particularly with some age on them. My advice? Trust yourself and try to keep track of what you have had that you like. Don’t let anyone tell you what you are supposed to like. Everyone has a different palate and that’s what makes this business interesting.
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Reviews
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2012 Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc
Review Date: 5-13-2013
This is a great little buy for domestic Sauvignon Blanc or for any affordable white wine, in fact. It has a very pleasant floral nose with hints of nectarine and herbs. Simple, clean and fresh on the palate with generous acidity, lemon-lime notes and just a hint of melon.
Price: $7.99
2005 Guiborat Fils Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs
Review Date: 4-27-2013
This is a great new arrival that has the classic minerality and acidity of Blanc de Blanc Brut but, it also has interesting lemon curd nuance and a good dose of cream mid-palate. It will also age very well over the next 6+ years if you are so inclined. A great bubbly at a wroth-every-penny price.
Price: $59.99
2011 Iron Horse Green Valley of RRV Pinot Noir
Review Date: 3-20-2013
Delicate and bright, with fresh raspberry and cherry fruit and tobacco nuances. Excellent!
Price: $39.99
2008 Iron Horse "Wedding Cuvée" Green Valley Brut
Review Date: 3-20-2013
This sparkler is a blend of 85% pinot noir and 15% chardonnay with a big, rich nose. Strawberries and cherries on the palate with a clean finish containing some minerality.
Price: $24.99
2009 Priest Ranch "Somerston Vineyards" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Review Date: 1-15-2013
I just tasted this today (1/15) and it is very impressive. It had plenty of time to breathe (about five hours) and was rich with dark red and black fruits, toasted oak and anise. It has a fleshy center and a finish that lingers. A great wine to add to your collection, or, if you are going to drink it now, decant it for two hours or so.
Price: $36.99
Louis Roederer "Brut Premier" Champagne
Review Date: 11-1-2012
This is one of my favorite Grand Marque houses and this particular champagne has great quality and is also a really good value. Toasty nose, with rich fruit. On the palate, golden apples and cream with a finish of bright, yet subtle, acidity. A really lovely champagne that works well on its own or with a meal.
Top Value!
Price: $34.99
2005 Louis Roederer "Cristal" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 11-1-2012
Is there any better way to start a morning than tasting the wines of Roederer? I tasted the latest Cristal in mid-August at 10:15 a.m. in the morning with a very fresh, coffee-free palate. While the last release of this bubbly, the 2004, needs a few more years to unwind, the 2005 is up and raring to go. Toast and citrus dominate the nose while the palate is more open, with white stone fruits and cream. More opulent than previous releases with more appeal for current drinking. It does, however, have that expected high quality that we have become spoiled by!
Price: $179.99
2009 Dunn Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Review Date: 10-19-2012
I'll be honest here...I'm a big fan of Dunn vineyards, particularly of their Howell Mountain appellation. So, it was a great surprise when I tasted this latest release of the Napa (9/25/2012) and was just blown away by it. It is a mouthful of red and black fruits with cedar wood and elegant spice. It was positively fantastic after being open well over eight hours for a second try after closing time here. This bottling is worth every penny and is a shining example of why the Dunn family has been renowned for quality for over 30 years. NEVER overextracted or one-note. PERFECT for everyone...from those of you looking for something of quality to enjoy tonight (decant it for an hour) or for those of you seeking to add to your cellar. It's simply great wine!
Price: $79.99
Laurent-Perrier "Grand Siècle" Champagne
Review Date: 9-14-2012
The current release of LP Grand Siecle is simply outstanding! Tons of peachy, nutty, stone fruit scents with hints of butter and toast. Somewhat ripe pear and tropical fruits. Mandarin orange notes. Zesty minerality and lemon zest on the finish. This blend was a wonderful surprise and simply delicious! An overachiever in bubbles!
Price: $109.00
2010 Château de Saint-Lager Brouilly
Review Date: 8-6-2012
Bright raspberry and cherry fruit that begins quite dry and becomes more floral in the mid-palate. Delicious and interesting! Great with spicy food.
Price: $13.99
Breaking & Entering Bourbon from St. George 750ml
Review Date: 6-19-2012
Hooch! That says it all. This is real fine hooch. This is also coming from someone who, um, doesn't really appreciate good hooch. However, I DO appreciate this one! Not too sweet, not too hot and not too oaky. This bourbon has it all! Medium-bodied, with stone fruits, cinnamon and really, really balanced oak. Perfect for Goldilocks. This one is juuuuuust right!
Price: $33.99
Fleury "Cuveé Robert Fleury" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 3-17-2012
I just tried this one after work tonight (3/17) and it is a definate winner. Wonderful green apple fruit, Asian spices and a very long, very clean finish with bracing acidity and chalkiness. Where the vintage features yellow apples and a bit of caramel, this new arrival ops for restraint and cleanliness. Simply lovely!
Price: $49.99
Ariston Aspasie "Carte Blanche" Brut Champagne (375ml)
Review Date: 2-21-2012
The perfect bottle for a picnic! This lightly yeasty bubbly has fresh apple fruit, toast and a lingering finish with good acidity. This wine is just fine by itself or great with everything from sandwiches to roast chicken.
Top Value!
Price: $15.99
Bruichladdich Botanist Gin 750ml
Review Date: 2-17-2012
This is going to be a very strange review, so bear with me. Normally, I am NOT a gin fan. I usually don't even like the smell of it. However, this Botanist gin smells, well, like flowers. It has juniper on the nose, but it is very elegant and muted. There are a lot of white flower notes and some rose scents (for me anyway...be patient, I've never described a gin before!). On the palate, it is soft and smooth, with good body that is not too heavy or oily. Here again, the juniper is subtle and almost slighty sweet. This is not gin-and-tonic gin. Don't ruin it by mixing! Serve it neat or maybe with one small ice cube. Better yet, just keep it in the fridge. If a wuss like me can handle it neat, you can too! You won't be disappointed!
Price: $34.99
2005 Elisabeth Goutorbe Brut Champagne
Review Date: 2-17-2012
Ms. Elisabeth Goutorbe has come through, again! This great 2005 vintage Brut is a worthy successor to her wonderful 2003 vintage. A lovely blend of bing cherry fruit, hazelnuts and minerality. The finish seems to go on forever and ever. A great wine by itself or with a meal of fatty fish, lean pork or chicken. As an added bonus, it should age very well in the cellar for five plus years.
Price: $39.99
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