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Staff Favorites - Steve Greer

Steve Greer | Send Email | Subscribe to My Sommelier Service

I think I started down the path into the wine world with my first job, at 16, bussing tables in a Chinese restaurant. Blue Nun Riesling was the big seller (this in 1985, so don't laugh). While the Blue Nun Riesling was not an "epiphany" wine, I drank a lot of it. It was a magnum of Robert Sinskey Claret that I shared with friends while watching the 1994 World Cup that got me started reading about wine (Brazil won). My first "wow" wine was that same year, when a customer gave me a glass of 1982 Haut Brion. It was amazing. Next I found pinot noir, specifically a 1994 Whitcraft Bien Nacido, and I was hooked. I knew I wanted to sell wine so I moved from restaurants to wholesale wine sales, working for Metamora in Ohio and Kentucky. But after continued consolidation of distributors and the realization, that in wholesale you wear blinders, tasting only the wines you sell, I knew I wanted to move to the retail side. I would like to say I moved from Cincinnati just for K&L but I left the "Red" state for Los Angeles (a Cincinnati Reds and Cincinnati Bengals fan in San Francisco just would not do) and I was very lucky to find the K&L store in Hollywood. The rest is history.

Reviews

Talisker "Storm" Limited Edition Isle of Skye Single Malt Whisky (750ml)

Review Date: 01-24-2014

It's funny--I am not sure what an "un-storm-like" whisky is but I think what that's referring to is the expectation that this new release from Talisker would be all about Big Peat. Instead, I think that this new release stays in the Talisker realm of balance. There is more power and more smokiness than salinity, but with the signature sweet malt and peppery spice along with more vanilla (recharred Bourbon barrels?)

Price: $59.99

Talisker 10 Year Old Isle of Skye Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

Review Date: 01-24-2014

I am guilty of chasing the golden goose and forgetting about the standards or classics within a certain category be it wine, whiskey, beer etc. I was reminded of this when we went through a line-up of Scotch whiskey and I tried the Talisker 10. This is the balanced side of peated whiskey with pure sea-side air, creosote and just a hint of iodine balanced by the sweet malt. The finish is beautiful with saline and spice and only $50! A standard for everyone's bar.

Price: $59.99

WA: 90

Ferrand Dry Orange Curaçao (750ml)

Review Date: 01-23-2014

This is a drier version of Grand Mariner. Tastes like orange marmalade and fresh oranges with dry finish. Excellent!

Price: $29.99

WE: 93

Tequila Fortaleza Blanco Tequila

Review Date: 01-23-2014

The Forteleza line-up is fantastic but the Bianco shows the purity of the spirit with tons of depth. Vegetative, roasted herbs, spice, orange peel and coriander shows this is a sipper to be enjoy.

Price: $69.99

Limit of 1 per customer

2010 Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Léognan

Review Date: 02-04-2013

Oak spice, extracted blue fruit, modern.

Price: $229.99

A.D. Coutelas "Cuvée 1809" Brut Champagne

Review Date: 11-01-2012

Like an aged Meursault or a fino sherry this Champagne shows bruised apple, olive brine, salinity and chalky minerality with lots of acidity with a great mouthfeel. Damn.

Price: $64.99

BH: 92

2010 Pontet-Canet, Pauillac

Review Date: 07-05-2011

Fantastic. This vintage is the first year they are certified biodynamic. They also are using a horse to farm about 60 acres, and Alfred Tesseron wants to add one horse a year. This attention to detail in the vineyard is paying off in the finished wine. Very expressive on the nose, it has lovely floral qualities, blackberry and spice. There’s pure black fruit on the palate finishing with some astringency, but the fresh fruit balances the tannins. Buy this as soon as you can!

Price: $299.99

Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne

Review Date: 06-07-2011

This is our best value Champagne in the store. Comprised of all three grapes this Champagne shows you can have both good value and great taste. Nutty, brioche and apple fill the nose and palate with a mouth filling mousse. Only $24.99 and I promise everyone you poured this for would enjoy it.

Price: $37.99

Launois "Cuvée Réservée" Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

Review Date: 06-07-2011

Every year this is one of my favorite Champagnes. Green apple and mineral on the nose and palate and the 3 years on the lees provides a fantastic mouth feel with plenty of acidity keeping it very crisp and clean. 100% Grand Cru fruit for only $34.99. Crazy.

Price: $39.99

Ariston Aspasie Brut Rosé Champagne

Review Date: 10-27-2010

This could be one of the best deals in our Champagne section. If you like Billecart then you will like this as a alternative in price. Nice strawberry and cherry flavors and aromas with a nice rich texture and a long finish of strawberry. Great value and a great Champagne.

Price: $42.99

More Favorites

Steve Greer is also a fan of the following items. To become a fan of Steve Greer, click here to join Steve Greer's Personal Sommelier Service.

St. George "Terroir" Mount Tamalpais Gin (750ml) ($27.99)

Domaine du Manoir de Montreuil "Reserve" Calvados Pay d'Auge (750ml) ($44.99)

Averna Amaro Siciliano (750ml) ($29.99)

Adrien Camut "Réserve de Semainville (25+ years old) Pays d'Auge Calvados (750ml) ($299.99)

El Dorado 15 Year Old Demerara Guyana Rum (750ml) ($55.99)

Russell's Reserve 6 Year Old "Small Batch" 90 Proof Kentucky Rye Whiskey (750ml) ($49.99)

Rock Hill Farms Kentucky Straight Bourbon (750ml) ($99.99)

Seikyo "Omachi" Junmai Ginjo Sake 720ml ($29.99)

Lini "Labrusca" Lambrusco Emilia Bianco ($15.99)

Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne ($44.99)