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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.
- Allen Meadows - Burghound
- Connoisseurs Guide
- Gambero Rosso
- James Halliday
- James Suckling
- Malt Advocate
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
- International Wine Cellar
- Wine & Spirits
- Wine Enthusiast
- Wine Spectator
- The Wine News
- Malt Advocate
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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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Gruet Rosé New Mexico Sparkling Wine
Review Date: 1-6-2011
Sparkling wine from New Mexico, you say? Yep, and it's really good, too! The Gruet family makes champagne in France and fell in love with New Mexico when they were visiting. The result of this love is a classically styled Brut Rose with bright strawberry fruit and toasted bread on the nose. Clean, raspberry fruit on the palate with a dry, crisp finish. Only 5000 cases produced. A wonderful bargain!
Top Value!
Price: $13.99
Antech "Brut Nature" Blanquette de Limoux
Review Date: 11-15-2010
An excellent, affordable bubbly that is the perfect way to start a meal. Clean and crisp, with granny-smith apples and bartlett pear fruit. excellent acidity to add zip(!) to the finish. Perfect with finger foods and oysters.
Top Value!
Price: $12.99
Pommery "Brut Royal" Champagne
Review Date: 11-6-2010
This release from Pommery is an excellent value. It has the signature creamy and soft style of Pommery and a very affordable price. Peach fruit, cream and a hint of citrus zest on the nose. On the palate, pears, vanilla and subtle acidity. For those of you who like an elegant style that is feminine and treads softly.
Top Value!
Price: $32.99
Deligeroy Cremant de Loire Brut
Review Date: 8-3-2010
Excellent bubbles for a budget! Lively peach and pear fruit with tiny bubbles and an excellent bead. Well-rounded, delicate, with a fresh, crsipy finish. Excellent as an apertif and with a salad. A price too good to pass up!
Price: $11.99
Urbanite Cellars "Redart" Red Blend
Review Date: 6-4-2010
An excellent blend of cabernet sauvignon, syrah and zinfandel. Fresh, deep red fruit with a nice depth of spice and balanced acidity. So inexpensive that it affordable enough for everyday. Perfect with everything from pizza to barbecue!
Top Value!
Price: $9.99
2008 Valle Perdido Pinot Noir Neuquen
Review Date: 6-4-2010
What a gem of a wine! Lush, juicy cherry fruit that is at once full-bodied and structured. A great bargain in Pinot when many are hard to find!
Top Value!
Price: $11.99
2004 Dunn "Howell Mountain" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Review Date: 4-9-2010
First of all, I am incredibly biased towards the wines of Dunn. One of my favorite wines ever was the 1987 Howell Mountain. What to say here? These are dense wines full of black fruits, anise, cocoa and cassis. While it is a mouthfull of wine in its youth, it will age magnificently for the next 20 years or more and morph into its trademark elegance. Well worth every penny.
Price: $84.99
J Pear Liqueur By J Wine Company 375ml
Review Date: 4-9-2010
While I rarely drink liqueur, I did have the pleasure of tasting this one from J Wine Company. Lush, with sweet pear flavors and no heat, this liqueur is not overdone or too sweet. Balanced and delicious! It is the perfect compliment for a fruit tart!
Price: $23.99
Ruinart Brut Rosé Champagne (375ml)
Review Date: 2-12-2010
Okay, I haven't written up a Chamapagne for a long time now, so I'm going to indulge myself. Ruinart has been around since 1729 and makes some of the best Blanc de Blanc and Rosé on the market. The Rosé is a wonderful example of a clean, somewhat delicate, classic style Rosé. Wonderful raspberry, strawberry notes with great depth, acidity and minerality. Well worth the money. Personally, I enjoy it by itself or with a mild, creamy cheese. No need to mask any of the flavors coming from this beauty.
Price: $44.99
Ariston Aspasie "Cepages d'Antan" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 11-10-2009
Wow! I can honestly say that I have never tried a Champagne like this before! I first had it at our Champagne Tent Event in Redwood City and again last week (11/3). A very exotic blend of Pinot Blanc, Meslier and Arbane. White fruits such as pear, lychee and white nectarine. Add toasted pine nuts, some chalk and you have it. One of the most interesting Champagnes in the company. You already love the Rose, now try something very different. Versatile enough to start a meal with or to have with a main course. The Ariston family has done it again!
Price: $99.00
Sorelle Bronca Prosecco
Review Date: 10-11-2009
Normally, I have mixed feelings about Prosecco and have to be in the mood to drink it. Sometimes, it is a little too fruity for me. However, this Sorelle Bronca is nice and dry and tart! A pretty nose of orange blossoms, mandarin oranges and toasted nuts. Crisp acidity with citrus fruits and minerality on the palate. A great way to start a meal and a great alternative to Blanc de blancs Chamapgne.
Price: $16.99
Baron Fuente "Galipettes" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 12-27-2008
Wonderful all-estate fruit with a 1/3 blend of each of Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Biodynamic. Rich with cherry fruit, cocoa and bread dough accents. Crisp at the back of the palate. An upcoming feature Champagne for February!
Price: $39.99
Franck Bonville "Brut Selection" Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Review Date: 12-27-2008
There is simply no better Blanc de Blanc in the store at this price! Classic Avize minerality with crisp apple-y fruit, lemons, limes and wet stone aspects. A wonderful Chamnpagne with caviar or baked Brie. Too good of a value to pass up. We can also go for months without having this sparkler in stock. Also available in 375ml and magnum. It also comes in a gorgeous 2002 vintage as well!
Price: $32.99
Ariston Aspasie Brut Rosé Champagne
Review Date: 12-26-2008
Fresh off de boat! Just tried this last Saturday night (4th of July). Those of you who are fans, don't be confused by the new Aspasie label! It's the same wine you have loved for years! Loads of raspberry, strawberry and bing cherry fruit. Hints of minerality hit the tongue and make this a winner for those of you who like the Billecart-Salmon style at a greatly reduced price. We always sell out of this one!
Top Value!
Drink from
2009
to
2012
Price: $32.99
Charles Baur Cremant d'Alsace Brut Rosé
Review Date: 10-8-2008
A fantastic buy in bubbles! A delicate nose of raspberries and roses. In the mouth, a very fine bead with a slight hint of minerality, more raspberries, vanilla and tart cherries. A really great bubbly to have by itself or with a light, fruit-based tart.
Price: $19.99
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