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Staff Favorites - Steve Greer

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

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2010 Ducru-Beaucaillou, St-Julien Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 2-5-2013
At UGC-Cassis, coffee tart red fruit and spice. Balanced and seamless elegance.
Price: $279.99 Add To Cart JS 100 RP 98 ST 93-  97
2010 Léoville-Las Cases, St-Julien Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 2-5-2013
One of my top five wines of the vintage. The nose had this piercing purity with cassis and mineral along with with spice. Tons of structure and astringency balanced by the fruit.
Price: $339.99 Add To Cart WE 100 JS 99 WS 98
2010 Léoville-Las Cases, St-Julien (1.5L) Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 2-5-2013
One of my top five wines of the vintage. The nose had this piercing purity with cassis and mineral along with with spice. Tons of structure and astringency balanced by the fruit.
Price: $699.99 Add To Cart WE 100 JS 99 WS 99
2010 Malescot-St-Exupéry, Margaux (6L) Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 2-5-2013
Mint and cocoa, with cassis and spice on the palate and finish. At UGC: I'm really partial to the wines from Margaux as a whole in 2010, and this is one of my favorites. The nose is a heady blend of cassis, plum, graphite, floral aromas and potpourri. The palate shows big, chewy tannins, with chocolate, licorice and more potpourri, all of which linger on the long finish.
Price: $859.99 Add To Cart JS 95 RP 95 ST 91-  94
2010 Malescot-St-Exupéry, Margaux Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 2-5-2013
Mint and cocoa, with cassis and spice on the palate and finish. At UGC: I'm really partial to the wines from Margaux as a whole in 2010, and this is one of my favorites. The nose is a heady blend of cassis, plum, graphite, floral aromas and potpourri. The palate shows big, chewy tannins, with chocolate, licorice and more potpourri, all of which linger on the long finish.
Price: $109.99 Add To Cart JS 95 RP 95 ST 91-  94
2010 Malescot-St-Exupéry, Margaux (1.5L) Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 2-5-2013
Mint and cocoa, with cassis and spice on the palate and finish. At UGC: I'm really partial to the wines from Margaux as a whole in 2010, and this is one of my favorites. The nose is a heady blend of cassis, plum, graphite, floral aromas and potpourri. The palate shows big, chewy tannins, with chocolate, licorice and more potpourri, all of which linger on the long finish.
Price: $209.99 Add To Cart JS 95 RP 95 ST 91-  94
2010 Kirwan, Margaux Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 2-5-2013
I think this is a château that is only going to improve. They hired Philippe Delfaut in 2007, who was at Château Palmer from 1996-2007. He pushed Kirwan to start picking at the correct ripeness in order to maintain acidity. He also mapped the vineyard and now knows he has 29 parcels with different soils, all of which he harvests and vinifies separately. Bright fruit on the nose and palate with rich cassis fruit. Supple mouthfeel, but with nice acidity and structure. At UGC: The nose has lovely floral roasted herb and black fruit aromas. The palate has more layers of rich black fruit and cassis, pencil lead and spice, with a richly-textured mouthfeel and a heady finish.
Price: $79.99 Add To Cart WE 94 RP 92 WS 91
2010 Angludet, Margaux (1.5L) Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 2-5-2013
Out of barrel this wine showed sweet fruit but was concentrated and tight. From bottle it is all heady blackberry and spice, with a rich, concentrated palate, lovely tannins, great texture, layers of black fruit, cassis, licorice and minerality.
Price: $79.99 Add To Cart WE 92 ST 88-  91 WS 91
2010 Angludet, Margaux Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 2-5-2013
Out of barrel this wine showed sweet fruit but was concentrated and tight. From bottle it is all heady blackberry and spice, with a rich, concentrated palate, lovely tannins, great texture, layers of black fruit, cassis, licorice and minerality.
Price: $39.99 Add To Cart WE 92 ST 88-  91 WS 91
2010 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 2-5-2013
Plum. Structured finish with a touch of cocoa. A top pick!
Price: $139.99 Add To Cart WE 100 JS 97 RP 96
2005 La Pointe, Pomerol
Review Date: 2-5-2013
Now this wine is a great find. The nose is layered with an almost herbal garrigue/potpourri note, raspberry and plum. There are still some evident tannins, but they are fairly integrated on the palate. The roasted herbs and tobacco are balanced with red raspberry and cherry along with a bit of spice and minerality. I would still decant this for a couple hours before serving since it took more than four hours to really open up when we tried it.
Price: $44.99 Add To Cart WE 92 WS 89-  91
2009 Reserve de la Comtesse Lalande, Pauillac
Review Date: 2-5-2013
2/1/13 I think it would be difficult to find a better Bordeaux for $50 than this. It’s starting to tighten up right now, but with air it expresses graphite, spice and bright red fruit on the nose, followed by a more restrained mid-palate of red and black fruit. There’s more graphite, mineral and tons of spice on the finish, along with astringent tannins and bright acidity that turns the fruit tart. Time in the cellar and the lush palate will return. 10/24/12....This was the overwhelming favorite of the tasting. The nose is layered, showing lovely graphite, chocolate, bright red plum and cherry fruit. The palate is soft and lush, with plenty of underlying spices and minerality to complement the rich plum. The acidity braces up the rich fruit on the finish, which goes on and on.
Price: $49.99 Add To Cart RP 91 WS 91
2009 l'Aura de Cambon, Margaux
Review Date: 2-5-2013
This modern Bordeaux from Cambon la Pelouse is also a 50/50 blend of Cabernet and Merlot. The small 1.25 acre property sits next to Château Margaux and Brane-Cantenac. This is a juicy wine with lots of black raspberry and wood spice on the nose. The palate is juicy, with black fruit and oak spice and a long, fruit-filled finish. California drinkers this is your wine.
Price: $39.99 Add To Cart RP 91 WS 90
2009 d'Aurilhac, Haut-Médoc
Review Date: 2-5-2013
Another great value 2009. Almost a 50/50 blend of Cabernet and Merlot with a just a bit Petit Verdot and Cab Franc. The nose is ripe with lots of cassis and plum and a touch of oak spice. The palate is lush and rich, with tons of dark fruit and spice. There is plenty of structure, though, it’s just that the tannins and acidity are taking a back seat to the rich fruit right now, which means this wine should age well.
Price: $17.99 Add To Cart RP 87-  89
2010 Talbot, St-Julien Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 2-5-2013
Roasted herbs, bright cherry. Seamless finish. Very balanced.
Price: $74.99 Add To Cart JS 92-  93 RP 91-  93 WE 93
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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.
1995 Mortlach 17 year Duncan Taylor Dimensions Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($134.99)

Jacky Navarre 30 Year Old Tres Vieux Pineau de Charentes 750ml ($69.99)

Suze Gentian Liqueur 1L ($27.99)

Kina L'Avion D'Or Aperitif 750ml ($32.99)

Tequila Fortaleza Blanco Tequila 750ml ($44.99)

Tequila Fortaleza Reposado Tequila 750ml ($54.99)

Tequila Fortaleza Anejo Tequila 750ml ($74.99)

Ocho Plata Tequila 750ml ($44.99)

Cana Brava Panama Rum 1L ($24.99)

2010 Knez Winery Anderson Valley Pinot Noir ($29.99)

2009 Copain "Les Voisins" Yorkville Highlands Syrah ($34.99)

2010 Maysara "3 Degrees" McMinnville Pinot Noir ($17.99)

2010 Westrey Willamette Valley Pinot Gris ($16.99)

2011 Evesham Wood Willamette Valley Grüner Veltliner ($14.99)

2008 Reinisch "Vom Steinfeld" St. Laurent ($18.99)

2010 Domaine de Saint-Just Saumur Blanc ($9.99)

2010 Montirius "Garrigues" Vacqueyras ($19.99)

2011 Montirius "Mineral" Vacqueyras Blanc ($24.99)

St. George Terroir Mt. Tam Gin 750ml ($30.99)

Citadelle French Gin 750ml ($19.99)

1987 Chateau Pellehaut K&L Exclusive Tenareze Vintage Armagnac 750ml ($79.99)

2000 Domaine d'Ognoas Vintage Bas-Armagnac 750ml ($55.99)

Camut Aperitif Normand Pommeau 750ml ($39.99)

Comandon XO Borderies 18 Year Old K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #524 Cask Strength Cognac 750ml ($89.99)

Comandon XO Grande Champagne 40 Year Old K&L Exclusive Single Barrel # 179 Cask Strength Cognac 750ml ($169.99)

Comandon XO Petite Champagne 30 Year Old K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #256 Cask Strength Cognac 750ml ($109.99)

Nardini Acqua di Cedro 375ml ($24.99)

2010 Adega Vella Mencia Ribeira Sacra ($9.99)

2006 Arbios Cellars Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($24.99)

2010 Hedges "CMS Red" Columbia Valley Red Blend ($12.99)

Averna Amaro Siciliano 750ml ($29.99)

Varnelli Caffe Moka 1L ($41.99)

Adrien Camut Réserve de Semainville Pays d'Auge Calvados 750ml ($179.99)

El Dorado 15 year old Demerara Guyana Rum 750ml (ships as a 1.5L) ($39.99)

Banks 5 Island Imported Rum 750ml ($29.99)

Russell's Reserve 6 Year Old Small Batch Rye 90 Proof 750ml (3 btls per customer) ($34.99)

Rock Hill Farms "Rye Recipe" High Rye Mashbill Kentucky Straight Bourbon 750ml ($44.99)

Michel Dervin Brut Champagne ($32.99)

Fleury "Cuveé Robert Fleury" Brut Champagne ($49.99)

Franck Bonville Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne ($39.99)

Berry Bros & Rudd No. 3 London Dry Gin 750ml ($34.99)

2010 Wattle Creek Yorkville Highlands Sauvignon Blanc ($11.99)

2006 Alice Bonaccorsi "ValCerasa" Etna Rosso ($32.99)

2010 Elio Ottin Petite Arvin Valle d'Aoste ($22.99)

Chokaisan Junmai Daiginjo Sake 720ml ($49.99)

2008 Anderson's Conn Valley "Right Bank" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend ($49.99)

2007 Pyramid Valley Vineyards "Kerner Estate" Pinot Blanc Marlborough (Biodynamic) ($21.99)

Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne ($34.99)

2002 Bruno Michel "Cuvee Millésime" Brut Champagne ($59.99)

Domaine du Viking Vouvray Brut ($18.99)

2008 Domaine la Garrigue "Cuvée Romaine" Côtes du Rhône ($10.99)

2003 Señorío de P.Peciña Crianza Rioja ($19.99)