Review Date: 12-31-2012

One of the best Rioja's I have had this year. Hailing from a warmer '05 vintage, this wine has in the moment appeal, as well as the depth and structure to last for another 10 without breaking a sweat. Red fruit and spice are wrapped together to form a wine of intesity and intrigue.

Review Date: 12-31-2012

This is w wonderful medium bodied wine. When you are looking for a break from big extracted California wine, reach for the Puelles. Crunchy red fruit drives this wine, bright acidity and enough structure to lay day down for a bit longer as well as be enjoyed tonight.

Review Date: 12-31-2012

Brilliant wine, fresh and bright fruit, cherries and resberries, good intensity, and more length than it ought to have. This Crianza would make a great pairing for lamb, burgers, or Tuesday night.

Review Date: 12-26-2012

The 1970 Glenfarclas is perhaps one of the most unique barrels of Whisky that Mr. Discoll has yet to return from across the pond with. I have never in my life had this well aged of a first fill Sherry butt, it is extraordinarily exotic and complex. Even as I write this review, the finish of coffee and cocoa are still singing in my mouth, and my mind is racing trying to pull out all of the flavors that just charged through my palate. This Scotch pours reluctantly out of the bottle, a hint to the mouth coating viscosity that this is waiting to reveal. The color of Oloroso cut with molasses, deep and dark, it is the darkest sherried whisky I have come across. The palate is filled with dark roasted coffee, coco nibs, roasted pecans and rum raisins. Very rich and decadent. If you are a fan of whisky that see’s a sherry barrel, this is for you.

Review Date: 12-26-2012

A Golden Malt- This Scotch has proven to be one of the best single malts that I have had the pleasure to taste all year. It is over all one of the most complete and complex Whiskies that I have had the pleasure to introduce to my lips. This 1979 malt is at a natural cast strength of 41.7%, the Angel’s share in Scotland takes longer to have a real effect, but this whisky has had 30 plus years to mellow. The best thing that happened to this whisky all those long years ago when it was first being distilled was that it was put into a 4th fill sherry cask, giving it the ability to evolve for decades without being taken over by the wood. The harmony of wood and whisky is what makes this so darn special to me. Out of the bottle it is a rich golden colour, beautifully vibrant and inviting. The nose continues this golden theme with pure notes of Asian pear and crisp apple, enveloped with notes of vanilla and cream. The purity and freshness of the nose jumps out at you, and continues on the palate; velvety and soft, elegantly supple. The balance struck between the flavors the barrel imparts, vanilla, spice, butterscotch, and the flavors of the whiskey, creamy apples, yellow pears, a touch of honey, are in beautiful lock-step. This whisky is the epitome of a word that I hate using in the Liquor business, but I will break down on this occasion because it is an apt adjective, this whisky is truly smooth. Rounded, soft, textured and just plain delicious, this whiskey fits firmly into the category of smooth. Please enjoy this with good company, it is a whisky that any level of drinker can appreciate, and should be enjoyed by many!

Review Date: 11-29-2012

Beautifully crisp and refreshing, this is the perfect wine for parties, cocktails and just plain enjoying a very affordable bottle of bubbles. The Montechiara Prosecco is full of pears and green apples, enough richness for weight, and the perfect balance of acidity for freshness. This is great for the price.

Review Date: 11-7-2012

This is my favorite entry tier wine from a big house. The quality is a step above due to careful wine making and a touch of reserve wines in the blend to add depth and nuance to a very affordable bottle of bubbles. Taking a look at my notes going back three testing’s, the most consistent notes that came up again and again were delicate white flowers and spiced pears, these delicate flavors combine with good acidity and a finely textured mouth feel make for a bottle of wine that can be enjoyed by many.

Review Date: 11-7-2012

The crown jewel of the Roederer house, the 2005 Cristal certainly lives up to the reputation it has so rightly established for itself. To borrow from the jewelry world, the cut and clarity of this wine are commendable. The pure vein of minerality that cuts through this wine gives focus and definition, only serving to highlight the purity of stone and citrus fruits that are present in abundance. This minerality is balanced by the richness of 5 years on the lees, baking spices and other confectionary qualities really lend to the depth of this wine. Something to drink now, or tuck away for a future special occasion, please enjoy this wine with fellow Champagne enthusiasts.

Review Date: 10-16-2012

This wine had always been a pleasure to taste, it was complex, it was supple, it was beautifully put together, but as of this month, the Grand Siecle has cemented itself as one of my favorite Big House Champagnes. The reason for its rise up the depth chart is how well it showed to me during an entire day of tasting Champagne. Last month, Gary Westby was kind enough to put together a day filled with practically every Champagne House we carry that we do not directly import; Roederer, Pommery, Veuve, Feuillatte, Krug, and that was just before noon, this wine showed squarely head and shoulders above many of the wines that day. With ten years on the lees, 80% reserve wine, this bottle of Champagne has depth and elegance, a perfect wine to open for celebrations year round.

Review Date: 8-30-2012

Folling the 2010 vintage, the 11 holds up to the precedent set, rich and lush, beautifully luxerious. As Rombauer becomes harder and harder to get, this wine will do well as a stand in.

Review Date: 5-31-2012

Robert Fleury is a very serious Champagne producer, and we continue to enjoy the benefits of his passion. This wine is driven, richly textured and powerful, however it is not at all over bearing. Notes of core fruits are entwined with sprice from being barrel fermented, the brightness of acidity lifts all of the notes as one, amplifying the flavor profile to wonderful heights. Very very good wine.

Review Date: 5-31-2012

This wine is always one of my favorite Summertime sippers. Zippy and fresh, with spice and snap to it. This wine is good by the pool, or with light Summer fare. And you get a litre so it is fantastic for sharing with friends.

Review Date: 5-31-2012

Cabernet in a very pure and enjoyable form. It taste like Cabernet ought to taste like before it gets all dressed up with fancy oak and wine making make-overs. A suprise for the under 10 category to be sure.

Review Date: 4-24-2012

Coming from one of our favorite producers here at K&L ( his Brut Selection is my perennial New Years Eve wine without fail), the Franck Bonville Extra Brut is another wonderful addition to his stellar line up. This is one of the purest, and most beautiful low dosage wines I have had the pleasure to taste. What struck me the most was the striking juxtaposition between the purity and richness of fruit, and the focus and drive you would expect from such a dry wine. There are toasty bread and spice notes, lush pear and golden apples combine with just a hint of florality. The finish is very clean, dry, and crisp, without too much intensity of acidity that you can sometimes find in an Extra Brut. The lasting impression that I took away from this bottle was the stunning purity of fruit, it tastes like amazing Chardonnay, in the end, making wine that allows such high quality fruit to show through is a noble accomplishment.

Review Date: 2-29-2012

What a pleasant suprise from our last New Zealand tasting. This Cab has fruit and structure that compares to any California Cab in the same price range. Wonderfully balanced with very well rounded fruit, there is plenty of structure here to enjoy now with a steak or to put away for a few years.