Staff Favorites - Clyde Beffa Jr.

Clyde Beffa Jr.
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Had K&L co-owner and main wine buyer Clyde Beffa Jr. not read an article about the gentlemanly hobby of wine collecting in the February 1971 issue of Playboy, he might still be weighing the merits of Holsteins versus Jerseys instead of Château Margaux or Haut-Bailly. Beffa owned a dairy in Tracy, California, from 1967-1973, leaving the the business to co-found K&L Liquors, as it was known back then, in 1976. Clyde started traveling to Europe in 1982 and over the years, he has worked hard to build K&L into one of the nation's go-to sources for the world's diverse wines, developing relationships with winemakers and châteaux owners the world over. Clyde's passion is surely Bordeaux, especially the fabulous wines from Pauillac and St-Julien (like Pichon-Lalande and Léoville-Barton). When he's not drinking France's legendary reds, you'll likely find Clyde indulging in Sauvignon Blanc. A fan of Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé and white Bordeaux, he'll also tuck into a bottle of Kiwi Sauv Blanc if there's no corkscrew around. These days you'll likely find Clyde extolling the virtues of underrated Bordeaux vintages like 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004 and 2006, or playing with his German Shepherd Sadie. Or you may see him in his vegetable garden and, once in a great while, on the golf course.


Reviews

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2009 Latour Martillac, Pessac-Léognan
Review Date: 3-11-2013
*+ Good fruit in middle. Very minerally and slightly dry on the finish. Fine aromas of black fruits. At UGC: Fine richness, with earthy flavors. Round tannins.

2009 Clos Fourtet, St-Emilion
Review Date: 3-11-2013
** Super-balanced wine. Wonderful! At UGC: Fine rich texture, silky, with layers of fruit. Elegant!

2009 Calon-Ségur, St-Estèphe
Review Date: 3-5-2013
**+ 90% Cabernet Sauvignon. Great wine. Superb balance. Fabulous. Jammy nose of sweet black cherry. Thick texture and layers on the palate. Sweet red licorice flavors. Sexy, elegant wine. Delicious.

2010 Cambon La Pelouse, Haut-Médoc Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 3-4-2013
1/2*V Quite ripe, but not overly extracted. Natural, smoky toast.

2010 Rauzan-Gassies, Margaux
Review Date: 3-4-2013
1/2*V Good flavor, clean, not pushed.

2010 Caronne Ste-Gemme, Haut-Médoc Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 3-4-2013
1/2*V This has a really nice nose with red passionfruit aromas. Very elegant.

2010 Ausone, St-Emilion Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 3-1-2013
**1/2+ A refined and elegant wine.
Price: $1,999.99 Add To Cart WE 99 JS 98 RP 98

2010 La Tour de Mons, Margaux Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 2-18-2013
1/2*V Big on the palate, but rather elegant, with cherry and blueberry notes and minerality. Not super deep

2010 Reserve de la Comtesse Lalande, Pauillac Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 2-18-2013
*+ Great palate entry. Softer than the Pichon, with forward red fruit flavors.

2010 Meyney, St-Estèphe (1.5L)
Review Date: 2-18-2013
Strong black cherry fruit aromas and flavors. A big wine.

2010 Lamothe-Bergeron, Haut-Médoc
Review Date: 2-18-2013
1/2* Hubert de Boüard is consulting at this winery, and it sure shows. It's much more modern in style than previous vintages, with tons of black fruit aromas and great structure. Semi-new wave.
Price: $17.99 Add To Cart WE 91 WS 90

2010 Gloria, St-Julien Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 2-18-2013
*+V Spicy, classic sweet red berry aromas and flavors. An elegant wine.

2010 Gigault "Cuvée Viva" Premières Côtes de Blaye Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 2-18-2013
*V 100% Merlot. Juicy wine, with good texture. A gutsy value.

2010 Clément-Pichon, Haut-Médoc
Review Date: 2-18-2013
Boysenberry jam. Ripe and feminine.

2010 Rouget, Pomerol Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 2-14-2013
*+V One of our favorites for value. Intensely pungent. Sweet and lush on the palate. Not pushed. Red currant.

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