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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
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
- International Wine Cellar
- Wine & Spirits
- Wine Enthusiast
- Wine Spectator
- The Wine News
- Malt Advocate
Reviewers
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Staff Favorites - Susan Purnell
Susan Purnell
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Susan joined the staff here at K & L in August 1999. She started off in wine sales but was lucky enough to take on the roll of Spirits Buyer just six month into her job. Spirits is where Susan shines! Single Malt Whisky, Cognac, Armagnac, Bourbon, Rye, America, France, Scotland, anywhere and everything! For those of you her know Susan, she may be physically here in California, but her heart and soul is on the island of Islay in Scotland! When Susan is not at K & L, she loves roaming the hills around La Honda and taking long walks on the beach. She is always in search of cold, foggy weather!
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Reviews
Cremant de Bourgogne Rosé, Perle d'Aurore, Louis Bouillot
Review Date: 3-25-2009
Not only our staff, but many of our customers, are blown away by this sparking wine from Bourgogne! It has a great balance of richness and fruit that will please any palate. A winner of a rosé for anyone! Perfect with a baby lettuce salad with fresh herbs, grilled green beans and salmon!
Price: $13.99
1999 De Meric Vintage Sous Bois Brut Champagne (Was $49.99)
Review Date: 3-25-2009
WHAT! The 1999 De Meric Sous Bois at $35.99, unbelieveable! What I really enjoy about this Champagne, other than the price, is that it is made up of 70% Pinot Noir. The extra boldness from the Pinot grape adds depth and structure that balances out the wood fermentation, making this a winner in my book! I have enjoyed this with a Caesar salad topped with a local Dungeness crab cakes; lovely!
Price: $35.00
2004 Bodegas LAN Reserva Rioja
Review Date: 3-5-2009
Aaron and I had this lovely little Rioja this weekend. It was nice and stormy in La Honda and a perfect weekend for brisket with pearl onions, carrots and potatoes! The Lan Reserva was just right with the stew! And at this price, fantastic!!!!!
Price: $15.99
2005 Domaine Des Girasols "Vieilles Vignes" Côtes du Rhône-Villages Rasteau ($18.99)
Review Date: 2-25-2009
I am a big fan of old vine Rasteau and cheese, so I am lucky to live close to the coast. Often I visit Harley Farms in Pescadero. They make the world's best goat cheese. The last time I was there two baby goats were just born! Try this Girasols Rasteau with grilled sourdough, Harley goat cheese in olive oil and just a sprinkle of fresh rosemary. Mmmmmmmm!
Price: $12.99
2003 La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino
Review Date: 2-25-2009
Have you ever wanted to bathe in a wine? This Brunello is so juicy and yummy that I just want to pour it all over myself in hedonistic rapture! Just give it a try and you will want to do the same!
Price: $39.99
Bruno Michel Blanche Brut Champagne
Review Date: 2-21-2009
The Bruno Michel Blanche Brut is one of my favorite Champagnes to always have in my home. It is light and fresh and not too acidic and one that everyone can enjoy. Perfect with a nice fresh crab salad or to just to sip on before dinner!
Price: $29.99
2005 Boeger Walker Zinfandel (Was $17)
Review Date: 2-13-2009
There is something very special about the Zinfandel made in El Dorado County. Maybe it is the people, always so friendly and willing to have a nice chat with you. Maybe it is the soil - decomposed granite - and the elevation at 2,100 feet.... All I can say, is that after a hard day selling spirits to people all over the world, sometimes a gal just wants a soft, jammy Zinfandel! I usually enjoy Zinfandel just on it own out on my patio enjoying the redwood trees in La Honda.
Price: $12.99
Hacienda de Los Diaz Reposado Tequila 750ml (Ship as 3L)
Review Date: 8-22-2008
I knew that Hacienda de Los Diaz was going to be special right when I took my first whiff. It made me instantly start salivating, to say the least, and that is a very good sign! My nose was filled with lovely, salty agave, green bell pepper and delicate floral notes offset by aromas of fresh cracked black peppercorns. The color was only golden wheat, which told me that they were paying attention to how the tequila was interacting with the white oak casks. Then, I took my first sip…Oh, my goodness. It completely coated my palate and slid down my throat with delicious flavors that blew my mind away! The flavors were a blend of oven-roasted, earthy and rustic agave melting together with the sweet brown sugar and honeycomb. Beautifully balanced, it finished with sumptuous, oily and peppery notes.
Price: $35.99
