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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
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Staff Favorites - Doug Burress
Doug Burress
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After many years of shopping at K & L, I finally decided to spend even more time at my favorite store! I first came on board at "the shop" a little over a year ago working Friday nights and Saturdays. Now, as a full time member of the Redwood City staff, my wine education continues five days a week! My favorite wines in the world include the awesome grower-producer champagnes we carry, earthy pinot noir from the Burgundy region of France, as well as the excellent pinots from Oregon and California. I dream of one day having my own land on the Dundee Hills of Oregon and producing terrior driven pinot noirs! Most recently I have dedicated more time to tasting and studying wines from Italy. It is a complicated wine country with many grape varietals, regions, and laws, but one that produces some of the best wines in the world! This education is most certainly worth the effort! I have always been a big fan of beer and the large selection of beers we carry from all over the world is yet another reason I am excited to be working here and helping you choose from our super selection of brews! I look forward to tasting and learning more about our wonderful world of wines and helping you find the right wine, at the right price, for any occasion. From a Sunday barbeque with family and friends, to that special bottle for a birthday, anniversary, or other occasion, we can help you find it here at the shop!
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Reviews
Ariston Aspasie Cepages d'Antan Champagne
Review Date: 11-2-2009
This is the gift I will be asking for from anybody who wants to make my holiday season the best! This champagne, made form the “varietals of yore,” is one of the best I have had the pleasure of drinking. The nose is filled with mineral, slight spice, toast, and cream. On the palate the chalky minerality continues along with hints of brioche, white peach, and a wonderful texture all around. This is a super-special bottle and an amazing gift to give, or receive!
Price: $99.00
2003 Marguet Pere et Fils Rosé Champagne
Review Date: 11-2-2009
After years of keeping the non-vintage Marguet rosé close at hand, I have had the great pleasure in tasting a vintage champagne from this same great producer! Marguet champagnes are serious grower-producer wines! The 2003 is a beautiful salmon colored beauty! It shows wonderful, rich strawberry and spice on the nose as well as a hint of dusty minerality. Once in the mouth, this champagne opens-up with rich red fruit, spice, and brioche. It has a long, mineral laced, dry finish. I had a hard time not going back for another sip before experiencing the wonderful finish! I broke out some cold salami and bread, headed to the back porch, and watched the tiny bubbles dance away during a wonderful bay-area evening!
Price: $44.99
North Shore Gin No. 11
Review Date: 11-2-2009
After trying, and falling in love with, the No. 6 North Shore I was taken to another level of gin and tonic heaven with the No. 11! Yes, this special, rare gin can take it up a notch to 11 even when other gins are buzzing away happily at 10! I bought two bottles the other night, stocking up to make sure there will be enough to go around all holiday season for my famiy members to try.
Price: $31.99
2008 Alamos Chardonnay Mendoza
Review Date: 10-6-2009
Over the summer this wine easily became my family’s “house chardonnay.” My wife, as well as my Mother-in-law, bought a case of this and enjoyed a glass, or two, each evening while watching the beautiful sunsets on the Vineyard. I am a fan of the crisp, light, and juicy chardonnays that don’t spent too much time getting friendly with oak barrels. Although this wine sees a little time in oak, it still comes through as more of a crisp, delicious, fruit-filled white wine. This is one chardonnay that will please a variety of fans of this grape, from the lovers of the New World style to those of us who enjoy Old World whites! A terrific crowd pleaser at a fabulous price!
Price: $10.99
2008 Elsa Malbec Mendoza
Review Date: 10-6-2009
As we head into the holiday party season I am excited to say that the Elsa Malbec will continue to be a great wine for any gathering. The promise of a great Malbec from Argentina, at a super affordable price, comes true with this easy-drinking, delightful red wine. Valentin Bianchi’s 2008 Malbec has a delightful berry-filled nose, with a slight hint of lavender and spice. On the palate the dark berry fruit continues along with a soft, supple texture. I can see this bottle showing up at many family dinners over the next few months!
Price: $7.99
2008 Frederic Mabileau "Osez" Rosé
Review Date: 10-6-2009
One super delicious cabernet franc rose! At our most recent rose tasting here in Redwood City this was by far my favorite rose of the summer! I am a big fan of Chinon and St.-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil and when we received this in I was very excited to have a refreshing summer cab franc to turn to. A tall glass of this rose, a bowl of olives, a little cheese, and a chair on the back porch is all you will need to help ease from summer into fall!
Price: $12.99
2006 Kalinda Napa Valley Zinfandel
Review Date: 10-6-2009
This is another one of K & L’s fabulous wines made just for our store! I have always enjoyed Zinfandels that are lower in alcohol and not too rich. With those reasons in mind, this has been one of my favorite red wines these last few months. On a particular cool evening last week I opened a bottle and enjoyed it while the BBQ was warming up on the back porch. It had a wonderful nose of dark berry fruit, herbs, and white pepper. The dark berry fruit carried over on to the palate as well as a wonderful hint of lavender and spice. It was the perfect start to our meal of barbequed ribs, roasted red sweet peppers, and chicken sausage. A delicious, delightful Zinfandel!
Price: $16.99
2008 Wildhurst "Reserve" Lake County Sauvignon Blanc
Review Date: 10-6-2009
Holding on to summer 2009 is made a whole lot easier with a few cold bottles of this super fun sauvignon blanc ready in the fridge! This is a fresh, lean, and crisp white wine with loads of grapefruit, citrus zest, and herbs. The Wildhurst is fermented in stainless steel with no time at all in wood which helps make it a pure, refreshing joy! Hold to summer for a few more months!
Price: $8.99
2007 Cave de Rasteau "Dame Victoria" Côtes du Rhône-Villages Rasteau
Review Date: 10-5-2009
BBQ Sunday rolls around and I can’t think of a better chicken, burger, and sausage companion than this wonderful, fruity, berry-licious Rastueau! I truly enjoy waiting by the grill listening to the sizzle and sipping on this friendly wine! 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre. 14.5%abv.
Price: $13.99
De Meric Grande Reserve Sous Bois Brut Champagne
Review Date: 9-28-2009
I love this bottle of bubbles! De Meric has always been in my top picks as one of the best champagnes that we carry here at K & L. I even had the great fortune to dine with Dan, the former owner, before his recent passing. It was an experience I will always remember. This champagne has a wonderful nose of toast and cream from the time this wine spends in wood. In the mouth this bubbly continues to impress with a wonderful array of dark berry, brioche, and spice. It has a long finish that keeps you enjoying this champagne long after you have emptied the bottle. A top pick for anybody looking for a wonderful bottle of champagne at a great price!
Price: $34.99
2007 Foxglove Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon
Review Date: 9-11-2009
A cab for lovers of great California cabs! One of the wonderful things about working here at K & L is that I get a chance to try wines that I may not have considered otherwise. Over the last few months I have tried, and taken home, all of the Varner “Foxglove” wines. They are all wonderfully made wines and this cabernet is no exception! This is full of wonderful blackberries, blueberries, and spice. I can easily see this being the end-of-summer backyard bbq wine to drink along with all sorts of meat, sausage, and roasted vegetables!
Price: $13.99
2008 Weingut Allram Grüner Veltliner (1L)
Review Date: 9-4-2009
Usually when I encounter a crown cap I am about to pry it off the top a cold bottle of Steam. In this case the cap leads to a full liter of delicious Grüner Veltliner! Every time I open a bottle of this refreshing, snappy, and zesty wine I can’t stop wishing that I was camping along a river in the Sierras. This Grüner, along with a fishing pole, folding chair, a nice piece of smoked trout for lunch, is my picture-perfect day in the forest! A zippy, fun wine and you always have a nice glass left in the bottle when most standard bottles are empty!
2008 Domaine des Nembrets Denis Barraud Mâcon "Source de Plaisirs"
Review Date: 9-1-2009
This Mâcon was the last of the Domaine des Nembrets new arrivals I had the privilege to taste a few weeks back. This 2008 was immediately reminded me that some of the best white burgundies in the world need some time to open up and let you in! On the nose this Mâcon had a tight nose of light hay and spice. Once on the palate I had a sense of rich yellow fruits, refreshing minerality, and a richness that was a step-up from the past vintage. It has great balance! Open a bottle to try today and lay some down for the future. This Mâcon will reward those who are patient fans of chardonnay from Burgundy!
Price: $12.99
2008 Domaine des Nembrets Denis Barraud St-Véran
Review Date: 9-1-2009
Another great chardonnay from Domaine des Nembrets! The 2008 St. Veran had an exciting nose of fresh pear and subtle minerality. In the mouth the fresh pear continued and was accompanied by Golden Delicious apple notes, and a slight creamy mango fruit action. It was open and ready to drink from first pop and should provide some excellent, refreshing afternoon sipping opportunities for months to come!
Price: $14.99
2006 Hedges "Three Vineyards" Red Mountain, Washington
Review Date: 9-1-2009
The majority of the 2006 Hedges is composed of merlot and cabernet sauvignon, with small amounts of cabernet franc and syrah. This was my first time trying this wonderful red wine! I was excited to try this wine after discovering Anne-Marie Hedges spent her childhood in the Champagne region of France! My favorite wines in the world! So, I had to give this Washington red a swirl! It coats the glass with a rich, deep ruby color. On the nose you get plenty of dark cherry, and plum notes while each sip reminds me of how wonderful red blends from Washington can be! A great price for such a full, delicious wine!
Price: $17.99
Launois "Cuvée Reserve" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Review Date: 9-1-2009
I am never happier than when I realize that I am about to open another bottle of the Launois Reserve! Even on nights when nothing sounds good to drink, I can always bring myself back to a happy place by remembering that there is another bottle of this waiting in the fridge. This is one of my favorite things to drink! The Reserve has a fresh nose of mineral and wet stone. A sip brings back more reasons why I love this wine. It is rich and powerful chardonnay from the very best vineyards in champagne. There are many tiny bubble streams that pour from the bottom of the glass and the finish is long, refreshing, and simply delightful! A bottle that may be odd-shaped and hard to store, but one that is worth rearranging things to find some space for!
Price: $34.99
Michel Arnould Verzenay Brut Tradition Champagne
Review Date: 9-1-2009
One hundred percent pinot noir from Verzenay, just south of Reims. This is one powerful
Blanc de Noir! The nose is strong with hints of peach and other stone fruits. One sip
and you enter the realm of serious champagne pinot noir! Nice, well-rounded dark fruits
accompany a toasty brioche note, and a long, caramel-laced finish! Another few months to
settle and I know this bottling will open-up and reveal even more bubbly style and grace!
Simply delicious!
North Shore Gin No. 6
Review Date: 9-1-2009
Coming to us from just north of Chicago, in Lake Bluff Illinois, this gin hit the shelves in our store and has been the talk of the town! David D., one of K & L’s very knowledgeable, and friendly, spirits buyers, found a hidden, and very limited, find with this gin! I tried my first drink straight and immediately thought that this was a gin with the “lime and tonic” included in the bottle! Wow! On the nose this wonderfully aromatic gin reminds me of walking through a field of lavender and roses on a breezy day near the ocean. Then, you are sipping on a wonderful blend of citrus and botanicals that cries for an impromptu backyard barbeque with the neighbors! If you enjoy gin, in any form, you have to take this one home for a spin! But, be quick! These hand-numbered bottles are disappearing quickly!
Price: $31.99
Chardonnay, Plaisir des Princes
Review Date: 8-23-2009
An excellent French chardonnay at a great price! Although not labeled as such, the fruit for this bottling comes from the Macon. On the nose I get a hint of light hay and fresh citrus. A simple sip provides subtle flavors of apple, pear, and a light spice. This is a refreshing and lively chardonnay that will help send these hot August days packing!
Price: $8.99
Plaisir des Princes Gamay
Review Date: 8-21-2009
This is one treasure of a gamay and a super deal! I found the dark color alluring and a fresh, clean hit of strawberry and dust on the nose was ever so inviting! I easily see this becoming my “end of summer” drinker with the BBQ going or before the cover even comes off! The flavor of fresh, bright red fruits fills the mouth as well as a great balance of acid and spice. Try a bottle today and celebrate summer while it is still upon us!
Price: $8.99
2008 Tessier Cheverny Rouge
Review Date: 8-14-2009
Three of my favorite red wine grapes go into this delicious wine! Gamay, Pinot Noir and Malbec contribute to light scents of cherry and a hint of spice. In the mouth, the cherry and raspberry continues to refresh, while a subtle amount of acidity and a fine texture begins to show after a little air interacts with the wine. I say grab a cedar plank, a salmon fillet, fire up the grill, and pop open a bottle of the Tessier!
Price: $13.99
Anchor Junipero Gin 750ml
Review Date: 8-3-2009
Distilled in the tiny Anchor distilling facility on Potrero Hill in San Francisco, Junipero Gin has been my favorite gin anytime, and anywhere I can find it. It is distilled with more than 12 fresh botanicals, with the juniper taking center stage here. It is crisp and refreshing, with loads of juniper and other "mysterious" spices (the actual blend is a secret). A little fresh lime and a splash of tonic make this gin an enjoyable way to end your day!
Price: $29.99
Ariston Aspasie Carte Blanche Brut
Review Date: 8-3-2009
Champagne for the people! Every time I pour this wonderful Champagne I know it blushes at me. A slightly pink hue encompasses a wonderfully dark straw color. In my house, this is the Champagne that can never be far from reach. I have always been impressed by the color of this champagne as well as its subtle, creamy nose and the fruity, yeasty feel of the Carte Blanche’s wonderful fruit. Two bottles, six bottles, an entire case you say? It may be enough to get me through until the nest boat arrives from France! Don’t miss this one!
Price: $24.99
Hendrick's Gin From Scotland 750ml
Review Date: 8-3-2009
Distilled in the seaside village of Girvan, Hendrick's is one of my "house" gins. It makes for a wonderfully mild martini as well as my simple summer "cocktail hour" favorite, gin and tonic. I know, a gin from Scotland you say? What gives? I say try it and you will see that Hendrick's special blend of Scottish lowland water and botanicals provide for a superb, mellow drinking gin. Cheers!
Price: $26.99
Baron Fuente Esprit Brut Champagne
Review Date: 8-2-2009
A super bargain Champagne for so some much time on the lees! I love the fresh, nutty nose as well as the super clean brioche finish! As you sip and explore a glass of the Esprit you notice multiple small beads rising from the center of the flute and a soothing light-hay color. Start out your next dinner party, or dinner-for-two, with this wonderfully made Champagne!
2006 Ferrero Rosso di Montalcino
Review Date: 7-17-2009
Rosso for all! The 2006 Ferrero Rosso di Montalcino has loads of ripe fruit, dusty earth, and a hint of wood. This “baby Brunello” is a joy with a little pampering from a decanter and some delicious chicken Parmegiano!
Price: $19.99
Bruno Michel Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut
Review Date: 7-10-2009
One of my favorite Bruno Michel Champagnes! We had a wonderful bottle in the park on the Fourth of July. It provided the fireworks before the sun went down! I enjoyed it so much that I went to the cellar for another bottle two days later. This one I did not share! The nose showed wonderful chalky minerality while my palate was filled with clean, crisp, fruit, and a light helping of brioche! A top pick for any lover of Champagne!
Price: $44.99
Franck Bonville Brut Selection Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Review Date: 7-7-2009
One great everyday Champagne! All Grand Cru Chardonnay from Avize. I love to end a long day with a bottle of this crisp, fruity, fabulous sparkler! Franck Bonville champagne is an excellent Champagne to pair with shellfish, particularly crab.
Price: $29.99
2007 Undone Pinot Noir
Review Date: 7-7-2009
I love this Pinot Noir for its light, fruity taste as well as its price! If you are a fan of delicate Pinots you will love this medium-bodied wine with wild strawberry, cherry and raspberry aromas and just a subtle hint of spice in the finish! It is BBQ time!
Price: $10.99
