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Staff Favorites - Ralph Sands

Ralph Sands
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Ralph is the senior Bordeaux specialist on the sales staff. In between trying to break into Major League Baseball, Ralph was picking up hours at a K&L store in Millbrae. Back then it was more about kegs and cheap booze, and both Ralph and K&L have evolved since that time. He describes the transition… “My nickname here in the early years (late 70’s and early 80’s) was “Lead Palate!” My early palate was like most Americans’, easily attracted to the big bold flavors from rich cabernets and fruit-bomb zinfandels and chardonnays. Today I’m at the other end of the spectrum and I love all kinds of wine, though I really love more elegant reds with bright acidity and freshness. Pinot Noir, of course, from Volnay and Pommard, Loire Valley Chinon and, yes, Bordeaux!”


Reviews

2008 Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 7-16-2009
We have seen the vision, plans and hard work of our friend Veronique Saunders, and owner Ms. Wilmers, return the Ch. Haut-Bailly estate and its wine to greatness. A close friend, and a palate I trust, who tasted the 2008 vintage wines numerous times, says the 2008 Haut-Bailly (Pre-Arrival $64.99) is one of the tip-top wines of the vintage.
Price: $64.99 Add To Cart RP 95-  97 WE 92-  94 ST 89-  92
2008 Malartic-Lagravière, Pessac-Léognan Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 7-16-2009
The Bonnie family at Ch. Malartic-Lagravière makes delicious wine with pure, elegant red fruits, a touch of leather, earth and oak; this is great tasting and classic, but a wine you can consume with pleasure a bit earlier.
Price: $35.99 Add To Cart RP 91-  94 WE 90-  92 WS 88-  91
2006 Malartic-Lagravière, Pessac-Léognan
Review Date: 7-16-2009
The 2006 Ch.?Malartic-Lagravière is a wine of great elegance, and it shows great freshness in its bright red fruit as well as ripeness throughout, which is the key to the wine’s lasting finish.
Price: $29.99 Add To Cart RP 90
2006 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien
Review Date: 6-13-2009
At our tasting bar last month, the topic of the powerful Ch. Léoville-Barton, the great second growth from St-Julien, was in the air even though the wine wasn’t being poured. Many agreed it was one of, if not the, most popular Bordeaux at K&L. Last month we poured their second wine, the 2006 Reserve de Léoville ($29.99) and the grand vin, the 2006 Léoville-Barton ($69.99). Both wines exhibited the classic qualities of the 2006 vintage in general—lots of brisk, high-toned fruit with zesty acidity and firm tannins. The ’06s offer great freshness and most will turn out to be classic clarets, and the 2006 Bartons are, without a doubt, the very best examples of this vintage, as the wines just have flat out more dark purple fruit and depth than almost any other wine. People adore them. I overheard comments like, “these wines are both great,” and, “this is why I buy this wine every year!” The grand vin ages until at least its 15th birthday; I drink the best vintages at 15- to 30-years-old.
Price: $69.99 Add To Cart WE 94 WS 94 RP 91

More Favorites

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2006 Chance Creek "Terroir 95470" Redwood Valley Sauvignon Blanc ($14.99)

2007 Allimant Laugner Muscat ($15.99)

2008 Angélus, St-Emilion Pre-Arrival ($104.99)

2008 Canon-La Gaffelière, St-Emilion Pre-Arrival ($54.99)

2007 Canon-La Gaffelière, St-Emilion Pre-Arrival ($59.99)

2005 Clos du Marquis, St-Julien ($54.99)

2008 Cos d'Estournel, St-Estèphe Pre-Arrival ($109.99)

2008 d'Arenberg "Stump Jump" Verdelho McLaren Vale South Australia ($9.99)

2005 Ducru-Beaucaillou, St-Julien ($229.99)

2008 Gemtree "Tadpole" Shiraz McLaren Vale South Australia ($10.99)

2006 Giscours, Margaux ($39.99)

2005 Grand Pontet, St-Emilion ($49.99)

2007 Gunn Estate Syrah Hawkes Bay New Zealand ($16.99)

2006 Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan ($64.99)

2005 La Fleur de Bouard, Lalande-de-Pomerol ($34.99)

2004 Lalande-Borie, St-Julien (was $29.99) ($21.99)

2006 Léoville-Poyferré, St-Julien ($49.99)

2005 Les Allees de Cantemerle, Haut-Médoc ($19.99)

2004 Les Allees de Cantemerle, Haut-Médoc ($16.99)

2008 Les Forts de Latour, Pauillac Pre-Arrival ($79.99)

2003 Lynch-Bages, Pauillac ($89.99)

2008 Palmer, Margaux Pre-Arrival ($154.99)

2008 Pavillon Rouge, Margaux Pre-Arrival ($44.99)

2006 Phélan-Ségur, St-Estèphe ($29.99)

2006 Philippe Alliet "l'Huisserie" Chinon (was $38) ($27.99)

2005 Pichon-Lalande, Pauillac (1.5L) (was $299.) ($199)

2005 Reserve de la Comtesse Lalande, Pauillac ($39.99)

2007 Stefan Winter Scheurebe Trocken (Dry) ($16.99)