Italian Wine

One of our favorite wines in the store has returned for the 11th straight vintage, the 2007 Maritma Sangiovese or, as the K&L staff refers to it, "The Four Old Guys." This is an amazing wine at a dirt cheap price. Bright, fleshy, this gem offers tons of spicy, sangiovese fruit with good fullness and incredible drinkability. Enough said! Buy your cases now! This wine has increased in price exactly 50 cents over that last five years, and it represents an insanely good value! 

Inventory: Hollywood

This sparkling white wine was obtained, as you might guess by the name, from the Prosecco grape using the Charmat method in autoclave. It is the epitome of prosecco, where the harmony of its elegant body is accompanied by a delicate bouquet. The freshness and fragrance of this wine, together with a fine and persistent perlage, make it ideal for any occasion. And the price doesn't hurt either! Serve at a cooler temperature than most whites, and watch bottle after bottle disappear at your next party. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

From Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Chiarlo's 2006 Barbera d'Asti Superiore Le Orme is a delicious, fragrant Barbera. Made in a medium-bodied style, it offers notable harmony in its ripe red fruit, minerals and spices. Silky, refined tannins round out this terrific effort, which is a steal for the money. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2010." (08/08) The Michele Chiarlo Barbera d'Asti "Le Orme" is the first and only Italian wine to have ever received the "Best Value" designation from all the top wine magazines in the world: Decanter, Robert Parker's Wine Ad... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2001 San Martino, the top Sangiovese selection, is quite dark for a wine from this variety, spicy, penetrating, and chocolatey in aroma, firm and rich in its structure and texture, intense and velvety on the finish. It will easily drink well for another dozen years." (04/06) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

2 Glasses Gambero Rosso. Having lost a battle to Hungary both Tokay d'Alsace and Tocai Friulano can no longer use those names. Friuli's national (the Friulan nation) drink is now called Friulano, nothing else has changed. This wine's strength lies within its core - layers of mineral-laden aromatics, a determined center that yields gradually to reveal the soft open heart - and warm, concentrated flavors that give way to a wine rich, balanced, with delicate acidity and scintillating aromas of bitter almonds, apple and ripe pear highlighted by hints of tarr... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

From Ragusa in South Eastern Sicily, this family estate has been growing grapes for 6 generations. Lovely fruit on the nose and the palate, with red cherries and spice. Not a lot of tannin on this pleaser, so it appeals for those who appreciate drinkability and softness above structure and longevity. Aged for 4-5 months in steel vats. Enjoy with roast chicken, pizza, or almost anything! 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

2 Glass Gambero Rosso! I have been looking for a Prosecco producer that we could import directly for a few years. Last April in Italy I met with the very young brother-and-sister team of Silvano and Alberta Follador. We didn’t even taste their wines when we first met. They just wanted to meet me before we even thought about the wine. We liked each other immediately. In today’s world of fast-paced business it was very refreshing to see that producers were more interested in who was going to take care of their wines rather than how much we were going to bu... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

2 Glasses Gambero Rosso. The 2007 vintage was another in a series of stellar harvests for the brothers Ermacora, a vintage more classic in style with the perfect balance of acidity and tremendous aromatics. This pinot grigo is no industrial version - it is the real McCoy. It has wonderful fruit and minerals on the nose, is loaded with pear and apple, concentrated and superbly balanced with body and an elegant finish. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

96 points Wine Spectator: "Dried dark fruit on the nose, verging on date and prune. Full-bodied, with a dense palate of ripe fruit and supersilky tannins. This is a deep and beautiful red, delivering lots of subtle character. Fascinating. One of the undiscovered treasures of the vintage. Best after 2011." (04/09) K&L's Italian wine buyer, Greg St. Clair says: "The nose of this wine is ripe and plummy, warm and inviting in a Calistoga sort of way. Plums dominate the palate as the wine's structure begins to emerge, giving the mid-palate a chunky feel where... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse

This robust rosato is an intense salmon pink in color with fascinating aromas of wild mountain strawberries and green herbs. It's fresh and lingering on the palate with a very dry finish. Wonderful with swordfish! 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Back up the truck, this year Ettore Spina, Sesta di Sopra's owner/winemaker studied up a little bit, asked some questions and decided to change the winemaking on his Rosso di Montalcino. He added a brief stay on the lees with some batonage and the briefest of passages in barrique and "Holy Wow"! If you liked the Sesta di Sopra Rosso before....this Rosso will just knock you over. So complex, so much spice, earth and oodles of the gorgeous 2007 fruit we were just stunned. While exceedingly drinkable now it has an ability to easily age another 5-10 years. 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

89 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate "Rocca di Montegrossi’s 2008 Rosato is simply beautiful. This rich, full-bodied wine shows off well-articulated aromatics that meld into a rich core of ripe fruit. The finish is long and pure. Generally I prefer rosé upon release, but this wine has enough stuffing to drink beautifully for at least another year. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2011." You say rosé, I say Rosato! Rocca di Montegrossi is one of K&L's favorite Chianti producers, and we jumped at the chance to pick up a few cases of their new rosato last year... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

1 Glass Gambero Rosso* Blason Sauvignon is a classic Friulian sauvignon, blessed with a touch of herbaceousness couched in an elegant medium bodied frame. An excellent food wine with good balance, fresh and an exceedingly good price. A "Best Buy" designate, Wine Enthusiast: "Blason's well-priced Sauvignon is streamlined and lean in the mouth but very pleasantly aromatic on the nose. You'll get shadings of stone fruit, kiwi and grapefruit and enough citrus zest on the close to cleanse the palate." (03/09) 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

There is nothing musty or old fashioned about this straight forward red, with fresh "modern" styling in its rich dark fruit and sweet tannins. Made entirely of the Montepulciano grape from the region of Abruzzo, this will work well with pizza/pasta or just as an all-around excellent Tuesday night quaffer! 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

The Dolcetto d'Alba, Arsigà, which in the Piedmontese dialect means to take a risk, is born from the blend of Dolcetto grapes from various vineyards of the Batasiolo estates. While each of these vineyards is marked by their individual characteristics, all have in common the same prerequisites: 25 to 30 year-old vines, low yields per hectare and a southern exposure at an altitude of 300 to 400 metres. Arsigà has a deep ruby-red color with violet reflections; an intense fruity nose, with particular notes of morello fruit and under-tones of vanilla. The pal... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Giovanni Blason and his consulting enologist Andrea Rossi have turned this 37-acre property into a juggernaut of affordable quality wines. Giovanni and his wife Valentina own this winery in Gradisca d’Inzonzo, 3.75 miles from the Slovenian border and about 20 miles north of Trieste. Franconia is rarely seen in the U.S. (the name of the grape has nothing to do with Franken wines of Germany), and it's a shame. This is a ruby red wine, with a distinctively herbal aroma and flavor, and a velvety mouth feel. Best of all, it is quite low in alcohol, making it ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

This one's a clean, crisp and ultimately refreshing sparkler that is one of our favorties. Just this year imported to the U.S. and now available for your holiday celebrations! According to Wne Enthusiast: "This sparkler offers a beautiful nose of white flower, orange blossom, curshed peppercorn, talc powder and almond skin. There's a focused sharpness here that helps give the wine definition, staying power and loads of character." (07/09) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

92 points Wine Spectator Insider: "Shows sweet berry and perfume on the nose, with rose and raspberry. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a milk chocolate, berry and vanilla aftertaste. Big and chewy. Yet balanced and very pretty. Best after 2012." (05/09) 92 points Robert Parker's wine Advocate "The 2005 Barolo Castiglione is especially taut and focused in this vintage. Floral notes are intermingled with dark red fruit, spices and new leather in this gorgeous, poised offering. The 2005 Barolo Castiglione uncharacteristically needs some bottle age but ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse

2 Glasses Gambero Rosso - With the * Price Performer. According to the Wine Spectator: "Black cherry, lilac and mineral on the nose and palate. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a fresh fruit finish. Balanced and fresh. Drink now." (10/07) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Here are three liters of pinot bianco with a hint of Pinot Grigio (though, it cannot be labeled as such because the DOC’s laws do not recognize box wine, as of yet.). I think there is no tastier, more versatile white wine in our store right now that beats this Bianco for value and pure drinkability. It combines the body and weight of chardonnay (to which it is distantly related) and the minerality and freshness of pinot grigio into the perfect cocktail white. Ideal for keeping in the fridge for the occasional glass of white or the occasional, impromtu pa... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

91 points Wine Spectator Insider: "Aromas of mushroom, berries and dried flowers, with a hint of cereal, follow through to a full body, with sweet and ripe fruit and lots of toasty oak. But this is pretty and fruity. An excellent value. Best from 2010 through 2015." (04/09) Can this price be correct? Absolutely and the members of our Signature Red Wine Club sucked up the 250 cases 2003 vintage we bought faster than you could say "across the street from Altesino"! Situated in the northern extremities of Montalcino this tiny property has only been making ... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse

Villa Pillo is a traditional Tuscan Farm, founded in medieval times, mentioned in many historical documents. It is located in the heart of the Chianti area, equidistant from the cities of Pisa, Florence and Siena. The estate of 500 hectares was purchased in 1989 by John and Kathe Dyson (of Williams Selyem) , whose love of Tuscany led them to embark on a restoration of the estate which included the palladian villa and park built by the original owner, the Marchese Incontri in the 1700s. New vineyards and olive orchards were planted and the winery re-furbi... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

95 points Wine Spectator: "Delivers fabulous aromas of crushed raspberries, cherries and strawberries, with flowers and a hint of vanilla bean. Full-bodied, with a solid core of fruit and silky tannins. Dense and very long. A serious, powerful and complex red, but needs some bottle age. This is the producer's best wine ever. Best after 2012." (Web Only, 2009) 3.5 stars from K&L's Italian wine buyer, Greg St. Clair: "The nose is immediately full of plums and sweet vanilla. On the palate, it expands into a pool of cultured lushness that flows broadly acro... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse

Global financial crises simply scream for wines like this one, made by the estimable Vincenzo Abruzzese, whose Brunelli typical rate in the stratosphere and taste pretty darn perfect, too. If Valdicava's Brunello seems a little steep right about now, but you're hungry for that 100% sangiovese richness and balance, this mini-Brunello delivers. Very limited and will go fast at this price. 91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2007 Rosso di Montalcino is one of the more massive Rossos in this vintage. In fact, it is one of the few wines that may ac... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City

According to Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Castiglione Tinella is a bit off the beaten track for visitors traveling to Piedmont, but it is here in this gorgeous hillside town that some of the most profound Moscatos are found, particularly those of the talented Paolo Saracco. While I generally advise drinking Moscatos young, I have also tasted a number of four to five year-old bottles here that have aged beautifully, although, of course at that age the wines no longer have the sheer charm they did when they were young. Simply put, Saracco is a reference... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

La Mozza's owner's (Über-Chef Mario Batali and Restaurant Wündkerkind Joe Bastianich) have really scored with their 2006 La Mozza I Perazzi Morellino (sangiovese) di Scansano! This coastal Tuscan area is really making great wine at exceptional prices. Their 2006 Morellino has luscious fruit densities coupled with vibrantly focused aromatics and all wrapped up in a long, memorable finish. Great for grilled meats, pasta, roasted chickens or just good old drinking! Wow I love this wine! (Greg St.Clair K&L Wine Merchants) 90 points Robert Parker's Wine Adv... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood

2 Glasses Gambero Rosso. This is Ermacora's flagship wine; it has tremendous focus and exhibits the classic, elegant balance that is the hallmark of the 2007 vintage. The wine lacks nothing in concentration, creamy custard-like flavors, with spice, hints of apples and bergamot. It is stately on the palate, with balance, complexity and character. Age this wine for 2-3 years and you won't believe the incredible wine it will evolve into! According to Wine Enthusiast: "Ermacora's luscious Pinot Bianco offers a decisive mineral backbone that is enhanced by s... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The estate's 2003 Brunello di Montalcino is a lovely, pure effort redolent of dark plums, cherries, spices and leather. The tannins are well-integrated, and this medium to full-bodied wine has plenty of density and length to allow for another decade of pleasurable drinking. It is an outstanding effort from La Poderina and oenologist Lorenzo Landi. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2018.I continue to be impressed with the wines of La Poderina, which is located in Castelnuovo dell'Abate." (04/08) 

Inventory: Hollywood

This winery, newly imported by K&L, is located in the far northern portion of Puglia (the heel of Italy’s boot) near the town of Foggia, which runs a bit cooler than the lower-altitude zones of this sun-baked land. The 2007 Posta Arignano San Severo Rosso is 80% Montepulciano and 20% Sangiovese, and in a word, it is luscious. Such balance and vibrancy, this one is exciting, animated and very friendly to drink. Loads of fruit, richness (always balanced) and gusto that is just wonderful to enjoy now. Spaghetti Bolognese, grilled meats and lasagne would be ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

One bottle each of the 2003 Valdicava Brunello (95 points Wine Spectator, 91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate), the 2003 Costanti Brunello (93 points each Robert Parker and Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 91 points Wine Spectator) and the 2003 Ciacci Piccolomini "Pianrosso" (92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 91 points each Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar and Wine Spectator). This 3-pack represents an incredible savings, like getting an entire bottle of Brunello for free! Moreover, I love these wines - the Valdicava's ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City

90 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2005 Chianti Classico Riserva reveals a profile of red berries, herbs, crushed flowers and spices. The wine possesses an attractive up-front personality and finessed tannins, but it does taper off a bit on the mid-palate. In this rain-plagued vintage Monsanto did not produce its Riserva Il Poggio, and the best fruit from that site was added to this Riserva bottling, which was aged in a variety of used French oak barrels. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2017." (08/08) We sold several hundred cases of the very fine... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

This wine is produced from the vinification of white Garganega grapes, grown in soil with volcanic-rich components with typical basaltic stones on the surface. The wine is straw-colored, with greenish hints. It shows a floral aroma, with good mineral notes. The flavor is dry, pleasantly tasty with good structure and persistence, accompanied by the typical almond finish. What a deal, too! 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

This is a newly imported wine from a value-conscious estate that is nonetheless a relentlessly quality-oriented supplier of fine, regional wines. Phew, that was a mouthful! And so is this white, a brisk, straightforward, unoaked quaffer designed to go with food, particularly linguini with clams, seasoned only with a little garlic and parsley. Delicious and thirst quenching, just the thing for outdoor entertaining in warmer months. 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

91points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate "It is hard not to admire the 2003 Barolo San Giovanni, with its rich profile of dark fruit, spices and sweet toasted oak. This plush, full-bodied Barolo has plenty of stuffing to stand up to the tannins that build on the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020." Wine Advocate # 173 Oct 2007 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse

According to the Wine Spectator: "Aromas of berries, chocolate and mild spices follow through to a medium-bodied palate, with a creamy spice character. Drink now." (09/08) 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

94 points Wine Spectator: "Floral, with berry, plum and sandalwood aromas, as well as a hint of vanilla. Full-bodied, with firm tannins and vanilla, berry and plum flavors. This is dense, layered and balanced. Best after 2012." (Web only, 2009) 93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Lisini’s 2004 Brunello di Montalcino is a racy, sleek wine loaded with super-ripe dark fruit. This is a fairly immediate style for this producer, yet the wine is highly pleasurable for the integrity of its fruit and its round, enveloping personality. Clean, minerally notes... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse

93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Talenti’s 2004 Brunello di Montalcino is one of the more intensely fragrant wines in this vintage. Sweet layers of perfumed fruit flow effortlessly onto the palate, framed by silky tannins that give the wine its sense of balance and poise. This is a deceptively medium-bodied wine, yet it packs plenty of punch, not to mention tons of complexity. This pleasing, beautifully balanced Brunello is drinking well today and should continue to offer plenty of pleasure over the next decade and a half. Talenti and consulting... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse

According to Lynne Char Bennett in the San Francisco Chronicle: "Frizzante rather than spumante, this unusual Prosecco is a light pink-colored wine. It is bottled with a cork and string - no cage or foil. The nose has subtle berryish tones underscored with light peach and blossoms; then gently tart flavors and a long, pleasant finish. It can definitely take you to lox-and-bagel territory without breaking the bank. A blend of 75 percent Pinot Bianco, 15 Prosecco and 10 Pinot Nero." (Sunday, May 3, 2009) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "La Fortuna’s 2004 Brunello di Montalcino is especially beautiful in this vintage. The wine is remarkable for its density, richness and concentration, all of which have been achieved while maintaining clarity and freshness. The French oak is beautifully integrated in this sumptuous, generous Brunello. Suggestions of flowers and spices add notes of brightness on the finish. The Brunello spent a whopping 40 months in 25-hectoliter medium-sized casks prior to being bottled. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019." (06/09) ... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse

In the most outstanding vintage years, Sella & Mosca produces a Riserva version of its Cannonau, made from grapes picked in selected portions of its Cannonau vineyards. Aged three years in oak prior to release, this aristocratic red will sustain a decade or more of aging. It offers a mesmerizing scent that is redolent with violets. On the palate this rustic red is abundantly fruity (think heirloom plums), assertive and intense, with a sustained finish that calls out for lamb seasoned with rosemary! 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

93 points Wine Enthusiast: "This vintage of Solengo is slightly more floral and delicate when compared to the more robust and generous 2004 vintage. The wine is deep and penetrating with lingering aromas of forest berry and rose petal and exhibits remarkable harmony. It's still tight in the mouth with fine texture and length - unique and distinctive, with gorgeous feminine and floral intensity. Drink after 2010." (04/08) 92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Argiano, based in Montalcino, has produced a superb Solengo in 2005. This French oak-aged b... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse

The brooding presence of Mt. Etna makes for some interesting pictures in this part of Sicily, it also makes for the ideal growing conditions for the local nerello mascalese grape (near-ello masca-lazay). This is Greg St. Clair's (K&L's Italian buyer) personal favorite Sicilian red variety. It resembles nebbiolo a bit in structure but without heavy tannins. It's complex with a good mix of fruit and earth, plus it's a steal! 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Montalcino is an intriguing growing zone, the soil, geography, hydrology and elevation all add specifics to an equation that has many answers. The 2006 Ferrero Rosso di Montalcino comes from the southwestern portion of Montalcino where the words hot and dry are front and center. Incredibly this is the opposite of the versante Senese (slope towards Siena) which is rife with springs and water abounds and the sun goes down early behind the ridge the town of Montalcino sits upon. Claudia Ferrero and her husband Pablo Harri, the highly respected winemaker at... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

From the husband and wife team of Nicola Argamante and Loredana Addari. Small production and super values! This young red offers a grapey nose, intense and yet delicate offering raspberry and violet notes. On the palate this wine is quite dry, full bodied and with plenty of acidity though tannins are soft and fully integrated. Enjoy with just about any sort of Italian-inspired food! 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

The Asti and Monferrato areas of Piedmont, east of the Barolo zone, are Barbera country. Barbera may be indigenous to this region, and (although grown elsewhere in Italy and increasingly here in California) finds its best expressions here, ranging from bright, raspberryish wines aged in stainless steel, to darker, more substantial examples aged in small French oak. Agliano is perhaps the best-known barbera village in the Asti zone. Agostino Pavia and his sons Giuseppe ('Pino') and Mauro make three styles of barbera. Bricco Blina is the most straightforwa... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

The dense, bold Dolcetto fruit, smoky, meaty with a fascinating mineral quality mixed with a fresh essence of berries has underlying tannic structure that is subtle, soft, but adds density and balances the wine perfectly with a lively finish! The wine is very versatile, big enough for red meats and delicate enough for pasta, polenta and grilled sausage or Risotto with Porcini and is an ideal match for Osso Buco. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Since its establishment in 2001, Tenuta Coppadoro has fast become the new benchmark for quality winemaking in the southern Italian province of Puglia. Coppadoro's vineyards are located on the Gargano peninsula, a promontory of land projecting out from the Italian coastline into the Adriatic Sea; it forms the “spur” above the heel formed by Puglia's Salentino peninsula. Home to Italy’s largest national park, the area is characterized by thickly forested ravines and sunlit valleys, likened to bowls, or coppe in Italian; hence the winery name, meaning "Bowl... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

One of our favorite wines in the store has returned, the Maritma Sangiovese or as the K&L staff refers to it, "The Four Old Guys." This is an amazing wine at a dirt cheap price. Bright, fleshy, this gem offers tons of spicy, sangiovese fruit with good fullness and incredible drinkability. Enough said! Buy your cases now! 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

If you think Pinot Grigio has to be simple, neutral white with very little to no backbone, think again! Thanks to a direct import, K&L offers this Pinot Grigio from Muri-Gries at a price far lower than many a bathwater Pinot Grigio, but this one has such minerality, verve, acidity and length, as well as apple and pear notes. A wonderful white with or without food. 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

The Scilio wine estate lies on the north eastern side of Mount Etna, in one of Sicily's most beautiful areas. The farmhouse and cellars date back to 1815 and are surrounded by the organically cultivated vineyards, where for centuries the traditions of winemaking have been handed down from generation to generation. The peculiar climatic conditions of the area, the volcanic soil and a low yield per vine are essential for the production of Etna’s famous wines. For the last four generations the Scilio family have continued to cultivate passionately the 28 he... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco