Old and Rare Wine

According to Robert Parker: "A sleeper of the vintage, Lanessan's 1996 boasts an impressively saturated dark ruby/purple color, and knock-out aromatics of melted chocolate, asphalt, and cassis. Deep, rich, and medium-bodied, with excellent concentration and purity, this impressively-endowed, flavorful, well-structured wine should be at its finest between 2004-2016." (04/99) According to Jancis Robinson: "Very beautiful glowing dark ruby. Intriguing, fully developed nose with strong mineral notes... this is serious wine. A bit dusty. Still lots of tanni... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

95 points Wine Enthusiast: "This is a classic Dom Pérignon vintage. It's big and fruity initially, a mouthful of ripeness. Then the texture and structure of this dense wine come through. It’s as much wine as Champagne, rich, the apple and fresh pear flavors vying with yeasty and a tense crispness. Worth aging, it will be even better in 3-4 years." (12/08) 94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2000 Brut Dom Perignon is a gorgeous, seductive wine that floats on the palate with remarkable grace. Toasty aromas meld into freshly cut flowers, apricots... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Attention- if you are having this wine shipped, please let us know in the order coments if you want to have the box shiped as well- it is not safe for us to ship them together. This is a collaboration between Vueve Clicquot and the luxury Italian boat designer Riva. It is gorgeous packaging, like the sort of thing James Bond might own. Ad of course, the wine is amazing, too. 93 points and 2 Puffs from the Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine: "64% Pinot Noir; 36% Chardonnay. Seemingly a bit livelier than the typical Grande Dame, but still a rich wine b... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood San Francisco

98 points Wine Enthusiast: "This is an exceptional wine, as is the vintage. The fruits - grapefruit, crisp red apple - balance with a fine yeasty character. There is a great depth of flavor, the fruits going in a pure line of freshness. The one problem is that it is much too young, the result of the deamnd from the market for the next vintage. Age this wine for at least four years." (12/08) 96 points and three stars from the Connoissuers' Guide to California Wine: "Its Pinot Noir portion notwithstanding, this wine has a crisp, chalky, lightly citrusy, li... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

This is an incredibly rare, fully mature, Spanish gem. Produced from the steep, slate, terraced vineyards of Bierzo by Spain's legendary Mariano Garcia (while he was still making wine at Vega Sicilia!), here is a beautiful example of a perfectly aged Spanish wine that has developed quite beautifully in bottle. Produced from 40% Cabernet, 30% Merlot and 30% Mencia, think of it as a supple, balanced, old school styled Bordeaux blend with a Castillian twist. Savory cherry, hints of sage leaf, green and black peppercorn and an unmistakable character of mat... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

According to Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, May/June 00: "Bright medium ruby. Lively aromas of black raspberry, bitter chocolate and mint. Good texture and restrained sweetness; dark berry flavors are quite youthfully unevolved. Solidly structured wine, finishing with firm but fine tannins and very good length." According to Wine Spectator: "Aromas of berries, chocolate and hints of spices. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a light, fresh, fruity aftertaste. Delicious red." (03/02) K&L's notes - This lovely wine is a bit riche... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City

A tremendous bargain. According to Robert Parker: "Pichon-Lalande's 1991 is among only a handful of 1991s worthy of being the 'wine of the vintage.' Only 30% of the harvest went into the final wine, resulting in a deeper-colored, richer, more concentrated, and complex wine than the 1990, which was atypically light - even for the elegant Pichon-Lalande style. The 1991, which possesses plenty of tannin, displays an opaque, deep ruby/purple color, and a sweet nose of chocolate, cedar, and ripe, plummy, blackcurrant fruit. Round, medium to full-bodied, and... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse San Francisco

We have been working with Champagne De Meric since the beginning of their renaissance, and now their first vintage Sous Bois has been released. It is composed of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay from the villages of Ay, Avize, Cramant, Oger, Mareuil-sur-Ay and Mutigny. It has a fantastic nose of fresh cream and bread dough and the palate has great black cherry Ay Pinot Noir power. There are subtle hints of orange peel and vanilla underneath, almost certainly coming from the all-wood fermentation. (Gary Westby, K&L Champagne buyer) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

90 points Robert Parker: "A classic, this 1998 combines elegance with lovely textured, rich flavors of black cherries and currants, resulting in a quintessential Bordeaux that is unlike any other wine produced in the world. The wine possesses an ethereal lightness, layers of fruit, and a diaphanous framework. More nuances appear with each sip. Tasters will find notes of blackberries, plums, currants, tar, spice box, and minerals. A beautifully etched wine, it will be at its finest between 2003-2017." (04/01) 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Shows a lot of mineral and oriental spice in the nose, and those scents really opened up after a few minutes in the glass. The terroir shines through. When asked to compare it to wines from previous vintages, Mr. Prats mentioned it reminds him of the 1985 though not quite as fat. Superb length. The wine shows its Cabernet tannins, but they’re well integrated. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot in the vineyard, and in the blend. 55% new oak. Only 40% of the crop went into the grand vin. 21,000 cases produced. According to Robert Parker: "The dark ruby-co... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

One of the rising stars of the Languedoc, Jean Louis Denois makes exciting, world class wines that nonetheless remain amazingly inexpensive. His vineyards sit in the very southwestern corner of France, at the foot of the Pyrenees, and include red, white and sparkling wines. All of the Denois wines are made from perilously low-yielding vines, and vinified with as little interference as possible. The Sainte Marie from Denois is, in the words of our very own Clyde Beffa, a dead ringer for village Meursault. (at about half the price!). 13.5% abv 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

According to Robert Parker: "One of the finest efforts from Coufran in many years, this plump, fat, dense 2000 shows excellent concentration, plenty of mocha-infused black cherry fruit flavors, medium body, good glycerin, and no hard edges. Drink it over the next decade." (04/03) According to the Wine Spectator: "Pretty aromas of crushed raspberries, cherries and light wet earth. Full-bodied, with firm, silky tannins and a medium finish. Nice wine for the money. Always solid in a top vintage. Best after 2005." (07/03) 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

91 Points from Allen Meadows, who writes: "By contrast, this resembles almost exactly the same Ponsot wine reviewed in Issue 9 with its discreetly perfumed nose of ripe cherries, raspberries and musky, relatively forward flavors of pinot extract and a touch of earth. There is very good intensity here and a long, lingering finish. Not especially big or structured but this has elegance to burn. This too is approachable though it should benefit from a few years of cellar time." (Burghound, 01/04) Ponsot is a metayeur in Griottes for this Domaine, as is Ren... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood San Francisco

This tiny Rioja Alavesa estate is surely one to watch. All estate fruit, hand harvested, and carefully vinified with native yeasts, this gran reserva is truly a 'wow' wine and an amazing deal in traditional gran reserva Rioja. Dark cherries, roasted meat, and hints of bittersweet cocoa all present themselves on the nose. A deeper sniff reveals a touch of coffee, a subtle whiff of tomato leaf and again, an intense cherry character. Flavors show incredible depth, intensity and freshness for a Gran reserva wine at this point in its evolution. For a rea... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

This was actually a "special label" for a Nevada merchant that never ended up taking it. Their loss is our gain! Let's call it an off dry (leaning more towards the dry) estate QbA. It has just the right amount of age and is drinking perfect for a quaffer, and check out that price! 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

According to the Wine Spectator: "Distinctive lemon candy and apple notes mesh well with the lively structure. Turns a little coarse on the finish, detracting from the overall impression. Drink now through 2014." 125 cases made. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

92 points Wine Spectator: "Round and expressive, offering caramel, apricot and vanilla pastry aromas and flavors on an elegant frame. On the soft side, this is a voluptuous, inviting Champagne that's easy to sink into, with a long, nutty finish. Drink now through 2018." (11/08) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

94 points Wine Enthusiast: "A wine that shows an airy character. It is very open and fresh, the white fruits floating over a creamy texture and made crisp by grapefruit skin and bitter orange flavors. But it is just beginning to develop its potential, and the wine will likely fill out, as secondary flavors come through over the next 5-6 years." (12/1/2008) Fruity and rich, this new release offers stone fruit (peach and apricot) aromatics with toasty notes of brioche and nuts. On the palate these characters are repeated along with baking spice, nice Pino... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

96 points Wine Enthusiast: "The fabled Salon's latest release is much riper and softer than the great steely 1996 vintage. This suggests it is likely to be ready to drink soon. In the meantime, the acidity is supremely fresh, with grapefruit edges and green apple flavors. And then there is minerality and a tight, structured aftertaste as a reminder that this great Champagne is always going to be more than its fruit." (12/08) 95 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (12/08) Salon is one of the great names in Champagne for a very good reason. It is made o... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

This estate uses wonderful young Shiraz for this addictive frothy red, barrel fermenting the wine and then aging it for about 9 months in American oak. The wine is then sent off to Vinpac International in the Barossa Valley for secondary fermentation in the true "methode champeniose". After about 8 months on "lees", the wine is disgorged and a small amount of "liqueur" (sweetener) is added. In the true Aussie tradition Majella uses some really fantastic vintage port. Drink it with anything and everything - it's great as an aperitif or a digestif, with me... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

According to Wine Spectator: "Makes a delicate dance between sweet and crisp, with toasty, spicy vanilla aromas and supple peach, apricot and cinnamon flavors. Drink now." (11/08) And according to Wine Enthusiast: "Sweet, with flavors of tropical citrus fruits, flowers, candied ginger, bread dough and spices..." (07/09) 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

92 points Wine Spectator: "Solid and powerful CC, offering loads of black fruit, gamy and vanilla character. Full-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a long, balanced, dark chocolate-tinged finish. Lots of toasted oak and ripe fruit. Still needs to come together, yet such potential. Best after 2003." (10/02) K&L's notes - Giorgio Primo comes from winemaker Giampaolo Motta, The King Of Chianti, as he is known. Motta is a world-class winemaker who was inspired by the great wines of Bordeaux. This should arrive at K&L sometime around 11/30/09 

Inventory: Special Order

According to the Wine Spectator: "Almond, tea, caramel and orange peel flavors mingle in this silky white, which has mature flavors, yet the attack is still full and lively, and there's even a bit of tannic grip. Drink now through 2012." (07/09) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

98 points Wine Spectator: "Very lush and racy at the same time, this starts with creamy layers of mango and papaya before giving way to persimmon, fig paste and crème brûlée notes, all carried by well-embedded acidity. The superlong finish lets date, spice cake and green tea notes linger endlessly. Yet another classic for this amazing wine. Drink now through 2032." (11/07) Philippe Delesvaux, a Parisian, was not born into viticulture but came to the vine while working on his agricultural studies on a cereal farm in the Loire Valley in the early 1980s. B... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Dry as dry can be, and all the more tasty for it! This is a new cuvee without any make-up, that is without any dosage at all. It was made from 100% chardonnay from Le Mesnil and Montgueux, the latter being the best cru of the Aube, the southernmost part of Champagne. It is a tremendously nervy wine, best enjoyed with oysters! 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Charles Bieler (of Three Thieves/Rebel Wine Co. and Bieler Père et Fils) and Charles Smith (of K Vintners, Magnificent Wine Co. and Charles Smith Wines) have teamed up to produce this fantastic red blend. Inky dark color, smooth in texture with dark cherry and berry fruit flavors. A ton of wine for this money! 

Inventory: Redwood City

90 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Straw-gold. Marzipan, honey and toasted hazelnut on the nose. Moderately viscous and currently rather oaky. Has an impressively chewy texture..." (July/Aug 99) According to Robert Parker: "This wine offers an orange, caramel, and honeyed nose with intriguing quince/kumquat fruit flavors, a complex personality, and a low level of glycerin in the mouth. This medium to full-bodied, long wine will be at its peak between 2000-2020." (04/99) 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Lopez de Heredia does not produce a rosado every year! The crop of their Tondonia vineyard was reduced in 1998 due to April springtime frosts. But hot temperatures, low rainfall, and a dry and sunny September resulted in terrific quality grapes. Amazingly complex, this fascinating 11 year-old rosé has a fine, straw-orange color and a "vineux" bouquet. Fresh, fruity, with hints of bitter almonds and hazelnuts, this wine has refined, supple flavors that endure. 60% Garnacha (Grenache), 30% Tempranillo, 10% Viura. 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

92 points Wine Enthusiast: "A full, ripe creamy wine with a fine balance between fresh red berries and pink grapefruit crispness. There is spice, followed by a mouthful of complex berries, red plums and a firm texture. This is already delicious, but could certainly age over several years." (12/1/2008) Not exactly an unknown name in Champagne, right? You might assume that due to Clicquot's size, its wines are generic, safe and designed for the masses. But not this sexy sparkler, not by a long shot. First, beginning with the lovely smoked salmon color, ri... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

91 points Wine Spectator: "Sleek and complex, with lovely aromas of green apple, loam and warm cinnamon rolls. The flavors show pinpoint focus, yet are nicely layered, with baked apple, lime and toasty spice flavors that linger. Drink now through 2013." (11/08) 

Inventory: Hollywood

91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate "The 2004 Capo Martino reveals terrific purity, depth and definition in its layers of sweet, ripe fruit, toasted oak, licorice and menthol. With air the wine's frame fills out and the richness of its expression becomes apparent. This blend of 70% Tocai Friuliano, 30% Pinot Bianco, Ribolla, Malvasia and Picolit spent 13 months in Austrian oak tonneaux. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2012." (03/08) 90 points Wine Spectator "Some honey and light almond character, with a hint of toffee. Full-bodied, with good fruit and a ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

93 points Allen Meadows: "This too is wonderfully complex aromatically with spiced pear, white flower, anise, clove, orange peel and acacia blossom notes wrapped in moderate toast that complement well the silky, round, powerful and forceful flavors that are more forward than usual though will still require the better part of 6 to 8 years to fully develop as the palate staining finish is replete with ample dry extract. This also displays a touch of warmth but not enough to compromise the otherwise near perfect balance." (Burghound, 07/06) 

Inventory: Redwood City

From the winery: "Intense aromas of ripe apple are dotted with cinnamon and clove, as hazelnuts bathed in cream join fragrant notes of acacia blossoms. In the mouth, the wine is dense and concentrated, while simultaneously offering a softer, sensual side in balance. Flavors of baked apple appear alongside glazed pineapple and fresh tangerine, as a hint of clove entertains the taste buds. With its perfect backbone of acidity, the wine is fresh, alive and begging to be enjoyed again and again." 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

90 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 1999 Carinena Reserva is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carinena, and Merlot selected from the estate’s best parcels and aged for 16 months in Russian oak. Dark ruby/purple-colored, it offers a complex perfume of cedar, leather, mineral, black cherry, and black currant. Medium to full-bodied, the wine has a solid core of ripe fruit and enough structure to unfold for another 1-2 years. It can be enjoyed now through 2015." (02/08) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Fans of toasty Champagne take note- this is one of our biggest! A blend of 33% pinot noir, 33% meunier and 33% chardonnay from vines averaging about 25 years on the families estate vineyards in Brouillet. This Champagne has a very pretty golden straw color. The nose is very leesy and doughy, showing off the six years it has aged on its yeast. It is round and carmely, with an excellent black cherry core. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

All hand harvested, sorted, de-stemmed, crushed and fermented in a tiny cellar located in the Northern end of Vouvray. The wine is then fermented in tank and then partially aged in chestnut barrels. The style is called "Sec Tendre" which is an off dry style but, with higher acidity levels. The vines are planted in flint soils which give a fantastic minerality and mouthwatering finish. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "My favorite of the four hereis the 2005 Chardonnay “Ethos,” a barrel selection of the best Canoe Ridge and Cold Creek Vineyard fruit. A third of the wine was fermented with indigenous yeasts in 60% new French oak and remained on its lees for eight months. It has the most expressive aromatics, a broad, full-flavored palate, and a smooth texture. It will drink well over the next 3-5 years." (08/2007) 91 points Wine Spectator: "Smoky aromas surround a tangy mouthful of lime, tangerine and green apple flavors, persis... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

90 points Wine Spectator: "This is sumptuous and delicate, offering peach, beeswax and ginger notes. Firmly structured, with a chalklike sensation underneath that emerges on the finish. Drink now through 2015." 90 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Light yellow, with a vigorous mousse. Pungent and ripe, showing a fresh bouquet of pear, orange, peach skin, cherry pit and honeysuckle. Brisk citrus and orchard fruit flavors offer refreshing bite, racy lift and sharp focus, with good mineral snap on the close. Gained weight, power and a ple... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

95 points Wine Spectator: "A complex, dynamic Champagne, with flavors that range from flowers and orange citrus to vanilla, roasted hazelnut, leather and woodsy spices. This is intense, but also shows a lot of finesse, with a fine, spicy aftertaste. Drink now through 2030." (12/09) 93 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Light, bright gold with an energetic bead. Precise lemon zest and orange aromas are complemented by deeper notes of pear skin, honey, almond and chamomile, with a subtle mineral quality gaining strength with air. Youthful... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City

91 points from Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "(75% tempranillo, 15% garnacha and 5% each of graciano and mazuelo) Medium red. Musky aromas of redcurrant, cherry, herbs and flowers, with a subtle mineral undertone adding lift. A medium-boded wine with red fruit flavors complicated by sweet chewing tobacco, succulent herbs and exotic Indian spices. Gains sweetness and power on the long, sappy finish. This is delicious and pretty complex now, but has the balance to age." (Jul/Aug '08) 

Inventory: Redwood City

According to the Wine Enthusiast: "Crisp, clean and fresh, this is a little less weighty than many of the other spätlesen tasted for this report, but none the worse for that. The off-dry flavors of lemons and limes, quince and green apples are in fine balance, blending in some pretty floral notes." (3/1/2003) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

92 points Wine Spectator: "A lovely wine from this château. Aromas of crushed blackberries and raspberries. Full-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a long refreshing finish. Very racy. Best after 2009." (03/03) 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City

93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2000 Blanc de Blancs Knudsen Vineyard Julia Lee’s Block offers more elegance. Notes of melon, pear, and apple lead to a crisp, precise, dry sparkling wine with a pure finish that lasts and lasts."(10/08). 92 points Wine Spectator: "Elegant, creamy and refined, balancing its delicate citrus and pear flavors against a judicious level of toasted brioche and a fleck of white pepper as the finish lingers gently."(12/15/08). 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City

This is 100% chardonnay, made without malolactic fermentation to preserve its freshness and tingling acidity. On the nose it is open and expressive with scents of preserved fruit and hints of almond. On the palate citrus and preserved apricots are evident, along with the barest presence of roses. Silky and delicious! 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

93 points and 2 Puffs from the Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine: "64% Pinot Noir; 36% Chardonnay. Seemingly a bit livelier than the typical Grande Dame, but still a rich wine based on its Pinot Noir heritage, it combines an admirably strong mousse with plenty of acidity and a dried toffee, nutty overlay of burgeoning complexity. Lovely." (12/08) 92 points Wine Spectator: "There's plenty of finesse in this sleek Champagne, along with an airy texture and loads of grip. Graphite, lemon, toast and mineral aromas and flavors prevail, and this takes on ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

According to Robert Parker: "This up and coming St.-Emilion is somewhat under-rated given the consistently high quality of recent vintages. The 1996 is a flamboyant, dark ruby/purple-colored wine with a soaring bouquet of plum liqueur, toasty new oak, black cherries, smoke, and dried herbs. In the mouth, evidence of sur-maturite jamminess and richness emerge from this medium-bodied, rich, spicy, impressively-endowed wine. There is tannin in the medium to full-bodied finish. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2014." (04/99) According to the Wine Spectator: "Can'... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

This is a new DI property for us producing great wines from some of the top sites in the Kamptal. Michaela Haas is the 4th generation of this family to run the 15 ha domaine. This is Allram's best Riesling, and we think it's one of the best in the Kamptal! Offering peach notes and very full and ripe on the nose, it is wonderfully thick and juicy on the palate, offering both sweet and spicy acid. Delicious now, though there is potential for improvement with cellaring, too! 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

99 points Wine Spectator and #3 in the Top 100 Wines of 1998: "One of the world's finest dessert wines. Sensational, ultrasweet Tokay, yet with a lovely citrus underpinning that keeps it from being heavy. Like melted honey, with lime and pineapple, this is one of those marvelous gems that makes you swoon in delight. Tempting now into the 21st century. A collector's item to drink in small portions, by itself, to celebrate life. 500 cases made." (12/97) 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

Bonville is sold out of this vintage in 750's, so I guess we will have to drink it from magnum! The 2002 vintage is fantastic for the Cotes de Blancs wines, with much in common with the great 1990 harvest. The Bonville family owns 50 acres of Grand Cru vineyards and uses exclusively estate fruit in this wine. This Champagne is a great example of how much more wine you get for less money compared to a big name non-vintage Champagne when the export brokers, import companies and distributors are taken out of the deal. This is 100% Grand Cru Chardonnay from ... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse San Francisco

Part of the family owned and operated wine estates of Quinta dos Roques and Quinta do Correio, Quinta das Maias was purchased in 1997, which was an obvious move since the wines from this estate have been produced and bottled at Roques under the separate Maias label since 1992. Located just 30 kilometers from Roques winery, Maias comprises 86 contiguous acres at an elevation of 1500 to 1800 feet in the foothills of the Serra da Estrela mountains, providing excellent daily temperature variation for ripening the 5-30 year old vines. The average yearly rainf... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood