Italian Wine

90 points and a Best Buy from the Wine Enthusiast: "Neprica is an awesome blend of Negroamaro, Primitivo and Cabernet Sauvignon from southern Italy that offers an unbeatable price versus quality ratio. This rising star of Puglia would pair with meats, pasta or aged cheese and offers clean aromas of ripe fruit, spice and leather." According to Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2009 Neprica is a fresh, floral red made in a juicy style best suited to near-term drinking. Sweet red berries, dried flowers, herbs and tobacco linger on the vinous finish. The blend i... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse San Francisco

90 points Wine Spectator: "Sweet blackberry, plum and pomegranate fruit is fresh and vibrant as this red unfolds across the palate. Hints of flowers and spices intermingle, but this is more about the juicy fruit. Drink now through 2018." (1/31/2012) 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 Advocate, the Wine Spectator and Gambero Rosso! Its price tag may lead you to underestimate it's body... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City

Last February the "K&L Squadra Italiana" visited the small Ferrero winery in Montalcino. Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montalcino has been their focus for the last decade but in the BOOM that was happening in Tuscany they too decided to buy some vineyard land about 20 minutes away from Montalcino, excellent soil, great exposure, bargain price, they were really excited. They planted non Montalcino varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Montepulciano and Alicante. The Cabernet, Merlot and Alicante all scored 90 or 91 points in the Wine Spectator and ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2007 Salice Salentino Riserva 50th Vendemmia is big, powerful and super intense. Ripe black fruits, licorice, smoke, ash and game come through in this assertive Salice Salentino. Silky tannins round out the finish. As the name states, the 50th Vendemmia celebrates the estate's 50th harvest. The Riserva is 90% Negroamaro and 10% Malvasia Nera, aged in neutral French oak. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022" (06/11) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

A great choice for winter entertaining, this value sparkler of the Veneto is tasty, refreshing, dry but not at all austere. Everything you are looking for in a Prosecco, and check out that price! 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

91 points Wine Enthusiast: "Essenza is a ripe expression of Nebbiolo from the 2006 vintage with earthy nuances, wild berry and pressed red rose. This Barolo offers very good dimension and overall depth of aroma, backed by a thicker, pulpier mouthfeel. The tannins are still young so let this wine age at least five more years." (12/1/2010) Terre da Vino is a co-operative that sources fruit from multiple different Barolo communes. The "Essenze" is a blend of individual crus from La Volta in Barolo, Ravera in Novello, Scarrone and Montanello in Castiglione ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

90 points Wine Spectator: "Boasting dark cherry and berry aromas and flavors, this polished red is vibrant and harmonious. Lingers on the finish, with a tight, fruit- and spice-filled aftertaste. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2013 through 2020. 2,000 cases imported." (10/11) 90 points James Suckling: "Lots of berry, chocolate and hints of cappuccino. Full and velvety, with plenty of fruit and a clean, bright finish. Delicious now. Good name for this. Drink it! Yummy. Made from 50% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 25% Merlot.... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The estate's 2009 Isola dei Nuraghi Costera flows from the glass with layers of exquisitely perfumed fruit buttressed by fine, silky tannins. There is an element of pure elegance and refinement that is hard to do justice to with words. This is another terrific red from Argiolas. Costera is a blend of 90% Cannonau, 5% Carignano and 5% Bovale Sardo. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2014. " (08/10) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Affectionately named "Cat-zilla" by our staff because of its Cat adorned unique label this is the newest addition to our direct imports from Montalcino. From vineyards adjacent to Lisini on the south face of Montalcino this wine is a thrilla! Lush, rich texture balanced with spice, complexity and a long finish. This tiny winery was brought to our attention by a couple of loyal K&L customers (Mark & Lori thank you) and is just an awesome drink right now at an unbelievable price. You'll love the richness, be cativated by the complexity and be back buying m... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

This has been the #1 selling Italian wine for more than a decade at K&L! You can't get that kind of continued success without having a supremely fantastic quality to price ratio. The south Tuscan coast is a breadbasket of wine making, stable temperatures, solid history of quality yet no fame and fortune. Our benefit is the incredibly price bargains that come out of the region! This wine is wonderful, soft, forward and easy to drink Sangiovese with an enticing mixture of cherry, plum and a hint of subtle soil character and it is affordable enough to open ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2009 Chianti Classico reveals tons of inner perfume and juicy red fruit. Silky tannins provide the backdrop for this polished, impeccably balanced Chianti. The estate’s Chianti Classico is 90% Sangiovese, 6% Canaiolo and 4% Merlot that spent 13 months in French oak. It is superb from start to finish. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2019." (08/11) 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

A second label of Valle dell'Acate's, the Case Ibidini range (pronounced ‘bidini) consists of varietally labeled wines from the estate intended for more casual consumption. The local name of the area where the estate is situated, Bidini, is drawn from the ancient root Bidis. This in turn referred to the name of a group of early Hellenic settlers who populated the area nearly 20 centuries ago. These wines provide a purity and authenticity reflective of the philosophy of the estate, all at an affordable price. Made from 100% Nero d'Avola grapes grown in me... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

91 points James Suckling: "Intense aromas of dark fruits such as boysenberry and blueberries. Mineral undertones. Dense and full in the palate, with velvety tannins and a fruity finish. Structured. Needs three to five years of bottle age to resolve the full tannins." 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

I usually don't try and counteract a review but for the price you tell me if this isn't just a really good deal and worthy of more credit from the critics. 89 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Bright red. Perfumed nose loaded with red cherry, floral and vanilla aromas. Fresh, pure and easygoing, with flavors similar to the aromas and a strong spice note of clove. Finishes with very light tannins and good spicy freshness. An ideal food wine." (Mar/Apr 11) From Wine Spectator: "Aromas of pink peppercorn lead to a juicy palate of cherry an... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

90 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: The 2009 Assisi Rosso is a new wine from Falesco. The blend is 70% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Interestingly, the Assisi Rosso shows more Sangiovese character than the estate's pure Sangiovese. Sweet tobacco, underbrush, licorice and cherries flow from this beautifully delineated, layered wine. This is another strong effort from Falesco, not to mention a terrific value. Anticipated Maturity: 2012-2019." (06/11) 

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 Wine Enthusiast: "This sparkler offers a beautiful nose of white flower, orange blossom, crushed 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

It is hard not to feel like celebrating when you have a glass of bubbles in your hand, and Prosecco offers one of the biggest bangs for your buck. Prosecco is essence is Italian Champagne. It generally is priced in the $10 to $20 range, where it quite often is a better wine for your money than a similarly priced French Champagne. Fantinel winery spans 40 years and three generations. It’s a small, family-owned winery that has slowly grown into a major wine company operating out of Friuli. Fantinel’s focus is to grow and vinify wines that are the truest an... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Giovanni Blason and his wife Valentina are young producers who continuously surprise us with the price-to-quality ratio of their wines, earning them tons of kudos in Gambero Rosso and beyond. They come from the Isonzo region of Northern Italy, right up against the Slovenian border. Their Pinot Grigio is really sensational, full in the mouth, rich on the palate and extraordinarily drinkable at this price! 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

This marks the 13th year we have imported the wines of one of our favorite Friulian (Colli Orientali del Friuli) producers, Dario and Luciano Ermacora. I first met Dario and his wife Elsa in 1998, and tasting their wines was a revelation. There was such an effortlessness nature to them, a simple purity and clear definition that was just breathtaking to behold. The 2010 Ermacora Pinot Grigio will shake up your concept of this ubiquitous grape. This is a wine with power, depth, aromatics and superb balance that carries weight with an effortless gait. (Greg... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

This might be mis-labeled it's so good. I've had Brunelli that don't measure up to the quality of this Rosso; it just sings. Full of a combination of wild fruit, earthy complexity and touches of spice, this wine's incredible palate presence just amazes me. Sesta di Sopra lies on Montalcino's south-facing slope and has a southwesterly exposure. It sits above the terrarossa in pure galestro soil, an exfoliating shale deposit that shows up across Tuscany and is generally thought of as the best soil for Sangiovese. It also sits up high enough to benefit from... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

From Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2008 Chianti is a very serious wine for the money. The floral aromatics render an impression of accessibility but the darkness and richness of the fruit that follow hint at a far more important pedigree. Dark red berries, flowers and minerals add the final notes of complexity on the impressive finish. This is one of the most rewarding wines readers will find under $10. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2014." (08/10) 

Inventory: Hollywood

According to the Wine Spectator: "The oak is well-integrated, yet puts this red in the modernist camp. Smoke and spice notes encircle cherry and plum flavors. Showy, but there's length and intensity. Best from 2012 through 2014." (09/11) This Rosso was aged for one year in 20hl Slovenian oak barrels, uniting the imposing structure of Brunello with the freshness and vivacity of a young wine. It shows classic ripe strawberries, cherry cola and cranberry, with a hint of leather and spice on the finish. This can be drunk young, but will evolve over the next... Read More » 

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

A direct buy makes this brut level Prosecco a no brainer, and quality conscious winemaking (several seconday fermentations take place per year to ensure freshness), makes it a pretty delicious choice as well. Stock up for parties! 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

This gorgeous sangiovese is full-bodied and ripe with layers of lush black cherry fruit. On the palate it is lively, balanced and fresh and has a long finish. The perfect match for grilled meats drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil. "The 2009 Ferrero Rosso di Montalcino is one of the best they've made. [Claudia] Ferrero's vineyards sit between Banfi's Poggio all'Oro Riserva vineyard and Argiano in the southwest corner of Montalcino, where the vines are able to ripen fully. This vintage's brightness gives verve and energy to the already luscious fruit, ma... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

This full bodied white made from 100% Cortese is fresh and fruity with scents of white flowers and a pleasantly though quite dry palate. Rich and balanced, this elegant white is soft and round, but somehow structured; it is well-matched to fish and fowl dishes. The 25 hectare Carmelitani estate was planted in the fourteenth century by the Carmelite monks. The grapes undergo a cool fermentation to preserve their naturally fruity aromas and acidity. Gavi di Gavi is one of the more famous Italian white wines, and usually command a higher price as a resut. ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

According to Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2007 Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva is a pleasurable, up-front wine with good balance and character. Dried cherries, wild herbs and worn-in leather are some of the notes that flow from this forward Cannonau. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2014." (06/11) 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate "La Maialina’s 2007 Chianti Classico Riserva is simply beautiful. Readers will find plenty of 2007 vintage character in this soft, expansive wine. Dark fruit, leather and spices inform the supple, creamy finish. This is already fabulous; the only question is how much it might improve in the coming years. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2017. La Maialina is my most exciting discovery in Tuscany so far this year. Consulting oenologist Attilio Pagli buys wines in bulk from one of Tuscany’s most elite properties, then raise... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood

95 points Wine Enthusiast: "This dark, mysterious vermouth is rich, complex and layered, boasting aromas of mint and other herbs, plums and figs, reminscent of Madeira. The rich flavors are hard to pin down: cocoa, red wine, almonds, bitter marmelade, hints of spice and toffee all play across the palate, finishing with a bracing bitter edge. This delectable sweet vermouth would sine in a Manhattan." (02/11) From the Italian producer of Punt e Mes, a sweet vermouth, comes the Carpano Antica, a special, high-end, red vermouth. Smoother and not nearly as sw... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

These guys are absolutely fanatical about organic farming (free range geese are used to weed the vineyards), and the results show their dedication and commitment to the environment and to making the best, most natural wines possible. This is a wine you will feel good about drinking, and not least because it is a wonderful version of its type and extremely fairly priced. Brisk, crisp and light, try it with salads and seafood. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City

95 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Antinori's 2007 Tignanello is wonderfully ripe and seductive in its dark cherries, flowers, spices, tobacco, sage, cedar, mint and minerals. This is as opulent a Tignanello as I have ever tasted but there is just enough acidity and structure from the Sangiovese to keep things from going over the top. The wine's richness and warmth are such that in a blind tasting I mistook the 2007 Tignanello for a wine from Maremma! The dense, muscular fruit follows through to an impeccable finish with no hard edges and impossib... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

According to Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Paolo Saracco is one of the reference-point producers of fine Moscato. I always make sure to have at least a few bottles on hand at the house." (08/10) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

92 points Wine Spectator: "A polished Brunello, offering black cherry and blackberry flavors that mesh with the generous texture, ending with a spicy finish. Not a big red, and the serious tannins need time to integrate, so the wine should only become more elegant as it develops. Best from 2014 through 2026. 666 cases made." (10/11) 92 points James Suckling: "A rich and fruity wine with lots of tannins underneath. Full and rich, with dried cherries and blueberries. Round and chewy. Pretty pure fruit. Best after 2012." (01/11) 91 points Wine Enthusiast: "... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

90 points Wine Enthusiast: "Not overblown or exaggerated, this tight and carefully balanced Brunello strikes a chord between power and elegance. At its essence are aromas of red fruit, forest berry, cola, mesquite and cedar wood." (4/1/2011) This is one of Montosoli's best! What a bargain. (Greg St.Clair, K&L's Italian wine buyer) 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

The new releases of Ermacora are in and we couldn't be more excited. These wines are absolute steals for their price to quality ratios, from a producer that would be much more famous were they not so small (well... famous outiside Europe. They have quite the following there). The Friulano exibits all the classic spicy/sweet herbaciousness of the grape with honeydew melon and assorted tree fruits on the nose. The wine is surprisingly full bodied but has a nice streak of acidity to keep the round mouthfeel crisp. Add to this a piercing Fruilian minera... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood 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. Friulano is a classic, this is the Friulian national drink: fresh, crisp with wonderful balance. The locals drink this with, well, they just drink it all the time. On the way to work, morning break, on the way home to lunch, you get the picture. It goes on all day. The Blason... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

This is 100% Falanghina fermented in stainless steel, and then kept on its lees for two months before being bottled. It's a golden, straw-colored wine with a profume of white flowers and peach. Fresh and so so pleasant, this finish is all about refreshing acidity. 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

According to Wine Enthusiast: "This is an elegant Prosecco Brut with firm mineral notes backed by sharp acidity and cleansing effervescence. This wine would pair perfectly with pimiento-studded deviled eggs or fried chicken wings." (06/10) K&L's notes - The very young brother-and-sister team of Silvano and Alberta Follador make one of the best Prosecco I have ever tasted! Their Organic Prosecco is magnificently balanced, delicate and features sophisticated fruit aromatics coupled with a minerality that gives a clean brightness to the palate. It is has h... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Collestefano is situated in a hilly belt in the hinterland of the Marches, 420 m above sea-level. This narrow land is watered by the Esino river and bounded on the east and on the west by the mountain range of the Appennini Umbro-Marchigiani (1479 m above sea-level). Not being affected by the mitigating influence of the Adriatic Sea, the region is characterized by a cold, dry microclimate with high temperature ranges, ideal for the growing of Verdicchio di Matelica, which has been grown in this district since ancient times and here ripens late from the s... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

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-furbis... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood

93+ points Robert Parker: "The 2008 Passopisciaro emerges with gorgeous textural richness in its elegant, silky tannins. Despite its considerable concentration, the wine literally floats on the palate with layers of perfumed red fruits. Everything is perfectly balanced in this harmonious, utterly impeccable wine. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022. (06/10) The Etna is one of Italy's most fascinating emerging wine regions and Andrea Franchetti is arguably the area's most fanatical, driven producer. High altitude vineyards, volcanic soils, ancient indigenous ... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

95 points James Suckling: "Blueberries, flowers and raspberries. Love the nose, like so many others. Full body, with fine tannins and a silky textured finish. So much going on here. Class. Best after 2013." 92 points Wine Enthusiast: "La Poderina’s Brunello shows impressive balance between its bright fruit and sassy spice components. On the close, the wine exhibits a tight, firm and penetrating feel that is carried forth by acidity and the natural firmness of the tannins." (04/11) 90 points Stephen Tanzer: "Good full red. Withdrawn but pure aromas of c... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

40% Pinot Bianco, 45% Friulano, 15% Malvasia Istriana 

Inventory: Main Warehouse

While there is an ocean of Pinot Grigio planted in Friuli, it is largely for export. Pinot Bianco is the real grape of choice. The 2010 Ermacora Pinot Bianco is un-oaked and truly majestic on the palate with tremendous focus and concentration. This white is rich and creamy with custard-like flavors and hints of green apples spiced with bergamot, white peach and lemon. Lay some of this down for a couple of years, and you won’t believe how good it gets! (Greg St. Clair, K&L's Italian buyer) 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Piedirosso, Aglianico and Sciascinoso make up a minimum 60% of this Campanian red, with the remaining 40% consisting of traditional vine varieties. This is a fizzy, 'new' wine, bottled as early as November and typical of the Neapolitan tradition. Cantina Grotto del Sole was founded and is run by the Martusciello family who are passionately committed the preservation and recovery of the Campanian viticultual and winemaking traditions. Gragnano (after the town of Gragnano) as a style of wine was popularized in the 1900's, the result of merchant trade over... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Montepulciano excels in the Abruzzo region of Italy, where it makes amazingly good inexpensive red wine, far better than comparable Sangiovese. Aromas and favors of black plum, black cherry, herbs, and black olives surround a wonderful meaty texture, with enough chewiness to make the wine stand up to food. This is the ideal 'spaghetti red,' at a price that will bring a smile to your face every time you open a bottle. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse San Francisco

I’ve been a huge fan of the Selvagrossa winery in the Marche since I first tasted their wines five or so years ago. The 2009 Selvagrossa "Muschén" is this producer’s entry-level wine and is made of 50% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. It’s also ridiculously delicious for the price. Redolent of pretty, restrained red and blackberry fruit, spice and a hint of sweet herb, this wine was perfect with a rabbit loin spring roll I had at Animal restaurant in LA. (Chris Miller, K&L Italian specialist) 

Inventory: Hollywood

90 points Wine Spectator: "Black cherry, blueberry and floral aromas and flavors highlight this rich red. Its ample flesh coats the tannins, but there's structure underneath. Fine length. Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2012 through 2020." (10/11) This estate was founded in 1981 by Marchese Lodovico Antinori when he decided to establish a new, truly exceptional wine estate in a beautiful, unspoiled section of the Tuscan coast known as the Maremma. The decision was made to plant Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot as these ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood

Made from a blend of cabernet franc and a touch of merlot, this dry rose offers classic strawberry and raspberry aromas as well as hints of herb and flowers. Soooo juicy, you'll just keep pouring yourself a glass of this pink refresher. Served nicely chilled, this blissful cocktail is just the thing with food or as an aperitivo! Perfect for fowl, pork, salmon, pasta and BBQ. 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Moliss is a Piedmontese word, not Italian, meaning the 'middle son'. This is another single vineyard wine made from old vines and aged in large Slavonian oak ovals; it is the closest thing to a tradional Asti but cleaner and much more concentrated. (These larger oval barrels, usually made of Eastern European oak, give the wine a hint of oak aroma, when new, and a different texture. This is medium red in color with purple glints; aroma of raspberries with a hint of herbs; palate similar to the Blina but with a broad, meaty quality from the aging in large... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco