One of our distributors had some wine go missing a couple of years ago and recently just rediscovered it stored perfectly in their temperature controlled warehouse. The Villacampa Ribera is one of those finds and the wine is drinking beautifully. Nuances of roasted plums, asian spicebox, sweet American oak and a rich velvety texture. Those are just some of the things to love about this incredible find. (Keith Mabry, K&L Hollywood) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City

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: Main Warehouse Redwood City

What an intriguing wine! The Valettes are known for the extensive barrel aging of their wines, which comes through quite distinctively in the 2001 "000". This has a heady bouquet redolent of aged Parmigiano-Reggiano, with an undercurrent of lime and caramel that carry over to the palate. But what's so remarkable is that despite the secondary aromas on the nose, this wine is lively and fresh in the mouth, with hints of anise, delicate fruit and nuts awash in gorgeous bright acidity. A spectacular find. 

Inventory: Hollywood

The 2004 François Diligent Cuvée Tradition Brut Champagne is all chardonnay, a rarity in the southern part of Champagne, where the pinot noir grape is king. The grapes are grown both in Buxeuil and in Polisy, a village just to the northwest. The vineyard sites are rich in kimméridgien clay. That’s the same soil as in Chablis, which is less than 40 miles southeast of here. Not surprisingly, the chardonnay here has a very Chablissiene character to it, with more rich warmth than one expects from a Mesnil or Avize Blanc de Blancs. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse 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

This 3 Puttonyos Tokaji Aszú wine is produced by Patricius for their value line "Red Lion". It is a very approachable dessert wine exhibiting the typical botrytis flavors of a good Tokaji Aszú. But this one is less sweet and complex than the bigger and more expensive 5 and 6 Puttonyos wines. This is an excellent value, and just the thing to show off you most fabulous apple-based desserts. 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

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

It's not easy making Vin Santo. For starters the grapes (trebbiano and malvasia) are left to dry slowly in a special outbuilding, which concentrates the sugar and flavor component considerably. What little juice is left after this process is fermented and stored in very small casks called caratelli, which are filled just three-fourths of the way. And then time stands still. For four years the wine oxidizes and ages, and then: Perfection! Villa Pillo's Vin Santo is an archetypal example of Tuscany's after dinner sipper. Ideal with biscotto at the close of... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

In times past, Hungarian Tokaji wines were highly prized. Long before Sauternes, they graced the tables of European kings and connoisseurs. In the summer of 1991, the late Jean-Michael Arcaute and Jean-Louis Laborde led a group of wine lovers in the acquisition of Chateau Pajzos, long acknowledged as among the finest vineyards of the region. They carried out the first 'private enterprise' harvest and vinification, thus launching the Renaissance of Tokaji. Today, Ch. Pajzos is under the sole ownership and direction of Jean-Louis Laborde, now assisted by h... Read More » 

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

91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Gigou’s 2004 Jasnieres Clos St-Jacques from very old vines transports you to a world of considerable mystery and offers insights into why Jasnieres was historically viewed as one of France’s grands crus. Deeply briny, alkaline, almost oceanic depths of aroma and flavor, high-toned nuttiness and flor-like pungency, are allied to a vivid, mouth-watering impression of ripe quince. If the palate-coating intensity and grip of this by no means refined wine grabs you, then enjoy watching a few bottles evolve over at lea... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Stefan Bollig (vintage 1961) is passionately devoted to his work and is a fine example of the new generation of Mosel vintners. The family has been producing wine since the 17th Century, but new cellars and house have been built on the outskirts of Trittenheim. The total holdings of 4 hectares (10 acres) are tended by the family themselves, the steeply sloping vineyards being composed mainly of slatey soil. Stefan has been managing the estate since 1987, after completing his viticultural studies and practical experience in Trier and Bad Kreuznach. Stefan... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2002 Le Clos du Chateau l’Oiseliniere Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie – grown in a sheltered, riverside site of eroded orthogneiss and schist– is one of, if not the finest Muscadet I have ever tasted, and well worth its (only relatively) exalted price. The nose is greeted by a great Riesling-like combination of citrus, herbs, musk, pit fruits, and an ineffable, amazing mineral piquancy. Firm, bright, and insistently juicy in the mouth, this displays spectacular length of juicy, salt- and fruit pit-accented... Read More » 

Inventory: San Francisco

Domaine Fontanel is a small gem of an estate located in the Cotes du Roussillon. Pierre Fontanel is a grower/winemaker who is meticulous thoroughout every stage of the grapegrowing and winemaking process. This fabulous dessert wine is made from 60-year-old grenache blanc vines. It is wonderfully complex, thoughtful and hedonistic, displaying a classic rancio nose along with carmelized nut, dried flowers, and a light but elegant spice. This wine is stunning served after a meal with a cheese from the area such as Ossu Iraty and roasted almonds! 16% abv. 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

This is a selection of some of the finest quality wine of a single year, bottled, like Vintage Port, without fining or filtration, but after four years rather than two years in the wood. The extra wood age softens the wine and leads to an accelerated ageing in bottle. The result is akin to fully mature Vintage Port in flavour and complexity. Smith Woodhouse is one of the very few Port shippers to continue making LBV in the traditional way and to market the wine only after it has been bottle aged. This Port represents exceptional value for money. 

Inventory: Hollywood

The word lush might best describe this wonderful late harvest Gewurtz. According to Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Jean Schaetzel, this estate's winemaker and a professor of oenology in Rouffach, was off teaching a class so I had the pleasure of tasting with Bea, his charming wife. A biodynamic winery (they've been accredited as such for three years), Domaine Martin Schaetzel's wines are of considerable quality yet not well-known. Consumers should take advantage of this." (10/02) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

The Patricius Winery was established by the Kékessy family’s oenological vocation for the future, which derives from the past. The owners are Dezsõ Kékessy and his daughter Katinka Kékessy. The family’s ancestors both in maternal and paternal ascending line were well-known vineyard owners in the regions of the hills of Mátra and Tokaj from the 18th century. The maternal ancestors the Okolicsányi family- had vineyards in Tokaj, Szegi and Szõlõske. Besides they held important offices as public servants (deputy lieutenant, Member of Parliament). All very... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood

This wine is made from a blend of chardonnay and savagnin grapes and is kept in barrels for two years "sous voile". In the "sous voile" process, wines are stored in wooden vats or oak barrels for two to three years and not topped up. As the wine evaporates the level in the barrel drops and a layer of yeast forms on the surface of the wine. This protects the wine from oxidation and gives these wines their distinctive aromas. Rich and long lasting on the palate, it has a range of aromas from very ripe white fruits to nuts. (Winery Notes) 

Inventory: Hollywood

Importer Rudi Wiest has on occasion been known to hold back some of his wines until he feels they are showing at their peak. For this occasion, we have the 2004 Bert Simon Kabinett, just released, and drinking spectacularly well. The wine has just started to develop the complexity that bottle aged riesling gets with roasted pear flavors, succulent minerality and a hint of petrol. The wine is focused, balanced and finishes with wonderful precision. (Keith Mabry, K&L Hollywood) 

Inventory: Hollywood

Some of you may remember the chaos we sparked late in 2007 when we sent out an e-mail about a little known producer called Eric Lecours. We were featuring his Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and it almost started a Beatles-like stampede at our doors. If I remember correctly we sold out the near 100 cases of Pinot Noir in about 3 hours. Unfortunately this year there is no Pinot, Eric decided not to make any and he is still trying to decide if he wants to continue with the varietal. I told him he was crazy if he didn't, that K&L alone would take at least half of... Read More » 

Inventory: San Francisco

This is a very well made, very dry style, as the extra brut designation would suggest. 100% pinot noir, it's a perfect bubbly to keep around for the Argentinean wine fan, or sparkling wine completist. 

Inventory: Redwood City

The estate was founded by Jost Schmitt in 1549, and has been in family possession since those days. Riesling is cultivated in some of the prime vineyards in Nierstein, including the classic Hipping. The grandfather of the present owner, also named Franz-Karl Schmitt, was renowned for his striving to produce great wines. He was the first to produce Trockenbeerenauslese in the Rheinhessen around 1900! This Pettenthal Auslese comes from the Roter Hang or "Red Slope", a long hillside of vineyards that sits directly on the Rhein river and is composed of weath... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood

According to Wine & Spirits: "Very rich and creamy, reminiscent of lemon curd and Key lime pie, this is summery and cool, a nice afternoon sipper." 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Inventory: Redwood City

In 1999, The Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt estate celebrated its 650th anniversary (1349–1999). The first documented mention of a vineyard purchase dates back to 1349. In 1978, the Günther Reh family acquired the estate from the Reichsgrafen (imperial counts) of Kesselstatt. Today, Annegret Reh-Gartner and her husband Gerhard Gartner carry on this Riesling tradition. In 1999, the headquarters moved from Palais Keselstatt in Trier to Schloss Marienlay in the Ruwer Valley. No other wine estate in Germany has such an unusually broad spectrum of top vineyards i... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

Stefan Bollig (vintage 1961) is passionately devoted to his work and is a fine example of the new generation of Mosel vintners. The family has been producing wine since the 17th Century, but new cellars and house have been built on the outskirts of Trittenheim. The total holdings of 4 hectares (10 acres) are tended by the family themselves, the steeply sloping vineyards being composed mainly of slatey soil. The 1983 vintage in Germany was given 93 points by the Wine Spectator, and described as "Very fruity, ripe, round; little botrytis. Drink or hold." ... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

Inventory: Redwood City

From Wine Spectator: "There's great intensity to this crisp, tight wine, with lemon-lime citrus notes and shades of grapefruit, white peach and green apple tartness on the finish. Drink now. 340 cases made." (Nov. 30, 2008) 

Inventory: Redwood City

The Riesling Enchenberg is a very mineral-rich wine. The 2002 has 10.5 g of residual sugar which adds an ideal amount of fat to the searing acidity of this wine. Even as a 2002, the wine is still young and would benefit from 2 or 3 years before being drunk. Keep up to 8 - 10 years. 

Inventory: Hollywood

According to the Wine Enthusiast: "All five of the prime red Bordeaux varieties comprise this rich and deep wine that drives on with persistence ... Aromas of currants and raspberry make for a nice nose. The palate is bold with the taste of cherries, the finish sharply focused and herbal." (5/1/2003) 

Inventory: Redwood City

89 points Wine Spectator (08/86) 

Inventory: Redwood City

This Merlot has ripe dense fruit aromas with a touch of oak to round out the aromas. It is very well balanced. The flavors are also forward but smooth and rich, again with a touch of cedar from the oak. The combination of structure, depth and richness makes this 1999 Merlot drinkable now but it could easily age for five to seven years. 

Inventory: Redwood City

Stefan Bollig (vintage 1961) is passionately devoted to his work and is a fine example of the new generation of Mosel vintners. The family has been producing wine since the 17th Century, but new cellars and house have been built on the outskirts of Trittenheim. The total holdings of 4 hectares (10 acres) are tended by the family themselves, the steeply sloping vineyards being composed mainly of slatey soil. The 1983 vintage in Germany was given 93 points by the Wine Spectator, and described as "Very fruity, ripe, round; little botrytis. Drink or hold." ... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

91 points Wine Spectator: "This is still tight, but shows piercing intensity to the lime, mineral, quince and pear flavors. The long, stony finish really reverberates. Could use a little time. Drink now through 2011." (05/07) 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

According to Robert Parker: "This successful 1988 is made from a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Merlot. The nose offers sweet, smoky aromas of herbs and black-cherry fruit. In the mouth, there is an evolved, cedary, earthy, herbal component, rich, medium to full-bodied flavors, and soft tannins, as well as a heady, spicy finish..." (02/92) 

Inventory: Redwood City