One of our real evolving stars in Montalcino this tiny winery is making great wines. The Poggiarellino Rosso di Montalcino is full of complex dark cherry fruit, with nicely evolved notes of tobacco leaf and has layers of what the Italians call sotto bosco (the flavor of the forest floor). On the palate the aromas are interwoven and fleshed out by an unctuous but not fat body and backed up with a core of mineral, stone, earth and truffle in the finish, does that sound complex? 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

La Velona's winery sits in the south east corner of the Montalcino growing zone just outside of the tiny hamlet of Castelnuovo dell'Abate, where it's warmed by the southern exposure and blessed with sunlight from the open view to Mount Amiata across the Orcia river valley. These vineyards always produce fully ripe grapes and 2003 was one of the hottest summers on record in Tuscany. The expectation was that the wines would all be cooked! Vineyard management is not a predictable science - when you're growing sangiovese it is an art form. So when I first ... Read More » 

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Montalcino's most famous single vineyard is the Montosoli hill, Altesino made this name famous when they designated their best Brunello with their northeastern facing vineyard's name, Montosoli. Nello Baricci and his family have lived and farmed sangiovese on their southeastern facing slope of the Montosoli hill since the 1930's. Their wines are pure, supple, lithe and complex; they are full of tobacco, sweet earth, licorice, violets, rosemary and have long and persistent finishes, as evidenced in this fantastic Rosso, meant to drink now and over the nex... Read More » 

91 points Wine Spectator: "Shows sweet blueberry notes, with mineral and lilac. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and vanilla and bright fruit flavors. Clean and racy. Best after 2010." (10/09) The Castello di Nipozzano was built in 1000 in the heart of the Chianti Rufina zone as a fortress. Fortunately for us, its defensive intentions are no longer necessary, and today it is used as the cellar where the Nipozzano wines are made and aged. The rich clay and limestone-rich soils, combined with the dry climate, make for full-bodied, structured fruit, which i... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Rosso di Montalcino too often sits in the shadow of its much bigger brother, Brunello. But some estates put nearly the care and expense into their Rosso as their big guns, and La Fortuna is clearly an example of this sort of winemaking. Intense in terms of fruit, but showing off admirable acidity, this is spicy, full bodied, dry and rich with a softness hiding amid all that tannic structure. A wine to drink while your Brunello ages, yes, but a quality wine nonetheless. From vines 15-25 years of age, aged for one year in barrique, 6 months of this in Fren... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse 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

2007 is a superb vintage that yielded wines full of dense, ripe fruit that have made the critics jump out of their chairs! This wine is simply delicious, the vibrant focused sangiovese softened and tamed with a dab of fresh and fruity merlot = Fortunello!. Bursting with aromas of raspberries and cherries, it is chocolaty with a depth and lingering finish. Made from 90% sangiovese and 10% merlot power and drinkability. Greg St.Clair K&L's Italian Wine Buyer 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

91 points Steve Tanzer "Bright, medium deep red. Pomegranate, redcurrant, cherry pit, sandalwood and a delicate smokiness on the nose; not unlike a high-quality Savigny-les-Beaune. Enters light and easygoing, but the building flavors of raspberry, pomegranate, minerals and underbrush show sneaky concentration and impressive length. This refined wine offers plenty of stuffing yet seems almost weightless, with lively but harmonious acidity nicely lifting the fruit flavors. A beautiful, pure sangiovese in which there's no presence of smoky bitter chocolate,... 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

90 points Wine Spectator "A full-bodied, well-structured version, with crushed black fruit, flowers and oak on the nose and palate, coating the firm tannins and giving a long, controlled finish. Tempting now, but will improve. Best after 2009." According to Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2007 Chianti Classico offers up floral red fruit in a ripe, soft style that is typical of the vintage. Drink this generous, engaging Chianti Classico over the next few years. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2012." (08/09) And finally, from Wine Enthusiast: "Castello di... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

90 points Wine Spectator: "Very pretty, with perfumed blackberry and mineral aromas. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a berry, milk chocolate and cedar aftertaste. A bit lean now, but polished and pretty. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Merlot. Best after 2010."-(10/31/2008). 89 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Tenuta di Castiglioni’s entry-level 2006 Tenuta di Castiglioni is 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Sangiovese and 21% Merlot that spent 12 months in French oak. This plump, juicy wine offers notable harmony in a soft, fruit-driven... 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-furbi... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

This Barbera has been one of out most popular "Bargain Wines" for the last couple of years as well as Top 100 wine in the Wine Spectator. Fontanafredda has done an outstanding job of making a wine with real, vibrant flavors that just jump out of the glass. They've also done an amazing job of softening Barbera's sometime forceful acidity to make this wine supremely pleasant for anyone to drink! Try it with foods from the BBQ or your favorite pasta, it is a real winner! (Greg St.Clair K&L's Italian buyer) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

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

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

The world's most famous pinot grigio strikes again. Crisp and refreshing. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Pasetti's vineyards lie in the heart of Italy's Abruzzo, between the Tirino and Pescara valleys at the foot of Gran Sasso and Maiella. The location's favorable climate, varied terrain and clay chalk and skeleton-rich rocky subsoils result in some of the best wines coming out of Italy today. Made by husband and wife team Franco and Mimma from vineyards at 550 meters above sea level, their Montepulciano d'Abruzzo has a soft, almost sherried nose with subtle chocolate notes. On the palate this wine is powerful, structured and elegant. It is nicely balanced ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

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

92 points Wine Enthusiast "Inspired by the Bordeaux tradition and made from a blend of Cabs Sauvignon and Franc, Burdese is a rich and perfumed wine with penetrating notes of blackberry, currants, tobacco and exotic spice. It is full bodied and concentrated without being overextracted thanks to its vibrant red fruit flavors, silky tannins and long finish." (02/08) 90 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar "Inky, saturated red. Initially tight nose opens slowly to reveal cassis, cedar, sweet spices and minerals. Rich, uncommonly deep blackcurr... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City

"2006 was an exceptional year in Piedmont and allowed these grapes to get an extra level of ripeness with a quasi late harvest. Barbera grapes naturally have high acid so the extra ripeness is easily carried with the great structure in this wine. I find that Barbera not unlike Pinot Noir elevates its aromatics when planted in limestone soils and the complexity in this wine is really unique. The wine is fermented in open topped wooden vats with a touch of carbonic maceration and then moved to Tonneaux the 500 liter barrels a bit bigger than 2 barriques fo... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Gaglioppo is the most important Calabrian grape variety, and if you are as yet uninitiated into the world of Calabrian wines, this is a great place to start exploring. This Gaglioppo-based red is a traditional, strapping, rustic wine with an intense and persistent bouquet of exotic spice and deep, dark fruit. Dry, warm and firmly tannic, it is well-balanced and made for large-scale cuisine like lamb chops with green olives and spicy red pepper. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Bold and forward on the nose with rich impressions of fruit, particularly dark cherry, dried plum and concluding with crisp, sweet almond notes. The attack is clean and fresh, and the palate shows supple tannins and a lengthy progression. Crazy that you get all this for right around ten bucks. According to the Wine Spectator: "Light and fruity, with fresh raspberry and blackberry character. Clean and fresh. Drink now." (10/08) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

I tasted the Villa Schinosa Nero di Troia at Vinitaly this year and was duly impressed by the suppleness and roundness of this wine. Don Ferdinando Capece Minutolo dei Duchi di San Valentino (I'm not kidding that's his name - you should see the business card) and his son Corrado (we'll just call him Corrado) with the help of consulting enologist Cristoforo Pastore have really done a great job. Their winery, Villa Schinosa is just a couple dozen kilometers on your way south of Trani, on the picturesque Golfo di Manfredonia on the Puglian coast. Puglian wi... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood 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: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

The Drusian Family has been producing wine for three generations. It all started with Grandfather Giuseppino in the middle of 19th Century. His son Rino followed… all the way up until 1984, after which Francesco has carried on the duties. He is deeply enchanted by his land and its grapes, and it is thanks to him that certain technological innovations were made at this historic estate. Production at the moment is about 200 thousand bottles a year of Prosecco and Cartizze, thus it is limited in quantity and of an extremely high quality. No pesticides or in... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City

An Editors' Choice, Wine Enthusiast: " Very characteristic of the variety, with perfumes of white flower, citrus, lemon soda and drying mineral tones. The wine offers intensity and precision with focused attention on acidity and citric freshness. Try with fried wontons or eggrolls. (07/09) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse 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

Corte Rugolin's Ripasso style of Valpolicella is produced by refermenting a small amount of Valpolicella Classico on the lee with the sweet wine of their Recioto and Amarone. The resulting red is of superior quality and is remarkably long-lived; it has more body and weight than most Valpolicellas as well as a particularly intense bouquet. Its powerful, assertive character makes it one of the Veneto's great wines, not to mention a considerable value. Ideal with all meat-based dishes, roast game and mature cheeses (try it with pasta tossed in a sauce flavo... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

93 points and a Best Buy, Wine & Spirits: "Ravello is a blend of Falanghina (60 percent) and Biancolella (40 percent) from vineyards terraced into the steep cliffs of the Amalfi Coast. The proximity of the ocean and the region's volcanic soils are apparent in the wine's salty minerality and firm structure. Subtle flavors of kiwi and melon grow profound and savory with air, their length propelled by elegant acidity. Grilled sardines would make a compelling pairing." (06/09) Marisa Cuomo's Ravello Bianco comes from a tiny village on the Amalfi Coast, wher... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City

89 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2007 Chianti Classico is a sweet, super-ripe wine with an enticing core of fruit. The heat of the vintage has filled out the wine nicely. Although the acidity is still relatively high, this doesn't look to be an especially long-lived wine. That should hardly matter, though, as readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this gem. In 2007 the Chianti Classico is a selection of fruit from eleven different vineyards harvested between the end of September and early October. The wine was mostly aged... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

This is the self same grape that goes into Gavi. If you are unfamiliar with the Cortese variety, this is a great place to start. Rich and mouth-filling, with tropical subtle pineapple notes balanced by mineral elements and nice citric acidity. Really, it's got something for everyone and works equally well with food or without. 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the nebbiolo (the main grape of Barolo and Barbaresco), here is a way to experiment with the varietal at half the price or more. The wine is full of the classic nebbiolo aromas of dried roses, truffle, and smoke with hints of earth. Lots of richness, loads of fruit, and a long finish, tannin but very well integrated! Drink now or age for a few more years, try it with risotto with Porcini, smoked pheasant ravioli, or Stracotto del Barolo 

Inventory: Main Warehouse

According to the Wine Enthusiast: "This Prosecco-based sparkler (with fruit from outside the traditional Prosecco zone) offers creamy froth and sweet notes of peach, mint leaf and almond nut. It has medium intensity, nice crispness..." (12/15/2007) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Delicious, lively and very aromatic! Gallura is a peninsula on the northeast corner of the island of Sardinia that specializes in Vermentino (the grape is also grown on the coast of mainland Italy, on Corsica and in the south of France under the name Rolle). Mancini's version of the grape is very fresh and forward, with no oak or malolactic fermentation aromas, just grapejuice fermented at low temperature in stainless steel for the aromas. Drink either as an aperitif or with seafood (prawns with pasta?) Finishes with a delightful touch of tangerine. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

I Perazzi was created to be unlike most other Morellino's which see little or no time in oak. The blend of I Perazzi is more expressive and better demonstrates the potential of the terroir. It also hints towards what the top wine from the estate called Aragone. I Perazzi is named after the fruit trees that grow on the estate and bear a pear like fruit, which is depicted on the label. 

Inventory: Hollywood

The 'Toast of Venice' ! This superb sparkling wine has a richness you don't find in similarly priced California sparklers. Thick, creamy mousse and superb finish make this Prosecco an outstanding wine. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

This Rosso di Montalcino (100% Sangiovese) is similar in nature and character to Brunello, at a fraction of the price. It possesses a deep ruby red color, and a soft richness that balances its fresh bouquet. It spends its first year maturing in oak, lending it some complexity for further aging. Once bottled it will comfortably mature over the next three to five years, growing still finer and more elegant. Pair with dishes such as pasta al ragu, fowl, truffles, and all meat courses. 

Inventory: Hollywood

2007 is just an outstanding vintage in Chianti and, for that matter, most of Italy. La Massa's owner/winemaker Giampaolo Motta's spectacular position in Panzano's legendary Conca d'Oro vineyard slope allows him to get the highest quality grapes on a regular basis, but for this year it was a embarrassment of riches. His 2007 La Massa is 60% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and it spent 14 months in small French oak barrels (20% new) with bâtonnage and micro-oxygenation, emulating Giampaolo's favorite Bordeaux. The 2006 La Massa IGT was a... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

Diego Bolognani is a brilliant and energetic winemaker from Trentino, not far from the Austrian border. His Moscato Giallo (known as gold muskateller in Austria) is hugely aromatic, with ripe peach, white flowers and honeydew melon. This is an outstanding dry example of the varietal, and makes wonderful aperitifs, and is also very good with cured or smoked meats such as the local 'Speck' ham. 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City

3 Glasses Gambero Rosso! According to the Wine Spectator: "There's ripe currant and a hint of vanilla on the nose and palate. Full-bodied, with unobtrusive, fruit-coated tannins and a dense, balanced and lingering finish. Shows depth. Delicious. Drink now. 500 cases made." 89 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2005 Nero d’Avola Deliella from Principi di Buttera is a plump, juicy wine packed with varietal red fruits, mint, sweet toasted oak and flowers. This plump, juicy wine reveals tons of length in a polished, contemporary style, with sweet n... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

According to the Wine Spectator: "Balanced and silky, with blackberry and raspberry character. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a fresh finish. Needs to soften a little. Give it time. Sangiovese, with a dash of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. Best after 2008." (10/07) 

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One of Bon Appetit's Great Bargain Bottles! Marco Tintero is the proud owner of all 23 hectares in production from the Sori Gramella vineyard. (Apparently there is one other who owns one hectare but drinks all his production himself.) These are dramatically steep limestone cliffs facing southward. Moscato should be fresh and luxurious on the palate like this one, which shows ripe, juicy flavors of lime zest, apple skin, and pear. The finish is impeccably clean and refreshing. In fact, this is a perfectly balanced Moscato with a very light straw color, al... Read More » 

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According to the Wine Spectator: "...simple and light, but some attractive raisin, plum and cedar character. Medium body. Light finish. Drink now." (Web only, 2007) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Ripe, extracted and full of warmth, this Barbera offers layers of red and black fruit notes such as currant, plum and raisins with spice and chocolate rounding out the mid palate. The finish is long and rich. Serve with lamb or pasta in a rich meat sauce. Aged in oak for one year. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

This one's a greatly structured wine with deep red ruby color with pomegranate at the edge. It has a bouquet of red ripe fruits, especially cherry and bitter cherry, with spicy notes. The taste is full and round with persistent flavors of marmalade, vanilla, coffee and licorice. Aged in 20-hectolitre bay oak barrels for more than 24 months. Excellent with roasted meat and game, grilled meat, seasoned cheese and salami. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City

Ah, Piedmont! Home to Italy's most long-lived reds: Barolo and Barbaresco. Piedmont also lays claim to this frothy number, a semi-sweet sparkling wine that shares as much in common with Barolo as a turnip does with a root beer float. To begin with, there's the preponderance of wild strawberry fruit, and the effervescent goodness that is not totally dissimilar to Moscato, only this one is pink. Deep pink. Gulpable pink. And a nice note of acidity on the finish prevents tooth aches. After a certain age it is unseemly to drink cherry soda pop in public. Go ... Read More » 

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The Bronca sisters grow their own fruit in steep hillside vineyards, then make their own base wine and perform the secondary (sparkling) fermentation three or four times a year (to ensure freshness). Low yields and hillside-grown fruit ensures that the wine has good concentration and acidity, this last necessary to balance the traditional Extra-Dry level of sweetness. (Extra-Dry is slightly less dry than Brut, confusingly. Both terms are used to describe the amount of sweetness in sparkling wines. The Prosecco drunk in Italy is always Extra-Dry; the pear... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City

While perhaps most famous for their elegant baroli, Vietti also makes phenomenal, fresh barbera like this 2006 Barbera d'Asti "Tre Vigne." From young vineyards in Agliano d'Asti, averaging about 10 years old, comes this mineral-kissed wine bursting with ripe red cherry notes on the nose and palate. The quintessential Piemontese food wine, the Barbera "Tre Vigne" shows refreshing acidity and well-integrated tannins that will make it an excellent accompaniment to antipasti, grilled vegetables, hearty soups and lighter meat dishes. 

Inventory: Hollywood San Francisco

90 points Wine Spectator: "Shows sliced apple aromas, turning to flowers. Full-bodied, with mineral and honey character, fresh acidity and a bright finish. Try this over Pinot Grigio. Drink now." (07/09) ETA: Wine is due in Sept 10, 2009 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

According to Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Proprietor Peppe Mancini co-founded the Vestini Campagnano winery, but left in 2003 to pursue his own project, Terra del Principe. Mancini is largely responsible for the resurgence of interest in three of Campania's indigenous varieties; Pallagrello Bianco, Pallagrello Nero and Casavecchia, ancient grapes that were once prized by prior generations but were allowed to lapse into obscurity. Mancini's first career was the law, but he and his wife Manuela Piancastelli, a respected local journalist, seem to have fo... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood San Francisco