#1 on the "Top 100 Best Buys of 2009" and 90 points from Wine Enthusiast: "Continues the solid trend of this label producing some of the best values in California. Dry, crisp and delicious, with mineral-infused flavors of oranges, honeysuckle and buttered toast. A blend of Malvasia Bianca, Muscat Canelli, Viognier and Roussanne." (10/09) Once owned by the rapscallion Randall Graham of Bonny Doon fame, the Big House label has gone through many permutations over the years, but none of its wines has ever achieved the level of success of the 2008 Big House ... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City

From Wine Spectator: "Offers baked cherry pie, with rhubarb and blueberry, showing a wonderful fruit profile that's spicy, elegant and easy to drink. Great balance. Drink now. 35,000 cases made." (Web only, 2009) When James Laube blogged about Redtree Pinot Noir, we were all left sitting with cartoon-y question marks floating above our heads. Redtree? But for once Wine Spectator actually put a wine on our radar before their score and review made it scarce. Usually it is exactly the opposite - by the time Spectator or Parker or any of the myriad of other... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

This is a wonderfully delicious wine bursting with juicy pear, green apple and citrus flavors. A touch of barrel fermentation adds a kiss of spice to the mix. By sourcing fruit from less expensive regions they have produced a quality wine at a bargain price. This is your perfect party chardonnay. Specially bottled for K&L by a Mendocino winery. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

A unique blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Syrah and 20% Zinfandel from vineyards in the Sierra Foothills, Lodi, the Central Coast and North Coast AVAs. Urbanite Cellars is a new label from Vinos Unicos importer Luis Moya. The Redart follows the Old World tradition of easy-drinking table wines, and wow is it! This wine shows excellent freshness of fruit, spice, lively acidity and seems to dance across the palate. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City

Another beautiful zinfandel from the folks at Shenandoah Vineyards in Amador County! There's plenty of fruit, moderate tannins and juicy acidity harmonizing like the Beach Boys. Lower in alcohol than many modern zins (14.2%), this is light enough to enjoy with a good burger at lunch, but complex enough for the evening's braised short ribs over parsnip puree. 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Crisp, clean, fast and racy, this brand spanking new 2008 brings a riper style with the lean, crisp grapefruit, lychee nut and herbs. This is a high impact wine with an elegant, pure Sauvignon Blanc finish. 100% stainless steel fermentation and zero time in barrel. This is a summertime wine if ever there was one. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Voted one of the "Top 100 Best Buys of 2008" by Wine Enthusiast Magazine: "Somehow, this California winery manages to put out the best budget Syrah in all of Washington State. Pure varietal, this excellent bottle brings clean berry fruit, natural acids and moderate tannins into play, with none of the bizarrely sweet vanilla and tobacco flavors that typically show up on Yellowtail wannabes. This wine just wants to be what it is--affordable, juicy and nicely representative of the higher acid, food-ready flavors of Washington state grapes." (12/31/2008) Th... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

Great stocking stuffers! From Robert Parker's "Value Issue:" "The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Amber Knolls area is a good value Cabernet showing black currant fruit with some cherries, spice, and earth. This is an attractive wine with good ripeness and certainly a fair price. These are value-priced wines from one of the Beckstoffer family who has planted vineyards up in Lake County." (Aug. 2008) Seventy Five Wine Company is the priced-for-consumption label from Tuck Beckstoffer, revered vineyard manager and winemaker. The Beckstoffer family purchase... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

You can't even get Marietta's Old Vine cuvee on their website, this wine is in such high demand. A Zinfandel blend that is fun, fresh and full bodied. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

90 points in the Wine Advocate's "Value Issue": "2007 Chenin Blanc/Viognier is a beauty, very perfumed (flowers, melons, tropical fruits), medium-bodied, super pure, with no oak and a dry, crisp finish. Drink it over the next year." (08/08) And, according to Wine Spectator: "Offers pretty jade blossom and peach aromas, with subtle green apple, pebble and lime flavors. Drink now." (07/08) A truly fabulous California blend - combing the best of the Loire and the best of the Rhône to create a wine as light and sun-drenched as the Golden State. White flower... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City

Who knew recession-buster cab could taste so good? This is a great everyday drinker that smells a bit like a mocha toffee latte served with a bowl of fresh blueberries. These aromas carry over to the palate, whcih has good depth and lots of juicy fruit with dollop of oak spice. A Bon Appetit Magazine Great Bargain Bottle: "Blueberry, blackberry, and chocolate flavors balance this Cabernet's spicy notes." (01/09) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

This wine's got fruit, fruit and more fruit! Like Chiquita Banana (without the banana) Edna Valley's 2007 "Paragon" Chardonnay is packed with aromas and flavors of pineapple, mango, peach and Bosc pear. Exotic vanilla and coconut flavors playfully mingle with leesy richness and bright acidity on the finish. From a cooler climate, the wine makes you think of warm summer days from start to finish. 89 points Wine Spectator: "A rich, smoky style, with ripe pear, fig and honeydew melon fruit that's smooth and fleshy. This is well-balanced and medium- to full... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood

The 2008 vintage in Edna Valley was fantastic, and sit shows on this bright, value-priced Chardonnay. Warm days, cool nights and steady buy mild winds helped the grapes develop fully but slowly. Partial barrel fermentation, partial malo and extended lees contact give this wine an incredible texture with plenty of acidity to keep it food friendly. It tends toward the tropical, with pineapple, guava and peach aromas and flavors touched off by Tahitian vanilla, cinnamon and colve spice with a streak of minerality. A lot of complexity for a $10 bottle. 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

According to Wine Enthusiast: "Here’s a likeable Chard, with peach, pear and fig flavors that have a distinctly herbal edge, like dried sage. Turns buttery and vanilla-y on the finish." (04/08) And, according to the Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine: "In a day and age when Chardonnay can be too ripe or too high in acidity, here is a wine that somehow gets it right even with its own flirtations with extra ripeness. Its aromas of green apples fit nicely with hints of creamy oak and sweet blossoms, and its firm, quietly fruity flavors are both likeable... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

According to the Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine: "24% Petite Sirah. The rather pushy form of Petite Sirah shows in this wine, and it helps separate its blocky, spicy, dried blackberry character from most other inexpensive Zinfandels. This wine has both body and evident tannin to go with its noticeably ripe and rustic personality, and whereas wines at this price tend towards easy simplicity, this one is raring to take on heavier dishes. GOOD VALUE." (01/08) 

Inventory: Redwood City

A crowd-pleasing blend of attention-grabbing excitement, the Hey Mambo Sultry Red is undeniably a rare find. The 2007 vintage is an ensemble of Syrah, Barbera, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Malbec, and Alicante Bouchet grapes. The deep color of uncut-rubies, this bistro wine features nostalgic aromas of black cherry jam, tobacco barns, and sweet leather, thanks to Syrah and old-world style Barbera. This sultry red has both depth and texture with an intense palate of dense berries, like boysenberry and cassis, courtesy of the Petite Sirah. The Zinfandel, Malbe... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

As noted in Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Columbia Crest, owned by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, has long been known for the quality of its value-priced wines." (10/09) And who isn't loving value right now?? Once again, in this balanced and lip-smackingly good 2008, Columbia Crest really delivers. Apple, lemon zest and tropical notes of mango and pineapple form the core of this fruit-forward wine. But it's not just about delicious fruit salad here. There is also vanilla, toast and a touch of balancing minerality and acid. An ideal everyday Chardonnay, pr... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

For the second vintage in a row, the Magnificent Wine Compnay's "House Wine" Columbia Valley Red was named a "Best Value" by the Wine Spectator, which wrote: "Fresh, open-textured and distinctive for its peppery raspberry flavors that linger gently. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and others. Drink now." (07/08) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse San Francisco

Another victory vintage in Mark West's never-ending fight to make Pinot for the people Fresh strawberry and raspberry aromas are rounded out by enticing spice scents, all of which continue onto the palate. In the mouth, the cherry cola and pie spice flavors and easy-drinking texture are exactly what you want in an every-night Pinot Noir. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Joel Gott is an amazing entrepreneur who believes that good wines shouldn't cost a fortune. It shows in every wine he makes, but is especially clear with this fun, fresh, tropical Sauvignon Blanc. Easy to drink and guaranteed fresh, since it's sealed with a screw cap, though we doubt it will sit on your wine rack long. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Winemaker August Briggs made only 1,250 cases of this superb value in Sauvignon Blanc with fruit sourced entirely from the Russian River Valley. The bouquet offers notes of lemon zest, grapefruit, melon, fig and honey. On the palate, these flavors follow with a round, creamy texture supported by good acidity that leads to a tangy refreshing finish. At this price, you'll want a case. (Jim Chanteloup, K&L Wine Merchants) 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

90% Syrah, 10% Zinfandel, pure Dry Creek Valley. This kitten is a fun and delicious pale red wine with flavors of strawberry and dark cherry. The rosé is bone dry, with rosés on the nose and subtle pepper on the finish. The grapes were picked solely to be used in this rosé, so the alcohol is low, the flavors are sharp and the acidity is lively. Perfect with salumi, fruits, chocolate or picnics! 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

An everyday Merlot showing fruit aromas of blackberry, blueberry, raspberry and cassis that are joined by notes of vanilla, hazelnut, milk chocolate and caramel from months of oak aging. The wine is soft and round in the mouth, the abundance of fruit present in the nose is replicated and lingers in the clean finish. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Stephen Vincent Wines is a partnership between Stephen Vincent Situm, marketing guru behind such brands as Mondavi, J. Lohr and Louis Roederer, founder of La Crema, Bob Goyette, vineyard manager Hossein Namdar and sales and marketing master Stephen Vincent Situm III. Together these men have 100 years of experience in different facets of the wine business and they seek to use that experience to create exceptional wines at super-attractive prices—like this California Cabernet. Made from fruit sourced from the Central Coast (70%) and Sonoma County (30%... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse

Part of the Rutherford Wine Company, the Calfiornia Cab is the latest addition to the company's portfolio. Priced for everyday drinking, this full-bodied Cab (with small additions of Malbec, Merlot and Petite Verdot for a structure, color and fruit boost) smells land tastes like cherry creme brulee. Firm tannins and a long, sweet finish make this an ideal accompaniment to steaks, burgers or stews. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

A world wide brand, Laely Heron makes wines in three different countries, each with a full sense of varietal character and balance. The 2007 Chardonnay blends fruit from the Russian River, Carneros and Santa Maria, fermented in half stainless and half French oak. The resulting wine is surprisingly Meurseult-like with vibrant pear, lemon and orange fruit with just a hint of vanilla on the finish. Bright, but with a delicate mid-palate this wine would be the perfect accompaniment to seafood, pasta primavera, roasted chicken or spinach lasagna. 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

89 points and a Best Values designation from the Wine Spectator: "Supple and inviting. A softer style of Cabernet that weaves milk chocolate and spice flavors through the dark berry and currant flavors, mingling effectively on the finish. Drink now through 2012." (05/09) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

90 points and an "Editors' Choice" from Wine Enthusiast: "A fine, dry Sauvignon Blanc. Dry and crisp in acidity with flavors of lemon, limes, figs, vanilla, honeysuckle and a nice tangy streak of lemongrass. No oak was applied but the richness of the lees shows in the butter cream." (08/09) One of the surprise finds of 2008 were the wines from a smallish winery in Paso Robles called Viña Robles. Some of you may remember the 2007 Sauvignon Blanc and the 2006 Petite Sirah that we were pushing in the fall and winter of 2008. We think that the 2008 vintage o... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City

This is not a wine for pondering, but a wine for drinking now with friends. A blend of zinfandel, carignan and merlot grown in family-owned vineyards in Sonoma County. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Consistently a great value wine for California Chardonnay fans, the Bogle Chard undergoes partial malo and barrel fermentation, but it has a good dose of acidity to keep the wine from becoming cloying. Buttery and rich with apple and pear aromas and flavors touched off with nutmeg and vanilla, finishing with a little hint of Werther's Original. According to Wine Spectator: "Fresh and lively, full-bodied and smooth-textured, with vibrant green apple, melon, ripe pear and honeysuckle ending with a long, full finish. Drink now through 2011." (11/09) 

Inventory: San Francisco

A stainless steel fermented Chardonnay that's aged in French oak, this affordable California white is rich and sweet with buttered guava paste aromas that carry over to the palate. A Best Buy, Wine Enthusiast: "Great price for a Chardonnay this rich and tasty. It has a buttery, creamy texture, framing tart flavors of pineapples, peaches and vanilla oak." (12/09) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse San Francisco

A "Best Values" designation from Wine Spectator Magazine: "Vivid passion fruit, lime peel, guava and quince flavors are refreshingly juicy and light-bodied, with good focus and a distinctive mineral note. Drink now." (Aug. 31, 2009) Made by Mason Cellars in Oakville, this is always a sure-fire bet for a herbaceous, fresh Sauv Blanc for summer sipping. From Wine & Spirits Magazine: "Scents of green fig and fresh cut grass fill this light, herbal sauvignon. Chill it for a salad of goat cheese and green zebra tomatoes." 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

Husch has been making Sauvignon Blanc since 1980 and the practice shows. Loyal fans will be pleased with the 2008, and it surely has the chance to win over some new ones too. Meyer lemon, grapefruit, kiwi and honeydew aromas give way to a complex palate fresh with flint, lemon curd and cantaloupe underscored by a run-through-the-grass herbaceousness that complements rather than overpowers the fruit. Crisp and refreshing, this is equally at home with line-caught halibut or spicy curry. 

Inventory: San Francisco

For fans of Syrah's intensity, but also of subtle nuance and elegance. This isn't your usual in-your-face CA Syrah, but something like liquid chantilly lace to pair with dinner. According to Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Deep red. Red and dark berry aromas are brightened by cracked pepper and black tea. Light-bodied red raspberry and cherry flavors are pleasantly bitter, with good back-end snap. I'm not sure that I'd guess this to be syrah (there's a pinot-like delicacy to it) but it's pleasantly clean and brisk." (Nov/Dec '08) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City

Part of the Rutherford Wine Company portfolio, this is the premier vintage of Lander-Jenkins Chardonnay. Crisp and bright on the nose, with hints of orange zest, apricot and vanilla notes. In the mouth, this fuller-bodied Chardonnay has pear and stone fruit flavors touched off by a creamy, vanilla-kissed finished. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

McManis Family Vineyards is currently the only winery in the recently named River Junction appellation, at the confluence of the San Joaquin and Stanislaus Rivers (near Lodi). Temperatures here remain, on average, a few degrees cooler than other Central Valley areas and large deposit of Grangeville fine sandy loam soils, allowing the grapes to ripen more slowly. Most of the fruit for the petite sirah comes from here, though a small portion of the grapes are sourced from other sites. This is a big wine with a royal purple color and jammy, boysenberry arom... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City

A silver medal winner at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the 2006 Stephen Vincent Merlot is a value-driven blend of fruit from Monterey and Sonoma. This full-bodied wine shows bold plum and berry flavors with velvety smooth tannins and a kiss of French oak. Approachable and affordable, this is a great wine for every day drinking. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse

Yes, inexpensive Pinot Noir can be delicious! McManis's is a case in point. This 2008 shows aromas of cherry, strawberry and raspberry accompanied by hints of vanilla and cocoa. Round and soft in the mouth, with bright red berry flavors, fruit and oak are well balanced in the finish. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

If you read a lot of tasting notes, like we do, you'll see the name Wente pop up time and time again. That's because the Wente family has been making wines in California for more than a century, and they have developed many of their own clonal selections, which have wound up in many of the State's top wines. The "Morning Fog" Chardonnay comes mostly from Livermore vineyards that are draped in the heavy blanket of of fog that rolls off the San Francisco Bay in the mornings. That maritime climate, in tandem with a combination of barrel and stainless steel... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood

Rosenblum's Vintner's Cuvee XXXI is quintessential California Zin - it's berry good. Raspberry, cherry and blackberry aromas and flavors are touched off with vanilla nuances and bright acidity to keep it fresh and food-friendly. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Bogle has long been producing affordable, approachable Zinfandels, and this Old Vine iteration, made from vines ranging between 40 and 80 years of age, is no exception. The fruit comes from vineyards in Lodi, Amador County and Fiddletown and is aged for 10 months in American oak. It's a concentrated wine with jammy briar fruit aromas and flavors, plus notes of spicy black pepper, Scharffenberger chocolate, pipe tobacco and vanilla that's perfect for barbecue and take-out alike. 

Inventory: San Francisco

Fans of this Loire Valley varietal aren't thrown by this wine's moderate price point - they know that great wine can come in a less expensive bottle. Dry Creek Vineyard has been making dry Chenin Blanc for more than 30 years and each vintage they set themselves apart from the masses with this wine. The first vintage sealed with a screw cap, this is refreshing and fresh, with citrus and stone fruit aromas and flavors, bright acidity and a tropical finish. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse

When Dominick and Gloria Chirichillo were choosing a name for their winery, they wanted something that reflected their commitment to their Italian heritage and to traditional family winemaking. Dominick was given a small wine press by his grandfather, Domenico Giovinazzo, back in 1955, igniting the flame in a New York basement. Dominick and his wife Gloria now make Cal-Ital wines like this Montepulciano from grapes grown at select vineyards in Napa, the Alexander Valley, the Russian River Valley, Amador County, the Sonoma Coast, Lodi and the Santa Cruz M... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

There's a reason Arnold Schwarzenegger petitioned to get Zinfandel named the California State varietal - the red is ideally suited to much of our diverse state. The challenge comes in deciding which of the State's incredible vineyards to source from for an affordable wine that combines and showcases these diverse growing regions to their best potential. Cline's California Zin does that - using fruit from Lodi, Contra Costa and Sonoma. Spicy and juicy with jammy cherry and raspberry fruit and plenty of sweet oak spice. And of course because it's Cline, it... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse

Pellegrini's "Family Blend" is a delightful combination of Zinfandel, Merlot and Carignan that's imminently gulpable and a great value! According to Wine Enthusiast: " Simple and rustic but perfect for backyard grilling, this Zinfandel, Merlot and Carignane blend is robust, tannic and superripe in berry-cherry and spice flavors. Cries out for rich BBQ sauce." (11/08) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse

The Viano Vineyards "Private Stock" Cabernet comes from estate vineyards located about halfway betweem Napa and Livermore. Exposed to the cooling influences of the San Francisco Bay, the site boasts warm days and cool nights. Aged for eight months in American and French oak, this wine has plummy, dark berried fruit with hints of spice and supple tannins. Packs a wallop for $7.99. 

Inventory: San Francisco

This wine exposes the fresh, ripe, jam-like fruit that is the calling card of California wine. Three saucy grapes make up the blend. Zinfandel adds a juicy character, Merlot mellows and Cabernet adds backbone. Forward, spicy and soft, this delicious dalliance makes the perfect trio. 

Inventory: San Francisco

According to Wine Spectator: "Tart and zesty, with plum and smoky licorice aromas and easygoing cherry and spice flavors." (06/08) This affordable zin is an easy-drinker that pairs well with burgers, barbecue or fried chicken! 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

Tremendous tropical flavors of guava and papaya dominate the style but a nice streak of citrus helps keep this terrific 60/40 blend of grenache blanc and viognier focused. A clean and bright finish keep this wine perky and it never gets cloying or flabby like so many viognier-based wines do. This is great as a warm weather refresher or even better with spicy Asian foods. (Keith Mabry, K&L Hollywood) 

Inventory: Hollywood

2007 is easily one of the best years for sauvignon blanc in the past decade. This easy-on-your-wallet, California-sunshine kissed sauvignon blanc will delight as an aperitif after a long day at work and work equally well with your shrimp scampi or fig and gorgonzola salad. Lemon-lime aromas open up on the palate, revealing tangy Ruby red grapefruit, tangelo and lime flavors with bright acidity that keeps the fruit from becoming cloying. 

Inventory: Main Warehouse