We tasted this Champagne and liked it when it was expensive, but didn't feel that it offered great value at that high price. After months of going back and forth, we ended up with a better deal than we thought possible and bought everything the distributor had. This is a wine cut from the Ace of Spades cloth (which we sell for $269), both in production (the Ace is also a brand made by a separate producer) and in flavor. It is made entirely from the first press juice of a strict selection of Beaumont des Crayeres 212 acres of vines. It is very well balanc... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

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

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse San Francisco

This is a collaboration between Vueve Clicquot and the luxury Italian boat designer Riva. It is gorgeous packaging, like the sort of thing James Bond might own. Ad of course, the wine is amazing, too. 93 points and 2 Puffs from the Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine: "64% Pinot Noir; 36% Chardonnay. Seemingly a bit livelier than the typical Grande Dame, but still a rich wine based on its Pinot Noir heritage, it combines an admirably strong mousse with plenty of acidity and a dried toffee, nutty overlay of burgeoning complexity. Lovely." (12/08) 92 p... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood

90 points Wine Spectator: "Delicate in style, with fine bubbles and apple, wheat beer and mineral flavors. Precise and intense, this is balanced, with a lingering aftertaste of chalk. Drink now through 2012" (11/09) K&L's notes: This very friendly and open non-vintage Champagne is composed of 70% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay and 10% Meunier. (Gary Westby, K&L) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

This fantastic Champagne was made by De Meric as a tribute to Mr. Rene Collard, and it is one of the greatest Champagnes that we stock at any price. It is made exclusively from biodynamic meunier from the village of Crouttes-sur-Marne in the western part of Champagne. It was aged in old, small oak casks before bottling in 2003. The color is a gorgeous light gold, with an amazingly compact and powerful bead. On the nose it is explosively spicy with caramel apple and freshly-toasted bread notes heading a long list of adjectives. On the palate it is savory,... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

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

The Moutard-Dilligent family has a lot of experience growing grapes and making wine in Champagnes Cote de Bar area- they have been doing it since the 1600's! This very tasty Champagne is a blanc de noir made entirely from Pinot Noir harvested from vines of 10 to 20 years old and given three years of ageing on the lees. In the glass it has a pale color with a hint of gold from the Pinot Noir and a slow, spiraling bead. The wine is very savory on the nose, and reminds me of Cotes de Beaune Burgundy with Champagne brioche integrated perfectly into the aroma... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Dom Perignon reserve! This Champagne comes from the wine library or "Oenotheque" of Moet & Chandon. Much like the Bollinger RD's, this Dom has been allowed to age on its lee's for an extra 5 years compared to the original release of the vintage. It has been given the time that it needs, and has blossomed into a full bodied, toasty, elegant Champagne. It is the perfect bottle for the most important gifts! -Gary Westby, K&L 

Inventory: Hollywood

This Champagne is a blend of 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay from organic, estate vineyards. Mr. Brulez sells two-thirds of his grapes, and keeps the best third to make only vintage Champagne. He is the chairman of the Dijon University Alumni Association, and looks more to Burgundy than to Reims for inspiration. One of my top quality-to-price picks for the entire Champagne department, this wine has it all. It has a very pale straw color and the generous aromatics remind me of many of the great 1990 Champagnes when they were young. It has aromas of sour... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City

Mr. Brulez sells two-thirds of his grapes, and keeps the best third to make only vintage Champagne. He is the chairman of the Dijon University Alumni Association, and looks more to Burgundy than to Reims for the inspiration for his wines. There is not much more festive than a magnum of Vintage Champagne. The fact that this is meticulously crafted, and heavily discounted, makes it a particularly fun addition on your holiday gatherings! 

Inventory: Hollywood

A great price for a Magnum of one of the best Champagnes in the world! Wine is due in middle of October. 995 points Wine Spectator: "A powerful, well-toned Champagne, featuring coconut, toast, grapefruit and coffee aromas and flavors. There are plenty of bass notes, punctuated by crisp acidity, and it all comes together on the fine texture with an aftertaste of roasted hazelnut and coffee. Drink now through 2014." (11/09) 92 points and 2 stars from the Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine: "Is it too old or just right? Very few sparkling wines of an... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

We were able to get a tiny allocation of magnums of this ultra-rare cuvée! The rest of the tiny production of this wine goes to Les Crayreres, the best restaurant in Reims, which many foodies say is the best restaurant in the world. It is also sold to Guy Savoy in Paris, a Michelin three-star in contention for the same honor. I have been lucky enough to have this wine twice in Champagne and it is second to none. I feel that it is in the very highest bracket of Champagne and should be treated like a $300 bottle (choose your occasion wisely!) even though i... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

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

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

If you remember the 1995, 1997 and 1998 you will be very happy with this 2001. It is more of the same, but with even better purity and length. I think it is the best vintage yet from this, our smallest producer. He owns less than 8 acres! Composed of 60% meunier and 40% pinot noir with no malolactic fermentation, it has an intense red fruit nose. The flavors are big, broad and very unique. For lovers of a rich style this wine will not let you down. The Champagne has plenty of toastiness but also an elegant bead and a bright finish. A micro production ba... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood