Old and Rare Wine

According to the Wine Spectator: "Forward and delicious, with very good richness. Shows vanilla, cream and apple character, with very rich flavors and very good concentration. Drink now." (08/91) 

Inventory: Main Warehouse

92 points Robert Parker: "The 1999 Chardonnay Michaud Vineyard boasts a stunning nose of roasted nuts, minerals, tropical fruits, and honeyed citrus. This full-bodied effort is reminiscent of a Batard-Montrachet in its richness, opulence, and minerality. This dense, exquisitely concentrated, and pure wine should drink well for 4-5 years. Brilliant!" (06/02) 90 points Wine Spectator: "Smooth-textured, with polished, graceful, pure pear, fig, citrus and hazelnut flavors that are rich and creamy, finishing lots of finesse and spiciness. Drink now through 2... Read More » 

94-96 points Robert Parker: "Hints of ripe pears, lemon butter, tangerines, and crushed rocks emerge from the 2004 Chardonnay Vine Hill Vineyard, an elegant yet authoritatively flavored effort with a striking minerality, zesty acidity, and a spectacular finish. The good news is that there are 2,700 cases of this cuvee." (12/05) 92 points Wine Spectator: "Complex, with a roasted marshmallow edge from toasty oak. There's a medium-bodied mix underneath of sleek citrus-infused pear, anise, melon and hazelnut flavors that linger and turn elegant. Drink now t... Read More » 

Inventory: San Francisco

Lovely and unabashedly light to medium bodied, this is Pinot for the true Pinot lover, not the sort that thinks Pinot should be pitch black in color and taste like Syrah! Warm earth and mature red cherry aromas lead to a hint of truffle and a very evolved palate impression. Classic and still relatively high toned. Ready to go now as a match for strong cheeses. 

Inventory: Main Warehouse

90 points Wine Spectator: "Still unyielding at age 10. Firm, dark andintense, chunky and chewy, with gritty tanninswrapped around a core of stewed plum and blackcherry, with dashes of mineral and sage. Turns dryand tannic, but offers lots of substance anddepth.--California Cabernetretrospective. Best from 2002 through 2012. 5,725 cases made." (02/01) According to Robert Parker: "the 1990 Insignia is an extremely strong wine. It offers rich, cassis fruit, less body and density than in the 1991, and spicy flavors. It should drink well for 10-14 years." (0... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse

91 points from Robert Parker: "Pichon-Baron continues to build on the success it established in the late eighties with its three consecutive top-notch vintages of 1988, 1989, and 1990. The initial impression of the 1995 is one of extraordinarily pure cassis fruit. I had this wine on three occasions, and while it does not measure up to the 1989 or 1990, it possesses an expansive mid-section, superb ripeness, medium body, and high tannin in the impressively long finish. The wine is backward, but the low acidity and high extract should come together to crea... Read More » 

Inventory: San Francisco

91 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec 08: "Bright gold with a fine bead. Smoky, powerfully scented bouquet displays lemon custard, buttery brioche and dried flowers. A spicy, focused midweight, offering juicy pear and mineral flavors and a late note of bitter lemon zest. Gains power with air and finishes with lingering pear and mineral notes. This is complex enough to drink now." 90 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2002 Millesime Brut is a beautiful, poised wine that artfully balances fruit and structure. The fruit reve... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City 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

While the renowned 1996 vintage Brut from Fleury has taken much of the acclaim, the 1995 is not to be overlooked. Even at this point, the 1996 is still tight while the 1995 expands upon the palate with bright, tart cherry fruit with hints of mandarian oranges when it is first opened. In the background, stone fruits, apple butter and nutmeg spice. As an added bonus, Fleury Champagne is biodynamic and has a long history of "green" farming methods. The entire estate was converted to biodynamics by 1992. "We leave the earth to our children," has been the say... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Do you have enough of the great 1996 Champagne vintage in your cellar? Probably not! This wonderful Blanc de Noir is made exclusively from Pinot Noir grown on the family's estate in Ecuiel, a Premier Cru on the "Petite Montagne." It has a dark hay color, with a very generous nose of brioche, porcini mushroom and savory, smoky Pinot fruit. On the palate it is very concentrated with an ultra long, pure, driven 1996 finish. This is a great deal for those of you who love the big personality of a blanc de noir and the great persistence of the 1996 vintage. (G... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Colheita is basically a tawny port from a single vintage, matured in oak casks for at least 7 years although most are aged in oak for a lot longer. Both the harvest year and the bottling date are mentioned on the label. This 1983 Coheita was bottled by Wiese & Krohn (names of the two Norwegian founders of the firm), who are best known for their Colheitas. Robert Parker counts 1983 as amoung the best Port vintages of the previous century, rating it 92 points and ready to drink. The delicate, nutty flavours in this wine make it a perfect dessert wine fo... Read More » 

Inventory: 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

92 points Wine Enthusiast "Opaque with a dark brooding nose. Great, if somewhat hidden, depth of fruit and excellent balance: the fruit-acid-tannin triangle is textbook perfect. Very tight now, this is a keeper for sure. Try to avoid touching it for three to five years. Some day it will drink like a $50 bottle. Will keep till 2015." (5/1/1999) 90(+?) points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Good dark red-ruby color. High-toned aromas of violet, dried flowers and spearmint. Ripe, juicy red berry and dried flower flavors given clarity by sound ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse

93 points Robert Parker: "The sensational black/purple-colored 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon 16th Anniversary Release is closed, but its emerging aromas of charcoal, blackberries, cassis, and minerals are promising. The wine is intense, ripe, with a layered, expansive richness, and exotic notes of Asian spices, beef blood, and assorted black fruits. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2025." (01/2000) 91 points Wine Spectator: "Spicy, fruity aromatics lead to a rich and supple wine with pretty currant, anise, cherry and blackberry flavors. Firms up on the finish, wher... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

This spectacular Champagne is made from one plot, the "9 Arpents" in the village of Moussy. This vineyard is all Meunier, and the vines are 70 years old and pre-date the arrival of cloned vines in Champagne. This wine was fermented in old oak, and aged for a year in oak before being bottled. It has a deep straw color that is almost gold and a nose of morel mushrooms in cream and moist forest floor. The Champagne is both broad on the palate and long finishing, a combination that is hard to find. It also has a surprising chalky minerality to offset the hug... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Colheita Ports are single year Ports of a high quality level which have to be matured in wood for at least seven years. This 2006 vintage Tawny offers a fine and complex bouquet, a nutty character and a silky texture. Once the bottle has been opened, you do not to drink it out the same day - just cork it, and leave it like that as long as you wish. Next time you open it, the fine aromas and flavors will still be there. Enjoy after meal with creamy cheeses like Brie and Camembert from France or Serra from Portugal or with grilled chestnuts or crème brulé.... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

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

Rated 94 points and given a Cellar Selection designation from the Wine Spectator upon release, Jim Laube called it: "Crisp and intense..." when he retasted in in 1991. 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City

Ideally aged Gran Reserva here, in all its tradtitionally glory! This Tempranillo blend is packed with earthy notes (tobacco, forest floor, mineral and oak) along with mature red fruits and a finish at once spicy and soft. Try with lamb or hard, aged cheeses. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse San Francisco

One of the last available of this great vintage—maybe the greatest in a generation from one of K&L's favorite Champagne producers. An recently disgorged (RD) release; it is STUNNING. The 1996 vintage blends 80% pinot noir and 20% chardonnay fermented in stainless steel and measures a very high 6% total acidity, even after full malolactic fermentation. The sur-lie aging takes place on a cork rather than a steel cap, and all the bottles are hand-disgorged. The color is like dark hay and the nose reminds me of the fresh brioche that I have been treated... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

93 points Wine Spectator (10/85) 

Inventory: San Francisco

The Brunet family has been a family of wine growers for eight generations, and this lengthy experience shows in this mature Chenin Blanc. Today Georges and his son Nicolas cultivate Chenin and only Chenin very traditionally, respecting the vine (harvest is 100% manual) and the environment (minimal use of weed killers and ploughing of the vineyard). Mature to the eye and the nose, this golden-colored beauty offers ripe pineapple and spice aromas, which are joined on the palate by still ample acidity and enviable sweetness. Just the thing for a decadent ch... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood 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

According to the Wine Spectator: "Lovely, with a fine bead of blackberry and floral flavors. Just touches of dilution and tannins clamp down on the finish, but the fruit is holding up fine.--Red Burgundy vertical." (02/95) 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City

95 points Wine Enthusiast: "This is a classic Dom Pérignon vintage. It's big and fruity initially, a mouthful of ripeness. Then the texture and structure of this dense wine come through. It’s as much wine as Champagne, rich, the apple and fresh pear flavors vying with yeasty and a tense crispness. Worth aging, it will be even better in 3-4 years." (12/08) 94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2000 Brut Dom Perignon is a gorgeous, seductive wine that floats on the palate with remarkable grace. Toasty aromas meld into freshly cut flowers, apricots... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse San Francisco

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

91-94 points Robert Parker: "The 2007 is loaded. Densely dark ruby/purple with a glorious nose of spring flowers, black raspberries, and sweet cherries, the wine is full-bodied, flamboyant, opulent, and tremendously pure and fresh, which is so much in keeping with the juiciness and freshness of this great vintage. It is long, layered, and textured, and will no doubt put on even more weight before it goes into bottle. This is a superb example, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it score even higher 2-3 years from now. I always find myself admiring these w... Read More » 

Inventory: Special Order

Vin Jaune is a wine like no other. Produced in only exceptional vintages when the Indian summer enables Savagnin to develop optimum ripeness, the wine then undergoes a most unique elevage: once fermented it must age in old oak barrels for at least 6 years without any topping up to replace the portion of wine that evaporates. A thin layer of yeast, or voile, forms on the wines surface much like a flor, used in the makimg of fino sherries. The wine, which displays an unbelievable degree of richness and complexity is balanced by a fine acidity which enable ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

90 points Wine Spectator: "There's a high-toned minty graphite accent to the aroma, with a citric edge on the palate. The structure is overlaid with lemon and bread dough notes. This is tight and crisp on the finish, so break out the sole or shellfish, or wait a few years. Best from 2008 through 2020." (07/07) 

Inventory: Redwood City

93 points Wine Enthusiast: "What a creamy Champagne, its mousse bursting around the mouth. Impressively, all this creaminess is well balanced by full, dry fruits, flavors of pear and fresh bread and finished with crisp apples. This is not a wine for aging, but it is ready to go with many meals now." (12/1/2008) 91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2003 Brut offers tons of harmony in a generous, inviting style. The ripe pear fruit is particularly succulent, but the wine also possesses more than enough minerality to provide balance. This medium-b... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood

This is a new vintage of Blanc de Blancs from the folks at Iron Horse, easily one of the best sparkling wine producers domestically. Made entirely of Chardonnay, this vintage bubbly is aged four years on its lees. It has a lovely melon and citrus bouquet touched off by a fine bead and a toasty, creamy, buttered bread finish. The 2002 vintage scored 95 points in the Wine Enthusiast. 500 cases produced. 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City

90-93 points Robert Parker: "Smoky, sweet, black and red currant aromas jump from the glass of this intriguing, saturated purple-colored wine. Some new oak is noticeable in the background. The wine's attack exhibits terrific purity of fruit, more acidity than many 1994s, and sweet, ripe tannin, all packed into a tightly wound, medium to full-bodied wine that only hints at its ultimate potential. This is not a large-scaled 1994, but it is a beautifully etched wine with considerable personality. I suspect it will be accessible when released in 1-2 years, b... Read More » 

Inventory: San Francisco

96 points and a Cellar Selection designation from the Wine Spectator: "Enormously complex, firm and tightly wound, with ripe, firm tannins and a wide range of rich, concentrated flavors, cherry, wild berry, plum, cedar, coffee and spice. Shows remarkable finesse and polish for a young wine. Tempting now for its suppleness, but sure to age for another decade. Best from 2001 through 2009." (05/98) 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

100 points and a Cellar Selection designation from the Wine Spectator: "Hold on to your hat. This is the best Fonseca since 1977, and it's probably even better than that classic vintage--more like the breathtaking 1948. Mind-blowing, with masses of color, aroma and fruit flavor. Smells like fermenting berries, boasting loads of crushed grape, violet and berry character. Big, full-bodied and very sweet, with tons of tannins and a sweet finish. Tannic and huge, it's a long-term, great Port. Best after 2012. 8,000 cases made." (04/97) 97 points Robert Park... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Can a California Pinot Noir last well into its third decade? If any a wine could do it from the Golden State, our money would be on Chalone! Perched high on the western slopes of the remote Gavilan Mountain Range, 1,800 feet above California's Salinas Valley, Chalone Vineyard represents a singular convergence of terroir and winemaking. It's a site that was deemed unique enough to have its very own AVA! Chalone Pinot Noir, produced in true Burgundian fashion, shows uncommon power, depth and complexity. Not to mention its ability to age. 

Inventory: Redwood City

4 stars Michael Broadbent: "The best of nine of its peers in 1993, its bouquet fully developed, fragrant, a touch of figs, very sweet, chewy, attractive in 1998 and showing well at the Decanter tasting [Dec 1999]: mature, good flavour, good length - for an 83." 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

92 points Robert Parker: "The wine's opaque purple color is followed by a promising sweet, smoky, chocolatey, licorice, and blackcurrant-scented nose, and deep, powerful, full-bodied flavors. Abundant tannin in the finish suggests this is a Private Reserve to lay away for 2-3 years...Aromatically, the 1993 Private Reserve is rewarding, but after the initial attack of sweet fruit, the wine's tannin takes precedence. It is an outstanding wine, but more of a long-term prospect. Compared with the flattering precociousness of the 1994, 1992, 1991, and 1990, t... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse

A bigger, bolder Conn Valley than in the past. Very hearty with tons of tobacco and intense currant fruit. Complex and well worth cellar space. Received 90-92 points from Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate… 'The 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon may turn out to be the finest Conn Valley Cabernet since 1990. The wine is the sweetest and richest of recent vintages, with nicely integrated tannin, a dense, deep, ruby/purple color, velvety texture, and the seamless quality possessed by many 1994s. It should drink well for 20 years. As I have said before, the Caberne... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse San Francisco

93 points from Robert Parker: "The 2001 Chardonnay Alder Springs Vineyard offers up aromas of citrus, liquid minerals, and smoke in a high-class, complex yet restrained bouquet. It is exceptionally pure and medium to full-bodied, with loads of fruit. The most backward yet potentially the finest of the 2001s, it reveals tremendous length, intensity, and fruit. Drink it over the next 5-7 years." (Dec. 2003) 92 points from Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Aromas of grapefruit, smoke and white flowers. Dense, thick and pure, with lovely lemony ac... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

This is very special wine, made only in great vintages, and then only rarely offered at retail, as Roederer prefers to see it for over $1000 on wine lists of famous restaurants, rather than hidden in collectors cellars. It is a pity, since this great Champagne's best years are ahead of it. The Cristal Rosé was first made in 1974, a vintage that was rarely declared, and has since evolved into an entirely estate grown, largely organic Champagne. The Pinot Noir, which composes 60% of the blend, is all from very old vines in the houses best plots in the Gran... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

91 points Robert Parker: "Similar in style to the 1996, the 1995 reveals an opaque purple color, remarkably sweet tannin for a wine from this vintage, and gorgeous levels of black currant fruit nicely complemented by toast, smoke, and floral scents. This rich, medium to full-bodied wine fills the mouth without any sense of heaviness or harshness. It is a beautifully knit, lush, complex, elegant red wine that should drink well for 12-15 years. The wines from this superbly situated hillside vineyard on the lower slopes of Howell Mountain are going from st... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

92 points from Parker: "If you missed out on Robert Mondavi's 1991 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, try to find a few bottles of the sumptuously rich, decadent, showy 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve that is about to be released. It is a sweeter, riper, more unctuously-styled Cabernet. While it may lack some of the classicism of the 1991 Reserve, it is a super-rich, full-bodied, flamboyant, unctuously-textured wine that should drink well for 20+ years." (12/95) 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

According to Allen Meadows: "Chanson is of course a well known old-line négociant ... Chanson is a big vineyard proprietor that owns 38 ha of vines outright. Specifically, they are among the most important holders of Beaune 1ers with an impressive range of ten different holdings plus a smattering of vines elsewhere..." According to the Wine Spectator: "Firm and generous with ripe plum and cherry flavors that are supple with enough tannin for three to five years' cellaring. Try now." (07/89) 

Inventory: Main Warehouse

Have we lost our minds? Grand Cru red Burgundy, fully mature and ready to drink tonight for less than $80? It's true. The downturn in the economy is bad for some, good for others! Earthy, rustic, evolved and pure, this is an experience to revel in, especially when served with aged cheeses. 

Inventory: Main Warehouse

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

90 points Wine Spectator: "A solid effort, with a tight band of herb, currant and cherry. Well balanced, with a pleasing dash of toasty oak, it holds together nicely on the finish. With its tannic strength, best to try it after 1999." (02/97) 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City

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

96 points Robert Parker: "A sensational Yquem, 1997 may be this estate's finest effort since 1990 (although I would not discount the 1996 turning out to be nearly as good). The 1997's light gold color is accompanied a gorgeous perfume of caramel, honeysuckle, peach, apricot, and smoky wood. Full-bodied and unctuously-textured, with good underlying acidity as well as loads of sweetness and glycerin, it looks to be a great vintage for this renowned Sauternes estate. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2055." (04/03) 95 points and a Collectibles designation from th... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Dow’s ages some of its best Ports for many years in seasoned oak casks in its ancient cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia. This prolonged time in barrel ensures that the wines take on soft almond and walnut aromas, losing the intense red color of its youth but gaining immense delicacy, richness and profound intensity of flavor. Such is the case with this wonderful 1997. Try with cheese and nuts at the close of your holiday celebrations! 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco