Old and Rare Wine

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

Shows a lot of mineral and oriental spice in the nose, and those scents really opened up after a few minutes in the glass. The terroir shines through. When asked to compare it to wines from previous vintages, Mr. Prats mentioned it reminds him of the 1985 though not quite as fat. Superb length. The wine shows its Cabernet tannins, but they’re well integrated. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot in the vineyard, and in the blend. 55% new oak. Only 40% of the crop went into the grand vin. 21,000 cases produced. According to Robert Parker: "The dark ruby-co... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

95 points Wine Spectator: "A hard, take-no-prisoners Port, extremely powerful and still closed when last tasted. Deep inky color, with concentrated blackberry and raisin aromas, full-bodied, with massive raisin flavors, a superb backbone and a very long finish." (Web only, 1989) 5 stars from Broadbent: "Deep, intense; malty; powerful, great potential… well endowed with fruit, alcohol and tannin for longevity. My style of wine. Magnificent." 90 points Robert Parker: "Fonseca is one of the great port lodges, producing the most exotic and most complex p... Read More » 

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

Fans of toasty Champagne take note- this is one of our biggest! A blend of 33% pinot noir, 33% meunier and 33% chardonnay from vines averaging about 25 years on the families estate vineyards in Brouillet. This Champagne has a very pretty golden straw color. The nose is very leesy and doughy, showing off the six years it has aged on its yeast. It is round and carmely, with an excellent black cherry core. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Sonoma Valley's "Les Pierres" vineyard is a unique site, comprised of gravelly clay loam soils in an ancient river bed of cobbled stones from the Sonoma Mountain caldera. Set into an east-facing slope, this vineyard is close enough to the San Pablo Bay to fully experience the cooling effects of the fog that rolls off the Bay, cutting a deep swath across Valley Ford toward the Valley of the Moon. The wine made from this vineyard, not often available outside the winery, is treated with the utmost care, what the winery calls their Grand Cru approach. The re... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

95 points Wine Enthusiast: "This Krug vintage is showing some maturity, especially from its toast aroma. But certainly not too much maturity, because on the palate the fruit remains young at heart, a crisp burst of freshness coming through the more mature acidity. All the elements are in balance, making a finely shaped wine, which impresses as much from its elegance as from its richness." (12/1/2008) 94 points and a Collectibles designation from the Wine Spectator: "This is both refined and opulent from start to finish. Whole-grain toast, roasted almond... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

According to Robert Parker: "This wine is light to medium-bodied, with sweet currant and smoke-infused flavors and some oak in the background, but plenty of red fruits, vanilla, and dried herbs. This is a soft, well-balanced wine to drink now and over the next 12-15 years." (04/02) K&L's notes - Very aromatic, Graves-style wine with earthy and mineral hints on the nose. Crushed berries on the nose and palate. This is a very elegant yet powerful wine, and quite long on the palate with good grip. Delicious exotic and velvety fruit. 65% cabernet sauvignon,... Read More » 

Inventory: San Francisco

Champagne Fleury has been around since 1895, releasing their first bubbly in 1929. The vineyards themselves are located on steep slopes that have a calcareous clay soil and see ample amounts of sun, so the grapes have an outstanding ripeness. Continental and oceanic climates combine for cool mornings and nice bursts of heat in the afternoons. Fleury was one of the first vineyards to start converting to biodynamics, beginning in 1989, completing the process for all of their vineyards by 1992. This is a barrel-fermented blend of one-third each chardonnay, ... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

According to Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, May/June 00: "Bright medium ruby. Lively aromas of black raspberry, bitter chocolate and mint. Good texture and restrained sweetness; dark berry flavors are quite youthfully unevolved. Solidly structured wine, finishing with firm but fine tannins and very good length." According to Wine Spectator: "Aromas of berries, chocolate and hints of spices. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a light, fresh, fruity aftertaste. Delicious red." (03/02) K&L's notes - This lovely wine is a bit riche... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City

94 points Wine Enthusiast: "Opens with powerful aromas of cedar, toasty oak and vanilla perfume framing ripe black currant and mocha. Turns wonderfully smooth in the mouth. Plump and ripe in cherry and currant fruit, it's beautiful now, but has the tannins and balance to last forever. " (11/04) 92 points Wine Spectator: "Spicy mint and bay leaf aromas mingle with ripe currant and black cherry fruit, turning smooth and elegant on the palate while displaying richness, depth and concentration; finishes with a full chorus of ripe fruit flavors and firm yet ... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City

According to the Wine Spectator: "A fine mature claret with an impressive freshness. Excellent ruby color with subtle aromas of cherry and green tobacco. This wine shows vivid fruit flavors with mineral undertones and a fine silky texture of tannins. Delicious now but should improve." (10/94) 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

Jean Leon is a legendary figure in the world of Spanish wine. A young Spanish immigrant from Santander, Leon worked his way up in the US restaurant industry, eventually opening up La Scala in Hollywood with James Dean as his partner. In 1963, he would return to his native Spain, to Penedes (just north of Barcelona) to be exact, to establish a world class winery. Using cuttings from Lafitte-Rothschild, Jean Leon's cabs quickly developed a devoted following inside Spain and beyond. These days, the vineyards are farmed sustainably, and all vineyard wor... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

90 points Wine Spectator: "This mature red shows a light brick color, with delicate aromas of spice, dried fruit and rose. Supple and still lively, offering flavors of dried berry, tea, vanilla and spice. This whispers rather than shouts, but has distinctive character. For fans of the traditional style. Drink now. 416 cases made." (06/09) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

According to Wine Spectator: "Elegant and well balanced, with ripe currant, bell pepper, spice and vanilla notes. Complex and well proportioned, with a touch of tobacco, this has more flavor than most from this vintage. It needs time for the tannins to mellow." (10/90) And, according to Robert Parker: "The 1987 Pichon-Longueville-Baron is an excellent wine for the vintage. Rich, long, supple, and fat..." (08/93) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

94 points Wine Spectator: "Terrific auslese. Pure, vibrant and elegant, with a panoply of peach, lime and slate aromas and flavors matched to a seamless frame. Lovely aftertaste of baked apple and vanilla. Drink now through 2025." (03/05) ETA: Late Sept/Early Oct 2009. 

Inventory: Main Warehouse

According to Robert Parker: "This is a delicious, attractive, dark ruby/plum-colored offering with complex notes of lead pencil, minerals, black raspberries, currants, and new oak. Medium-bodied, with light tannin, this elegant wine is on a fast evolutionary track. Drink this delicious claret over the next 5-6 years." (04/2000) According to the Wine Spectator: "I like the berry and violet character in this wine. Medium-bodied, with firm tannins and a fresh finish. Drink now through 2004." 

Inventory: Hollywood San Francisco

If you are in search of a very special wine to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, and you appreciate doing things a little differently, this is an ideal choice. Sure, anyone can buy a mature Bordeaux. This is one for the true oenophile, a fortified Grenache-based red from the South of France, where the style is popular (think Banyuls) akin to port and so so damn good with chocolate! 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City

According to Robert Parker: "The tell-tale dark ruby color, pronounced minerality, and pure black raspberry fruit are the hallmarks of most Grand-Mayne vintages. The 1997 possesses some tannin, but the overall impression is of an elegant, medium-bodied, slightly lighter than usual wine with sweet fruit, and the potential to drink well for 7-8 years." (04/2000) 

Inventory: Main Warehouse

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

According to Robert Parker: "Consumers should be on the lookout for the 1991 Prieure-Lichine... It offers solid color, medium body, soft, ripe, cedary, cassis, fruity flavors, and a spicy, supple finish. It should drink well for at least 5-6 years. It is better than many of the lightweight efforts Prieure produced between 1979 and 1985." (02/94) According to the Wine Spectator: "An attractive, supple mouthful, with no-nonsense tobacco and red berry flavors, leading into a light finish." (05/94) 

Inventory: Hollywood

95 points Wine & Spirits. 91 points Wine Spectator: "This goes for personality and finesse. An assertive, honeyed style, with plenty of citrus flavors. Mature coffee and roasted nut accents are peeking through, with a robust structure and a dried citrus aftertaste. Drink now through 2018." (Web only, 2007) The jewel in the Champagne Louis Roederer crown, Cristal, was created in 1876 for the Tsar Alexander II of Russia. The 2000 vintage is rich and precise, glittering like flecks of gold in the glass, with just a hint of green. It exhibits amazing aroma... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City

Gilette's proprietor, Christian Medeville, is one of the most unique winemakers in Sauternes. He holds his wines in small epoxy-lined concrete vats for anything from 12-25 years before bottling, and then holds them in bottle for another 3-5 years in his cellars before finally releasing them to the market. The current release is the 1978 and 1979! Two cuvees are often, but not always, produced: the 'doux' or demi-doux' and a Crème de Tête. The luscious Crème de Tête is a kind of Auslese, produced from the most botrytised grapes and vinified separately. ... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

92 points Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine: "The invitingly refined, slightly rounded, elusively ethereal house style comes roaring through in this wine's dried rose, vanilla bean, yeasty aromas and in its refined, balanced, crisp and incredibly easy to like flavors. It comes with complex nuances that lift it into the highly rated ranks, and, in every way, from its handsome bottle to its lasting, pleasing aftertaste, this wine speaks of celebration." (12/08) 91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2000 Brut Fleur de Champagne Cuvee Belle Epo... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood

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

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

According to the Wine Spectator: "Ripe and plummy, with pretty floral aromas, tight, compact cherry and currant flavors and firm tannins that keep them in check. The flavors need time to mellow and expand..." (02/91) According to Robert Parker: "The Savigny-Les-Beaune Les Lavieres is excellent, with deep, medium-bodied, tannic yet concentrated flavors. It should possess excellent aging potential. It has fine color, is built for the long haul, and should last 12-15 years." (01/90) 

Inventory: Main Warehouse

According to Robert Parker: "This wine from Auxey-Duresses exhibits good winemaking. The Auxey-Duresses-Clos du Val is elegant, and the tannins fine. It is an attractive, medium-bodied, spicy, earthy wine, ideal for drinking over the next 5-6 years." (01/90) 

Inventory: Main Warehouse

92 points Wine Spectator: "Young and unevolved, yet this shows remarkable clarity and delicacy for 2003. Very silky in texture and bright, framing the apricot, lime and slate flavors nicely. Very harmonious, with a long, lingering aftertaste. Drink now through 2020." (02/05) According to Pierre Rovani writing for the Wine Advocate: "Fresh flowers and hints of herbs are found in the nose of the soft, light to medium-bodied 2003 Riesling Spatlese Wehlener Sonnenuhr. A delicately-flavored offering, it reveals notes of herbal tea, and lilies in its feminine... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

96 points Wine Spectator: "What more could one want in a young vintage Port? It has great elegance and great power. Brilliant deep ruby-purple, with boysenberry and licorice aromas, full-bodied, very fleshy, with a firm backbone of tannins." (01/89) 90 points Robert Parker: "Graham is another great port house, producing one of the deepest-colored and sweetest styles of vintage port. Along with Taylor and Fonseca, Graham has probably been the most consistent producer of great port in the post- World War II era. Their tawnys are quite good rather than exc... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

94 points Wine Spectator: "Very stylish and big, with a classy balance of fruit and tannin. Deep ruby-purple, with a multidimensional nose of perfume and grapes, full-bodied, tannic and tightly knit." 90 points Robert Parker: "This is an extraordinary house that seems to have been particularly successful with its vintage port since 1977.The 1983 is rich, concentrated, very fruity, and magnificently perfumed, suggesting that it is going to mature early, long before the 1977." (Web only, 1989) 90 points Robert Parker: "This is an extraordinary house that... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

95 points Robert Parker: "The 1996 displays an opaque purple color, as well as sweet, wonderfully pure, jammy blackberry, mineral, and intriguing floral aromas. Enormously rich and full-bodied, with massive intensity, this is a modern day tour de force in winemaking. In spite of being aged in a hefty percentage of new oak, the wine does not reveal any evidence of new oak casks because the fruit character is so pronounced. Statistically, this wine possesses huge amounts of tannin, but it comes across as a seamless giant with extraordinary richness and int... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

96 points Robert Parker: "The opaque-colored 1992 exhibits a huge, chocolatey, smoky nose crammed with gobs of black fruits, This soft, voluptuously-textured, full-bodied wine boasts remarkable concentration and purity. It is a round, flattering, luscious style of Cabernet Sauvignon that will be hard to resist when young. It should keep for 15+ years. Beringer has once again proven that they are one of the qualitative leaders in California as they continue to turn out reference point wines - not only for California, but the world." (12/95) According ... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse

According to Robert Parker: "Dubreuil has always made fashionable, elegant, light-colored wines known for their finesse..." (12/92) 

Inventory: Main Warehouse

Bonville is sold out of this vintage in 750's, so I guess we will have to drink it from magnum! The 2002 vintage is fantastic for the Cotes de Blancs wines, with much in common with the great 1990 harvest. The Bonville family owns 50 acres of Grand Cru vineyards and uses exclusively estate fruit in this wine. This Champagne is a great example of how much more wine you get for less money compared to a big name non-vintage Champagne when the export brokers, import companies and distributors are taken out of the deal. This is 100% Grand Cru Chardonnay from ... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

93 points Wine Spectator: "One of the great buys of the vintage. Dark-colored, sporting loads of minty, berry and chocolate aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, with plenty of velvety tannins and a long, rich finish. Built for aging." (05/99) 90 points Robert Parker: "The 1989 Meyney is one of the finest Meyneys ever produced. The opaque, black/ruby color, a bouquet of minerals and damson plums, the alcoholic, massive flavors and the mouthcoating tannins all combine to create a sensory overload. The 1989 will prove uncommonly long-lived as well as profound... Read More » 

Inventory: San Francisco

A blend of chardonnay, savagnin and poulsard, the grapes are left to dry on racks for 3 months before pressing. Once dried they are then fermented and go into barrel for 3 years where they continue to develop their character. Vin de Pailles are usually bottled around 90-100 grams/liter of sugar they are sweet but possess intense acidity keeping them beautifully balanced. The Bethet-Bondet has flavors of dried fruits, quince, apricots and plum jam, this wine is a sublime experience best served with foie gras or cheese. (Keith Mabry, K&L Hollywood) 

Inventory: Hollywood

91 points Robert Parker: "One of the stars of the vintage, this opaque purple-colored wine possesses a gorgeously perfumed, exotic, smoky, blackcurrant, Asian spice, and sweet vanillin-scented bouquet. It is followed by thick, rich, moderately tannic flavors that exhibit medium to full body, good structure, outstanding purity, and a classically layered, long, pure finish. This terrific Pichon-Lalande should evolve effortlessly for 18-20 years. Anticipated maturity: 2001-2020." (02/97) According to the Wine Spectator: "An extremely well-balanced and well... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

96 points Robert Parker: "This wine has emerged from a dormant period to reveal the classic iron, tobacco, sweet blackcurrant and roasted herb nose of a great Graves. The color remains an opaque purple with a thick, viscous texture. Sweet, expansive, and chewy, with enormous concentration and fat, this wine has begun to develop its secondary aromatics. It is already thrilling to drink, although it is still very youthful Drink it over the next 25-30 years." 94 points Wine Spectator. 

Inventory: Redwood City

90% cabernet sauvignon, 5% merlot, 5% cabernet franc. This ideally cellared Cab is brownish with brick at rim, with a very earthy aroma with pronounced soy, mushroom, leather, peat and smoke. This mature red has plenty of fruit in evidence with flavors of soy and a bit of tannin in the finish. Drink now with savory, slow cooked beef or lamb. 

Inventory: Redwood City

95 points and a Cellar Selection designation from the Wine Spectator: "Incredibly concentrated, rich and powerful, but still smooth and plush. The flavors of mint, cherry, black currant and spice are deep, long and chewy, with great complexity and polish. Not for everyone, but absolutely full of flavor and beautifully structured, harmonious and complex. Very tempting to drink now, but should improve. Drink now through 2005." (04/91) 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

This is 100% Chardonnay from the walled Clos of Cazals in Oger. In the past, fruit from this vineyard was joined with that of Mesnil sur Oger for a stupendously good Champagne. Then it occurred to Cazal that its very own Clos might make wonderful and wonderfully original bubbly! Brilliant, luminous, with notes of citronella, hawthorn, rose and violet with apple, pear and citrus on the palate. The bubbles on this one are as fine as fine can be, and the finish brings in subtle cedar and oak. A distinctive style, but one that will find wide appeal! 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City

97 points Wine Spectator: "Superbly structured, with breathtaking aromas of plums, chocolate and berries that follow through on the palate. Full-bodied, with full tannins and a long, alluring finish. Needs time, better after 2002." 96 points Robert Parker: "Dark ruby/purple, with a tight yet profound bouquet of cedar, blackcurrants, spicy oak, and minerals, this full-bodied, deeply concentrated, exceptionally well-balanced wine is, atypically, too brawny and big to drink young. Anticipated maturity: 1994-2015." K&L's notes - A Jesse Ventura of a w... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood

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 points Wine Spectator: "There's plenty of finesse in this sleek Champagne, along with an airy texture and loads of grip. Graphite, lemon, toast and mineral aromas and flavors prevail, and this takes on ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

According to Robert Parker: "One of Gramont's best wines year in and year out is the Pommard Le Clos Blanc.The 1987 shows excellent rich, ripe fruit, a nice spicy, vanilla-scented oakiness, plenty of body, and surprising power for a 1987. It is drinkable now but will certainly last until 1995-1996." (01/90) 

Inventory: Redwood City

Gilette's proprietor, Christian Medeville, is one of the most unique winemakers in Sauternes. He holds his wines in small epoxy-lined concrete vats for anything from 12-25 years before bottling, and then holds them in bottle for another 3-5 years in his cellars before finally releasing them to the market. The current release is the 1978 and 1979! Two cuvees are often, but not always, produced: the 'doux' or demi-doux' and a Crème de Tête. The luscious Crème de Tête is a kind of Auslese, produced from the most botrytised grapes and vinified separately. ... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

94 points Robert Parker: "It is unquestionably the finest Ducru-Beaucaillou following the 1961. I do not think the estate has produced any wine since that can be said to be as complete and concentrated as the 1982... The wine offers a classic St.-Julien/Pauillac aromatic profile - intense cedar, some blackcurrants, a touch of oak, and good spice. Rich and more full-bodied than normal, this chewy, concentrated, moderately tannic Ducru can be drunk with considerable pleasure, but ideally it should be cellared for another 3-4 years . It should last throu... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

The house style at Krohn stresses concentration, sweetness and an overt, luscious mouth-feel, similar to the style at Graham. Bottled in 2006 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

93 points Robert Parker: "This single Quinta port possesses an opaque black/purple color, and a sweet, rich nose with a whiff of licorice and powerfully ripe fruit. In the mouth, it is full-bodied, with superb concentration, as well as a rich, opulent, deep finish. Drinkable now, it has at least 20 years of evolution. It is just as spectacular as any vintage port I tasted from 1983 or 1985." (08/92) 

Inventory: Redwood City

Made strictly in accordance with tradition from the Savagnin grape, this totally unique white (the ideal gift for the geekiest wino on your list!) is kept in the barrel for 6 years under its protective yeast layer. It fully expresses the character and subtlety of this grand "terroir". Those tasting this wine are often surprised by its long lasting finish, a taste somewhat similar to Fino sherry, as well as the richness of its aroma. Depending on the vintage, this can range from vegetal (straw, tobacco), to ripe fruits (apples), sharp fruits (grapefruits)... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood