French Wine

90-93 points Robert Parker: "A new offering, the 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Creme de la Creme, is a selection of the finest barrels. It boasts more mineral, flowery, black raspberry, and cherry characteristics, medium to full body, sweet tannin, and outstanding depth as well as richness. With the exception of the latter two wines, these 2006s all need to be drunk during their first decade of life." (10/07) Burgundy wine broker Alain Corcia ventures into the southern Rhone to purchase wine that he then raises in old oak foudres and smaller barriques and b... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

"Very Good/Delicious" from the Wall Street Journal: "Best of tasting. The nose immediately says, 'Fine stuff,' with earth, tobacco and juicy fruit. Well balanced and nicely complex. Even better after an hour. Remarkably complete for such a young, inexpensive wine." 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

It is not often that you can purchase a bottle of French Chardonnay for under 7 dollars, especially one that is as vibrant and juicy as this, dare we say, "little wine". There are many great bottles of Chardonnay and this is no exception, yet not many leave you with such satisfaction while not draining your wallet. It does not pretend to challenge the established icons of the wine world; it is merely delicious, friendly and under 7 bucks, a perfect bottle for Tuesday night, something to reach for to quench your thirst and that of your friends. The wine ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

This delicious wine comes from a combination of vineyard sites both in Verdigny in Sancerre and some parcels just outside the appellation to the west. The Fournier family, with roots as deep as their vines in this region seem to be related to just about everyone in some way and have for generations been farming and producing wines in Sancerre. We are pleased to have been offered this wine first at such a great price and took everything there was. This bright Sauvignon has subtle expressions of chalk and green melon with candied citrus and fennel with a... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

The wines of this family domaine have been a staple here at K&L since the 1994 vintage when Franck and Betty Millet drove from Sancerre to Bordeaux (a long way) to meet Clyde and crew to present the wines. The wines were great even in that tough vintage and the rest is history. We love these wines for their freshness, charm and affordability. Our best value Sancerre in the store. From soils of clay and chalk in the village of Bue near the Domaine. A wine of freshness, lift and snap, one that keeps you coming back for more, it is vinified entirely in s... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

This elegant and crisp Pinot Rosé hails from Domaine Begude, a small family owned property located high in the foothills of the Pyrenees in the Limoux region of the Languedoc. The long cool growing season here lends itself perfectly to the production of crisp and delicate wines, and this stunning rosé is no exception. More in the style of a Loire Valley Sancerre rosé, this salmon colored pink beauty exhibits nuances of strawberries, plums and cherries, with just a hint of wet stone minerality. Enjoy with charcuterie, grilled tuna, a fresh salad..or just... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

This delightful Rosé sparkling wine comes from Burgundy. It is made of 65% Chardonnay and 35% Pinot Noir, the traditional grapes of Burgundy. The charming eye of the swan color comes from the addition of Pinot Noir to the wine when the lees are disgorged, following the traditional fermentation in the individual bottle, in the champagne method. On the palate it is very rich and fruity but just off-dry on the finish. The mousse is explosive, with a very creamy palate impression. It shows just a hint of the earthiness of a Pinot Noir from Burgundy. This is... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Take home this third wine (of sorts) from St-Julien's grand Château Beychevelle for a song! Who said you couldn't drink great Bordeaux every day? This wine is elegant and consists of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged partially in new oak barrels, the wine is rich and round, medium to full-bodied and has luscious ripe red fruit flavors, spice and a touch of new oak. Superb value. The label has a picture of the mythical galleon of the famous Château Beychevelle. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Frédéric Mabileau is known for his no nonsense approach in the vineyards, eschewing the chemicals and machines that dominate much of the Loire and focusing his energy on growing naturally the best possible fruit. He says "the action of respecting the integrity of the grape all the way to the tank allows us to maintain the fruits’ clarity showing its suppleness and delicacy." This wine is 100% Organically Cultivated Cabernet Franc which was harvested from vines ranging in age from 15 years to 35 years old. The Mabileau's make a very strict selection both... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

If you don't know this estate in Sancerre, you should. K&L is fortunate to have discovered these wines a few years back, before the press. And, as Boulay's California importer, we have a leg-up on the few retailers in the country who can get your hands on these wines. Never have I tasted such vivid clarity and expressiveness in Sancerre, much less sauvignon blanc. The wines transcend what you think of the grape; they are much more than simple quaffers with aromas of candied grapefruit, mandarin orange, lime and wildflowers, but what really sets them apar... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Damien Delecheneau's future is bright. He is respected widely and thought of as one of the most promising young vignerons in the Loire Valley. Damien continues the work of his family domaine in the Touraine-Amboise appellation but with renewed vigor and respect for the vines. He is fortunate to have 11 ha of vineyards with an average age of 60 years which he farms without the use of chemicals. Harvest is done by hand, fermentation is carried out by native yeast and there is no pumping after the initial pressing. Both he and his wife studied winemaking... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

From La Maison Antech located in the southern French region of the Languedoc comes this beautiful example of Blanquette de Limoux. The Cuvée Francoise is composed of 90% Mauzac and 10% Chardonnay and is produced a la methode champenoise. After spending 9 months on the lees this bubbly is disgorged and offers up a fresh bouquet of green apples, comice pear and white flowers. More akin to say a Prosecco than a Blancs de Blancs from Champagne, this Blanquette exudes youthful, vibrant energy and good times! It is the perfect sparkler to enjoy on a hot summe... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

From La Maison Antech located in the southern French region of the Languedoc comes this beautiful example of Cremant de Limoux. Named after the grande dame of the estate Eugenie Limouzy, this Cremant is composed of 50% chardonnay, 40% chenin blanc and 10% mauzac. It is produced along the lines of methode champenoise and spends twelve months on the lees before being disgorged. This balanced and elegant sparkling wine reveals subtle hints of citrus fruits, toast and honey. At less than half the price of a bottle of champagne, the cuvee Eugenie is the perfe... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Outstanding sparkling wine from the Languedoc? Absolutely and resoundingly, YES! There will be those of you who will scoff at the price of this wine, and claim that a sparkling wine set so low will never be worth any serious consideration. Well, those of you would be WRONG. One of the rising stars of the Languedoc, Jean Louis Denois makes exciting, world class wines that nonetheless remain amazingly inexpensive, a fact of his location more than anything else. His vineyards sit in the very southwestern corner, at the foot of the Pyrenees, and include red,... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

This wallet-friendly French 'Blanc de Blancs' is one of our favorite hidden gems. It drinks like an expensive French Champagne with a rich yeasty nose and body to match. It's called 'Cremant de Limoux', the official name for a sparkling wine from Limoux (that meets certain production and quality requirements). Limoux is actually located in southern France near Carcassonne. Definitely worth a serious look. Your friends that haven't seen the price tag will swear they're drinking Champagne worth 2-3 times what you paid! 12% abv. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse San Francisco

Crisp, brigt and refreshing, this unoaked Mâcon shows classic apple notes, and is bright and refreshing. If you are looking for a reasonably priced chardonnay that delivers refreshment and won't break the bank, this is a great candidate. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

This is from a single parcel of vines that are 60 years old, it is all hand harvested, all organically farmed and aged in stainless steel for 7 months on its lees with some stirring for added richness. Here we have a bottle that can give most Sancerre a run for their money with its distinctive minerality and freshness coupled with effusive aromas of candied citrus, honeydew melon and sweet herbs. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

The famous yellow label. At once delicate and powerful, the classic Yellow Label Veuve is dominated by pinot noir's firm structure, but is rounded out by a touch pinot meunier. The nearly one-third chardonnay provides the elegance that this cuvée is famous for. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

According to Robert Parker: "A blend of 46% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc, this is a hedonistic sexpot of a Pauillac with loads of density, plenty of ripe fruit, and low acidity in an easy-to-drink, seductive style with plenty of chocolate-infused black currant fruit. Drink it over the next decade." (04/05) 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

This comes from the border between the village of Premeaux and Comblanchien, from an extremely well-situated vineyard located next to Clos de Marechale, the very well-known Premier Cru Nuits St. George vineyard, whose wine sells for $90 or more per bottle. This has a very Nuits character, and is a delightful wine, with nice spice, a bit of structure and fairly prominent red fruit notes. It represents a terrific value in 2005 Burgundy. (Keith Wollenberg, K&L Burgundy Buyer) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Chateau Bois Martin is in a superb location quite close to the village of Léognan, just off the main road. This small vineyard is bordered by two Great Growths, Chateau Fieuzal and Chateau Malartic-Lagravière. The estate has belonged to the Perrin family since 1998. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Our best deal in bubbles? No doubt many on our staff would say yes! It is made of 40% chardonnay, 30% pinot noir and 30% meunier. A balanced cuvee in every way, this Champagne is clean and powerful at once. The length of this little bottle of bubbles proves to me the class of its origin, the small commune of Brouillet in Champagne. No bottle in our inventory transports me to Champagne like this one. It is as true to the terroir and as pure as anything I could wish for! Don't settle for an imitation, buy the real thing--and for less! Like almost all Cham... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

According to Wine Spectator: "Attractive floral and black cherry aromas follow through to a medium body. Refined, with subtle fruit and a silky finish." (03/08) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Fresh and fine aromas of grapefruit and exotic fruit. Lime flavors, with typical focusing acidity, are hallmarks of Picpoul. A great value, this wine impresses novices and hardened geeks equally. Known as 'the Muscadet of the South' in France, this is to the Mediterranean coast of France what Albariño is to northwest Spain...the default wine for fresh shellfish and seafood. 12.5% abv. 

Inventory: Hollywood San Francisco

Rejoice Tavel! In a time when very high quality rosés line our shelves, when pink wines from Spain, the U.S., South Africa, Italy and all over the land of France are finally getting some much deserved attention in the press and from our customers, we must give Tavel its special due. This is the original rosé appellation. In fact, so good is the fabled rosé from Tavel, that by law no other sort of wine can call itself Tavel! Layers of wild strawberries collide with a spicy note, a dash of citrusy acidity and so much fruit and flower aroma, it is almost to... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

According to Robert Parker: "A superb sleeper of the vintage, this Bordeaux blend from Jean-Luc Thunevin delivers everything it should. Loads of plum, cassis, and cherry fruit are found in this silky-textured, medium-bodied, pure, delicious effort. Thunevin has unquestionably hit a home run with this bargain-priced 2005. Enjoy it over the next 3-4 years. Bordeaux needs to make more wines such as this." (04/08) 95% Merlot, 5% Cab Franc. GARAGISTE I am BLACK SHEEP wouldn't deign BAD BOY I remain. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

89 points Wine Spectator: "Dark in color, offering a good concentration of blackberry and black currant on the nose and palate, together with a fresh floral and vanilla note. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a clean finish." (Web 08) From the Right Bank, this merlot-based wine is so pure and clean, you want to drink it up now. Great mouthfeel--age it a year and then enjoy. One of the top ten value Bordeaux 2005 in the Wall Street Journal. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

"Good/Very Good" from the Wall Street Journal: "Round and particularly ripe, with loads of black fruit. Really tastes true, like good fruit left to ripen on the vine." (January 11, 2008) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

95 points Robert Parker: "A gorgeous example of Lascombes, the 2005, a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, continues the remarkable turn-around in quality that began five years ago. A stunningly opulent wine with a dense purple color, the 2005 possesses a beautiful perfume of spring flowers, blueberries, blackberries, creosote, and graphite, full body, silky but noticeable tannins, a layered mouthfeel, and a stunning, 45+-second finish. This is a brilliant, modern-styled Margaux that should age for 30-35 years." (04/08... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse San Francisco