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Staff Favorites - Ralph Sands

Ralph Sands | Send Email | Subscribe to My Sommelier Service

Ralph is the senior Bordeaux specialist on the sales staff. In between trying to break into professional baseball, Ralph was picking up hours at a K&L store in Millbrae. Back then it was more about kegs and cheap booze, and both Ralph and K&L have evolved since that time. Since those long ago days in 1978, Ralph has visited his beloved Bordeaux 37 times, evaluated 19 straight vintages and has escorted over 200 customers to Bordeaux on his "Taste and Golf the Greats Tours of Bordeaux". Ralph has also conducted tasting seminars in 9 different states as well as in France, Spain and Hong Kong. Ralph's passion for wine reaches far beyond Bordeaux; to the fine wine regions of Burgundy, Loire, Rhone, Germany, Oregon and of course his home state of California.

Reviews

2018 Pichon-Baron, Pauillac

Review Date: 05-02-2019

2018 Pichon Longueville Baron is composed of 78% Cabernet and 22% Merlot and represents 50%of the crop. A big heady Cabernet with good ripeness, lot of dark chocolate fruit, no harshness, round but strong tannins. This is a classic Pauillac and a long runner. 2 Stars! Winemaker Jean Rene Matagon calls 2018 is a combination of 2009 by the weather and 2010 on the palate.

Price: $179.99

Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne

Review Date: 12-23-2017

This is absolutely incredible Champagne for the money! Deeply flavored, intense and powerful it is in the style of Bollinger and Krug at nowhere near the price and I love that!

Price: $37.99

2016 Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan

Review Date: 06-10-2017

2016 Haut Bailly represents 55% of the crop and is 53% CS 40 M 4PV and 3CF “A deep attack of dark raspberry fruit, very, very strong and concentrated, full of structure and drive, serious wine. Firm tannins and loaded with minerals. Reminds me a lot of the great 2010, 3 stars” Ralph Sands

Price: $209.99

2016 Pontet-Canet, Pauillac

Review Date: 06-10-2017

“Huge ripeness on the nose. Perfect, sweet deep purple fruit of blueberry and blackberry, silky and plush. Impossible not to love as it is fantastic tasting wine with a long, dry finish full of fruit and minerals." Delicious and 3 Stars! Ralph Sands

Price: $199.99

2016 Canon, St-Émilion

Review Date: 06-01-2017

2016 Ch. Canon like the 2015 is an outstanding wine. 74% Merlot,60% new oak for 18 months, 14% alc. Incredibly fresh, driven by elegant sweet fruit with hints just ripe cherries and absolutely dry! Classic Canon balance from front to back. I love it. 3 Stars! Ralph Sands

Price: $189.99

2016 Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac

Review Date: 06-01-2017

Mouton Rothschild reveals an incredible nose that screams greatness! Sweet, pure and persistent old vine fruit with strong structure, a lovely touch of middle fruit richness but still very bold and long finishing. A great tasting wine and a Mouton for the ages! 3 Stars! Ralph Sands

Price: $839.99

2010 Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Léognan

Review Date: 02-05-2013