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- Kirk Walker (276)
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Staff Favorites
| If you’re going to have Robert Parker or Stephen Tanzer over for dinner, selecting a wine they’ve rated highly will be a nice choice. However, when you’re buying wines for yourself, we’d love to see you find wines that match up your unique palate and pocketbook. We have a large staff of friendly and knowledgeable wine professionals that taste hundreds of wines each week. They can put you in touch with bottles that you are likely to love, often at a much lower cost than the highly-rated gems that often see a run-up in price and frequent availability issues. Like any great group of opinionated professionals, our staff has varied tastes themselves. Often our customers will find a particular staff member with a style that corresponds to their own. That concept works extremely well in our retail stores, and this section is our effort to bring you the same online. Don’t get us wrong, we love the highly rated wines from the press and will continue to offer them, but we think you’re missing out if you’re not augmenting those selections with picks from our excellent staff. Here are their favorites. (Click on a name to see their other selections - or to drop them a line.) Cheers! |
Reviews
Berlucchi "61" Franciacorta Extra Brut
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 11/19/2024 | Send Email
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 11/19/2024 | Send Email
Berlucchi "61" Franciacorta Extra Brut is a sparkling wine that captures the elegance and sophistication of Franciacorta, Italy's answer to Champagne. Berlucchi, often credited with pioneering the Franciacorta style in the 1960s, continues to set the standard for quality and innovation and "61 "their first spark paying tribute to the year of the wine's release.
Made primarily from Chardonnay with a touch of Pinot Noir, this Extra Brut showcases the region's limestone-rich soils and meticulous winemaking process. The glitter on the nose gives off a citrusy aroma, green apple and white flowers. It's all layered with subtle notes of brioche and hazelnut. It is crisp and delicate on the palate. With a lively mousse and refreshing acidity that balances the wine's creamy character. Flavors of lemon curd, orchard fruit, and toasted almonds unfold beautifully for a clean, mineral-inspired finish.
Berlucchi uses the traditional method (Metodo Classico) for Franciacorta, with secondary fermentation in the bottle. Aging on the lees for at least 24 months. This dedication to quality ensures that the sparkling wine is refined and approachable. Perfect for celebrations or casual entertaining.
For those looking for a world-class sparkling wine that offers exceptional value, Berlucchi "61" Franciacorta Extra Brut is an outstanding wine. It is a wine that honors its heritage while providing the freshness and flavor that has made Franciacorta a global symbol of Italian sparkling wine.
Fallet-Dart "Clos du Mont" Brut Champagne (2006)
By: Dejah Overby | Review Date: 11/17/2024 | Send Email
By: Dejah Overby | Review Date: 11/17/2024 | Send Email
2006 Fallet Clos Du Mont has an expressive nose. There is a luscious presence of brioche, almond paste, and an orchard fruit tart. The taste is just as concentrated as the nose—adding substantial texture, weightiness, and filling length on all edges of the mouth. There is a slightly sweet flavor of apricot and almond scones, but the acidity is right behind with remarkable and endless flavor. The beads are small and graceful. This is pleasurable champagne to enjoy with savory dishes or a cheese course.
Price:
$79.99
Laurent-Perrier "Grand Siècle" Iteration #26 Brut Champagne
By: Chelsea Herholdt | Review Date: 11/15/2024 | Send Email
By: Chelsea Herholdt | Review Date: 11/15/2024 | Send Email
This iteration is based on 2012 (mostly), 2008, and 2007 and is 58% Chardonnay. Technical data aside, this is one of the most striking Champagnes I have enjoyed in years. The finish lasts for (actual) minutes and I don't want to drink anything else to wash it away. I rarely say this, but I see why it received 100 points. It is incredibly aromatic for just being released, with the bones and elegance to age for decades. I'd say that Grand Siecle ages "like a fine wine" but putting it side by side with anything else almost does it a disservice. #23 had just begun to show any secondary character, and the grace in this wine tells me it will slowly evolve into something potentially even more stunning. This is truly in a class of its own - I would grab as many as you can so you can mark the passing of time by opening them for years to come.
Fallet-Dart "Clos du Mont" Brut Champagne (2006)
By: Michael Benoit | Review Date: 11/14/2024 | Send Email
By: Michael Benoit | Review Date: 11/14/2024 | Send Email
An absolute stunner, the 2006 Clos du Mont from Fallet-Dart has all the deep, toasty brioche that a person could ask for. This barrel-fermented beauty spends an astounding 12 years on the lees, yielding a champagne with a complex, alluring nose full of toasted almonds, candied lemon peel, and brioche. On the palate, I love its extraordinarily velvety texture coupled with flavors of ripe citrus. The finish, rich with toast, is nearly endless. Champagne this good will have you searching for any reason to celebrate!
Price:
$79.99
2022 Domaine Renaud Pouilly-Fuissé 1er Cru "Vers Cras"
By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 11/13/2024 | Send Email
By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 11/13/2024 | Send Email
The "Vers Cras" vineyard lies within both the towns of Fuisse and Solutre-Pouilly which coupled with a high proportion of limestone and sediment from a dried up Jurassic lake make this the idea terroir for great white Burgundy. The 2022 Domaine Renaud Pouilly-Fuisse 1er Cru "Vers Cras" is a wonderfully balanced offering tilted towards pure orchard fruits and subtle spice notes along with white flowers. This pure, fresh offering is an ideal white Burgundy for under $40.
Orval Trappist Ale, Belgium (11.2 oz bottle)
By: Mariah Mier | Review Date: 11/12/2024 | Send Email
By: Mariah Mier | Review Date: 11/12/2024 | Send Email
Fans of pungent farmhouse styles will love the full-bodied complexity of this rustic unfiltered pale ale. A truly authentic Trappist ale, Orval is pitched with Brettanomyces yeast before allowing the flavor to bloom over a long cellar conditioning period. As this beer is stored over months to years, the lively green aroma of the hops and zesty citrus notes give way to the remarkably complex and soulful mushroom character that it is known for.
2023 Union Sacré Monterey County Pinot Noir
By: Alexandre Tweedie | Review Date: 11/12/2024 | Send Email
By: Alexandre Tweedie | Review Date: 11/12/2024 | Send Email
Tasting Union Sacre's '23 Monterey Pinot here in November has brought me some deep joy through the early winter rains and sudden chill weather, because oh *man* this pinot is just pure summer fun and freshness in a bottle! Pure and pristine cherry drops, splashes of squeezed watermelon juice, with bright pops of wild strawberries and pomegranate zest. If you're reading this under the gloom of Northern-California winter, do yourself a favor and pick up a bottle of Union Sacre's '23 Pinot - at less than $25 for a bottle it's definitely cheaper than a flight to Sunny San Diego, but almost just as fresh and vibrant - a total joy of a wine for when winter wears you down!
2023 Làmurà Grillo Sicilia (Organic)
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 11/8/2024 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 11/8/2024 | Send Email
I recently sat down with our new Italian winery buyer Orazio in San Francisco and he asked me to check out these two new, inexpensive Sicilian wines he had just brought in...and wow! Talk about value....organically farmed, very well made, totally delicious wines for under $10!? Grillo is a bright, fresh, aromatic white variety that is the perfect all-around, everyday white wine. Floral, fresh, juicy, great ripe citrus fruit, zippy acidity and way more persistence on the palate that one might expect at this price point. This is the perfect house white for just about any occasion. With this wine you can also feel good about your purchase as it's certified organic, light weight / low CO2 glass, and the case boxes are made from 100% recycled materials. This wine is really great in so many ways and above all else it totally over delivers for the money.
Price:
$9.99
2023 Làmurà Nero d'Avola Sicilia (Organic)
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 11/8/2024 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 11/8/2024 | Send Email
I recently sat down with our new Italian winery buyer Orazio in San Francisco and he asked me to check out these two new, inexpensive Sicilian wines he had just brought in...and wow! Talk about value....organically farmed, very well made, totally delicious wines for under $10!? This bottling from Lamura perfectly captures the bold, easy, fruit you want from Nero d'Avola with great purity, polish and balance. Very easy drinking, with a soft supple textures and vibrant lift. Exceptional for the price. With this wine you can also feel good about your purchase as it's certified organic, light weight / low CO2 glass, and the case boxes are made from 100% recycled materials. This wine is really great in so many ways and above all else it totally over delivers for the money.
Price:
$9.99
2010 Bodegas Casa Juan "Señor de Lesmos" Gran Reserva Rioja
By: Kirk Walker | Review Date: 11/3/2024 | Send Email
By: Kirk Walker | Review Date: 11/3/2024 | Send Email
Now this is a special occasion wine that needs no special occasion! Gran Reserva is a special style of wine, they are not made every year because not every year does the wine have the ability to spend the time in oak to qualify for the category and come out the other side as not too oaky. This wine, at 14 years old, has come out the other side of the time in oak and additional time in bottle like it was nothing! What do you mean? There is a crazy amount of still fresh dark berry fruit to this wine. It takes a second to find it, you have to look past the ridiculous complexity of the spice, mixed fresh and dried herbs, leather, exotic woods to find it but it is there, and once you find it, it just grows and grows and grows. What a nose! There are only a handful of wines from around the world that can offer such an aromatically complex nose, and not at this price point! It is on the palate that you get a sense of the age of the wine. It is in the softer tannins, the round mellow settled-in thing that happens with older Rioja. It has an ease to it, you can tell that it does not want to try and impress you. You get it or you don't, that's fine with it. There is still a freshness to the dark berry fruit too. It is medium weight, mellow and complex. This is a wine for hanging out and nibbling on some cheese or a really great, simply prepared cut of meat.
Price:
$29.99
Berlucchi "61" Franciacorta Extra Brut
By: Mandana Tourani | Review Date: 11/3/2024 | Send Email
By: Mandana Tourani | Review Date: 11/3/2024 | Send Email
Ah! the freshness and joy trapped in the bottle.
This wine makes me want to drink every night!
On the nose, there are pleasant brioche and toast.
There’s also hints of citrus fruit, dried figs, white flowers and nutty aromas.
You can pair it with many dishes such as Salads, Fish, any charcuterie platter or
just let it be your pajama wine on a lazy night!
2019 Lynch-Bages, Pauillac
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 10/31/2024 | Send Email
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 10/31/2024 | Send Email
Lynch-Bages' 2019 elevates all the elements I adore about the property. Aromatically, it feels like it could come from nowhere else but the heart of Pauillac. On the palate, it is deeply concentrated yet never heavy, with seamless tannins and incredible texture. The wine boasts remarkable length, and while it’s only hinting at its potential right now, it is accessible enough to offer plenty of enjoyment, even at this early stage. Jean-Michel Cazes once told me that his wines should be thirst-quenching and refreshing, leaving you constantly reaching for the next glass. This 2019 embodies that style and serves as a beautiful tribute to what he crafted over the years. The 2019 Lynch-Bages will long be remembered in the pantheon of greats from this remarkable estate, and thanks to the vintage, it is also incredibly reasonably priced.
2023 Andreola "Mas De Fer" Rive di Soligo Valdobiadene Prosecco Superiore
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 10/30/2024 | Send Email
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 10/30/2024 | Send Email
Andreola "Mas De Fer" Rive di Soligo Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore is a stunning example of the heights Prosecco can reach when created with dedication and a close connection to the land. Andreola is a family-run winery founded in 1984 by Nazzareno Pola and has been a leader in showcasing the best of Valdobbiadene. Today the winery is guided by his son Stefano Pola and the estate continues the tradition of producing high-quality Prosecco wines while embracing modern winemaking techniques.
The "Mas de Fer", a prized sub-area within Valdobbiadene, consists of grapes grown on the steep slopes of the Rive di Soligo. The word "river" refers to the region's steepest and most challenging vineyards, which must be harvested by hand due to the difficulty of using machinery. These hills contain ancient glacial clays and alluvial soils that give the wines outstanding minerality and complexity. The altitude helps gain freshness by the cool mountain air. It also helps the grapes ripen, increasing the intensity of the aromas and freshness of the grapes.
This wine is an expression of the elegance of these unique conditions. It has bright aromas of green apple, pear and white peach with subtle floral and citrus notes. The bubbles on the palate are subtle and long-lasting. This creates a creamy texture that balances the wine's bright acidity with a clean, mineral flavour. For those interested in Prosecco that goes beyond stability, Andreola "Mas de Fer" offers a complex experience that captures the essence of the terroir. Perfect as an aperitif or paired with seafood, a light salad, or creamy cheeses.
Price:
$21.99
2023 Làmurà Nero d'Avola Sicilia (Organic)
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 10/28/2024 | Send Email
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 10/28/2024 | Send Email
You don’t have to splurge to enjoy a taste of Sicily—especially when it’s as delicious as the 2023 Làmurà Nero d’Avola, all for just $9.90! This organic Sicilian gem brings bold flavor without the bold price, making it an easy win for any wine lover looking to savor the island’s most famous red grape.
Expect rich aromas of dark cherries, blackberries, and a hint of warm spices, all mingling with a subtle earthiness that transports you straight to Sicily’s rugged landscapes. On the palate, it’s smooth and juicy, with a touch of Mediterranean herbs and a finish that lingers just long enough to keep you coming back for more. Nero d’Avola thrives in Sicily’s warm climate, and Làmurà has captured that sunny energy in this bottle.
Price:
$9.99
2023 Làmurà Grillo Sicilia (Organic)
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 10/28/2024 | Send Email
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 10/28/2024 | Send Email
Who says you can’t get an amazing Sicilian wine for under $10? At just $9.90, the 2023 Làmurà Grillo Sicilia is an absolute steal! Fresh, organic, and Sicilian through and through, this wine brings the sun-kissed vibes of Sicily straight to your glass without breaking the bank.
From the first sip, it’s bursting with bright citrus, juicy green apple, and a hint of tropical pineapple, all wrapped up with a lively, refreshing finish. There’s also a subtle touch of Mediterranean herbs in the mix, adding a little taste of Sicily’s wild landscape. Grillo, one of Sicily’s star white grapes, thrives in the region’s warm climate, and this organic beauty from Làmurà captures its freshness and flavor in the most delicious way possible.
Price:
$9.99
2019 Léoville-Poyferré, St-Julien
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 10/26/2024 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 10/26/2024 | Send Email
The 2019 Bordeaux, as a whole are quite scary! Scary because they are relatively drinkable right out of the bottle! This gorgeous Leoville Poyferre has round black fruited nose with background baking spices and flowers. It is richly beautiful with purple fruits and heady cassis. Milk chocolate with cinnamon spice. Generous but, not too heavy. Pretty much a wowza!
2017 Domaine Economou "Phi" Assyrtiko Crete Greece
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 10/22/2024 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 10/22/2024 | Send Email
The wines of Yiannis Economou are singular for sure. Dabbling in Assyrtiko, the vines here are 45+ year vines, own-rooted and planted over limestone, sandy soils. Usually the Assyrtikos of Santorini are the only ones that have this intensity and length on the palate. The complex nose of dried apples, beeswax, salinity and minerality evolve in the mouth. The honeyed richness reminds me of the whites of Lopez de Heredia. They continue to expand as the wine opens in the glass. This is incredible Assyrtiko that ranks in the upper echelon of what is capable of this dynamic noble variety.
Price:
$89.99
2020 Château Gigognan "Bois des Moines" Côtes-du-Rhône Villages
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 10/16/2024 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 10/16/2024 | Send Email
On the southside of Gigognan's estate are most of the winery’s oldest vines. These are in the Cotes-du-Rhone Villages appellation and if we were talking about them pre-appellation controlee, they would be considered Chateauneuf. But lines were drawn and sadly this area was left out, so with the "Bois des Moines" you get Chateauneuf quality for half the price. Lots of marl and clay lie under the galets here and the wine has a stout blackberry fruit profile but with notes of garrigue and licorice. It is supple on the palate and should drink beautifully for many years to come.
2017 Launois "Helia" Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 9/24/2024 | Send Email
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 9/24/2024 | Send Email
How exciting it is to have perennial staff favorite and customer darling Launois back in stock, and with a new offering! "Hélia" shares the Grand Cru quality and provenance of the house's Special Club release, featuring grapes from massal-selected vines. Hélia is bright with lemon fruit, plus a hint of leesiness through the heady, textured palate and long finish. 2017 was a tricky vintage for Champagne, but Chardonnay producers in the Côte des Blancs came out swinging. The latest from Launois is a shining example of that success.
Price:
$79.99
Maison Laudacius "Laudacius" Brut Nature Montlouis Methode Traditionnelle
By: Dejah Overby | Review Date: 9/13/2024 | Send Email
By: Dejah Overby | Review Date: 9/13/2024 | Send Email
Laudacius Brut Nature is my kind of "sans soufre," sparkling wine. All Chenin Blanc no added sulfur and spent a year on the lees, gaining a lusciously, tropical, fleshy stone fruited character on the nose. The balance of textures combined with chalky minerality brings this up the ladder to being my new favorite. This sparkler will not be around for long so grab 2 or more and enjoy this wonderfully priced and pleasure filled Montlouis sparkling Chenin Blanc.
2022 Cristom "Paul Gerrie Vineyard" Eola-Amity Pinot Noir
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 9/12/2024 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 9/12/2024 | Send Email
What a beautiful nose! Like so many of the Pinot Noir's that I have had from Oregon for this vintage, it is full of black raspberry fruit. There are also earthy elements with mid-palate spice and a very light dose of white pepper. The finish is long, spicy, and floral. One of the best Pinot Noir's that I have had in recent months.
Yamada Shoten "Everlasting Roots" Tokubetsu Junmai Sake 900ml
By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 9/7/2024 | Send Email
By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 9/7/2024 | Send Email
What a phenomenal Tokobetsu Junmai from Yamada Shoten in Gifu. Notes of rich, Dutch process cocoa powder—dry, earthy, woodsy, with a wisp of smoke and a subtle bitter finish. Light, silky mouthfeel with just the right amount of acidity to evoke a sense of excitement and purity. If this sake were a person, it would be Toshiro Mifune in his film noir days—dangerous, manly, and incredibly sexy. I’m not being hyperbolic here—I would like a lifetime supply of this. The importer, Komé Collective, has consistently brought in some of finest sakes to cross my palate. I also like fact that each bottle is stamped with the date it left the brewery, so you have a sense of age. Hat tip to Toji Masaki Uno for making a sake that makes my heart flutter.
Rice: Hida Homare (milled in-house)
Seimaibuai: 15%
Nihonshu-do : +4
ABV: 15%
900 mL bottle—YES!
Brewed at ambient temperatures without any high-tech anything—made in the ancestral way.
Rice: Hida Homare (milled in-house)
Seimaibuai: 15%
Nihonshu-do : +4
ABV: 15%
900 mL bottle—YES!
Brewed at ambient temperatures without any high-tech anything—made in the ancestral way.
Price:
$29.99
St. George "Valley" Gin (750ml)
By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 8/30/2024 | Send Email
By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 8/30/2024 | Send Email
Fresh, clean orange blossom notes immediately bring to mind a Ramos gin fizz. If that is your drink, St. George Valley is the gin. After trying it at home over the course of a few days, my favorite easy-peasy way to drink it is with tonic or as a martini with an orange twist and buttery, briny Castelvetrano olives. Full disclosure—I got the Castelvetrano olive idea from the lovely and amazing Dejah Overby during a staff tasting at the SF store. She has an incredible palate. But back to the gin—it’s soft and botanical. In addition to orange blossom, I pick up hints of citrus and honeycomb. There’s no honeycomb in the distillate but somehow the mélange of 25 botanicals listed below combine to form that sensation on my palate. While everyone’s palate is unique, I’m confident that delicate orange blossom and citrus notes will be unmistakable. As for the rest, the experience will be uniquely yours. If you enjoy soft, refreshing, small-batch botanical gin that’s dangerously drinkable, this is fantastic. If you’re a fan of resinous London dry-style gins, I’d recommend another one of my favorites from St. George—Terroir—which makes one the best old-school G&Ts ever. And as mentioned above, here’s the list of Valley’s 25 botanicals to help your imagination run wild: orange blossom, angelica root, Bergamot orange, caraway, fresh cilantro, California bay laurel, cardamom, coriander, fresh cucumber, fresh dill, dill seed, fennel seed, fresh ginger, grapefruit, juniper, lemon, lime, Malabar black pepper, nutmeg, orris root, pink peppercorn, Saigon cinnamon, Seville orange, star anise, and Valencia orange….whew!
Price:
$29.99
2016 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 8/26/2024 | Send Email
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 8/26/2024 | Send Email
We've adored 2016 Léoville-Barton since en primeur, and it has more-than fulfilled that promise at every turn since then. With wonderful aromatics that highlight classic Left Bank Cab (graphite, cassis), the palate bursts with energy, showing bright red fruit note that leads do deeper flavors of baking chocolate and black cherry. Extremely fine tannins give it immense structure and delineation, but there's still a luxuriousness that makes it hard to put down. It hits all the notes that make folks flock back to Léoville-Barton again and again over the years, and the vintage just seems custom-fit for the estate. This will probably be considered a reference-point rendition of St-Julien for a long time to come.
There Does Not Exist "Coppergate" Pilsner, California (16oz can)
By: Michael Pires | Review Date: 8/17/2024 | Send Email
By: Michael Pires | Review Date: 8/17/2024 | Send Email
Crisp, clean, and dry pilsner that really showcases the quality of There Does Not Exist's lager program.
Price:
$3.99
Kloster Andechs Dopplebock Dunkel, Germany (500ml)
By: Michael Pires | Review Date: 8/15/2024 | Send Email
By: Michael Pires | Review Date: 8/15/2024 | Send Email
A world-class Doppelbock from the Holy Mountain of Bavaria. Kloster Andechs is a 12th Century monastery that has brewing records dating back to the 15th Century. Full-bodied, round, with malty sweetness up front and a slightly herbacious bitterness in the finish. Notes of dried dark stone fruits, treacle, sweet bread, and cocoa.
Price:
$4.99
2022 Château du Perry Malbec Cahors
By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 8/15/2024 | Send Email
By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 8/15/2024 | Send Email
While Argentina currently champions the Malbec varietal, it is no secret that Cahors France is it's true origin. Here it shows lighter, crunchy red fruits, savory dried herbs, black peppercorns, a touch of earth, and a long spicy finish. A great introduction to the category, as it demonstrates the characteristics of Malbec from Cahors, while being a delicious, crowd-pleasing wine, at an entry level price point.
Laphroaig 10 Year Old "Batch 016" Original Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)
By: Michael Pires | Review Date: 8/10/2024 | Send Email
By: Michael Pires | Review Date: 8/10/2024 | Send Email
This is Laphroaig 10 at its finest... straight from the barrel and no chill filtering. Notes of peat smoke, sea salt, leather, and orchard fruit. This really opens up with water added. A great pick for fans of big Islay whisky.
Price:
$74.99
Bruichladdich 18 Year Old Unpeated Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (blue wrap) (750ml)
By: Michael Pires | Review Date: 8/10/2024 | Send Email
By: Michael Pires | Review Date: 8/10/2024 | Send Email
Full bodied and complex whisky with notes of sweet malt, baking spices, orchard fruit, and sea salt. This is a great choice for someone looking for a special malt with no peat influence.
Maison Laudacius "Laudacius" Brut Nature Montlouis Methode Traditionnelle
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 8/6/2024 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 8/6/2024 | Send Email
The Laudacius came across my desk a few months ago. I love good sparkling Chenin Blanc and the dryer the better. Montlouis lies just across the Loire River from Vouvray, the more esteemed area, but there are many outstanding wines coming from this slightly more obscure region. The "Laudacius" is dry but not austere. The aromas of roasted apples, pear nectar and fresh baked biscuits emerge from the glass. I was so excited when I tried the wine, I had to pull in a half dozen of my colleagues to make sure I was not reading too much into it. They all agreed, this was a startlingly good bubbles! And when we factored in the pricing, it leveled-up to becoming one of the biggest no-brainers in our Direct Import program.
Maison Laudacius "Laudacius" Brut Nature Montlouis Methode Traditionnelle
By: Alexandre Tweedie | Review Date: 8/4/2024 | Send Email
By: Alexandre Tweedie | Review Date: 8/4/2024 | Send Email
Laser focused chenin blanc, like lemon crema under a microscope - brightly driven citrus with a mineral core of spring-washed river stones. Pure mineral tones of quartz and limestone add tension to the bubbles, but the year of lee contact softens the intensity *just* enough to feel forgiving and inviting, fleshing ripe pears and creamy citrus. When you need a little kick with your little bubbles, Maison Laudacius has you covered top to bottom!
Maison Laudacius "Laudacius" Brut Nature Montlouis Methode Traditionnelle
By: Michael Benoit | Review Date: 8/4/2024 | Send Email
By: Michael Benoit | Review Date: 8/4/2024 | Send Email
With a gentle nose of honeyed cream and white flowers, and a palate of Asian pear and lime peel, this sparkling Chenin Blanc has plenty to recommend it. But what really makes this wine stand out to me is the strong, persistent minerality and racy, refreshing acid. An unusual and exciting bottle of wine for sure, and at an extremely reasonable price - a great pick for summertime!
Maison Laudacius "Laudacius" Brut Nature Montlouis Methode Traditionnelle
By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 8/4/2024 | Send Email
By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 8/4/2024 | Send Email
Every region in France makes sparkling wine, not just Champagne. In the Loire Valley, the sparkling wines feature their signature grapes -- Chenin Blanc & Cabernet Franc. Like Champagne, they use the "methode traditionnelle," but the resulting bubbly is very different given the different grapes. The Laudacius Brut Nature is 100% Chenin Blanc, is "sans soufre," or no added sulfur, has a 0 g/l dosage, so no added sugar as well, and spent one year aging on the lees. The result is a super dry sparkler balanced by Chenin Blanc's rich sweet and floral character. Medium-bodied, creamy, and fruit forward, The Laudacius has a long finish punctuated by a burst of honeysuckle.
Maison Laudacius "Laudacius" Brut Nature Montlouis Methode Traditionnelle
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 8/4/2024 | Send Email
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 8/4/2024 | Send Email
Holy Brut Nature! I love Chenin Blanc, especially those from Montlouis-sur-Loire, and this sparkler from Maison Laudacius is no exception. Notes of pear and even a touch of brioche jump out on the nose, followed by laser acidity slicing through the lemony, creamy palate, with a surprisingly long finish. The bead is delicate enough to please true Champagne fans (méthode traditionnelle!), and the quicksilver feel of such a dry yet complex offering keeps you coming back for more. The price is nice, too, as is the "no added sulfites" for those who care about such things. This is a brand-new Direct Import for us and it's already a hit.
Maison Laudacius "Laudacius" Brut Nature Montlouis Methode Traditionnelle
By: Estefani Seefoo | Review Date: 8/4/2024 | Send Email
By: Estefani Seefoo | Review Date: 8/4/2024 | Send Email
Delicious! Makes a sharp, acidic entrance that almost makes you pucker until you receive the buttery, pineapple notes. However, this Brut Nature is not sweet, but delivers the soft, drinkability of Chenin Blanc. The finish is round and balanced. A new favorite.
Maison Laudacius "Laudacius" Brut Nature Montlouis Methode Traditionnelle
By: John Downing | Review Date: 8/4/2024 | Send Email
By: John Downing | Review Date: 8/4/2024 | Send Email
Although I've had the good fortune to taste a lot of great Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley, very little has been sparkling. This impressive Brut is an unexpected pleasure as it over-delivers at its sub $20 price. The nose offers complex pear and apple scents while the palate is creamy with a lemon and mineral finish. Ample acidity adds tension and length to this outstanding sparkling wine. It's a wonderful alternative to Champagne and will especially appeal to those who enjoy drier style whites.
Maison Laudacius "Laudacius" Brut Nature Montlouis Methode Traditionnelle
By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 8/4/2024 | Send Email
By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 8/4/2024 | Send Email
Slices of fresh golden apples, ripe Asian pears, juicy quince, touch of yellow mangos, hint of pineapples, and salted biscuits. Super refreshing, lively acidity, bone dry, with a chalky-saline finish. Crushable, crowd pleasing, and budget friendly. The perfect sparkly to keep multiple bottles of in the fridge!
Maison Laudacius "Laudacius" Brut Nature Montlouis Methode Traditionnelle
By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 8/3/2024 | Send Email
By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 8/3/2024 | Send Email
This sparkling Chenin Blanc is wonderful, delicious and interesting. The nose is rich and inviting, In the mouth, it is medium to full bodied with a balanced richness. One of the nice things about this wine is that each taste seems to bring out new flavors and aspects. There is a good crisp lively finish. I think that it will go well alone and will be especially good with cheese.
2021 Buehler "Estate" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 8/3/2024 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 8/3/2024 | Send Email
Buehler's estate vineyard out in Conn Valley is nothing short of spectacular. It's like a whole entire world unto itself. The vines are scattered in dozens of parcellated hillside blocks looking down onto Lake Hennessy with Pritchard Hill just beyond. The iron rich, red volcanic soils are strewn with boulders and fractured basalt. With some vines dating back to the early 1970s, and a winemaker, David Cronin, who's been making the wines since 1993, Buehler has consistently produced excellent wines for more than 40 years. What's more, the value to be found here is exceptional, hence why these wines have been longtime staff favorites here at K&L. Cronin previously worked at Far Niente and Joseph Phelps, so most definitely knows how to make top quality Napa Cabernet. Preferring to fly under the radar compared to some more well known "celebrity" winemakers around the valley, his skills in the cellar speak for themselves. The 2021 Buehler Estate Cab is bold and powerful with ripe red and black fruits, dusty earth, luxurious oak spices, and a mouth filling texture. Blackberry, dark cherry, baker's chocolate, leather, some graphite. Ripe, fine tannins, smooth, lush mid-palate fruit, with stony, dusty mineral underpinning. This wine delivers truly unrivalled value and QPR in its competitive set with wines on Pritchard Hill just across Lake Hennessy consistently costing 5-10 times this price for a very similar experience! A recent visit to the estate with John Buehler reminded me just how special these wines are and I'm excited to share them with you. Cheers!
2021 Buehler "Estate" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
By: Alexandre Tweedie | Review Date: 8/2/2024 | Send Email
By: Alexandre Tweedie | Review Date: 8/2/2024 | Send Email
Rich & dark, filled with layers of blackberry tartlet, floral tinged compote and a stony mineral structure to blanket the abundant black fruit - Buhler's 2021 Cabernet is a classically made and styled Napa wine with a bright, punchy lift that just begs for a big dinner. If you're in the mood for Big & Bold, Buhler balances opulent depth with substantial spice and tannin, fashioning one absolutely classic bottle of Big Napa.
Distilleria Caffo Vecchio Amaro del Capo "Hot Chili Pepper" Amaro (700ml)
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 7/8/2024 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 7/8/2024 | Send Email
I was introduced to the "regular" version of this product by our very own Gary Westby, who shared it as his preference for the amaro in a Black Manhattan. I bought a bottle and absolutely loved it, so when David asked if we wanted to carry this Calabrian chili version, I immediately said yes. The chilis start as a visual, the amaro having a shockingly bright red hue. The nose smells almost the same with a dusky pepperiness showing towards the end with a strong peppery clearing of the sinuses if you inhale too deeply. The palate is dense with a shining deep orange note that's surrounded by herbs, a moderate bitterness that doesn't linger too long before the spice kicks in. The weight in the mouth is fantastic and encourages swirling it around with each sip, but that's also how to maximize the spice's impact. It's just a moderate pop of spice, but feels like it has the potential to build sip after sip and finishes with a clean and sweet tingle. This is a very fun product, and I'm going to get a bottle and make... Red Manhattans with it.
Price:
$39.99
Nikka "Coffey Malt" Whisky (750ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 7/4/2024 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 7/4/2024 | Send Email
When people ask me to describe Japanese Whisky in the shop, I typically go on a long winding history about Nikka's founder Taketsuru-san. His vision nearly 100 years ago is largely responsible for the high-quality Japanese Whisky we see today. Of course, in a more simplistic version, Japanese Whisky is basically made exactly like Scotch. Yes, there are subtle differences in technique and style, but the image that Taketsuru-san brought back from Scotland in the 1920s has remained largely unchanged. That's why it's difficult to describe Japanese Whisky without explaining Scotch to someone. But this little whisky is something so uniquely Japanese it stands apart from the rest of the category. The Scottish have certainly tried to distill Malted Whisky on a column still (over the course of the last 150+ years) but almost certainly abandoned the exercise due to the incredible costs as compared to standard grain whisky production. In this case, they've taken the same wort that would go into their Single Malt and run it through the column still. Further more it's aged in high quality recharred and refilled American oak rather than tired old 4th fill hogshead. In a lot of ways this whisky is the most distinctly Japanese product on the shelf (with the exception of the malted rice whiskies like Ohishi and Fukano). The result of experimentation that began with redistilling Ben Nevis Malt Spirit on the old Coffey stills at Nikka. The result is ultra refined and subtle but filled with character. Usually, the term smooth is the most meaningless in the business, but this one definitely qualifies. Easy, but with an edgy earthiness almost savory note and sweet stone fruit to balance. Certainly not high on the intensity meter, but extremely well put together and appealing style. Great cross over from American and Irish Whiskey lovers.
Oka Yuzu Japanese Vodka (900ml)
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 7/1/2024 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 7/1/2024 | Send Email
The base spirit for this flavored vodka is distilled completely from rice, and then the producer macerates the spirit with yuzu pulp and peels before being pot-distilled and then rested a further week on the peels. The nose is in a beautiful battle with itself, trying to show off soft and beautiful yuzu florality while also offering a punch of lemon-lime citrus. The palate has a delightful weight, making it eminently sippable, with an intense punch of yuzu shining through while the mouthfeel draws you in, the initial stage of the finish is herbal but ultimately it settles down tasting like tropical yuzu candy, despite no sweetness in the product. I've made a few drinks with this and the yuzu character always shines through beautifully, making the cocktails distinctive and that much more appealing. Truly a winner of a product.
Price:
$24.99
Oka Japanese Gin (900ml)
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 7/1/2024 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 7/1/2024 | Send Email
This rice-spirit based gin has a rich nose that's filled with yuzu, orange zest and juniper with edges of sansho peppercorn and ginger with a hint of olive rounding out the nose and keeping it from being unbalanced. The palate hits with loads of fresh citrus and an appealing viscosity, just weighty enough for an ultra-sippable martini. Finishing up with watermelon rind and more savory peppercorn and ginger around the edges, there's a pleasant bite of juniper lingering there. This is an ultra-approachable and ultra-flexible gin that would make a great addition to any bar, especially if you're planning on making a variety of cocktails.
Price:
$24.99
2015 Bodegas Casa Juan "Señor de Lesmos" Reserva Rioja
By: Kirk Walker | Review Date: 7/1/2024 | Send Email
By: Kirk Walker | Review Date: 7/1/2024 | Send Email
Lesmos, I know it is Señor de Lesmos, but for more than a decade I have always shortened the name whenever I talk about this wine. The thing is, I have saved soooo many words with that abbreviation, this is one of the all-time best-selling Spanish wines at K&L. I can squander all of those saved words while I am writing up this wine! It is a wine that if you like Spanish wine, and you shop in one of our stores, someone working (any maybe another customer) has recommended this Reserva Rioja to you. This has everything that the Crianza has going for it, old vines, organics, hand harvested, and it has more. More power, more concentration, more presence and more time in oak. This wine has spent 18 months in a mixture of used French and American oak barrels and then has spent all that time resting in bottle! Even if we fudge the math a little, we are looking at almost 5 extra years aging (it needs a certain minimum to qualify for Reserva). What does all that more translate into with this wine? 2015 was a very good vintage (almost as good as the 2019). It was a slightly warmer vintage, and you can feel that in this wine, there is just a little more richness. The dark cherry fruit tones are a little heavier, that black fruit behind that is a little warmer. It is that underlying dark character that I love most about this wine; it is a subtle savory tone that adds extra dimension to the wine. All of that is framed with developing notes of age; there is more leather, spice, that tertiary earthiness, accented with some dried herbal tones. The tannins have started to resolve but they still have presence. This wine over-delivers on every level.
Price:
$19.99
Launois "Veuve Clemence" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 6/24/2024 | Send Email
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 6/24/2024 | Send Email
This is my favorite Launois Champagne, perhaps even above their Special Club release, for its combination of value and artistry. The Veuve Clémence takes everything that's gorgeous about the Cuvée Réserve and elevates it: delicate bead, a steely core of minerality, estate-grown Chardonnay from the chalky soils of legendary Grand Cru village, Mesnil-sur-Oger. It gets four (nearly five!) years of aging on the lees (versus the Réserve's three) and is sourced from older vines. This is a powerful, almost vinous Champagne, with added toastiness from the lees that you don’t find in younger Blanc de blancs. But fear not if you’re a fan of brighter wines: Veuve Clémence dazzles with laser acidity and vivid lemon fruit, tempered by textured mouthfeel and a long finish. It is absolutely worth the extra ten bucks to taste this beauty.
Price:
$44.99
Launois "Cuvée Réservée" Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 6/24/2024 | Send Email
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 6/24/2024 | Send Email
Crisp and linear with an almost creamy texture, the nuanced Launois Cuvée Réserve overdelivers every time. This Champagne is magical: Grand Cru Chardonnay from chalky soils shows minerality, but that racy backbone is balanced by moussy elegance. There's a sparkly acidity that will impress Blanc de blancs connoisseurs while still pleasing a crowd. I've even paired it with weeknight takeout and it's been perfect.
When we say buy as much as you can now, we mean it: Launois sells out incredibly quickly! I am proud to support Séverine Launois and her family's tradition of exceptional wines. We are talking Le Mesnil-sur-Oger fruit for under $40! Do not miss this top-quality, value-driven favorite.
Price:
$39.99
Fallet-Dart "Clos du Mont" Brut Champagne (2006)
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 6/24/2024 | Send Email
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 6/24/2024 | Send Email
Twelve years—TWELVE YEARS—on the lees for less than $100? Less than $75, even? Incredible. This is a sophisticated yet hugely accessible Champagne, with depth, texture, and a honeyed quality that's saved from being too rich by its snappy 80% Chardonnay. There is a backbone of acidity balanced by easygoing apple fruit on the palate, with that coveted toastiness through the finish. I first met Paul Fallet at K&L's Champagne Tent Event in 2017, where he charmed with his shy, sincere personality, then dazzled us with high quality wines. Fallet Dart is a great family-run Direct Import to support, but even without the backstory, I'd want to drink this delicious, complex Champagne. Plus, it's sourced from a clos, and based on the excellent 2006 vintage! We always have customers come late to this party, only realizing how special Clos du Mont is once our limited quantity is gone. Don't let that be you.
Price:
$79.99
A. Bergère Brut Origine Champagne
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 6/22/2024 | Send Email
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 6/22/2024 | Send Email
The Origine from A. Bergère comes from a rarely-exported sub region of Champagne just southwest of the Côte des Blancs centered around the village of Etoges. The wine is a beautiful example of a chardonnay dominant, brioche filled style, yet still finishes crisp and dry. I loved this on its own as an aperitif!
Price:
$54.99
A. Bergère Brut Origine Champagne
By: Alex Leonardini | Review Date: 6/20/2024 | Send Email
By: Alex Leonardini | Review Date: 6/20/2024 | Send Email
The A. Bergere "Origine" Brut Champagne may be new to the shelves of K&L, but the Bergere family has been fastidiously tending vines on the slopes of the Valee du Petit Morin since 1849 and making their own Champagne since 1949. The wine is composed of 70% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir, and 10% Meunier, all of which is fermented in barrel with reserve wine making up 30% of the final product. The result is a wine of dual personalities: succulent, unctuous texture and dry, mineral-driven freshness. There's so much weight and leesy, toasty delight through the midpalate, but the wine manages to finish with an almost chalky minerality, balancing the best of both worlds. This one is well worth trying for yourself.
Price:
$54.99