K&L Wine Merchants - Staff Favorites

2009 Magdelaine, St-Emilion

By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 4/1/2025 | Send Email

Magdelaine 2009 is a captivating expression of a singular site in Bordeaux. Nestled in the heart of St-Émilion on the limestone plateau—between Ausone and Canon—this now-defunct label (absorbed into Bélair-Monange) serves as a testament to the enduring power of terroir. Ironically, this 2009 embodies the very style that Bordeaux winemakers aspire to today—pure, precise, textured, and fresh—yet it flew under the radar in an era dominated by extraction and power. From its expressive aromatics and vibrant fruit to its refined palate and striking minerality, Magdelaine 2009 delivers on every level. Now drinking beautifully, it is just beginning to reveal its full character and caliber. With a long drinking window ahead, this vintage stands as a benchmark for the historic estate—and a worthy rival to St-Émilion’s finest.

Price: $174.99

2020 de France Rouge, Pessac-Léognan

By: John Downing | Review Date: 3/31/2025 | Send Email

Although this wine has a rather unassuming label it's quite impressive. It truly reflects the unique terrior of Pessac-Leognan while delivering a medium-to-full-bodied palate of concentrated black fruit, smooth ripe tannins and a delicious finish. This wine is singing at the moment and offers a lot at the price.

Price: $29.99

2022 La Tour Léognan, Pessac-Léognan

By: John Downing | Review Date: 3/31/2025 | Send Email

This is one of the better outstanding value 2022 reds we've tasted of late and it comes with a good deal of positive feedback from customers as well. It's made by Chateau Carbonnieux from declassified juice as well as from young vines. This delicious wine leads with pleasant aromas of bright red fruit, cassis and cedar followed by a juicy palate with mild ripe tannins and a vibrant, fresh finish. It's sure to please those looking for tremendous value red Bordeaux as well as first timers.

Price: $19.99

2023 Laberinto "Arcillas de Laberinto" Riesling Valle de Maule

By: Kirk Walker | Review Date: 3/30/2025 | Send Email

This is a $20 wine that drinks like a $50 bottle! There is so much wine here and I love how surprised I am by that. Laberinto is one of the great wine producers of Chile, and of the world. The quality of these wines for the price point puts them in very rarified air. Laberinto is the perfect combination of winemaking and terroir. Laberinto has become one of the most dependable names in the world of wine. Grown in the Andes foothills, overlooking a mountain lake resort, and planted in volcanic soils, there are no other Rieslings quite like this in the world. There is a cool mix of stone fruits and citrus over penetrating minerality. This wine has a distracting long finish, it goes and goes, constantly pulling your attention back to it. I love the intensity and purity of this wine, it is not complex, but it is not monochromatic. It does that trick where I am dancing circles around it trying to pin it down, while all the while, all I want to do is to be enjoying it not trying to describe it! Here is a wine for any enthusiast of mineral driven white wines.

Price: $21.99

TA: 97

DS: 93

RP: 92

2014 Tenuta Bibbiano "Bibbianaccio"

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 3/28/2025 | Send Email

What a deal on this wine! The 2014 Bibbianaccio from Tenuta di Bibbiano is a unique expression of Sangiovese. It comes from the best vineyard of this producer, and I love to see that they chose to go with the traditional blend in the Chianti area: Sangiovese (60%), Colorino (34%), and a small but fascinating inclusion of Malvasia Bianca del Chianti and Trebbiano (6%), which are both white wine varieties. This is the blend they used to use before international varieties were introduced in the region. I love to see that such high-quality wine still uses them. Situated in Castellina in Chianti, Bibbiano is one of Chianti’s oldest estates, dating back to the 11th century. They practice organic farming throughout the estate and use a combination of small and large oak cask for this wine. The 2014 vintage, often overlooked in Tuscany, at this point in its life offers a beautiful fresh and aromatic profile. The secondary fruit is starting to come out: you can expect cassis, red berries but the characteristics aromas of mint found in older Sangiovese bring everything together so nicely. The presence of Colorino brings depth and color, while the white grapes offers lift and aromatic nuance. This wine is fun, old enough to experience an older Sangiovese without breaking the bank.

Price: $39.99

2016 La Parde de Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan

By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 3/28/2025 | Send Email

Coming from one of my favorite vintages at this address, 2016 La Parde Haut-Bailly is a great testament to the top-notch releases coming from Veronique Sanders and her team, year after year. Now called Haut Bailly II, we still have a sweet spot for La Parde, as it has been a go-to at K&L for decades now. Whatever it's named, the wine simply delivers. Aromatically there are more black fruits and florals, but it is brighter on the palate, with red fruits, minerality, and a bit of cedar on the long, slightly spicy finish. Texturally, that compact and concentrated (but not heavy) character of the Grand Vin shows through. I find this bottle just to be at the early stages of maturity—a few tertiary notes are starting to show up, but just around the edges. Either way, this delivers a to of character and depth, and is another shining example of the incredible 2016 vintage. 47% each Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance being 6% Cabernet Franc.

Price: $44.99

2012 Billecart-Salmon "Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart" NFB Brut Champagne

By: Lilia McIntosh | Review Date: 3/28/2025 | Send Email

Billecart Salmon delivers incredibly complex and refined cuvee Nicolas Francois! Perfectly aged and nuanced, it's shows deep texture and savory mineral notes with touch of toasted almonds, orchard fruit, hints of honey and white blossom. It's dry and focused and full bodied without feeling heavy. It changes and opens up in the glass as it gets warmer with an amazing bouquet of meadow flowers and fresh pastry on the palate. Wonderful Champagne for any occasion!

Price: $199.99

2020 Marqués de Murrieta Reserva Rioja

By: Kirk Walker | Review Date: 3/27/2025 | Send Email

When thinking about the wines and winery Marques de Murrieta I always feel that there is an overlap with Bordeaux. Now, there are many reasons for this that have absolutely nothing to do with the wine in our glasses. This estate, yes estate like in Bordeaux, was conceived of being a wine estate or a Chateaux in Bordeaux. The original owner was inspired by those wines while he was in exile in the 1840’s. When he returned to Rioja, he specifically created the estate that way while all of his contemporaries were just making blends from fruit or wine from all over the region. The history of Rioja is very much intertwined with Bordeaux. Another reason, and this has nothing to do with the wine, but the export manager for the estate is the grandson of the former owner of Pichon Lalande. The last connection informs the next, the Reserva always has a feel to it that to makes me think of the best St Julien. Now this in no way tastes like Bordeaux, this is unmistakably Rioja, with its aromatics from the fruit and oak aging, not to mention the difference in structure. But there is a polish, a reserved intensity and balance to this wine. I cannot put an exact word to it, but that presence is apparent just from the nose, this smell like special Rioja. 2020 is not as concentrated of a vintage as the 2019, and that plays towards the more elegant style of Marques de Murrieta. The nose is lifted and aromatic, the core is that dark cherry fruit of Tempranillo, which is fresh and bright, but the Mazuelo and Garnacha add intriguing depth and shades of different tones on the periphery. The American oak is present, it the helping to define what this is, but it is restrained displaying layers of balsam and spice. On the palate this delivers. It is full and balanced. The fruit is clean and pure, with layers of red fruits and berries that are focused with spice and restrained oak. While this might lack a little of the previous vintages immediate power and intensity, the complexity and purity more than make up for that. Not to mention, the more time that you spend with the wine, the bigger it becomes, this is a wine that will need a little more decanting, it doesn’t require it, it is charming once you pull the cork, but it builds and builds without ever losing its sense of polish or purity. This is a fantastic Rioja. I love how it has polish and presence but has not lost any identity. What a wine!

Price: $27.99

2012 Billecart-Salmon "Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart" NFB Brut Champagne

By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 3/27/2025 | Send Email

The most exciting release in 2025 from Champagne! This incredible 2012 is just now being released, while many producers have moved on to their 2016's or even 2019's. The patience that Florent Nys, the chef de cave, as well as the Billecart family have shown in ageing this wine has created a true treat in the glass, a wine that is both uniquely easy to drink, yet layered with complexity and intrigue. The explosive bouquet has the hazelnuts of Verzenay in abundance, framed by sourdough toast from 120 months of lees contact. In the mouth the freshness of the chardonnay shows through, with a perfect texture and precise bead. The best part of the wine is the finish- a true peacock's tail display- the whole flavor wheel... The length and profound chalk of the finale makes for an unforgettable wine. I hope that I will be having this again soon with food- I can imagine it being a spectacular partner to the best smoked salmon!

Price: $199.99

2023 Castello di Verduno "Basadone" Pelaverga

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 3/25/2025 | Send Email

Castello di Verduno "Basadone" Pelaverga is a true gem for those who love discovering lesser-known Italian varietals. Pelaverga, a rare, ancient grape from the Verduno region of Piedmont, offers fun and serious wines. Full of character, this pelaverga is a beautiful expression of this interesting grape. It offers something truly different from the more familiar Nebbiolo or Barbera... On the nose, "Basadon" has bright aromas of wild strawberries, raspberries, and red cherries. Along with the unique spices that Pelaverga is famous for, such as white pepper, rose petals and a hint of herbs. Fresh taste and light texture with bright acidity and fine tannins. Makes it incredibly drinkable The wine has a spiciness and almost earthiness that adds complexity to the lively fruit. Finished with unique spices. Castello di Verduno, an ancient estate known for producing traditional, high quality wines, have supported Pelaverga for many years and "Basadon" is a testament to their dedication to maintaining this unique variety. The vineyards are on the cool slopes of Verduno, perfect for this delicate viticulture. This wine pairs well with lighter meals like charcuterie, grilled chicken, or even pasta with a simple tomato sauce. It is also a wine that can be enjoyed alone. This is due to its light, refreshing nature and complex flavour. For those wanting to explore beyond the classic Piedmont varietals, Castello di Verduno's "Basadon" Pelaverga wines offer a delightful and exciting taste of the region's lesser-known treasures. This wine captivates with its richness and spice.

Price: $33.99

2021 Paradigm Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 3/25/2025 | Send Email

Paradigm has long been a hidden gem in Napa Valley. This stunning estate sits in a near perfect spot on the west Oakville bench, hallowed ground from world-class Cabernet Sauvignon. Right next door is Opus One's parcel of To Kalon. Other neighbors include Christian Moueix' Ulysses Estate, Martha's Vineyard, and Vine Hill Ranch. The relatively southern position in the valley and afternoon shade from the Mayacamas Range mean this estate is perfectly suited to producing classically styled, Bordeaux inspired, complex, layered and age worthy Cabernet. When this magical terroir is combined with the exceptional winemaking skills of one of the valley's truly icons, Heidi Peterson Barrett. Referred to by Robert Parker as "the Queen of Cult Cabernet," Barret's resume includes many decades at some of the region's top estates - Screaming, Dalla Valle. and more. Despite this pedigree and sheer quality, Paradigm has stayed somewhat under the radar. They don't have a big marketing machine behind them. The wines have rarely been submitted to writers and critics. Because of this the pricing of the wines has remained very reasonable compared to many of the $300-400 per bottle neighbors. The 2021 Paradigm hits a perfect balance between the natural intensity and power of Napa Cab with the nuance and complexity of a more refined, structural presence on the palate. Blackcurrant, mulberry, hints of mint and bay laurel, tobacco leaf. Inky and concentrated, but vibrant and perfumed. There's enough puppy far to make this wine accessible right away and it's delicious right out of the bottle. However, if you have ability and / or patience to lay some down in the cellar I have no doubt this wine will continue to improve over 5-8 years and will likely sail on to 2050. This is the real deal, no fluff, just incredible dirt, meticulous farming, expert winemaking.

Price: $99.95

DC: 97

Foss Marai "Cartizze" Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Dry

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 3/19/2025 | Send Email

The crown jewel of Prosecco, this Superiore di Cartizze Dry comes from the most prestigious vineyard in Valdobbiadene DOCG. With a generous, velvety texture and layers of golden apple, ripe peach, honeysuckle, and toasted almond, which is the ultimate luxurious Prosecco, best for special occasion and fine dining.

Price: $29.99

Foss Marai "Guia" Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Millesimato Brut

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 3/19/2025 | Send Email

A single-vintage (Millesimato) Prosecco that highlights the precision and purity of Glera from a standout harvest year. This Brut is drier and more mineral-driven, with crisp acidity and layers of citrus, acacia blossom, and stone fruit. A state-of-the-art, delicate Prosecco that pairs superbly with seafood and sensitive dishes.

Price: $21.99

Foss Marai "Strada di Guia" Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Extra Dry

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 3/19/2025 | Send Email

Named after the historical road in Guia, the coronary heart of Valdobbiadene, this Extra Dry Prosecco moves a really perfect stability between freshness and softness. Notes of white flowers, green apple, and ripe pear shine, supported by way of a creamy, persistent mousse.

Price: $18.99

2020 Amorotti Montepulciano D'Abruzzo

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 3/19/2025 | Send Email

Well, Montepulciano is one of the varieties that are the most sensitive to the producer and vineyard site. Some of the best but also some of the worst wines I have ever tried are Montepulciano and this is what makes this bottle outstanding. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is often thought of as a bold, rustic wine, but when grown in the right terroir and made with precision and patience, it can be refined, structured, and incredibly complex. Amorotti’s Montepulciano is again fermented using indigenous yeast, but this time is aged for 2 years in Slavonian barrels. This Montepulciano is yes bold, with ripe blueberry and plum notes, but it has an incredible minerality and meaty undertones. The balance is incredible here. The nose is full of bergamot and citrus peel. Slightly notes of smoky, savory delicious textured aromas. This Montepulciano is far from the jammy, fruit-driven examples often found on the market—instead, it captures the balance of fruit, acidity, and minerality that defines Loreto Aprutino’s finest wines.

Price: $49.99

VN: 94 - 95

2021 Paradigm Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/18/2025 | Send Email

An intense and brooding nose rife with blackberry compote and cream, black cherry lozenge, and hints of purple and white flowers. Behind that is orange zest, touches of cedar and oak spices along with a bit of sugary roasted tobacco. The palate, while firm and more than a little grippy is rich and supple, lots more fresh bramble fruits and tart cherry that's backed by floral and dark green herb sachets. There's such an impressive length and finish to this wine. There's a plushness and opulence to the fruit, but it doesn't go overboard into jammy or overly fruited territory. With the level of the tannin and opulence of the wine, I'm going to have to declare this is a fat potato wine, get that ribeye and just go bonkers.

Price: $99.95

DC: 97

2019 Branaire-Ducru, St-Julien

By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 3/17/2025 | Send Email

Branaire has long been a favorite of ours, consistently overdelivering for its modest price, aging beautifully, and maximizing the potential of its enviable terroir in the heart of St-Julien. In recent years, François-Xavier Maroteaux has taken it to another level—excelling not only in great vintages like 2019 but also outperforming expectations in more challenging years. Today, we’re lucky to taste one of their finest: the 2019. It captures the warm, open character of the vintage while maintaining the density and structure for long-term aging. The red-fruit core leans into deep, rich tones, accented by hints of cedar, tobacco, and mint. But it’s the focus and texture that steal the show—fine tannins, great concentration of fruit, and remarkable balance, never feeling heavy. A true gem among overachieving Left Bank reds, Branaire-Ducru is a surefire winner in 2019.

Price: $64.99

Sake Ono Junmai Daiginjo Sake (300ml)

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 3/14/2025 | Send Email

If you're looking for a clean and bright sake that will pair well with meats and cheeses and vegetables, look no further. This is it! Of course, it will also pair very well with sashimi and sushi. Clean and quite bright, with light to medium body, it has mellow citrus flavors with white melon and tart green fruits. It widens slightly on the mid-palate and expands with a very nice hint of creaminess. Simply put, it's pretty much perfect with a huge array of foods or just as enjoyable by itself or even in a cocktail. They even gave me a recipe for a Vesper martini with this sake as a key ingredient. That also looks delicious!

Price: Hidden

Sake Ono Junmai Daiginjo Sake (720ml)

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 3/14/2025 | Send Email

If you're looking for a clean and bright sake that will pair well with meats and cheeses and vegetables, look no further. This is it! Of course, it will also pair very well with sashimi and sushi. Clean and quite bright, with light to medium body, it has mellow citrus flavors with white melon and tart green fruits. It widens slightly on the mid-palate and expands with a very nice hint of creaminess. Simply put, it's pretty much perfect with a huge array of foods or just as enjoyable by itself or even in a cocktail. They even gave me a recipe for a Vesper martini with this sake as a key ingredient. That also looks delicious!

Price: $44.99

2018 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge, Pessac-Léognan

By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 3/10/2025 | Send Email

There was a time during En Primeur that we had to beg, borrow, and steal to get our hands on some 2018 Domaine de Chevalier. It showed beautifully during the campaign, merited sky-high press, and remained all-too-reasonably priced (as is the case with most vintages of DDC). Now, years, later, nothing has really changed aside from having more great vintages on the market from the property that have diverted some attention away from this wonderful 2018. All the better for enthusiasts, as it remains one of the great high-upside values in collectible Bordeaux. To me, there is a textural breadth that defines a great vintage of DDC Rouge, and there's plenty of that in the 2018. Red to black fruits line the aromas, with a hint of gravel and a floral note. On the palate, that texture and concentration pairs beautifully with black cherries, currant, and a fine minerality. A long finish supports super-fine tannins, but there's enough brightness to keep it refreshing. I think this level of refinement in a more immediate vintage like 2018 is a wonderful combination, and certainly the team at Domaine de Chevalier nailed it with this one. I've had trouble keeping my hands off the bottles I've bought over the years, as it already drinks well with a decant, but it is surely one that will age effortlessly for decades.

Price: $99.99

2023 Common Thread "Tasona Nafare Vineyard" Santa Cruz Mountains Syrah

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 3/8/2025 | Send Email

This classically styled Syrah has dark cherries, smoke, savory spice and dark cassis fruit. There is the perfect amount of tannin and clean oak to keep things interesting and pure. It is both traditional and sleek, at once. Compare it to your favorite Northern Rhone!

Price: $29.95

WE: 95

2023 Common Thread "Escolle Vineyard" Santa Lucia Highlands Gamay

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 3/8/2025 | Send Email

There is nothing common about this wine! It is bright and pure and fresh. The nose is refreshing with bright red fruits and floral scents. Very pretty! The palate is crunchy and clean with raspberry and tart boysenberry fruits. There is just little bit of savory spice to keep things even more interesting. Put this one up against any Cru Beaujolais from France!

Price: Hidden

Origami "Angelfish" Junmai Daiginjo Arkansas Sake (750ml)

By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 3/6/2025 | Send Email

Just like wines sourced from vitis vinifera vines grown in American soil, Angelfish is composed of a Japanese rice cultivar planted in American soil—single-origin Yamada Nishiki from Isabell Farms in Central Arkansas to be precise. The Isabells have farmed for five generations and have cultivated rice for more than 70 years. With a seimaibuai of 40%, meaning 60% of the rice has been polished away, the result is an elegant and distinctive sake with rich, fruity flavors. With an SMV of -14, this is a sweeter sake. Fresh honeydew melon rings clear as a bell, with subtle notes of Satsuma orange (Mikan!) and jasmine blossoms. Made at Origami sake brewery in Arkansas by Toji Jusin Potts, a certified Sakasho (Master of Sake), this sake is Kosher certified, vegan, gluten free, and sulfite free — so everyone wins!

Price: Hidden

2018 Ad Vivum "Sleeping Lady Vineyard" Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon (Winery Direct Library Release)

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 3/6/2025 | Send Email

This is one for the cellar that is likely to continue positive development for another 5+ years, then enjoy a couple decades of perfect drinking. This wine is simply stunning, a perfect reflection of refined and focused power. There’s so much layered intensity and depth, but it's coiled and compacted into the wine’s muscular form. Notes of cassis, lavender, mulberry, briar patch, shaved cedar, cigar box, and graphite. Very fine but multitudinous tannins promise a long life along with the wine’s bright, fresh acidity that makes the aromatics sing. You get the feeling that this wine isn't quite ready to show all its cards quite yet but has the potential to be a perfect wine that can stand toe-to-toe with the best of the best in Napa and beyond.

Price: $199.95

2017 Ad Vivum "Sleeping Lady Vineyard" Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon (Winery Direct Library Release)

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 3/6/2025 | Send Email

The 2017 vintage sometimes gets overlooked being sandwiched in between the powerhouse 2016 wines and the focused, long-lived wines of 2018. However, I've recently had the opportunity to taste several 2017 Napa Cabs and have been really impressed at how well they're aging and thought them to be drinking very well right now, perhaps even more expressive than the vintages on either side. The 2017 Ad Vivum was harvested just days before the wildfires broke out, Chris' relatively early picking decisions averting disaster. The wine is wonderful with dark, dusty fruits of the forest, blackcurrant, mulberry, leather, graphite, cedar pencil. A nice soft array of fruit underpinned by some good structural tannins and rocky mineral notes. It’s good to go anytime over the next 10 to 15 years with ease.

Price: $199.95

2016 Ad Vivum "Sleeping Lady Vineyard" Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon (Winery Direct Library Release)

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 3/6/2025 | Send Email

A powerful vintage of Ad Vivum as the vineyard bounced back from several vintages of drought. The 2016 has deep blue to black fruits, cassis, elderberry, espresso, cedar and stony minerals. The formidable structure this wine once had is now beautifully resolved, perfectly integrated with the fruit as the first few hints of bottle development aromas and flavors edge into the mix. This wine will be in its prime for the next decade and likely age 15 to 20 years before any sign of slowing.

Price: $199.95

G4 "de Madera" Blanco Tequila

By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 3/6/2025 | Send Email

Without a doubt the El Pandillo Distillery sits at the pinnacle of Tequila production among a small pantheon of great producers. This core group of 6 to 7 distillers in the region aren't the only people making good to tequila, but they're the only distillers I can guarantee only make GREAT tequila and furthermore aren't using the controversial additives that have become ubiquitous in modern tequila production. I know for a fact that none of the greatest of the great distillers ever use additives in any product they bottle. But El Pandillo is particularly special in that their owner and master distillery Felipe Camarena is so experienced and confident, he's not held back by his ego in the pursuit of great tequila. His distillery was already producing some of the regions finest distillate, so why go and change the recipe? Simply put, there are new frontiers to concur. Fermenting in wood, the most traditional and expensive, offers huge hurdles and costs, but it also has the capability to add incredible depth and richness. That is exactly what they've achieved with this exceptional limited release product. Bottled at higher proof and without any additives, G4 achieves a new level of complexity that very few other producers can match, even among the pantheon of greats. The rich powerful aromas of tropical fruit and sweet earthy herbs contrast and impeccable sense of tension on the palate which keeps the vibrant spirit from feeling overly weighty. If you're a diehard Fortaleza fan but are frustrated with the incredibly difficulty it takes to track down a bottle, you'll more than satiated with this stupendous expression. This is contender for the very best Blanco tequila available today, but these yearly releases go surprisingly quick. I'm stocking up for the coming warm months now.

Price: $54.99

2021 El Lugar "Greengate Ranch" Edna Valley Pinot Noir

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/6/2025 | Send Email

The nose opens with fresh pie cherry and stewed Bing cherries backed by touches of floral before finishing with rich barrel spice. The palate is easy and straightforward with crunchy red fruits, chokecherry, pomegranate and cranberry skin with rosewater and barrel spice. There's a lingering barrel-forward finish that has just enough fruit to remain pleasant long after each sip. Accompanying all this is just enough acidity to make it pair well with most any dish you'd use a more moderately bodied Pinot Noir for, and enough tannin to be able to handle a slightly rich dish as well. A tasty sip for just less than half the original price.

Price: Hidden

WE: 92

Fallet-Dart "Clos du Mont" Brut Champagne (2006)

By: Craig Morris | Review Date: 3/5/2025 | Send Email

This is a lovely and elegant Champagne, and what a great deal given what's in the bottle! Fine bubbles, nutty, full of brioche, candied citrus and ginger, all with a spicy backbone due to the French oak used for fermentation. An amazing vineyard site and a ton of lees aging all go into making this a rich, complex, and delicious wine, perfect for appetizers!

Price: $79.99

2018 Ad Vivum "Sleeping Lady Vineyard" Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon (Winery Direct Library Release)

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/4/2025 | Send Email

Coming from one of Napa's best vineyards and with enough age to make a wine this huge begin to be approachable, this is a beast of a wine. Inky purple in the glass, the depth of the color is a little imposing and a promise of what's to come. The aroma is powerful and rich, almost heady, with layers of oaken spice and dense blackberry jam. There's huge black currant notes and more stewed bramble fruit towards the back of the nose finishing with fresh cut tobacco, nothing too overwhelming or out of balance. The palate is luxurious, with a silky and smooth mouthfeel that abruptly changes once the tannin comes in, still quite grippy but nothing that you can't instantly solve with a nice rich steak and a fat potato. There's just tons of dark and rich fruit, black cherries, blackberry compote, This is an incredibly impressive and powerful wine that absolutely wants to be decanted for a couple hours ahead of time, but will give you so much with each and every sip.

Price: $199.95

2023 Common Thread "Escolle Vineyard" Santa Lucia Highlands Gamay

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/4/2025 | Send Email

Light and savory nose with soft red fruits, green tea leaves and a handful of potpourri. There's something flighty and appealing about the nose, there's a real freshness present. The palate is bright and fleshy with juicy pomegranate, raspberry and some lingering granite earthiness intermingling with all the fruit. This is such an interesting wine and feels very true to the varietal, not trying to be anything that it isn't. I would have this with a richer chicken dish or maybe even salmon with a heavier sauce. You could definitely throw this in the freezer for a few minutes just to put a slight chill on it if you wanted, it's just a versatile little tasty guy.

Price: Hidden

2023 Common Thread "Tasona Nafare Vineyard" Santa Cruz Mountains Syrah

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/4/2025 | Send Email

Dusty blueberries and violets fill the glass with an almost hedonistic aroma, intense and inviting like a seductive perfume, this tingles the senses. There's a roundness and elegance to the fruit on the nose ending with just a touch of green. The palate has some creamy dark fruits and touches of sawdust, in the most appealing of ways, then a lingering finish with some barrel notes and black olive. This is absolutely delicious and a great little boutique wine that showcases how Syrah in the Santa Cruz Mountains handles that kind of loamy forest terroir.

Price: $29.95

WE: 95

1998 The Huntley (Balvenie) 25 Year Old "Faultline" K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Hogshead Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 2/20/2025 | Send Email

If you're lucky enough to taste a cask strength single barrel of sherried Balvenie 25 year, it's probably because you ponied up for the Ultra VIP tour at the distillery. You might get a tiny little sip and then find out it's about £1500 a bottle. It's probably worth it considering how absolutely unbelievable these whiskies are when they're old, but I wouldn't be able to swing it, not when barrels like this are sneaking about Scotland. The trade name for this whisky is Burnside and we've had several great ones over the years, but never one in a high quality refill sherry hogshead like this. That barrel take this to the next level and is simply so showy I almost feel bad not charging more, but we're committed to being fair, so profit while you can. Here we go. The color is the most perfect possible burnished copper (1.1). The nose is quintessential offering deep wild honey, Tahitian vanilla, candied ginger, sultanas, fig compote & old jurancon. The palate is incredibly zesty and vibrant with huge orange oils, marmalade, apricote jam, ginger root, honeysuckle, mirabelle, dried tarragon. With water it opens and adds a beautiful lemon oil character, the tiniest cleanest wisp of white smoke, waxy pear and baked apple. This is extremely delicious old school Balvenie that could have easily stood out in their own warehouses. Not at all sure why they would have let this go, but considering we're a quarter of the price of the current 25 year and it's full strength in refill sherry its about the best deal we've ever had from the special Dufftown distillery.

Price: $250.00

2015 A.D. Coutelas Brut Champagne

By: Craig Morris | Review Date: 2/18/2025 | Send Email

This is a 50/50 blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from 60 year old vines, all from a remarkable vintage. So, what does all that add up to? A big, rich wine, full of ripe stone fruits, lemon curd, and of course toasty brioche. And then there's the bubbles on this thing...precise, sharp, and seemingly never-ending in the glass. This is a powerful wine that you can enjoy now, if you're in the mood for a big, rich glass (like me), or you can cellar this and see how beautifully it's going to develop over the next several years!

Price: $54.99

A.D. Coutelas "Cuvée 1809" Brut Champagne

By: Craig Morris | Review Date: 2/16/2025 | Send Email

I was blown away by this bottle. There is so much value here for the money. I would put this up against any of the big houses. The quality for the price here is unbelievable. The time and attention this bottle has received is remarkable. Besides the tie around the cork, which is hand-tied in an old, nearly forgotten tradition of Champagne, there is 8 years of lees aging on this bottle! This wine is so rich and complex, full of minerals, and a lovely acidity to balance it all out. Honestly, this wine should be twice the price, but let's not let wine-maker Angelique Coutelas know that!

Price: $64.99

BH: 92

Fallet-Dart "Grande Sélection" Brut Champagne

By: Craig Morris | Review Date: 2/16/2025 | Send Email

Talk about complexity! There is a lot going on here for this pricetag. 70% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay, and the real standout for me is the 15% Meunier for some savory complexity. There is fig, apricot, and a hint of clove spice on the palate, with just the right amount acidity to balance it all out. This is a serious Champagne that would love some food so get yourself some cheese and crackers, nuts, and dried fruit and have a wonderful night!

Price: $37.99

2021 Beaulieu Vineyard "Georges de Latour - Private Reserve" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 2/16/2025 | Send Email

One of the true legends of Napa Valley and 100% worthy of the huge scores and lavish praise from the world's top wine critics. For over 100 years Beaulieu Vineyards, known internationally as a simple "BV" have produced world-class wines from Napa Valley that have in no small part helped cement the region's reputation of excellence. The quality of this wine is firmly rooted in some of the best soil on the planet for growing Cabernet Sauvignon. The BV Ranches established over the last century on the west Rutherford bench have been consistent sources of incredible fruit proven time and time again to issue forth powerful and age worthy wines. The 2021 GDL is an absolute classic, a benchmark wine of the region and vintage. The wine is certainly not inexpensive (truly great wines rarely are) however, in the context of Napa Cabernet of this quality and pedigree, it's very hard to beat. In an era where wines of this ilk frequently exceed $500 a bottle, this wine can and will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with any of those contenders.

Price: $149.95

2019 Recaredo "Terrers" Brut Nature Corpinnat (Cava)

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 2/13/2025 | Send Email

The nose on this one is so interesting! I caught a whiff of light spearmint, pear puree, clean pine nut, white flowers, lemon. So darn interesting! It has great mouthfeel, too. More richness than expected, with lovely but, not jarring acidity. It is still clean and fresh, though. White orchard fruits, tangy minerals and a citrus that leans more toward mellow than overly acidic. There is a nice herbal note and a very fine bead with creamy mouthfeel. The finish is extremely long and has the pleasant citrus and salt bite that one expects from Brut Nature.

Price: $38.99

RP: 94

TA: 93

2013 Rare (Piper-Heidsieck) Brut Champagne

By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 2/11/2025 | Send Email

The incredibly rich, brioche filled style of the Rare is complemented perfectly by the zippier character of the 2013 vintage in Champagne. I find this to be one of the great secrets of the tete de cuvées, with fantastic complexity and truly "rare" elegance. If you like a champagne that has plenty of toast and stuffing, yet still refreshes, this is a great choice. It has the butter, the limy drive, the perfect tiny bubbles and a super long finish!

Price: $199.99

2016 Louis Roederer "Cristal" Brut Champagne

By: Chelsea Herholdt | Review Date: 2/6/2025 | Send Email

I cannot wait to see where this wine goes over time, but do not let that dissuade you from taking one home now. The nose is a bit quiet, but the length and structure of the palate just about leave you breathless. With excellent farming and sourcing, there is so much to be excited about in this bottle. It may be one of the earlier Tête de Cuvées released, but it is still clear just how much of a knockout the 2016 is. I recommend more than one, because once you pop one cork, you'll be itching to see how it evolves too.

Price: $299.99

2016 Franck Bonville Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

By: Chelsea Herholdt | Review Date: 2/6/2025 | Send Email

“Drink me now!”—that’s what this Champagne screams. Time has softened this vintage cuvée beautifully, revealing a honeyed, brioche-kissed nose and a bright streak of zesty acidity, perfectly in sync.Vintage, Grand Cru, at this price, from one of my absolute favorite producers? Say no more, and grab more than one.

Price: $74.99

VN: 93

Franck Bonville Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

By: Chelsea Herholdt | Review Date: 2/6/2025 | Send Email

The majority of the elegant Grand Cru villages of the Côte des Blancs—Avize, Oger, and Cramant—are the primary sources for this estate-grown bottle of pure happiness. It beautifully showcases the quintessential chalky, bright, and refined character of this hallowed terroir, complemented by sturdy, refreshing acidity from stainless steel aging. There’s not a single thing I would change about this Champagne—especially its excellent price for such top-tier sourcing.

Price: $53.99

JS: 92

RP: 92

Franck Bonville Unisson Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne

By: Chelsea Herholdt | Review Date: 2/6/2025 | Send Email

This Champagne captures everything the Côte des Blancs does best—all in a gorgeous bottle, ready to be popped for any occasion you can dream up. Sourced primarily from the Grand Cru village of Avize, with most vines over 30 years old, it balances the creamy elegance of its terroir with vibrant acidity and chalky minerality. The Bonville family’s wines, and especially the Unisson, are a personal go-to, perfect for any Champagne-worthy moment. I’ll leave it to you to decide what qualifies—but I’d argue that just about anything does!

Price: $53.99

2019 Lagrange, St-Julien

By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 2/4/2025 | Send Email

Lagrange is a name to keep an eye on these days, quickly elevating from charming St-Julien to a best-in-class buy. I think this 2019 is a watershed vintage for the estate and a superb upside buy. Aromatically, there's a red flower potpourri, loam, and a core of perfectly ripe red cherry. The palate is graceful, with a beautiful texture, super-fine tannins, juicy cherry skin, subtle gravel minerality, and a long, driven finish. This really highlights the quality of Cabernet (80% of the blend) in the 2019 vintage and almost leans toward Pauillac in structure, while having the give and softness of St-Julien. A compelling wine and real gem, 2019 Lagrange is a wine that deserves more acclaim than it gets—but all the better for anybody looking for one of the savviest buys of this great vintage.

Price: $49.99

Billecart-Salmon "Le Rosé" Champagne

By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 2/4/2025 | Send Email

This is the benchmark in rose Champagne, and it deserves every bit of its fame. I find it elegant and balanced every time that I have it, and the blushing pink color is always perfect. The supply of this wine is strictly limited by the amount of old, massal selected Pinot Noir in one village- Mareuil-sur-Ay, that Billecart has access to. It is this tiny villages best produce that makes the red wine that gives this nectar its color, bouquet and timeless elegance. I like the wine best as an aperitif, the only thing it need to pair with is a good glass.

Price: $89.99

2023 Filaments "Snows Crossing Vineyard" Cinsault El Dorado County

By: Thomas Smith | Review Date: 2/2/2025 | Send Email

We love Filaments here at K&L! Filaments began at Bedrock winery in Sonoma where Erik Latshaw and Kevin Farrow spent the 2014 season helping Morgan Twain-Peterson and Chris Catrell produce their acclaimed wines. The following season, they purchased enough grapes from their epic Bedrock Vineyard to strike out on their own, and have been slowly adding extremely small lots of impeccably crafted wines from some of California’s best vineyard sites ever since. Erik is the principal winemaker whose resume reads like a who's-who of American winemaking: Patz & Hall, Marcassin, Vineyard 29, Shea Vineyards and Carlisle. The 2021 Cinsault is a celebration of wines like Turley’s incredible “Bechthold Vineyard” Cinsault, which has developed a cult following in the California wine scene. This style is medium bodied, almost like cinsault-by-way-of Pinot Noir in terms of its aromatic expressiveness, lightness and vividness on the palate, as well as a crunchy tannin profile. This is one of the best Cinsaults I’ve ever had. We were so thrilled by this wine that we bought all three barrels exclusively for K&L customers. This is an exciting, distinctive wine that you won’t find anywhere else.

Price: Hidden

Cellarmaker "Coffee & Cigarettes" Porter, California (16oz can)

By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 1/29/2025 | Send Email

This would make for a refreshing breakfast or brunch beer with hints of chocolate, toasty malt, and smokey French roast coffee with a subtle bitter coffee finish. Its light-medium body and lively freshness begs another sip, and another. Move over mimosas!

Price: $5.99

Prairie Artisan Ales "'Bourbon Barrel-Aged Weekend" Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout w/ Cacao Nibs, Toasted Coconut, Vanilla, Marshmallow, Oklahoma (12oz)

By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 1/29/2025 | Send Email

This super fun BBA tastes like an awesome cheat day in a bottle. Decadent, full bodied, and glass staining, it's a hedonistic treat to look forward to after being good all week. Amaretto, gooey fudge, toasted coconut and vanilla with a black coffee finish that has just a kiss of bitterness at the end for an exciting counterpoint to the sweetness. Excellent dessert option.

Price: $15.99

2015 A.D. Coutelas Brut Champagne

By: Lilia McIntosh | Review Date: 1/29/2025 | Send Email

Luxurious, rich Champagne with layers of flavors reminiscent of almond paste, lemon curd, and brioche. Dry and balanced with moderate acidity. It's fresh despite warm vintage and a delight to drink by itself or pair with a range of seafood.

Price: $54.99

Franck Bonville Unisson Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne

By: Lilia McIntosh | Review Date: 1/29/2025 | Send Email

Absolutely glorious Blanc De Blancs! Textural and supple with beautiful mineral notes, reminiscent of ocean breeze and mouth watering salinity. Full-bodied and silky on the palate with just enough acidity to balance slightly brioche-like notes. Clean and elegant with striking, persistent finish, it's a magnificent drink on its own as well as a great pairing to Lobster Thermidor.

Price: $53.99

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