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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
Baron-Fuenté "Grande Reserve" Brut Champagne Magnum (1.5L)
By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 2/7/2018 | Send Email
By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 2/7/2018 | Send Email
There is only one thing that everyone in Champagne agrees on, that is their wine tastes best out of a magnum. There are several reasons for this, but rest assured that it is true. Getting to taste Champagne side by side out of different sizes always confirms this, also who doesn't want to show up at a party or event with a large format Champagne? So here we have the best-priced magnum Champagne you will see and it delicious! The extra aging on the lees shows up as big rich yeasty notes with tons of breadth and complexity. There is a lovely golden pear and vanilla note here as well as a dry and long finish. Spectacular bubbles.
Gilbert Jacquesson "Cuvée Tradition" Blanc de Noirs Brut Champagne
By: Christina Stanley | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
By: Christina Stanley | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
Made from 100% Meunier grapes harvested from Troissy, the Cuvée Tradition is uniquely creamy and refined on the palate. Aromatics of red apple skin and walnut highlight the personality of the delicately spicy and red-fruited varietal. With three years on the lees, the bubbles are fine and soft.
Price:
$29.99
Gilbert Jacquesson "Cuvée Prestige" Brut Champagne
By: Christina Stanley | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
By: Christina Stanley | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
This is a Champagne with real depth! The cépage of equal parts Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier sees some time in barrel, which imparts creaminess and delicate spice notes. With aromas and flavors of subtle fennel and ripe, clean Granny Smith apple, the Cuvée Prestige is very well balanced and has a long, spicy finish.
Price:
$39.99
Baron-Fuenté "Grande Réserve" Brut Champagne
By: Christina Stanley | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
By: Christina Stanley | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
Behold, Baron Fuenté Grande Réserve! This wine is easily one of the best values K&L has to offer. With a cépage that is primarily Meunier, the palate is clean, light and slightly spicy, with flavors of crisp, green apple, and a slightly nutty finish with a hint of caramel. The wine spends 3 to 3.5 years on the lees, which creates a fabulous breadth on the palate, not to mention that finish! Persistent and charming!
Baron-Fuenté "Grande Reserve" Brut Champagne Magnum (1.5L)
By: Rachel Alcarraz | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
By: Rachel Alcarraz | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
There are many delicious Champagnes at $49, but there are very few in magnum at $49! Baron Fuente ages their magnum over a year longer than their 750s--which are aged twice as long as required--so you are getting a solid 4+ years of lees contact in the bottling. It has the same great richness and toasted brioche that we love from the 750, but being a larger format, that oxygen aging has been delayed. This brings a beautiful freshness and longevity to the wine and really makes the magnums ready for aging!
Baron-Fuente "Grande Réserve" Brut Champagne (375ml)
By: Christina Stanley | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
By: Christina Stanley | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
This is such a delightful little version of one of our most sought-after Champagnes, with light aromas of goldenrod, Golden Delicious apple and chalky minerals. The blend is 60 percent Meunier, which accounts for the distinctly delicate, clean and spicy quality of the fruit. With 2.5 years in the lees, there's just enough aging on the lees to create a perfect balance.
Baron-Fuenté "Grande Réserve" Brut Champagne
By: Cliff Spinola | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
By: Cliff Spinola | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
Looking for a place to start in the Champagne category? Look no further! Thanks to the efforts of our fabulous Champagne buyer Gary Westby, we are able to bring in this great expression of the variety that won't break the bank. My go-to Champagne for every occasion; be sure to have a few bottles on hand at all times!
Baron-Fuenté "7" Brut Champagne
By: Rachel Alcarraz | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
By: Rachel Alcarraz | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
From one of our best-priced Champagne producers come a bit of a higher-end bottling. The "7" is aptly named for the 7th generation of family winemakers, 7g/l of sugar at the dosage (which is nice and dry!) and 7 years on the lees! (just a reminder, the minimum is only 18 months). The 7 is made with 1/3 each Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Meunier - all estate fruit. The portion of Chardonnay is barrel fermented for a richer mid-palate with a beautiful acidity giving characteristics of lemon preserves spread on warm brioche buns. Absolutely delicious!
Baron-Fuente "Grande Réserve" Brut Champagne (375ml)
By: Cliff Spinola | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
By: Cliff Spinola | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
Need a half bottle of Champagne for pre-gaming or just don't have anyone to share a full size bottle with? Here you go! Everything to love about Champagne is in this bottle, at an unbeatable price. Aromatic, toasty and refreshing, this is a great way to start any evening!
Gilbert Jacquesson "Cuvée Eugénie" Brut Rosé Champagne
By: Christina Stanley | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
By: Christina Stanley | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
Part of Vigneron Independant, Jacquesson adheres to strict standards of production, and the result is a fine rosé Champagne at an affordable price point. Made from 100% Meunier, the palate is light and obtains its color from a bit of skin contact. With intriguing notes of frozen Bing cherry and savory white pepper, this is not just another pretty rosé in the crowd.
Price:
$34.99
Baron-Fuenté "7" Brut Champagne
By: Cliff Spinola | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
By: Cliff Spinola | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
The Baron-Fuente house has found a winner in this newest offering of finely aged juice. The extra time on the lees make for a darker yellow hue, refined and concentrated bubbles, and a long, elegant finish. Combining quality and value in a bottle, the 7 is an absolute must try for any Champagne lover!
Franck Bonville Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Cliff Spinola | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
By: Cliff Spinola | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
During our staff Champagne tasting today, this one stood out for me. Based on the 2015 vintage and using their estate-grown Grand Cru Chardonnay (50% of which are reserve), this wine is supple, refreshing, and refined. It checks all the boxes of what Champagne is supposed to be and leaves you wanting for more.
Baron-Fuenté "Grande Reserve" Brut Champagne Magnum (1.5L)
By: Cliff Spinola | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
By: Cliff Spinola | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
This was the bottle I brought to my Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve parties last year. There's something about Champagne in a magnum that just screams celebration! There's also a reason it tastes more refined than its counterparts in smaller formats. Longer aging on the lees adds levels of depth and complexity to Champagne that is worth the price difference -- and in this case, that is not much! A $50 1.5L bottle of Champagne is truly worthy of a celebration.
Gilbert Jacquesson "Cuvée Tradition" Blanc de Noirs Brut Champagne
By: Cliff Spinola | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
By: Cliff Spinola | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
If you have an itch for something different from the Champagne category, this is a must try! I personally never had a 100% Meunier Champagne before and I was pleasantly surprised. It had a sweet, inviting nose with hints of caramel apple that lead to a tangy and juicy mouthfeel with kick. A great value!
Price:
$29.99
Gilbert Jacquesson "Cuvée Eugénie" Brut Rosé Champagne
By: Cliff Spinola | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
By: Cliff Spinola | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
This is a new producer for us and hopefully with great customer feedback, we can start a long-lasting relationship with them! This rosé has a very floral, invigorating nose. Lightly sweetened raspberry jam fills the palate as it lingers on the tongue in a long-lasting and memorable finish. A truly delicious wine that I will undoubtedly be back for!
Price:
$34.99
Franck Bonville Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Rachel Alcarraz | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
By: Rachel Alcarraz | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
The Franck Bonville Blanc de Blanc was the first Champagne I bought on the first night I worked at K&L, and it will always have a special spot in my heart. What makes it so special is the care and quality Olivier Bonville pours into his wines. Based on 2015, the Blanc de Blanc is half reserve wine from all estate fruit. Some time in barrel gives this Chardonnay a creamy, sweet citrus character, like that of a Meyer lemon or pink grapefruit. The chalky soil is not lost in this wine, either. A soft structure of dry white chalk elongates the palate and adds an extra level of complexity. It is a wine that never disappoints.
Baron-Fuente "Grande Réserve" Brut Champagne (375ml)
By: Rachel Alcarraz | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
By: Rachel Alcarraz | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
Often with smaller Champagne bottles, they are aged one year less on the lees than the 750s since a smaller bottle will age with oxygen a little faster. But since Baron Fuente ages their 750s for twice as long as required, this half bottle is aged 6 months longer than some other Champagne houses. With that oxygen aging, you will get the characteristics you would find in an older bottle of champagne much quicker- a great way to see how your bottle may take form! The Grand Reserve has a rich toasted nose with scents of brioche and broad inviting earthiness. Mostly Meunier brings a soft elegance and deep fruit character by adding depth and complexity to the wine. A bit of crushed red apple fruit and skins with fresh sweet citrus carry the warm palate from start to finish.
Gilbert Jacquesson "Cuvée Eugénie" Brut Rosé Champagne
By: Rachel Alcarraz | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
By: Rachel Alcarraz | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
As I mentioned in my review for the Jacquesson Blanc de Noir, one of my one of my favorite things about Meunier-dominant Champagnes is the depth, fullness and polish it adds to a wine (and there are a lot of things I LOVE about Meunier-dominant Champagnes!). This rosé is 100% estate-grown Meunier that is specifically pressed for rosé with skin contact for flavor and color. Abundant aromas of white and red cherries, fresh raspberries and flowers are repeated on the palate with elegant balance in this medium-bodied wine. The finish of the wine is unexpectedly flavorful and never-ending.
Price:
$34.99
Gilbert Jacquesson "Cuvée Prestige" Brut Champagne
By: Cliff Spinola | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
By: Cliff Spinola | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
This Champagne is buttery, rich and long lasting. Not a shy wine at all! You can taste the oak contact, but it is elegant and not overpowering at all. New for us, we hope our customers enjoy the Jacquesson wines as much as we do so that we can continue bringing them in!
Price:
$39.99
Gilbert Jacquesson "Cuvée Prestige" Brut Champagne
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
Although this selection has not arrived, I was able to taste a preview of it today. Unlike its siblings, it tends towards higher acidity with Fino sherry notes, almonds, yellow fruits and persimmon. Long finish. Super interesting. Cannot wait until we get this into stock!
Price:
$39.99
Baron-Fuenté "Grande Reserve" Brut Champagne Magnum (1.5L)
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
Consistently my favorite go-to bubble for its freshness, deft touch and biscuity aromas, the Fuente has always punched well above its fighting weight. Much like Goldilocks, I put Fuente in my "Just Right" category. It hits all the marks of balanced fruit, doughy yeast and crunchy acidity to give me everything I want in Champagne. The magnum is the most ideal of Champagne formats as the wine lays a little longer on its lees before disgorgement, offering even more perfume, toast and spiced layers. I always grab a magnum or two to have on hand for instant party needs when those few extra guests inevitably make the rounds.
Gilbert Jacquesson "Cuvée Prestige" Brut Champagne
By: Rachel Alcarraz | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
By: Rachel Alcarraz | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
A bit different than the other Gilbert Jacquessons we have in house, the Cuvee Prestige is a blend of all three varieties and has some barrel contact. While his other bottlings are elegant and medium-bodied, this Champagne is bold and powerful! Concentrated yellow apples and dry wood stand firm on the palate while a savory, almost smoky character sneaks onto the finish--just enough for you to wonder what is it. I would be super interested to pick up a few bottles to cellar and see how they age!
Price:
$39.99
Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut Champagne Magnum (1.5L)
By: Rachel Alcarraz | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
By: Rachel Alcarraz | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
Literally 10 minutes after trying the Billecart Salmon BdB from 750, I purchased one of the magnums we have in store. I was blown away with this wine, as I've often skipped over the any of the Billecart Salmon Champagnes that weren't their Brut Rose, thinking they were a one trick pony. However, this Blanc de Blanc really stood out to me. A richer style for the house, this 100% Chardonnay goes through partial malolactic fermentation to bring a creamy citrus character, almost like lemon meringue pie (just without the nutty, pastry aspect you may find in oaked Blanc de Blanc as this doesn't see any oak). A balanced acidity keeps the wine elegant and active from start to finish. I decided to purchase the magnum since the vintage blend is often a few years older than that of the 750 and currently the base vintage is 2008! Grab them before the staff buys them up!
Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut Champagne
By: Rachel Alcarraz | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
By: Rachel Alcarraz | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
I've often skipped over the any of the Billecart Salmon Champagnes that weren't their Brut Rose, thinking they were a one trick pony. Today I was proven wrong. We tried five of their bottlings that we carry in store and each one was elegant and complex in its own right. However, this Blanc de Blanc really stood out to me. A richer style for the house, this 100% Chardonnay goes through partial malolactic fermentation to bring a creamy citrus character, almost like lemon meringue pie (just without the nutty, pastry aspect you may find in oaked Blanc de Blanc as this doesn't see any oak). That richness is elegantly balanced with long lived acidity that keeps each sip active on the palate. An undertone of chalky minerality from the Grand Cru soils adds just the right amount of depth needed to complete the wine. 10 minutes after tasting, I bought myself the magnum!
Baron-Fuenté "7" Brut Champagne
By: Christina Stanley | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
By: Christina Stanley | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
The name says it all: 7 years on the lees! With this much time gathering richness and complexity, "7" displays savory, green aromas, and a nutty, slightly oxidative characteristic that only comes from extended aging of a fine Champagne. 100% estate fruit, and a blend of equal parts Chardonnay, Meunier and Pinot Noir, the wine bursts on the palate with flavors of delicate maple, ripe quince and golden apple, and finishes clean, with great length.
Baron-Fuenté "Grande Reserve" Brut Champagne Magnum (1.5L)
By: Christina Stanley | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
By: Christina Stanley | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
Of all the formats of the Baron Fuenté Grande Réserve, this one is my favorite. With the most time on the lees, the wine is mineral driven, complex and dry, with a broad palate and toasty, savory and slightly green aromatics. This is always a big hit at events and celebrations.
Baron-Fuente "Grande Réserve" Brut Champagne (375ml)
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
Consistently my favorite go-to bubble for it's freshness, deft touch and biscuity aromas, the Fuente has always punched well above its fighting weight. Much like Golidlocks, I put Fuente in my "Just Right" category. It hits all the marks of balanced fruit, doughy yeast and crunchy acidity to give me everything I want in Champagne and in this half bottle format makes it too easy to knock one of these "puppies" back as a single serving on a near-daily basis.
Baron-Fuenté "Grande Réserve" Brut Champagne
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 2/6/2018 | Send Email
Consistently my favorite go-to bubble for it's freshness, deft touch and biscuity aromas, the Fuente has always punched well above its fighting weight. Much like Golidlocks, I put Fuente in my "Just Right" category. It hits all the marks of balanced fruit, doughy yeast and crunchy acidity to give me everything I want in Champagne and for sub-$25 it even qualifies as daily drinker (or couple times a week drinker). The Grande Reserve is always satisfying from whatever angle you approach it and for sheer value, cannot be beat.
Domaine Hubert "K&L Exclusive" Pays d'Auge Vieux Calvados (750ml)
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 2/4/2018 | Send Email
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 2/4/2018 | Send Email
If you're buying your bottle of Hubert in 2018, then you're getting the domaine's new blend based primarily on the 2008 vintage with bits of 2006 and 2010 blended in. It's textbook Astrid—friendly, feminine, but with a bit of a spicy kick. At thirty bucks, to think we can offer an apple brandy of this quality that's mostly 9 years old with 11-year and 7-year added for good measure is astounding. There's a reason this is the top selling Calvados in our store's history. 2000 bottles and counting!!
Price:
$34.99
Baron-Fuenté "Grande Réserve" Brut Champagne
By: Heather Vander Wall | Review Date: 2/2/2018 | Send Email
By: Heather Vander Wall | Review Date: 2/2/2018 | Send Email
You may know that this is one of K&L's best-priced Champagnes, but more than that, it is one of the best wines at this price from any section in the store. Although I love the other wines from Baron-Fuente, I find myself coming back again and again to their Grande Reserve. It's classic Champagne: using all three varietals to achieve a perfect balance of crisp, clean minerality, toasted brioche notes, and creamy orchard fruit. This is precisely what I'm looking for when I want Champagne, and at this price, it's easy to drink Champagne regularly!
Mas Codina Brut Reserva Cava Penedès
By: Morgan Laurie | Review Date: 1/29/2018 | Send Email
By: Morgan Laurie | Review Date: 1/29/2018 | Send Email
This truly is one of the best values in sparkling wine we have. It's fresh, crisp and drinks well above it's price. Dry with small bubbles and an elegant mouth feel, it goes down (almost) too easily. Notes of green apple, stone fruits and a slight nutty richness make this an easy choice for any occasion!
Price:
$13.99
Daniel Bouju Tres Vieux "Brut de Fut" K&L Exclusive Premier Cru de Cognac Grand Champagne Cognac
By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 1/18/2018 | Send Email
By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 1/18/2018 | Send Email
This is no light, easy, fruity cognac that I had come to associate with Bouju, this is dark, rich and intense. The nose immediately shows the long slow aging of this spirit, with dried fruit, baked cinnamon, cardamom, and old leather. The power and concentration here are unforgettable, flavors of old oak and concentrated fruit that linger long on the tongue.
Price:
$199.99
Luxardo Maraschino Cherries (400g)
By: Adam Winkel | Review Date: 1/17/2018 | Send Email
By: Adam Winkel | Review Date: 1/17/2018 | Send Email
These are totally worth it and this little jar goes a long way. My favorite use is the Three Dots and a Dash tiki drink, but the applications here are far-reaching. Be "nose to tail" and spoon the extra syrup on some ice cream or something. It's amazing. Just *DON'T PUT THE OPEN JAR IN THE FRIDGE*. It will crystalize and get ruined. This stuff is so sweet like molasses it's completely preserved at room temperature, and the label will tell you so as well.
Price:
$19.99
Baron-Fuenté "7" Brut Champagne
By: Greg St. Clair | Review Date: 1/16/2018 | Send Email
By: Greg St. Clair | Review Date: 1/16/2018 | Send Email
I must admit that these bubbles puzzled me at first, it was obviously Champagne, I read the label, it came in a Champagne bottle but there was something different. It took me about 10 minutes to figure it out, this wine just has a more vinous complexity to it, and the 7 years on the lees really changed the dynamic of the wine. Yes there were bubbles and it seemed like a regular Champagne on your tongue but the flavors were not so simple. I really liked this wine the more I tried it, the super dryness almost flinty on your palate then slowly the layers of brioche, spice and mineral emerge. The more I tasted it the more it seemed like Chablis with bubbles, so strident, focused and lemony tartness with bits of baking spice complexity, all it needed was the right dish to pair with it. Oysters immediately came to mind but I’m thinking lobster and butter is what this bubbly needs, the richness of the lobster and the vibrant focus of the Baron Fuente 7, wow, a perfect match.
Daniel Bouju Tres Vieux "Brut de Fut" K&L Exclusive Premier Cru de Cognac Grand Champagne Cognac
By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 1/15/2018 | Send Email
By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 1/15/2018 | Send Email
This Cognac has a deep dark color that reflects the extended aging. Delicate aromas
lead to a Cognac that is complex and full bodied with concentrated dried fruit flavors that are not sweet but lively and tasty. There is a lot going on here. This is one to sit down with, sip and think about.
Price:
$199.99
Daniel Bouju "Royal" Brut De Fut Grand Champagne Cognac
By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 1/15/2018 | Send Email
By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 1/15/2018 | Send Email
I tasted this Cognac once straight out of the bottle and once with a splash of water. I enjoyed it most with a little water. There are soft and delicate aromas with a hint of sweetness. In the mouth it is round and rich but not heavy, with hints of dried fruit flavors that are delicious, on the dry side and inviting. This is for those looking for a classic Cognac but one without out too much sweetness.
Price:
$99.99
Baron-Fuenté "7" Brut Champagne
By: Alex Schroeder | Review Date: 1/12/2018 | Send Email
By: Alex Schroeder | Review Date: 1/12/2018 | Send Email
How exciting! A new release from the baron of great values in Champagne, Baron Fuente! Correction, a new OLD release from Baron Fuente. The 7 began a journey that would eventually lead to our shelves (and hopefully your champagne glass) almost eight years ago, and the story it tells fun, intriguing and ultimately one I plan to revisit many times. The barrel aging of 20% of the Chardonnay gives the blend a beautiful creamy, viscous texture to go along with aromas of dried fruits, pear, honeysuckle and almond, all finished by great acidity. This is definitely a wine that makes keeping your guests' flutes full a real challenge.
Caledonia Spirits Barr Hill "Tom Cat" Barrel Aged Old Tom Vermont Gin (750ml)
By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 1/11/2018 | Send Email
By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 1/11/2018 | Send Email
Caledonia Spirits has done a wonderful job on this gin through intense focus. There is only one botanical - Juniper. The complexity comes from one added ingredient. The gin is finished with raw honey from the local Vermont bees. This special spirit is then aged in new virgin oak casks for a short period of time. The end result is spectacular. The nose is bursting with juniper, floral blossoms, and graceful oak spice. The mouth feel is rich and bright with the endless complexities of high quality honey highlighted through the sweet oak spices. Many gins see oak because it's the trendy thing to do. This gin see oak because it elevates the quality to a whole new level. This is far and away the best barrel aged gin I've had.
Baron-Fuenté "7" Brut Champagne
By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 1/11/2018 | Send Email
By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 1/11/2018 | Send Email
Finally! I've been hearing about this project from Gary for some time now and it's finally arrived and is in my glass. 7 years on the lees and a little portion of barrel fermented Chardonnay imparts a spectacular brioche character to this wine and great richness. The 7 grams/liter dosage is the perfect balance for the focused acidity. The all estate fruit is full of apples, pears, and bits of dark cherry shine through from the Pinot. All this at the amazing prices we expect from Baron Fuente and our direct import relationship. There is no better wine on the shelf for 50 bucks.
Baron-Fuenté "7" Brut Champagne
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 1/11/2018 | Send Email
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 1/11/2018 | Send Email
This is beautiful, majestic, and transformative Champagne, the kind that combines all of the regions most characteristic elements into one perfect package. You get the freshness of that laser-like acidity, mineral, oyster shell notes from the chalky Champagne soils, a leesy brioche creaminess from the seven years of lees aging. Champagne is both famous and expensive because only wine from Champagne can taste this way. Anyone can make sparkling wine, but nowhere else do you get such a combination of these distinct elements: they are what make a great Champagne stand out from the pack. In this Baron Fuente "7" edition, you get everything I describe in clear, delineated flavor profiles, easy to pick out, yet seamless in their integration.
Fallet-Dart "Grande Sélection" Brut Champagne
By: Blake Conklin | Review Date: 1/4/2018 | Send Email
By: Blake Conklin | Review Date: 1/4/2018 | Send Email
As far as our portfolio of direct imports go, I'm personally a huge fan of everything Fallet Dart has released, and the Grande Selection is definitely one of my all time favorites. If you need a good house champagne, look no further. Grande Selection delivers on so many levels. It's well balanced, the acidity is damn near perfect, and it has a nice toastiness to it like no other. Try it with pizza. Trust me.
Price:
$37.99
Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne (375ml)
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 1/2/2018 | Send Email
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 1/2/2018 | Send Email
I can't believe this is under $20! Delicious and elegant, this paper-wrapped Champagne is a departure from the searing acid of Blanc de blancs and instead shows golden apple fruit up front, followed by toastiness and a luxurious mouthfeel. Though there is a crisp backbone of minerality from the fossil-rich soil, this is a slightly unusual offering in that it’s 100% Chardonnay, but with a creamier spin. Paul-Vincent Ariston is committed to making exceptional value Champagne, and there’s no doubt he’s accomplished that here. Aspasie Blanc de blancs is textured and age worthy, but in a smaller, more portable size.
Price:
$24.99
Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 1/2/2018 | Send Email
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 1/2/2018 | Send Email
Delicious and elegant, this paper-wrapped Champagne is a departure from the searing acid of Blanc de blancs and instead shows golden apple fruit up front, followed by toastiness and a luxurious mouthfeel. Though there is a crisp backbone of minerality from the fossil-rich soil, this is a slightly unusual offering in that it’s 100% Chardonnay with a creamier spin. The current release is from a single vineyard and spends over five years on the lees. Paul-Vincent Ariston is committed to making exceptional value Champagne, and there’s no doubt he’s accomplished that here. Aspasie Blanc de blancs is textured and age worthy, and I love turning savvy drinkers on to this family-owned favorite.
Price:
$44.99
Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne (1.5L)
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 1/2/2018 | Send Email
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 1/2/2018 | Send Email
Party perfect! Just when I thought I couldn’t love Aspasie more, they charm us at the annual Champagne Tent Event AND make improvements to their production facilities that send their wines over the top in elegance and quality. An unusual offering for the Aristons in that this is 100% Chardonnay, but with a creamier spin. The current release is from a single vineyard and spends over five years on the lees. Paul-Vincent Ariston is committed to making exceptional value Champagne, and there’s no doubt he’s accomplished that here, especially given the celebration-ready magnum format. Aspasie Blanc de blancs is luxurious and age worthy, and I love turning savvy drinkers on to this family-owned favorite.
Price:
$99.99
Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne (375ml)
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 12/26/2017 | Send Email
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 12/26/2017 | Send Email
Half-bottles are not always the most economical option for Champagne, but Aspasie's 375 mls prove to be an incredible exception. Holiday-ready, the current release of Carte Blanche still spends five years on the lees, and has the biscuity notes to prove it, but shows even crisper acidity. Paul-Vincent Ariston is committed to making high quality entry level wine, and there’s no doubt he’s accomplished that here. A traditional cépage of 40% Chardonnay and 30% each of Pinot Noir and Meunier, the Carte Blanche shows apple and crunchy pear fruit, tempered by underlying chalky notes, mousse texture, and a toasty finish. This is a bright spot in our DI Champagne line up – both figuratively and stylistically – and I'm happy to turn savvy drinkers on to this value.
Price:
$19.99
Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 12/26/2017 | Send Email
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 12/26/2017 | Send Email
Just when I thought I couldn’t love Aspasie more, they charm us at the annual Champagne Tent Event AND make improvements to their production facilities that send Carte Blanche over the top in elegance and quality. The current release of Carte Blanche still spends five years on the lees, and has the biscuity notes to prove it, but shows even crisper acidity. Paul-Vincent Ariston is committed to making exceptional entry level wine, and there’s no doubt he’s accomplished that here. A traditional cépage of 40% Chardonnay and 30% each of Pinot Noir and Meunier, the Carte Blanche shows apple and crunchy pear fruit, tempered by underlying chalky notes, mousse texture, and a toasty finish. This is a bright spot in our DI Champagne line up – both figuratively and stylistically – and I love turning savvy drinkers on to this value-driven, family-owned favorite.
Price:
$37.99
Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne
By: Ralph Sands | Review Date: 12/23/2017 | Send Email
By: Ralph Sands | Review Date: 12/23/2017 | Send Email
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
Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne
By: Doug Burress | Review Date: 12/22/2017 | Send Email
By: Doug Burress | Review Date: 12/22/2017 | Send Email
Caroline and Paul-Vincent Ariston rank up there with some of the best people I know in the world. Their Champagnes rank up there as one of my favorite wines at K & L. In my house we have to have a case on hand of the Carte Blanche at all times. The Ariston’s facility is ultra-modern, employing a super efficient diagonal press & temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. On my trip to Champagne this was by far my favorite place to visit, and I made friends for life. The current release of the Carte Blanche is fresh and youthful. It provides fresh baked apples and a toasty quality that I attribute to the terroir of the Ariston’s surrounding land and air. One sip and I am reminded of this wonderful place and that great Champagne does not have to cost a fortune.
Price:
$37.99
Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 12/22/2017 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 12/22/2017 | Send Email
***Update: One of the best Champagnes in the store just got even better! Many years ago the Ariston family made significant investments in their family winery including a new press and temp controlled fermentation tanks. As with many things in life good things take time and so finally after 5 years resting on the lees, the latest batch of Aspasie Carte Blanche contains base wines crafted after the winery made these improvements. All this means a wine that was always one of the best QPRs in the store is now even more pure and polished than ever.***
Price:
$37.99
Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 12/22/2017 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 12/22/2017 | Send Email
Lovely wine. Bright, fresh, excellent combination of chalky, zestiness and nutty, toasty lees quality. The texture is fine and really drawn out on the palate. I am a fan of Aspasie's "entry level" Carte Blanche...but this is a cut above and worth the small increase in outlay.
Price:
$44.99