K&L Wine Merchants - Jim Barr Reviews

2005 Bodegas Casa Juan "Señor de Lesmos" Reserva Especial Rioja

Review Date: 12-30-2015

One of my favorite Rioja producers, Bodegas Senor de Lesmos, has just released and sent over to us via our direct import program, this amazing fleshy 2005 Reserva Especial Rioja. Deep ruby in color, the opulent, distinctive nose shows blackberry, cassis, and currants fruit notes with a chocolate, mocha, and toasty undertone. In the mouth, this young Gem is expansive, ever evolving, and focused with the same characteristics as in the nose to lead to an wonderfully complex, viscous, broad set of flavors with creamy, lush undertones, and a long, complete finish. Rusty has ordered me to bring home several cases of this Gem for our enjoyment over the next five to ten-plus years. An amazing Value! Don’t miss this Gem! 13.5% ABV

Price: $37.99

WS: 93

2012 Château de Montfaucon "Baron Louis" Lirac

Review Date: 09-29-2015

We have been importing the various different wines from this very superb estate for over twenty years, and most of you know the story. It should be considered a Chateauneuf-Du-Pape, but it lies on the wrong side of the Rhone River from CDP, which is the appellation line. The Cuveé Baron Louis from their vineyard in Lirac is for all that matters, the estate’s “Reserve” bottling. Medium deep ruby in color, the nose explodes from the glass with a spicy white pepper to blackberry fruit notes with undertones of game and rose petals. A broad, focused, integrated, viscous mouthfeel with excellent balance and deep fruit flavors lead to a Gem that is complex, layered, and long on the finish. Rusty has told me that we need to have several cases of this Gem. Don’t miss this puppy. Great Value, and it will age and improve for another five to ten years. ***** 14.0% ABV *****

Price: $44.99

RP: 90

WS: 90

Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne

Review Date: 11-14-2014

It is remarkable to me, and to much of our wine staff, some of the unique, profoundly produced Champagnes from the small producers that Gary Westby, our Champagne Wine Buyer, has discovered over the last decade. Virtually all of these producers, including the Aristons, are making sparkling wine strictly from estate fruit from Grand Cru recognized vineyard sites, and in small lots. As with any small producer, these wines are “hands-on” creations that are given extensive individual attention and long term aging before being disgorged. The Ariston “Carte Blanche’s” exquisite, superb quality is at a mind boggling low price vis-à-vis its style and complexity. Rich and authoritative both on its nutty, doughy yeasty nose and in the mouth, the very fine mousse leads to an amazingly rich, full style brut, with a long, intense finish. Some of you will probably not enjoy this Gem, due to the fact that you have gotten use to flavorless, bulk productions from the international, well-known, simply made name “brands,” but for those of you that seek complexity and profoundness in your Champagne, you will not find one even close in quality to this Gem at this price. The Guys (Rusty, Eby, The Beaner, and Rizzo) have forcefully made this our house sparkling wine forever. Don't be afraid to age this wonderful Champagne; it will only keep getting better. ABV 12%

Price: $37.99

Veuve Clicquot Brut Rosé Champagne

Review Date: 10-17-2013

12.0% ABV

Price: $74.99

DC: 91

JS: 91

WS: 91

Launois "Cuvée Réservée" Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

Review Date: 05-14-2013

Produced from Chardonnay [obviously, since it is “Blanc de Blancs”], this amazing Gem throws tons of yeasty, nutty, creamy fruit at you both in the nose and on the palate, with brilliant complexity, and a lush, broad, and rich finish. The Bean has ordered me to bring at least one case of this home for our consumption in the next one to three-plus years. I will probably bring home more than that. 12.0% ABV

Price: $39.99

Charles Baur Crémant d'Alsace Brut Rosé

Review Date: 03-04-2009

As our Alsatian wine buyer, Eric Story, pointed out to me, recently: “Most people outside of the region don’t think about Alsace for sparkling wine, but wait until you try this puppy!” He was right both times. Most people don’t know, and I couldn’t wait to have another glass after I tasted the first. This is an impeccably delightful, refreshing Brut rosé, produced entirely from Pinot Noir and bottle-aged on yeast for two years before disgorgement. The resulting wine is a sparkler that shows a lovely pinkish hue, very fine bead, and bright yeasty, strawberry and spicy fruit characteristics on the nose that carries well to the dry, clean, yet abundantly fruity palate. Try it with a grilled salmon dinner or seriously consider it for your next party. Anderson and the girls have informed me that this will be our house sparkler for spring and into summer, if it lasts that long. 12% abv

Price: Hidden

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