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Staff Favorites - Steve Greer
Steve Greer
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I think I started down the path into the wine world with my first job, at 16, bussing tables in a Chinese restaurant. Blue Nun Riesling was the big seller (this in 1985, so don't laugh). While the Blue Nun Riesling was not an "epiphany" wine, I drank a lot of it. It was a magnum of Robert Sinskey Claret that I shared with friends while watching the 1994 World Cup that got me started reading about wine (Brazil won). My first "wow" wine was that same year, when a customer gave me a glass of 1982 Haut Brion. It was amazing. Next I found pinot noir, specifically a 1994 Whitcraft Bien Nacido, and I was hooked. I knew I wanted to sell wine so I moved from restaurants to wholesale wine sales, working for Metamora in Ohio and Kentucky. But after continued consolidation of distributors and the realization, that in wholesale you wear blinders, tasting only the wines you sell, I knew I wanted to move to the retail side. I would like to say I moved from Cincinnati just for K&L but I left the "Red" state for Los Angeles (a Cincinnati Reds and Cincinnati Bengals fan in San Francisco just would not do) and I was very lucky to find the K&L store in Hollywood. The rest is history.
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Reviews
2009 Cantemerle, Haut-Médoc
Review Date: 03-12-2014
This year’s blend is 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 7% Petite Verdot and 6% Cabernet Franc. The nose is sexy, filled with floral, dark fruit and cedar. The polished palate has more of a currant flavor along with raspberry.
Ferrand Dry Orange Curaçao (750ml)
Review Date: 01-23-2014
This is a drier version of Grand Mariner. Tastes like orange marmalade and fresh oranges with dry finish. Excellent!
2009 Les Tourelles de Longueville, Pauillac
Review Date: 06-01-2012
My favorite of the tasting, but then I’m partial to the 2009 Pichon-Baron so it’s no surprise that their second label didn’t disappoint. The nose is beautiful, with graphite and oak spice dominating and dark cassis coming through after 30 minutes in the decanter. The cassis takes center stage on the palate, with the mineral and spice in the background. The lovely rich texture really comes alive with time. Fantastic!
La Petite Marquise Crémant de Loire Brut
Review Date: 07-19-2011
I think this is turning out to be the company's favorite under $15 sparkling. It is finally back. There is a great balance between mineral, citrus, fruit with a nice mouth-feel.
Price:
$14.99
2010 Pontet-Canet, Pauillac
Review Date: 07-05-2011
Fantastic. This vintage is the first year they are certified biodynamic. They also are using a horse to farm about 60 acres, and Alfred Tesseron wants to add one horse a year. This attention to detail in the vineyard is paying off in the finished wine. Very expressive on the nose, it has lovely floral qualities, blackberry and spice. There’s pure black fruit on the palate finishing with some astringency, but the fresh fruit balances the tannins. Buy this as soon as you can!
Launois "Cuvée Réservée" Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Review Date: 06-07-2011
Every year this is one of my favorite Champagnes. Green apple and mineral on the nose and palate and the 3 years on the lees provides a fantastic mouth feel with plenty of acidity keeping it very crisp and clean. 100% Grand Cru fruit for only $34.99. Crazy.
Price:
$39.99
Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 06-07-2011
This is our best value Champagne in the store. Comprised of all three grapes this Champagne shows you can have both good value and great taste. Nutty, brioche and apple fill the nose and palate with a mouth filling mousse. Only $24.99 and I promise everyone you poured this for would enjoy it.
Price:
$37.99
2010 Cos d'Estournel, St-Estèphe
Review Date: 05-16-2011
Spice and currant with big, lush fruit and spice on the palate. Polished with balanced tannins.
2010 Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan
Review Date: 05-13-2011
Minerals and pure red fruits. Balanced structure. Fantastic.
Leclerc Briant Reserve Brut Champagne
Review Date: 02-09-2011
Sadly this is one of our grower producers in Champagne that passed away. Pascal Leclerc's Champagnes were always some of my favorites each year. This pinot noir dominate sparkler shows toasty notes on the nose along fig and pear. On the palate and throughout the finish is fig, spice, toffee with an earthy savory quality with a salty finish.The mouth feel is fantastic and good balance of mousse with good acidity.
Price:
$59.99
La Petite Marquise Crémant de Loire Brut Rosé
Review Date: 12-28-2010
This is a perfect New Year's Eve Rose. On the nose bright cherry and strawberry aromas that carry through on the palate. The bright fresh red fruit flavors are surrounded by a more refined mouth feel. The price makes it affordable for a party.
Price:
$14.99
Ariston Aspasie Brut Rosé Champagne
Review Date: 10-27-2010
This could be one of the best deals in our Champagne section. If you like Billecart then you will like this as a alternative in price. Nice strawberry and cherry flavors and aromas with a nice rich texture and a long finish of strawberry. Great value and a great Champagne.
Price:
$42.99
2005 Verdignan, Haut-Médoc
Review Date: 04-28-2010
So the wines from Verdignan have become popular with customers for price to quality. The 2005 is a bit tight so needs some decanting. Dark fruit on the nose and palate is surrounded by toasty oak aromas. Decant and have with dinner or cellar for a few more years.
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Tequila Fortaleza Reposado Tequila ($79.99)
Tequila Fortaleza Añejo Tequila ($109.99)
St. George "Terroir" Mount Tamalpais Gin (750ml) ($29.99)
Domaine du Manoir de Montreuil "Reserve" Calvados Pay d'Auge (750ml) ($44.99)
Averna Amaro Siciliano (750ml) ($34.99)
Adrien Camut "Réserve de Semainville (25+ years old) Pays d'Auge Calvados (750ml) ($299.99)
El Dorado 15 Year Old Demerara Guyana Rum (750ml) ($59.99)
Russell's Reserve 6 Year Old "Small Batch" 90 Proof Kentucky Rye Whiskey (750ml) ($49.99)
Rock Hill Farms Kentucky Straight Bourbon (750ml) ($99.99)
Lini "Labrusca" Lambrusco Emilia Bianco ($15.99)
Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne ($44.99)
Tequila Fortaleza Añejo Tequila ($109.99)
St. George "Terroir" Mount Tamalpais Gin (750ml) ($29.99)
Domaine du Manoir de Montreuil "Reserve" Calvados Pay d'Auge (750ml) ($44.99)
Averna Amaro Siciliano (750ml) ($34.99)
Adrien Camut "Réserve de Semainville (25+ years old) Pays d'Auge Calvados (750ml) ($299.99)
El Dorado 15 Year Old Demerara Guyana Rum (750ml) ($59.99)
Russell's Reserve 6 Year Old "Small Batch" 90 Proof Kentucky Rye Whiskey (750ml) ($49.99)
Rock Hill Farms Kentucky Straight Bourbon (750ml) ($99.99)
Lini "Labrusca" Lambrusco Emilia Bianco ($15.99)
Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne ($44.99)