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Staff Favorites - Steve Greer

Steve Greer | Send Email | Subscribe to My Sommelier Service

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.

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.

Price: $69.99

2001 Guiraud, Sauternes

Review Date: 02-21-2014

This is drinking nicely now and shows lots of life for the future, with a zing of bright acidity still keeping the richness in check. Heady beautiful nose with botrytis and apricots dominating. The palate is layered with pineapple upside down cake coming to mind, burnt sugar, graham cracker, baking spices and lemon curd and a finish that doesn't quit. Wow.

Price: $89.99

Talisker 10 Year Old Isle of Skye Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

Review Date: 01-24-2014

I am guilty of chasing the golden goose and forgetting about the standards or classics within a certain category be it wine, whiskey, beer etc. I was reminded of this when we went through a line-up of Scotch whiskey and I tried the Talisker 10. This is the balanced side of peated whiskey with pure sea-side air, creosote and just a hint of iodine balanced by the sweet malt. The finish is beautiful with saline and spice and only $50! A standard for everyone's bar.

Price: $59.99

WA: 90

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!

Price: $29.99

WE: 93

Tequila Fortaleza Blanco Tequila

Review Date: 01-23-2014

The Forteleza line-up is fantastic but the Bianco shows the purity of the spirit with tons of depth. Vegetative, roasted herbs, spice, orange peel and coriander shows this is a sipper to be enjoy.

Price: $69.99

Limit of 1 per customer

2010 Gloria, St-Julien

Review Date: 02-18-2013

Sweet fruit, naturally extracted.

Price: $79.99

2010 Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan

Review Date: 02-05-2013

Closed nose but rich aromatic dark fruit on the palate with a long ripe finish.

Price: $895.00

2010 Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Léognan

Review Date: 02-04-2013

Oak spice, extracted blue fruit, modern.

Price: $229.99

A.D. Coutelas "Cuvée 1809" Brut Champagne

Review Date: 11-01-2012

Like an aged Meursault or a fino sherry this Champagne shows bruised apple, olive brine, salinity and chalky minerality with lots of acidity with a great mouthfeel. Damn.

Price: $64.99

BH: 92

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

2008 Pontet-Canet, Pauillac

Review Date: 07-05-2011

"Wow" and "Huge" are the two words I wrote for this wine. This was a really beautiful wine with rich dark cassis, black fruit, spice and graphite aromas and flavors. The rich fruit provides a great balance to the grippy tannins. Very nice wine and in comparision to 2009 and 2010 pricing you could almost buy 2.

Price: $139.99

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.

Price: $299.99

2010 Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan

Review Date: 05-13-2011

Minerals and pure red fruits. Balanced structure. Fantastic.

Price: $224.99

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

More Favorites

Steve Greer is also a fan of the following items. To become a fan of Steve Greer, click here to join Steve Greer's Personal Sommelier Service.

Tempus Fugit Kina L'Aero D'Or Vin Aperitif Du Quinquina Aperitif Wine (750ml) ($34.99)

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) ($29.99)

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)

Seikyo "Omachi" Junmai Ginjo Sake 720ml ($29.99)

Lini "Labrusca" Lambrusco Emilia Bianco ($15.99)

Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne ($44.99)