K&L Wine Merchants - Heather Vander Wall Reviews

Review Date: 03-26-2021

I recently got to revisit this lovely Champagne, and I'm sorry to say it had been a couple of years since I tasted it last. It is more stunning than I remember. A champagne on the richer side, with great depth of nutty, lees-y character, complementing the fresh red berry fruit and bright crisp acidity. If you are a fan of classic, balanced brut Champagne that tends towards the nuttier, richer style, this is the wine for you.

Price: $44.99

JS: 91

BH: 90

WS: 90

Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne

Review Date: 12-18-2020

If you ask any K&L staff member for a champagne recommendation, this is most likely the bottle they will instinctively reach for. Why? Because this is the wine that time and again has graced our own tables, marked our celebrations, and found its way, more often than not, into our weekly wine diet. This is undeniably one of the best values for true champagne that we offer. The wine is both approachable and layered, with distinctive toast and brioche notes complementing the orchard fruit on the palate. Whether you need some bubbles for your dinner tonight, you want to gift a friend with something special, or you're celebrating with your family, you really can't go wrong with this wine.

Price: $37.99

Fallet-Dart Brut Rosé Champagne

Review Date: 02-15-2020

I recently revisited this wine, and fell in love all over again. I'm a big fan of all the Fallet Dart wines, but this rose Champagne knocks it out of the park. The palate is bursting with tangerine, clementine and a whole array of citrus fruits. On the back end you find the lovely red cherry notes and a pleasant, creamy weight. The whole is bolstered by fresh, vibrant acidity, making this stunning rose Champagne one of my absolute favorites.

Price: $39.99

2015 Poujeaux, Moulis

Review Date: 06-01-2018

My expectations were very high on this wine--they were bound to be given the vintage and that this is one of my favorite Chateaus. I was not disappointed. The wine is big and dense, even for Poujeaux, but it is perfectly balanced. Immediate cassis, violet, cedar aromas great you, then give way to saturated black plum, cigar box, blackberry and blueberry notes on the palate, all underscored with bold tannin and acidity. This will be one for the long haul. I will be excited to check in on this in 10, 15 and 20 years.

Price: $39.99

JS: 94

DC: 92

VN: 90

2009 Coufran, Haut-Médoc

Review Date: 01-05-2018

This is an excellent Bordeaux from one of the top recent vintages, but coming from an under-the-radar winery in the Haut-Medoc. Chateau Coufran tends to use more Merlot in their blend, lending the wine some silky, black-fruited elegance which nicely counters the firmer structure and earthiness of the Cabernet from this region. Truly one of our best bargains for stellar 2009 vintage!

Price: $24.99

JS: 92

WE: 90 - 92

Boulard-Bauquaire "Trepail" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Vieilles Vignes

Review Date: 10-10-2016

Don't miss the two words "Vieilles Vignes" in the name of this wine. The lovely Blanc de Blancs of Boulard Bauquaire owes much of its complexity and depth to the 70-year-old vines from which the wine is made. Like a classic Blanc de Blancs, this wine shows elegant, stony aromas that are rather austere at first, but on the palate, the depth of flavor is phenomenal. Not only is there an impression of full, rich, apricot fruit and even some red berry elements, but the drive of the acidity takes a position here very well integrated to the whole. This wine is hardly lacking in body and richness, but it is not due to the boldness of a red grape, rather it is all in the old vine power.

Price: $44.99

Fallet-Dart "Grande Sélection" Brut Champagne

Review Date: 06-20-2016

For those of you excited about varietal character in your Champagne, this is a great wine! Showing plenty of red fruit from the Pinot Noir dominance, this wine is richer, with nutty texture and excellent follow-through on the palate. I generally lean towards Chardonnay-based Champagnes, but this wine might be changing my mind. The elegant Pinot Noir character shows through with such purity and finesse, it easily rivals the elegance of a blanc de blancs. I will definitely be stocking up on these!

Price: $37.99

2012 Château de Montfaucon "Baron Louis" Lirac

Review Date: 11-10-2015

This wine is absolutely lovely! The aromatics are very pronounced with plum, cedar and tobacco showing prominently. On the palate it has a fuller weight, but lifted slightly from the fine acidity. The tannins of this wine add more of a textural element than anything else. They are succulent, ripe, and add interest to the palate, providing structure, yet not aggressively so. As always, this wine over-delivers!

Price: $44.99

RP: 90

WS: 90

Ariston Aspasie Brut Rosé Champagne

Review Date: 02-04-2015

Lovely rose champagne from one of our favorite producers! With a pale coral color, this is a light bodied rose with hints of wild strawberry, vanilla, clove, and a gorgeous, creamy texture. Certainly one of my top rose champagne picks!

Price: $42.99

Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne

Review Date: 02-02-2015

Elegance and complexity combine to make this an incredibly intriguing champagne. Delicate white flower and toasted almond/hazelnut on the nose give way to soft pear and a hint of vanilla on the palate. Gorgeous now, but I'm excited to see how this wine develops in the next few years!

Price: $44.99

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