K&L Wine Merchants - Andrew Stevens Reviews

The Singleton of Glendullan 15 Year Old Single Malt Whisky (750ml)

Review Date: 05-17-2018

With the continued rise of whisky prices, it is always exciting to me when I see that we are able to reverse that trend even briefly. If the whisky is actually really good too? Well, that makes me do a little happy dance. I would highly recommend picking up a couple of these bottles should you care to join me in that little happy dance. Sweet golden apple, soft vanilla, a touch of honey, and a spectacular bit of minerality. I mean this is just a steal, I think the move here is one for drinking and one for making awesome cocktails with. I mean for $35 why not.

Price: $65.99

Caves Messias Santola "Crab Wine" Vinho Verde

Review Date: 05-15-2018

Summer sippin goodness in a bottle. That is what I thought the first time I tried this wine a few years ago and that thought has remained each time I taste it again. Perfect thirst quenching, low alcohol, slightly fizzy sipping goodness. This is the wine to grab by the case and find a reason to open on a beautiful afternoon.

Price: $9.99

Four Pillars "Bloody Shiraz" Gin (750ml)

Review Date: 08-30-2017

I was willing to buy this bottle based on the aromatics alone, well that and the fact that Four Pillars seems incapable of making a bad gin. Watching this come in and getting to finally taste it makes me do a happy dance. The aroma juniper, sweet orange, bitter herb, red berry are all present here and hint at the tastiness hiding within this bottle. The flavor here is reminiscent of a SloGin but brighter and drier than most I have tasted. The beauty of the Four Pillars botanicals are still here just surrounded and submerged in sweet red fruit, more spice and a perfect amount of sweetness. I can't wait to try it in a Negroni and I feel I won't even need the sweet vermouth.

Price: $29.99

Bollinger "Special Cuvée" Brut Champagne

Review Date: 06-08-2017

Bollinger is one of my immediate go to houses for people looking for a known name that delivers stunning wine for the price. The special cuvee from them is the perfect place to start with this all family owned estate. Lovely fruit notes of early plum, red fruit, and green apple with a little wood and spice are all firmly in balance here. The level of complexity is impressive and the finish is soft but does not fall flat in any way. There is also a beautiful tartness to the wine from the acid that serves to enhance the overall experience.

Price: $69.99

JD: 93

JS: 93

WS: 93

Laurent-Perrier "La Cuvée" Brut Champagne

Review Date: 06-06-2017

If you are a Champagne House that carries the name recognition and appeal of Laurent Perrier how do you change your signature offering? Easy, you introduce a wine like the new La Cuvee. Taking on new vineyards and changing the basic cepage Laurent Perrier also decided that a longer lees time was also just what this new cuvee needed. The result being a continuation of what they are capable of and I believe a treat for all of their customers. This new champagne features a slightly creamier nose than the Brut and is filled with delectable stone fruit, cream, and plenty of balancing acid. I am fairly confident that those who are already familiar with this house will be delighted with this change and the handful of people who haven't tried them yet here is exactly where you should start.

Price: $59.99

Santa Teresa 1796 Ron Antiguo de Solera Rum Venezuela (750ml)

Review Date: 01-30-2017

This wonderfully rich, but balanced Solera style rum is one of my go to's for those just getting into rum or those who have been long time fans. Dark, warm fruits and notes of toffee are not cloying, but rather they compliment each other and the strong streak of vanilla that brings this rum to a close.

Price: $39.99

WE: 94

Franck Bonville Brut Rosé Champagne

Review Date: 11-21-2016

With so many amazing DI Champagne to choose from it is often fard for me to pick a favorite, fortunately in the Rose category there is almost no competition. Because Olivier Bonville only grows Chardonnay he trades some of his amazing Grand Cru fruit for a little Pinot Noir to blend in. The result is an amazing tart, bright Rose wine that has the length and drive of a Brut but with a beautiful cherry note added. Black and red cherry flavors against a dry blanc de blanc? Yes please, this is a must have for almost any type of Champagne lover.

Price: $59.99

Kilkerran (Glengyle) 12 Year Old Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Review Date: 10-21-2016

One of only three active distilleries in Campbeltown, this new offering created in the revamped Glengyle is created using old techniques, and the dedication shows. Beautiful white fruit and spice layer the peat, showcasing the uniqueness of Campbeltown. Lovely layers of smoke move throughout this whisky and bring it to a finish with medium heat and spice. Full-flavored yet balanced, this is a cool new offering for those who love every different expression of peat, smoke, and of course, Campbeltown.

Price: $89.99

Nikka "Yoichi" Japanese Single Malt Whisky (750ml)

Review Date: 09-21-2016

This may be my favorite offering from Nikka, which is saying something. The whisky opens with fruit, hints of spice, and of course a lovely layer of peat. Unlike some of the other Nikkas, this whisky plays on a more fruity note, loaded with baked pears and green apple, and baking spices like cinnamon and cardamom finish it off. The peat here is more smoldering than outright smoke and adds to the complexity. The lack of age statement here in no way diminishes from how good this bottle is, working well either neat or as a highball.

Price: $69.99

WE: 94

WA: 92

Westland Flagship American Oak Single Malt American Whiskey (700ml)

Review Date: 08-06-2016

The fact that Westland makes an amazing whiskey is no longer knew news, but hearing about it and tasting it are two different things. The Westland American Oak is reminiscent of many of my favorite single malts from Scotland and still it's own animal. Vanilla and a hints of fruit in the nose lead to a creamy vanilla, butterscotch, and coffee palate. This does not taste like a new distillery from the US, this tastes like someone has been crafting this whiskey for years in some country older than ours.

Price: $49.99

WE: 93

Don Amado Pechuga Mezcal (750ml)

Review Date: 07-10-2016

Another beautiful offering from the Don Amado brand, primarily dealing with Espadin agave. This Mezcal shows off a little vanilla in the nose with a more muted fruit characteristic. A touch of oak adds a creamy texture with soft white fruits and a layer of vanilla. A nicely soft and light finish means this Mezcal is a great choice for sipping neat.

Price: $69.99

WE: 93

Don Amado Arroqueño Mezcal (750ml)

Review Date: 07-10-2016

This was my absolute favorite of the three Don Amado Mezcals that came in recently. Utilizing wild Agave, this Mezcal shows off how complex (and delicious) this spirit can be. An almost sweet-tart candied fruit nose leads to a clean and complex body of fruit with notes of chili and pepper. There is a lot going on in this Mezcal and it leaves the palate with a long, lingering finish. Although there is heat at the end, it is the pleasant warmth of a drink that begs for another sip.

Price: $89.99

WE: 90

Suntory Toki Japanese Whisky (750ml)

Review Date: 06-19-2016

I, like so many others, really like a lot of what Suntory has to offer. There are so many wonderful whiskeys they put out, unfortunately many of these have gotten super expensive and rare. Fortunately, they are trying to fill in the gap with a more everyday whiskey, and the Toki is just the product to do that. A lightly fruited nose reminiscent of caramel apple and vanilla leads to a smooth and somewhat fruity whiskey. Baked apple and stone fruit notes are rounded with touches of vanilla and a somewhat creamy mouthfeel. Low heat finish rounds out the delightful little whiskey.

Price: $29.99

2013 Moulin de la Gardette "Cuvée Ventabren" Gigondas (Library Release)

Review Date: 06-19-2016

Excellent wine from the Gigondas region,the wine exhibits complex layers of red fruit, herbs, spices and acid. Bright red fruit and acid keeps the wine lifted and long and the herb notes make this an wonderful wine to pair with dishes like lamb or baked chicken. Perfect for dinner during the warmer months when some red wines may be too big, this wine plays very well with food and long evenings.

Price: $85.00

VN: 91

RP: 90

Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin (750ml)

Review Date: 05-28-2016

Some people want to reinvent Gin while others simply want to perfect it, at Four PIllars they go for the latter. This has all the elements that make gin so good, citrus, juniper, spices and balances them. Fresh and clean with a dry finish this is the kind of gin you can just keep as the standard, always on hand. Mix it, sip it, prepare it any way you like Gin, just enjoy it.

Price: $27.99

WE: 92

Four Pillars Navy Strength Gin (750ml)

Review Date: 05-28-2016

Complexity and balance is always what I am most excited about in a Gin and this delivers these two attributes. The citrus notes from the limes off just the right amount of snappy citrus to overlay the backbone of juniper. This gin is surprisingly smooth for its proof offering up its power in complexity and flavor as opposed to burn on the finish.

Price: $39.99

St. George Bruto Americano Bitter Aperitivo Liqueur (750ml)

Review Date: 05-24-2016

I am a big fan of pretty much everything St. George Distillery does and one of my favorite things about them is all of their liqueurs and brandies. Seriously, the people over there are never satisfied with just sticking to gin, vodka, or whiskey (although they do all of those things well) and now they have added an Americano! I bought a bottle immediately and it is delicious, as is expected from them this is not an attempt to re-create Campari but rather it's own beast. Clove and cinnamon add a much spicier component to this spirit, with a lovely dry and herbaceous finish. This is delicious on its own or with soda water and a twist and I cannot wait to try making it into a Negroni.

Price: $29.99

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

Review Date: 05-17-2016

This is one of the most highly anticipated bubblies we carry, both from our customers and from our staff. Stone fruit and minerality play against the bright citrus notes and lively acid carries the wine to incredible length without being too tart. This bottle just drinks so well and goes down so smoothly that it always seems a shame that we cannot carry more of it. Pick it up soon because it will sell out fast.

Price: $39.99

Launois "Veuve Clemence" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

Review Date: 05-17-2016

Another Launois that simply drinks far too easily. This cuvee showcases the crispness and cleanliness that I love in Launois' Champagne while also offering length and drive. Light notes of apple and melon layer the minerality of this wine and help it to disappear far too quickly.

Price: $44.99

Launois "Quartz" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

Review Date: 05-17-2016

When I first came to work here I would have people come up and ask if we had any Launois in stock, not being familiar with it I was always curious why so many people would eagerly await their arrival. Now having tasted them I understand why we always sell out of everything we carry from them. The Quartz is light, crisp, clean, and downright crushable if I may use a vulgar term for this wine. The bright acid carries hints of minerality and tart apple and green melon that is still balanced and finished so well. This will disappear fast so it is worth picking up whenever we have it.

Price: $49.99

Launois "Severine" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

Review Date: 05-17-2016

This is a new project from perhaps the fastest selling Direct Import champagne producers that we carry at K&L. Aged in oak barrels that they had made from trees that grow right next to their vineyards, the wine shows a very different notes from the crisp cleanness that I have come to know and appreciate in Launois. Notes of vanilla and mocha weight the acid and add complexity to the wine. The finish is long and lingering with hints of roasted coffee. This is a fantastic food champagne for those who love something unique.

Price: $59.99

Kilchoman "Sanaig" Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

Review Date: 05-09-2016

I am so glad I finally got to try a couple different expressions from the newest distillery on Islay, and I am so impressed with this whisky. A lovely whiff of smoke on the nose lets you know you are getting into an Islay; however, the sherry casking lends it a smooth and rich body without being brooding. Slightly nutty and fruity notes play against the smoke and lead to a long finish with low heat. This whisky does not need an age statement at all, it stands up and delivers incredibly well for a newer, younger blend.

Price: $69.99

Mas Codina Brut Reserva Cava Penedès

Review Date: 05-09-2016

This is one of the best bottle of bubbles in the store for its price. The fact that we directly import this sparkler and that it is from Spain means that it drinks far and above its price point. This Cava is very clean and enhanced by bright acid while still having some weight and richness on the mouthfeel. A lovely balance of ripe fruit and citrus make this one that can easily turn heads at a party and is priced to keep a case around the house.

Price: $13.99

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