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Staff Favorites - Ralph Sands
Ralph Sands
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Ralph is the senior Bordeaux specialist on the sales staff. In between trying to break into professional baseball, Ralph was picking up hours at a K&L store in Millbrae. Back then it was more about kegs and cheap booze, and both Ralph and K&L have evolved since that time. Since those long ago days in 1978, Ralph has visited his beloved Bordeaux 37 times, evaluated 19 straight vintages and has escorted over 200 customers to Bordeaux on his "Taste and Golf the Greats Tours of Bordeaux". Ralph has also conducted tasting seminars in 9 different states as well as in France, Spain and Hong Kong. Ralph's passion for wine reaches far beyond Bordeaux; to the fine wine regions of Burgundy, Loire, Rhone, Germany, Oregon and of course his home state of California.
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Reviews
2018 Pichon-Baron, Pauillac
Review Date: 05-02-2019
2018 Pichon Longueville Baron is composed of 78% Cabernet and 22% Merlot and represents 50%of the crop. A big heady Cabernet with good ripeness, lot of dark chocolate fruit, no harshness, round but strong tannins. This is a classic Pauillac and a long runner. 2 Stars! Winemaker Jean Rene Matagon calls 2018 is a combination of 2009 by the weather and 2010 on the palate.
Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 12-23-2017
This is absolutely incredible Champagne for the money! Deeply flavored, intense and powerful it is in the style of Bollinger and Krug at nowhere near the price and I love that!
Price:
$37.99
2016 Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan
Review Date: 06-10-2017
2016 Haut Bailly represents 55% of the crop and is 53% CS 40 M 4PV and 3CF “A deep attack of dark raspberry fruit, very, very strong and concentrated, full of structure and drive, serious wine. Firm tannins and loaded with minerals. Reminds me a lot of the great 2010, 3 stars” Ralph Sands
2016 Pontet-Canet, Pauillac
Review Date: 06-10-2017
“Huge ripeness on the nose. Perfect, sweet deep purple fruit of blueberry and blackberry, silky and plush. Impossible not to love as it is fantastic tasting wine with a long, dry finish full of fruit and minerals." Delicious and 3 Stars! Ralph Sands
2016 Canon, St-Émilion
Review Date: 06-01-2017
2016 Ch. Canon like the 2015 is an outstanding wine. 74% Merlot,60% new oak for 18 months, 14% alc. Incredibly fresh, driven by elegant sweet fruit with hints just ripe cherries and absolutely dry! Classic Canon balance from front to back. I love it. 3 Stars! Ralph Sands
2016 Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac
Review Date: 06-01-2017
Mouton Rothschild reveals an incredible nose that screams greatness! Sweet, pure and persistent old vine fruit with strong structure, a lovely touch of middle fruit richness but still very bold and long finishing. A great tasting wine and a Mouton for the ages! 3 Stars! Ralph Sands
2016 Langoa-Barton, St-Julien
Review Date: 05-23-2017
Ch. Langoa Barton…$49.99 Mags $99.99 Langoa Barton has beautifully fresh, spicy raspberry fruit, nice texture, very pretty with all parts perfectly balanced. 2 Stars! Ralph
2015 Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Léognan
Review Date: 06-03-2016
Smith Haut Lafitte- 63%CS 33M Round and broad with loads of grapey ripe-sweet fruit that coat the entire mouth with hints of licorice and spice. Long finishing and very tasty. Another delicious SHL! 2 Stars!
2010 Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Léognan
Review Date: 02-05-2013
The high-toned dark fruit and tight zippy structure really stand out. At UGC: Round, tasty, but serious. Best ever to me. **
2010 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge, Pessac-Léognan (1.5L)
Review Date: 02-05-2013
Silky red fruit, superb. **
2009 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien
Review Date: 03-05-2012
Deep, grapey, masculine wine. It was really good the second time we tasted it.
2009 Cantemerle, Haut-Médoc
Review Date: 03-02-2012
** Outstanding! Expressive, juicy, grapey wine, with hints of raspberry, cassis and passion fruit. Best value of the vintage!
2009 Branaire-Ducru, St-Julien
Review Date: 03-02-2012
Crisp and elegant. Bright, focused, cranberry-cherry fruit, with nice mouthfeel.
2010 Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan
Review Date: 05-16-2011
Sweet nose. Loaded with dark chocolate and sweet fruit. Very structured and powerful.
2010 Cos d'Estournel, St-Estèphe
Review Date: 05-16-2011
Great concentration. Hints of orange peel on the strong finish.