Reviewers
- All Staff Reviews
- Aaron Hughes (10)
- Adam Winkel (96)
- Alex Leonardini (8)
- Alex Schroeder (149)
- Alex Pross (594)
- Alexandre Tweedie (7)
- Amy Monroe (1)
- Andrew Nunes (1)
- Andrew Kitz (1)
- Andrew Whiteley (125)
- Cindy Westby (60)
- Clyde Beffa Jr. (809)
- David Othenin-Girard (335)
- Dejah Overby (147)
- Diana Turk (125)
- Dulcinea Gonzalez (115)
- Gary Lai (56)
- Gary Westby (540)
- Greg St. Clair (389)
- Illya Haase (147)
- Jacques Moreira (704)
- Jason Marwedel (73)
- Jeffrey Jones (372)
- Joel Nicholas (29)
- John Flanigan (1)
- John Downing (80)
- John Majeski (296)
- Julio Santos (1)
- Kate Soto (11)
- Keith Mabry (432)
- Kirk Walker (276)
- Lilia McIntosh (44)
- Mandana Tourani (12)
- Michael Benoit (7)
- Michael Pires (14)
- Miles Philippe (7)
- Neal Fischer (33)
- Ralph Sands (222)
- Ryan Kewin (4)
- Ryan Moses (388)
- Ryan Woodhouse (891)
- Sal Rodriguez (34)
- Scott Beckerley (307)
- Shaun Green (82)
- Thomas Smith (357)
- Tom Martinez (1)
- Trey Beffa (183)
- Will Blakely (26)
- Zaitouna Kusto (3)
K&L Email Alerts
Sign up to receive custom alerts, new arrivals and the latest happenings from K&L Wines
Staff Favorites - Stefanie Juelsgaard
|
Reviews
Canard-Duchêne Brut Champagne
Review Date: 05-26-2020
This wine has an incredibly expressive nose, with flavors flying out of the glass and hitting the intrigue button hard. With quite a toasty palate I was surprised by the amount of fruit it showed. Peaches and citrus dominate and the time spent on lees gives a creamy, toasted character, which I originally though may have been barrel aging. The all stainless steel aging serves it well with a crisp acidity lingering on the finish. I love the hefty dose of Meunier as it gives depth and richness to produce a lingering finish.
Ragnaud-Sabourin "Fontvieille #35" K&L Exclusive Cognac (750ml)
Review Date: 02-28-2020
The nose on the No 35 shows more oak and vanilla than No 20, but the mouthfeel is still surprisingly delicate. This Cognac is very smooth, yet not overly polished, as it still exhibits plenty of spice and punchy fruit flavors. In my opinion the Ragnaud-Sabourin offerings are the best Cognacs on the shelf and any novice or aficionado will not be disappointed with this bottling.
Price:
$169.99
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof "Batch C919" Kentucky Bourbon (750ml)
Review Date: 01-09-2020
This is the ultimate style of rich, silky smooth Bourbon with a pretty hefty kick of heat amplified by the barrel proof nature. Strong dark chocolate, clove, and coffee grounds prevail in this bottling, whereas the B519 has more of a sweet cream taste. A powerhouse whiskey like this at 12 years is a steal at $60. I guess the 200+ years of experience making Bourbon has given Elijah Craig the edge.
Egrot Brut Champagne
Review Date: 11-24-2019
This bottle of Champagne defines balance for me. I think it is the perfect blend of fruit and acidity, while still showing depth and richness from the Pinot Noir. I think this is an incredible value and is the absolute perfect choice for an occasion, not only because of the great price-point, but because it exhibits qualities that could please even the most discerning palate. This is my new house sparkling for sure.
Top Value!
Price:
$34.99
Trudon "Cuvée Magnificence" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 10-15-2019
If you are looking for a truly unique style and story of Champagne, look no further than this bottling. Made from 60% 2010 reserve wine aged in barrel, and 40% 2011 reserve wine aged in stainless steel tank, this is the ultimate marriage of multiple styles coming together. The barrel aging plus at least 6 years on the lees makes this a rich, textured, creamy style of Champagne and would pair pretty phenomenally with any holiday meal plan.
Trudon "Emblematis" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 10-15-2019
With a Diploma of Enology, Jermone Trudon could make pretty good money working wherever he wants. He chose to start his own project and aren't we lucky for it. The 70% Pinot Meunier is on full display here with rich berry notes shining, though there is a slight creamy chanterelle mushroom quality here also. Jerome also chooses to block 60% of malolacic fermentation, preserving freshness and bright citrus flavors. The perfect balance of fruity and savory, this would make the ultimate food Champagne.
Lanson Brut Rosé Champagne
Review Date: 10-15-2019
Though this wine carries the exact same breakdown of varietals as the Lanson "Black Label", the two wines could not be more different. The addition of still red wine gives infinite body and length, a great fruit presence, and a gorgeous salmon color. Capable of cellaring for years thanks to its bright acidity and lack of malolactic fermentation, Lanson has shown what a great, long-lived house can truly be capable of.
Lanson "Black Label" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 10-15-2019
Lanson has taken the past few years to vastly improve its quality and practices, and its efforts have certainly paid off. With 4 years of aging on the lees and 30% reserve wine going back to 1998, one would think this would be a very toasty, rich Champagne. That is not the case. Because this wine does not go through malolactic fermentation there is a beautiful line of acidity here, thought the brioche and slightly yeasty characters still peak through. One of the original Champagne houses, dating back to the 1760's, Lanson needs to find its way onto your radar as a very affordable, delicious, powerhouse producer.
Top Value!
Fallet-Dart "Cuvée de Réserve" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 09-05-2019
The Fallet-Dart house has a mind blowing history with 17 generations behind the line to perfect their Champagne and perfect it they have. With majority Pinot Meunier and four years of aging sur lees this bottle shows a richer, toastier style while still showcasing brightness and freshness hard to achieve with this blend. I love that Fallet-Dart is not afraid to experiment with a Pinot Meunier heavy blend, though it is not by chance it turned out phenomenally with the clear dedication and hard work in the craft they put in year after year.
Top Value!
Price:
$32.99
2014 Rhys "Bearwallow Vineyard" Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
Review Date: 08-23-2019
The winemakers at Rhys have spent years in Burgundy trying to learn the farming techniques and winemaking methodologies that result in a truly great bottle of wine, and I believe they have harnessed that knowledge in this bottling. Long a wait-list only winery, this exclusive brand is now available to the general public, and K&L is the first and largest single retailer of this producer. They are experts in both Anderson Valley and Santa Cruz Mountains varietals. This particular bottling definitely carries the classic Burgundy flavor profile. Medium-bodied with dusty tannin, well-incorporated minerality, and soft red fruits, this wine feels shy and so expressive at the same time. It's not punchy and in your face, but subtle and incredibly complex. One of the best Pinots I've had this year.
Suntory "Hibiki Japanese Harmony" Blended Japanese Whisky (750ml)
Review Date: 07-11-2019
I was particularly excited to try the 'Hibiki Harmony' since it seems all of the Japanese whisky's are becoming so popular they sell out before most people get a crack at them. There is a definite sherry note present on the nose, and the palate is light, yet rich simultaneously. The Japanese whisky's generally seem to show as more elegant and prettier than those from other countries and this one fits that description perfectly. Though we did receive good stock this time, it won't last with the following the 'Harmony' has. Don't miss this opportunity because it probably won't come again and it's only going to become harder to acquire.
The 86 Co. Ford's Gin (750ml)
Review Date: 07-11-2019
With most Gin's sitting in the $30+ price range these days, it's really nice to see one of this quality at an affordable everyday price, because I will be drinking it everyday this Summer. Super smooth and full of citrus, jasmine, with a slight sweetness from the wheat, this may be the best London Dry Gin on our shelves.
Price:
$24.99
2015 Bois-Malot, Bordeaux Supérieur
Review Date: 07-05-2019
Bois Malot has become one of our top-selling Bordeaux's at K&L and for good reason. The quality of the wine you receive for this price point is mind-blowing. Still family run with a small and humble winemaking team, this label showcases the best of Bordeaux fruit. While the 2015 is still a little tight and not yet as approachable as the 2009 and 2010 were, this is sure to be stunner before too long. And at this price point, you can feel good about buying it by the case to hold onto some and drink some now.
Price:
$11.99
Littlemill "Old Malt Cask" 29 Year Old K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)
Review Date: 05-30-2019
I know we may tend to over-use the phrase "don't miss this one" at K&L, but you it really rings true on this incredible bottling from the now closed Littlemill distillery. You will LITERALLY never see an offer like this again for this whisky. With its other age statements selling in the thousands of dollars, it's a little mind-boggling we have it for $250. Our spirits buyers truly worked their magic on this one. Though we hope to see Loch Lomond Distillery open it up again eventually, nothing can compare to what this highly sought-after distillery made 29 years ago. The nose is quite sweet, with briochy, light butterscotch notes. This continues on the palate, but with a hefty kick from spice to bring balance. This is one of the best whiskys I've had in some time and it's made all the more special knowing it will never cross my path again.
Price:
$399.99
Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky (750ml)
Review Date: 05-18-2019
There is a high level of dedication to the purity of the product from Cotswolds Distillery and this Single Malt Whisky is no exception. Because this is the first ever whisky coming out of the Cotswolds, they wanted to make sure it showed its terroir by locally sourcing ingredients. Aged in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels and red wine casks, the resulting spirit is fruity, with a touch of malty richness. The more sweet preliminary flavors of butterscotch appear on the nose, while the palate shows more influence form the barrels, bringing dark red fruits and deep caramel. If you're looking for something different and a great in between for Bourbon and Scotch, you need to pick up a bottle of this.
Cotswolds Non-Chill Filtered English Dry Gin (750ml)
Review Date: 04-17-2019
There is a lot of hand labor that goes into producing this gin and the taste certainly reflects those efforts. They peel hundreds of limes and grapefruits every week to get that fresh citrus note in there and all other botanicals are hand-selected for purity of expression. This gin is creamy and lively, showcasing floral and citrus notes, with just a touch of spice. Don't be alarmed if your gin turns cloudy after adding tonic or ice - that's just the incredible amount of botanical oils left in for phenomenal flavor.
San Venanzio Fortunato Brut Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore
Review Date: 08-21-2018
This is a great sophisticated take on Prosecco. It's leaner, complex, and has a more mineral-driven style than most of the others on the shelf. It tastes more expensive from its everything it has going on, but is still incredibly affordable. Clean, fresh, bright, bubbly - what more could you want?
Top Value!
Price:
$15.99
2015 Lanessan, Haut-Médoc
Review Date: 06-12-2018
This is definitely a Bordeaux I can get behind. This wine is fresh and clean and carries more acid and structure than I expected from the 2015 vintage. There is a deep juiciness to the fruit with a great balance of weight and lift. This is a phenomenal wine for this price.
Petit & Bajan Nuit Blanche Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne
Review Date: 04-13-2018
I was blown away by the complexity on this bottling. I did not expect so much toastiness from a Blanc de Blanc, but the aging time on the lees certainly lent that complexity. It's most definitely not one dimensional though. In true Blanc de Blanc style, when you throw that bright, chalky mineral Chardonnay in, you get a thorough hit of acidity to bring that palate back up from the brioche, almond quality, to intense, fresh, expressive citrus fruit notes. I kept having to go back finding so much going on in this wine, but in such a perfectly balanced format. This is my first introduction to this wife and husband team and it is one I'd be more than pleased to extend to others.
Arette Artesanal Blanco Suave Tequila (750ml)
Review Date: 08-18-2017
This tequila really showcases the pure, bright flavors that agave is known for when not muddled by added sugars or over-manipulation. With a lighter finish than many of the other tequilas on the shelf , this Arette Suave Blanco lends itself to sipping on its own quite nicely, without being overwhelmed by alcohol. Though I find it would do equally well in a cocktail since its lighter style can help it blend seamlessly with other elements without being an overpowering presence. The Arette is back in stock, but with its ability to appeal to such diverse tastes, it is sure to be gone again soon.
Bollinger "Special Cuvée" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 06-07-2017
I find this to be one of the most interesting Champagnes we have on the shelves right now because of how many different notes and tastes it possesses. While Bollinger is one of the larger houses in Champagne, they are absolutely one of the best. The amount of care and work they put into their Champagne is unreal and the dedication to quality is beyond almost all others. The average age of the wine in this bottle is ten years old and one third of it is barrel fermented, which is far less common in Champagne. Topping wine in this house is kept in magnum bottles, separated by cru and vintage, which means they have to pop every single one when it comes time to add dosage to the bottles. This painstaking work results in an unbelievable wine and one I would be happy to have anytime.
Laurent-Perrier "La Cuvée" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 06-07-2017
The "La Cuvee" is one phenomenal release from well-known and highly regarded Champagne producer Laurent Perrier. Aged three and a half years on the lees, this wine exhibits the dedication LP shows to the quality of their Champagne. They have chosen to hold this wine back until it is perfected, rather than release it before it has had time to fully develop, even if that means potential years of lost income. The bottling exhibits a juiciness and fuller body than their "Brut" sparkler, but is still bright and lively from the acid-driven Chardonnay. While many Champagne houses believe great wine is made in the cellar, not the vineyard, LP shows a dedicated respect to the fruit in their bottlings, with the Chardonnay in "La Cuvee" being of exceptional quality. This is a special bottle that is still incredibly affordable and available for everyone to enjoy.
Fallet-Dart "Grande Sélection" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 06-07-2017
This Champagne hits all of the elements for me that I expect in a great sparkling and is one of the most well balanced I have ever come across, which is incredibly rare at this price. Fallet-Dart is situated in the far western, slightly lesser-known village of Drachy and this wine benefits from being made from only fruit grown on the estate. With up to seven years aging on the lees, this Champagne exhibits fantastic body and depth and the Pinot Noir heavy blend really showcases that varietal. The Chardonnay brings brightness and acidity and rounds of the palate fantastically. Definitely my favorite Fallet-Dart and at this price can be one approachable for any Champagne lover.
Top Value!
Price:
$34.99
ArteNOM "Seleccion 1579" Blanco Tequila (750ml)
Review Date: 02-14-2017
The sweetness derived from the higher altitude this agave is grown at really shines through and makes this an amazingly easy sipping tequila. The incredibly smooth texture accentuated with great fruit flavor and slight spice makes this blanco one to treasure. A wonderful expression of how high-end tequila could taste from an respected, established, individual producer.
Price:
$59.99