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Staff Favorites - Neal Fischer
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Reviews
2021 Stolo "Estate" SLO Coast Pinot Noir
Review Date: 11-18-2023
I love the SLO Coast. The scenery, the food, the wines, and all the vibes are superbly excellent. This cold climate estate Pinot from Stolo fits in perfectly. The nose is wonderfully aromatic, lifted, and light. I get tart cherries and fresh wild strawberries, with spice of fresh-cracked black pepper and clove, along with a slight earthiness. On the palate, the wine has a light body and playful fruit. First, mixed berries run across the tongue with a fresh line of acidity, then comes an earthy mineral pointedness, and then the Stolo finishes with a playful simmering spice that goes for days. Might need to take a drive down there soon...
2006 Ardbeg 17 Year Old "Dramfool - Red Bag" Bourbon Hogshead Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
Review Date: 10-26-2023
Looking at the name on the bottle might make the distillery of this bottling obvious, but the nose is a different story! Sure, there's peat and richness, but if someone had made me taste this blind I don't think I'd guess correctly. On the nose, there's smoke, but nowhere near expected levels. The smoke turns to spent ashes flowing into soft caramel chews (think: those caramel cubes that seem to be at everybody's grandma's house that melt so fast you've eaten ten before you know what happened) and salted toffee nuts. Then it's almost a touch floral before wading into peaches and cream. The palate is assertive on first sip, but it softens quickly and I found each subsequent drink to be dangerously easier to enjoy. The mingling Holiday spices settle into a creamy deep vanilla richness from the Bourbon barrel. The palate is a head-scratcher in the way that the peat almost isn't smoky. Instead, it's earthy, vegetal, damp, and woody - you get a sense of the bog. Everything ties together excellently, with a balance in vanillas, pecan praline nuttiness, and soft fruit notes. This single cask bottling is a beautifully curious expression from this distillery.
Price:
$399.99
Damien Hugot Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Review Date: 09-15-2023
This blanc de blancs opens with a nose of cream and toasted brioche before flowing elegantly into stewed pear with a touch of citrus pith and a nice, chalky edge. On the palate, I get a wonderful grapefruit dominance up front and salted citrus rinds that then burst into flavors of fresh apricot, and finally finishing with pear skins and gentle acid.
Price:
$34.99
2020 Catena Zapata "DV Catena - Tinto Histórico" Red Blend Mendoza
Review Date: 08-16-2023
This majority Malbec blend is big, bold, and fun. On the nose, there are notes of moist soil and new leather - later overtaken by red and purple fruits and huge pepper spice. Cherry, plum, and blackberry roll throughout. The flavors on the palate are intense. However, rather than coming off as rich or over-played, everything is balanced - with darkness of fruit balanced by spice and acidity. There's great structure provided by the young tannins that helps layer the fruit tones. This is an especially good wine to lay down to age for a few years in order to let the complexity develop, but if you like wines with power and depth then don't be afraid to enjoy it now. Excellent BBQ wine!
Boulard-Bauquaire "Carte Noire" Brut Blanc de Noirs Champagne
Review Date: 07-22-2023
When a producer sets out to make a Blanc de Noir, they have to use an especially delicate pressing method to ensure none of the color from the skin bleeds into the juice. With the Boulard-Bauquire Carte Noir, "delicate" is definitely the byword. This sparkling wine is so clean and elegant in its delivery. It's quite floral, but always hinting at darker fruits and mixed berry notes, with just a little something tropical. Those darker notes come through more directly on the palate as black cherry and blackberry, but always with a kid-gloved approach. A light toast eases into an elegant finish, with the glimmer of those delicate dark notes.
Price:
$34.99
2014 Alexandre Le Brun "Cuvée Revelation" Extra Brut Champagne
Review Date: 07-22-2023
This absolutely smashing Champagne from Alexandre Le Brun is 100% barrel fermented Meunier. It's rich and layered, and keeps giving. There's a slight breadiness and soft lemon to it, but what really jazzes me is the intense nuttiness, with hazelnut and toasted almond coming through most distinctly. Given how decadent the nose is, it is a pleasant surprise how much fun acidity meets the palate even upon first sip. As it develops, both fresh and baked pear come around, a good level of baking spice, and friendly lemon notes.
Price:
$79.99
2011 Highland Park 10 Year Old "K&L Exclusive" Cask #5434 First Fill European Oak Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)
Review Date: 07-19-2023
That 66.1% ABV makes this cask look like a bit of a bruiser, but give it some time (and maybe a few drops of water) and you'll warm up to it. The nose has SO MUCH dark honey, and I love it. Toasted oats roll through with buttered rye toast, chocolate, dark orchard fruit, and a slight floral note. The palate begins roasty-toasty, incorporating salted dark caramels, dried berries, and cherries. This dram gets very nutty in the mid palate with earthy and leathery notes as well. This is a powerful cask of Highland Park getting a proper Sherry treatment.
Price:
$119.99
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof "Batch B523" Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)
Review Date: 07-19-2023
The Elijah Craig Barrel Proof batches continue to roll out, and they continue to be high in quality with a very reasonable price given the age of maturation and intensity of flavors. Batch B523 comes in a little under 12 years old (no age statement on the bottle) and at 62.1% ABV. Like many of my colleagues, I get more concentrated oak and nuttiness in B523 compared to other batches we've recently had at K&L. The nose opens with yummy melted caramel, cocoa powder, a black tea herbal character, baked cinnamon apples, marzipan, and oak char. The palate has more oak and more fruit come through with red apple, syrupy cherries, and bitter orange. The cocoa powder I got on the nose becomes dark chocolate, then I get butter cookies, toffee, and roasted nuts. The finish rounds to more black tea and polished oak.
Price:
$69.99
2021 Desire Lines "Winds of Change" California Syrah
Review Date: 07-05-2023
The nose opens with tightly coiled red fruits, both fresh and dried, most potently in the form of pomegranate, red currant, and raspberry. There is a hint of graphite and some other stoniness, with dark florals, and gently warming spices. On the palate, the spice comes early and tickles the tip of the tongue. Purple fruits show nicely without being too bold or ripe. The spices turn toasty on into a long finish that also folds in notes of woodiness and extra dark chocolate. This Syrah has really nice grip, texture, and structure.
Suntory AO World Whisky (700ml)
Review Date: 05-24-2023
Suntory Ao kind of comes out of nowhere as a product. There's not a whole lot of whisk(e)y lovers who are screaming for more blends, let alone a blend like this. But sometimes life hands you something you never knew you wanted, so the only thing to do is be pleasantly surprised and appreciate what was poured into your glass. Ao sees the Beam Suntory folks blending malt and grain whiskies from Ireland, Scotland, the US, Canada, and Japan. I'd definitely be curious to see more specs on this and know more about what whiskies are going into it, but all I really need to know is that it all comes together seamlessly. On the nose I get a tickle of gentle sweetness. There's honey toasted cornflakes, caramel apple, fresh pear, creamy vanilla, and red fruit. Scents of new suede come in followed by tropical fruit notes like kiwi and papaya. The palate is incredibly smooth and inviting with a lovely round texture. I get flavors of nougat and a brooding smokiness. It gets a little earthy, and notes of dusty oak come in, then it transitions to orange blossom and more tropical fruit. This whisky is so layered, and it's very impressive the way no component overshadows any other. All the whiskies going into this blend have been expertly weaved together to create something totally delicious.
Price:
$64.99
Launois "Dorine" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Review Date: 05-16-2023
For me, the Dorine demonstrates when Launois sets its sights on capturing the richness that Blanc de Blancs can reach while maintaining the wine's focus on fruit. This is at least partially due to the fact that while it comes with the Launois program's minimum 3 years aging on the lees, it also sees a full year of barrel aging. This Champagne meets the nose with a little toastiness and fresh vanilla bean that melts to creaminess. There's a lift with some fresh floral aromatics, then dried orchard fruits take over with peach, yellow apple, and golden cherry. The palate is very apple-oriented for me: there's a swirl of fresh apples, apple cider, and dried apple chips layered together. The bubbles are soft and inviting, and there's a full, round texture that gives the wine a sense of heft without losing the fresher fruity notes.
Price:
$39.99
Wild Turkey "Kentucky Spirit" Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey
Review Date: 05-13-2023
Wild Turkey has long been a favorite of mine, and I mean that for their whole lineup from the regular ole 101 to their more premium expressions. In my opinion, the Kentucky Spirit single barrel selections hit such a sweetspot of affordability and complexity. In our world-gone-mad where Bourbon prices regularly climb above $100 regardless of quality, Kentucky Spirit is there to remind us all that you can get something great at an approachable price point. The barrel I'm currently enjoying (#2386) has a nose packed with polished oak, medium caramel, and vanilla Italian soda. The spice gravitates toward level-handed cinnamon candies then shifts in a much more herbal direction, plus some very nice dark fruit notes like plum and blackberry. The palate is loaded with sweet corn, dark drizzly caramel, slight menthol, and much more pronounced fruit. The texture is a standout feature - as soon as it passes the lips you can tell how round and full this Bourbon is, and the longer that you hold it on the tongue the more viscous it gets. Towards the end, there's more sweet corn notes, chewy vanilla nougat, and candied almonds.
Price:
$59.99
Launois "Veuve Clemence" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Review Date: 05-10-2023
The Clemence from Launois is 100% Grand Cru grown Chardonnay aged for four years on the lees (compared to the Brut Reserve). It's a particularly nimble member of the Launois lineup with a lot of crispness and bright characteristics. The nose is focused with aromatic light florality and a glowing citrus medley along with a touch of melon. On the palate, that extra year of aging on the lees shows in a peaches & cream flavor. The beautiful citrus acidity shines throughout with hints of clementine and tangerine on top of a chalky minerality.
Price:
$44.99
Launois "Quartz" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Review Date: 05-09-2023
I'm a huge fan of everything that Launois releases, but of all their bottlings I'd probably have to say the Quartz is my favorite. (Okay, if we're counting the Special Clubs then I might have to change my tune.) Two details that set the Quartz apart come down to location and carbonation. All the fruit for this bottling is Grand Cru, coming from a single parcel in Les Mesnil sur Oger. The Quartz has lighter pressure due to being bottled at four atmospheres of pressure instead of six. The wine has a light bead and delicacy that I find very sumptuous. The nose has inviting aromatics of soft yellow apple, Bartlett pear, and a little bread. The mouthfeel is soft and round. Quartz has flavors of fresh cream and honey that never become decadent because of a nice line of lime acidity and a fresh orchard fruit medley that builds in the finish.
Price:
$39.99
2008 Billecart-Salmon "Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart" NFB Brut Champagne
Review Date: 05-09-2023
This bubbly is gorgeous and really shows why everyone is (or should be) so in love with 2008 vintage Champagne. The nose is a bouquet of flowers, rich brioche turned into French toast, baked pear, and lemon curd. The palate is bright and elegant with laser-focused lemon, chalky minerality, fresh peaches, hazelnut, and then more of that baked pear into the finish.
Charles Ellner "Premier Cru" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 05-09-2023
I love how often Champagnes find themselves at the crossroads of being elegant but also fun, and this Premier Cru from Charles Ellner is a perfect case in point. The base wine is 75% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Noir. With all premier cru fruit and 7 years aging on the lees, you know you're going to get something complex and layered. The twist, though, is how bright and approachable this Champagne is in addition to the serious depth. You know there's real richness on the nose, but standing out to me is the playful fresh cherry and bright lemon notes that come across as quite vibrant. The palate has fresh-sliced lemon wheels on angel food cake, apple and pear skin elements, and lovely (slightly toasty) breadiness that circles back to light cake and citrus.
Price:
Hidden
Trudon "Rosephile" Brut Rosé Champagne
Review Date: 05-03-2023
I love this Rose Champagne: it tastes incredible, it's inexpensive, and it demonstrates how versatile 100% Munier Champagne can be. The nose is a fountain of fruit with red apple, super fresh strawberries, and dried cranberry. The palate doubles down on that fruitiness with intense cherries, bramble berries, and cassis. There's a touch of that herbal/savory characteristic that Munier is often known for, but the leading notes across the board are those powerful red fruits invigorated by zippy acidity.
Price:
$39.99
Trudon "Cuvée Magnificence" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 04-26-2023
A tribute to wisdom through patience, Trudon’s Magnificence is composed of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Meunier, 40% reserve wines, and spends 6 years on the lees. For Champagne with this much age, the nose is airy, light and delicately floral. The palate presents sharp with lemon pith and apple skins. As expected for wine of this age, there are impressive savoy brioche notes, and the creamy texture on the palate is a luxury.
Trudon "Emblematis" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 04-26-2023
Emblematis is a supple yet subdued Champagne. It’s made with 70% Meunier and 30% Pinot Noir, and with 60% blocked malolactic fermentation the wine takes on a very creamy texture while retaining a lot of fresh fruit. Notes of pear, light baguette, berries, and yellow apple. The mouthfeel is so rounded and full, and there’s an elegantly earthy character that comes back to the soft fruits for the finish.
El Tesoro "Laphroaig Edition - K&L Exclusive" Single Barrel Añejo Tequila (750ml)
Review Date: 04-13-2023
Light in color for an Anejo, this bottling stays in line with El Tesoro's general approach to aging their tequilas: let the agave shine through while allowing the oak to merely accent the character of the distillate. If you were lucky enough to get K&L's previous El Tesoro aged in an ex-Laphroaig barrel, this offering is a little less smoky, but I think you'll really enjoy this one as well. On the nose, sweet smoke meets vanilla - it almost reminds me of the first time I tried baked ice cream as a kid. Tropical fruits like pineapple and melon roll over recently used hearthstones and seasoned cherry wood. The palate expresses pungent overripe fruits, slightly more smoke and ash than the nose implied. Then it curls into a lengthy mineral and salty smoldering finish.
Price:
$129.99
Jefferson's "K&L Exclusive" Barrel #412 Single Barrel Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)
Review Date: 04-12-2023
This Bourbon is very herbal up-front on the nose with thyme and sage leading the way. Clove, pepper, and allspice follow in a spicy support. Then elements of varnish, sandalwood, and menthol swirl around it all. The palate begins with spiced caramel with sea salt. The vanilla layers go big, with red fruit characters as well, before a return to the herbal notes. The latter half of the palate is dominated by wood spice and the dram peaks on those notes before mellowing into a long finish that reminds me of a vanilla egg cream from a soda shop.
Price:
$59.99
Shiokawa 'Cowboy Yamahai' Junmai Ginjo Genshu Sake (720ml)
Review Date: 04-12-2023
The cowboy is gentle yet savory. There's a hint of tropical fruit and melon, then white flowers and creamy vanilla, but what hits home are the notes of slight saline, meatiness, and wafting smoke. It's more savory on the palate with more smoke as well, vanilla, salt, white pepper, then back to gentle smoke in the finish. The texture is big and round, so that along with the flavors, this sake can stand up to some heftier food pairings.
Price:
$34.99
Suntory Hakushu 12 Year Old Japanese Peated Single Malt Whisky (750ml)
Review Date: 04-05-2023
The nose begins grassy and floral. Light smoke emerges and builds, though it never overshoots past the malt's elegance. Over time, notes emerge of honey, nuttiness, toasted marshmallow, and grilled cedar planks. The peat is more prominent on the palate, yet it remains restrained: still-smoldering embers, burnt rocks, and firepit ash. Yellow orchard fruits appear with a bigger floral component along with a mixture of vanilla tones. It all keeps coming back to those low, slow, smoky notes though - it's never aggressive, but it never lets go either. A beautiful slow-burner single malt.
Price:
$169.99
2017 El Jolgorio Barril "Maduro En Vidrio" K&L Exclusive (Gregorio Hernandez Lopez) La Compania, Ejutla Mezcal (750ml)
Review Date: 03-27-2023
I love Mezcal, but I really love it when it's mezcal made by a cool mezcalero working with fun agave species. This K&L exclusive bottling comes from the skilled hands of Gregorio Hernandez Lopez and is made with 100% Barril agave hearts from plants aged 13 years and then the distilled spirit was rested in glass for several more years. That level of maturity in the agaves ensures complexity in the profile of the spirit, and Gregorio's craftsmanship along with the lengthy aging in glass vessels contributes to the final mezcal's silky smooth drinkability and full integration of flavors. Low-toned yet powerful smokiness simmers in the glass, followed by a lot of minerality (think: sucking on river stones), and gradually out come scents both vegetal and somewhat fruity. White pepper and passionfruit interplay before an intense minerality takes over again with wild flowers. The palate is wonderfully savory and salty, with a fresh amount of tropical fruits poking through. It has several robust taste components coming together with points of salt, acid, and sweet that ripple back and forth on the tongue throughout the sipping experience. This mezcal is boldly aromatic and also seamlessly threads the various flavors together and flowing into a potent and exceptionally long finish.
Price:
$129.99
Damien Hugot Rosé Extra Brut Champagne
Review Date: 01-19-2023
This gorgeous Champagne demonstrates how pretty and playful Chardonnay can be when accented by Meunier. The nose presents bold cherry immediately, then as tingling acidity builds the fruit aromas morph into blue razzberry. Scents of salt spray come through with light lemon notes. The palate shows off ripe berries, black cherry, lemon-lime soda, and has a refreshingly crisp finish.
Price:
$39.99
Barrell Craft 5 Year Old K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #Z2G8 Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)
Review Date: 11-16-2022
Vanilla, orange zest, and maraschino cherry hit up front on the nose to this newest pick of Barrel Bourbon for K&L. Thick molasses and other dark-leaning brown sugar notes follow, presenting a fairly decadent whiskey. Lemon turns to perfume turns to tinderbox wood. Hitting just above 61% ABV, this single barrel isn't for the faint of heart, but K&L's cask strength whisk(e)y devotees will love this. The proof gets you moving, and the layers of flavor keep you hanging around. With a couple drops of water, a wealth of red fruit notes come out to play. Raspberry, cherry, and strawberry swirl on the palate, occasionally veering toward red licorice. Red Hots candies threaten with spice, but calm down again quickly leaving apple and mixed berry fruit leather. This bourbon can't decide if it wants to be spicy or sweet, and frankly I like that about it. Pairs well with The Feelies' cover of "Everyone's Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey."
Price:
Hidden
Four Pillars "Fresh Yuzu" Australia Gin (750ml)
Review Date: 11-16-2022
Four Pillars has been making great gin out of Australia since 2013, and K&L has worked closely with since they were available in the US. I'm very excited for their newest offering: this delicious and bright Fresh Yuzu Gin. I'm even more excited that K&L has early access to it, meaning we're the first folks in the States to taste it and have it on the shelf for our customers while the rest of the country has to wait for the official Spring release. As expected, big wafts of citrus zest emanate from the glass immediately. It's not just one-note, however, and heavier spices are quick to follow the lemony yuzu scents. Fresh-cracked black pepper and angelica root are quick to emerge and tingle the nose. Light floral notes play with the spices, adding finesse and complexity, then an earthy component comes in (think green tea). All these elements are present in the flavor profile as well (with a touch more of an orange note), though the palate goes through a friendly and simple transition of yuzu to floral and then back to yuzu again. A Gin & Tonic is an obvious use for this that comes out marvelously and smacking of summer, but it's definitely more versatile than that. I'm thinking a Fresh Yuzu vesper martini might be on the menu tonight.
Jack Daniels "Barrel Proof" Single Barrel Select Tennessee Whiskey (375ml)
Review Date: 09-07-2022
Is it just me, or is this really approachable for sitting at 131.4 proof? It might just be me. The nose is treacle, caramel syrup on vanilla ice cream, rich coconut, and juicy crushed cherries. A little spice box and balsa wood adds weight and depth, and there's a hint of something savory just before the dessert aromas return. There's much more spice on the palate, but again this doesn't hit me as alcohol burn - it's quite enjoyable like finding extra chili peppers in your Mexican or Thai food. Black cherry dominates the palate for me with a bit of medicinality, then more caramel and notes of burnt sugar like the crusty top of creme brulee. Barrel spice and varnish make for a drying and somewhat tannic finish, but it stops short of being excessive. With water (let's be honest that's how a lot of folks with want it), banana arrives on the scene with dried coconut flakes, and the spice gets more oriented towards black pepper. The caramels come through more as well, while the texture is more rounded and the finish less tannic. Big black pepper and cinnamon stick hang out for a very long finish. That's good Jack!
El Gran Legado De Vida Blanco Tequila (750ml)
Review Date: 09-07-2022
White pepper tickles the nose initially, with the light spice wrapped up in saline minerality. Soft tropical fruits arrive next: dragon fruit, overripe melon, a hint of pineapple. Spice continually returns, popping back up with more earthy notes of sun-baked earth. The pepper remains clearly front-and-center on the palate as well, but more fruitiness comes through in a pleasant counterpoint, specifically offering more melon. The texture is very round and mouth-coating making it a very pleasant texture for a sipping tequila. Though putting this in a margarita sounds really good right about now...
Price:
$59.99
Boulard-Bauquaire "Trepail" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Vieilles Vignes
Review Date: 08-30-2022
Clean citrus, light floral notes, and just a touch of yeast make for a fresh and focused nose on this Champagne. On the palate there's more yellow fruit, concentrated nectarine, and lemon zest. What a wonderful and classic old vine Blanc de Blanc.
Price:
$39.99
Calumet Farm 16 Year Old "Single Rack Black" Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)
Review Date: 08-16-2022
Dang, that's good! Coming off the heels of the 14 and 15 years, there's now a 16 year old Calumet Farm added to the lineup and it stands up alongside the others as the new torch bearer. I really enjoy the interplay between the big fruit in the profile and the ebbing-and-flowing spices. Up front on the nose I get luscious cherry syrup that's matched by wood varnish and cardamom. Next there's a wave of dried peaches, balsa wood, slight menthol, then a deep caramel followed by medicinal herbs. The palate offers darker flavors: first like salted caramel and mocha, but then the richness is matched by bold spice, bright cherry, and red apple. This Bourbon has a very round and supple mouthfeel, and then it finishes in a drying and spicy finish with the menthol peeking back through. I was impressed with the 14 and 15 year old Calumets because it seemed like every time I came back for a nose and a sip there was some other flavor component to find - this new 16 year old edition offers that same level of complexity with something more for me to enjoy each time I go back to it.
Price:
$129.99
Ariston Aspasie "Brut Prestige" Champagne
Review Date: 03-16-2022
Aspasie's Brut Prestige is made with some of the grower's oldest vines and is composed of 50% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir, and 25% Pinot Meunier grapes. For me, this wine captures two distinct qualities that can be hard to pin together: richness and focus. For the levels of flavor here, the Brut Prestige knows exactly what it is, where it wants to take you, and never goes over the top with any of its characteristics. The nose presents buttery brioche and fresh apricot. The palate begins with creme brulee and nuttiness, again transitions to orchard fruit with flavors of peach compote, then finishes with refreshing fruit cocktail. Elegant and precise, this is a great Champagne.
Price:
$39.99
Baron-Fuenté "Grande Réserve" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 03-16-2022
This is one of the lesser-known classics, though I've really loved this Champagne house for a while now. The Grande Reserve consists of 60% Pinot Meunier, 30% Chardonnay, and 10% Pinot Noir, and Baron Fuente uses 40% reserve wines for this bottling ensuring a lot of complexity develops. It also spends three years on the lees to develop a level of yeasty, toasty flavors that's just right for me. The nose opens with light cream and musty yellow pears with additional orchard fruit notes of peach and apricot. There's nice lemon acidity and a whisper of smoke and flint. The palate is pleasantly tart with both apple and pear, and this Champagne has fantastic texture. This Champagne's profile hits most of those classic Champagne aromas and flavors making it very approachable and perfect for crowd-pleasing at any event you might be hosting.
Condesa 'Prickly Pear & Orange Blossom' Mexico City Gin (750ml)
Review Date: 03-08-2022
Gin from Mexico City? You better believe it and believe that it's great stuff too! Condesa Gins are made in the heart of Mexico with Mexican sourced botanicals, helmed by Maestra Destiladora, Hillhamn Salome. Right away, it's apparent that this is a very different experience that the Condesa Clasica, but it's still got that juniper structure and is still so aromatically expressive. The prickly pear makes it playful. The addition of orange blossom really shoots the floral and citrus components of the gin to the stratosphere. If you're a fan of more flower-oriented gins like Hendrick's then you owe it to yourself to check this out. Forced to describe this gin with one word, I'd have to go with "bright". This gin shines through and keeps going with vivacity and freshness. It makes a great Gin & Tonic, but honestly I just want this over ice with two dashes of bitters and a thin wedge of lemon, lime, and mandarin orange all squeezed and dropped in the glass.
Price:
$39.99
Condesa "Clasica" Extra Dry Mexico City Gin (750ml)
Review Date: 03-08-2022
Gin from Mexico City? You better believe it and believe that it's great stuff too! Condesa Gins are made in the heart of Mexico with Mexican sourced botanicals, helmed by Maestra Destiladora, Hillhamn Salome. As all great gin should, the Condesa Clasica hits first with a firm juniper note that forms the core of the spirit, but there's a lot at play here. Spicy and floral notes intertwine beautifully, raising the juniper higher. The sage and palo santo provide a nice herbal and earthy base, but then the jasmine and citrus keep bursting through to lighten everything up with a breath of summer that gets headier with each whiff. I prefer the Clasica in a Martini, but the cocktail potential here is vast with all the unique botanicals and complex flavors.
Price:
$39.99
Ariston Aspasie "Cépages d'Antan" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 03-03-2022
With this bottle, Aspasie offers imbibers a beautiful glass of Champagne with one hand and a glimpse into the history of the Champagne region with the other. The Cepages d'Antan is made using grape varietals that have all but gone extinct in the area: 40% Arban, 40% Petit Melie, and 20% Pinot Blanc. If that sounds like an odd Champagne blend then you'd be correct, but rest assured that there's no mistaking this for anything but a great Champagne! Green apple kicks off the nose followed briskly by tropical fruits, clotted cream, a slight toasty edge, and fresh raspberries. On the palate I get bright cherry, passion fruit, and mandarin orange. The acidity is on point here helping to make a vivacious sparkler that tingles and tickles the tongue. If anyone tries to tell you that history is boring, give them a glass of this.
Price:
$99.99
Laurent-Perrier "Grand Siècle" Iteration #25 Brut Champagne
Review Date: 03-03-2022
Laurent Perrier's Grand Siecle series continues to be one of the absolute pinnacles of the Champagne world. Using only Grand Cru fruit and marrying 60% Chardonnay with 40% Pinot Noir, the Iteration 25 blends reserve wines from the 2008, 2007, and 2006 vintages. As is always the case with Grand Siecle, I am amazed and impressed with how lively and fresh this wine shows given the older vintages being used. The nose rises high on fresh citrus and orchard fruits immediately. Then a light yet deep toastiness emerges along with fresh dough, light caramel, and a lot of floral character. The palate has bright lemon, fresh citrus zest, soft brioche, dark honey, and punchy Granny Smith apples. The bright fruit notes keep circling back around, never letting you forget that no matter how elegant this Champagne is that it's also incredibly exciting and fun.
Laurent Perrier "Grand Siècle" Iteration #23 Champagne Magnum (1.5L)
Review Date: 03-03-2022
Laurent Perrier's Grand Siecle series continues to be one of the absolute pinnacles of the Champagne world. Using only Grand Cru fruit and marrying 58% Chardonnay with 42% Pinot Noir, the Iteration 23 blends reserve wines from the 2006, 2004, and 2002 vintages. This iteration of Grand Siecle has the most orchard fruit aromatics of any from the series that I've tried. Big wafts of white peach, rustic pears, and soft yellow apples overflow from the glass. For me, along with the orchard fruit, the nose transitions through being more mineral driven, then a bit toasty and nutty, before arriving at a very spicy point full of clove and allspice. The palate has fruit skins, more light orchard fruit, and great acid with a silky mouthfeel and rounded texture.
Egrot Extra Brut Champagne
Review Date: 02-23-2022
I'm such a fan of this wine. My favorite aspect is the way that the citrus meets the vanilla notes head-on in a fantastic synthesis of flavors. There's biting lemon and pithiness, but these flavors go hand-in-hand with just-cut vanilla bean and deeper toffee notes. The palate is a little fresher with zippy acid, yummy pear notes, bright lemon, and a little cream. Vanilla peeks around the edges of the finish in a playful way so you don't forget it. It always stays fresh and crisp, so it's perfect for all manner of seafood dishes, particularly oysters and sushi.
2018 Mt. Beautiful "12 Barrels" Sauvignon Blanc North Canterbury
Review Date: 11-02-2021
This is a stunner of a New Zealand Sauv Blanc. It's so lively and bright with tropical fruit notes dominating from front to back. Nowhere is the stereotypical New Zealand grassiness. Instead, passion fruit pulses, kumquat, and a swath of citrus play together. The fruit notes combined with the acid level and minerality make this an absolutely elegant reserve wine from Mt Beautiful.
Compass Box "Orchard House" Blended Scotch Malt Whisky (750ml)
Review Date: 10-06-2021
Such a beautiful and inviting Scotch! As soon as you pour a dram of this, you can tell that you're in the company of a friend. True to it's name, Compass Box's new blended malt, Orchard House, is redolent of multiple orchard fruit aromas. Apple, pear, peach, and cherry step to the front of the line. When nosing this, from time to time it almost smells like Calvados, though never fully giving up its base cereal notes. Whipped buttercream floats through, cut by just enough spice (one of the contributions of Clynelish in the blend, I'm guessing). The palate keeps playing with the fruit and ups the ante with a bright citrus pop, though they are certainly grounded by earthy and leathery flavors providing excellent balance. I hear that Orchard House will be replacing Oak Cross in Compass Box's core lineup, so while I was sad to see Oak Cross go, I'm pleased that it's being replaced by this absolute stunner of a blended malt.
Price:
$49.99
Billecart-Salmon "Sous Bois" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 09-29-2021
It's Billecart, so you don't need me to tell you this wine is great - some assumptions are not foolhardy in the slightest. I was initially struck by the pretty florality of the nose that flows into aromas of light vanilla cream, soft breadiness, and citrus notes. The palate has amazing texture with weight lifted by elegant bubbles. Flavors of plum and apple mix with the citrus elements and baking spices. The oak aging really transforms this Champagne, adding complexity without applying a heavy hand.
Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 09-29-2021
The Aspasie Reserve has been one of my favorite go-to sparklers since I started working at K&L (back when it was called Carte Blanche). The name may have changed, but luckily the quality of the juice is exactly as high as it has always been. For me, Aspasie Reserve is all about freshness and balance, and it's amazing that it delivers so fully on those characteristics for under $35. That price is even more impressive when you know that this wine spends five years on the lees and contains 15-20% reserve wines. Yellow apple floats on top of fresh lemon for the nose. There's a great mineral base accented by a touch of toasted buttery brioche, golden raisins, and light honey. The palate has baked apple and pear notes that lean towards richness, but never crosses over that line. The fruit maintains its presence and the acid keeps just a little edge going. Wonderful!
Price:
$34.99
Frey Ranch 5 Year Old Bottled In Bond Nevada Estate Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml)
Review Date: 09-15-2021
I like ryes that make spice the star (sorry, no softies for me please), and Frey Ranch's offering fits that bill. Great spice hits right off the bat featuring dill, fennel, cinnamon, dark vanilla, and clove. There's a little bit of funk that reminds me of Jamaican rums which is a curious - but welcomed - feature. Butterscotch and salted almonds round out the picture on the nose. This rye has exciting and fun spice without alcohol burn and tingles the tip of the tongue. On the palate, the spices have a brighter and fresher quality and get herbal, making this dram all the more exciting. The dill comes more to the foreground with other green flavors like eucalyptus. Cinnamon bark, polished leather, and bright lemon flavors emerge as well.
Auchentoshan American Oak Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)
Review Date: 07-22-2021
Yes, it's woody, but also graceful. There's a clear American oak presence accompanied by notes of cedar and sandalwood. Honey and light caramel trickle out with scents of cherry cough drops, baking spices, coconut, and dried flowers. The palate is more austere than the nose lets on with few sweet flavors. The wood and the spice take prominence with grippy tannins and flavors of shellac followed by notes of cardamom, clove, and mint. The Scotch has a viscous and mouth-coating texture, especially with an addition of water. A dry dusty wood finish caps things off into a gentle and lengthy finish.
Egrot Brut Champagne
Review Date: 07-15-2021
The Egrot Brut is complex far beyond its price point. This pinot-dominant Champagne is flinty with a touch of smoke with great fruit aromas coming through such as peach, cherry, and dried apricot. Flavors of mixed berries and orchard fruits swim around each other with a little yeastiness to make things even more interesting. The finish goes on forever, further displaying the depth of this wine.
Price:
$34.99
Launois "Cuvée Réservée" Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Review Date: 07-15-2021
Launois is an eternal favorite at K&L, and this all-Chardonnay core of their lineup is always in my wine fridge. It's such a fun Champagne that comes across super fresh with notes of pear, lemon, and chalk. The acid is zippy on the tongue with flavors of lemon meringue pie. It's playful and casual, and it's great for any occasion.
Price:
$34.99
Germain-Robin XO California Alambic Brandy (750ml)
Review Date: 06-02-2021
This isn't quite the same as the Germain-Robin XO you might remember from 10 or 15 years ago, but it's some dang good brandy. Fig and damson plum come out of the glass--sticky but not cloying. The oak asserts itself, but then richer fruits come back to the foreground accented by cigar box, citrus zest, and burnt sugar. The palate reminds me of cherry-stuffed crepes I used to get at my favorite Colorado breakfast spot with an orange flambé flare. Assertive oak shows the brandy's boldness and age without undermining its grace.
Angel's Envy 100 Proof Rye Kentucky Whiskey (750ml)
Review Date: 09-10-2020
Less cloying than the Angel's Envy Bourbon finished in Port barrels, this Angel's Envy Rye is definitely still a big sweetie! Butterscotch is the first characteristic that I notice coming from the Rum barrel finish and it does NOT let up throughout the dram. There are layers of gentle spice of cardamom, cinnamon bark, and red pepper. I pick up on a red fruit medley that eventually comes to rest as red licorice mixing with spice and pecan pralines. The core Rye elements poke through intermittently, but everything keeps coming back home to butterscotch. If you have a sweet tooth or are looking for a new after-dinner whiskey then check this out.
Alexandre Le Brun "Tradition" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 08-26-2020
Everyone on staff here at K&L loves Le Brun Champagnes, but this is one of my all time favorites! This sparkler is incredibly aromatic with sour lemon, fresh cream, and solid minerality. What puts it over the top for me are the scents of brightly blooming wild flowers. The palate begins gently with lemon curd dessert before reaching a vibrant acidity, then ending with a grapefruit pith finish. Outstanding.
Price:
$34.99