NYC Grand Opening Tasting

Anyone who loves champagne should try this exceptional bottling! The Acuité from Michel Arnould is a great example of top grower champagne at a wonderful, accessible price. The seamless blend of two of the top grand cru villages in the region (Verzenay and Mesnil no less!) gives us beautiful hazelnut and baguette toast as well as super clean minerality and lively acidity. While this is labeled as an Extra Brut, the wine is balanced like Brut and comes across as dry without being austere. I cannot overstate just how good the balance is of this wine- it is impossible to get tired of and reminds me of tete de cuvée!

The 2019 Prado Enea Gran Reserva is their more traditional Rioja, a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano, mostly from Rioja Alta (Sajazarra, Cellorigo and Fonzaleche) at 550 to 700 meters in altitude, but the Garnacha is from different plots in the zone of Tudelilla at a high altitude. They didn't produce Prado Enea in 2017 or 2018, so this is the follow-up of the superb 2016. The bunches were harvested into 200-kilogram boxes, destemmed, put through optical sorting and fermented in small oak casks with indigenous yeasts. The élevage in barrel was extended to 36 months. The nose is phenomenal, keeping the essence of Muga with a touch of Garnacha perfume; it's still young and undeveloped for its age, not yet tertiary. The wine is full-bodied but fine-boned and has 14.7% alcohol, a pH of 3.46 and 5.81 grams per liter acidity. Still young, the wine has power and elegance and very good aging potential. (LG)

It’s hard to find a bad 2021 Rioja, says Isaac Muga. This wonderful blend of Tempranillo, 18% Garnacha and 3.5% each of Graciano and Mazuelo definitely showcases the superb quality of the vintage. Stylishly aged in 40% new oak, it has lots of colour and intensity, a hint of stylish reduction, vibrant blackberry and dark plum flavours and a sheen of mocha spice.

Made by Rudolphe Dupin, the talent behind our best-selling Montfaucon wines, this is a great value from Châteauneuf-du-Pape! Deeply fruited aromatics waft enticingly from the glass and carry straight through to a broad, generous palate full of deep, silky fruits, and touches of wild herbs. Great stuff!

The Westby Collection is now a collection of three, with a fourth on the way! Maison 76 was born in the Côte de Blanc's Grand Cru village of Avize with Champagne Frank Bonville and is on the march! Hitting both curves of the horseshoe that is the Montagne de Reims. From the south's Bouzy, the journey continues north to the Grand Cru village of Verzy. In Verzy, it's cold. The grapes turn their backs on the sun and face north, making nature coax out their charms. Here we find Champagne Alain Lallement and its owner, Antoine Lallement, the collaborator behind the Maison 76 Verzy Grand Cru. Like Bouzy, in Verzy, Pinot Noir is king. 64% Pinot Noir and 36 Chardonnay. Chiseled, structured, with a sense of precision and crisp, snappy acidity, the Verzy Grand Cru shows its northern character. Laser-focused minerality. Underneath, cool-climate Pinot Noir lifted by mountain Chardonnay. Salty, with notes of white pepper, honey, ginger, high-toned citrus, red apple, grapefruit, with hints of smoke and blackcurrants landing on a dry, chalky finish. Pair now with scallops, risotto, fried vegetables, and big buttery cheeses, or put away. Verzys are built for the long run.

Ridge made a Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet from 1978 through the late 1980s, before changing the naming to ‘Estate.’ With the 2023 vintage, Ridge had the opportunity to purchase fruit from along Montebello Road, as well as other sites throughout the Santa Cruz AVA. Made just like all the Ridge wines. The well-known Monte Bello structure leaps out at you, taut and lean, salty, but backed by ample cherry fruit and a touch of oak spice. This wine has concentrated and dark fruit, Bright and spicy, a mountain Cabernet through and through. There’s an approachability here, and that is the role of this Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet in the library of ageable Ridge wines. Elegance married to approachability. (CP)

The 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova pours a deep red hue and opens with an exceptionally layered bouquet of suede, cigar box, tobacco, black cherries, and plum. Full-bodied, it’s packed with youthful tension at this stage, but it has a seamless, weightless feel, with polished tannins, refreshing acidity, and a flinty mineral edge that keeps the finish lifted and long. It’s a gorgeous Tenuta Nuova that has everything working in harmony and will only improve with time in bottle. Drink 2026-2050. (AF)

Our Discovery Series has arrived! At the heart of this program is a mission to showcase wines of impeccable quality, unmistakable regional typicité, and exceptional value. As I often say, we’re not simply putting a label on someone’s latest release—we’re curating standout selections from our deep and trusted network of producers. Each wine must distinguish itself from its peers, often outperforming bottles that sell for many times the price. Only those that meet this high bar earn a place in the lineup. From one of the most treasured terroirs in the world of fine wine, it’s nothing short of a coup to bottle an exclusive Pomerol of this caliber and deliver it for under $30. This is land where bottles typically fetch $100 to $3,000, simply because production is so limited and quality so high. The plateau of Pomerol is defined by its unique gravel and iron-rich clay soils, which yield wines of remarkable complexity, richness, texture, luxury, and longevity. I was captivated by this particular selection for its quintessential Pomerol character: gorgeous red fruits, striking density, and a textured palate that reflects the famed mosaic of soils beneath the vines. It is a wine that could come from nowhere else. We’ll count ourselves fortunate if we can continue to collaborate on future vintages. This is a delicious, complex, and thoroughly enjoyable Pomerol that easily merits double the price, and one that will be a standout on our shelves while it’s in stock.

What a knockout! With subtle brioche, incredible freshness and a dry, chalky finish that goes on for days, this wine gets its texture from around seven years of ageing on the lees, it's incredible finale from massal selected vines planted to the pure chalk of Bouzy and dry snap from very low (around 2g/l) dosage. If you want a real terroir experience, it is in this bottle, but if you just want generous, rich champagne that still finishes definitively dry, that is here too! Maison 76 is our private label here at K&L, but we wanted it to be about true value, not just the lowest price. I think this is one of the best wines on the shelf in any category at this price, and a true marvel of champagne. Don't miss this one!

The 2023 Chardonnay Estate Reserve is magnificent. Tangerine peel, hazelnut, spice, menthol, baked apple tart and pastry are some of the many nuances that open in the glass. The Reserve offers a captivating mix of vibrancy and textural viscosity. Creamy, resonant contours wrap up the plush close. There’s striking richness and mind-blowing overall balance to match a long finish that reverberates for an eternity. The Reserve is a blend of sections within three blocks on the property, planted mostly with variations of older Wente selections that are distinguished by longer hang times. It is one of several wines I have tasted from this part of the West Sonoma Coast that suggests Chardonnay may ultimately hold more potential than Pinot Noir. What a wine!

Yet another remarkable wine from Marcos Eguren, the 2014 El Puntido Gran Reserva is from a small portion of El Puntido planted to high-density trellised vines. There’s a pure expression of the site from the special selection of grapes that led to long aging before barrel fermentation and 28 months of aging in new French oak Bordeaux barrels. The wine was bottled in March 2017. The vintage was difficult because of rain falling 10 days before harvest, but the result here is a bright wine of considerable acidity that tastes fresh and alive in lovely strawberry, raspberry, and dried herb, with understated, full-bodied weight and breadth. Drinking beautifully now, it shows the ability to shine another 10-15 years. (VB)

Aged in stainless steel, neutral oak, concrete, and amphora, this results in a remarkably bright, saline-driven example. This Paso Robles bottling comes from three different vineyards. Taut freshness, the limestone soils definitely play a role, says John Olney. Savoury herbals and plenty of mineral lift. Fresh citrus and smoky, flinty stone notes persist throughout the finish in this Rhône white, focused on the purity of fruit. (CP)

Aromas of seaweed, fresh and dried strawberries, salt and white pepper. Medium- to full-bodied, showing persistence, intensity and structure, with firm, muscular tannins. Long, lightly chewy finish. Needs three to four years to soften, but a solid wine. Best in 2028 and beyond.

Ridge first produced Geyserville in 1966, making it one of the winery’s longest-running wines. Its identity is rooted in the historic mixed plantings of Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley, where Zinfandel grows alongside Carignane and Petite Sirah—a vineyard tradition central to Geyserville’s story.

Sweet tobacco, cigar box, berries and minerals. It gets a little zesty and citrusy on the nose. Really refined and juicy on the palate with lot of fine tannins. Silky, fluid and linear with a very elegant, soft-spoken finish. 46% cabernet sauvignon from Adrianna vineyard and 44% malbec and 10% cabernet franc from Nicasia vineyard. Really refined, long and Bordelais. This is already drinking really well, but it will hold like this for a long time. (ZS)

A totally stunning wine from a warm vintage, the 2022 Ridge ‘Monte Bello’ combines nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon (86%) with 10% Merlot and small parts Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot from their estate vineyard high atop the Santa Cruz Mountains. Silky tannins frame a generous core of dark currants, roasted figs, dark chocolate shavings, anise seed and shades of black licorice on the palate. The remarkable power, intensity and minerality leads to a mouth-watering effect on the palate. A dazzling and dense wine that has some great cellaring potential, try to resist this beauty for another year. Drink 2026-2046.

The 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino comes from a warm but not extreme growing season, helped by timely rain and a normal harvest window. It pours a deep ruby red hue and opens with black raspberries, violets, fresh earth, licorice, and rosemary. Medium to full-bodied, it feels more vertical and energetic than the 2020, with a bright spine of acidity, well-defined tannins, and a long, focused finish that stays light on its feet. Drink 2026-2040. (AF)

Stunning aromas of blackcurrants, dark mushrooms and black cherries with forest-floor notes. Full body that fills your mouth with fine, caressing tannins and dark, flavorful fruit. The tannins are very intense and structural, spreading across the palate in layers and giving intensity and energy. Plenty of energy and verve here. This has gravity, too.

Based on the same blend of 65% Grenache with lots of Cinsault, the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape is gorgeous, showing kirsch, blackberries, sappy spring flowers, pepper, and subtle minerality with an almost scorched earth-like character. Medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured, seamless and layered, it has ultra-fine tannins, integrated acidity, and a great finish. It's another sensationally layered, seamless wine from this estate that would best most Grand Cru Red Burgundies in a blind tasting and reminds me slightly of the 2020. Hide bottles for 4-5 years and enjoy over the following 15 years.

Darker currants, dark chocolate, smoked tobacco, and crushed stone intermixed with classic Howell Mountain herbal nuances all shine in the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 20 months in French oak, it's medium to full-bodied and has a pure, layered, concentrated mouthfeel with beautiful tannins, the freshness and focus of the vintage, and a great finish. This beauty will drink well for 20-25 years.

The 2024 Chardonnay Lady Marjorie is elegant, delicate and wonderfully nuanced. Lemon oil, crushed rocks, mint, slate and sage are finely delineated in a transparent, crystalline Chardonnay that is so impressive. The Lady Marjorie is a blend of sites in the Sonoma Coast. It's such a pure, nuanced Chardonnay.

Spellbinding aromas of rose petals, strawberries, citrus and bark, with hints of lemongrass. Medium-bodied, tight and structured, this offers a captivating combination of linear intensity and calmness, so classy and sophisticated. A continued benchmark for American pinot noir. Drink or hold.

Copper-tinged brown. Hallucinatory aromas of baked and candied apple, vanilla-poached pear, toffee, sultana raisin, singed orange peel, chestnut honey, marzipan, dried fig, dates, fruitcake and Cinnabon. Rich and fat on the palate, but remarkably shapely, showing a tangy note of blood orange to lift the supersweet, thick flavors of brown butter, caramel, cappuccino, vanilla sugar and Frangelico. The long, sappy, almost sticky finish is lifted by bright, tangy acids and an insinuating note of five-spice powder. (JR)

Presents lovely aromas of passion fruit, nectarine and lemon peel, then opens up with hints of acacia and beeswax on the palate. The texture is taut and dynamic with lively acidity that gives the wine both depth and length. The grapes are from four parcels under the Vaillons umbrella: one in Chatains and three in Roncières; all share a southeast exposition. They are lightly crushed and fermented on native yeasts in casks, mostly of 500 to 600 litres. (Drink between 2028-2040)

Wow. Seductive aromas of slate, violets and black cherries as well as some graphite and cedar. Full-bodied, this has incredible depth, intensity and purity, building on the palate with focused fruit and pronounced tannins. Goes on for minutes. A wine for the long run. Best of the vintage? Try after 2029. (JS)

Vivid dark ruby color, with aromas of blueberry jelly, earth, black truffles, toasted pepper and chocolate. Velvety on the palate, with juicy acidity, a full body and very good fruit concentration. Great complexity and polish in the finish. Drink or hold. (AF)

A fruity wine with lush aromas of red cherry jam, violets and subtle spices. Light-bodied, crisp, tight and chewy, with balanced tannins. From organically grown grapes. Drink now. (AF)

The 2022 Barolo Bric Del Fiasc pours a vibrant ruby hue and delivers layered aromatics of redcurrants, iron earth, orange spice, incense, and mint. Medium-bodied, focused, and linear, it has remarkable energy and complexity without relying on sheer weight. The palate is mouthwatering and persistent, with dried apricot notes lingering through the finish. Roughly 10,000 bottles were produced. Drink 2027-2046. (AF)

Isabel Ferrando purchased Domaine Saint Préfert in Châteauneuf-du-Pape in 2002, establishing her roots in the southern Rhône. Her Famille Isabel Ferrando “Beatus Ille” carries the broader Côtes du Rhône appellation, connecting this 2025 red blend to the same regional winemaking tradition under a distinct designation.

Complex and deep character with ripe blackberries, raisins, dried roses, dark chocolate, toasted walnuts, dark licorice and wild mushrooms with a little bit of tar. Full-bodied, layered and compact with a broad and velvety tannin structure that lasts long on the palate. Classy, reserved style with hits of sweet tobacco at the end. Needs three to four years to completely come together. (AS)

Enormously deep and concentrated, but this is so subtle and defies easy description. The superfine tannins give this an incredibly fine texture, the richness building in the finish without adding anything to the impression of weight. From three old-vine grenache vineyards that have limestone, sand and galet soils. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. (SP)

Founded in 1991 in La Canoca by the Eguren family of Sierra Cantabria, the 2021 San Vicente is 100% Tempranillo from the highest area of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, the grapes a massal selection of a nearly extinct variety called Tempranillo Peludo. The vines are well-balanced to the region and climate and have profound acidity. Bordeaux barrels age the wine for 20 months. Salty and earthy, it has an old-world quality accented in rich black fruit, sous bois, oak spice, graphite, and dried herb, finishing with a complex finesse that should keep it singing another 20-25 years. (VB)

This expressive red features cherry, blackberry, pomegranate and orange peel aromas and flavors. Mineral and wild herb accents add depth as this cruises to the long finish, offering terrific balance and length. Though impressive now, this should evolve nicely. Best from 2026 through 2042. (BS)

Aromas of lime zest, lemon sherbet, white flowers, wet slate and subtle herbs. The palate is light and tight, with piercing acidity and notes of grapefruit pith, citrus peel and crushed stones. Linear and focused, with a dry, persistent finish and a powerful undertone that will evolve nicely for years to come.

Catena Alta Chardonnay was one of the first demonstrations of Chardonnay's true potential in the Uco Valley. Its initial vintages in the late 1990s displayed a clarity of fruit and freshness previously unknown in Argentina, showcasing the influence of the Andes. This new edition, sourced from the Adrianna and Domingo vineyards in the Uco Valley, offers a delicate yet incisive interpretation of the variety, featuring prominent herbal notes and ripe fruit undertones. The wine presents a smooth texture, a medium body, and crisp acidity.

Toasted walnuts, ground spices and hints of chocolate, oranges and dark berries on the nose, leading to a firm and tense medium- to full-bodied palate with fine tannins and a velvety core of dark fruit at the center. Lingering and structured. Drink or hold. (AS)

Founded in 2013 by fourth-generation vintners Carlo and Dante Mondavi, RAEN is rooted in California’s coastal wine country. The 2025 “Monarch Challenge” is a Grenache rosé from Sonoma County, placing a Mediterranean grape within one of the North Coast’s best-known winegrowing areas.

The 2023 Chablis Fourchaume 1er Cru is clean and precise with more mineralité and tension than many of its peers. It gains complexity with aeration. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity. Notes of lemon zest, ginger and Granny Smith apples combine well together. The finish demonstrates commendable cohesion and certainly good length. The 2023 is very fine.

Named for the relics of Saint Martin once housed in the Obédiencerie, Domaine Laroche’s historic cellar in Chablis, Saint Martin is the domaine’s flagship village bottling. It is drawn from Chardonnay parcels across the appellation’s Kimmeridgian limestone soils and is typically raised without new oak to keep the focus on its Chablis identity.

Perfumed, ripe and juicy, this structured wine is already impressive. Its layered texture and black plum fruits have serious potential, packed with fruit and tannins with a generous aftertaste. (RV)

Product details coming soon.

Interesting counterpoint between dense fruitiness and lifted herbal nuance. Unctuous concentration with juicy blackberry, bramble and black cherry. There is, however, a refreshing undercurrent of bergamot and wet stone adding gliding freshness. Earl Grey and dried rose petals play in the background for added elegance and depth. Beautifully presented, mineral tannins. (IS)

The nose is tangy and fresh, yet balanced, with aromas of black plum skin, black olives, blackberries, damp top soil, fresh brewed coffee and wet crushed rocks. That element continues on the palate with balsamic and more blackberries, although lots of pepper, tensely coiled tannins and bright acid add liveliness. (DC)

A restrained, dark and complex wine. It unfolds in the glass with notes of bergamot, tamarind, oak bark, licorice, dried violets and red cherries. The attack is supple, with a full body, refreshing acidity and ripe, velvety tannins. It’s vibrant and integrated, with a savory, elegant aftertaste. (AF)

Moving north to Verduno, the 2022 Barolo Monvigliero pours a bright ruby hue and remains slightly reserved at this stage, revealing aromas of preserved cranberries, white peach, candied orange, baking spice, ripe apricot, and dried earth. Medium-bodied, it has a more linear feel, with focused acidity and well-defined tannins. Citrus notes lift the palate and carry through a refined finish. Roughly 4,800 bottles were produced. Drink 2027-2040. (AF) 95+

A graceful Barolo with licorice, leaves, black pepper, balsamic, clay and minerals on the nose. Austere on the palate, with thick tannins, a full body, crisp acidity and a tight finish. Best from 2030. (AF)

The 2023 Suduiraut is a model of modern Sauternes. Orange peel, burnt sugar, crème-brûlée, tangerine peel, and wild flowers inform a Sauternes of total finesse and silkiness. Yields were a measly 12 hectoliters per hectare. The 150 grams of residual sugar are not especially evident. Everything about the 2023 is perfectly judged. It can be enjoyed with minimal cellaring or cellared for decades. The 2023 is a timeless wine that is among the most notable successes of the year. (AG)

As always, it is the Cabernet Sauvignon that sings. It brings an impressive structure to the wine, rich tannins and powerful black fruits. The wine is set for aging. It shows all the power and the open quality of the vintage. (RV)