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This long-aged bottle, from the best vintage of my career, is one of the most laughably great deals that I have been able to offer in 26 years as the champagne buyer here at K&L. The super long ageing (this is being released after Bollinger RD and Dom Pérignon P2 2008 after all!) has given this wine the fine brioche, the delicate beurre d’Issigny aromas and the pinpoint stream of fine bubbles that can’t be had any other way. The best vintage of the 21st century has given it concentration, length and a Puligny-Montrachet like lime character. This is a wine that will cellar well, and the long, detailed finish, loaded with freshness and chalk is something one does not expect even from a bottle at twice the price. Don’t wait to case up on this.

This 100% estate grown, 100% Meunier bottling has to be tasted to be believed. No short cuts have been taken- the vines are painstakingly looked after by JB Jacquesson and the wine aged for three years on the lees with 50% reserves from the four previous years. What is the catch? There is none... We buy this direct from JB and then sell it to you. The wine is clean, full of pastry crust aromas and has a long finish that is dry but not austere. Why drink sparkling when you can drink great grower champagne?

Masotti Napa Cab - back again and bigger and bolder than ever! Last year when we introduced the Masotti wines to our customers there was a scramble to snatch them up at the crazy prices we secured and we expect the same this time around, too! If you missed the 2021 Masotti Cab here's the scoop - These wines are crafted by Mitchell Masotti whose day job is making wines at Bevan Cellars! Mitchel has worked alongside luminary Russel Bevan for more than a decade and works with some of the finest fruit around the valley. Clocking up more than a dozen 100-point wines under the Bevan label, this guy knows how to make rich, powerful, crowd-pleasing wines! The 2022 Napa Cab shows the forward and decadent style of the vintage with ripe dark fruits, blackberry, plum, boysenberry hints, too. Dark roast espresso beans, hints of sweet oak spice, new leather, hot stone. Soft, round tannins meld with lush fruit, it's a real mouthful of of easy drinking Napa goodness. As even sub-$50 Napa Cabs become ever scarcer, we backed up the truck at this super sharp price. However, once folks start buying it by the case there's no telling how long it will last.

Château Canon has been taking off over the past few years, and here you see why. Just so much complexity, depth, power, interest in the whole thing. This buzzes with life, rises above the palate, full of gunsmoke, truffle, raspberry, blueberry, so delicious. Needs time but already showing it will be worth the wait. 45hl/h, 3.5ph, Harvest September 11 to October 4, 50% new oak. Thomas Duclos consults.

A blend of 99% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, the 2020 Laroque is deep garnet-purple in color. A little subdued to begin, offering subtle notes of crushed rocks and damp soil, it opens out to a core of ripe black and red plums and fresh blackberries, plus a fragrant waft of lilacs. The full-bodied palate is bursting with taut, muscular black fruits and amazing tension, framed by ripe, rounded tannins, and finishing with great length and depth. (LPB)

After tasting the Petaluma Gap chardonnay and the Anderson Valley pinot noir, this (also) brand-new cabernet was my last stop for the day. With the other two being outstanding, especially for the $, I had high expectations for this one. This one was quite the change! The other two leaned more into brightness and acidity. This lil monster looked very deep and brooding in the glass. It almost looked unfiltered. I'm not sure if it is but, it kind of appears that way. For me, that is a very good thing. After letting it breathe, out came the black currant, tobacco, cedar and chocolate cherry scents. In the mouth, quite formidable with mouth-coating fruit of more currants, dusty red cherries, earth, clean wood and milk chocolate. Initially the finish starts smoothly, gathers speed and become tart with the clean (and fresh) wood dominating. A very, very light bit of smooth chalk also comes into play, if there is such a thing. Like the other two Anonymous wines that I tried today, this one is a bargain, and it will certainly age for quite a few more years.

This ridiculous barrel represents what I would consider the pinnacle of craft whiskey in the US today. Westward have been at this for a long time, and they've ridden out an incredible roller coaster as the industry has ebbed and flowed over the last 20 years. Part of what makes Westward so unique is the way they treat their wort, and the resulting spirit is unlike any in the US, Scotland or beyond. Anyone who knows me knows I'm all for experimentation, but the resulting product must be at least as good as or better than products made using tried-and-true methods, or it's simply a waste of time. And we've established that Westward is capable of making incredibly special whiskies on par with the greatest spirits in any category: see the Milestone Solera whiskey. But we've yet to find a single cask that was able to capture that same complexity, unique character and overt opulence...until now. This ridiculous little barrel offers a completely unique experience, producing a similar profile to the absurdly fruity Milestone with the added tension, powerful character and deep woodsy goodness of a cask-strength new oak malt. It may be my favorite malt whisky aged exclusively in new charred American oak that I've tasted in many, many years, maybe ever. Here it comes! The color is a truly dense shade of auburn (1.5). The nose immediately transports me to a forest in the fall: underbrush, dense oak, earthy spice. But with aeration, an incredible transformation occurs, offering tropical mango, coconut oil, cacao nibs, quince jam, persimmon and candied orange peel. On the palate at full proof, the oily texture is the first striking note, and the second is the ridiculous tropicality. While the oak is obviously powerful and intense, it doesn't feel hard or bitter at all. With water, the nose moves more toward red fruit, and the palate totally relents, softening and opening to a huge, fruity chocolate compote, like a chocolate-covered cherry filled with kirsch. This is simply one of the most impressive craft whiskies on the market today and provides a completely distinct experience while matching or besting the experience traditional distillers from either KY or Scotland offer at nearly any price point. BRAVO!!!

Amarone della Valpolicella is made from grapes dried before fermentation, a traditional process known as appassimento. The Classico designation on Villalta’s 2017 “XIX” identifies its origins in Valpolicella’s historic production zone northwest of Verona, connecting this Veneto red to a more narrowly defined area within the wider appellation.

This wine comes from one of the benchmark estates in Montepulciano, a pioneer of biodynamic farming with a reputation for producing elegant, pure, and age-worthy Sangiovese. For this bottling, we were able to secure a few barrels from the generous 2020 vintage. The nose is a stunning expression of Prugnolo Gentile: ripe red cherry, plum, and violet, with the sweet spice and vibrant energy that is a hallmark of this iconic producer. The palate is polished and seamless, with silky tannins and a long, mineral-driven finish. It’s a sophisticated and deeply authentic Vino Nobile.

A complex and smooth-honed pinot that has aromas of violets and blueberries and sappy, leafy notes. There’s a gently meaty element, too, with spicy notes dealt into the fresh, ripe fruit. This has such integral fruit presence and a seamless, silky palate, infused with supple and glossy tannins. Very even, this holds cherry and blueberry flavors so long and so pure. Impressive concentration here. Drink or hold.

The NV Champagne Collection 246 is fantastic and has refreshing nerve, with more citrus, pure lemon curd, white grapefruit, and white peach. Medium-bodied, it floats through the palate, with a refined mousse and fantastic fresh acidity. (AF) 93+

The 2021 Puzzle is Newton's mountain Cabernet blend at its most generous, dense and dark. It pours rich and dark, chocolate and mocha lifting out of the glass, before turning soft and fabulously friendly on the palate. Chalky dark fruit abounds, with a generous, almost decadent finish. Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon from Newton's high volcanic sites, filled out with the a supporting cast of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot.

Aromas of dried lemons, grapefruit, beeswax, seaweed and pears. Excellent focus, with a compact, driven and mineral palate. Biscuity touches, evolving to hints of pie crust, too, on a long finish. Drink or hold.

Leave it to an orange wine specialist to chart a new future for Paso Robles Cab. This lower alcohol bottling, which seamlessly integrated the 30% new oak treatment, shows blackberry fruit aroma set against a chalky, slate-like minerality on the nose. The palate is tightly wound, offering a core of dark red fruit spiced in cocoa and dried mint, with an olive kick on the lingering acidity of the finish. *Editors' Choice* (MK)

Ripe and seriously fragranced on the nose, heady and inviting. A bit more strict and tight than the 2015, plenty of juice, but this has tension and is constricted a little bit by the frame and the saltiness. 2015 is more expressive, this is quiet and still hiding a little. Lovely form and structure, you can feel the sinew and the construction, graceful and shining. It's absolutely gorgeous, the clarity and the purity really transport you, beautiful, impressive, charming and characterful. Needs more time but with a good airing you could enjoy this today. I like the delicacy to the tannins, the integration with the fruit and the edges of sweet and savoury spice as well as the estate minerality underneath. Feels compelling. A fabulous wine. 5% Petit Verdot completes the blend. (GH)

My favorite wine of the flight, the Barale Fratelli 2021 Barolo del Comune di Barolo hints at some of the savory notes (like cured meat and dried tobacco leaf) that we saw in the rest of the range; however, this wine has a stronger and fresher fruit side with cherry and blackberry. It is fermented in stainless steel and matured in French botti for 30 months. (ML)

The appellation 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley is terrific and well worth seeking out. Coming from 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and tiny amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it reveals a ruby/purple hue as well as a Graves-like nose of darker currants, scorched earth, leafy tobacco, and iron. Ripe, round, and seamless on the palate, with medium-bodied richness, it has beautiful tannins and outstanding length. This beauty is well worth seeking out and can be drunk any time over the coming 15 years.

This is the second edition of Anonymous that we’ve produced in partnership with this incredible, world-renowned winery—a relationship that dates back to earlier editions of our emeritus house label, Kalinda. The last release was a single-vineyard, single-block wine. This time, working hand in hand with the winemaking team, we felt the synergy of multiple components created something even more compelling than any one individual element. The blend brings together estate-grown fruit with several barrels sourced from highly renowned, Grand Cru–level single vineyards. The wine is composed primarily of heritage clones—Hyde (Calera selection), Swan, and Pommard—with smaller portions of Dijon clones. The fruit was fermented in small, open-top tanks with native yeast and approximately 20% whole-cluster inclusion. After fermentation, the wine was aged for 15 months in French oak (30% new) before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. Working with this team is a true pleasure. With decades of winemaking pedigree and multiple 100-point wines to their credit, this partnership embodies everything the Anonymous Wine Project stands for. Under its own label, this wine typically retails for $80–$100. The value made possible through anonymity is simply sensational.

The first thing you notice is the elegant fragrance of lychee, spring blossoms, lily, rosewater, and raspberry meringue. Deeper in, grassy notes with star fruit, kumquat, and kaffir lime leaves. The flavors offer perfection in their simplicity: silky honey, soft spices, crystalized pineapple, barley sugar, lemon, and orange. On the finish, the spices chatter on and on as the sweet citrus and honey fade in and out. One to cherish. (JM, Spring 2018)

The original red bitter is vivid scarlet, with a grapefruit peel-like aroma and flavor. The palate is bitter and bright, with a lighter body than many liqueurs and a hint of cinnamon on the bracing exit. Classic for mixing into a wide range of cocktails. (KN)

Even better than the 2022 release - and that’s saying a good deal - this is a superb iteration of luxury group LVMH’s iconic Argentinian red. Dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, with support from 40% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot, it’s dominated by fruit from Las Compuertas, with 20% from cooler Paraje Altamira. Matured in 50% new French oak, it’ a wine that’s approachable young but will reward patience, with sculpted tannins, seamless layers of cassis, bramble and green herbs, a touch of cigar box and a fine, tapering finish. World class,

A glowing light lemon core with a watery rim showcases the 2021 Estate Chardonnay from Solomon Hills Estate. It is aged sur lie for 16 months in 41% new French oak. Gorgeous notes of dried lemon peel, fresh Bartlett pears, and white mountain wildflowers meet shades of saline and dried thyme. Lemony acidity hits the mid-palate and doesn’t let go, but the perfect fruit and herbal finish cuts through at the end.

A blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35.5% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, and 0.5% Cabernet Franc, the 2019 Rauzan-Segla has a deep garnet-purple color. It storms out of the glass with powerful notes of crème de cassis, juicy black plums, and Indian spices, giving way to fragrant touches of incense, dried roses, and dusty soil. The medium to full-bodied palate is chock-full of flavors of spicy black fruit preserves, framed by velvety tannins and impressive tension, finishing with great length.

The first 2022 Napa Cabernet I've tasted that avoids the warm, juicy ripeness often associated with the vintage. Instead, it stays true to its character, showcasing beautifully pure black cherry and blue fruit aromatics, with a cooling menthol note and coiled energy. Framed by crisp, crunchy tannins and gorgeous, lacy acidity, leading to an impressively long finish of violets and fragrant bay laurel. Precise and focused. The blend contains 4% each of Petit Verdot and Merlot. (JC)

A stunning limited-edition añejo. The golden color and caramel scent hint at what’s to come: sweet agave flavor, a lingering whisper of smoke and mellow notes of tropical fruit, Sauternes and butterscotch. (KN)

This is a fascinating showcase of how graceful Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon can age. Now 15 years old, this bottling still shows complex aromas of roasted strawberry, ashy wood, mashed olive, espresso bean and damp mushroom. The palate remains as fresh as many new Cabs, with polished tannins offering dark fruit, dried porcini and bittersweet cocoa flavors. *Editors' Choice* (MK)

The 2023 Pinot Noir Marine Layer Vineyard is a jeweled ruby color and absolutely killer. From six acres of Calera and Mt. Eden clone Calera from tiny clusters, it combines bright red and darker fruits with salty energy and incredible personality. Sweet sage, brambly earth, violets, sanguine lift, and glycerin texture all emerge without any alcohol heat at just 13.5%. This is by far one of the best wines of the vintage and one of the best wines I tasted on my trip to Sonoma. Drink 2026-2056. 98+

The 1990 Single Cask Armagnac is a fabulous choice for readers looking for an Armagnac with the gentle, burnished character that only comes from long maturation in cask. Soft and engaging, the 1990 is an absolute delight. Scents of dried figs, spice, caramel, crushed herbs, leather, barrel toastiness and dried flowers are all woven together. No topping during aging results in a spirit with gorgeous complexity that develops in a very gradual oxidation that has taken place over more than thirty years. Lovely. (AG)

Five generations of Armagnac production stand behind Château Lassalle Baqué, the Brocardo family’s estate in Montréal-du-Gers. Rémi Brocardo now oversees its 15 hectares of vines while working as a traveling distiller, with experience spanning Château Arton, L’Encantada, and Thailand’s Chalong Bay rum distillery. This collaboration with PM Spirits reaches into the older stocks laid down during his parents’ stewardship, before production paused in 1995 and resumed under Rémi in 2017. The 1992 vintage was made from Ugni Blanc grown on sandy, loamy boulbène soils, with Josette Brocardo responsible for the wine and itinerant distiller Yvan Saint-Martin performing a single distillation on a mobile Armagnac still. Matured for three decades in French oak in a humid cellar, the selected 410-liter cask #109 yielded just 480 bottles. Released at its natural cask strength of 47.1% ABV without additives or chill filtration. There's no reason this extremely rare aged spirit shouldn't cost many multiples of our current price, but at K&L we always pass the saving onto our customers. Don't wait to take advantage of this special offer.