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Infectious dark purple florals, spiced damsons and smoky minerals overlay the meaty, juicy texture and fine shapely tannins and purr contentedly towards the finish line. (DWWA 2024)

Velvety in texture with transparent character yet not insubstantial, showing aromas of sour cherries, oranges, dried flowers and some exotic spices. Medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins and a precise finish. 90% grenache from sandy soils and 10% mourvedre. (KD)

We began the Discovery Series as a way to introduce our clients to outstanding producers from well-defined regions, pairing great wines with the history and backstory that bring them to life. We were truly astounded by the success and reception of these wines, and deeply encouraged by the trust you placed in us to deliver what we consider best-in-class wines at best-in-class prices under a label we will continue to develop. During the search for Discovery wines, however, I encountered a number of bottles that didn’t quite fit that specific mold, yet still offered incredible quality and value. That realization led to the creation of the Rendez-Vous label — a place to showcase wines we believe will become staples in your weeknight rotation. This project was born during a visit with our friends at Dauvergne et Ranvier in the Southern Rhône. Together, we conducted a series of blind tasting trials, working through dozens of samples and experimenting with different lots to build what I hoped would become the perfect Rhône-style blend. I began by tasting individual parcels — some already blended, others single varietal expressions. Several Côtes du Rhône lots produced charming and approachable wines, but once we moved into the Côtes du Rhône Villages selections, the depth of fruit and overall expansiveness increased dramatically. After settling on my preferred blend, we presented it to our winery partners. Watching everyone’s reactions as we arrived at the final composition was incredibly rewarding — we were unanimous in our enthusiasm. Just like that, our first Côtes du Rhône Villages blend was born. The final wine leans toward Syrah (approximately 70%), supported by a generous 30% Grenache. It shows a beautiful core of raspberry and wild strawberry fruit, backed by impressive concentration and layered notes of tobacco, black pepper, and savory spice. Now that the wine has rested in bottle after its journey from France to our warehouse, it has fully settled into its character. At recent staff trainings, I shared this wine with our teams and felt that same sense of satisfaction seeing their reactions. It has quickly become a staff favorite. There is tremendous personality here and, as I like to say, it truly overdelivers for the price. Join us for a little Rendez-Vous with this exciting new release — I think you’ll find as much pleasure in drinking it as we did creating it.

Colombe and La Chapelle Saint Victor often arrive in tandem and Chapelle has always been the more terroir-driven sibling. Where La Colombe emphasizes fruit, Chapelle leans into precision and minerality. Crisp Red Delicious apple, citrus zest, and subtle wild herbs are framed by a streak of limestone-driven freshness that carries through the finish. There's an understated complexity here that makes it equally enjoyable on its own or alongside food. Pair it with grilled seafood, Niçoise salad, or simply a warm evening outdoors, and it's easy to understand why this has become one of the defining wines of our Provence program.

Dark in colour. Soft, juicy, velvety tannins. An approachable and well-balanced vintage of Coudoulet that should age well thanks to its tannic finesse, acidity and freshness. Though it is quite a tannic vintage, so give it some time. (MW)

The domaine's top Gigondas, with crisp berry fruit, cranberry and raspberry. It's fresh, with a tiny VA note that lifts the fruit and plentiful fine, fresh, crisp tannins. It ends on a fresh, slightly saline note. Long and elegant, with great energy, if not hugely structured or concentrated. Not destemmed; fermented in concrete tanks then aged in foudres. (MW)

From one of the oldest vineyards in France comes this Carignan, Syrah and Grenache blend that hits the nose with leathery aromas of sagebrush, charred licorice and dried fruits. The palate picks up lavender, mulling spice and roasted fig flavors, proving sandy in texture but creamy by the finish. (MK)

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!

A blend of 36% Grenache, 24% Syrah, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cinsault, 8% Rolle, 5% Caladoc, and 4% Counoise, the 2025 Coteaux D'Aix En Provence Rosé is a clean, classy rosé with light red fruits, white flowers, and chalky minerality on the nose. It's medium-bodied on the palate, with a fresh, focused mouthfeel, clean acidity, and just perfect overall balance. It's a serious, delicious rosé that's up with some of the crème de la crème of the region.

Deep purple/plum-hued and based on 80% Syrah, 15% Grenache, and 5% Carignan, aged 22 months in 300-liter French oak barrels (50% new), the 2022 Centauri reveals darker berries, juicy plum, ground pepper, and chalky minerality. Medium to full-bodied, ripe, and concentrated, it has building, polished tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish. This beautifully done, classy Syrah will drink well over the coming decade. Drink 2025-2035.

My apologies to all of you who have been waiting for this wine to be replenished. But I am here to tell you, as always, it is worth the wait. The 2021 "La Côte" is everything I want in an old-school Côtes-du-Rhône. Plenty of raspberry, toasted tobacco and a touch of peppery spice, with that savory quality that keeps you coming back to the glass. This wine is not about flashy fruit—it's a classic Rhône that delivers exactly what you want it to. For those in the know, you know what you've been waiting for. For those who don't, La Côte is one of our all-time best sellers, and with good reason. Vigneron Rudi de Pins' wines have been staples here at K&L for years because they consistently deliver character, quality and tremendous value. The 2021 is another reminder of why we keep going back to them.

I've been fortunate to know Gilles and Pascale Pons, the proprietors of Château les Valentines, for well over a decade. From the very beginning, I was drawn to the purity and restraint of their wines. Their estate lies in La Londe-les-Maures, on the Mediterranean side of the Côtes de Provence, where schist soils produce rosés with remarkable tension and minerality. Just a few miles from the sea, the vineyards benefit from cooling maritime breezes that impart a subtle saline edge, while the family's commitment to certified organic farming allows this exceptional terroir to speak with even greater clarity. The first wine they ever poured for me was Caprice des Clémentines. Named after their then-young daughter—now in her mid-twenties—it was conceived as an introduction to the estate's style, blending fruit from their own vineyards with carefully selected partner growers' parcels. It was an instant favorite with both our staff and customers. Over the past few vintages, however, the wine has become entirely estate grown, and the added precision and character are unmistakable. When Gilles and Pascale parted ways with their national importer, I asked if they would consider joining our Direct Import program. Fortunately, they said yes, and for the past several years Château les Valentines has become a new cornerstone of our Provence portfolio. They embody exactly what we look for: a family-owned estate farming responsibly, producing wines that clearly express their place, and delivering exceptional value vintage after vintage. The new Caprice is an even blend of Grenache and Cinsault, bursting with notes of wild strawberry, papaya, nectarine, and wet stone. The balance is what keeps me coming back. Bright acidity, a gentle mineral streak, and an effortless freshness make it a wine that shines at the table. During my recent visit to the estate, I enjoyed it with several meals, but my favorite moment came before dinner at Gilles and Pascale's home. A simple platter of crudités, a few friends gathered on the patio, and a chilled bottle of Caprice were all it took to remind me why this wine has remained one of my perennial Provence favorites.

Bid on this 2-bottle tasting lot; including 1-bottle of 1985 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie (90RP) and 1-bottle of 1988 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie . Of the 1985 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie , Wine Advocate writes: "Guigal's 1985 is a beautiful dark ruby/purple-colored wine with a classic Cote Rotie nose of smoky bacon fat, black raspberries, pepper, and spices. In the mouth, it is opulent and rich, but still somewhat unevolved, displaying moderate tannins in its long, fleshy, rich finish." (04/1992)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 1998 Paul Autard "La Côte Ronde" Châteauneuf-du-Pape (97WS, 95JD, 93RP, 92ST). Wine Spectator: "Fantastic red. Big-bodied, velvety and suave, with mocha, spice and gorgeous ripe fruit, it walks a thin line between modern and traditional, delivering mineral and terroir quality thanks to its great concentration. The fruit and tannins are so sweet. *Highly Recommended* (PM)" (12/2000)

Bid on this bottle of 2006 Joseph Phelps "Le Mistral" Monterey County Rhone Blend (92WS). Wine Spectator: "Intense and full-blown, with spicy, beefy wild berry, red beet root, dried currant and a medley of dried herbs, gaining complexity and nuance. Ends with a dash of pepper and spice. Syrah, Grenache and Alicante Bouschet. Drink now through 2015." (03/2009)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2000 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape (97JD, 94DC, 94RP, 93VN). Jeb Dunnuck: "Absolutely firing on all cylinders and with an open, borderline slutty profile, the 2000 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a dream on the nose, showing complex, meaty aromas of black truffle, spice rack, charcuterie, and garrigue. There’s fantastic intensity here and you can smell this wine as soon as the bottle is opened. Just as good on the palate, the wine sports a medium to full-bodied, ripe profile, perfect balance, and a dazzling finish that has you looking for another glass. " (09/2011)

Bid on this bottle of 1989 M. Chapoutier "Le Pavillon" Ermitage (100RP, 95VN). Wine Advocate: "The 1989 Le Pavilion is a prodigious wine. Made from yields of 14 hectoliters per hectare, this parcel of old vines (averaging 70-80 years of age) has produced an opaque black/purple-colored wine, with a hauntingly stunning bouquet of violets, cassis, minerals, and new oak. In the mouth, the similarity in texture, richness, and perfect balance to the compelling 1986 Mouton-Rothschild is striking, only this wine is richer and longer. This extraordinarily well-balanced wine will probably not be ready to drink for at least 5-10 years, but it will evolve for three decades or more. It is an enormous yet amazingly well-delineated wine. I lament the fact that there are only 600 cases of this magnificent wine. This great Hermitage was the first of a trilogy (1989, 1990, and 1991) of exquisite Le Pavillons." (01/1997)

Bid on this magnum of 2018 Saxum "James Berry Vineyard" Willow Creek District Rhône Blend (1.5L) (99JD, 98VN, 97RP, 97WS). Jeb Dunnuck: "Showing better from bottle than barrel (always a good sign), the 2018 James Berry Vineyard is another stunning wine in a long line of stunning wines from this estate. Based on 64% Grenache, 16% Mataro, 14% Syrah, and the rest Carignan, incredible notes of blueberries, wild strawberries, licorice, new leather, herbes de Provence, and candied violets all emerge from the glass, and it's full-bodied, with an incredible sense of purity and elegance, flawless balance, and a huge finish." (09/2020)

Some fresh rosemary and pine needles bring a herbal, resinous note to the wine. It has some generosity on the palate, juicy red fruits, strawberry and raspberry, with lovely bright acidity and freshness. All in all, a precise, detailed, fresh and vibrant style of Gigondas that's well balanced and authentic. (MW)

The 2025 Bandol Rosé is already showing beautifully, offering a medium-bodied palate with lovely drive and freshness, the latter especially impressive given the warmth of the vintage. There is a sense of poise here that sets it apart, combining Mediterranean sun with real structural discipline. This is precisely why great Bandol Rosé enjoys such a cult following - it is not merely refreshing, but serious and characterful with the depth to evolve in bottle. Few Rosés in the world occupy that space so convincingly, and this wine is a clear reminder of the category’s highest possibilities. (NG)

A juicy, vibrant red, with bouncy cherry and rooibos tea layered with dusty earth and charred sandalwood. Smoke wafts out on the smooth, harmonious finish, held in check with chalky tannins. Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault. (KB)

The Verquière estate has been passed down from father to son for four generations and is now managed by Thibaut Chamfort. Following age-old traditions and sustainable practices, the estate was certified organic in 2014. Following their wines for many years, we were happy to add them to our Direct Import portfolio in 2015. The Côtes-du-Rhône is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, grown on chalky clay soils with loads of large pebbles in the vineyards. This has become one of our favorite everyday reds out of the South of France and we're confident you will feel the same. *Organic*

The 2022 GSM from Justin Willett is fleshy and floral, with great inner sweetness and lovely freshness. It's nicely lifted and full of spiced character, with blue fruit, green peppercorn, lavender, blood orange, iron and inky seaweed notes fleshing out in the glass. At only 13.5%, the 2022 has a surprising amount of textural heft. This is a lot of wine for $25. (BN)

Rosé season never quite feels official until La Colombe hits our shelves. Bright, expressive, and endlessly drinkable, the 2025 delivers everything we've come to expect from one of our most popular Direct Imports. Juicy white peach, ripe strawberry, and fresh watermelon lead the way, while a burst of citrus keeps everything lively and refreshing. There's a beautiful balance between generous fruit and crisp acidity that makes often makes this the first bottle to disappear from the table a little too quickly. Whether you're headed to the beach, firing up the grill, or simply looking for the perfect porch wine, La Colombe continues to set the standard for everyday Provence rosé.

The Jacourette vineyards sit beneath the shadow of the Montagne Sainte-Victoire, the limestone massif that has watched over this corner of Provence since long before Cézanne made it famous on canvas. Over millennia, the mountain's limestone has eroded, forming the surrounding clay soils, laying down the calcareous foundation that gives these wines their signature minerality. We've been working with vigneronne Hélène Dragon since her 2013 vintage, and in that time her style has only sharpened — each vintage leaning further into purity and precision. Her base cuvée has always been a great success for us, a bright and reliable expression of Provençal rosé. But this year, with Sainte-Victoire's elevation to Cru status, we've decided to shift our focus entirely to her top cuvée: select parcels within the Sainte-Victoire Cru, carved out from the lower-yielding vineyards directly beneath the mountain. We couldn't be more thrilled with this decision. For just a few dollars more, this wine offers so much more — riper fruit and a richer, more layered palate: white strawberry, raspberry, grapefruit, and herbes de Provence, with a light fennel note that adds real dimension and sets it apart from lesser bottlings in the appellation. Depth, length, and gorgeous minerality make this a genuinely harmonious glass. This is Provençal rosé built for the table — think roasted vegetables in olive oil, tuna niçoise, brandade on toasted bread, grilled sardines, even lamb chops. Jacourette remains one of our favorite producers working in the region today.

There are deep yet not overly dark aromas of boysenberry, elderberry and blue flower that are cut by a rosemary blossom scent on the nose of this blend of 75% Syrah, 14% Petite Sirah and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon. Fine-grained tannins frame a joyous yet not overly ripe palate of dark purple fruits and pepper dust.

Pangloss wines are grown and crafted by the Repris team on Moon Mountain, where steep mountainside vineyards are organically farmed by legendary viticulturist Phil Cotturi. The 2022 Tenacity is a Châteauneuf-du-Pape-inspired Southern Rhône blend of 75% Grenache, 21% Mourvèdre, and 5% Syrah. Winemaker Erich Bradley employs a traditional, minimalist approach to winemaking, with hand-picked and hand-sorted grapes, open-top fermentations, and aging in French oak barrels. The result is a beautifully expressive, mountain-grown Rhône blend that captures the distinctive character of this rugged Sonoma terroir.

Red berry perfume with liquorice, cherries and sweet spice. An open-hearted style with chewy tannins, clean lines and lively finish. (DWWA 2025)

This is everything I want in a weeknight wine: easygoing red fruit notes, a spicy layer underneath adding intrigue, refreshing acidity, and supple tannins that make it a great pairing with a wide array of foods – everything from a simple roast chicken to woodfired pizza. Those ripe red fruit notes of plum, currant and juicy strawberry are balanced perfectly with a slightly grippy texture on the palate. And at just $17.99 per bottle, this is an incredible value that really punches above its weight class. I’d suggest picking this one up by the case.

Le Grand Huit is a blend of Cinsault and Mourvèdre sourced from some of the estate's oldest vineyards, with vines averaging around 60 years of age. Cinsault contributes freshness, lift, and bright red fruit, while Mourvèdre adds structure and depth. It's no coincidence that Mourvèdre is the backbone of the great rosés of Bandol—it's a variety that gives rosé the ability to gain complexity with a little bottle age. The wine opens with notes of white peach, dried strawberry, and pamplemousse, followed by a gentle kiss of sea salt and a hint of bay leaf. It has the concentration to enjoy on its own, but it really comes alive at the table. A spread of Mediterranean mezze would be hard to beat, though grilled seafood or herb-roasted chicken would be equally at home alongside this beautifully balanced rosé.

Lirac lies on the Rhône’s western bank, across the river from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and has held appellation status since 1947. Roger Sabon, a producer based in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, offers a perspective from the opposite bank with the 2021 “Lirac by Roger Sabon,” a red blend from this southern Rhône appellation.

One of our most popular direct-imports, the price-to-quality ratio we've found in these wines year after year is simply unbeatable. Our customers have come to rely on this family-run winery to provide great quality, drinkability, and value. The 2014 was the first vintage of Châteauneuf-du-Pape produced by Montfaucon. A single hectare of mostly old-vine Grenache with a splash of Mourvedre, yields a deliciously balanced and refined Châteauneuf-du-Pape that shows the integrity of Rudi des Pins' winemaking and an honest representation of the region. A stellar bargain for sure.

The genesis of this wine has been great to watch. Originally, it was created as an homage to Tavel, the neighboring appellation famous for its rosé wines. It even came in the long, skinny bottle emblematic of the region. The wine was bright and crisp, with a lighter hue and a more traditional rosé profile. Over the last few years, vigneron Rudi de Pins has taken it in a very different direction, making it denser, richer and more vinous. It is now an almost brooding rosé that feels closer to historical Tavel, when the wines were more akin to light reds. Rudi even changed the bottle to reflect what he believes is a more serious style of rosé. It is now opaque, concealing that deeper color from prying eyes. Once poured, though, there is no hiding it. The color is more like freshly squeezed raspberries, with an almost purple rim. And the wine is exceptional. I have tasted every vintage since Rudi began making it and have even tried a few with several years of bottle age. They only get more compelling. This is winter rosé—or light red, depending on how you want to look at it. Just don't serve it too cold. You don't want to mask all that depth of flavor hiding behind the smoky glass. It is terrific now with roasted fowl—think braised turkey legs or grilled duck—but this is also a rosé worth putting a few bottles away for a couple of years. I think it's only going to get better.

A well-rounded, lively and almost floral Gigondas with small red berries, wildflowers and baking spices on the nose, following through to a full body with polished tannins. Seductive texture with supple fruit character to the long, fine finish.

In spite of its extreme youth, this great Châteuneuf-du-Pape leaps out at you with its depth of wet-earth, ripe red-berry and dried-flower aromas. Rich and concentrated, but so suave and refined. Incredible length! Can't wait to taste this masterpiece as a bottled wine! (SP)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2021 Fingers Crossed (Faethm) "Unanswered Prayers" California Rosé. Composed of 53% Syrah, 42% Grenache, and 5% Mourvèdre. Limited lot — only 903 bottles produced. Antonio Galloni writes in Vinous: "I was very happy to taste these wines from Nikolas and Julia Krankl. More than anything else, I am delighted to see a more specific and distinctive style continuing to take shape. Finding that voice has to be extremely hard given the family lineage with Sine Qua Non. The bottled 2020s turned out as I had envisioned, but I expect they will be surpassed by the nascent 2021s." (09/2023)

Bid on this magnum of 2017 Saxum "Booker Vineyard" Paso Robles Willow Creek District Rhône Blend (1.5L) (98JD, 96VN, 95RP, 94WS). Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2017 Booker Vineyard got a few expletives and wows in the notes. It’s a full-bodied, flamboyant, straight essence of Paso Robles beauty that’s loaded with notions of black fruits, chocolate, ground pepper, candied orange peel, and spring flowers. It’s a masculine, powerhouse of a Syrah, which is classic Booker Vineyard. 98+" (10/2019)

Bid on this magnum of 2022 Saxum "G2" Willow Creek District Rhône Blend (1.5L) (98JD, 96RP, 96TWI, 94VN, 94WE, 93DC). Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2022 G2 Vineyard checks in as 44% Grenache, 19% Mataro, 18% Graciano, 14% Syrah, and 5% Carignan that's clearly from one of the leading sites on the west side of Paso Robles. Blackberries, red plums, Asian spice, pepper, candied violets, and incense-like nuances all shine in this killer wine. With full-bodied richness, a round, layered mouthfeel, sweet yet certainly present tannins, and a great finish, this heavenly bottle of wine deserves 2-3 years of bottle age and will evolve gracefully over the following 15-20 years. It might be the wine of the vintage in 2022" (08/2024)

Bid on this magnum of 2016 Saxum "Paderewski Vineyard" Paso Robles Red Blend (1.5L) (97JD, 97VN, (94-96RP), 93WS). Vinous: "Brilliant purple. A complex, intensely perfumed bouquet displays candied black and blue fruit, vanilla and musky earth qualities, while violet, licorice and dark chocolate nuances build in the glass. Sweet and expansive on the palate, offering impressively concentrated, mineral-laced cassis, cherry compote and fruitcake flavors that are given spicy bite by a peppery flourish. Tightens up slowly on a wonderfully long, chewy, floral-dominated finish that's framed by talc-y, well-knit tannins. (JR)" (09/2018)

Bid on this bottle of 1985 Château Rayas "Réservé" Châteauneuf-du-Pape (96VN, 94JG, 93RP). Vinous: "I was blown away by the 1985 Châteauneuf-du-Pape. A wine that continued to improve in the glass, it was richly-textured and opulent, with expansive fruit that lingered on the palate for an eternity. It came across as incredibly youthful, in fact I would have never pegged it for a 22-year-old wine had I tasted it blind. (AG)" (08/2007)

Bid on this bottle of 1998 Château Rayas "Reserve" Châteauneuf-du-Pape (93WS, 92VN). Wine Spectator: "This continues to evolve, and always benefits from a lot of air time in the glass (or decanter), which allows its lilting, perfumy aromas and light color to become more concentrated and darker. Cherry, rose petal, pine forest, spice and mineral notes hang on the supple frame with deceptive grip on the finish. (JM)" (09/2007)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 1989 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape (98JS, 97DC, 97JD, 97RP, 97VN, 97WS, 93JG). James Suckling: "This is a floral and elegantly complex edition of this wine with dried meat and leather, iron and graphite, tobacco and dry spices. More elegant palate than the 1990, it has a very fine stream of red fruit and spiced cherries and a central, linear focus. The flavors hold so very long, deeply concentrated and focused. The fruit livens up at the finish and opens very impressively." (10/2019)

Bid on this bottle of 2019 Torrin "The Banshee" Willow Creek Rhone Blend (95JS, 95RP, 93VN). Wine Advocate: "The 2019 Banshee is a blend of 47% Mourvèdre, 35% Syrah and 18% Grenache, matured in 33% new French oak for 20 months. It has a medium ruby-purple color with detailed aromas of cranberry jelly, pomegranate, lavender, dried herbs and flint. The medium-bodied palate features crunchy fruit and fireworks of fresh acidity, with an approachable, chalky frame and long, spicy finish. Yum! The Banshee has a high proportion of Mourvèdre in the blend this vintage—winemaker Scott Hawley says the variety did exceptionally well in 2019. 461 cases were made. (EB)" (12/2022)

Bid on this 3-bottle tasting lot; including 1-bottle of 2016 Saxum "Booker Vineyard" Paso Robles Rhône Blend (99JD, 96VN, 95RP), 1-bottle of 2016 Saxum "Broken Stones" Paso Robles Red Blend (97JD, 96VN, 94RP, 92WS), and 1-bottle of 2016 Saxum "Paderewski Vineyard" Paso Robles Red Blend (97JD, 97VN, 93RP, 93WS). Of the 2016 Saxum "Booker Vineyard" Paso Robles Rhône Blend, Jeb Dunnuck writes: "Flirting with perfection, the 2016 Booker Vineyard is a classic bruiser from this vineyard that has overflowing notes of blackberries, blackcurrants, smoked earth, and violets. Checking in as 73% Syrah and 27% Mourvèdre (13% stems) brought up new barrels, it hits the balance with full-bodied richness, incredible purity of fruit, ultra-fine tannins, and a finish that won’t quit. If you’re lucky enough to have a few bottles, do you best to hide them in the cellar for 2-3 years." (10/2019)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2007 Kongsgaard Napa Valley Grenache-Syrah. According to Robert Parker: "The idiosyncratic, but brilliant producer of Chardonnay, Roussanne/Viognier, Syrah, and more recently, Cabernet Sauvignon, John Kongsgaard, and his low-tech, artisinal winemaking style have had an enormous influence on many top northern California winemakers. It’s always a treat to taste with him. All his wines are limited in quantity as the family’s vineyard in Coombsville is only 9 acres, so he draws fruit from special plots in the Hudson Vineyard for his Syrah...Kongsgaard employs no additives, proteins, or enzymes, ferments his Syrah in pungeons with indigenous yeasts, and does not sulphur the wine until long after malolactic is completed. In the huge Hudson Vineyard, he has an unusual block of vines planted totally in volcanic soils and shale. This is the source for his Syrah, one of the most provocative and individualistic Syrahs made in California." (12/2008)

Bid on this 2-bottle tasting lot; including 1-bottle of 2016 Domaine les Pallieres "Les Racines" Gigondas (96JD, 96JS, (94-96RP), 94VN, 93WS) and 1-bottle of 2016 Domaine les Pallieres "Terrasse du Diable" Gigondas (95JD, 95JS, 95VN, (92-94RP), 93WS). Of the 2016 Domaine les Pallieres "Les Racines" Gigondas, Wine Advocate writes: "The 2016 Gigondas Les Racines was in its foudres at the time of my visit, but I still think it is the equal of the Brunier family's Châteauneufs. Full-bodied and rich but silky and almost lacy in texture, it marries raspberries and apricots with lovely herbal nuances and a lingering finish. It's a tremendous Gigondas, made from 75-year-old vines. (JC)" (08/2018)

Bid on this 3-bottle tasting lot; including 1-bottle of 2015 Domaine Saint Damien "Les Souteyrades" Gigondas Vieilles Vignes (97JD, 94RP), 1-bottle of 2015 Domaine Saint-Damien "La Louisiane" Gigondas (95JD, 95RP, (92-94VN)), and 1-bottle of 2016 Domaine Saint-Damien "La Louisiane" Gigondas (96JD, 95WE, 94RP, 93VN). Of the 2015 Domaine Saint Damien "Les Souteyrades" Gigondas Vieilles Vignes, Jeb Dunnuck writes: "The most opulent and voluptuous of the 2015s, the 2015 Gigondas Les Souteyrades is heavenly juice that, again, drinks well past its humble price point. Just loaded with notions of strawberries, framboise, spring flowers, dried orange peels and spice, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a thick, unctuous texture, sweet tannin and a great, great finish. This cuvee is the normal 80/20 split of Grenache and Mourvèdre, aged all in foudre, and there’s just 750 cases made." (10/2017)