Today's Newsletter is the final installment of 2022, and we're ringing out the year with a bang. Our buyers have all pitched in to compile a wide-ranging selection of holiday winners for every palate, price tier, and festive occasion. Without further ado, we'd like to wish you Happy Holidays and all the best over the next few weeks and into the New Year.
Read MoreMy son came home one night talking about something his teacher had mentioned: it was called escargot, and he was interested in it. I immediately snatched up the opportunity to get my kid to try a new thing and called my French friend Julie to hatch a plan. Within two days, we were gathered in my kitchen, cooking escargot and popping the corks on the Damien Hugot Grand Cru Blanc de Blanc and the 2017 Auxey-Duresses “Les Clous” from Jacques Bavard—each stunning and perfectly suited to our meal.
Read MoreAnyone who has met Damien Hugot, either in Champagne or here at one of our tastings, knows that he is full of a good time, and full of lust for life. He saves his serious side for his vineyard, which he tends like a garden, and for his work in his immaculately clean winery. This year he released a brand new cuvée, the Damien Hugot "Hommage 1921" Extra Brut Champagne, which is an homage to his great grandfather, who started making his own wine south of Épernay back in 1921.
Read MoreToday's Newsletter gets us in the holiday mood with a truly all-encompassing look at our absolute favorite picks for pairing with a large and diverse holiday feast. Our best-in-the-business team of buyers has you covered with hand-picked selections that will shine in any holiday occasion, from the most casual, warm-hearted get-togethers to the most intricate and luxurious affairs.
Read MoreThis past May, I traveled to the far west of Champagne, to the lovely, tiny village of Crouttes-sur-Marne, to visit brother-and-sister team Laurent and Claire at Champagne Derot-Delugny. They are one of the oldest grower producers in the western Marne Valley, having sold Champagne in bottle since 1929. This long tradition has given them the gift of patience and the ability to sell vintage Champagne at 10 years old, the 2012 that is the main subject of this article.
Read MoreLast night, Clément Calleja of Champagne Billecart-Salmon kicked off our annual staff Champagne Summit with a big bang. He hosted a comprehensive tasting of their line paired with sushi from Kanpai at Cinnamon’s and my home in Menlo Park. The wines were unforgettable.
Read MoreThis Friday, Cinnamon and I enjoyed our traditional steak and claret dinner with a bottle of the 2000 Château Camensac Haut Médoc—on Clyde’s recommendation. As usual, his advice was golden, and the wine was magnificent with the food. For the first time, we had a Denver Steak from Five Mary’s Farms, a cut from under the front shoulder blade of the cow, which Cinnamon cooked on our charcoal hibachi. This flat cut cooks up like a skirt steak but is tender like a New York and very flavorful. It was a good night!
Read MoreToday's Newsletter is an ode to summer in its dog days. Since we all know most of California has plenty of summer left, our buyers reflect on their favorite go-to winners that shine the brightest during the warm weather.
Read More‘Tis the season to throw some meat on the grill, break out some magnums, and gather the staff around ye olde parking lot. After a few strange years of no-to-minimal socializing (something we K&Lers do best), we’re finally able to gather again to break bread and enjoy good drink (another thing we do best).
Read MoreThis June, I traveled back to Champagne to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Champagne Launois. It was an honor to be invited. The party was unforgettable, hosted by no less than four generations of the family at their beautiful château just outside of Mesnil. There we spent the afternoon tasting, eating, and drinking… a six hour Champenois lunch!
Read MoreUsually, when I arrive in Brouillet, we do an extensive vin clair tasting of the last year’s harvest together. Since there was no 2021 to taste, Paul announced that instead we would do a retrospective of better years… And what a lineup he poured! This tasting was a true career highlight for me—each wine was great, and fabulous proof of the longevity that the great terroir of Brouillet is capable of producing in its wines.
Read MoreAt the end of May, I was lucky enough to be hosted at Champagne Billecart-Salmon in Mareuil by none other than cellarmaster Florent Nys. We have known each other for many years, but I hadn’t had the chance to sit down with him since before the pandemic. He invited me into the new reception area at Billecart, and poured quite the tasting.
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