This past Thursday I was invited to the residence of the French Consul Général for a showcase of the Villa Albertine, a charity that the Roederer Foundation supports. There I met with Frédéric Rouzaud, the president of Champagne Louis Roederer, and he premiered his Louis Roederer "Collection 244" Brut Champagne, which should be coming to K&L soon.
Read MoreWhether your cellar takes up an entire room or you've got your first few bottles stashed away as you start your collecting journey, K&L will be there for you every step of the way. Our industry-leading Key Accounts and Auction departments are ready to guide you to all the latest, greatest releases and library stunners, so dive head-first into this comprehensive guide to the joys of wine collecting.
Read MoreAt the heart of it, most of us are looking for wines that simply outperform their price point. Whether it is the everyday $20 cellar defender that goes head to head with the trendy $50 blue chip, or the First-Growth rival at a Super-Second price. Admittedly, I spend most of my day trying to find these wines, whether personally or professionally. Here are some of my favorites…
Read MoreI know I have been like a broken record recommending the 2014 vintage, but some things are worth repeating. After drinking a bottle of this great 2014 Louis Roederer Brut Champagne $89.99 95WA with some homemade sashimi bowls earlier this month, I feel compelled to repeat myself. No Champagne lover will ever say “I bought too many of the 2014s.” I understand that these wines lack the flash of the 2012s and the power of the 2015s, but in the medium-to-long term I promise that they will evolve into something very, very special—and I think better than those two other vintages. I caught a glimpse of that with this great Champagne on the fifth of this month.
Read MoreCabernet Sauvignon has a long history in Australia dating back to the 1830s when it was introduced by Scottish immigrant and wine pioneer James Busby. Though a hardy and disease-resistant cultivar, early experimental plantings failed due to poor vineyard locations and lack of knowledge. It didn’t take long to get it right—the oldest surviving Cabernet Sauvignon vines are believed to be Penfold’s Kalimna Block 42, planted in the Barossa Valley in 1888. Today it is the second most-planted wine grape in Oz at 25,000 ha. Here are a few world-class renditions of one of Australia’s flagship varieties:
Read MoreIf Cabernet Sauvignon is the king of red wine, and Bordeaux is the king of wine, doesn’t it follow that Bordeaux is the king of Cabernet Sauvignon? Of course, I am prejudiced as I have been collecting Bordeaux since 1971. Yes, I also have some California Cabernets, but 95% of my cellar is red Bordeaux—vintages ranging from 1918 to 2019.
Read MoreComedian Rodney Dangerfield long claimed he got no respect; Clyde claims the same for white Bordeaux! These beautiful Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc blends have to cede the spotlight to their red brethren, but do not overlook them! You can start with Clyde’s list of current favorites in stock.
Read MoreOn Wednesday evening, K&L San Francisco welcomed a dynamic, female-led team for a celebration of one of the most revered pairings: caviar and Champagne. A group of 15 guests joined the K&L team to delve into the complexities of flavor, texture, and terroir inherent in both Champagne and caviar.
Read MoreWhen it comes to gifts under $100, it is hard to do better than the Champagnes from Launois in Mesnil. These wines have an accessibility that makes them the hit of every party; they are a gift that is always appreciated. The value for money will be your secret!
Read MoreIn today’s newsletter, Buyer Alex Pross takes readers on a journey through the white wines of Germany and Austria, two historic regions that make some of the finest, longest-lived whites in the world. Both Riesling and Grüner Veltliner have earned an enthusiastic sommelier following for their excellent ability to pair with all the trickiest dishes—sweet, sour, spicy are all even better next to the right Riesling; veggies and Grüner are absolute kismet together. The best part? The bounty of exhilarating wines to be had for under $40.
Read MoreFrench Regional Buyer Keith Mabry joined me on Instagram Live to discuss new releases from some of his favorite Direct Import producers from the Languedoc-Roussillon. The wines were singing, and, as always, represent exceptional value.
Read MoreWhether you’ll be spinning a dreidel, rockin’ around the Christmas tree, lighting the Kwanzaa candles, or simply enjoying Winter Solstice, we have something that can make your celebration special, and, though the times were strange in 2020, the wines were superb.
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