Bubbles Aplenty, from Biodynamic to Best Buys

For those looking for a sharp buy in beautiful bubbly, Champagne Buyer Gary Westby celebrates the dynamic releases from fan-favorite value producer Egrot. Alex Schroeder then discusses the brilliant biodynamic releases from Solemme. Scott Beckerley revisits an old friend with the perennial excellence of Aspasie. And Giovanni Bueno takes a look at the luxury of Laurent-Perrier. All of these stories just scratch the surface of the remarkable range of top-flight Champagne that you'll find at K&L. From everyday bubbles to cellar-worthy icons, we have you covered.

Begin the Holiday Season with Bordeaux

November is the perfect time to start talking about winter festivities. And for us, that conversation starts with Bordeaux. It's one of our very favorite regions, as much for the incredible everyday values as for the blue-chip collectibles. Our co-owner and Bordeaux Buyer Clyde Beffa has filled the pages of our latest newsletter with Bordeaux of every stripe for every reader.

Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Oh My: The Wonderful Rhône

In this week’s newsletter we celebrate the darling of southern France, the Rhône Valley. Complex, collectible, and kissed with sunshine, the wines of the Rhône will draw you in again and again. And, thanks to our robust Direct Import program, we can offer them at friendly prices to keep you well stocked. Buyer Keith Mabry takes us through some of the greatest hits of the region, from the serious Syrahs of Northern Rhône to the playful Grenache-based blends to the south.

Great Burgundy Wines Are More Affordable Than Ever

This week’s newsletter is devoted to Burgundy, and, as K&L Burgundy Buyer Alex Pross puts it, “We have never had this many great, affordable Burgundy wines to sell you.” Tariffs have finally been removed, value-driven regions such as the Mâcon are over-producing in quality-to-price ratio, and our Direct Import winemakers continue to produce insanely good wines way under market price.

burgundy, France, Wine NewsletterKate SotoAugust 23, 2021klwines, on the trail, burgundy, value burgundy, alex pross

Duménil Special Club: Special Champagne, Special Price

We just received an allocation of 300 bottles of the 2013 Duménil “Special Club” 1er Cru Brut Champagne at a nearly unheard-of price for a wine in the club trésors, $49.99. This group of 28 growers, which includes super stars like Paul Bara, Gaston-Chiquet, and Pierre Gimonnet all agree to put their top wine in the Special Club bottle, but only after it passes a blind tasting jury of members and oenologists. For grower Champagne, I can think of few better guarantees of quality than the Special Club.

France, ChampagneGary WestbyAugust 11, 2021K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, special club, champagne, on the trail, gary westby

BDX 2020: Classic Wines, Atypical Year

When France opened its borders in early June, our team was on the second plane out of California. And indeed, we were among the very first Americans that many of the French had seen, and we were certainly among the only to taste the 2020 vintage at the châteaux. We were able to learn from the winemakers, taste wines fresh from barrels, and get a perspective on this vintage not afforded to those who didn’t leave terra firma in the U.S. In this week’s newsletter, you’ll find our direct-from-Bordeaux 2020 vintage preview.

The Party—en Magnum!

Last week, for Bastille Day, a group of us from K&L Redwood City went to Left Bank restaurant in Menlo Park to celebrate the French national holiday. It was a great excuse to eat steak frites and drink some good, aged Bordeaux in the middle of the week. Whenever we have a group together (more than 2?) there are usually magnums involved, and this great evening was no exception.

Bordeaux, FranceGary WestbyJuly 19, 2021K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, on the trail, bordeaux, magnums, bastille day

New Cellars and Old Friends at Haut-Bailly

Château Haut-Bailly is near and dear to K&L’s heart. In addition to making stunningly elegant wines, CEO Veronique Sanders is a dear friend of our co-owner Clyde Beffa. To celebrate their long friendship and our first visit since the pandemic, Clyde brought a bottle of 1952 Haut-Bailly to dinner. It was particularly special to try the brand new baby wine from the 2020 vintage on the same evening as wines that have been in the cellar for decades.

A Walk in the Vineyard with Chantal Gonet

In the middle of last month, I was on the second plane into France for vaccinated Americans with Kate Soto, Clyde and Trey Beffa. It was great to be back on the job in the cellars and tasting rooms of Champagne, but the highlight of the trip, under the June sun, was the time I got to spend in the vineyard. On the last day of the trip, Chantal Gonet of Champagne Philippe Gonet and Champagne Pierre Mineral took me for a visit to the crown jewel of their estate: Les Hauts Jardins.

The New Cellars at Château Figeac

With the release of Figeac’s 2020 this week, I’m reminded that much of the conversation around Bordeaux often has to do with prices and critics scores, rather than the people at the heart of the wineries. Figeac certainly has the scores—all the critical ratings I’ve seen hover in the 95-99 range—but they also have a family devoted to the property, working to make better wines every year.

2013 Cristal: Silky Elegance and Vibrant Refreshment

Of all the Grand Marque producers of Champagne, none are moving as fast at improving quality as Champagne Louis Roederer. This upward trajectory is even more impressive because of the high level that they have always maintained. Last week, tasting the newly released 2013 Louis Roederer “Cristal” Brut Champagne, I realized that Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon has once more found room to go upwards, even in a vintage less famous than the 2012 that proceeded it.

Iconic Rosé Champagne for Mother’s Day

One of my favorite Champagne occasions of the year is la fête de mères, Mother’s Day. Who else in the world is more deserving of being celebrated than mom? Nothing matches this day of flowers better than rosé Champagne, and no rosé Champagne is as iconic as the Laurent-Perrier. I think it is the perfect wine for a perfect day.

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