A few years back, I mused about the lingering question that Clyde would often ask of châteaux representatives, sometimes up front, sometimes after a sip—“so…what’s the price?” It is a good question, something that is perhaps more apropos than ever. But it feels more poignant now for a much different reason. My last trip with Clyde would have been back in 2019, when it looked like “up” was the only direction for a 2018 vintage that provided a lot of upside, but existed in a world that seems so far away from today. Now inflation, a pandemic, and supply chain issues put an immense amount of pressure on every part of the equation, and no one knows where prices will go.

Some Perspective: 2021 and Beyond, Right Bank

Today was the first major tasting day in Bordeaux for the K&L team, and it provided the kind of perspective that adds so much value to this kind of trip. Although Merlot was a big problem in the Right Bank for the ’21s due to mildew and frost, there is a huge variation in how these calamities affected any given winery… it hardly begins to tell the story.

Corned Beef and Crozes

For St. Patrick’s Day, I knew my friend was bringing Corned Beef (here’s the recipe she used), so my wine pairing was the 2018 Ferraton Père et Fils "La Matinière" Crozes-Hermitage. I adore Northern Rhône wines—and a Crozes-Hermitage for $19.99 was an immediate draw! Not only is the pricing off the hook, its pedigree is, too: it’s organically and biodynamically farmed thanks to major investment in this estate by Rhône giant Michel Chapoutier. Critics reap praise and scores on this estate. I had to try it.

Serious Red Wine from Champagne: Bollinger La Côte aux Enfants

Last week, I had an exceptional opportunity to drink the rare and tightly allocated 2016 Bollinger “La Cote aux Enfants” at home with dinner. This is a wine that I have only ever had thimble pours of in tastings in the past and I am not sure when I will have another opportunity to drink it freely again. This special red wine is normally saved for Michelin-starred restaurants—it was quite a thrill to have it with homemade chicken pot pie chez Westby!

Secret 2010 Vintage from Lamoureux

We have been working with Vivien Lamoureux from Champagne Jean Jacques Lamoureux for seven years now, and their wines have always been not only a great representation of the terroir of their village, Les Riceys, but also a great value. Now, with the world inflating around us, and especially the prices of Champagne shooting up, these wines are a real steal… Especially Vivien’s $36.99 tête de cuvée bottling, the Jean-Jacques Lamoureux "Trilogie" Brut.

France, ChampagneGary WestbyMarch 8, 2022K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, on the trail, champagne, jean lamoureux

Dazzling Aromatic Whites from Germany, Austria, and Alsace

Today's Newsletter brings us many of the greatest white wines in the world, all from undisputed masters of their craft. To make matters even more compelling, they also represent some of the greatest values in long-term, cellar-worthy wine you'll find anywhere.

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.

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