With some of the most northern vineyards in all of Burgundy, the appellation of Marsannay has been benefiting from the warmer vintages of late. Previously known for making tight, less-forgiving wines, the wines of Marsannay are now beautiful expressions of red fruit, spice, and mineral notes. There are many top prodcuers making wines in Marsannay, including Bruno Clair, Denis Mortet, Louis Jadot, Domaine Faiveley, Domaine Bart—and one of our longtime direct import producers, Charles Audoin. The wines of Charles Audoin deserve particular note because we have just received a terrific trio of 2022s.

Pernot-Belicard’s 2023s: The Domaine’s Best-to-Date

If you’re in the market for impeccably well-made white Burgundy that is also affordable then the set of 2023s from Pernot-Belicard should definitely fit the bill. I have been lucky enough to visit this property multiple times and taste the 2023s from both barrel and from bottle and see the wines evolve from potential to reality in terms of how good they are. These are easily the best set of wines produced from Pernot-Belicard to date, and they represent stellar values from the entry-level Bourgogne Blanc all the way to the top 1er Cru Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault offerings.

A Cloudy Forecast in Bordeaux

We’re back on the trail, getting ready to taste the 2024s in Bordeaux, while catching up with our friends in the region. It is one of the great traditions in the world of fine wine—and quickly becoming an indispensable part of my year. The exhausting (trust me…) trek through the region will give us a wonderful perspective on the wines that will be released for sale as soon as next week—another chapter in the storied history of Bordeaux.

Honoring Bill Blatch, an Icon in Bordeaux and a Dear Friend

Bordeaux, the wine world, and K&L Wine Merchants lost a very special friend and mentor a few weeks ago with the passing of Mr. Bill Blatch.

Touring Champagne at the Burgundy Border with Lamoureux

All my French friends always ask me if I am going to the south of France on my trip. I tell them yes—I am going to Les Riceys! It is just three miles away from the northern border with Burgundy here, and has the same soil as in Chablis, the famous Kimmeridgian clay. Not only is the soil different than the chalk of the Marne, so is the climate—here it is far more continental with colder winters and warmer summers. Luckily today was picture-perfect French spring weather, and I hope that I’ll just be carrying around my winter clothes and not wrapping up in them.

The Brilliant 2022 Vintage from Burgundy’s Domaine Parent

I always look forward to my annual visit to Domaine Parent and my sit-down tasting with Anne Parent. We tasted her 2022 wines from bottle, and they were absolutely singing! 2022 was an exceptional vintage for red Burgundy, and the set of wines from Domaine Parent showcase both the quality of the vintage as well as the signature style of Domaine Parent. With premier holdings scattered mostly across Pommard, Corton, and Beaune, Domaine Parent has created wines of incredible freshness with enviable fruit and impressive structure and depth. Domaine Parent exemplifies the perfect synergy of Burgundian classicism with the new world order in Burgundy.

Clos de l’Anhel: Soulful, Biodynamic Wines from Corbières

Clos de l’Anhel is one of the first producers I recruited after taking over the French Regional progam at K&L. Vigneron Sophie Guiraudon established Clos de l’Anhel in the appellation of Corbières just over two decades ago. She proudly states that she is a first-generation winemaker. Beginning her career at another winery in the region, she felt like she could do the same thing they were doing but better and organic—so why not strike out on her own?

Jaw-Dropping Finds and Collectible Rarities

From our Bordeaux Buyer Ryan Moses, Director of Auctions John Christensen, and Private Client Services Advisor Chelsea Herholdt, we bring you a lineup of some of our most collectible bottlings from producers who continue to inspire. With the goal of introducing—or reintroducing—you to bottles that promise to delight for years to come, we're thrilled at the opportunity to dive into these stellar selections from some of the world's very best.

Burgundy and Beyond: The Storied History and Current Vintages

There are few rollercoaster rides in the wine world quite like being a Burgundy fan. I like to joke that if you just look at a bottle wrong, it might decide to spite you and have an “off day” when you open it. Being one of the most finicky fine wines, it raises the question: why do people chase it so fervently? Because when you catch it at the right time, there is no taste more glorious, wine or not. A bottle of Burgundy in its finest form carries nuance and depth that is paralleled only by the finest flavors in existence on Earth far beyond wine.

Under the Radar and Over-Delivering Finds from Bordeaux

I’ll be the first to admit—with all the tumult in the wine industry these days, it’s been a bit more than an uphill battle to restock our shelves. That said, I’m absolutely thrilled with some of our current selections, from everyday values to top collectibles. Here are a few finds that you won’t want to miss, and some of the stories behind them.

Northern Rhône Wines from the Top of the World: Guy Farge

I was fortunate enough to visit with Thomas Farge last year, and he took me through his St-Joseph holdings where we saw many of his new plantings. Since taking the winemaking mantle from his father, Guy, Thomas has grown the estate to about 20 hectares. Every vineyard has a stunning hillside view but some of the new vines overlook vistas of the valley below that any developer would be jealous of. We traipsed through some of his existing St-Joseph vines and marveled at the steep terraced slopes. Each time I got out of his truck, I had to consciously think about not stepping out over a ledge and tumbling to another terrace below.

Rhône Discoveries and Collectible Rarities

My love affair with Rhône wines can't possibly be attributed to a single quality, yet the sheer versatility of this region, in terms of food pairing, stands unmatched in my mind. From elegant whites perfect for spring dishes, to incredibly versatile red blends (ideal companion for burger night, anyone?), to world-class rarities reserved for life's most special moments - this lineup genuinely offers something for everyone.

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