Posts in France
The 2023s from Samuel Billaud Are Top Notch

Domaine Samuel Billaud has definitely entered the discussion about top domaines in Chablis. They are definitely shoulder-to-shoulder qualitatively with Droin, Fevre, Pinson, Billaud-Simon, Christian Moreau, and Louis Michel.

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A Wonderful Chablis Discovery: 2023 Seguinot Bordet

The roots of Seguinot Bordet trace back as far as 1590 in Chablis. The modern incarnation is the Domaine Seguinot Bordet, which is run by Jean-François Bordet. Jean-François Bordet fashions top-notch estate Chablis, Chablis Vieilles Vignes, as well as 1er Crus and Grand Cru offerings. Aiming for wines of purity that display both Chablis typicity as well as a wealth of gorgeous fruit notes, the wines of Seguinot Bordet are fantastic drinking from Chablis.

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Domaine Etienne Sauzet: A Titan of Puligny-Montrachet

Domaine Etienne Sauzet is easily among the top three to four estates in Puligny-Montrachet. They fashion wines of amazing grace, purity, and richness with that alluring and distinctive feel great Puligny-Montrachets achieve. Farmed organically since 2006 and biodynamically since 2010 with a certification in 2013, Sauzet’s wines are spectacular and can be enjoyed in their youth or cellared so they develop even more complexity and depth.

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Newsletter: Wines of the Mediterranean

Salt, stone, and sun. This issue channels the Mediterranean’s clean lines—precise rosé, sea-sprayed whites, volcanic reds, and traditional-method sparklers—handpicked by Keith, Rachael, and Orazio. Smart values to cellar pieces, all built for warm-weather tables.

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The Mediterranean’s Most Famous Pink Wine Producing Region: Provence

Stretching along France’s sun-drenched Mediterranean coast, Provence is the epicenter of the world’s most iconic rosés. At its heart lies the famed Côtes de Provence, flanked by its satellite appellations Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence and Coteaux Varois en Provence. When global demand for Provence rosé soared, these additional zones expanded access to high-quality wines from across the region. From mountain-framed vineyards to breezy seaside villages, each subregion delivers its own expression of the classic Provençal style.

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What I'm Excited about This Week: French Regional Fabulosity

This week, Keith Mabry brought us on a winding little trip through some of the smaller regions that he sources from for his particular buying portfolio. I've talked before about how diverse and varied his regions are, and this staff tasting was a great tour of them.

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Our Favorite In-Stock Champagne Collectibles

This summer, K&L’s Champagne Buyer Gary Westby was once again honored with an invitation to join the Krug Ambassade Voyage—one of the most exclusive programs in the wine world. To celebrate this extraordinary experience, we’re spotlighting a selection of rare Krug bottlings straight from the house, alongside collectible icons from Champagne’s most storied names.

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The Krug Ambassade Voyage

It was a great honor to be invited by Krug this July on their Ambassade Voyage. Spending time with other Krug lovers from the industry—mostly Michelin Star chefs—and learning about Krug was a highlight of my career. It is the second time I have had the opportunity to travel with this group, but the first time that the destination was Krug’s own facilities in Champagne. My mind is still blown—it was the experience of a lifetime.

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One of the Best Cellar Defenders: Bordeaux’s Château Dalem

There are so many incredible wines being made in the modern era of Bordeaux. From the 2016 to 2023 vintages, there’s no shortage of best-evers—we just need to give them some time. That’s where the cellar defenders come in: the great wines you open while the others age. These are the bottles you don’t have to think twice about pulling the cork on, but that are still good enough to deliver a remarkable fine wine experience.

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Open Cellar: A New Way to Taste at K&L

Have you ever wondered what a bottle of 2003 Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac $1049.99 100WA 98JS 97WE 96WS tastes like? At nearly $1,100 per bottle, only a fortunate few have the means to purchase a First Growth Bordeaux—let alone a perfectly stored, 22-year-old bottle. But at K&L, we believe wine is for everyone; it’s meant to be enjoyed, explored, and shared. That’s why we created a new way for you to experience the world of wine in our stores—through the lens of our new automated WineEmotion machines. This new program features 16 rotating selections available by the 1- or 2-ounce pour, all priced to make the world of high-end, collectible wines accessible to all.

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Our French Wine Picks for Bastille Day

France is the soul of fine wine, and no day better honors that legacy than Bastille Day. From the regal bubbles of Champagne to the sun-soaked reds of the Southern Rhône, the mineral purity of Chablis to a Médoc sleeper from a banner vintage, today’s newsletter celebrates the glorious diversity of French terroir. Each pick comes straight from the K&L team—Gary, Keith, Alex, and Ryan—offering their top choices to toast la belle France. Raise a glass with us this weekend and discover what makes these bottles so timeless and essential.

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Southern Rhône Shines for Summer Reds

Southern Rhône reds are the essence of summer flavor. One of my favorite wine categories overall, these bold-yet-balanced wines are tailor-made for outdoor gatherings and anything hot off the grill. There’s something magical about the way ripe, sun-drenched fruit meets savory spice—it pairs effortlessly with smoky, charred flavors.

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