Savor the Last of Krug's "Grande Cuvée" 172ème Édition

While some may disagree with me, I think that the Grande Cuvée isn’t just the equal of the other offerings at Krug; I think it is their best wine. The thing that I like the best about it is the combination of youthful exuberance and profound, aged depth that it shows at the same time. This is something that just gets better with age. Every time that I have done an event with Krug, it has been the oldest Grande Cuvée that has been my favorite wine, and I have been lucky enough to do a lot as a Krug Ambassade.

France, Wine Newsletter, ChampagneGary WestbyFebruary 4, 2026K&L Wine Merchantsklwinse, klwines, krug, krug grande cuvee 172, grande cuvee, krug grande cuvee 173, gary westby, krug and caviar, krug and white truffle pasta, champagne, krug ambassade, krug champagne

Champagne Pinot Noir Madness!

An entire third of the Champagne region is planted to Pinot Noir, yet 100% Pinot Noir Blanc de Noirs is a relative rarity—especially compared to Blanc de Bancs, even though Chardonnay represents less than a quarter of plantations in the region. Here are some of our favorites:

France, Wine Newsletter, ChampagneGary WestbyFebruary 4, 2026K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, champagne, gary westby, billecart salmon, blanc de noirs, pinot noir

Cristal Collectibles: "Grand Vin on the World Stage"

Champagne Louis Roederer’s Cristal is an icon of the wine world for good reason. This is an estate within and estate—the chalkiest parcels, the oldest vines of this house’s significant holdings. Farmed biodynamically, often by horse, nothing is left to chance and no expense is spared for quality. We are very lucky to have a diverse selection of vintages to offer right now.

France, Wine Newsletter, ChampagneGary WestbyFebruary 4, 2026K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, gary westby, louis roederer, louis roederer cristal, cristal, champagne, collectible champagne, collectible wine

Brilliantly Aged Old-Vine Champagne from Fallet-Dart

The Fallet family of Champagne Fallet-Dart has written records of being vine growers in Drachy going all the way back to 1610. The family has almost certainly been there even longer than that. Their 47 acres of vineyard are closer to Paris than to Épernay, located in the Aisne department on the banks of the Marne river. The family’s extraordinarily long time in this business has given them patience like few other producers—as a matter of fact they supply us with our oldest current-release Champagne at 20 years old!

France, Wine Newsletter, ChampagneGary WestbyFebruary 4, 2026K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, fallet-dart, paul fallet-dart, gary westby, grower champagne, champagne, valentines day wine, champagne grower, old vine champagne, meunier

Damien Hugot: A Testament to How Good Grower Champagne Can Be

Damien Hugot and his wife Miwa are making some of the star wines of our K&L direct import portfolio. They do this the old-fashioned way, with hours of work in their 20 acres of vineyard, tending every plot like a garden. They are blessed with an incredible estate, almost all Grand Cru Chouilly and Cramant Chardonnay with a little bit of old-vine Meunier from the border between Monthelon and Chavot in the cool sud-Épernay sub region.

France, Wine Newsletter, ChampagneGary WestbyFebruary 4, 2026K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, gary westby, damien hugot, champagne, grower champagne, blanc de blancs, valentines day champagne, grand cru champagne, vintage champagne, nonvintage champagne

Top 10 & Discover Your San Francisco K&L Store

Welcome to our latest newsletter from K&L Wine Merchants’ flagship store in San Francisco. Nestled in the vibrant Yerba Buena district, our store is surrounded by galleries, museums, and theaters—so there’s always something inspiring happening nearby. At K&L, we love making wine approachable, thoughtful, and personal, helping you discover bottles you’ll enjoy and the stories behind them.

Wine NewsletterKate SotoFebruary 2, 2026K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, k&l san francisco, dulcinea gonzalez, k&l customer favorites, k&l staff favorites

Best Sellers and Customer Favorites at K&L San Francisco

Here’s what our San Francisco customers are loving right now.

Wine NewsletterDulcinea GonzalezJanuary 30, 2026K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, k&l san francisco, k&l customer favorites, dulcinea gonzalez, pierre ferrand cognac, mars tsunuki, dumenil, 2023 dumol wester reach, 2020 Waypoint Ritchie Vineyard, 2023 Fort Ross Pinot, 2023 La Chablisienne Collaboration, Pierre Sparr Brut Rose, Redwood Empire 8 Year Old Haystack Needle

Top Picks from the San Francisco Team

Our San Francisco team is passionate about helping you discover wines and spirits you’ll love, and they’ve each shared their current favorite picks to give you a taste of their personal style. Stop by, say hello, and let our team help you uncover something new to sip, savor, and enjoy.

Get to Know Our San Francisco Store

Welcome to our latest newsletter from K&L Wine Merchants’ flagship store in San Francisco. Nestled in the vibrant Yerba Buena district, our store is surrounded by galleries, museums, and theaters—so there’s always something inspiring happening nearby. At K&L, we love making wine approachable, thoughtful, and personal, helping you discover bottles you’ll enjoy and the stories behind them.

Wine NewsletterDulcinea GonzalezJanuary 30, 2026K&L Wine Merchants klwines, k&l san francisco, wine tastings, san francisco wine tastings, dulcinea gonzalez

Discover the Latest Italian Gems and Benchmarks

Italian wine offers something few wine cultures can: an unmatched combination of history, place, and everyday pleasure. From the sunlit hills of Tuscany to the fog-shrouded vineyards of Barolo, Italy’s greatest wines are rooted in native grapes, centuries of tradition, and a deep connection to food and local life. At the same time, Italy remains one of the world’s best sources of value, producing honest, character-driven wines that deliver far more quality than their price suggests. In this issue, we explore the power and prestige of Tuscany, the depth and longevity of Barolo, and the joy of discovering Italian wines that prove you don’t need to spend a fortune to drink beautifully.

Wine Newsletter, ItalyOrazio CampoliJanuary 27, 2026K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, chianti classico, italian wine, italian wine newsletter, orazio campoli, 2021 brunello, 2021 brunello di montalcino, sassicaia 2022, 2019 monfortino, tignanello, cervaro, raineri, barolo, nebbiolo

2021 Brunello: A Return to Classicism

More tension-filled than the sunny 2020s and rivaling the monumental 2019s in elegance, 2021 is a vintage of scarcity and transparency, perfect for collectors who prize the savory, energetic, and terroir-driven soul of Montalcino.

Wine NewsletterOrazio CampoliJanuary 26, 2026K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, 2021 brunello, orazio campoli, brunello di montalcino, orazio, italian wine, tuscan wine, italian wine vintage guide, 2021 vintage brunello

K&L Newsletter: A Clear View on Bordeaux

Bordeaux enters 2026 with rare momentum. Pricing has softened across the region, quality remains exceptional, and collectors are finding real opportunity at every level of the market. This month’s newsletter reflects that moment in full. We look back at a demanding but productive year at K&L, share the latest arrivals that set the tone for the new vintage cycle, highlight where Bordeaux still delivers some of the world’s best values, and revisit the wines and moments that defined 2025. You’ll also find a deep bench of pre-arrival standouts, in-stock classics ready to drink, and a full calendar of tastings that bring these wines to life in our stores. Whether you’re buying for the cellar, the table, or both, Bordeaux continues to reward attention right now.

Bordeaux, France, Wine NewsletterRyan MosesJanuary 19, 2026K&L Wine Merchantsklwines, wine news, bordeaux, ryan moses, bordeaux wine news, ugcb

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