The 2016 Farnetella Lucilla Toscano Rosso is a delicious wine—notes of deep red fruits with underpinnings of herbs and earth, plus great acidity and structure to stand up to your takeout pizza. But did I mention it’s $10.99? Friends, it’s $10.99.
Read MoreOur Spirits Samurai, David OG, has created a Champagne cocktail that is elegant enough for a contemporary feast, but harkens back to the sensibilities of those early voyaging Pilgrims. It’s bright and tangy and apple-infused, with a complex layering of flavors—but it’s easy as pie.
Read MoreSake is one versatile beverage that has my attention as of late. Stylistically it ranges from robust and savory to delicate and fruity, and depending on the style, it can be served chilled, piping hot, or anywhere in between.
Read MoreTime to raise a glass - it’s National Zinfandel day! This seductive varietal, with its powerful dark fruit, rich spices and elegant tannins, has charmed winemakers and drinkers since the early wine days in California. When we think of Zin, its story and its captivating charm, it’s hard not think of Storybook Mountain and Jerry Seps. His vineyards were part of the early winemaking pioneers in Napa Valley, and today, Seps and his family are creating highly awarded Zinfandels, raising the bar (as well as awareness) for this Americana grape.
Read MoreLast night, Cinnamon and I checked in on the 2008 Dom Pérignon, now that it is available for sale. This has been a highly anticipated release, as the winemaking team decided to release the 2009 ahead of it, giving the 2008 an extra year on the lees. This vintage marks the first that Vincent Chaperon shared a leading roll along with Richard Geoffroy, the chef de cave for Dom Pérignon of 28 years. As usual, this is roughly half and half Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, almost all Grand Cru, with the addition of the historic vineyard sites in the premier cru of Hautvillers.
Read MoreWhen we think about wine for Thanksgiving dinner, two varietals stand out - Pinot Noir and Riesling. With this in mind, we are super excited about a new producer that we’re bringing in from New Zealand, Tongue in Groove. Not only do their wines pair perfectly with the food on the Thanksgiving plate, but they also add an element of playfulness and personality.
Read MoreIf you put your ear to the ground, you’ll hear a lot of buzz around Tuscany’s 2015 vintage, especially around two wines in particular: Sassicaia just topped Wine Spectator’s top ten list with an illustrious slot at #1. Meanwhile, Solaia has raked in two 100-point scores from James Suckling and Robert Parker. These are from world-class winemakers at the top of their game, making the most of an exceptional vintage.
Read MoreIt’s the most wonderful time of the year! The foodie/wine-lover smorgasbord that is Thanksgiving, where the stuff we love is front and center: cooking, eating, drinking, and merriment with those dear to you. But let’s face it, it’s a lot of work. So, we’re here to help. French-Regional-&-Miscellany Buyer Extraordinaire, Keith Mabry, and I put together a Thanksgiving game plan, complete with accompanying wines, that is sure to knock your turkey day out of the park.
Read MoreAfter reading David’s piece on the independent bottler L’Encantada in the sprits journal, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a bottle. My birthday was this weekend, and my father was coming to town (our birthdays are only four days apart and we always celebrate together) which is a perfect occasion for a great spirit. When my dad arrived in town, his first stop was K&L, and I talked him into buying a bottle of the 20 Year Old "Bellair #36" Bas-Armagnac, which was distilled in 1997.
Read MoreHappy International Tempranillo Day! What a wonderful grape to celebrate. Today, we’re toasting Spain’s most famous grape with some wines that just landed from Bodegas Casa Juan Señor de Lesmos. They have long been one of our favorite Rioja producers, and with good reason: this family-run winery makes classic, expressive wines at a price you absolutely can’t beat. If you’re looking for balance and character and value, you’re going to love this bodega.
Read MoreAt our Champagne Tent event, I had the chance to catch up with Alexandre Le Brun. He is one of the smallest producers that we import at K&L, with a total production around 700 cases. He has a small winery in the basement of his ancestral home in Monthelon, which is surrounded by old vines that date back to 1950 and 1902. In total, he farms seven acres over 22 different plots. Although he sells a majority of his grapes to the big houses (Bollinger, Moet, Laurent Perrier, etc.), he keeps a small amount for himself, which he lovingly crafts into five stunning Champagnes.
Read MoreOur very last tasting of the year is coming up this Saturday and it’s a doozy: all Burgundy, all grand, all 2016 vintage. This was a tricky vintage that was high in quality but low in quantity. A mild winter had people initially optimistic, especially after the gangbusters 2015, but frost and mildew came in hard and heavy. The good news is that the smaller crop was one of excellent fruit, and the wines all show super singing acidity.
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