One of the biggest perks working at K&L offers is access to Clyde’s fantastic buys on aged, value priced Bordeaux. This Friday, Cinnamon and I enjoyed a bottle of the newly arrived 1999 Lestage Simon, Haut-Médoc ($22.99) with a steak. Saturday morning, I bought myself a case. I think this will become a legendary wine in the same league with the 1997 Potensac, Medoc and the 2001 Malescasse, Haut-Médoc. It is sure to be gone very soon.
Read MoreI missed World Marselan Day. It was two days ago, on April 27. But perhaps you missed it too? It would be easy to see how it could happen. This might be one of the more obscure wine days on the calendar. But don’t fret– although wine days give us an excuse to drink a glass on that particular day (and maybe post a hashtag on social), it really is about raising awareness of a varietal, and in this case, trying something new. And really you can do that any day of the year!
Read MoreThis Easter, Cinnamon and I enjoyed a real treat- the newest Krug "Grande Cuvée", which is the 167th edition of this iconic wine. I love the excitement that a Krug edition based on a famous vintage brings from our customers, but I think that in many ways, the Krug editions based on less famous vintages are even better, so I was very impatient to open this wine….
Read MoreRecently, the Hollywood staff had the great pleasure of tasting with Jean-François Bourdy, the 15th generation of the Caves Jean Bourdy in Jura, who, alongside his brother, are the stewards of deeply traditional Juran wine. He told the staff, “Don’t call it Chardonnay. Call it Jura white wine.” This is not a domaine who’s trying to capitalize on current wine trends. They use onl old barrels (up to 80 years old), old techniques, and have a library of old wines dating back to 1865. This tradition, coupled with some of the best terroir in Jura, makes these wines truly exceptional.
Read MoreHappy Earth Day! Each year, around April 22, people around the world take the day (or week, or month) to recognize, reflect, and hopefully do a small something for the environment. At K&L, that of course got us thinking about wine. And why not? At its heart, winemaking is intrinsically tied to the land, and there are some pretty exciting ways that winemakers and vintners do their part (not just in April, but all year round). I’m sure you’ve heard buzz words like ‘biodynamic,’ ‘organic’ and ‘sustainable,’ but with so many terms, it’s easy to get lost - and how do you determine what’s important for you? In honor of Earth Day today, I thought it would be good opportunity to clarify the differences.
Read MoreJust when you thought there couldn’t be another IPA, a new style emerged. Over the last year, Brut IPA became the hot new beer for brewers to play around with. The style, which was created by brewer Kim Sturdavant of SF’s Social Kitchen in late 2017, is refreshing, crisp and completely dry. It became an immediate hit with hop heads who crave the big aromas and flavors but are looking for something without all the heaviness. And with the return of the sun, it’s a perfect summer beer.
Read MoreRecently, I’ve come across a bunch of articles claiming that Bordeaux is poised to make a comeback. I don’t know what all those writers have been drinking, but here at K&L, Bordeaux never went away. Sure we get a lot more requests for, say, skin-contact wines from Slovenia than ever before—and we love that—but Bordeaux has always been a staple for our customers. And perhaps that’s because y’all are extremely savvy people who know that Bordeaux wines are among the most ageable on the planet. But I’d wager there are just as many of you who buy Bordeaux because it can offer spectacular bargains if you know where to look.
Read MoreLet’s talk Cava. Spain’s answer to Champagne may inhabit a value price point on the shelf, but it can often punch way above its weight, made in similarly intricate methods as Champagne, with a distinctive personality from Spanish grapes and a warm-climate flair.
Read MoreBollinger is a place that somehow seems both untouchably historic and welcoming. They are a global enterprise, but the team is tightly knit, the wines made with heart.
Read MoreIn a small wine region at the bottom of the world, there is a wine revolution happening. The place is Swartland and the revolution is led by a group of energetic, young winemakers and small, family-run wineries that are revitalizing this once abandoned wine region. Prioritizing craftsmanship and expression of place, they are making honest, natural wines that are extremely exciting. One of the talents to watch is Andrea Mullineux from Mullineux and Leeu Family Estates, who is helping to put this area on the map.
Read MoreAfter a long day of tasting at multiple chateaux in Pauillac, St. Julien and Margaux, the crew had their last meeting of the night Wednesday at Chateau Marquis d’Alesme in Margaux, followed by dinner. The mood of the day was instantly transformed from professional analysis to warm hospitality by estate manager Delphine Kolasa and head winemaker Marjolaine Maurice-de-Coninck. I’ve long held the opinion that most wines reflect the characters of their makers, and this experience certainly held true to the theory. First, a little background on the property.
Read MoreWhen tasting through properties in Bordeaux, we are fortunate enough to be greeted and hosted by some of the greatest producers and personalities in the region. Many are long time friends of Clyde, so they take it with a grin and a grain of salt when, in the middle of recalling their past year of cultivating, toiling, and crafting the wine before us, he drops the question… “So…what is the price?”
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