We’ve made it to France! Our first few days were spent happily in Champagne, driving through the narrow towns that climb up and down hillsides. I was able to meet some of the people K&L has forged the deepest relationships with in the region—and some of the wines that I have on regular rotation at home. Aside from being lovely people, their wines are exquisitely made, with generations of experience in each family.
Read MoreWith France’s borders open again to foreign travelers, we’ve booked the next plane out of Dodge! We’ll be on the trail, in real life, in France starting June 10. Watch this space for news of the (wine) world beyond.
Read MoreThough the grapes and soils and wines of the Loire Valley are varied, there is one thread that unites them: the Loire River, an east-to-west-running thoroughfare that is home to some of the best Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc (not to mention Chenin Blanc, Melon de Bourgogne, Pinot d’Aunis, and Pinot Noir) on the planet. Today’s newsletter celebrates our current favorites from this riverfront region—all of which are perfectly suited for sipping your way through summertime.
Read MoreWhen I heard that Champagne Billecart-Salmon, the master house of rosé, was going to release their cuvée Elisabeth 2008 this year, I was beyond excited. We just received our first little allocation last week, and, on Tuesday, Clément Calleja from Billecart came by to my front yard to taste it with me. It exceeded my very high expectations… This wine is for the ages.
Read MoreTo celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Judgement of Paris, we’d like to pay tribute to one of our very favorite California wineries, one whose 1971 Monte Bello came in fifth place in 1976, and whose 1971 Monte Bello came in first place 30 years later at the rematch—Ridge Vineyards. Our Domestic Buyer, Kaj Stromer, recently attended a Zoom tasting of Ridge’s spring releases, and he left thoroughly impressed. Click for his recap.
Read MoreWe’re here today, on National Chardonnay Day, to celebrate this iconic, global grape, and specifically to celebrate what’s happening with it in Oregon. Pinot Noir definitely put Oregon wine on the map, but Chardonnay is no doubt becoming a major contender, and, if the bottles we have on our shelves are any indicator, the future looks incredibly bright for Oregon Chard.
Read MoreOf all the Grand Marque producers of Champagne, none are moving as fast at improving quality as Champagne Louis Roederer. This upward trajectory is even more impressive because of the high level that they have always maintained. Last week, tasting the newly released 2013 Louis Roederer “Cristal” Brut Champagne, I realized that Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon has once more found room to go upwards, even in a vintage less famous than the 2012 that proceeded it.
Read MoreOn Monday night, browsing through my Instagram feed, I was shocked to read about the sudden passing of Jim Clendenen. I have seen many outpourings of heartfelt sorrow for Jim's untimely death and several anecdotal stores highlighting just what a colorful guy he was. So, I figured I'd share a quick story about the first time I met Jim back in 2009.
Read MoreOne of the things we do best at K&L is Bordeaux, and our Bordeaux Buyer/co-owner Clyde Beffa is the reason why. After nearly forty years of travel to the region, he knows the people and the châteaux like the back of his hand. Today’s newsletter is chock-full of new arrivals, stellar bargains, blue chip icons, and oldies but goodies.
Read MoreThe 2020 Bordeaux campaign is off and running with the release of Ch. Cheval Blanc from St-Emilion taking the lead. Unable to travel to taste the new vintage for the second year in a row, some estates overnighted their wines for us to taste; so, it’s still exciting. But it’s also bittersweet as, for the first time in 30 years, Mark Levin will not be a part of this campaign, as we lost him to COVID-19 on December 27th.
Read MoreAfter a long year of being closed to in-person shopping, we are thrilled to announce that our doors are finally open! We’ve loved being able to connect with you through our curbside pickup, emails, phone calls, delivery, and social media, but we’ve missed seeing you in the aisles of our retail stores, doing what we love best: chatting about wine, beer, and spirits.
Read MoreA couple years back I was lucky enough to get the full tour of Eisele Vineyard with General Manager, Antoine Donnedieu. After walking the vineyard and spending a few hours tasting with Antoine, I was able to fully understand how Eisele’s Altagracia Cabernet is differentiated from the Eisele Vineyard Cabernet "proper…"
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