As the temperatures rise across California, our Domestic Buyers have been grabbing their jackets and hitting the coolest spots up and down the coast. What they’ve found are some of the most exciting wines and winemakers in the entire US, and you'll find their stories in this month's newsletter. And there are plenty of stories to tell—so much so that this is the biggest newsletter of the year (so far!).
Read More
With the release of Figeac’s 2020 this week, I’m reminded that much of the conversation around Bordeaux often has to do with prices and critics scores, rather than the people at the heart of the wineries. Figeac certainly has the scores—all the critical ratings I’ve seen hover in the 95-99 range—but they also have a family devoted to the property, working to make better wines every year.
Read More
As some of the first Americans to step foot at Bordeaux châteaux since the borders reopened, we’ve got the inside scoop on the 2020 vintage. We’ve tasted the wines, we’ve toured the cellars, we’ve spoken with the winemakers—and there’s no doubt about it: this is a wonderful vintage, marked by freshness and complexity. A modern classic.
Read More
Next up in our France adventures: Sancerre! The Sancerre region is close to the heart of K&L—it’s Kay Beffa (the “K” of K&L)’s favorite wine, and our co-owner Clyde is also a big fan. It’s also the first place that we imported wine from directly, and we are still importing and loving the wines of that first producer, Franck and Betty Millet.
Read More
Here in the Spirits Department at K&L Wine Merchants, our goal is to find the most exciting and delicious spirits from across the world and bring them to you at the absolute best possible price.
Read More
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 More
With 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 More
Though 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 More
When 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 More
To 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 More
We’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 More