Today, the last selection from the epic Edgewood Cellar goes live on our action site, and we want to make sure you don’t miss it. For Bordeaux lovers, this is a remarkable opportunity to go deep on the 1982 vintage—the vintage that made Robert Parker famous for his ability to predict runaway successes, in a time when there were far fewer critics and far less information in the field.
Read MoreOn September 19th and 20th, K&L had the pleasure of welcoming the esteemed and affable winemaker Helen Masters from New Zealand’s Ata Rangi Winery for a memorable tasting series and unique dinner in San Francisco. For an in-depth discussion on Ata Rangi's background and ethos, check out the fantastic write-up by Emma Jenkins, MW for Decanter. Ata Rangi is undeniably one of the top Pinot Noir producers in New Zealand. They were not only recognized in 2010 with the inaugural Tipuranga Teitei o Aotearoa or "Grand Cru of New Zealand" award, but they've earned a reputation for producing wines that are delightfully approachable, expressively terroir-driven, and remarkably age-worthy. Plus, it's hard not to have a great time around Helen, a true champion of the wine industry and wonderful person!
Read MoreThe endless diversity and discovery of domestic wine are on full display in today’s buying guide. Leading the way is the vintage that almost wasn’t but has become one of our absolute favorites: 2022 in Oregon. We’ve also consulted our domestic wine experts in each store to share their favorite picks. Next, we highlight STiRM, showcasing stunning expressions of a minimalist approach at remarkable prices. We’re also ready to take non-alcoholic wines seriously, as evidenced by the offerings from Kally. Rounding out the guide is a review of our most exciting Insider's Advantage opportunities, featuring some of the fine wine market's best deals in the domestic category.
Read MoreEnter Kally—which, up until now, is by far and away the best non-alcoholic, wine-alternative product I have tasted. All of Kally’s “wines” are based around pure verjus made from early-picked, organic grapes. The freshly pressed juice is not fermented, so it never has any alcohol. The straight Verjus Sparkler, the Golden Sparkler and the Rosé Sparkler are all made from a base of organically and biodynamically grown Sonoma County Chardonnay juice. In the Golden Sparkler and the Rosé small amounts of organic botanicals, fruit juices, and decaffeinated green tea is added for flavor, color, and textural elements. The beverage is then force carbonated and packaged in very sophisticated Champagne-like bottles. The “wines” have the perfect combination of juicy, bright acidity, deliciously pure fruits, floral hints, even minerality like you might find in a true wine. They have a very festive, celebratory feel. They taste fantastic and leave your palate super clean and refreshed.
Read MoreWine Buyer Ryan Woodhouse steers the ship for the Domestic category at K&L, but he's got a passionate crew on hand at each store to help you find your next favorite. Carlo, Scott, and Al share some of the current standouts from California and Oregon.
Read MoreThe wines from the 2022 season are fantastic across the board. The fruit profiles are pure, expressive, rich, and vibrant. There’s plenty of freshness and definition to the wines. The delayed harvest meant, despite the warm weather that persisted into October, the shorter days and longer, cooler nights at that time in the season allowed beautiful acid retention to balance the ripe fruit. The critical acclaim for the vintage bears witness to this; every report published has been bristling with huge scores and glowing praise for the wines. They’re easy to love, supremely accessible, flavorful, and energetic. I’m thrilled to have such a fantastic array of these 2022 wines in stock right now.
Read MoreWines that offer great value are a key focus for me whenever making buying decisions at K&L. Sure, some folks' definition of value might be quite different than mine, and not all great wines can necessarily be cheap. However, there’s something so satisfying when you find a wine that is just darn delicious for a great price. Even better (at least in my opinion) is when that delicious wine also happens to come from a small artisanal producer, hand-crafting wines from interesting vineyards in a non-interventionist style, with a great sense of place and authentic purity. This is exactly what I find in the wines of Ryan Stirm.
Read MoreAs the Spanish buyer I must take the opportunity of International Grenache Day to remind the wine drinking world that Grenache, AKA Garnacha, is from Spain. It is believed to originate in the Aragon region. It was the Crown of Aragon that brought the grape variety down the Ebro River to Catalonia and from Catalonia (what would become the French and Spanish sides) to the Rhône, Sardegna, and the rest of the Mediterranean. Now that the super-abbreviated history lesson is done, I want to take you on a quick tour of Spain’s take on the grape and point out several Garnacha-based wines that I highly recommend.
Read MoreThis week, we’re excited to introduce several new and intriguing Australian producers, including Swinney wines from the remote Frankland River region, which are available in the U.S. for the first time. We’re also welcoming back Sons of Eden, a collaboration between master winemaker Corey Ryan and renowned viticulturist Simon Cowham, after a six-year hiatus. Additionally, we have a stellar lineup from Lienert in the Barossa, known for their exceptional Roussanne. And, of course, don't forget about the world-class values from Oakridge.
Read MoreIt’s rare that these days for me to sit down at a winery and be totally blown away by a label I’ve never seen before. But that’s exactly what happened last June when I was at the Artisans of Barossa tasting room in South Australia. The winery, in this case, was Lienert. The Roussanne was the first wine that stopped me in my tracks. Gorgeous acid, sweet fruit, and beautiful notes of honeycomb immediately struck me. The same was true for the Grenache and the Mourvèdre, both stunningly delicious wines that blew me away. Moments later I was looking through my notes trying to figure out how to get in touch with these guys when a broad-shouldered gentlemen with a reddish beard plopped down in the the chair across from me and extended his hand for a shake, “Hi there, I’m James Lienert.”
Read MoreIf the quality of grapes is a measure of a wine, then the measure of a winery is the quality of the people who make it. By that estimate, Sons of Eden is one of the best Australian producers out there.
Read MoreQuintessa is a distinctive Napa Valley estate dedicated to preserving its natural landscape and biodiversity. The vineyard, featuring diverse soil types and organic farming practices, produces a singular wine that captures the complexity of its terroir. The 2021 vintage continues this tradition with a refined, elegant expression marked by exceptional purity and balance.
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