After the incredible success of and great feedback on our initial Anonymous releases (that sold out VERY quickly) I’ve been working hard to get the next set of wines across the finish line. It’s taken a little longer than we hoped, but doing things right takes time, and good things come to those who wait! Finally I have not one, not two, but three new Anonymous wines to share with you all. I’m so unbelievably proud of these releases, I truly couldn’t be more excited about getting them in your hands and most importantly in your glass.
Last month we finally pulled off a staff trip that had been six years in the making! I had long wanted to take our sales team up to the far West Sonoma Coast and Fort Ross-Seaview AVAs. This beautiful part of the state produces some of the very best and most distinctive Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the world. However, the wineries and vineyards are extremely remote and getting to them requires long miles on very tiny roads full of switchbacks, precipitous drop offs, and centurion Coastal Redwoods. Putting together my dream itinerary for this trip was no small feat. Winemakers’ schedules had to align. I had to get 15 staff members on a bus to navigate these roads, and rely on the willingness of our fearless designated driver, Jorge Valencia, to traverse these coastal mountains, often on dirt roads in the middle of nowhere! But we finally did it!
There are so many incredible wines being made in the modern era of Bordeaux. From the 2016 to 2023 vintages, there’s no shortage of best-evers—we just need to give them some time. That’s where the cellar defenders come in: the great wines you open while the others age. These are the bottles you don’t have to think twice about pulling the cork on, but that are still good enough to deliver a remarkable fine wine experience.
Have you ever wondered what a bottle of 2003 Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac $1049.99 100WA 98JS 97WE 96WS tastes like? At nearly $1,100 per bottle, only a fortunate few have the means to purchase a First Growth Bordeaux—let alone a perfectly stored, 22-year-old bottle. But at K&L, we believe wine is for everyone; it’s meant to be enjoyed, explored, and shared. That’s why we created a new way for you to experience the world of wine in our stores—through the lens of our new automated WineEmotion machines. This new program features 16 rotating selections available by the 1- or 2-ounce pour, all priced to make the world of high-end, collectible wines accessible to all.
France is the soul of fine wine, and no day better honors that legacy than Bastille Day. From the regal bubbles of Champagne to the sun-soaked reds of the Southern Rhône, the mineral purity of Chablis to a Médoc sleeper from a banner vintage, today’s newsletter celebrates the glorious diversity of French terroir. Each pick comes straight from the K&L team—Gary, Keith, Alex, and Ryan—offering their top choices to toast la belle France. Raise a glass with us this weekend and discover what makes these bottles so timeless and essential.
I've always felt that Champagne is one of the more transformative wines that we have. What better a way to turn a dinner into a celebration than by popping a bottle of Champagne? How best do we celebrate major milestones and holidays? With a bottle of Champagne. Maybe it's the ritual of opening the bottle, slowly unfastening the cage, keeping a thumb over the top (or even more properly, a serviette) and then easing the cork out. Sometimes you prefer to just go for it and, after pointing it away from everyone you love, just using your thumbs to give it that cheerful **POP** and then a little cheer when you don't even lose a drop.
Domaine Samuel Billaud has definitely entered the discussion about top domaines in Chablis. They are definitely shoulder-to-shoulder qualitatively with Droin, Fevre, Pinson, Billaud-Simon, Christian Moreau, and Louis Michel.
Southern Rhône reds are the essence of summer flavor. One of my favorite wine categories overall, these bold-yet-balanced wines are tailor-made for outdoor gatherings and anything hot off the grill. There’s something magical about the way ripe, sun-drenched fruit meets savory spice—it pairs effortlessly with smoky, charred flavors.
Nothing is more fitting for celebrating France than a bottle of Champagne, and nothing goes better with July weather than cold bubbles. We have three delicious options, at three different price points for this fun occasion.
The name of this place represents something exceptional: it means unity in an area where history, heritage, and prestige often define names. The Produttori del Barbaresco facility has existed since 1958, and it represents the living force of its entire community. A genuine co-operative emerged from necessity while sharing core principles, and it ended up becoming famous for creating top Nebbiolo wines from Piemonte.
I didn’t hesitate when a parcel came my way earlier this year—one that allowed us to offer the 2014 Tronquoy-Lalande, St-Estèphe. $29.99 95TWIat a true throwback price: under $30, direct from Bordeaux. Now entering what should be a long plateau of maturity, this wine strikes a beautiful balance between freshness and fruit, layered with hints of minerality and the savoriness that only age can bring. It’s a testament to how aged Bordeaux can be both profound and approachable—timeless in every sense.
Big news! We’ve just released a customizable private event option: K&L Sommelier Services, an exciting way to hand-tailor your own tasting with one of our expert somms—allowing you to personalize an experience for your friends and colleagues at your location.
