On the occasion of Gary Westby’s 20th anniversary with K&L, we sat down and asked him all the questions that inquiring minds want to know. Find out more about the man behind our world-class Champagne program!
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Italy never stops inspiring us. From mountain-grown Nebbiolo to the volcanic slopes of Sicily and the storied hills of Montalcino, each bottle tells a story of land, family, and tradition carried forward with passion. This month’s newsletter brings you everything from the unbeatable value of our new K&L Discovery Series arrivals to the unforgettable personality of Natalino Crognaletti and the reborn legacy of Giovinco. We're also featuring the soulful community of San Polino and a rare lineup of world-class collectibles like Masseto, Valdicava, and Castello di Ama.
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The San Polino estate exists as a living community that weaves together vines with forests as well as people and animals with unseen life connections. The terroir at this place represents both harvest seasons and the family bond that connects them to their ancestral land. During the early 1990s Luigi “Gigi” Fabbro and Katia Nussbaum discovered the forgotten 600-year-old olive trees which clung to sunbaked rocky slopes in the abandoned homestead of San Polino. No water. No electricity. But also: no chemicals, no scars, no interruptions. Just pure, untouched nature. And that is exactly what they were looking for.
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We just had another fantastic tasting from Alex Pross, and I really loved the heck out of it. It was all reds from Burgundy, which typically means all Pinot Noir, and this was no exception. I have written before about how much I enjoy tasting a lot of something all at once, and this lineup showcased to me the beauty of this format. We tasted 22 wines, and all of them were unique with their own personalities. Sure, they were all Pinot Noir, but like all truly elegant and luxurious things it's the nuance that makes all the difference. The regional similarities were ultimately trumped by each wine’s more individual qualities.
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Every wine buyer has a handful of producers that are more than just names in a portfolio. They are benchmarks, inspirations, and personal favorites. For me, one of those producers has always been Fattoria San Lorenzo. To put it simply, these are some of the most soulful and alive wines being made in Italy today, and they come from the heart and hands of a true force of nature: Natalino Crognaletti.
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Here at K&L, we are constantly searching for producers who offer a true sense of place, whose wines tell the story of a family and a specific piece of earth. Today, we are thrilled to introduce you to Giovinco—a name that embodies both a deep respect for tradition and a dynamic vision for the future of Sicilian wine. This is a story that stretches from the historic, sun-drenched vineyards of Sambuca di Sicilia to the electric, volcanic slopes of Mount Etna.
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Burgundy is a region of rich tradition and exciting innovation. This guide highlights the best of the 2022 and 2023 vintages—from accessible Bourgogne Rouge to prestigious Premier and Grand Crus. Whether you’re exploring top villages, discovering rising domaines, hunting rare finds at auction, or starting to plan your holiday party, this guide will help you navigate Burgundy’s complex world with confidence and enjoyment.
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Agnès Gleizes and her partner Cyril Gautheron lead a family-run estate in Chablis that stretches back seven generations. Based in the village of Fleys, just a few kilometers from the town of Chablis, they manage about 30 hectares of vines spanning Petit Chablis, Chablis, Premier Cru, and even Grand Cru appellations.
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We see it constantly: customers interested in Burgundy but intimidated by the complexity and nuance and overall high barrier to entry. Even those comfortable discussing a few favorite bottles may struggle to navigate an unfamiliar shop or wine list. While nuanced producer knowledge represents the pinnacle of Burgundy expertise, nearly 2,000 years of terroir knowledge is why the region is both revered and yet so complicated. Soil, slope, aspect, and weather are critical for finicky Pinot Noir and ripening-sensitive Chardonnay. Luckily, understanding a few top villages can immediately bring clarity, making it possible to move from overwhelmed to confident.
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Marsannay was once the epicenter of Burgundy thanks to its proximity to Dijon and easy transportation to Paris. One of the most Northern appellations, it originally produced rosés and was known for making high-toned red Burgundies thanks to its cooler climate. Climate change and an influx of next-generation winemakers have given Marsannay renewed vigor. With the impending 1er Cru status about to be bestowed upon them, things are looking up!
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With an impressive array of holdings strewn throughout the Côte d’Or, Louis Jadot is a producer that deserves space in your cellar. From 1er Cru to Grand Cru these wines represent both great quality as well as great values with many of the wines coming from estate-owned vineyards.
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Thirty years ago when I first started out in the wine business, I honestly was not a big fan of Bourgogne Rouge. They were clipped, hard-edged, and lacking that beautiful fruit we associate with Red Burgundy. Today, however, everything has changed! The new generation of Bourgogne Rouges are flat-out delicious and often represent not only the best value to be had in Red Burgundy but also serve as a great introduction to the house style of their producers. The recent batch of landings all from either the 2022 or 2023 vintage—both of which were solar—are fresh, bright, lively, balanced, and packed with gorgeous fruit flavors.
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