Italian wine offers something few wine cultures can: an unmatched combination of history, place, and everyday pleasure. From the sunlit hills of Tuscany to the fog-shrouded vineyards of Barolo, Italy’s greatest wines are rooted in native grapes, centuries of tradition, and a deep connection to food and local life. At the same time, Italy remains one of the world’s best sources of value, producing honest, character-driven wines that deliver far more quality than their price suggests. In this issue, we explore the power and prestige of Tuscany, the depth and longevity of Barolo, and the joy of discovering Italian wines that prove you don’t need to spend a fortune to drink beautifully.
More tension-filled than the sunny 2020s and rivaling the monumental 2019s in elegance, 2021 is a vintage of scarcity and transparency, perfect for collectors who prize the savory, energetic, and terroir-driven soul of Montalcino.
Few names in Tuscany embody the soul of Sangiovese like Fèlsina. From their benchmark Chianti Classico to the profound Riserva and legendary Rancia vineyard, this estate delivers wines that combine authenticity, elegance, and longevity in every vintage. The 2022 release once again proves why Fèlsina is considered a standard-bearer for Chianti Classico.
Bordeaux enters 2026 with rare momentum. Pricing has softened across the region, quality remains exceptional, and collectors are finding real opportunity at every level of the market. This month’s newsletter reflects that moment in full. We look back at a demanding but productive year at K&L, share the latest arrivals that set the tone for the new vintage cycle, highlight where Bordeaux still delivers some of the world’s best values, and revisit the wines and moments that defined 2025. You’ll also find a deep bench of pre-arrival standouts, in-stock classics ready to drink, and a full calendar of tastings that bring these wines to life in our stores. Whether you’re buying for the cellar, the table, or both, Bordeaux continues to reward attention right now.
Bordeaux is much more than the current vintage. It is somehow the most established market in the world of fine wine and yet one that still struggles to define its identity in the modern era. It is an industry full of driven, innovative people who continue to find ways to improve and evolve. The wines are amazing, and, while they can feel intimidating, they also tend to put smiles on people’s faces. Bordeaux is refreshing in style, creative in spirit, and—if you know where to look—an awful lot of fun.
Great Bordeaux should have the ability to age gracefully, convey terroir, deliver a classic and nuanced expression, pair beautifully with food, and—most importantly—be undeniably delicious. None of this requires high prices, as the region remains one of the world’s great sources of value, which we hunt relentlessly for. Here are some of my current favorites.
There are more great wines than ever coming out of Bordeaux these days. Combined with downward pricing pressure in the region, it’s a terrific moment for collectors to load up—and for wine lovers of all kinds to turn to Bordeaux for their next great bottle. Our new arrivals exemplify this perfectly.
I’m still a bit in disbelief at what K&L has accomplished this past year. We refocused on building genuine connections with our clients and our products, launching two new tent events, hosting more tastings than ever before, presenting signature winery dinners, and rolling out our on-demand Open Cellar program. In that same spirit of investing in our clients, we delivered container after container of tariffed pre-arrival commitments without charging anything beyond the original purchase price.
This week’s newsletter covers the full spectrum of what’s exciting right now, including a once-in-a-century Chablis collaboration celebrating La Chablisienne’s 100th anniversary and a deep look at the expressive, mineral-driven 2024 white Burgundy vintage. You’ll find standout values from Chablis and Pouilly-Fuissé, a focused selection of collectible benchmarks for the cellar, and details on our all-store White Burgundy tasting this Saturday, where we’ll preview the 2024 vintage side by side with a mature counterpoint. Whether you’re buying for tonight, the next decade, or tasting to learn, this edition is built to guide you through Burgundy’s most compelling releases right now.
Domaine Gérard Tremblay is one of the great value producers in all of Chablis. With impressive holdings ranging from humble Petit Chablis to Chablis Grand Cru, Gérard Tremblay offers wines to fit virtually any budget.
The white Burgundies of 2024 are flush with beautiful, delineated fruit with great acidity, drive, and cut. There’s wonderful precision and balance with excellent complexity and integration of all parts. Another wonderful aspect of the 2024 is that most alcohol levels are in the classic 12.5 to 13.5% range. The first batch of 2024s just landed in our stores, and they live up to the hype!
When Andrea Franchetti arrived on Mount Etna in 2000, the mountain was not the glamorous wine destination it is today. It was a wild, forgotten frontier, dotted with abandoned vineyards and ancient stone terraces crumbling under the weight of neglect. But Franchetti, a visionary who had already created a cult legend in Tuscany with Tenuta di Trinoro, saw something no one else did.
