New Arrivals

2012 Lanessan, Haut-Médoc $19.99 One of the biggest-selling Bordeaux properties for K&L. This old-school Left Banker from the 2012 vintage is really evolving and delicious now, made in a very fruity and tasty style. Another great value from what Robert Parker calls a "consistent property that turns out wines that are often very close to classified-growth quality."

2012 Barde-Haut, St-Émilion $39.99 The 2012 Barde-Haut is one of many vintages of this property that K&L has carried at one time or another. And our friend Neal Martin says: "The 2012 Barde-Haut has a much fresher nose than its peers with well-defined blackberry and raspberry fruit mixed with cedar and violet aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and fine acidity; it's taut and fresh with admirable structure on the almost Left Bank styled finish. A good, solid St-Émilion here."

2010 Poujeaux, Moulis (1.5L) $119.99 Robert Parker for Wine Advocate: "…The wine is outstanding. Rich black raspberry and black currant fruit intermixed with some graphite and floral notes are followed by an opulent, fleshy, full-bodied wine with impressive concentration, texture, and length."

My notes: One of K&L’s favorite properties. They always make great wines, and this one is a blockbuster value.

My barrel tasting notes: A great nose. Elegant, with a lot of minerals and nice, sweet length. K&L’s Champagne Buyer Gary Westby likes it a lot, and he’s a fan of classic, old-school claret. Cassis and red fruit on the juicy mid-palate with a mineral finish. Good structure.

2010 d'Issan, Margaux $139.99 My barrel tasting notes: Nice, elegant black cherry nose. Cool, black fruit flavors with hints of grilled meat and a nice finish. Very fresh and clean. Elegant mid-palate.

Oldies but Goodies Under $50

2011 de Viaud, Lalande-de-Pomerol $21.99 Alex Schroeder (K&L): “What a deal! This is perfectly aged, old-school claret full of plenty of ripe, fresh cherry and plum fruit combined with leathery earthy goodness and nuances of cedar, smoke, and toast. The tannins are resolved but still grippy, making this the quintessential food claret for a great price.”

2009 Coufran, Haut-Médoc $22.99
2010 Chateau Coufran, Medoc $24.99 We sure sell a lot of this fine property. At the very top of the Haut-Médoc, embedded in a sea of gravel just next to the Gironde River north of St-Estèphe, sits the anomaly of the Left Bank: Château Coufran, the "Pomerol of the Médoc," so-called for its high propensity of Merlot vines in a region where Cabernet reigns supreme. While practically all of its Left Bank neighbors are making structured and powerful clarets, Coufran continues to make softer, silkier, classically tailored Right Bank–style wines. Owned by the Miailhe family since 1924, the property has been prized by those in the know for its wine’s early approachability and fantastic value, which is part of the reason it’s been a staple of K&L’s Bordeaux department for decades. Not only does the wine historically drink well at a younger age, it evolves beautifully over a five-to-ten-year period. The 2009 is currently in a gorgeous spot, showing secondary development and complexity beyond the primary fruit of its youth. We have sold over 12,000 bottles of this gem. The 2010 is just like the vintage—a bit harder and more tannic than the lush 2009. Almost 1000 bottles sold—good for the cellar too.

2005 Soudars, Haut-Médoc $28.99 According to Robert Parker: "2005 is the finest vintage for this wine since 1982. Given the style of the vintage, most of this wine should be accessible young, yet evolve for a decade or more because of their concentration and tannic structure." This is one of Coufran’s neighbors, and under the same ownership. This property makes wines that are a bit more tannic than those of Coufran. Great wines for cellaring, and this 2005 is quite good now with decanting.

2006 Capbern-Gasqueton, St-Estèphe $39.99 The sister property of Calon-Ségur, which was owned by the Gasqueton family from 1894 to 2012. The property is located east of Calon-Ségur in St-Estèphe on gravel and clay soils. The wines display classic St-Estèphe black fruit and minerality. I did not know this property existed until 2010 when I tasted the fabulous 2009 vintage. Excellent values from this property, which now is called Capbern-as the Gasqueton family sold it in 2012.

2010 Balestard La Tonnelle, St-Emilion $49.99 I tasted this wine at the Paris Wine Expo in January 2023 and bought it on the spot—actually the first time I’d ever bought this property in any large quantity. As James Suckling says: “Lovely aromas of bright fruit and flowers with just a hint of chocolate. Full body, with super silky tannins and an ultra-refined palate. Elegant and sexy. Best ever from here.”

2007 Bellevue, St-Emilion (Previously $50) $39.99 Int'l Wine Cellar (Stephan Tanzer): "Bright, deep ruby-red. Captivating aromas and flavors of blackberry, violet, and Tellicherry pepper. Intensely flavored and penetrating, with a wonderfully juicy, minerally character giving the wine excellent early definition. The very long, juicy aftertaste is taut and highly perfumed. This is the last vintage for the Thienpont/Derenoncourt team as the château was recently sold. A serious outperformer in 2007.”

This property is just across the road from Château Angelus, and it is planted to 100% Merlot. In fact, as mentioned above, the property was purchased by Hubert de Bouard of Château Angelus fame in 2008. He put a lot of money into the renovation and sold it just a few years ago.

Oldies but Goodies Over $50

2004 Les Hauts du Tertre, Margaux (1.5L) $59.99 Classic Bordeaux vintage from one of the most beautiful Margaux properties. This is the second wine of Château du Tertre, and it is a bargain. Margaux elegance with some lavender and violet nuances.

1982 Maucaillou, Moulis-en-Médoc $89.99
1983 Maucaillou, Moulis $89.99 Two superb wines from one of our favorite value producers. The ‘82 is a bit rounder and richer; the 1983 has fine acidity and balance. These are old-school Bordeaux wines, so do not buy them if you are looking for the more modern, new-wave, oaky style of Bordeaux.

2017 Les Forts de Latour, Pauillac $269.99 95 points James Suckling: "Juicy and spicy with fresh tobacco, redcurrants, and crushed stone character. Medium to full body. Medium velvety tannins and a delicious finish. Will age beautifully as well." (05/2023)

2014 Ducru-Beaucaillou, St-Julien $249.99 One of the stars of the November MMD blowout tasting in San Francisco. Still young, but, with decanting, it is drinkable in a pinch. The 2014 vintage was very good in St-Julien and especially for Ducru—one of K&L favorite Bordeaux wines.

2015 Ducru-Beaucaillou, St-Julien $249.99 Great vintage, great property, great tasting. More forward than the 2014 with a bit more sex appeal.

1988 Ducru-Beaucaillou, St-Julien $329.99 Finally this wine has come around and is drinking wonderfully right now. It was very tannic In the ‘90s and early 2000s—just like many other 1988s. Now it is sweet and delicious. Still can cellar well for another ten years, but why not enjoy it now with a nice porterhouse steak?

- Clyde Beffa, Co-owner and Bordeaux Buyer