Thrilling Domestic Discoveries with Ryan Woodhouse

Domestic Buyer Ryan Woodhouse has been on a tear lately, unearthing one new fantastic discovery after another. This month's newsletter shines the spotlight on three exceptional finds from California, encompassing not only some of the best hidden-gem, hand-crafted Pinots and Cabs, but also a sparkling wine producer that's set to make a big splash on the scene. We'll also check in with a perennial favorite Oregon producer that's taking their game to a whole new level in the 2022 vintage.

Introducing: Dusty Nabor Wines

Back in March I attended the aptly named “World of Pinot Noir” in Santa Barbara. This is an enormous event spread over several days, consisting of educational seminars, winemaker dinners and lunches, plus a couple enormous “Grand Tastings” with hundreds of wineries in attendance from all over the globe… One of my favorite “discoveries” during the event were the wines I tasted with Dusty Nabor.

Oregon's Hundred Suns Wines: As Good As Ever!

Despite being a relatively new project (founded in 2015) Hundred Suns very quickly became a huge staff favorite here at K&L. They have the magic trio of factors to become such “house wines” with our staff: phenomenal quality, really cool people, fantastic value for money.

First Sips: 2022 Burgundy Vintage Report

Wines from the record-breaking 2022 vintage have arrived, with classics and up-and-coming appellations ready to deliver excellent value.

Collectible Highlights: Current Favorites for Over-Delivering Wine Buys

At the heart of it, most of us are looking for wines that simply outperform their price point. Whether it is the everyday $20 cellar defender that goes head to head with the trendy $50 blue chip, or the First-Growth rival at a Super-Second price. Admittedly, I spend most of my day trying to find these wines, whether personally or professionally. Here are some of my favorites…

Louis Roederer’s Masterful 2014 Vintage Champagne: Buy Some for Now and Some for the Cellar

I know I have been like a broken record recommending the 2014 vintage, but some things are worth repeating. After drinking a bottle of this great 2014 Louis Roederer Brut Champagne $89.99 95WA with some homemade sashimi bowls earlier this month, I feel compelled to repeat myself. No Champagne lover will ever say “I bought too many of the 2014s.” I understand that these wines lack the flash of the 2012s and the power of the 2015s, but in the medium-to-long term I promise that they will evolve into something very, very special—and I think better than those two other vintages. I caught a glimpse of that with this great Champagne on the fifth of this month.

Valentine's Day Wine Buying Guide

Our Valentine’s Day Buying Guide is here! Whether you want to gift a special bottle, or open a memorable wine for a dinner with your loved one, we have ideas galore.

Celebrate Your Sweetheart with Chelsea's Collectible Wine Picks

In an understated and often unnoticed way, K&L has become a part of many lovers' lives. Upon revealing my employment at K&L to a recent acquaintance, they promptly shared, "Twenty years ago, I bought the Champagne from you that my wife and I enjoyed when we got engaged!" As Valentine's Day approaches and we think on the importance of these memories, I've curated a list of top-tier wines, not limited to Champagnes, that every wine lover will appreciate. These selections are perfect for toasting love, be it Platonic or romantic, or gifting to your favorite wine aficionado for future enjoyment.

2022 Domaine Sylvain Langoureau: A Stunning Set of Wines

In 1989 Sylvain Langoureau took over the reins of his family winery, becoming the fifth generation to tend the nine-hectare domaine located in the small hamlet of Gamay on the hillside where Puligny-Montrachet and St. Aubin meet... These are easily some of the greatest values we carry in white Burgundy at K&L.

Celebrating the Top 10 Most Memorable Champagnes of 2023

This year has marked my 23rd in my job as Champagne Buyer here at K&L, and I feel lucky to say that it was one of the best for memorable Champagnes. This list could have been much longer than just ten, as I have been treated to so many noteworthy wines over the last 12 months. I have noticed three themes for 2023: large bottles (magnums and jeroboams) account for about one-third of the list, as do pairings with tinned fish, and half the bottles were not vintage dated. The flexibility that blending across time gives the Champenois is not just for basics—a skilled chef de cave can make magic with multiple vintages.

It's One Burgundy, Michael. How Much Could It Cost, $10?

Is Burgundy too expensive? It’s a loaded question that I get a lot, and one that I sometimes don't know how to answer. At first glance it's easy to say yes.

Tasting Appointments: Oakridge’s Henk Vineyard

I’ve spent years writing about the Henk Vineyard wines, so it was difficult not to get a little caught up when Georgina’s truck pulled onto the steep ridgeline that separates the north-facing Pinot and Chardonnay blocks. Henk vineyard is named for the former vineyard manager and property owner who leased the vineyard to Oakridge almost six years ago. As part of their local vineyard series, Oakridge has found a handful of sites throughout the Upper Yarra that produce fruit of exceptional quality–and Henk is my absolute favorite.

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