Celebrating 50 Years of K&L

This year, we have the great honor of celebrating K&L’s 50th anniversary! Back on New Year’s Eve 1976, when K&L Liquors opened its doors in Milbrae, it’s hard to imagine that owners Todd Zucker and Clyde Beffa would have had any idea the longevity, not to mention the impact, that their small business has enjoyed. From selling cigarettes and Everclear to becoming one of the preeminent Bordeaux merchants on the West Coast, K&L has been able to stay nimble as times change, while still offering affordable prices and exceptional quality.

Bordeaux Buying Guide: A Fond Farewell and Best-in-Class Selections

Generations of wine lovers, K&L employees, and folks all around Bordeaux are better for having Clyde in their lives. Having this kind of impact on the world around us is rare—something we all aspire to, but few can accomplish. As we bid farewell to Clyde, we celebrate not just his achievements but the lasting legacy of friendship and passion he leaves behind. Read more from Clyde here, and join us in raising a glass to one of the legends of Bordeaux.

Clyde Beffa: An Icon of the Wine World

It’s simply beyond me to imagine the number of amazing bottles that have found their way onto tables or into cellars because of Clyde Beffa’s passion for wine and the people behind it. But Clyde’s story is only partly about the wines themselves—his leadership, impact on those around him, and the excitement he brings to the world of fine wine are qualities for which we are all grateful.

2023 Bordeaux: A Classic Vintage at Sharp Pricing

Despite such a fast and furious start to the campaign, we've so far seen very impressive engagement from futures buyers, with sales coming in much more volume than 2022. The main reason, apart from a large crop of high-quality wines? Pricing. With many châteaux releasing at 25% to 40% below their 2022 prices, the 2023 vintage is set to put the Bordeaux market right, and our avid collectors are the biggest beneficiaries. In our annual Bordeaux Vintage Guide, you'll find summaries of all the top appellations that we tasted, along with comprehensive lists of currently available selections. Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg, so be sure to stay tuned in the coming weeks as marquee names like Montrose, Canon, the Pichons, and many others release their 2023s to market. Check out the notes for these, and all of the wines below on our 2023 Bordeaux Vintage Report.

Celebrating Clyde’s Birthday with Château Palmer

Château Palmer is easily on many wine consumers Top 5 all-time Bordeaux properties list—including mine—and for good reason! It’s technically a Third Growth, but one that ranks with some of the most well-regarded châteaux in the whole region. Recently, on not exactly just a random Monday night—but as Monday nights go this was not bad—I was lucky enough to experience a deep Palmer lineup and an exquisite food pairing menu. The occasion? It happened to be the only day that is a command (March 4th)—and my father, Clyde Beffa’s, birthday.

A Go-To Resource for Wine Collectors of All Stripes

Whether your cellar takes up an entire room or you've got your first few bottles stashed away as you start your collecting journey, K&L will be there for you every step of the way. Our industry-leading Key Accounts and Auction departments are ready to guide you to all the latest, greatest releases and library stunners, so dive head-first into this comprehensive guide to the joys of wine collecting.

When It Comes to Cabernet, Bordeaux Is King

If Cabernet Sauvignon is the king of red wine, and Bordeaux is the king of wine, doesn’t it follow that Bordeaux is the king of Cabernet Sauvignon? Of course, I am prejudiced as I have been collecting Bordeaux since 1971. Yes, I also have some California Cabernets, but 95% of my cellar is red Bordeaux—vintages ranging from 1918 to 2019.

Saying Farewell to Bordeaux Legend Jean-Michel Cazes

Jean-Michel Cazes was a genuine, kind, and sincere individual whose infectious energy took over the room wherever he went. He blazed a trail that many of us dream about and did so with an integrity and quality that is rarely seen. The wine world has lost a titan, and K&L (like many others) has lost a great friend. It will be hard to pick the perfect bottle of Lynch-Bages as the right tribute, as there are so many meaningful vintages that are delicious, engaging, and dynamic. But that in itself speaks volumes to the unforgettable force of Jean-Michel Cazes.

Our Comprehensive Guide to Bordeaux's 2022 Vintage

Today's Newsletter is our long-awaited, comprehensive report on all things Bordeaux 2022 En Primeur. After a whirlwind trip to the region in April, our team returned full of enthusiasm and insight for what can only be described as an unprecedented modern vintage. While the growing season was not without its challenges, numerous properties crafted renditions that will rank with their very best, and while prices are undeniably up from 2021, there are still remarkable values to be had when you know where to look. As with any potentially great vintage, the hype and hyperbole must be put into proper context to help our customers make their very best buying decisions—this year's En Primeur newsletter does just that. Please note - these wines are all being offered on a pre-arrival / futures basis.

News from Bordeaux: Early Thoughts on 2022 and In-Stock Favorites

Freshly back from Bordeaux’s En Primeur tastings, Clyde and his team have assembled a roster of the best and brightest Bordeaux that we currently have in stock. You’ll find notes about the lauded 2022 vintage to chew on while we assemble our in-depth vintage report and wines to keep your thirst slaked while we watch the 2022 campaign. All that and more in today’s newsletter!

The Best Bordeaux Vintages of the 21st Century with Clyde

When I heard that K&L Wine Merchant’s co-founder, Clyde Beffa Jr., was hosting a Bordeaux tasting for his birthday at our San Francisco store, I knew it was a can’t-miss opportunity.

The Fresh and Feisty 2020 Bordeauxs at UGC in San Francisco

On January 27, K&L hosted the Union des Grands Crus of Bordeaux tasting in San Francisco at City View Metreon, whereover 80 châteaux send winemakers, owners, and representatives to pour their current releases and discuss the vintage. We’ve had the honor of being the Bay Area host since the 2005 vintage, and our 15th event brought us the 2020s.

K&L Wine Merchants

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