Inside Vietti’s 2021 Barolo Crus

Few estates in Piedmont occupy the rarefied position that Vietti holds today. Founded in the late 19th century in Castiglione Falletto, Vietti has long been both a guardian of tradition and a catalyst for progress, helping to define how the world understands Barolo and Barbaresco. Decades before single‑vineyard bottlings became the norm, Vietti was already isolating and elevating individual crus, insisting that Barolo was not a monolith but a mosaic of distinct sites. That conviction—paired with meticulous farming, sensitive winemaking, and an unerring sense of balance—has made Vietti one of the great reference-point producers of Piedmont.

2021 Brunello di Montalcino Vintage Guide: Cellar-Worthy and Structured

2021 Brunello di Montalcino is starting to hit our shelves. This is the great “vertical” vintage—defined by precision, al dente structure, and mineral-driven energy. Transparent, cellar‑worthy, and built for the long haul, 2021 captures everything that makes Montalcino the benchmark for Sangiovese collectors.

Tenuta delle Terre Nere: The “Burgundy” of Sicily

When Marco de Grazia first arrived on the north slope of Mount Etna in the early 2000s, he wasn't just looking to make wine, he was looking to prove a point. As a long-time exporter who had spent decades tasting the finest Burgundies and Barolos, Marco saw something in the "black lands" of the volcano that others had overlooked: a map of individual Contrade (crus) that could produce wines of world-class elegance.

The 5-Star 2021 Vintage from Barolo: “Complete Nobility”

If 2016 was the vintage of power and 2019 was the vintage of austerity, 2021 in Barolo is the vintage of complete nobility. As these wines finally start to reach our shelves, the verdict from the Langhe is unanimous: this is a “modern classic”year. The spine-tingling acidity of the past meets the polished winemaking and tannin management of the present.

Angelo Gaja: The Man Who Changed Everything in Italian Wine

When you talk about Angelo Gaja, you aren't just talking about wine. You are talking about a revolution. I mean, we take it for granted now that Italian wine stands toe-to-toe with the best of Bordeaux and Burgundy, but back in the 1960s and 70s? That was absolutely not the case. Piedmont was rustic. It was traditional. It was a place of giant, old casks and farming methods that hadn't changed in a century.

Discover the Latest Italian Gems and Benchmarks

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.

2021 Brunello: A Return to Classicism

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.

Passopisciaro: The Vision of Andrea Franchetti

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.

All Things Bordeaux

Bordeaux grapes have traveled farther, and adapted more brilliantly, than any varieties in the world. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Sauvignon Blanc have taken root in new landscapes, absorbing local character while retaining the structure and poise that define their origins. This month, we look at how these grapes express themselves from the Gironde to the Andes, from Napa Valley to the Tuscan coast, and beyond. Along the way, our buyers highlight the benchmark wines, the unexpected values, and the producers shaping the next generation of Bordeaux-inspired winemaking.

Holiday Gift Guide

This year’s K&L Holiday Gift Guide showcases the bottles our buyers are most excited to give (and to receive). Below you’ll find Champagne benchmarks, hand-selected Domestic gems, top-flight Tuscan classics, and versatile Loire Valley wines, plus upcoming in-store events and our Thanksgiving Pairing Guide. Consider this your roadmap to the most compelling gifts of the season.

October’s Italian Treasures: Brunello, Barolo, and Beyond

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.

My Favorite Rebel: The Unforgettable Wines of Natalino Crognaletti

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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