“Overall quality has never been more consistent.” Discover Bordeaux’s next chapter…

From top-performing sub-$50 values to cellar-worthy icons from benchmark vintages, this Bordeaux roundup showcases the full depth and diversity of the region. You'll find Left Bank stars from 2016 and 2019, rare mature releases, a compelling new discovery in Bordeaux Blanc, and a powerful case for the greatness of 2022. We've also released our 2024 Bordeaux Vintage Report, highlighting the most recent growing season's challenges and charms. There’s never been a better time to rediscover Bordeaux’s dynamic landscape—both on the page and in your glass.

2024 Vintage Report and Newly Arrived Bordeaux

While the 2024 Bordeaux vintage had its challenges, we went to taste and are excited to share our annual vintage report. The '24s reflect both the difficulties of the year and today’s complex market, but beyond that, we truly believe it’s a great time to rediscover Bordeaux—or find new favorites. Several recently arrived containers have brought in some of the region’s top values and collectibles, and overall quality has never been more consistent. There’s a wealth of world-class wines under $50, each showing remarkable character and a strong sense of place.

A Cloudy Forecast in Bordeaux

We’re back on the trail, getting ready to taste the 2024s in Bordeaux, while catching up with our friends in the region. It is one of the great traditions in the world of fine wine—and quickly becoming an indispensable part of my year. The exhausting (trust me…) trek through the region will give us a wonderful perspective on the wines that will be released for sale as soon as next week—another chapter in the storied history of Bordeaux.

Honoring Bill Blatch, an Icon in Bordeaux and a Dear Friend

Bordeaux, the wine world, and K&L Wine Merchants lost a very special friend and mentor a few weeks ago with the passing of Mr. Bill Blatch.

The Inimitable Experience of Tasting a Young Château d'Yquem

I’ve worked in the wine trade for over 45 years and have tasted well over 100,000 wines. But last year I drove to the train station, took the hour ride into San Francisco, and grabbed an Uber to our store, and then back home—all to taste just two wines. That’s a lot of travel and a long day, but Mr. Lorenzo Pasquini was in San Francisco, and for the chance to taste the young wines of Château d'Yquem with its director, I would have walked!

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.

En Primeur: Memory Lane

As we wrap up the end of this year’s En Primeur week, we’ve got a look back at years past. These are photos from Clyde’s archives, with his captions below each. Enjoy!

Bordeaux's Best Collectibles, Value Stars, and Hidden Gems

We have such a wonderful abundance of Bordeaux on our shelves, as our fearless Bordeaux Buyer Clyde Beffa explains in this week’s newsletter. Just in time for the weather to turn toward fall (in California, we’re still waiting…), we have favorite collectibles, everyday values, and perfectly aged gems for every palate. Bordeaux may be known for its regal Classified Growths, and we do adore those—but Clyde’s keen eye and long history in the region mean that we also can bring you amazing value wines, many of which are perfectly aged. Whether you like a mature claret, a bright and modern burger wine, or a longterm cellar-worthy classic, our Bordeaux shelves are the place to look!

Remembering a Bucket-List Trip to Calera

Last summer, Ralph Sands, K&L Bordeaux specialist, checked an item off his bucket list with an in-depth visit to famed Calera winery, located on Mt. Harlan in San Benito County. We are ecstatic at K&L to be able to offer a library of 40+ years of vintages in an acquisition of a lifetime. Now is a perfect time to line your cellar with these incomparable testaments to California vinous history.

Bordeaux Newsletter: Modern-Classic Collectibles, Staff Favorites, and Everyday Stars

Today's Newsletter spans the length and breadth of the world's greatest wine region (and the foundation of K&L's business) with a stellar run of hand-picked favorites from our intrepid Bordeaux team, followed by recaps of the back-to-back outstanding 2019 and 2020 vintages.

A Tribute to Mark Levin: Wonderful Man, Great Wine Salesman

The 2020 Bordeaux campaign is off and running with the release of Ch. Cheval Blanc from St-Emilion taking the lead. Unable to travel to taste the new vintage for the second year in a row, some estates overnighted their wines for us to taste; so, it’s still exciting. But it’s also bittersweet as, for the first time in 30 years, Mark Levin will not be a part of this campaign, as we lost him to COVID-19 on December 27th.

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