Southern Rhône reds are the essence of summer flavor. One of my favorite wine categories overall, these bold-yet-balanced wines are tailor-made for outdoor gatherings and anything hot off the grill. There’s something magical about the way ripe, sun-drenched fruit meets savory spice—it pairs effortlessly with smoky, charred flavors.
Read MoreI recently returned from two weeks in the Rhône Valley, and I am still playing catch up. There were so many things to digest along the way – new vintage assessments, strengthening our producer relationships, and finding new partner producers.
Read MoreMy love affair with Rhône wines can't possibly be attributed to a single quality, yet the sheer versatility of this region, in terms of food pairing, stands unmatched in my mind. From elegant whites perfect for spring dishes, to incredibly versatile red blends (ideal companion for burger night, anyone?), to world-class rarities reserved for life's most special moments - this lineup genuinely offers something for everyone.
Read MoreEven though they are an historic property, Mas de Libian still falls a little under the radar. For me, though, they check a lot of boxes. They have long practiced organic farming and are now Demeter-certified biodynamic. They make fresh, vibrant wines that are accessible, quaffable, sumptuous, and compelling. It doesn’t hurt that the property’s terroir is a dead ringer for that of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with its calcareous iron-rich clay soils and galets roulet (the rolled stones) sitting on the surface and radiating warmth back to the vines. With all these pluses, it is hard to believe that not a single one of their delicious wines retails for north of $30!
Read MoreThe 2016 vintage wine was already in bottle by my visit and had been resting at least a year. It was deep, rich, filled with fruit yet maintaining an elegance that really spoke to me. That was the moment that I decided we had to have these wines for our customers. And, several hundred cases later, this wine has become one of K&L’s most successful Châteauneuf-du-Papes to date.
Read MoreVigneron Rudi des Pins is at the helm of Château de Montfaucon, an estate in Southern Rhône that represents one of the longest-running partners we’ve had in our Direct Import program. Long ago, when directly importing wines was just a twinkle in co-owner Clyde Beffa’s eye, he met Rudi and tasted his wonderful wines; the rest is history. The wines of Montfaucon are fan favorites year after year.
Read MoreFor many years, Ventoux was associated with thin, lackluster table wines. Yet in recent decades the potential for excellence has been tapped by skilled winemakers, and you now can find some exceptionally good wines from Ventoux on our shelves. The massive slopes of Mont Ventoux, famous for chewing up riders during the Tour de France, dominates the region of vines to the southwest, creating a natural amphitheater that allows for cooler nights and a longer growing season. And no one understands this climate differential more than Sebastien Vincenti, the inspired owner of Domaine de Fondrèche, whose balanced, flavorful range of appreciably affordable wines are stunning stars in our Southern Rhône portfolio.
Read MoreIn the five years since we added Château Gigognan to our Direct Import portfolio, I’ve watched this estate evolve into a truly impressive producer. When I last visited in 2022, I saw they’d made some exciting physical improvements: they’d added a new barrel-aging facility to augment their concrete fermenters, and they’d put the finishing touches on their new visitor center. Surrounded by the lovely Bois des Moines vineyards, whose fruit goes into their Côtes du Rhône, this is property that showcases the beauty of Provence in full force. But most importantly, its terroir really speaks through its wines.
Read MoreSaturday in all three stores, we're doing a battle for the ages: Northern Rhône vs Southern Rhône! In this corner, we have the dark and brooding Syrah grape in its most majestic incarnation; in the other corner, we have the powerhouse team of 13 grapes working side by side to bring you stunning complexity and juicy drinkability. Who will reign supreme? You'll have to join us to find out!
Read MoreToday's Newsletter returns us to one of our very favorite regions in the world for both incomparable value stunners and blue-chip collector's trophies alike. Rhône buyer Keith Mabry recently made his first trip back to the region in three years, and he's returned with fresh insight and ton of renewed energy and excitement for the category.
Read MoreWhen Rhône Buyer Keith Mabry and I first tasted the wines of Mas de Libian, we were so struck with their absolute vibrancy and aromatic beauty that we knew they should be part of K&L’s portfolio. They are biodynamically farmed, low-intervention, naturally made wines, but very clean and extremely well made. The complex aromas leap out of the glass, and the wines dance on the palate—these wines are the ballet dancers of the Rhône Valley.
Read MoreHot off the presses, our current newsletter, where French Regional Buyer Keith Mabry takes us on a Tour de France, covering some of the hottest Rhône, Loire, and Rousillon wines on our roster. Vintages have been good, and our producers are knocking it out of the park.
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