Vintage Billecart and Sushi Night at the Westbys
Last night, Cinnamon and I treated ourselves to some sushi from the recently reopened Kanpai in Palo Alto and paired it with the magnificent 2007 Billecart-Salmon "Cuvée Louis" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne. I had opened it to make a little video presenting the wine (see below), and we enjoyed the rest paired with the great variety that a sushi dinner has to offer. This over-200-year-old house continues to push and strive for ever more quality, and this all-Chardonnay tête-de-cuvée is proof of that.
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Superstar of 2020: Haut Brion
The saying goes, “If the mountain won’t come to Muhammed, Muhammed must go to the mountain.” Sound advice. But occasionally it’s the mountain that comes a’knocking. That’s how we felt when we were tasting at Joanne, and had the great pleasure of a visit from Haut Brion.
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The New Cellars at Château Figeac
With the release of Figeac’s 2020 this week, I’m reminded that much of the conversation around Bordeaux often has to do with prices and critics scores, rather than the people at the heart of the wineries. Figeac certainly has the scores—all the critical ratings I’ve seen hover in the 95-99 range—but they also have a family devoted to the property, working to make better wines every year.
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The 2020 Vintage in Bordeaux: A Modern Classic
As some of the first Americans to step foot at Bordeaux châteaux since the borders reopened, we’ve got the inside scoop on the 2020 vintage. We’ve tasted the wines, we’ve toured the cellars, we’ve spoken with the winemakers—and there’s no doubt about it: this is a wonderful vintage, marked by freshness and complexity. A modern classic.
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Visiting Our Favorite Winemakers in Sancerre
Next up in our France adventures: Sancerre! The Sancerre region is close to the heart of K&L—it’s Kay Beffa (the “K” of K&L)’s favorite wine, and our co-owner Clyde is also a big fan. It’s also the first place that we imported wine from directly, and we are still importing and loving the wines of that first producer, Franck and Betty Millet.
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Champagne Dreams
We’ve made it to France! Our first few days were spent happily in Champagne, driving through the narrow towns that climb up and down hillsides. I was able to meet some of the people K&L has forged the deepest relationships with in the region—and some of the wines that I have on regular rotation at home. Aside from being lovely people, their wines are exquisitely made, with generations of experience in each family.
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On the Trail, IRL
With France’s borders open again to foreign travelers, we’ve booked the next plane out of Dodge! We’ll be on the trail, in real life, in France starting June 10. Watch this space for news of the (wine) world beyond.
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The Alluring Wines of the Loire Valley
Though the grapes and soils and wines of the Loire Valley are varied, there is one thread that unites them: the Loire River, an east-to-west-running thoroughfare that is home to some of the best Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc (not to mention Chenin Blanc, Melon de Bourgogne, Pinot d’Aunis, and Pinot Noir) on the planet. Today’s newsletter celebrates our current favorites from this riverfront region—all of which are perfectly suited for sipping your way through summertime.
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Monumental Tête de Cuvée Rosé from Billecart
When I heard that Champagne Billecart-Salmon, the master house of rosé, was going to release their cuvée Elisabeth 2008 this year, I was beyond excited. We just received our first little allocation last week, and, on Tuesday, Clément Calleja from Billecart came by to my front yard to taste it with me. It exceeded my very high expectations… This wine is for the ages.
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National Chardonnay Day the Oregon Way
We’re here today, on National Chardonnay Day, to celebrate this iconic, global grape, and specifically to celebrate what’s happening with it in Oregon. Pinot Noir definitely put Oregon wine on the map, but Chardonnay is no doubt becoming a major contender, and, if the bottles we have on our shelves are any indicator, the future looks incredibly bright for Oregon Chard.
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2013 Cristal: Silky Elegance and Vibrant Refreshment
Of all the Grand Marque producers of Champagne, none are moving as fast at improving quality as Champagne Louis Roederer. This upward trajectory is even more impressive because of the high level that they have always maintained. Last week, tasting the newly released 2013 Louis Roederer “Cristal” Brut Champagne, I realized that Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon has once more found room to go upwards, even in a vintage less famous than the 2012 that proceeded it.
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Bordeaux Newsletter: New Arrivals and an En Primeur Campaign
One of the things we do best at K&L is Bordeaux, and our Bordeaux Buyer/co-owner Clyde Beffa is the reason why. After nearly forty years of travel to the region, he knows the people and the châteaux like the back of his hand. Today’s newsletter is chock-full of new arrivals, stellar bargains, blue chip icons, and oldies but goodies.
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