This week, Keith Mabry brought us on a winding little trip through some of the smaller regions that he sources from for his particular buying portfolio. I've talked before about how diverse and varied his regions are, and this staff tasting was a great tour of them.
Read MoreThis summer, K&L’s Champagne Buyer Gary Westby was once again honored with an invitation to join the Krug Ambassade Voyage—one of the most exclusive programs in the wine world. To celebrate this extraordinary experience, we’re spotlighting a selection of rare Krug bottlings straight from the house, alongside collectible icons from Champagne’s most storied names.
Read MoreIt was a great honor to be invited by Krug this July on their Ambassade Voyage. Spending time with other Krug lovers from the industry—mostly Michelin Star chefs—and learning about Krug was a highlight of my career. It is the second time I have had the opportunity to travel with this group, but the first time that the destination was Krug’s own facilities in Champagne. My mind is still blown—it was the experience of a lifetime.
Read MoreThere are so many incredible wines being made in the modern era of Bordeaux. From the 2016 to 2023 vintages, there’s no shortage of best-evers—we just need to give them some time. That’s where the cellar defenders come in: the great wines you open while the others age. These are the bottles you don’t have to think twice about pulling the cork on, but that are still good enough to deliver a remarkable fine wine experience.
Read MoreHave you ever wondered what a bottle of 2003 Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac $1049.99 100WA 98JS 97WE 96WS tastes like? At nearly $1,100 per bottle, only a fortunate few have the means to purchase a First Growth Bordeaux—let alone a perfectly stored, 22-year-old bottle. But at K&L, we believe wine is for everyone; it’s meant to be enjoyed, explored, and shared. That’s why we created a new way for you to experience the world of wine in our stores—through the lens of our new automated WineEmotion machines. This new program features 16 rotating selections available by the 1- or 2-ounce pour, all priced to make the world of high-end, collectible wines accessible to all.
Read MoreFrance is the soul of fine wine, and no day better honors that legacy than Bastille Day. From the regal bubbles of Champagne to the sun-soaked reds of the Southern Rhône, the mineral purity of Chablis to a Médoc sleeper from a banner vintage, today’s newsletter celebrates the glorious diversity of French terroir. Each pick comes straight from the K&L team—Gary, Keith, Alex, and Ryan—offering their top choices to toast la belle France. Raise a glass with us this weekend and discover what makes these bottles so timeless and essential.
Read MoreI've always felt that Champagne is one of the more transformative wines that we have. What better a way to turn a dinner into a celebration than by popping a bottle of Champagne? How best do we celebrate major milestones and holidays? With a bottle of Champagne. Maybe it's the ritual of opening the bottle, slowly unfastening the cage, keeping a thumb over the top (or even more properly, a serviette) and then easing the cork out. Sometimes you prefer to just go for it and, after pointing it away from everyone you love, just using your thumbs to give it that cheerful **POP** and then a little cheer when you don't even lose a drop.
Read MoreDomaine Samuel Billaud has definitely entered the discussion about top domaines in Chablis. They are definitely shoulder-to-shoulder qualitatively with Droin, Fevre, Pinson, Billaud-Simon, Christian Moreau, and Louis Michel.
Read MoreSouthern 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 MoreNothing is more fitting for celebrating France than a bottle of Champagne, and nothing goes better with July weather than cold bubbles. We have three delicious options, at three different price points for this fun occasion.
Read MoreI didn’t hesitate when a parcel came my way earlier this year—one that allowed us to offer the 2014 Tronquoy-Lalande, St-Estèphe. $29.99 95TWI at a true throwback price: under $30, direct from Bordeaux. Now entering what should be a long plateau of maturity, this wine strikes a beautiful balance between freshness and fruit, layered with hints of minerality and the savoriness that only age can bring. It’s a testament to how aged Bordeaux can be both profound and approachable—timeless in every sense.
Read MoreWell, dear readers, this was a slightly different staff tasting than we usually do. Normally our tastings focus on wines from a single buyer, and sometimes, like last week, a specific region from that buyer. This week it was a little bit more complicated since we had around three wines that each of the buyers submitted for us to try. The tasting here in RC was poured by Rachael Ryan, our buyer for Spain, Portugal & the Southern Hemisphere. While she enjoys all the regions in her category, she has a special passion for Australian wine, especially one featured here this week.
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