New Arrivals and Back In Stock

Now Available From K&L Wine Merchants... Tuesday Oct 31st, 2017 [View in Browser]( Whether it is a new allocation or old favorite, below you will find our most recent additions to the diverse selection at K&L Wine Merchants. We receive new opportunities weekly from direct imports to local distributors to carefully inspected back-vintage collections - you'll find the best of our new discoveries below. For a look at our full list of [New Arrivals, click here.]( For a look at our full list of items that are [Back in Stock, click here.]( To browse [all selections on the website, click here.]( Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2014 Les Terrasses de Tour Saint Christophe, St-Émilion 90 $15.99 [View]( 2015 Domaine Tourbillon "Vieilles Vignes" Gigondas 90 $17.99 [View]( 2011 Can Mayol Loxarel "Reserva Familiar" Brut Nature Penedes $19.99 [View]( 2016 Hahn "SLH" Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir Price: Hidden [View]( 1999 Lanessan, Haut-Médoc $19.99 [View]( 2014 Foradori Teroldego Vigneti delle Dolomiti 91 $23.99 [View]( 2014 Domaine Tourbillon "Vieilles Vignes" Châteauneuf-du-Pape 93 $24.99 [View]( 2015 Château de L'Ou "Secret de Schistes" Côtes Catalanes (Elsewhere $40) 96 $31.99 [View]( Old Forester K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #3511 Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whisky (750ml) $39.99 [View]( 2007 La Rioja Alta "904" Gran Reserva Rioja 97 $44.99 [View]( 1989 Suduiraut, Sauternes 92 $59.99 [View]( 2012 Salicutti "Piaggione" Brunello di Montalcino 95 $69.99 [View]( 2009 La Lagune, Haut-Médoc 96 $74.99 [View]( 2010 Pio Cesare Barbaresco (1.5L) $99.99 [View]( 2016 Lynch-Bages, Pauillac (Pre-Arrival) 99 $169.99 [View]( 1990 La Lagune, Haut-Médoc 94 $199.99 [View]( 2006 Salon Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne 100 $459.00 [View]( 2000 La Mission Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan 100 $649.99 [View]( 2014 Cheval Blanc, St-Emilion 6pack in OWC 97 $2,999.00 [View]( [2014 Les Terrasses de Tour Saint Christophe, St-Émilion]( ($15.99) 90 points James Suckling: "I like the aromas of blackberries, mushrooms and bark that flow through to a palate with a medium body, fine-grained tannins and a fresh finish. A thoroughly delicious wine from Château Tour Saint Christophe." (02/2017) K&L Notes: Château Tour Saint Christophe is located in St-Christophe-des-Bardes at the border of St-Émilion. The vineyard is unique as it is partly planted on narrow terraces and tended in tight rows. The cascading landscape unfolds on the hillside of Cassevert overlooking the St-Laurent valley. The property is home to beautiful centuries-old dry stone terraces on a clay-limestone terroir. About 1.5 km of dry-stone terraces have been repaired by hand, a two-year process. The vineyard, with vines of an average age of 30 years, is orientated south-southwest and benefits from an ideal exposure to sun and perfect natural drainage conditions. Les Terrasses de Saint Christophe is the second label of Château Tour Saint Christophe. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2015 Domaine Tourbillon "Vieilles Vignes" Gigondas]( ($17.99) 90 points Rhone Report: "The 2015 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes is more structured and classic than the 2016, offering lots of peppery herbs, cedar, framboise and black cherry aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated and with plenty of underlying tannins, give bottles 2-3 years of bottle age and enjoy through 2027. (JebDunnuck.com)" (10/2017) K&L Notes: In 2012, Benjamin Tourbillon acquired old vine vineyards in Gigondas and Chateauneuf-du-Pape and launched Domaine Tourbillon. The winery lies in the heart of the Plan de Dieu appellation in the village of Violes. Benjamin has about 4 hectares of Gigondas planted to a mix of primarily Grenache, with bits of Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault also in the mix. The VV Gigondas is about 90% Grenache from vines planted in the 1960s and the concentration shows. Aged in a mix of concrete tanks and used barriques and demi-muids, it has a deeper red color with inviting black fruit aromas and a punch of peppery spice. This is rich and robust Gigondas that is a terrific new addition to our Direct Import program. Smith]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 28, 2017 As much as I went bonkers over the Tourbillon Châteauneuf-du-pape, I actually might have liked the Gigondas even more. The aromatics are charming with blackberry, bacon, a little perfume, and spice. Just like the Chateauneuf, there is a lovely rustic element to the wine, but the fruit is still upfront and center. Excellent intensity with a nice, agile weight. Just a touch more elegant than the Chateauneuf. I was incredibly impressed by this wine. Southern Rhone fans look out--this is not to be missed. [Anthony Russo]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 24, 2017 This bottle showcases a ton of personality from the region. The nose is soft fruited and a bit dusty with some prickly raspberry and crushed blueberries. On the palate, there is a bit more peppery spice and great acidity. The fruit flavors come together nicely and would go great with some meatloaf! Moreira]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 24, 2017 A very classic styled wine, and by that I mean, balanced, light-footed and elegant. The Gigondas is all about its fruit and spices, and it is gorgeous! Violets and lifted cherries aromatics. Incredibly velvety, round tannins. It is an approachable wine that would elevate any simple dinner to a whole new level. Mabry]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 24, 2017 We were so pleased to try these wines from Tourbillon when our dear friend Cecile Chassagne - also a winemaker - made the introduction. Tourbillon has property in both Gigondas and Chateauneuf-du-Pape and is killing it on the QPR index. The Gigondas shows the weight and density of the 2015 vintage with its big spice box nose and savory black fruit flavors. This has a lot of weight but a nice polish that makes it a great go-to wine for the pending cooler months. Fleshy and intense, this would make a great pairing with a Moroccan spiced tagine of lamb. For well south of $20, this is a tremendous buy. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2011 Can Mayol Loxarel "Reserva Familiar" Brut Nature Penedes]( [2011 Can Mayol Loxarel "Reserva Familiar" Brut Nature Penedes]( ($19.99) Can Mayol, which bottles under the trademarked name "Loxarel," is a winery that has farmed organically for 15 years. The Mitjan family, owners of Can Mayol, also employ some biodynamic treatments. They keep animals, including chickens, a horse and a donkey named Garnatxa. While the focus is on "Brut Nature" (no dosage added) sparkling wine production, they also produce some very interesting still wines. In their chalky, high-altitude vineyards (above 2,400 feet for their highest vines, among the highest in the Penedès D.O.), Xarel-lo, Macabeo, Parellada, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir thrive and pick up an incredible minerality, which makes these wines wonderfully distinctive and very exciting to drink. Featuring some of the property's oldest, most prized parcels of Xarel-lo grapes, the reserva familiar sees over six year on its lees. This is very impressive bubbly that we can honestly say gives a lot of Champagne at twice the price a real run for its money. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2016 Hahn "SLH" Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir]( Price: Hidden Hahn selects fruit from four individual Santa Lucia Highlands vineyards for their SLH bottling, which represents a fantastic value for this highly regarded AVA. A cool spring season in the greater Monterey area in 2016 set small clusters of tiny Pinot Noir berries which led to particularly concentrated flavors. The wine was aged in 1/3 new French oak for 11 months before the winemaker selected barrels for inclusion in this bottling that properly represent the Santa Lucia Highlands terroir. Hahn describes the wine with "aromas of bright red cherry and strawberry with hints of earth, spices and toasty oak. An explosion of red fruit including strawberry, cherry and raspberry welcome the palate, finishing with refined tannins and a soft mouthfeel." --------------------------------------------------------------- [1999 Lanessan, Haut-Médoc]( [1999 Lanessan, Haut-Médoc]( ($19.99) When young the wines of Château Lanessan are typically a deep, intense ruby color with an elegant nose and fruity, floral aromas. On the palate the structure is complex and dense, melting away harmoniously to a good, long finish. When they are older the wines take on a terracotta tint, and the nose becomes increasingly complex with the appearance of plum and undergrowth aromas. The flavors are smooth, warm, and perfectly harmonious, ending with silky tannins. This 18-year-old bottle is drinking perfectly now! According to Robert Parker, "This underrated Médoc consistently produces wines of fifth-growth quality." Driscoll]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 18, 2017 The documented history of Lanessan dates back to 1310 when records show that Dame Paironne la Montagne, the widow of Henry de Lanessan, sold the estate to Sieur de Blaignan. In 1793 it was purchased by Jean Delbos, a Bordeaux négociant, and it has remained in the family ever since. In 1855, Louis Delbos, who was the manager at the time, refused to submit samples for consideration in what is now the most famous classification in wine history the decree from Emperor Napoleon himself that ranked the great wines of Bordeaux's Médoc into the five-tier growth system we still recognize today. While Delbos then regarded the procedure as "bureaucratic nonsense," Bordeaux author David Peppercorn called his disinterest "a piece of high-handedness that has cost Lanessan dearly." The 1855 Classification remains in place today. It has never been updated, despite a failed attempt to do so in 1960. Personal rankings from established Bordeaux critics are published from time to time, but they don't carry the weight of the original. Therefore, whenever enthusiasts peruse the one official ranking of top Bordeaux estates, Lanessan's name is nowhere to be found. So who is Lanessan, you ask? Why are they so important and why have we sold thousands upon thousands of bottles of their wine over the years? Lanessan is an old world Bordeaux producer that, due to a "high-handed" career decision, was kept out of the most important wine classification i Moreira]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 08, 2017 Perfectly aged and full of lifethat is the only way I can describe this wine. Cassis, groseille/grenadine, along with coffee and softer notes of sweet plums. It does show development in its tertiary notes of leather and the very much resolved tannins and acidity. Double duty heredrink it now or hold for five or so years. Beffa Jr.]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 03, 2017 Drinking perfectly now! One of our favorite wines is back in house. For under $20 at this age, it doesn't get much better. Grab some while its still available. One of the sleepers of the vintage Walker]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 23, 2010 This is the bottle of Bordeaux you should take home for dinner tonight! Perfectly aged, medium bodied with soft fruit that is accented with underbrush and tobacco and earth. The tannins are mature and round, the time is right for this bottle. Marwedel]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 19, 2010 If you love classic Bordeaux at an affordable price, you need look no farther than Chateau Lannessan! Loads of dark plum on the nose with notes of cacao, tobacco leaf, and cedar. This wine has great texture and a ripe mid palate backed by solid acidity and fine tannins. It will certainly age for another few years, but is great now with an hour of decanting Westby]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 12, 2010 This perfect-for-drinking 11 year old claret will be overlooked by far too many of our customers because of its very low price. Don't be one of those folks! This wine is good enough to be a very recommendable $40 Bordeaux, and is very complete wine. It is quite full bodied without loosing its elegance, and has fantastic, evolved, cassis Cabernet flavor to spare. It also has an intriguing, earthy tobacco note that I found quite appealing. I can't wait to serve it with my next "full English" meal of rare roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, mash potatoes and Brussels sprouts! I will have to remember to buy some extra for the years to come as well, this bottle has more than enough guts to last! Garneau]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 10, 2010 I have long been a fan of this over performing Haut-Médoc estate. Château Lanessan has as storied a history as many classified growths. The current owners, the Delbos-Bouteiller family, can date their ownership of the property back to 1793, and the property itself to 1310. The wines were not included in the Classification of 1855 since the owner at the time, Louis Delbos, neglected to send in samples to the committee. However, it was considered to be the equal of many fifth growths. The property lies just to the south of Château Beychevelle in the commune of Cussac-Fort-Médoc, and has a very St. Julien-like character. This 1999 vintage is surprisingly ripe with firm tannins and impressive dark fruit. With some time in a decanter notes of black currants and cedar emerge on the nose. In the mouth, the fruit is rich and concentrated - blackberry compote and damson plum. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. For Bordeaux lovers this wine represents a tremendous value at less than $20. Drink now or enjoy over the next 3 to 5 years. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2014 Foradori Teroldego Vigneti delle Dolomiti]( ($23.99) 91 points James Suckling: "Lots of tar, berry and orange-peel character to this. Medium body, chewy tannins and a tangy and rich finish. Drink now." (11/2016) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2014 Domaine Tourbillon "Vieilles Vignes" Châteauneuf-du-Pape]( [2014 Domaine Tourbillon "Vieilles Vignes" Châteauneuf-du-Pape]( ($24.99) 91-93 points Vinous: "Bright ruby-red. Vibrant, mineral-accented raspberry and cherry aromas are complemented by sexy floral and spice notes, picking up smokiness and a hint of smokiness in the glass. Seamless, sweet and focused, offering juicy red berry, cherry and lavender pastille flavors that deepen and spread out with air. Finishes sappy and very long, showing harmonious tannins and lingering floral character. (JR)" (04/2016) Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Lastly, the 2014 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is a forward, charming, mid-weight effort that possesses the vintages early drinking style. Strawberries, spiced red fruits and a hint of garrigue all emerge from this medium-bodied, juicy and well-made red that should be drunk over the coming 5-6 years. (JD)" (10/2016) K&L Notes: In 2012, Benjamin Tourbillon acquired old vine vineyards in Plan de Dieu, Gigondas and Chateauneuf-du-Pape and launched Domaine Tourbillon. The winery lies in the heart of the Plan de Dieu appellation in the village of Violes. Benjamin's Chateauneuf is from vines planted in the early 1960s. The blend sits around 70% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, 5% Cinsault and 5% all the other fun bits. Aged in a mix of concrete tanks and used barriques and demi-muids, this is a classically brambly style that has an air of sweet fruit and delicious immediacy. The quality of this value CDP makes it a terrific new addition to our Direct Import program. Haase]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 29, 2017 Wow, yet another superb find from our Rhone leader! This Chateauneuf-du-pape is rather light on its feet. I could tell from just looking at the glass itself, with that wonderful garnet hue, that I was in for a surprise. I was mesmerized by that burst of black cherry, white pepper and exotic wood spice on the nose and entranced by cherry cola, red raspberry with the great concentration of acidity. Well integrated tannins made this an irresistible go-to for anyone who enjoys a super-pleasing palate. With Thanksgiving rapidly approaching, this is the perfect wine for the table! Smith]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 28, 2017 Whenever we taste wines at K&L, I typically open a bottle or two and send out an email to the staff asking them to head over to the tasting room to sample new products. This time was different. I was grabbing my co-workers by the sleeves and dragging them into the tasting bar for the Tourbillon Wines. Everyone needs to try these. The value is absolutely unbelievable for the price. Chateauneuf tends to get pretty pricey these days, and Ive been finding less and less to love at affordable price points. The 2014 Tourbillon totally blew me away. It walks the line between modern and traditional in the most beautiful way with bright, clean fruit notes and just enough savory hints to make it captivating. Totally well-built and delicious enough to pop tonight, this is an absolute stellar wine that is soft, supple, earthy and gamey. Oh dang, this is good stuff. [Anthony Russo]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 24, 2017 This is one of those really cool wines at an awesome price... Lots of baking spices, a touch of rhubarb, a hint of leather, Grenache at it's finest! The roundness and depth of the lead varietal truly unfolds on the palate where the soft and supple fruit flavors shine. It's got the perfect richness, more typical of what Chateauneuf should taste like, with a loooooooong finish. Kelly]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 24, 2017 Bright in color and flavor, this sophisticated CDP displays a more delicate expression of Grenache with brilliant red cherry, herbs and seductive smoke and spice. The balance of fruit, acid and structure is all here. This is enjoyable today but will hold for several years. I appreciate when finesse and restraint are this present in a wine. Mabry]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 24, 2017 Tourbillon was introduced to us by our friend Cecile Chassagne, a very talented winemaker in her own right. Cecile is based in the village of Sablet and has a handful of small parcels in Gigondas just to the south. We love to rely on the recommendations of our friends and when Cecile introduced us to Tourbillon, there was no surprise that we were enchanted by the wine. This Chateauneuf is pure pleasure in a glass showing the charm of the 2014 vintage with its near-term drinkability. Aromas of cherry and wild strawberry erupt from the glass followed by whispers of brushy garrigue. On the palate the wine has a medium-full weight with flavors of berry compote, oolong tea and potpourri. The wine will drink beautifully for years to come but is so accessible now, it would be a shame to resist. Factor in the price of $25 and you have one of the great Rhone buys of the year. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2015 Château de L'Ou "Secret de Schistes" Côtes Catalanes (Elsewhere $40)]( ($31.99) 96 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Saturated black in color, the 2015 IGP Côtes Catalanes Secret de Schistes is reminiscent of Manfred Krankls SQN Syrahs with its deep, unctuous, layered profile. Cassis, chocolate, licorice, smoked herbs and ample minerality all emerge from this full-bodied, sexy beauty that just begs to be drunk. Possessing ripe tannin, a stacked mid-palate and a great finish, it will be better in a year or two and keep for a decade. (JD)" (04/2017) 96 points Rhone Report: "I was blown away by the IGP Côtes Catalanes Secret de Schistes, and its unquestionably my favorite vintage of this cuvee to date (Ive compared this wine to a Syrah from Manfred Krankls SQN in the past). Notions of crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, roasted herbs and crushed rock nuances give way to a full-bodied, gorgeously textured red that has terrific concentration and a great, great finish. Like all the cuvees here, its 100% Syrah that was fermented and aged all in barrel. Count me as a fan. (JebDunnuck.com)" (08/2017) K&L Notes: Séverine Bourrier came to winemaking through her own passion for the subject, not having the family history associated with so many winemakers. She studied oenology in school and worked in Bordeaux for a decade. After meeting her husband, they relocated to a property an hour outside of Perpignan in the Roussillon. They began restoring an old château and did some replanting, rechristening the estate L’Ou, which is Catalan for "egg." The property is in an oval-shaped valley that was used as a rest area by herd animals and likely the Knights Templar on their way to various crusades. The estate consists of three primary terroirs: the alluvial marl soils that make up the valley, and two higher-elevation sites, one made up of black schist and the other brown. Their key grape variety is Syrah but Séverine also grows the classic regional varieties like Grenache and Carignan. For white grapes, they grow Grenache Gris, Grenache Blanc, Muscat and of all things, Chardonnay, which is renowned for being one of the best in the region. [Blake Conklin]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 14, 2017 It's no secret that the Secret De Schistes is one killer bottle of Syrah. The structure in this Syrah, which all comes from brown schistes soils on the estate of Chateau De L'Ou is very well balanced, yet it's deeply complex. The finish is packed with dark stone fruit, chocolate, and baked spices. This bottle was always more driven to be terroir focused, and it showcases beautifully in this 2015 vintage. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Old Forester K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #3511 Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whisky (750ml)]( ($39.99) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2007 La Rioja Alta "904" Gran Reserva Rioja]( La Rioja Alta "904" Gran Reserva Rioja ($44.99) 97 points James Suckling: "Wonderful purity of fruit with a strawberry, currant and plum character. Full and velvety body with ultra-fine tannins and a delicious fresh and fruity finish. Classic Rioja style. Que lindo! Drink now." (10/2016) 95 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "If Viña Ardanza seems to be going fast, the Gran Reserva 904 is even faster and we're now on the 2007 Gran Reserva 904. This wants to be the classic Gran Reserva--polished, silky and elegant, with aging potential. It is a blend of Tempranillo with 10% Mazuelo aged for four years in well-seasoned American oak barrels, with eight manual rackings. I found that the freshness of the vintage and its relatively young age gave the wine a youngish character that I loved, combining developed notes of meat, spices, leather and balsam with almost cherry-like aromas. The palate feels balanced and elegant, with fine-grained and fully resolved tannins and great acidity. This vintage of 904 surprised me!" (08/2016) 95 points Decanter: "Seductive and complex nose, typical Mediterranean expression of warm berry fruit, cherries, blackcurrants and plums. Explosion of fruit on palate with roses, chocolate and vanilla, silky tannins and racy acidity." (03/2017) 93 points Wine Spectator: "This supple red delivers bright, focused flavors of dried cherry, orange peel, vanilla, sandalwood, tobacco and spice, with light tannins and fresh acidity. An elegant rendering of the traditional style. Drink now through 2022." (12/2016) K&L Notes: Founded in 1890, La Rioja Alta is arguably - amongst the traditional Rioja bodegas - the one whose entire range of wines is the most consistent, the most readily available, and the most delicious. Their "904" bottling contains Tempranillo and Graciano (no Garnacha) and is every bit as traditional. It sees aging in used American oak barrels for 48 months, racking twice a year, and then further aging in bottle. The wine always has a sumptuous, velvety texture, with more bass notes in place of Ardanza's higher toned, red-fruited profile. Does Gran Reserva Rioja get any better than this? (Joe Manekin, K&L Spanish Wine Buyer) Whiteley]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 20, 2017 This wine holds a special place in my heart. I recently returned from a trip to Spain on which my wife and I celebrated our 2nd anniversary with a tremendous meal at Taberna Herrerias in Logrono (at the suggestion of one of our direct import producers, Miguel Merino. Thank you Miguel!). While we typically sought out new wines to try on our trip, this was a special night that called for sure fire wine choices. I was thrilled to see this 2007 vintage on the menu. A stunningly classic wine the 904 Gran Reserva is a perfect example of old school Rioja with a touch of modern sensibilities. The sweet black fruits are pure and bright - full of black cherries and wild plums. But the fruit perfectly complements, never overshadows, the savory bass tones of the wine. There are tons of wet stones and rich healthy compost notes here. The oak integrates perfectly offering vanilla and baking spices. High acidity gives excellent freshness and lift to wine which finishes on long and silky smooth tannins. Everything is in perfect balance now and while there will certainly be lots of development to come, it is likely to remain that way for at least a couple of decades in the cellar. I've added several magnums to my cellar for future celebrations already. Bruno]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 18, 2017 This 2007 Gran Reserva 904 is one of my favorite wines that Ive had to pleasure of tasting this year. Mostly Tempranillo (90%) with Graciano additionally (10%), this wine only improves with more time decanted or in the glass. At first, this wine exudes a multitude of savory notes, especially root vegetables and demi-glace. As you go in once more, cherry liqueur, stewed red fruit, vanilla and sweet tobacco are revealed as well. The balance on the palate is exquisite, with a wonderful freshness and juicy acidity that is quite delightful coming from a wine that is over 10 years old. The tannins are well-integrated and play off nicely with the cherry clafoutis, dried herb, dust, and Valrhona cocoa flavors that permeate the palate. This wine is a classic Rioja that will see a great deal of evolution if one desires to age 10-20 years longer; this wine can also be enjoyed without further cellaring Driscoll]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 18, 2017 La Rioja Alta is where you start if you want to get serious about Spanish wine. However, it's also a great starting point for anyone who wants to understand the merits of aged reds of any kind. Getting the chance to taste serious wines like the 2007 904 Gran Reserva, a wine with ten years of bottle age at this point, were what catapulted me into this industry and lit the fire under my feet as a budding wino. Simply put: there are few wines that offer such a seamless transition between the soft and supple fruit of youth and the rustic complexity that comes with time, and it's that quality that shines in this wine. The red fruits are plush on the palate, but they're subdued rather than juicy. About halfway through they begin to slowly morph into hints of oak, earth, and leather with a bit of a roasted note towards the finish. Those are the secondary flavors of maturation coming through, but they're incredibly nuanced and graceful. Beware that polished profile, newcomers to La Rioja Alta; they're a gateway drug. And once you're addicted to the beauty of old Rioja, there's no going back. Manekin]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 17, 2017 This is another fantastic vintage of 904. It may be the most utterly delicious and versatile traditional Rioja in our stock. I say versatile particularly in terms of the drink or cellar question: while I love how this is tasting now, I can say with a good amount of confidence that this will be even better at 20 years old in 2027 than it is at 10 years old today. Currently, the 904 shows it's classic combination of dark cherries, cocoa powder and leather on the nose, leading to a palate that is supple, elegant, perhaps fresher and more fruit forward than the nose would suggest, though of course at 10 years young there are lovely developed notes emerging. Given all the fawning press, this wine was not nearly as plentiful as I had hoped it would be and our original order quantity was cut back, so be sure to grab what you want before it sells out! --------------------------------------------------------------- [1989 Suduiraut, Sauternes]( [1989 Suduiraut, Sauternes]( ($59.99) 92 points Wine Spectator: "Exotically perfumed violet and rose petals burst on your palate, accompanied by dried apricot, lemon and honey flavors. Gorgeous and subtle, glowing on the finish." (04/1995) 90 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Tasted from the Chateau reserves at the estate. The 89 is a little lighter in hue compared to the Suduiraut 90. The nose offers caramelized pear, frangipane, yellow flowers and a touch of quince, moderate vigour at first, but opening nicely with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with a touch of bitter orange rind on the entry, marmalade, quince and a mandarin and dried apricot on the finish. There is good length to this Suduiraut, although it misses a little breeding, perhaps due to the denuding by the Creme de Tete. (NM)" (09/2011) 90 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Vibrant aromas of fruit salad and honey. Moderately viscous and bright in the mouth; not nearly as powerful as the '90. Nicely balanced, even if there still a bit of acidity to be absorbed. Intensely flavored and youthful. (ST)" (07/1998) Jancis Robinson: "Luminous copper. Full and round and very opulent. Round and full and clean and open on the nose. Though not desperately subtle. More almonds on the nose. Very round, not especially complex but clean and bumptious and again with a slightly burnt undertow. Full finish, rather opulent and exciting. Already quite evolved. 18/20 Points" (07/2004) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2012 Salicutti "Piaggione" Brunello di Montalcino]( [2012 Salicutti "Piaggione" Brunello di Montalcino]( ($69.99) 95 points Vinous: "Good deep red. Captivating aromas of red fruits, coffee, mocha, violet, minerals and sweet spices. Very rich, dense and creamy, but with excellent lift, focus and energy giving shape and grip to the raspberry, red cherry, botanical herb and mineral flavors. This is a step up in concentration and depth compared to the majority of the 2012 Brunellos. Finishes with fine tannins and superb length. An outstanding vintage in the making for Salicutti. (ID) 95+" (03/2017) 93 points Wine Spectator: "Focused and athletic, with tension supporting the cherry, berry, tobacco and graphite flavors. The tannins coat the gums, but this remains balanced and long on the fruit- and tobacco-tinged aftertaste. Best from 2019 through 2033. (BS)" (09/2017) 93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Despite the warm growing conditions, yields were reduced significantly to achieve balance and crispness in the 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Piaggione. Only 6,600 bottles were produced. The wine opens to mature and exuberant fruit that shows a dark ruby appearance with plump aromas of blackberry and plum. There is a touch of evolution as well with noticeable layers of tar, smoke and licorice. Despite its rich texture, the wine is long and polished in terms of mouthfeel. (ML)" (05/2017) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2009 La Lagune, Haut-Médoc]( [2009 La Lagune, Haut-Médoc]( ($74.99) 96 points James Suckling: "Fabulous aromas of licorice, flowers and blackcurrants follow through to a full body with wonderful silky and caressing tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Its complex and exceptional. Better in 2018 but so enjoyable to taste and drink now." (03/2015) 93-96 points Wine Spectator: "Floral and precise fruit, with blackberry-skin character and mineral undertones. Full-bodied, with superfine tannins and a fresh, clean finish. Long and tight. Racy. Lovely texture. 60 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 25 percent Merlot and 15 percent Petit Verdot. This property is really on a roll now, delivering racy and structured reds; it gives much more freshness and character to the wine. (JS, Web-2010)" 95 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "It is not unusual that the 2009 La Lagune is a spectacular effort given the fact that this estate has been making terrific wines over the last decade or more. It boasts a dense purple color as well as a beautiful perfume of blueberries, mulberries, cassis, white chocolate and subtle toasty oak. Notes of Chinese black tea, cedarwood and forest floor also make an appearance in the singular aromatic and flavor profiles. This sumptuous, full-bodied La Lagune possesses low acidity, abundant but ripe, sweet tannin and a long, 45-second finish. Give this beauty 5-7 years of bottle age and drink it over the following three decades. (RP)" (02/2012) 92 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Deep, bright ruby-red. Sexy aromas of currant, underbrush, leather and toasty oak. Plush, seamless and sweet; full-bodied but not heavy. Pliant flavors of currant, plum and earth expand to fill the mouth. Finishes with broad, fine tannins and sneaky building length. Classic Old World claret from a ripe year: velvety, sweet and long. (ST)" (07/2012) Beffa Jr.]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 29, 2013 The high proportion of Petit Verdot really lifts this wine. Tons of black licorice on the nose and palate. Lush wine, but it has good grip. Fresh and vibrant. I love this wine-it is so pure and seamless. Westby]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 23, 2013 If you are looking for great 2009 Bordeaux for your cellar, the 2009 La Lagune Haut Medoc should be at the top of your list. This property sits in the southern part of the Haut-Medoc and routinely out does its neighbors in Margaux with its generous, ethereal aromatics. This 2009 is concentrated, but the power is only part of the story. For me it is the overall balance and finesse of this classic claret that makes it so noteworthy- all it needs is time! Garneau]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 06, 2012 Deeply colored, aromatic, floral and spicy. Loads of dark, sweet fruit. Unbelievably bright and fresh. A superb effort. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2010 Pio Cesare Barbaresco (1.5L)]( ($99.99) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2016 Lynch-Bages, Pauillac (Pre-Arrival)]( ($169.99) 98-99 points James Suckling: "This is really back-ended thanks to a powerful and almost endless finish. Full-bodied, dense and powerful with incredible concentration and length. Round and polished tannins. Layered. This unravels bit by bit. Energetic acidity gives it such superb freshness. This is at the 2010/2009 level." (04/2017) 97-99 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2016 Lynch Bages is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot with 13.7% alcohol and an IPT of 95, the highest ever for this property and probably one of the highest on the Left Bank this vintage. It was picked between from 27-30 September for the young vines, then the picking team stopped, restarting on 3 October with the Merlot and the Cabernets finished on 12 October. This vintage is matured in 75% new oak. It has a very concentrated, almost opaque bouquet that required some coaxing from the glass, developing floral and crushed limestone scents with time: disarmingly fresh and with stunning vivacity. The palate is concentrated and tannic, although they are not obtrusive and appear neatly embroidered into the multi-layered black fruit. This is a classic Lynch Bages with ambition and recalls vintages like 1990, a Lynch Bages built for long-term ageing. That arching backbone is counterbalanced by the keen line of acidity and a freshness that knows no bounds. There is ethereal delineation and tension on the finish, but I would give this at least ten years in bottle to enjoy this audacious Lynch Bages at its peak. Maybe the biggest surprise of the vintage, this has all the makings of a sensational wine. (NM)" (04/2017) 96-99 points Wine Spectator: "This flashes some sporty flavors of ripe cassis, plum and blackberry compote, but quickly pulls everything together with the terrific graphite spine. Alluring tobacco and anise notes line the finish. Delivers fruit, power and cut. A great showing. (JM)" (04/2017) 96-98 points Wine Enthusiast: "This wine is ripe and opulent, while still elegant. The balance is fine, showing plenty of concentration and a light touch of acidity. Black currant fruit matches the tannins and structure, making this one for the long term. (RV)" (04/2017) 95 points Decanter: "As we have increasingly seen in recent years, Lynch-Bages has shifted up a gear to go fuller, bigger and darker. The IPTs are around 95 here, which is unusual even in the northern Médoc, although they are unquestionably yielding, pliable and expertly worked tannins. The result is a hugely impressive wine with a creamy texture through the mid-palate and lashings of dark fruits, graphite and the essential addition of mint leaf freshness on the finish. From a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, with a yield around 42hl/ha, a touch lower than some because the deep gravel produced small berries, all coming in at 3.66pH and accounting for 65% of the overall production. This is a great Lynch without doubt, one for Pauillac purists who are looking for powerful impact. (JA)" (04/2017) 92-95 points Vinous: "The 2016 Lynch-Bages is deep, racy and sensual, with soft contours, silky tannins and striking juiciness in its fruit. All of the elements seem to fall into place effortlessly. Today, Lynch-Bages is unusually well put together for such a young wine. Expressive floral aromatics give the flavors lift, energy and brightness, while beams of present but well-integrated tannins extend the finish. (AG)" (04/2017) Beffa]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 26, 2017 Very dark in color with intense black currant fruit, this is a wonderful Lynch Bages that far surpasses the 2015. It shows lots of power while still showing a velvety texture and mouthwatering finish. Tannins are integrated, ripe and fresh. This is the wine for the cellar but should still show well early on. Sands]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 24, 2017 2016 Lynch Bages 75 CS 19M 4CF Sweet ripe red and black fruit, raspberry, cassis with glossy oak. Great freshness as well as concentration, a classic strong claret with great fruit. Jean Michel compares it to his legendary 1989; my first vintage in Bordeaux (killer wine says CB), a 3 Star wine and vintage! Ralph Sands Bearden]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 20, 2017 A powerful and packed Lynch that is concentrated, thick and sweet. This is wonderfully perfumed and fresh with excellent integration of cassis fruit, iron minerality and strong, firm tannins that are buried on the dry finish. Big and balanced. --------------------------------------------------------------- [1990 La Lagune, Haut-Médoc]( [1990 La Lagune, Haut-Médoc]( ($199.99) 94 points Wine Spectator: "Wonderful mint and black currant aromas that follow through to the palate. Full-bodied and velvety-textured, with lots of fruit and a long, long finish. Exceptional. (JS)" (08/2000) 91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "A fully mature, elegant 1990 with an exceptionally flowery, berry, white chocolate, and smoky oak-scented nose, this fleshy, mid-weight La Lagune exhibits a velvety texture and no hard edges. It is an endearing wine...(RP)" (06/2009) [2006 Salon Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne]( - 10 available ($459.00) 100 points Wine Enthusiast: "*Cellar Selection* This new release from a great vintage for Chardonnay in Champagne is a perfect blanc de blancs, showing a wealth of intensity from the crisp, chalky, mineral tones to the perfumed apple notes. The aromas hint at developing toastiness that adds depth and complexity. The wine is still young and it will age for years. Drink from 2020. (RV)" (12/2017) 97 points James Suckling: "No doubting the pedigree or provenance, this opens with wet chalk and oyster shell notes, and there are aromas of dried yellow flowers and white mushrooms, white chocolate and lemon citrus as well as a refined array of fresh pastry. The palate has power with ripe lemon-drenched peach fruits. This is generous and gives plenty for Salon at this young stage with really succulent fruit. Builds white almond biscuit and toasted spices through the finish. Drink now." (10/2017) 97 points Vinous: "The 2006 Salon is a very rich wine, almost uncharacteristically so. Deep and exotic the 2006 exudes richness in all of its dimensions, with myriad inflections of sumptuous fruit that fill out its ample, large-scaled frame. Today, the 2006 is surprisingly accessible for a young Salon, but it needs time to shed some baby fat. At times, the 2006 recalls the 2002, but it appears to have more phenolic intensity and overall structure. Even with all of its flamboyance and pure volume, the 2006 retains quite a bit of energy and freshness. I imagine it will be a fascinating, utterly compelling Champagne to follow over the next several decades. (AG)" (07/2017) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2000 La Mission Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan]( [2000 La Mission Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan]( - 9 available ($649.99) 100 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "One of the wines of the vintage, the 2000 has barely budged in its evolution since it was bottled and released in 2002. After ten years in bottle, it still reveals a dense opaque purple color along with a potentially sensational bouquet of blueberries, black currants, graphite, asphalt and background oak. Extremely powerful, full-bodied and superbly concentrated with good acidity and high but round tannins, this massive La Mission-Haut-Brion should take its place among this estates most hallowed vintages when it hits full maturity in another one to two decades. I was surprised by just how youthful this wine tasted at age 12. If tasted blind, I would have guessed it to be around 4 to 5 years old. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2050. (RP)" (08/2012) 95 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Saturated ruby-red. Full-blown aromas of dark berries, smoked meat, tobacco and iron. Lush, thick and ripe; really builds steadily in the mouth and explodes on the back end. Quintessential La Mission notes of tobacco, minerals, tar and hot stones. Today the 2001 seems even more sharply etched but this is denser, riper and deeper, with perfectly integrated acidity. Finishes very long, with huge, palate-coating tannins. (ST)" (06/2003) 95 points James Suckling: "This is tight and beautiful, with a firm tannin structure and a beautiful silky texture. Full and concentrated, with a destiny. In the glass it keeps evolving, notes of iodine, spices, cedar, and earth tempt the senses. This still needs some time to come together. Dont touch it until 2015." (05/2012) K&L Notes: 97 points Neal Martin's Wine Journal: "Tasted at Farr Vintner's La Mission dinner. The 2000 Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion seems remarkably backward compared to the 2005. Sultry and broody, it reluctantly reveals very pure scents of blackberry, blueberry, iodine that are joined by black olive compote with time. The palate is smooth and mellow, slightly viscous in texture betraying the concentrating within this almost saturnine La Mission Haut-Brion. This is a powerful wine, one that will only be tamed by time. Drink 2018-2045." (05/2014) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2014 Cheval Blanc, St-Emilion 6pack in OWC]( - 2 available ($2,999.00) 97 points Wine Spectator: "This has dreamy aromas already, with notes of Lapsang souchong tea, smoldering cigar and cold charcoal wafting up from the core of dense yet supple currant, fig and blackberry preserves. A loamy edge thumps through the finish, giving this an addictive, head-bobbing bass line. Best from 2026 through 2040. *Collectibles* (JM)" (03/2017) 96 points James Suckling: "Aromas of strawberries, flowers and rose petals. Medium to full body and such beautiful polish and finesse. The texture is remarkably silky. Its a wine all in elegance and harmony. Such length. Try in 2022 but already a joy to taste." (02/2017) 96 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2014 Cheval Blanc is a blend of 45% Cabernet Franc and 55% Merlot, picked from 19 September until 8 October. It has a very succinct, almost understated bouquet, here a mixture of red and black fruit, cold limestone and crushed rose petals (the latter observed when the wine was in barrel). It is not a set of aromatics that go out and grab your attention, rather the sophistication creeps up on you. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin. Unlike the Deuxième Vin, there is real structure and backbone here, a gentle but insistent grip in the mouth. It errs towards black instead of red fruit, intermingling with sage and cumin, then segueing into a precise finish with a long, lingering ferrous finish (à la Pomerol!), finally a hint of oyster shell on the aftertaste. It is one of the most subtle Cheval Blancs that I have tasted in a long time, although it will doubtlessly be deceptively long lived. This is a serious Cheval Blanc for serious oenophiles. (NM)" (03/2017) 96 points Vinous: "A wine of exceptional finesse, the 2014 Cheval Blanc lifts from the glass with captivating aromatics and sculpted red-fleshed fruit, all with the extra kick of acidity and overall freshness that are such a signature of this vintage. The 2014 is bright, finessed and persistent. It will almost certainly put on weight in bottle. I have a feeling something special is developing here. 96+ points. (AG)" (02/2017) 96 points Wine Enthusiast: "With its high proportion of Cabernet Franc (45%), this is a finely perfumed rich wine. It has great tannins, a smoky character that comes from the wood. The tannins are quite marked, giving a tight firm edge to the wine that otherwise has generous fruitiness. This is a complex wine, impressive, and likely to age over many years. Drink from 2028. *Cellar Selection* (RV)" (04/2017) --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Follow us on: Check Out Our Blog: [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [On the Trail (K&L Blog)]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [My Account]( | [Wine Clubs]( | [Events]( |[Gift Cards]( | [Accessories]( | [Shipping]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Missed an offer? Check out recent opportunities at our [Email Archive]( page. 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