Monthly Newsletter - Featuring Champagne

Now Available From K&L Wine Merchants... Monday Feb 12th, 2018 [View in Browser]( [Special Champagne Feature]( K&L, we’ve long held that Champagne isn’t solely for celebrations. A food-friendly wine if there ever was one, it is the ideal accompaniment for a wide range of dishes. Given this, for this month’s newsletter, we’ve had our Champagne team delve into the myriad of food pairings Champagne lends itself too. This is a terrific resource to explore this oft overlooked side of Champagne. Having one of the largest and most diverse Champagne departments in the country, means that we have a bubbly that will suit every style and taste (and recipe!). Central to our Champagne program is our [direct imports](. Our intrepid Champagne buyer, Gary Westby, has traveled to every corner of this historic region, sourcing Champagnes that are not only a delight to drink, but also are easy on the pocketbook. [Baron-Fuenté]( [Ariston Aspasie]( [Michel Arnould]( and [Fallet-Dart]( are just a few of the many producers with whom we work directly. The bubblies from these houses are impeccably well made and will delight the newbie and seasoned collector alike. Speaking of collectors, 2018 has already proven to be a banner year for fans Krug - one of the most highly revered houses in Champagne. Not only has the brilliant [2004 vintage]( hit the market, but so has the highly collectible [164]( and [165]( editions. If you are after the very best Champagne has to offer, this trio is the perfect place to start. We’d be remiss if we didn’t point out that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. A bottle of bubbly always brings the romance, so we’ve queued up below some of our favorites that never fail to impress. [View our electronic newsletter!]( Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2010 Louise Brison Brut Champagne 91 $29.99 [View]( Franck Bonville Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne 91 $34.99 [View]( Baron-Fuenté "Esprit" Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne 92 $39.99 [View]( Charles Ellner "Qualite" Extra Brut Champagne $39.99 [View]( Michel Arnould "Grand Cuvée" Brut Champagne $39.99 [View]( Bollinger "Special Cuvée" Brut Champagne 93 $59.99 [View]( Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé Champagne 94 $74.99 [View]( Krug "Grande Cuvée" 164 Ème Édition Brut Champagne 97 $159.99 [View]( 2009 Louis Roederer "Cristal" Brut Champagne 97 $199.99 [View]( 2004 Krug Brut Champagne 97 $269.00 [View]( [2010 Louise Brison Brut Champagne]( [2010 Louise Brison Brut Champagne]( ($29.99) 91 points Wine Enthusiast: "Fermented in oak, this wine with its crisp apple aroma is ripe and spicy. It has great citrus and white fruit plus a dry character that gives it both a tang and a mineral texture. (RV)" (12/2017) K&L Notes: Floral, citrus-y, and with a touch of salinity, this Champagne is a blend of 50 % Pinot Noir & 50 % Chardonnay, vinified and aged in oak barrels. Pair this beauty with savory appetizers & seafood. Westby]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 17, 2017 The vintage wines from Louise Brison are an incredible deal in fine wine. Delphine Brulez is one of the few grower-producers that we work with to have a diploma in oenology, and she works her vines in Noe-les-Mallets organically before fermenting her juice entirely in small oak barrels. The results in 2010 are electric and refreshing, but still round enough to have alone as the aperitif. This blend of half each Chardonnay and Pinot Noir will fool even the most discerning connoisseur for Champagne that costs no less than 50% more. We recently had a bottle of the 1992, and I am here to tell you that if you can keep your hands off of it, it will age very well too! If you like your Champagne clean, refreshing, dry and long, this is one to load up on. Laurie]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 28, 2017 Part of what I love about about working in the wine industry is changing people's preconceived notions about wine; what it should be, what it should taste like, and most importantly, what a good bottle should cost. I can shout it from the rooftops! A good bottle of Champagne does not have to cost over $60! Sure, there are fantastic bottles at that price point (and higher), but if I can find Champagne that I can afford to drink on a regular basis, I'm all about it. This is one such bottle. It's got a rich apple-y nose with a yeasty baguette note and fresh lemon to boot. The palate mirrors the nose and feels vibrant yet rich at the same time with a great balance of texture and acidity. If you love Champagne, this is one to pick up on your next visit. Turk]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 27, 2017 Bright with golden apple and leaner citrus fruit, plus more lift here than the easygoing 2009, 2010 Louise Brison Brut Champagne feels aligned with the crisp 2008, pairing vivid acid with accessibility. This showed beautifully at our Champagne Tent Event, where we were charmed by the story of the familys matriarch and brand namesake, and impressed by the quality of this DI release. This is bargain-priced Champagne, and in stock just in time for a season full of celebrations cheers! --------------------------------------------------------------- [Franck Bonville Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne]( [Franck Bonville Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne]( ($34.99) 91 points Wine Enthusiast: "From the heartland of Chardonnay in Champagne comes this rich, creamy, apple-flavored wine. It has lively acidity, balanced with some sweetness from the dosage. It has weight and a crisp aftertaste. (RV)" (12/2012) Jancis Robinson: "100% Chardonnay from Oger, Cramant and Avize. From a 50-ha estate. Olivier Bonville is the third generation to make wine here. Super-clean fresh nose, smells like a health scrub. Vigorous mousse. Crisp edges and a creamy middle, streaked with verbena. More green than lemon, and just slightly sour. Quite weighty and substantial yet with a cutting edge, like prow of a ship. *Good Value* (TC)" (12/2014) K&L Notes: All Champagne producers should be judged on their entry-level wine, and Olivier's is as good as they get. This is always the fastest non-vintage Champagne to sell out--so get it while we have it! The nose is effusive, with baguette, white flowers, and a nice salinity, while the flavors have a fine balance of white fruit, cream, and precise Avize chalk. Don't miss this. The Underground Wine Letter also rates this wine Outstanding Plus: "This is a terrific Champagne with great balance, flavor, and style, and it is a real value. Pale yellow in color, the wine has a lovely perfume with hints of peach and citrus and faint floral nuances accented by a kiss of vanilla. Creamy and very flavorful, this is a Champagne that is very harmonious showing subtle hints of peach, citrus, and spice. Elegant and long on the finish this is gorgeous to drink now or keep for many years." Our current release has a primary blend from 2013 and 2014 and is dosed at a very low 5g/L. Westby]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 20, 2017 This is one of K&L's best selling Champagnes for a very good reason. The Bonville family has some of the best terroir imaginable for growing Chardonnay--every acre that they own is super chalky, east-facing Grand Cru on the Cote des Blancs. They have been making their own Champagne here since the 1920s, and growing here for many generations before that. This is their entry level bottling, and what a way to start! It is made of at least half reserve wines, giving it not only the dry, chalky drive that makes this area famous, but also giving the wine toasty, creamy, delicious drinkability. A must-try for any Champagne lover. Bearden]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 07, 2011 When it comes to Champagne this is probably our all time staff favorite. The fact that it is a direct import and sells for less than half what it would if it went through the same distribution system as the big name brands doesn't hurt either. Fresh and ripe Chardonnay flavors, intense mineral notes and hints of earth leap from this vibrant and full-textured bubbly. Beckerley]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 27, 2008 There is simply no better Blanc de Blanc in the store at this price! Classic Avize minerality with crisp apple-y fruit, lemons, limes and wet stone aspects. A wonderful Chamnpagne with caviar or baked Brie. Too good of a value to pass up. We can also go for months without having this sparkler in stock. Also available in 375ml and magnum. It also comes in a gorgeous 2002 vintage as well! --------------------------------------------------------------- [Baron-Fuenté "Esprit" Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne]( [Baron-Fuenté "Esprit" Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne]( ($39.99) 92 points Wine Enthusiast: "From the warmer Aube vineyards in the south of Champagne, this wine is rich and full of creamy fruit. There's a touch of chalky minerality to its texture, giving it a tight edge. Aged in bottle to bring out a toasty aftertaste, it's ready to drink now. (RV)" (06/2017) 92 points Wine Spectator: "Creamy in texture, with mouthwatering acidity enlivening rich notes of bread dough, black currant, lemon curd, pastry cream and blanched almonds. Shows fine balance and length. Drink now through 2020. (AN)" (12/2012) K&L Notes: This unique, all Chardonnay Champagne comes from a nine-and-a-half acre single vineyard in Saacy-sur-Marne called the Chantemanche. It might be the most western vineyard site in all of Champagne, and is actually so far west that it is in the Paris district, on the very edge of Champagne. It is aged for three years on the lees with reserve wines from three previous harvests. This creamy, nutty Blanc de Blancs is seamless, integrated and has good, refreshing lift on the finish. (Gary Westby, K&L Champagne buyer) Westby]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 08, 2017 The Esprit Blanc de Blancs is made from the very last vineyard in the farthest west part of Champagnethe Chantemanche in Saacy-sur-Marne. This site is one of the very few so far west that they are actually in the Paris district, Ile-de-France. The current release is based on 2009 with 5% barrel fermented reserves from 2008. It is a very creamy style of Blanc de Blancs, with an excellent Chablis like earth character and a bright finish to contrast the richness of the mid-palate. Woodhouse]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 07, 2016 Another highlight of a recent Blanc De Blanc tasting...The Baron Fuente Esprit BdB doesn't come from where you typically find Chardonnay planted in Champagne (Cote de Blanc)...in fact this property actually lies so far west it's within the Paris district! Nevertheless it is loaded with all the freshness and minerality I expect from BdB plus Baron Fuente's signature richness of texture. Ummmm good stuff. Driscoll]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 07, 2016 This is a tremendous wine and one that I think fully conveys the thought and the effort that goes into our direct import Champagne program. For the price of a standard grade big house-blended cuvee, you're getting a single vineyard, single varietal expression of incredible beauty and depth. There's a nuttiness on the palate from the extended lees aging (keeping the spent yeast in the bottle) and a crispness that comes from the cool weather in this particular vineyard site. All in all, it's a fascinating bottle with unique spice and character for a price that still comes in less than the entry-level Veuve Clicquot! --------------------------------------------------------------- [Charles Ellner "Qualite" Extra Brut Champagne]( [Charles Ellner "Qualite" Extra Brut Champagne]( ($39.99) Spinola]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 04, 2018 As I tasted through our February club selections I came back to this Champagne a couple of times. The best way to describe this is as, "a perfect start to any occasion." Whether it's after a long day of work and starting a quiet night at home, or before an intimate dinner with a loved one, or to kick off a social gathering... this is a great wine to have in your glass to get things going! It's refreshing and uplifting with superb balance and a great mouthfeel. Absolutely delicious! Westby]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 30, 2017 Champagne Charles Ellner is one of the largest vineyard holders in Epernay, and wine comes exclusively from these vines. It is composed of 50% Pinot Noir, 30%Chardonnay and 20% Meunier, is aged for almost five years on the lees and is treated to an addition of 1/3 reserve wines. This has great red cherry Pinot Noir fruit framed by baguette toast from the long ageing, as well as surprising snap and length. This is an ideal aperitif, and will go fantastically well with gougers, parmesan crisps and all manner of finger foods. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Michel Arnould "Grand Cuvée" Brut Champagne]( [Michel Arnould "Grand Cuvée" Brut Champagne]( ($39.99) Exclusively from the 2009 harvest, although not labeled as such, this Champagne is composed of two-thirds Pinot Noir and one-third Chardonnay. The Champagne has a graceful, delicate balance that Verzenay wines sometimes lack but with the signature hazelnut Pinot core. I found it to have creaminess to complement its racy cherry fruit on the palate, and an extraordinarily long, dry finish. It is dosed at 9 grams per liter: very dry! It will age very well. The Arnoulds own 27 acres in the village of Verzenay, a quite sizable holding in this high-rent area. It is planted to 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay, which is average for the village. The Arnoulds have quite a few plots of vines that are very old and positioned in the golden band mid-slope where the sun exposure is best. They have 40- and 45-year-old vines in the lieux-diets of Corret, Perthos and Coutures and 50-plus-year vines in the red wine vineyard Carreaux. All of the wines made by the Arnoulds undergo complete malolactic fermentation in stainless steel and enamel vats. If you have enjoyed the wines of Lallement, Bollinger and Krug in the past, I think you will very much enjoy Michel Arnould. They are bold, masculine Champagnes with plenty of toasty flavor. (Gary Westby, K&L Champagne buyer) Turk]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 26, 2018 The decadent, complex Michel Arnould "Grand Cuvée" Brut is the creamiest of their lineup, featuring a toasty hazelnut note and a crisp finish, which balances well with the richness and bright cherry fruit of the palate. Although not technically a vintage release, this is from the warmer 2009 harvest, making it instantly accessible, with weighty texture and just the right amount of lift. North-facing slopes in Verzenay ripen Pinot Noir beautifully but maintain a snap of acidity that pairs well with sushi, and the raciness here cuts through anything with ponzu sauce. This is easily one of my favorite Pinot-based Champagnes in the store, and a killer value. Westby]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 24, 2018 This is one of my very favorite non-vintage Champagnes! Cinnamon and I shipped this to Costanoa, a resort by the beach (better than carrying it on our bicycle!) and enjoyed it alfresco after a day in the saddle. We carried Riedel "O" stemless glasses in our jersey pockets (don't try this at home kids!) because we forgot to ship them... We were glad we did. This wine has so much complexity and subtlety it would have been a shame to drink it out of substandard glassware. The Grand Cuvee is very powerful Pinot-based stuff, with a hint of smoke on the nose, a very supple texture and a bone dry, persistent finish. A great reward after a long ride. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Bollinger "Special Cuvée" Brut Champagne]( [Bollinger "Special Cuvée" Brut Champagne]( ($59.99) 93 points Allen Meadows - Burghound: "There is lovely complexity to the distinctly yeasty nose that combines high-toned green apple, pear, white flowers and gentle citrus nuances. The clean and sleek flavors are supported by a crisply firm but fine mousse where the finish is medium dry and lingering. It's not all that often that I suggest that readers cellar NV Brut but this is an example that absolutely cries out for it. I suspect that the texture will materially change for the better (i.e. become creamier) and better depth will be in the offing as well. Put it this way: this is a perfectly good Champagne right now but with 4 to 7 years of bottle age it could be first-rate and I would suggest buying it only if you're going to cellar it for at least a few years first. Note further that my rating assumes that the wine will be cellared. *Outstanding*" (01/2015) 93 points Wine Spectator: "Lovely aromas and flavors of ripe black cherry and currant fruit, graphite, toast and candied Meyer lemon zest are set in this racy Champagne, with a refined, finely detailed mousse. The mouthwatering finish is long and spicy. (AN)" (08/2017) 92 points James Suckling: "Looking the part with a keenly struck trade-off between freshness and complexity, there's plenty of pinot-derived red fruit on the nose, as well as biscuity, mellow, sweet spices and fragrance. The palate takes a similar path, with some grilled cashews and citrus, too. Nicely crafted texture, with cherry and peach fruits. Drink now." (10/2017) 90 points Vinous: "Pale yellow. Toasty aromas of apple and pear nectar are complemented by hints of toffee, honey and orange zest. Full and expansive on the palate, offering ripe orchard and pit fruit flavors and an undercurrent of smoky minerals and buttered toast. Smooth and gently spicy on the clinging, nicely focused finish. (JR)" (01/2015) K&L Notes: A Pinot Noir-dominated blend that always includes a generous proportion of reserve wines. The biggest and boldest of the big house non-vintages, this is still made from mostly estate fruit. All of the reserve wines are aged in magnums under natural cork, and a large percentage of the fruit is still barrel fermented. In an age where a lot of the big houses are concentrating more on marketing and less on the product, Bollinger continues their tradition of quality. (Gary Westby, K&L Champagne buyer) Westby]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 02, 2015 Bollinger has a sterling reputation in Champagne for stalwart quality for a great reason. They do the hard work to make great Champagne, and there Special Cuvee is the standard barer for their range. Along with Krug, Bollinger is the only grand marque to refuse to give up their barrels, which they still ferment the wine in to this day. They are located in the village of Ay, famous for being the chalkiest terroir for Pinot Noir in all of Champagne, and Ay is the soul of this blend. It is one of the fullest, most powerful non-vintages from the grand marques, and also one of the driest. If you are a fan of Champagne and haven't tried this classic, you should! Manekin]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 07, 2017 Oh man, is this good, soooo good! We have to be careful around here about picking favorites in the Champagne category, because the fact is that we all love Champagne and our current favorite may be bested by yet another delicious bottling before long. That said, for many of us, Bollinger is a long-time favorite amongst the grande marques, a true original and - without going into detail - a process that is ridiculously labor intensive, manual and expensive even for their Special Cuvee. With aromas of loquat, and a slightly savory, Beurre Blanc like note, the current bottling immediately drew me in in. It may be the 1/3 barrel fermented aspect of the base wine, the presence of 10-20 year old reserve wine, or my experience with the other great chalky soil based wine region of Europe, but I detected just a passing resemblance to Manzanilla here! A bright, delicious, complete and complex palate seals the deal and Bollinger continues to be one of my absolute faves. Beckerley]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 06, 2017 This Champagne is crazy good! Crazy because its primary fermentation is 1/2 done in barrel and crazy because the 1/2 of the wine is aged in magnum at 1/2 pressure (3 fathoms) and then disgorged and blended in. Two hundred and fifty-thousand magnums hand-disgorged and tested for cork taint as the mags are aged on the cork, not crown cap. Who does this?! The Special Cuvée is bright and lively on the initial taste but, fleshes out and the trademark Bollinger golden fruits and caramel come into play. Super, super long finish! Still a family-owned Champagne house! --------------------------------------------------------------- [Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé Champagne]( [Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé Champagne]( ($74.99) 94 points James Suckling: "An subtle nose with plenty of fine autolysis aromas of fresh bread and sweetly fragrant yeasty notes, plus some gentle spice and chalky notes. The palate unleashes beautiful wild strawberry fruit flavors, super fresh, fleshy and pure. Great balance and depth." (07/2015) 93 points Wine Spectator: "A lovely rosé in an almost vinous style, with mouthwatering acidity and a fine, lacy mousse carrying appealing flavors of ripe raspberry, white cherry fruit, star anise, mandarin orange peel and honeysuckle. Lightly chalky on the lasting finish. Enjoy with food. Drink now through 2020. (AN)" (11/2016) 92 points Vinous: "Pale orange. High-pitched red berry, orange zest and jasmine aromas, with suave mineral and smoky lees notes adding complexity. Spicy and precise on the palate, showing very good punch to its strawberry and bitter cherry flavors. Opens up smoothly with air and picks up a bitter rhubarb quality that lingers onto the long, tightly focused finish. This bottling showed more brawny character than many past renditions of this cuvée, but with no lack of vivacity. (JR)" (01/2015) Westby]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 03, 2015 This is the benchmark in rose Champagne, and it deserves every bit of its fame. I find it elegant and balanced every time that I have it, and the blushing pink color is always perfect. If you are looking for a famous producer that delivers the goods, the Billecart Salmon Brut Rose Champagne is a great choice. I like the wine best as an aperitif, the only thing it need to pair with is a good glass. Rodriguez]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 07, 2018 The wine that Billecart is probably most well-known for is their rose and it's done very well. I usually choose blanc de blanc, or blanc de noir when I'm getting my bubbles on. Mostly because I tend to feel that rose' sparklers need a bit more time, after popping that top, to open up, and I just really don't have time to wait when I'm trying to celebrate! Get in my glass, and "get in mah belleh", to quote a favorite actor of mine. This needs no extra time to blow off the funk that can sit in the glass for a bit. It's pretty, fresh, and crisp, right from the start. High toned bright fruit really make this a fresh, lifted, wine to toast to any great occasion. Although it's quite dry, it still shines through with a nice measure of sweetness from the fruit. This is the sparkling rose to beat! Turk]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 17, 2017 This sets the bar for spectacular brut rosé! Its hard to gush about Billecart-Salmon without feeling like youre piggybacking on critical accolades or following popular opinion, but this best-selling Champagne is worth the hype. Gorgeous rose petal and delicate white peach on the nose, followed by pure strawberry fruit gleaming through the palate, this showcases Billecart-Salmons bright style while adding the sophistication of mousse texture and a minerally finish. Theres freshness throughout, plus substance this would be a great wine to pair with heartier meals like fried chicken, although its elegance makes a glass equally at home with caviar. Tiny creamy bubbles and lovely color only enhance the drinking experience, and cooler, longer fermentation in stainless steel (3-5 weeks!) keeps everything crisp. Billecart-Salmon uses all three big Champagne varietals: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and curiously, more Pinot Meunier than most houses. They have traditionally championed Meunier and the result is a delicate, nuanced wine with depth. Perfect for any occasion, even if that occasion is a weeknight spent on an apartment balcony, Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé Champagne is reliably special. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Krug "Grande Cuvée" 164 Ème Édition Brut Champagne]( [Krug "Grande Cuvée" 164 Ème Édition Brut Champagne]( ($159.99) 97 points Vinous: "Krug's NV Grand Cuvée 164 Edition is a total knockout. Based on the 2008 vintage, the 164th Edition shows all the crystalline tension and energy that is such a signature of the year. At times, the 164 reminds me of the 2008 vins clairs I tasted after harvest. The flavors are brisk, delineated and pulsing with energy, while the more oxidative notes that are such a signature of Krug Champagnes are not especially evident. A wine of total pedigree and class, the 164 reminds me of some of the great Grand Cuvées of the 1960s and 1970s I have been lucky to taste over the years. No Champagne lover will want to be without this spectacular, captivating wine. All that said, readers should be patient, as the 164 is painfully young, austere and in need of serious cellaring. (AG)" (07/2017) 96 points Wine Spectator: "A seamless Champagne, with vibrant acidity and flavors of toasted almond, baked currant and golden raisin. Long and mouthwatering, with a finely detailed bead carrying the flavors to the lasting finish, with accents of spice, pastry cream and coffee. Disgorged spring 2016. Drink now through 2027. (AN)" (11/2017) 95 points John Gilman: "The 164th Edition of Krug Grande Cuvée is absolutely brilliant and one of the bestiterations of this iconic wine that I have ever had the pleasure to taste. This is not surprising, as itis from the base year of 2008, though the team at Krug utilized reserve wines all the way back to1990 in this version. The final cépages is forty-eight percent pinot noir, thirty-five percentchardonnay and seventeen percent pinot meunier, with the wine spending eight years in the Krugcellars sur latte. The beautiful bouquet wafts from the glass in a blend of apple, white peach,fresh-baked bread, very complex soil tones, white flowers, incipient smokiness and just a hint ofthe caraway seed to come with bottle age. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied andseamlessly balanced, with a great core, utterly refined mousse, superb focus and grip and a very,very long, complex and zesty finish. The vibrancy of the exceptional base year of 2008 is verymuch in evidence here and this is destined to be one of the all-time great Grande Cuvées. 2017-2065+" (07/2017) Turk]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 10, 2017 Krug never fails to impress, and the racy 164 Ème release based on the cooler, dazzling 2008 vintage is destined for greatness, although right now is just a baby. Upon first sip, it lacks the rounded, easy accessibility of the 163rd, instead presenting sharp minerality that showcases the special chalky soil of Krugs vineyard sites. This is a bottle to cellar, and I have no doubt will reward you with the classic Krug brioche, pear fruit and almond complexity after a few more years of age. Drink the 163 Ème for your next celebration, and save this gorgeous 164th edition for the future. Westby]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 31, 2017 The 164th edition of Krug is only the second comercial release with the edition on the front label- and what an addition it is! Based on the fantastic 2008 vintage, this spectacular Champagne is composed of 11 different vintages going all the way back to 1990. While the 163rd edition drinks better today, this great bottle of Champagne will eclipse nearly anything that a collector could buy at this price after a few years in a good cellar. Not only does this have the breadth and depth of power that we all love in Krug, it has the chalky electric energy of the 2008 vintage. This is already becoming a legend in its own time... But in a few years, look out! Woodhouse]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 31, 2017 Krug Grand Cuvee has long been a go-to for me when it comes to a luxury Champagne. It has the magic combination of brand recognition (aka "bling factor") but also consistently maintains exceptional quality (something that can't be said for some of it's peers). Krug is the benchmark for richer styles of Champagne. It has a crowd pleasing nutty, toasty character but also a beautiful acid line and lingering minerality. This house is also undoubtedly THE master of blending. They have a staggering amount of reserve wines from different villages, single parcels and past vintages. You might think that the mastery of this blending technique would be kept close to the chest as a proprietary secret...and yet the opposite is true! Krug has embraced full transparency when it comes to what components make up their Grand Cuvee placing an ID number on each and every bottle that details its composition. They have now started noting what "Edition" the wine comes from front and center on the label. My take is that when you do everything with the true diligence and commitment to detail that Krug does then I guess you don't have anything to hide! Finally (talk about burying the lead...) this 164th Edition of the Grand Cuvee is largely based on 2008 with reserve wines back to 1990! The focus, tension and linear nature of the legendary 2008 vintage is clear to see in this bottling. This is a seriously good and very distinctive bottling of Grand Cuvee and I believe --------------------------------------------------------------- [2009 Louis Roederer "Cristal" Brut Champagne]( [2009 Louis Roederer "Cristal" Brut Champagne]( ($199.99) 97 points Decanter: "Long lingering finish. A great and supremely elegant Champagne. (ME)" (10/2016) 97 points James Suckling: "A very rich and full-bodied Cristal that harks back to 2006 or 1989 in style. It's round and rich, which underlies the ripeness of the vintage. Lots of dried-apple and pineapple character with bread dough and flan flavors. The bubbles are so fine you almost don't notice them. Very vinous style." (10/2016) 97 points Wine Enthusiast: "The latest incarnation of this famous Champagne now comes from Roderer's own vineyards, a good portion of which are run on biodynamic lines. This still-young wine has great depth and richness, a beautiful balance between ripe fruit and crisp texture that make it alive, crisp and bright. As it matures, it will deepen and become even more intense. *Cellar Selection* (RV)" (12/2016) 96 points Vinous: "Rich, creamy and radiant, the 2009 Cristal captures all of the natural generosity of the vintage while also retaining a good bit of freshness and aromatic intensity. Immediate and totally sensual in its allure, the 2009 will drink well with minimal cellaring. All things considered, at this stage, the 2009 comes across as relatively restrained for a wine from a warm year. (AG)" (07/2017) 96 points Wine & Spirits: "Cristal 2009 is supple and lovely, the vintage adding richness to the clarity and precision of its fruit, heightening the sense of purity from a wine exclusively made from chalk terroirs. Its a straight line of flavor widened by fruit notes of just-ripe white peach and deeper tones of red currant. What ornate charm this offers may be clarified by the details (60 percent pinot noir, 40 percent chardonnay, from seven grand cru villages, plus Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, where Roederer owns exceptional parcels of pinot noir, a portion of the lots fermented in barrel, none of it allowed to undergo malolactic fermentation). But this is not the kind of symphonic blend that other houses strive to produce. Young Cristal offers resonance rather than complexity, a long, gentle reverberation that lasts. Its future lies in its perfect shape, something time will address with a patina on the surface and in layers below." (12/2016) 95 points Wine Spectator: "White peach and acacia blossom aromas accent the flavors of poached apple, gingersnap biscuit, pastry cream and spun honey in this harmonious Champagne. The satiny mousse caresses the palate, while firm, focused acidity drives the lasting finish. *Collectibles* (AN)" (11/2016) K&L Notes: For the second time in history, Champagne house Louis Roederer has chosen to release their famous Cristal out of vintage order, since the 2008 needs more time on the lees. Westby]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 15, 2016 For many years now, Champagne Louis Roederer has been leading the way in progressive practices in the vineyard in the region. This approach showed in the wines at this years staff summit, and in a quite spectacular way. The wines of Roederer really have a shine to them, and the soon to be released 2009 Louis Roederer "Cristal" Brut Champagne exemplifies this luminescent style. Roederer has been the largest organic vineyard owner in Champagne for many years, and this is the first year that Critstal has been made exclusively from these organic, mid slope, pure chalk sites. The ripe vintage of 2009 has made for a precocious wine that is already showing much more aroma and giving much more pleasure than Cristal normally does when first released. That being said, this is a chalky, complex, detailed Champagne that has decades and decades of time to shine! Turk]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 07, 2017 Theres a real purity of fruit to Cristals 2009: apple shines through, with lovely sweetness tempered by bright acid and a delicate finish. This is an easygoing vintage, so much so that Roederer pushed it ahead of the more structured 2008, and theres a lot to love about this layered release: creamy roundness, subtle leesy character, and for the first time, all organic, Grand Cru vineyard sources! 40% Chardonnay from chalky soil adds freshness, while the remaining 60% Pinot Noir lends accessibility. Cristal is always a treat, but the complex, age-worthy 2009 overdelivers. Schroeder]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 07, 2017 Among the prestige cuvées in Champagne, Louis Roederers Cristal stands out for its delicacy, purity and precision. It is made entirely from mid-slope Grand Cru vines, with no malolactic fermentation and seven years of lees aging. Even in its relative youth, the 2009 displays a meticulous nature: mouth watering, fresh citrus fruit and white flower flavors with subtle underlying pastry notes that meld seamlessly with the richness from the long lees aging. This impressive vintage will last at least 30 years, so set a couple aside! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2004 Krug Brut Champagne]( [2004 Krug Brut Champagne]( ($269.00) 97 points John Gilman: "The new release of 2004 Krug is absolutely beautiful and is already quite elegant andopen on both the nose and palate and is drinking with great finesse. I had expected this wine tobe a bit more steely in structure out of the blocks, but the refinement of the blend this year hasproduced a wine that is already a joy to drink at age thirteen, though it will continue agegracefully for many, many decades to come. The cépages in 2004 is thirty-nine percentchardonnay, thirty-seven percent pinot noir and twenty-four percent pinot meunier, with the winehaving been disgorged in the winter of 2016. The bouquet jumps from the glass in a refined mixof apple, a touch of walnut, warm bread, lavender, a superb base of soil tones and a topnote ofsmokiness. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and utterly seamless, with vibrant acids, great focus and grip, a lovely core, refined mousse and a very long, complex, racy and energeticfinish. There is marvelous precision here on both the nose and palate, not to mention a sense ofharmony and grace that is fairly rare in the 2004 vintage. Chapeau! 2017-2060." (11/2017) 97 points Vinous: "Krug's 2004 Vintage is absolutely mesmerizing. Layers of bright, chiseled fruit open up effortlessly as the wine fleshes out with time in the glass. Persistent and beautifully focused, with a translucent sense of energy, the 2004 captures all the best qualities of the year. Moreover, the 2004 is clearly superior to the consistently underwhelming 2002 and the best Krug Vintage since 1996. Readers who can find it should not hesitate, as it is a magical bottle. (AG) 97+" (12/2017) 95 points Decanter: "Fresh, zesty spiced lemon and citrus notes of top Meunier and elegantly built Chardonnay, with a hint of honeysuckle and spice. Supremely subtle mouthfeel, showing textural quince and plum flavours.Optimally ripe, not heavy, with magical, very Krug-like acidity. It's so fresh. From a fine Chardonnay year, it has the ideal blend of 39% Chardonnay, 37% Pinot Noir and 24% Pinot Meunier. Great potential. (ME)" (09/2017) Jancis Robinson: "ID 216022. 39% Chardonnay, 24% Meunier, 37% Pinot Noir. They thought this would be ready before the 2002, so they had some bottles disgorged in 2014. The 2004 growing season benefited from 2003 when there was such a small yield post frost that the vines built up reserves, meaning that 2004 was a very generous crop and selection was permitted. Very pure and greenish straw. Savoury nose. Very dense but flyaway linseed nose. Quite rich on the palate. Tight knit. Very solid with baked-apple flavours. Lots of density. Called luminous freshness by the Krug team. Masses of energy. (JR) 18+/20 points" (09/2017) K&L Notes: The much-anticipated 2004 vintage release from Krug is composed of 39% Chardonnay, 37% Pinot Noir and 24% Meunier. It was first disgorged after 12 years of ageing on the lees, and held for another year in the cellar before release. As the Maison articulates, "The wines of the year [2004] were at once highly expressive, bright and undeniably elegant. The vivacity, tension and citrus notes of the Meuniers and the shining Chardonnays combined with the backbone of the Pinot Noir gave rise to a very balanced year. Combining generosity and precision, elegance and character, Krug 2004 tells the vibrant story of a fresh year." Westby]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 23, 2017 Tasting the new 2004 Krug next to the 2002 was a revelation for me. This has the power and mid-palate presence that we all love from this great house, but it is married to the extraordinary freshness, minerality and purity of the 2004 vintage. As soon as I touched my lips to the glass I was transported back to the moment over a decade ago when I tasted the 1988 on release. The 2004s and 1988s are like peas in a pod, and I think this will be a vintage that collectors will be kicking themselves for not paying enough attention to. The finish on this bright, lively Krug is still with me the morning after drinking it. It is a Champagne for the ages. Beckerley]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 16, 2017 Next to the legendary 2002 vintage Krug, this 2004 is also a star. Very, very, bright with generous acidity that combines with white stone fruit and almond flavors. It still retains the elegant mousse and brioche of classic vintage Krug, but, the acidity is the star player here. Super fresh, and clean, and bracing. This bottling has the potential of being the star of your cellar and may even overshadow the 2002 eventually. If you prefer to drink it without cellar time, give it a few minutes to air in your glass so that the glorious texture has a chance to come out and say "hi". The 2004 is a classic and will be remembered as being one of Krug's best! Westby]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 15, 2017 I was lucky enough to taste the Krug 2004 Vintage right next to the Krug Grand Cuvee Edition 160 - which has 2004 as its foundation. It was a joy to contemplate the artistry of both approaches. The Grand Cuvee featuring the expert blending of reserve wines back to 1990 to create the top expression of this house. Contrasted with the purity of the 2004 Vintage. A glimpse into that particular growing season, like a portrait representing a moment in time that will be referred back-to again and again. The 2004 Vintage is exquisite, vibrant and fresh - a prime candidate for cellar ageing. And when compared to some of its peers from other regions like Burgundy or Bordeaux, a supreme value! --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- 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. Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637) Email: wine@klwines.com K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA Click here to manage your e-mail settings with K&L Wine Merchants or alternatively, [click here to unsubscribe from all mailings]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} [K&L](