Our Top Selections from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa

Now Available From K&L Wine Merchants... Monday Mar 26th, 2018 [View in Browser]( [Special Spanish Feature]( New Zealand, and South Africa, the focus of this month’s newsletter, have long and rich histories of producing wines that are are not only striking in their range and diversity, but also offer the highest level of quality. As our new Commonwealth buyer, Brian Fogarty, notes in his introduction to this newsletter, if wine is about discovery, then these fabled locales offer much to explore. We urge you to dig in, as around every corner, there’s seemingly a new gem that is sure to surprise, delight, and charm. As even a cursory scan will reveal, the wines from these regions are remarkably well-priced offering a level of value you simply won’t find elsewhere. The range of styles is equally as dazzling, so whether you like the deep and rich flavors of Australian Cab and Shiraz, or the light and refreshing whites from New Zealand’s Marlborough region, there’s going to be something here for you to enjoy. Special highlights include [Australia’s Margaret River]( [New Zealand’s Central Otago]( and [South Africa’s Western Cape](. We would argue that some of the most engaging (and delicious!) wines in the world are coming from this trio of appellations. If you are on the hunt for outlandishly good wines at more than reasonable prices, you’ll definitely want to delve deeply into Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. [View our electronic newsletter!]( Highlights this month include... Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2016 Boekenhoutskloof "The Wolftrap" Red Blend Western Cape $8.99 [View]( 2015 Bryan MacRobert "Steen" Hillside Vineyard Chenin Blanc Swartland 90 $19.99 [View]( 2011 Fromm "La Strada" Pinot Noir Marlborough (Elsewhere $30) 93 $19.99 [View]( 2016 Payten & Jones "Valley Vignerons" Pinot Noir Yarra Valley $19.99 [View]( 2013 Trinity Hill "The Gimblett" Bordeaux Blend Hawke's Bay (Black Label) 96 $19.99 [View]( 2015 Schwarz "Nitschke Block" Shiraz Barossa South Australia 95 $24.99 [View]( 2013 Fable Mountain "Tulbagh Estate" Syrah Western Cape (Elsewhere $50) 92 $29.99 [View]( 2015 Valli "Gibbston" Pinot Noir Central Otago 96 $44.99 [View]( 2012 Henschke "Hill of Grace" Shiraz Eden Valley South Australia 99 $689.99 [View]( [2016 Boekenhoutskloof "The Wolftrap" Red Blend Western Cape]( [2016 Boekenhoutskloof "The Wolftrap" Red Blend Western Cape]( ($8.99) Wine & Spirits: "Spicy and bold, this wines fat red-grape flavor balances its ashy, earthy tannins. For braised meats." (02/2018) Wine Spectator: "A mix of cherry, mulled strawberry, vanilla and savory notes on a modest frame, showing light structure. Syrah, Mourvédre and Viognier. (JM)" (12/2017) K&L Notes: The Wolftrap is a robust, lively blend of Syrah, Mourvédre, and Viognier. From Neal Martin at erobertparker.com: "Robert Parker recently tasted Mark Kent's (a.k.a. Mr Boekenhoetskloof) Wolftrap red and white and came to the same conclusion as I in recent years: these are just wonderful bang for bucks wines that are thoughtfully crafted at this price point." --------------------------------------------------------------- [2015 Bryan MacRobert "Steen" Hillside Vineyard Chenin Blanc Swartland]( [2015 Bryan MacRobert "Steen" Hillside Vineyard Chenin Blanc Swartland]( ($19.99) 90 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2015 Steen Chenin Blanc has an attractive bouquet with brioche and sesame notes infusing the light tropical tones. The palate is well balanced with an almost creamy-textured opening, hints of brioche and sweetcorn broth, lovely definition towards the finish that lingers in the mouth. (NM)" (04/2017) K&L Notes: Winemaker Bryan MacRobert graduated from the hallowed cellar of Sadie Family wines learning his craft from Swartland legend Eben Sadie. Fruit for this bottling is from old vines, on a steep, east facing slope in a very cool vineyard. This gives the wine a little more focus and crunch than some of the rounder more generous renditions from the Swartland. I love it and the value is stunning. (Ryan Woodhouse - K&L S. African Wine Buyer) Vander Wall]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 25, 2017 Another great bottle from this very talented winemaker! If you're looking for a white that appeals to a variety of palates, but avoids the common choices of Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc is a great choice. This example from Bryan MacRobert has everything a good Chenin should--crisp, clean cut acidity, with good weight and a lovely, honeyed, floral nose. Baez]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 03, 2017 This is my first-ever tasting of Chenin Blanc from South Africa and I am impressed! With this bottle you'll get a delicious balance of ripe fruit and aromatics on the nose with a great acidity to finish. It's simply delicious and certainly deserves to be on everyone's list to buy for white wine. Without a doubt, this wine will become a favorite with our customers and staff alike. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2011 Fromm "La Strada" Pinot Noir Marlborough (Elsewhere $30)]( [2011 Fromm "La Strada" Pinot Noir Marlborough (Elsewhere $30)]( ($19.99) 93 points James Suckling: "Lovely, sultry black- and dark-berry fruits on the nose, with deep spice, a touch of undergrowth and deep, earthy tones. Lovely shape on the palate as the dark, spicy fruit flows forth. Plenty of spice and meaty notes with an aura of leaf litter and forest floor surrounding the fruit charcters. Perfectly poised on the finish. Give this a good decant and settle in. Drink in 2015." (10/2014) 91 points Raymond Chan: "Dark, deep ruby-red colour with a black-hued heart and lighter garnet on rim. The bouquet is gentle and even with ethereal perfumes of dark red berry fruits and fresh red floral detail interwoven harmoniously with red liquorice and raspberry notes. Medium-bodied, restrained flavours of dark red berries and florals are supported by very fine-grained tannins and supple, dry textures. The acidity is in the background enhancing the soft, rounded mouthfeel. The palate flows smoothly and with a sense of balance and completeness to a soft, dry finish with good length. This is a harmoniously balanced Pinot Noir with ethereal red fruits and soft, dry textures. Serve with poultry and rabbit dishes over the next 5-6 years." (07/2013) K&L Notes: Fromm is a small certified BioGro organic estate in Renwick at the center of Marlborough's Wairau Valley. They have been producing wine since 1992 and strive to make hand-crafted wines that represent unique vineyard expressions. After visiting the property in 2011 I knew that these wines were special. I am delighted that we have developed such a great relationship with GM Will Hoare to offer these wines at fraction of their worth due to a direct winery purchase deal. I hope you enjoy the wines as much as I have. (Ryan Woodhouse, New Zealand buyer) Winemaker's Notes: "Bright and youthful Pinot, good density, ripe, sweet fruit with plum, cherry and spicy aromas. Complex and harmonious with a layered structure." Garneau]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 28, 2015 With all the hard work done by New Zealand buyer Ryan Woodhouse, we are spoiled for choice in selecting delicious, well priced NZ Pinot Noir. That being said, anyone looking for exceptional quality and unbeatable pricing ought to be drinking the 2011 La Strada Pinot Noir from Fromm. There is so much on offer here. Ripe red and black fruits. Subtle spice. Real depth and complexity. A reserved, Burgundian style even for an entry level bottling. Do yourself a favor and get this into a decanter for an hour before dinner, then enjoy with grilled salmon or roast chicken. You'll be surprised just how much $20 buys you. Othenin-Girard]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 28, 2015 Another fabulous value for Kiwi Pinot. This is deep powerful Pinot that will scratch the itch for most Cali Pinot drinkers, but not scare away those in love with more expressive terroir-driven style. Earthy, savory dark cherry, great structure with red and black fruit continuing on the palate. Pure and structured, this will easily improve over the next 2-3 years, but shows beautifully right now. For only $20, cases, dude, cases. Woodhouse]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 03, 2015 This is a Pinot lovers Pinot...That might sound strange...but in this world of big, black, 15.5% ALC Pinot Noir...this Fromm bottling is a breath of fresh dirt! Much more concerned with dusty red fruits, forest floor, earth and savory tones than high octane, heavily extracted fruit and new oak. The nose sets the scene for the wines precision and focus. Tightly packed red berries, dry leaves and Chanterelles. The wine gains weight with some time in the glass taking time to unfold like all great Pinot should. Dusty dark red berries emerge, leaf litter, bark and river stone. A very Burgundian profile with some tell tale spiced orange peel and clove notes that give away it's Marlborough origins to the experienced observer. I truly believe this wine still has more to give and think it will flesh out further with a few more months / years in the cellar. However even now this wine is bright, fresh, pure Pinot Noir that is a really pleasing style for those looking for a more traditional, elegant expression of this fickle grape. Absolutely exceptional value thanks to our direct import. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2016 Payten & Jones "Valley Vignerons" Pinot Noir Yarra Valley]( [2016 Payten & Jones "Valley Vignerons" Pinot Noir Yarra Valley]( ($19.99) Behn Payten spent a number of years working as a winemaker at Punt Road, even working on some of the Dalwhinnie wines that we import to K&L, and his partner Troy Jones works in sales while managing time over at Four Pillars, one of the best gin distilleries in the world. Together they make up the formidable team of Payten & Jones, a duo out of Healesville making small production wines from their own estate vineyard and neighboring sites. Behn's dad Peter, a viticulturist and consultant in the Yarra Valley, also helps with the project, working to source additional fruit beyond the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay sites on Behn's property. Having worked at Botobolar in the early eighties, Peter Payten had an early role in organic farming in the Yarra. Botobolar was the first organic vineyard in all of Australia when it was founded in the seventies, and his experience there has proved valuable to those producers who continue to move away from pesticides and other chemicals. As a result, all of the wines from P&J come from sustainably-farmed vineyards and showcase some of the Yarra Valley's purest fruit sources. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2013 Trinity Hill "The Gimblett" Bordeaux Blend Hawke's Bay (Black Label)]( [2013 Trinity Hill "The Gimblett" Bordeaux Blend Hawke's Bay (Black Label)]( ($19.99) 96 points Raymond Chan: "Very dark, deep, near saturated black-hued purple-red colour, very youthful in appearance. This has a very firmly concentrated, elegantly proportioned nose with aromas of black-berried fruits along with liquorice, black plums, tar and iron-earth notes, revealing fragrant block florals, herbs, spices and lead pencil elements. Medium-full bodied, the palate is elegantly concentrated with a core of ripe blackberry fruit entwined with complexing blackcurrant, plum, tar and earth detail. The wine shows very fine-grained tannin extraction and structure supporting the fruit, and soft acidity lends a gentle liveliness and energy, carrying the wine to a long, linear finish of blackcurrants, herbs, tar and pencilly oak. This is an elegant, grainy-structured Bordeaux-varietal blend with black fruits, tar and earthy complexities. Serve with lamb, beef and venison, and semi-hard cheeses over the next 7-10 years. 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot from the companys Tin Shed and Gimblett Stones vineyards, hand-picked and fermented to 13.4% alc., the wine undergoing 3 weeks cuvaison and aged 16 months in 30% new French oak barriques." 95 points Sam Kim: "This is awesome. The wine is filled with dark plum, blueberry, spice and cedar characters with a touch of dried herb complexity, beautifully supported by silky, supple mouthfeel and outstanding fruit concentration. Tannins are fine, polished and delicately drying, and seamlessly integrated. A stunning wine destined to evolve magnificently. At its best: 2016 to 2023." 92 points Wine & Spirits: "Bordeaux varieties thrive in this coastal gravel quarry, as they do in the deep river- stone promontories of the Médoc. This wine blends Cabernet Sauvignon (40 percent) with Merlot and Cabernet Franc (plus one percent Petit Verdot). It has the supple power this sort of soil can bring to wine, the fruit glowing red while the tannins seem to glisten with details of pebbles of all colors. Cedar, cranberry and red-apple-skin flavors last, and will only gain detail as the wine ages." (10/2015) Walker]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 23, 2017 Hawkes Bay has become one of my favorite places in the world for Bordeaux varietal wines. In the right hands you can get everything, ripe fruit, rich texture, complexity, fine earthy tones, and freshness. It is the perfect marriage of the old world and the new. Trinity hill is the right hands! Dark berries and fruits, a dusting of mocha, earth and tobacco, polished tannins and enough acidity to give lift to all of the flavors. My favorite "bordeaux" right now! Woodhouse]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 09, 2017 One of the finest Bordeaux-style blends you will find anywhere on the planet at this price point. Oh...and it's from the best vintage this region has ever experienced. And from a winemaker regarded by his peers as one of the very best in the business having crafted multiple 100-point wines in the past few years. Need I go on? Did I mention that we have the best pricing in the country? This is a serious wine built with power and structure; packed full of dark fruit, briary notes, gravelly minerals, shaved cedar, pipe tobacco. Stylistically this sits somewhere between Napa Cab and Left Bank Bordeaux...but really it's pure Gimblett Gravels...a terroir that I believe commands just as much respect as either of the aforementioned regions. Drink now with a bone-in rib-eye or cellar for 10 years comfortably. Driscoll]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 27, 2017 The term "Bordeaux blend" is entirely apropos here because the new Trinity Hill "Gimblett" is very much like a restrained and elegant Pessac-Leognan, but for a smashing price of $19.99. There's a deepness and richness of black fruit from the Cabernet, a faint mineral note from the stony soils (a la the Graves), and a plushness from the Merlot that rounds out the finish. It's a finely balanced blend, and one that showcases the potential of Hawke's Bay as a serious destination for claret. Try this on your next steak night and see what you think. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2015 Schwarz "Nitschke Block" Shiraz Barossa South Australia]( [2015 Schwarz "Nitschke Block" Shiraz Barossa South Australia]( ($24.99) 95 points James Halliday: "The vines were planted by Jason Schwarz's parents in '68. Picked in two portions, the first 14 Feb, 20% whole bunches, wild yeast open-fermented, 25 days on skins, matured in French hogsheads (25% new); the second picked 24 Feb, 25% whole bunches, 20 days on skins, matured in one new French hogsheads and puncheon, the bunches foot-stomped at the end of fermentation. Sophisticated winemaking, the only question the amount of French oak apparent now, but will regress with more time in bottle." (08/2017) K&L Notes: From a vineyard planted in 1968. Wild yeast fermented with whole bunches, basket pressed, bottled unfiltered. It’s a nutty shiraz with herbs strewn throughout; whole-bunches have had a clear impact, though they certainly don’t dominate. We’re otherwise straight into earth, black cherry, leather and cocoa territory, a subtle note of animale blending in nicely with those nut/herb/fennel characters. Tannin rumbles through the finish. Oak adds a gentle toastiness. It’s mid-weight and well polished but has just enough darkness, and attitude. It’s all quite exemplary – especially once given a chance to breathe. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2013 Fable Mountain "Tulbagh Estate" Syrah Western Cape (Elsewhere $50)]( [2013 Fable Mountain "Tulbagh Estate" Syrah Western Cape (Elsewhere $50)]( ($29.99) 92 points Vinous: "(vinified with about one-third whole clusters; aged for 24 months in one-third new 500-liter barrels and bottled without fining or filtration): Bright medium ruby. Pungent, pure aromas of cassis, blackberry, licorice, bitter chocolate and herbs. Dense, saline, concentrated and juicy but silky and fine-grained too. Dark berry and violet flavors show terrific energy and definition, with pepper and herb notes providing additional lift. A touch of smoked meat adds another dimension but this wine stands out most for its terrific purity of fruit, inner-mouth perfume and building, subtle length. I'd give it a year or two of additional cellaring to resolve its firm tannins; it should age gracefully.(ST)" (05/2017) 90 points James Suckling: "Black cherries with ripe strawberries on the nose. Balanced with lots of fresh strawberries. A bit of green at the end and quite short. Drink now." (08/2017) Jancis Robinson: "Selected fruit and selected barrels. 15% whole bunch. 24 months in barrel, 25% new. Mid cherry red. Sweet, ripe but scented cherry fruit on the nose. Still pretty youthful on the palate, firm tannins are filled out with peppery Syrah fruit but will benefit from a little longer in the bottle. Still pretty chewy. Serious wine thats not trying to flatter. 17+/20 points (JH)" (10/2017) K&L Notes: 94 points Falstaf: Strong ruby-garnet, violet reflexes, subtle edge brightening. Dark forest berry confit, delicate red berry accents, but also some elderberries, spicy nuances reminiscent of fynbos, a touch of orange zest. Juicy heart cherry fruit, ripe and harmonious, silky tannins, extra-sweet reverberation, already very well developed, a versatile food companion with good aging potential. Fogarty]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 23, 2018 This wine's remarkability starts with the terroir footprint they have in the Western Cape region of Talbagh (adjacent to Swartland and 2 hours from Cape Town); thin soils sitting on top of ancient, vertical shale. Of course the talented people who organically farm and craft their wines in the cellar should receive some of the credit too. Their property is literally in the shadow of the Witzenberg Mountains (looking like 3 sleeping giants on the label) so every morning these high elevation vineyards do not see direct sunlight till mid-day keeping them cool and abbreviating their growing season. This unique geographical feature allows them to have a slow ripening in the summer and maintain fresh acidity for an elegant fruit profile. To further amplify what nature has given them the team cultivates the land with biodynamic practices using animals in the vineyard to mow, aerate and fertilize the fields naturally in the winter months. However, every night the cows, sheep and one ugly pig have to be herded back into the barn to protect them from the wild things lurking in the adjacent Wilderness Refuge. Partnering so closely with Mother Nature has its risks and its rewards! Rich, bold fruit and a caress of oak on the nose gets serious and structured on the palate. Black cherries, anise, and bramble berries partner with dark chocolate and herbs into a savory finish. Stanley]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 23, 2018 This is a classic Syrah in the vein of Cote Rotie, with powerful black and red fruit, firm, mouthcoating tannins, and penetrating minerality. The fruit is biodynamically farmed, and the Tulbaugh Estate animals roam freely in the vineyards, adding to the unique ecosystem. There is a pleasantly rustic quality to the wine as well, particularly in the aromatic profile, and the palate offers a hefty portion of tart red fruit and fresh acidity, which makes this wine especially food friendly. Walker]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 16, 2018 Wow! That is what you can expect with your first sniff of this wine. The nose is heavy it is so rich. Dark macerated cherry and pomegrante backed with sweet woodsy notes, whiffs of tar and then laden with lots of pepper. The wine is big but polished with an almost creamy roundness, just no cream. More blue fruits come to play on the palate and again big spice. This is an intense wine, that doesn't require an intense meal. A perfect bridge for anyone who loves Rhone wines and wants to try some of the best wine coming from South Africa at a crazy reasonable price. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2015 Valli "Gibbston" Pinot Noir Central Otago]( [2015 Valli "Gibbston" Pinot Noir Central Otago]( ($44.99) 95-96 points Raymond Chan: "Dark, deep ruby-red colour. The nose is fine and deep, with classical Gibbston aromas of fresh dark red berry fruits laced with fresh and dark herbs and a subtle, savoury stalk perfume that is both whole cluster and a cooler place. Rich, bright and lively on palate, this is tightly bound with a concentrated core, unfolding waves of savoury red berry fruits, herbs, and stalk notes in the most positive complexing sense. The fruit is underlined by a fine, firm structured line and the mouthfeel lively and vibrant from the fresh acidity. The depth and layering of flavour is the highlight." 96 points Sam Kim: "Beautifully ripe and fragrant, the bouquet shows dark fruit, cocoa, vanilla, mixed spice and nutmegcharacters. It is generous and flavoursome on the palate, and delivers excellent fruit richness andintensity, gracefully framed by plenty of supple tannins. A delectable pinot showing power as wellas refinement. At its best: now to 2025." K&L Notes: Winemaker Grant Taylor has been crafting wines in Central Otago since 1993. Valli was founded in 1998 in order to focus on the unique subregions with the valley. The winery describes the 2015 Gibbston as, "Bright garnet colour with rose petals, red cherry, doris plum and baking spice on the nose. A long and highly aromatic palate with layers of delicious red fruit, rosemary, wild thyme and an earthiness that complements the enchanting florals. This is a worldly Pinot Noir with great length, fine tannins, vibrant acidity and noble power. Its unique character sings harmoniously of its Gibbston origins, a tiny place that produces exceptional wine that is enjoyed young and will also continue to develop for many years to come." --------------------------------------------------------------- [2012 Henschke "Hill of Grace" Shiraz Eden Valley South Australia]( ($689.99) 99 points James Halliday: "It's been worth the wait, and then some, for this is a flawless Hill of Grace. It's an old cliche, but it's unavoidable: it is the ultimate iron fist in a velvet glove. While the fruit remains supreme, there are savoury tannins to support the 50-year cellaring potential of the wine. It is bottled under screwcap, not the elegant Vino-Lok of past vintages, because you want the most secure closure for ultra-long cellaring. The wine? Perfect colour, fragrant dark cherry/berry aromas and flavours, positive tannin and French oak support, great aftertaste." (03/2017) 99 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2012 Shiraz Hill of Grace is a little reticent on the nose to begin, opening out to a somewhat paradoxically tantalizing black forest cake, beef dripping, fertile loam and tree bark nose with hints of black pepper, Marmite, bay leaves, eucalyptus, licorice and bakers chocolate. The medium to full-bodied palate is a wonderfully intricate mélange of mineral, savory, dark fruits and spice layers, framed by velvety tannins and refreshing acidity, finishing epically. This is a truly great Hill of Grace that has just entered the first stage of its drinking window and should continue to develop beautifully over the next 25+ years. (LPB)" (08/2017) 98 points James Suckling: "One of the great iterations of this regal single site wine. Very spicy, dried ground baking spices on the nose as well as dried sage leaves and other roasting herbs and a kind of wet chalky element too. Not the saturation and swagger of 2010 or 2009, a very tightly cut palate that's contained and reserved. Plenty of fine layers here and the sustained length is a real thing of marvel. The nose has all the blackberry and dark cherry fruits on offer with a wealth of fresh-roasted coffee, plums and blackberry. Tight and contained, real elegance with power and a long, fresh and even-handed finish. Best give this some time to fill out. Will be complete around 2025 and historic tastings would suggest it will really peak around 2035." (05/2017) 98 points Wine Spectator: "This is wonderfully harmonious, refined and elegant, blending a supple, silky texture with a profound level of detail. Aromas of mahogany, cedar, juniper and black truffle mingle with a core of bright cherry and cranberry flavors, gaining momentum and traction on the epic finish. Shiraz. Drink now through 2040. (MW)" (06/2017) 96 points Wine Enthusiast: "From the relatively cooler climes of Eden Valley, Henschkes most famous wine focuses on expressing the unique terroir of its 10 acres of 150 plus year old vineyards rather than on power, oak and extraction. This translates to savory and earthy secondary characters at the fore, highlighting herbal notes with licorice, currants and cocoa powder. The palate is silky and savory, and while the toasty oak notes are apparent, theyre kept in check with wonderfully balanced acidity. Approachable now, it will morph into a thing of stunning beauty with time. Drink now2037. *Cellar Selection* (CP)" (02/2018) --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- 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](