K&L Top 10 Picks - September

Now Available from K&L Wine Merchants... Monday Oct 15th, 2018 [View in Browser]( [KL-emailheader.gif]( Each month we dig through our inventory of several thousand hand-picked wines and spirits, and come up with a list of our Top 10 selections on KLWines.com Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2017 Peter Zemmer Pinot Grigio 95 $13.99 [View]( 2016 Intrinsic Columbia Valley Red Blend 94 $19.95 [View]( 2016 Ridge Vineyards "Geyserville" Alexander Valley Zinfandel 95 $39.95 [View]( 2008 Fallet-Dart Vintage Brut Champagne 91 $39.99 [View]( 2016 La Ferme du Mont "Côtes Capelan" Châteauneuf-du-Pape 97 $59.99 [View]( 2009 Bellevue, St-Emilion 94 $69.99 [View]( 2010 Bodegas Muga "Prado Enea" Gran Reserva Rioja 99 $69.99 [View]( 2013 Felsina Chianti Classico "Colonia" Gran Selezione 97 $99.99 [View]( Kilchoman 9 Year Old 100% Islay Barley K&L Exclusive Cask #549 Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $149.99 [View]( 2015 Clinet, Pomerol 99 $159.99 [View]( [2017 Peter Zemmer Pinot Grigio]( [2017 Peter Zemmer Pinot Grigio]( ($13.99) 95 points Decanter: "Lifted ripe pear and citrus aromas are echoed on the palate. Fresh, vibrant and lively with crunchy nashi pear notes supported by fresh mineral acidity. Finishes clean and bright. Long, mineral-iodine finish. Gold Medal 2018 Decanter World Wine Awards" (06/2018) Wine Enthusiast: "This wine's intense honeysuckle, jasmine and ripe green apple aromas leap out of the glass. The green apple note carries over to the palate, along with honeydew melon and citrus. Fresh acidity and a hint of mineral lift the fruity flavors. (KO)" (07/2018) [gregstclair.gif]( St. Clair]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 08, 2018 The nose of this wine is really complex, spiced apple, stone fruits with hints of mineral. On the palate the wine is alive, lots of richness with incredibly zippy acidity that really balances out well. The flavors get more complex on the palate with more baked apple spices that emerge and the mineral presence becomes more dynamic. A long and intense finish (I can hardly believe Im writing that but it really is) gives a vibrant and long aftertaste. Ive known Peter Zemmers wines for a long time but I have to say this one caught me by surprise, it was outstanding, even more so for the price. [jamesbradshaw.jpg]( Bradshaw]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 07, 2018 I've long had a strong affinity for Peter Zemmers wines, but this 2017 is off-the-charts delicious and might very well be their best-ever Pinot Grigio. Riper and rounder than any other vintage Ive had, it is a bright and dynamic wine with plenty of tropical touches that keep you coming back to the glass. Like a fugue in three parts, it glides seamlessly from one phrase to the next. First, it reveals floral aromatics and then shifts to flavors of green apple, citrus, melon, and papaya. The second section offers up Alto Adiges tell-tale minerality, which grounds the wine giving it excellent depth and structure. Lastly, the finish closes with a light and refreshing refrain. Regardless of whether you gravitate towards Pinot Grigio or not, this delightful 2017 belongs on your short list. It is an unbelievable value and top-flight effort from a world-class estate. [rachelvogel.jpg]( Vogel]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 03, 2018 At the end of a long day of tasting we popped opened a bottle of this PG and it was exactly what we needed. It was complex but easy to enjoy. The floral aromatics, baking spice and green apple on the nose invited us into a layered palate. The wine had body and texture without losing the steady acidity you dream of in Pinot Grigio. I found a tension of minerality that tied the more nuanced flavors together. The beautiful floral notes lingered on the long and enjoyable finish bringing another element to the wine. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2016 Intrinsic Columbia Valley Red Blend]( [2016 Intrinsic Columbia Valley Red Blend]( ($19.95) 94 points James Suckling: "This is a phenomenal wine with blackberry and blueberry character as well as black olives. Flamboyant and sexy. Blows your mind. Full body and pure fruit. No wood, no make up. Skin-contact wine made in stainless. Nine months on the skins. Groundbreaking. Naked great wine! Blend of 52% cabernet franc, 44% malbec, 3% cabernet sauvignon and 1% merlot. Drink now." (05/2018) 90 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Made from 52% Cabernet Franc, 44% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Merlot, the 2016 Red Blend sports a vibrant purple color as well as terrific notes of cassis and blackberry fruits, spice box, licorice, and hints of vanilla. This medium to full-bodied effort has no hard edges, beautiful purity and finesse, and a great finish, all making it a terrific value." (04/2018) K&L Notes: Winemaker's Notes: Blend - 52% Cabernet Franc, 44% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Merlot. For me, Malbec and Cabernet Franc go together like peanut butter and jelly. This wine opens with refined notes of raspberry, white tea leaves, a hint of fresh mint and lavender. The flavors are layered with milk chocolate, fig reduction, dark plum and licorice root, and the texture is angular, yet sophisticated, with chocolate ganache details in the finish." [ryanwoodhouse.gif]( Woodhouse]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 01, 2018 Brought to you by the same folks as the Borne of Fire Cabernet, that exploded into a top selling wine last month, comes the 2016 Intrinsic Red Blend. These guys just keep on coming through with rich, bold flavors and screaming values. This time Cabernet Franc and Malbec play the leading role with smaller amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Again extended time on skins has extracted rich exuberant flavors and allowed the tannins to smooth out into silky strands. This blend is jam packed with blackcurrant, ripe plum, black raspberry and cassis. Med-full bodied, soft tannins, lush texture. Has the feel of a much more expensive wine. [Stephanie-Vidales.jpg]( Vidales]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 26, 2018 This is a Columbia Valley red blend made with Bordeaux varieties but in a unique way. Winemaker Juan Muñoz-Oca aged Malbec juice on Cabernet Franc skins and Cabernet Franc juice on Malbec to make a decadent, layered red. Bold flavors and aromas include black cherries, dark chocolate, fig and raspberry liqour with a smooth, silky mouthfeel and mellow tannin. The balance is simply on point, and can be enjoyed now. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2016 Ridge Vineyards "Geyserville" Alexander Valley Zinfandel]( [2016 Ridge Vineyards "Geyserville" Alexander Valley Zinfandel]( ($39.95) 95 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2016 Geyserville is the usual Zinfandel-dominated blend and includes 17% Carignan, 7% Petite Sirah, and 3% Alicante Bouschet. It offers a gorgeous bouquet of ripe red and black cherries, caramelized plums, toasted spices, and exotic flowers. This gives way to a seamless, medium to full-bodied, elegant Geyserville that has plenty of intensity, sweet tannin, and perfect balance. This beauty just glides over the palate and is one of the more approachable vintages of this cuvée I can remember. Nevertheless, it will keep for at least a decade. It's a great wine. (JD)" (06/2018) 95 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2016 Geyserville Proprietary Red Wine is a real success this year, bursting from the glass with an exuberant bouquet of sweet cherries, blackberries and plums, with subtle hints of the licorice and spice to come with age, and a subtle framing of sweet new oak. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, supple and layered, with a lovely core of ripe, succulent fruit and beautifully fine-grained structuring tannins. The finish is long and pure. There are 23 different grape varieties co-planted in the Geyserville vineyard, but in 2016, Zinfandel dominates at 73%, followed by 17% Carignane, 7% Petite Sirah and 3% Alicante Bouschet.This was a great set of recent releases from Ridge, with the superb 2016 Geyserville standing out as a particular highlight. I've also included a few notes on barrel samples tasted at the Monte Bello winery. Ridge boasts as illustrious a history as any winery in California, but they certainly aren't resting on their laurels. Indeed, a persuasive case could be made that Ridge is currently producing the best wines they've ever made. (WK)" (05/2018) 95 points Vinous: "The 2016 Zinfandel Geyserville is a powerful, tightly wound wine. Beams of supporting tannin and acidity give the 2016 its distinctly virile, imposing personality. Black cherry, graphite, lavender, and spice are all laced throughout. Deceptively medium in body, the 2016 packs a serious punch. It also needs at least a few years in bottle to settle down, as the tannins are quite imposing, There is a purity to the 2016 that is absolutely striking. (AG)" (08/2018) [ryanwoodhouse.gif]( Woodhouse]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 04, 2018 An absolute stunner from Ridge. The 2016 Geyserville and Lytton bottlings are so good it's staggering that they still sell for under $40. Zinfandel from some of the best Zin vineyards on the planet, made by a winery with arguably more pedigree with the varietal than anyone on earth, with a track record going back many decades. Let's be honest, if this was old vine Cab, from one of the best vineyards in Napa, made by an iconic producer we'd be adding a zero to the price tag. After walking both vineyards recently I truly think this is one of the best modern day values in wine. [keithmabry.gif]( Mabry]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 05, 2018 Ridge was a defining producer for me in my early career and over the years they have never let me down. I remember tasting bottlings of Lytton and Geyserville that to this day are the benchmarks by which I measure Zinfandel and many northern California reds for that matter. The Geyserville hearkens back to those early days of drinking for me with its dense berry filled nose and loads of pepper and allspice. Some light floral notes dance through and expand as the wine opens. On the palate the concentration is there but with an almost seamless weight. Actually this is better than many of those old Zin blends that I used to drink as the care and detail in this wine has become more evident. I may not drink as much Zin now as I did when I first started but this wine will bring me back again and again. Truly special! [kajstromer.jpg]( Stromer]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 05, 2018 It was a bottle of 1990 Ridge Geyserville that first opened my eyes to the majesty of California wine. I was a burgeoning wine enthusiast living in NJ and hadn't been exposed to much high quality California wine. But my local merchant put one of these in my cart and opened up a new world for me. The very first sip just blew my mind. The copious fruit, the perfectly proportioned frame, the exceptionally long finish. Ive been a fan of this wine ever since. The 2016 vintage brought back memories of that wine epiphany. Ill surely be putting a few of these away for future drinking. So good! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2008 Fallet-Dart Vintage Brut Champagne]( [2008 Fallet-Dart Vintage Brut Champagne]( ($39.99) 91 points James Suckling: "A deep wine and very dry with sliced green apple and lemon rind. Some yeast. Full body, tight and dense. Hints of cooked apple. A bright and very drinkable Champagne." (03/2018) [gary.gif]( Westby]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 10, 2018 When one of Champagnes top growers releases a wine from the vintage of a generation, it is time to pay attention! It comes from estate vineyards in the far west of Champagne, in the tiny hamlet of Drachy, from a family that has been growing grapes for an astounding 17 generations. This bottling is composed of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir, and most of the Chardonnay comes from one of the few "clos" sites in Champagne, the Clos du Mont. This vineyard was the first monastic site in the region and perhaps the oldest of the "clos" in Champagne, first planted around the same time as the l'eglise Drachy was built: 741! The wine has the electricity, length and mineral drive that one would expect from the great 2008 vintage. The surprise is how much body and structure comes along with the minerality, and the complex, seemingly every changing flavors of the wine. I found it to have everything from sourdough to truffles to nectarines from one sip to the next. We tasted this next to the 1999, a much softer vintage that is still going strong... This is a bottle for the ages- if you can keep your hands off of it! [scottbeckerley.gif]( Beckerley]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 06, 2017 This probably my favorite of all of the Fallet-Dart Champagnes that we have been stocking. A more Chardonnay-driven release, this formidable 2008 is dry but, retains the houses' overall rich style. Minerals, green apple and a hint of anise on the nose. On the palate, hints of golden apple, cream and caramel with lively acidity and elegant balance. A 2008 vintage at this price and quality is like seeing a winged unicorn! [shaungreen.jpg]( Green]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 06, 2017 Of course the 2008 vintage has given us great Champagnes, and it's no exception with Fallet-Dart. Their '08 vintage has a fantastic deep brioche like character with zesty citrus and white grape fruits sparkling over rich baked apple. The 70% Chardonnay really shines through and the long persistent finish shows a wonderful mineral component. All you would expect from this great vintage at a price that is amazingly affordable [diana-turk.jpg]( Turk]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 13, 2017 Vivid and enticing immediately upon opening, this is a connoisseurs Champagne that is still super accessible. Gorgeously floral on the nose, hits of honeysuckle and white flowers give way to tart green apple and lusher pear fruit and a subtly creamy mouthfeel. The acid is apparent but not overpowering: just enough to showcase the colder 2008 vintages more bracing minerality. Fallet-Dart is always a budget-friendly option, but this vintage Direct Import is an especially complex, sophisticated offering at an astounding price... I can already tell I'll be turning to this powerhouse all summer. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2016 La Ferme du Mont "Côtes Capelan" Châteauneuf-du-Pape]( [2016 La Ferme du Mont "Côtes Capelan" Châteauneuf-du-Pape]( ($59.99) 94-97 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Based on 80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, partially destemmed and aged in old barrel, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Capelan is going to be another blockbuster from this estate. Cassis, roasted plums, licorice and roasted herbs all flow to a massive, rich, full-bodied, unctuous beauty that has serious depth and richness. With sweet tannin, beautiful purity, it's a sensational effort thats going to have two decades of longevity." (10/2017) 96 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "La Ferme du Mont's 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Cotes Capelan is a fantastic example of Southern Rhône Grenache, albeit one made with a modern take (about a third of the wine was raised in barrels). Hints of vanilla appear on the nose, adding a bit of richness to the bright red berries and orange zest notes. It's a full-bodied, lush, creamy-textured wine, with fine tannins and hints of mulling spices on the long, silky finish. Great intensity, vibrant fruit and a plush texture make this a special wine indeed. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. (JC)" (08/2018) 95 points Decanter: "Fermented in concrete, then matured in a combination of concrete and old barriques. It has a deeply vinous nose with a slight recollection of antique shops, before young primary berry fruit surges to the fore. This is very full-bodied and rich, deeply tannic but ripe. Like his Vendange, this wine gives the impression that it made itself with no external force. It's a wine that you dive into - pure pleasure. (MW)" (10/2017) 93 points Vinous: "Bright ruby. Intense red fruit liqueur and floral pastille aromas are complemented by Asian spice and smoky mineral notes that gain power as the wine opens up. Sappy and impressively concentrated but energetic as well, offering palate-caressing black raspberry and cherry compote flavors that pick up hints of allspice and cola on the back half. Combines richness and elegance with a sure hand and finishes extremely long and lively; harmonious tannins sneak in to add shape and grip. (JR)" (07/2018) K&L Notes: La Ferme du Mont is the passion project of Stephane Vedeau who cultivates some 50 hectares of grapes in various spots throughout the southern Rhone. All vines are cultivated without the use of pesticides and chemicals. Each site is meant to be the truest reflection of the terroir and the grapes they produce. The Cotes Capelan is made up of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre from the classic galets (large pebbles) and sandy soils of a northeastern facing terrace in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. It sees about 18 months in a mix of oak barrel and concrete tank. [keithmabry.gif]( Mabry]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 10, 2018 My initial wine note when I tasted this at Prowein was Whoa! Some six months later, and having recently retasted, I have to affirm my initial notes. Stephane Vedeau's wines are exquisitely balanced, full of terroir and overall fun to drink, even on the youthful side, because they show a range beyond full fruited hedonism. The Cotes Capelan may have a little of that lurking beneath though. It is fleshy, wild and perfumed. The glass erupts with incense, baking spices and gorgeous layers of black cherry fruit and savory herbs. This is a wine that develops and engulfs you. Whoa indeed! [kajstromer.jpg]( Stromer]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 10, 2018 This is easily the most impressive Chateauneuf-du-Pape Ive tasted in months; and truth be told, I'm fortunate enough to taste a lot of them. Right out of the gate, your engaged by the ethereal aromatics, the perfectly balanced palate, and the long savory finish. My tasting note simply read, heroic. This is one of the best examples of the heights that can be reached by Grenache (aided by 20% Syrah and Mourvedre). Fresh strawberries, fields of roasted herbs, a dusting of wood spiceI was totally enamored with this wine. Several bottles are headed to my wine locker. Though Id argue this wine can be drunk young provided you give it a healthy decant. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2009 Bellevue, St-Emilion]( [2009 Bellevue, St-Emilion]( ($69.99) 92-94 points Wine Enthusiast: "Big, deep fruit, smoky tannins, but beautifully integrated, rich, packed with plum juice sweetness." (08/2010) 93 points James Suckling: "Blackberry, with spices such as nutmeg and cloves follow through to a full body and fine tannins, with sweet fruit. Balanced and delicious. Best in 2017." (02/2012) 93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Made under the guidance of Hubert du Bouard, this blend of primarily Merlot and a tiny dollop of Cabernet Franc (around 9%) from the limestone soils on the hillsides of St.-Emilion exhibits a dense purple color, lots of chalky minerality and a big, sweet perfume of boysenberries, blackberries, licorice and burning embers. It is full-bodied and opulent with an abundance of fruit, glycerin, power and silkiness. Some tannins lurking in the finish suggest a half dozen years of cellaring will be required. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2035. (RP)" (02/2012) [jacquesm.gif]( Moreira]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 24, 2018 Silky and rich, one of the best Saint-Émilions, I have tasted lately and it is not holding anything back, ready to go! Again, due to the opulence of the vintage, it needs decanting, but oh what a wine! Lush chocolate covered cherries, cedar, exotic spices, nutmeg, and plums. It is utterly pleasing, and a must have. [Blake Conklin]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 23, 2018 While I had no reason to doubt this wine, I was pleasantly surprised at just how good it was. 2009 is definitely one of my favorite vintages, and with 9 years of bottle age, the Chateau Bellevue is easily an outstanding wine and a definite crowd pleaser under $100. This is definitely a Bordeaux blend I will be drinking when it gets closer to the holidays. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2010 Bodegas Muga "Prado Enea" Gran Reserva Rioja]( [2010 Bodegas Muga "Prado Enea" Gran Reserva Rioja]( ($69.99) 99 points James Suckling: "The wonderfully silky texture with an added juiciness is what makes this wine so very special. The flawless and seamless nature to the wine is so impressive that it takes you breath away. Plenty of beautiful fruit but what mouthfeel. Drink now and forever." (01/2018) 97 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "This is the most classical among the wines in the portfolio, the one with the longer élevage, a little bit like the wines from yesteryear but with today's knowledge about vineyards and vinification/élevage. This has settled to a blend of approximately 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha and the remaining 10% between Mazuelo and Graciano, from the cooler, higher-altitude vineyards, which means they only bottle it every two or three years. In recent years, 2007 and 2008 were not bottled. It ferments in small oak vats built by their own tonneliers, and they like to delay malolactic until the spring by opening the windows so the cold from outside comes into the winery. For the aging, each variety goes into separate barrels racked from newer to older barrels to complete some 36 months or three years. It has very healthy and balanced parameters, and that's what the wine feels like. It's still young. It's never a dark wine, more of a ruby or bright color, and it has a nose of youth, subtle and elegant. But the quality shows in the unbelievable elegance and harmony on the palate, where the tannins are very fine, the flavors are subtle but deep and the length is just phenomenal. This is only medium-bodied, with perfect ripeness and integrated acidity. This should have a very long life in bottle, especially as I had the chance to check the evolution of the 2004 next to this. (LG)" (02/2018) 96 points Decanter: "Only made in the best vintages, and they don't get any better than 2010, this is a brooding, ageworthy blend of mostly Tempranillo, with 20% Garnacha and 10% Mazuelo. It's rich, dark and complex with stylish tannins and scented oak." (10/2017) K&L Notes: Prado Enea is the flagship wine at Muga, a steadfastly traditional Gran Reserva that is typically only produced 4 or so years per decade. A few key data points make it unique. Let's begin with the vines themselves, which are located in Sajazarra, a village amongst the coldest growing regions of Rioja Alta, further west from Haro and with harvest dates that typically extend well into October, even into November! In addition to Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha and approximately 10% Mazuelo and Graciano are blended in. This creates freshness as the latter two are higher acid grapes, which tends to result in fresh, low pH wines that age for long periods of time. Finally, in the cellar, there are various types and formats of wood vessels, from huge "tinas" to smaller new barrels, which are employed through experienced, time tested elevage to provide the wine ample opportunity to develop its stability and complexity. If this wine is a gem in most vintages, in years as strong as 2010 it truly is a must have bottling for the cellar. [Will Blakely]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 11, 2018 While the 2009 vintage represents elegance and finesse, this release of Muga's most famous cuvee is all about power. Intensely flavored and deeply structured, this one should spend several more years in the cellar before the furthest reaches of its complexity will rise to the surface. After allowing the wine to breathe for some time, dark cherries, ripe plum, and decadent mocha seeped from the glass amid silky but firm tannins. The spice on the finish seems a touch subtler than in the previous vintage, but perhaps it was simply taking a back seat to the dynamic display of lush fruit and dense earth. In time, this bottle could bring one to tears. Tasting it is a privilege every wine lover should experience. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2013 Felsina Chianti Classico "Colonia" Gran Selezione]( [2013 Felsina Chianti Classico "Colonia" Gran Selezione]( ($99.99) 97 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "This wine opens to rich intensity and a dark purple-blackish color that is simply gorgeous to behold. The 2013 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Colonia is a superb expression that delivers so much joy on almost every measurable level. This vintage offers superb density and intensity with sharply defined aromas of black cherry, ripe blackberry, spice, leather and moist tobacco. There is a sweet note on the close that lasts for a minute or two before returning your taste buds to sophisticated and savory flavors. This is a gorgeous, gorgeous achievement. ML" (10/2017) 95 points Vinous: "Volume, power and breadth are the signatures of the 2013 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Colonia. This is the first vintage in which Colonia falls in line with the rest of the Fèlsina range from a stylistic standpoint. Among other things, the use of French oak is much more measured than it was in Colonia's first vintages. Next to the flagship Rancia, Colonia is a sleeker, and perhaps a bit more polished, although it doesn't quite offer the same direct expression of Sangiovese. (AG)" (01/2018) [rachelvogel.jpg]( Vogel]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 21, 2018 A powerful Chianti with characteristics that remind me of a high end Super Tuscan. It is bold with deep and concentrated red fruits. The dusty French oak tannins mingle with the almost chewy grape tannins. A gentle acidity delicately holds the wine together while really showcasing those other bold flavors. [ryanmoses.jpg]( Moses]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 21, 2018 A tiny 300 case lot coming from the Rancia hill, this is about as prestigious as Chianti gets. Deep red plum, fine french oak, and menthol combine for complex aromas that lead to a palate full of a cacophony of red fruit, mouthwatering acidity, and a balance of wood and fruit tannin. The texture is a masterpiece - seamless without an edge to be found, an incredibly purity and refinement rarely seen in Chianti. I've adored most everything coming from Felsina in 2013 and this is no exception. It's not inexpensive, but when compared to other pure Sangiovese collectibles like Flaccianello or Testamatta, it will more than hold its own. [joemanekin.gif]( Manekin]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 21, 2018 The big boy in the Felsina stable, this newest entrant is like their famous Rancia bottling, but stacked with more intensity, structure and extract. Lots of fruit, but plenty of savory notes as well. The vineyard used for this bottling is in fact located up above Rancia, and apparently delivers a powerful bottle of wine that demands some time in the cellar -I'd love to see how it is drinking a decade from now. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Kilchoman 9 Year Old 100% Islay Barley K&L Exclusive Cask #549 Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)]( [Kilchoman 9 Year Old 100% Islay Barley K&L Exclusive Cask #549 Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)]( ($149.99) When Kilchoman opened in 2005 it was the first new distillery on Islay in 124 years. Their founder, Anthony Wills, had a special approach in mind for a new kind of distillery. He wanted to create something with purpose and intention. His dream was to engage with the entire process of whisky making. He bought a farm and opened a distillery, making whisky in the same way it was always made: grow your own barley, malt it yourself, make your own whisky, age and bottle it on site, and deliver a product that shows an incredible sense of place, quality, and the heart and soul of the people who made it. Kilchoman is a true farm distillery in every sense. We were fortunate enough to peruse the dunnage warehouses with Anthony himself this past May and after tasting many casks, we settled on this beauty. For one, it's just simply an outstanding whisky. But just as importantly, it tells the story of Kilchoman from start to finish in a way that many others didn't. Laid down in 2008, just a few short years after opening, this dram was bottled just shy of its 10th birthday, making it one of the oldest Islay barley bottles out there. It encompasses everything that makes Kilchoman unique. From the salt breeze, fresh-cut grass notes of newly harvested barley grown within eyesight of the stills, to the sweet smell of wood from the exclusive Buffalo Trace barrel, to the lighter peat treatment in their own malting barn and kiln, this whisky is a pure expression of people and place. [David-otheningirard.jpg]( Othenin-Girard]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 30, 2018 I've been visiting and tasting the outrageously good malts from the Kilchoman Distillery since just a few years after they opened. Always when faced with the wonderful, delicious, approachable young malt that lay in barrel there, the big question was how will this do as it ages. An old adage in Scotch, expressed to me by more than one master distiller, was that if your new make and young whiskies were too pretty they wouldn't hold up for the long run. Kilchoman's new make was downright delicious and their young whiskies were already absolutely world-class at 4-5 years of age. These pretty distillates have continued to develop as they age and certainly show no signs of losing the inherent delicacy. The exception to that was the spectacular Islay Barley, which is hand-malted on site. This special spirit was always more rugged and austere. In its youth it reminded us more of mezcal than of the other Islay malts and while it was equally drinkable, it never exhibited the finesse and elegance of the standard distillate. But the distillery was never able to put anything from the Islay barley program on the table much more than 5 years old. Now with this incredible game-changing whisky we're beginning to see what truly mature hand-malted Kilchoman is going to look like and it's freakin' fabulous. This is a world-class whisky that may not have the pointed elegance of the standard releases, but more than makes up for it in wild complexity and rich texture. While [jeffreyjones.gif]( Jones]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 27, 2018 Kilchoman selects the best heart of what they distill, taking a very clean cut of the fresh distilled whiskey. This cask reflects this with its beauty and purity. The nose is pretty and seductive, a mix of smoke and sweetness with a hint of sea. In the mouth with no water it is round and balanced, much more subtle that one would expect. With a splash of water this cask opens up, showing layers of complexity with a nice sweet roundness, smoke, sea flavors and spice. There is a long finish. [andrewwhiteley.gif]( Whiteley]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 22, 2018 This cask is a real stoater. A thing of exceptional beauty and grace. The 100% Islay barley sings it sweet song loud and clear. While the Machir Bay typically hovers around 50ppm in phenols, the Islay barley malt is lighter in peat smoke, roughly 15-20ppm. The result is a nuanced whiskey that cries out with freshness. In addition to the fruitiness, there are really complex floral and vegetal tones. Like a field of clover blossoms. It's citrusy, with notes of cut grass, a touch of sea salt, tropical fruit, and a delicate smoke like a campfire wafting across the bay on a foggy night. The palate is superbly balanced. The Buffalo Trace Bourbon barrel leaves a signature cinnamon and butterscotch profile while the barley, grown just a few hundred yards from it's malting barn and stills, really dials up the sweet fresh fruit. The finish is clean and long, lingering with more citrus, creme brulee, and easy smoke. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2015 Clinet, Pomerol]( [2015 Clinet, Pomerol]( ($159.99) 99 points James Suckling: "An immaculate wine with pristine blackberries and dark plums as well as fresh, earthy nuances and dark crushed violets. An upright palate with lightly peppery dark berries and plums. The inflection of cabernet here makes for an impressively powerful wine that still exudes Pomerols suave, seductive charm. Chalky, seamless tannins. Super fresh. Try from 2022." (02/2018) 98 points Decanter: "An elegant, powerful and accomplished wine in 2015, with finely-knitted tannins and dark fruit which is pushed impercetibly upwards from start to finish by the grippy acidity. All the strands are held together, seemingly almost too measured until it has spent a few moments in the glass. Then, the flavours come alive and you have something really special, and long-lasting. Drinking Window 2023-2040. (JA)" (02/2018) 97 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "A blend of 90% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Cabernet Franc matured in 65% new and 35% one-year-old French oak for 16 months, the 2015 Clinet offers a medium to deep garnet-purple color and slowly, provocatively unfurls in the glass with notes of crushed black cherries, warm black raspberries and red cherry compote plus nuances of bay leaves, cinnamon stick, star anise, fenugreek and forest floor and wafts of potpourri and mocha. The palate reveals a sensuous medium-bodied style offset beautifully by very firm, very silky tannins and packed with energetic, multifaceted fruit as well as great tension, finishing long with an arresting spice and floral perfume. A real stunner! (LPB)" (02/2018) --------------------------------------------------------------- There are now several K&L email lists, where wine enthusiasts like yourself can sign up for categories that interest you. Visit [Email Preferences]( to find out more. 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