K&L Top 10 Picks—January

Featuring Haut-Bailly, La Fortuna, Elijah Craig, and more... Monday Jan 13th, 2020 [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 2016 La Fortuna "Magnus" Sant'Antimo Rosso 92 $15.99 [View]( 2017 Chateau de Chemilly Chablis 96 $19.99 [View]( 2013 Ravenswood "Icon" Sonoma County Red Blend (Previously $75) $19.99 [View]( 2017 Moulin de la Gardette "Cuvée Ventabren" Gigondas 96 $44.99 [View]( Elijah Craig Barrel Proof "Batch C919" Kentucky Bourbon (750ml) $59.99 [View]( 2007 Thiénot "Black Ball" Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne (Previously $120) $59.99 [View]( 2016 Upchurch "Upchurch Vineyard" Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 97 $69.95 [View]( 2010 Larcis Ducasse, St-Emilion 98 $149.99 [View]( 1998 Orkney (Highland Park) 20 Year Old "Thompson Bros." K&L Exclusive Single Refill Hogshead Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $149.99 [View]( 2010 Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan 98 $179.99 [View]( [2016 La Fortuna "Magnus" Sant'Antimo Rosso]( [2016 La Fortuna "Magnus" Sant'Antimo Rosso]( ($15.99) 92 points James Suckling: "Attractive currants and berries with hints of walnuts and cedar. Medium body, firm and silky tannins and a flavorful finish." (06/2019) K&L Notes: 40% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Petit Verdot. [gregstclair.gif]( St. Clair]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 24, 2019 The nose of this wine is powerful, and extraordinarily inviting, its full of a wild cherry brightness that progresses into a broad curranty boldness. The wine is 40% Sangiovese and you can feel the focus and linear character it gives to the wine on your palate, layering a central point with vibrant acidity and wild cherry intrigue. This is followed by a deeply textured, plumy density that shows the 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Petit Verdot portion of the blend. The Bordeaux varieties add a robust density and weight to the wine but all balance on that linear Sangiovese framework. Add to that it is from the incredible 2016 vintage in Montalcino, youll hear about that soon enough, and a superb value. This wine drinks very well right now but will age for a decade easily. [johndowning.gif]( Downing]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 29, 2019 While "Magnus" weds vibrant Sangiovese with Bordeaux varietals, it's unmistakably Tuscan. This charming blend highlights delicious earthy cassis, berry fruits and hints of chocolate and spicy oak. I think it's an ideal introduction to Italian reds for those who enjoy California Cabernet (and blends) and are looking to venture out to other regions. It's also a great everyday drinker. [mike-parres.gif]( Parres]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 16, 2019 This Rosso reveals a gorgeous core of perfumed ripe fruit, plum, cassis and kirsch, some leather and cola mid- pallet and earthiness that meld into bitter coco powder, spices and minerals on the finish. Lush, ripe and flows across your palate, Wow, thats a lot of wine for under Twenty bucks! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2017 Chateau de Chemilly Chablis]( [2017 Chateau de Chemilly Chablis]( ($19.99) 96 points Decanter: "A complete wine with a beautifully complex citrus intensity, delicate floral notes, ripe stone fruit, crushed oyster shell and an underlying creamy smokiness. *Gold Medal Decanter World Wine Awards 2019*" (06/2019) [alexp.gif]( Pross]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 06, 2019 This is a fantastic entry-level Chablis. Aromas of the ocean breeze, white flowers and citrus rise from the glass. The palate is electric with flavors of orchard fruits and citrus nicely buffered by racy acidity and crisp tannins. The wine is remarkably full-bodied with surprising richness and structure. The finish is outstanding with length and vibrancy. I really enjoyed this wine and will definitely be buying some for myself this holiday season. [sharonkelly.jpg]( Kelly]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 09, 2019 This Chablis is a refreshing blast of cool, bright winter morning air after a snowfall. The clean aromas show sunny lemon and fresh pear while the palate is lean, crisp and citrus-focused. It completes with a long, saline finish assisted by razor-sharp acidity. Great value! [lilia-mcintosh.jpg]( McIntosh]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 07, 2019 Distinctively mineral style of Chablis with fabulous chalky notes shining on the palate. This is a pure and bright wine, with clean, mouthwatering acidity and crunchy citrus fruit. Beautifully crafted, it carries on seamlessly on the palate and leaves a long, juicy finish. Great match for any given seafood, and, personally for me, just delicious on its own. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2013 Ravenswood "Icon" Sonoma County Red Blend (Previously $75)]( [2013 Ravenswood "Icon" Sonoma County Red Blend (Previously $75)]( ($19.99) There is simply no other winery or winemaker in history that has done more to put California Old Vine Zinfandel on the map than Ravenswood and Joel Peterson. Throughout many decades they have fought to protect some of the oldest and finest vineyards in the state. As California's "native" grape fell in and out of fashion, Joel stood as an ever present guardian of these precious vineyards as many others tore out vines in favor of more in vogue varietals. From this long commitment Joel has acquired legendary status among his peers as a guru of old vines. The "Icon" bottling from Ravenswood represents the very finest lots of fruit from the very oldest vines. Vines such as those at Old Hill Ranch planted in 1880 and Bedrock Vineyard in 1888. As with almost all pre-prohibition vineyards, grape varieties are inter-planted or mixed together within the vineyard hence why this wine is a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane and Alicante Bouchet. These ancient plantings give spectacular concentration, depth and complexity to the wine. (Ryan Woodhouse - K&L Domestic Wine Buyer) [ryanwoodhouse.gif]( Woodhouse]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 09, 2020 We may have just entered a new decade but this deal is more like a price from the 1990s! Fortuitous timing and a bit of haggling has allowed us to offer this wine at a sensational price some $55 less than the winery release price! More importantly the wine is absolutely delicious a just coming into its perfect drinking window. The "Icon" is Ravenswood's top bottling that incorporates the very best fruit from some of the oldest and most coveted vineyards in Sonoma County. The vines that yielded this precious fruit were all planted before prohibition came into effect in 1920! Sources are: Old Hill Ranch (1880) Bedrock (1888) Teldeschi (1913). The wine is a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane and Alicante Bouchet. The result is a powerful, explosive mix of perfumed black and blue fruits, blackberry, cassis, scorched earth, bramble, all-spice and subtle smoky oak. The wine is full bodied and rich but not jammy. The significant structure from the Petite Sirah and Alicante give wonderful backbone and focus to the more exotic, hedonistic tendencies of the old vine Zin, the resulting balance of flavors and textures is simply spectacular. This wine is a perfect example of just how special these historic vineyards are especially in the hands of a master winemaker like Joel Peterson. This is a one time price that we're unlikely to ever repeat. We took every case we could on this one and I suggest you do the same. [keithmabry.gif]( Mabry]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 08, 2020 It has been years since I had a bottle from Ravenswood. They were always one of my favorite Zin producers back in the day and the Teldeschi was its own "Icon" wine of that era. Plus the wines aged beautifully. The actual "Icon" bottling eventually got a little out of reach for my preferred price point, so I personally stopped pursuing it. And slowly Ravenswood drifted into the background and we lost touch. Oh but times have changed! This 2013 "Icon" is pure and simple one of the most consummate California wines I have tasted in years. It has all the hallmark fleshiness and fruit that makes these old Zin, field blend styles special and it brings me right back to the day when I would go to the ZAP festivals. As a primarily French wine drinker now, this is a hypothetical Rhone in California clothing and it is exquisite. I would love to tell you to take a bottle home to try it, but there's no time for that. If you wait that long, this will be long gone. Trust me here, if you love Cali wines and you want to go back to this great old school style, grab a case. You won't regret it. This is fantastic and I'm happy to add some to my collection. [Stefanie-Juelsgaard.jpg]( Juelsgaard]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 04, 2020 I'm so excited when I come across winemakers who want to celebrate the old field blend vineyards instead of being eager to rip these out in favor of pricier Cabernet. These are historic and iconic vineyards and deserve to be recognized and cared for. Joel Peterson of Ravenswood is one such winemaker, as is his son Morgan of Bedrock Winery. Though the yields may be lower on these old vines, the concentration of fruit is unbelievable. There is no lack of structure to this wine, even being a 7 year-old, Zin-dominant blend. This baby could go at least another 7 years and am very tempted to hold onto one and try it out then. Dark fruits are at the forefront here, but the palate is more medium weight than heavy and viscous. You get a sense of the fruit from Zinfandel, but the Petite Sirah adds plenty of power and backbone. These old-vine field blends are becoming rarer, but are so unique and exciting for me. I'm not sure how long this vineyard will survive, so I'm stocking up on this one while I have the chance. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2017 Moulin de la Gardette "Cuvée Ventabren" Gigondas]( [2017 Moulin de la Gardette "Cuvée Ventabren" Gigondas]( ($44.99) 96 points Decanter: "Grown on sandstone and marl, the fruit for this wine is hand-picked, destemmed and fermented with indigenous yeasts then bottled without filtration or fining after maturation in old foudres. It's a beautifully natural expression of strawberry and raspberry fruits, with a juicy slick of crushed berries flowing across your tongue, ending with some massy, textural tannins. A perfectly balanced, joyful and drinkable expression of 2017 Gigondas with incredible purity. (MW)" (10/2018) 95 points Jeb Dunnuck: "I loved the 2017 Gigondas Ventabren and savvy readers should snatch this beauty up! Loads of Asian spices, herbes de Provence, new saddle leather, and sweet red and black fruit all flow to a medium to full-bodied, balanced, straight-up gorgeous 2017 that does everything right. Tasting like the essence of the south of France, its already drinking beautifully but will keep for over a decade. The blend is 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Cinsault that wasnt destemmed and was brought up in old foudre and demi-muids." (09/2019) 95 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2017 Gigondas Ventabren must surely be one of the wines of the vintage. A blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Cinsault (note: that is different from the 10% Mourvèdre I reported last year), it boasts intense floral aromas, bold raspberries and even exotic notes of ripe stone fruit. Full-bodied, supple and creamy, this is ripe, long and mouthwatering, picking up a bit of peppery spice on the finish. Already approachable, it should continue to drink well for a decade or more. (JC)" (08/2019) [keithmabry.gif]( Mabry]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 07, 2020 Winemaker JB Meunier knocks another one out of the park! This is a stunning offer and rivals the equally stunning 2016 from last year. The warmth of the 2017 vintage shows but JB's deft hand keeps the fruit in check with its balancing acidity and structure. This is a panoply of Provencal herbs and sweet fruit. The wine is suffused with the terroir of the higher altitude vineyards and their marl soils. It captures the character of Gigondas brilliantly. Just beautiful. Worthy of a few years in the cellar but definitely worth a taste now. How can you not? [Thomas-Smith.jpg]( Smith]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 08, 2020 So lets get one thing clear. There are all the wines of Gigondas, which are great. I love Gigondas. Probably the best value-driven appellation in France. It holds a special place in my heart. So on and so forth. And then... there is Moulin de la Gardette. This is the measuring stick by which I judge all other Gigondas, year after year. Humbly made and incredibly genuine, this wildly expressive Southern Rhone blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault is a jaw-dropper of a wine. The nose here has beautiful, black-fruited expression that especially shows off the Grenache, and highlighted with touches of Garrigue. The real fireworks are on the palate though. There in a viscosity, armed with powerful coffee, chocolate, earth, all awash in ripe black fruits. Despite the power and weight of this wine, the acid brightens the palate. This is absolutely a touchstone of the Southern Rhone. Dont miss it. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Elijah Craig Barrel Proof "Batch C919" Kentucky Bourbon (750ml)]( [Elijah Craig Barrel Proof "Batch C919" Kentucky Bourbon (750ml)]( ($59.99) 4.5/5 points, John Dover in thewhiskywash.com: "Stimulating the palate and the mind, Elijah Craig has crafted a spicy sipper that will awaken the drinker to the punchier side of the bourbon spectrum with its Barrel Proof distilling. Go in prepared and you will be rewarded with a refined drinking experience lodged firmly in the traditions that make bourbon the drink of choice for so many." (12/2019) [andrewwhiteley.gif]( Whiteley]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 09, 2020 C919 compared to B519 is an absolute monster. Tipping the scales at 136.8 proof it's the highest proof Elijah Craig we've seen in over 3 years. The nose is full of spice box, petrichor, savory spices, thyme, fresh sliced green apples, and the sweeter notes of butter, cream and heavy caramel. It shares some aromatics with B519 that remind me of a cooperage - full of toasting oak - rather than a lumber yard of fresh sawn wood. The palate is an absolute beast. Packed with dark cocoa powder and sweeter milk chocolates. When you add in water drop by drop each splash looks like it's creating an oil slick as the fat texture of the whisky comes crashing out of solution. The wood profile changes into more of a barrel house and a summer farmers market. The finish is essentially endless. If you want to tame this one, add lots of water. If you love your bourbon to be confrontational and maybe bite you back, leave it alone and enjoy the ride. [Stefanie-Juelsgaard.jpg]( Juelsgaard]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 09, 2020 This is the ultimate style of rich, silky smooth Bourbon with a pretty hefty kick of heat amplified by the barrel proof nature. Strong dark chocolate, clove, and coffee grounds prevail in this bottling, whereas the B519 has more of a sweet cream taste. A powerhouse whiskey like this at 12 years is a steal at $60. I guess the 200+ years of experience making Bourbon has given Elijah Craig the edge. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2007 Thiénot "Black Ball" Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne (Previously $120)]( [2007 Thiénot "Black Ball" Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne (Previously $120)]( ($59.99) Absolutely incredible opportunity on this creamy, supple Blanc de Blancs that still has great focus and precision and superior, long, mineral finish. Like all of the Thienot vintage wines, this bottling is entirely estate grown from the family's nearly seventy acres of vines. From the winery: "In 1985 Alain Thiénot launched his eponymous Champagne House, driven by his experience as a courtier and close-knit relationships with Champagne growers. This was quite a challenge in a sector where the greatest names began their existence as early as the 18th century. Never willing to compromise on quality or expertise, Alain Thiénot has transformed this vision into one of his key strengths. From this point forwards, using a strategy targeting the gastronomy sector, he has successfully conquered markets in France and abroad. He has passed on this passion and vision to his children, Garance and Stanislas, who decided to join the family business in 2003. With its resolutely modern philosophy, the most recently established, privately owned and family-run Champagne House continues its expansion." [gary.gif]( Westby]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 09, 2019 A very good grower friend of mine from the Aube, far away from the Cotes de Blancs said to me once that Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs is like a marionette; delicate, precise, elegant and full of hidden complexity. This Thiènot matches that description perfectly, with a soft, round, texture and an airy feel that one could never tire of. The Champagne has beautiful brioche aromas and flavors that transport me to the best bakeries in France, while the wine is balanced by subtle meyer lemon flavors and a subtle, but ultimately fresh minerality. [scottbeckerley.gif]( Beckerley]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 08, 2019 I had the opportunity to taste this elegant Blanc de Blanc along with a slew of other Blanc de Blancs earlier this week. The Black Ball stood out for its silky texture and rich character. Plush, with lemon cream and lemon curd scents and flavors. A touch of nectarine and pastry dough adds interest to the overall character. A very nice finish that has balanced acidity (how did they do that in this high acid vintage?) and soft minerality. A very easy (and super delicious!) way to support the Black Ball charity! [AndrewTobin.jpg]( Tobin]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 06, 2019 100% Grand Cru Chardonnay This vintage of Black Ball is nice and toasty with notes of buttercream, a hint of popcorn and lovely meringue. With the deal we will be offering on this one I can't see a reason you wouldn't need a bottle or two! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2016 Upchurch "Upchurch Vineyard" Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon]( [2016 Upchurch "Upchurch Vineyard" Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon]( ($69.95) 97 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Including 9% Merlot, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is a magical Cabernet as well as the finest wine made at this estate to date. Massive notes of blackcurrants, scorched earth, cedary spice, and leafy herbs all flow to a full-bodied Red Mountain Cabernet that has awesome purity of fruit, a layered, multi-dimensional texture, no hard edges, and a great, great finish. Its going to benefit from a handful of years in the cellar and keep for two decades." (04/2019) 96 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Blended with 9% Merlot, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Upchurch Vineyard has an impressive nose that embodies the essence of a world-class Cabernet. It doesn't have the pyrazine notes of green bell pepper on the nose, as the fruit is focused yet almost shy. After I got the glass spinning, the aromas blackberry, blackcurrant and black plum all sing with elegance and ease. The medium to full-bodied palate is clean and focused, showing a mineral tension with a balanced backbone with an excellent structure to carry this wine for decades. The wine is finessed with a silken tapestry of complex black fruit and rocky earth that drinks with excellent precision. The wine ends is long and taut on the extended finish that continues to evolve and show more of its secrets as time goes on. It's an exceptional wine that should age in the cellar like a champion. I have a feeling that the price is going to increase, so get it now. Only 625 cases made. (AM)" (12/2019) 94 points Vinous: "Bright, dark red-ruby. Very sexy oak-driven scents of raspberry, sandalwood and spices convey noteworthy lift. A wonderfully silky and plush yet firm wine with concentrated, delineated flavors of huckleberry, raspberry, menthol and licorice pastille. The very long, mounting finish features suave, sophisticated tannins and terrific verve. Really outstanding retention of acidity for such a plush, ripe wine, and not a bit heavy. (14.6% alcohol; aged in 100% new oak) (ST)" (12/2019) 94 points Wine Enthusiast: "The aromas are locked up at first, displaying notes of earth, dark cherry and spice. Dense, focused, structured fruit flavors follow. One of the wines of the vintage. Don't go near this one until at least 2024. It will have a long life in the cellar beyond that. *Cellar Selection* (SS)" (08/2019) [ryanwoodhouse.gif]( Woodhouse]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 06, 2020 A simply spectacular, refined, pure, precise wine that The Wine Advocate correctly calls "world-class Cabernet". This wine truly has the wow factor but it's not from sheer weight or power...it's all about the wines flawless balance, filigreed texture and ultra fine tannin structure. There is lovely purity to the fruit but also a wealth of complex cigar box notes and woodsy spices. Turned earth, hot stone and graphite add another layer. Stunning now as a young wine and totally drinkable today...but I can't help but think this will only get better and better as the years go by. I'd love to see it in 10 even 20 years time. A beautiful rendition of Washington Cabernet from master craftsman Chris Upchurch that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the very best of Bordeaux. [johnsumners.jpg]( Sumners]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 06, 2020 A world-class stunner from start to finish. It opens on the nose with ripe redcurrant, red and black cherry, and black raspberry with accents of tobacco, red rose, cedar, brick dust, cinnamon, vanilla, leather, and licorice root. The flavors are deep, saturating, and long on the palate while maintaining a beautifully poised structure and impeccable balance. Wonderfully complex and complete. It is already a pure joy to drink now, though it should evolve extraordinarily well over the next 20 years. If you ever wondered what Red Mountain Cabernet is all about, here's your ticket to the show. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2010 Larcis Ducasse, St-Emilion]( [2010 Larcis Ducasse, St-Emilion]( ($149.99) 98 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The wine boasts 14.6% natural alcohol and is a final blend of roughly three-fourths Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc, cropped at a ridiculously low 19 hectoliters per hectare. Notes of licorice, garrigue, incense, smoked meats, espresso, creme de cassis and blackberry liqueur jump from the glass of this unbelievably intense wine. Remarkably full, with compelling freshness and precision, this is a fabulous effort in 2010. It will probably close down over the next several years, and not re-emerge for at least a decade, something that often happens with the bigger, richer, more muscular St.-Emilions from the limestone hillsides and plateaux. This is one of the superstars of the vintage and a profound wine. Drink it between 2020 and 2045. (RP) 98+" (02/2013) 97 points Vinous: "One of the highlights in this tasting, the 2010 Larcis Ducasse is simply stunning. Although quite fresh, vibrant and intense, the 2010 is also very closed in on itself. Violet, lavender, graphite and menthol are some of the many notes that give the 2010 its energy and tension. Still very much closed, the 2010 is going to need a good few years to come into its own. Still, it is pretty impressive today. With time in the glass, the 2010 gives a very good idea of what is to come for those who can wait. (AG) 97+" (03/2017) 97 points James Suckling: "Wow. This is really intense with amazing dark fruit character of crushed blueberries and minerals. Its full-bodied, with super integrated tannins and a superb finish that lasts for minutes. A fabulous wine. Better in 2019." (02/2014) --------------------------------------------------------------- [1998 Orkney (Highland Park) 20 Year Old "Thompson Bros." K&L Exclusive Single Refill Hogshead Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)]( [1998 Orkney (Highland Park) 20 Year Old "Thompson Bros." K&L Exclusive Single Refill Hogshead Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)]( ($149.99) The wonderful Dornoch Distillery sits hidden on the main drag in the tiny town of Dornoch. Behind the majestic Dornoch Castle Hotel and its famous whisky bar sits one of Scotland's tiniest and most exciting distilleries. Founded by brothers Simon and Phil, the distillery is completely contained in one tiny stone shed. While the brothers might not have the resources and capital of many of Scotland's new distilleries, they do have an incredible vision and the unwavering support of the single malt-loving community. In that little shed a truly unique experiment is underway. The Thompsons are trying to make whisky the old way. The distillery was funded without any outside investment and pre-sales of the first casks were crowd sourced online. The contrast between extreme forward thinking and commitment to tradition makes the Dornoch Distillery one of Scotland's most exciting new distillers bar none. We've got years before their malt is ready to go and in the meantime the brothers are distilling and selling an incredible malted gin and trafficking in some seriously delicious single casks. This HP is part of the great wave of unnamed Orkney that's hit the market recently. They nabbed some of the very best and somehow offer it up at a reasonable price. Other bottlers offer versions of the same whisky for twice this price and none we've had taste as good as this. It's got everything, balanced excellently. Delicate Orkney peat, bold malt, gorgeous maritime quality—a real island dream. [David-otheningirard.jpg]( Othenin-Girard]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 10, 2019 We've had some up and downs with Highland Park recently. We've secured some incredible old stock with the distillery name on it, but also had offers for no named stuff at ridiculously high prices. Needless to say we're always game from some HP. It's really one of the very best distilleries out there and these incredible 'no name' bottlings have been some of the very best values on the market today. Yet some of our suppliers feel comfortable charging well above what another no name might cost from another distillery. Of course, they're looking at this like a business opportunity. They have high quality juice, that can be implied to be from one of Scotland's great distilleries, and most people are probably willing to pay it, but we've mostly avoided these offerings since we've been securing 'named' versions in the $250-300 range consistently for the last two seasons. It wouldn't make any sense for us to sell a similar product no name for the same price. These products must offer value. So we've generally passed on several casks due to the very high prices. But now it seems our supply of distillery bottlings is becoming more and more scarce. We had to say no to a 21 year old Hogshead this year from Old Particular due to the incredibly high price. And at the same time, our friends in Dornoch came knocking with this stunner. The fun labels poke fun at the new aggressive viking style of the distillery bottlings, but do nothing to prepare you for the awesomeness that's inside the bottle. The nose is the ultimate coastal curiosity: Salty sea spray, coastal shrubs, crushed rocks, smoldering heather, floral peat, golden honey, ripe pears. Craggy rocks being battered by the ocean. Lots and lots going on, extremely layered and complex, but not brutish or explosive. One the palate the brown butter, wild honey, stewed grains, more peat. This is how I imagine gold tastes when it's melted. More minerals more smoke, but not hard smoke. Soft sweet smoke. We're not seeing anything on the market anywhere close to this caliber in this style. Nearly perfect. [andrewwhiteley.gif]( Whiteley]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 23, 2019 HP20 is going to be delicious no matter what. At 150 bucks, it's all the sweeter. This number is particularly interesting as it is a hogshead filled from same day vattings before it was sold off onto the independent market - a number of these casks have come up as Edrington has divested stocks, rumor has it, to pay for the budget sucking massive new Macallan distillery. It's classically salty and has that beautiful medium intensity heather driven peat that the distillery is known for, although it shows most on the finish and not up front. Apricots and other stone fruits in varying levels of dehydration play across the entire experience from nose to palate and intermix beautifully with the floral smoke on the finish. Coming in at an even 50% ABV at cask strength, it's a very sippable whisky neat. With a touch of water the oils come crashing out of solution as do the grain notes. The aromas suddenly explode with honeyed barley and a whole new drinking experience begins. An extremely good first showing from our new partners in Sutherland, the Thompson Brothers. [jacksonlee.jpg]( Lee]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 13, 2019 I cant tell if the stick figure on the bottle is going into battle or partying but either way, its capturing what Im getting from this unique Orkney single malt. I dig the label and I dig the juice. The nose gives off a pretty perfume of baked Bartlett pear, cinnamon, vanilla, toasted marshmallow, and sassafras. The palate provides that same baked pear profile combined with chocolate covered toffee with a full-bodied texture. The finish leaves you with a nice, spicy tingling sensation on the tip of the tongue with spicy cinnamon notes and as I begin to regain feeling a subtle juicy pear jelly belly note clings as the breath escapes. This is the kind of scotch I could see myself drinking all day in a ski lodge surrounded by friends. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2010 Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan]( [2010 Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan]( ($179.99) 98 points James Suckling: "Great aromas of crushed blackberries with flowers and stones that follow through to a full body, with super silky tannins and a long, long finish. It fills your mouth with beautiful fruit and velvety tannins yet shows tension and form. This lasts for minutes on the palate. Structured and superb. Don't touch until 2020." (11/2013) 98 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Deep plum/purple, Haut-Bailly's 2010 required some coaxing to appreciate its subtle notes of barbecue smoke, lead pencil shavings and creme de cassis as well as its touches of pomegranate and forest floor. The oak is pushed far into the background and the tannins are extremely silky, but the intensity of the wine is profound and the finish lingers for close to 55 seconds. This wine is ripe yet delicate, powerful yet stylish, and essentially resembles a remarkable fashion design from a house of haute couture. This wine needs a good 7-8 years of bottle age and should keep for 40-50+ years. (RP)" (02/2013) 95 points Wine Enthusiast: "A powerful and complex wine from an estate performing on its top form. Solid tannins, layers of wood and dark fruits combine to give a wine that offers both richness and a dense structure. This Haut-Bailly should age impressively and for many years. *Cellar Selection* (RV)" (05/2013) 95 points Wine Spectator: "Chewy and brambly, but integrated, this carries a very hefty core of espresso, ganache, mulled plum and blackberry fruit. The purity starts to shine through on the finish, which drips with cassis and is threaded with a long warm paving stone note. Tight and backward today, this extremely well-built wine will need substantial cellaring. Best from 2018 through 2035. (JM)" (03/2013) --------------------------------------------------------------- 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. Automate the effort to find your favorite wines! Our waiting list "keyword matching" program sends you an email when a wine matching your individual keywords comes into our inventory. Find more information or get started with your [waiting list for keywords]( in the My Account section of our site. From the home page of our site you can view a listing of all New Arrivals as well as items that are Coming Soon. In addition right there in the middle of the home page there is a link to our Best Sellers. We offer five excellent wine clubs and a new exclusive Personal Sommelier Service, that allow you to sample outstanding wines from all over the world. Due to our bulk purchase power and longstanding relationships, the quality and value offered by these clubs are tremendous. Unlike winery clubs where you typically taste the same wines year after year, our clubs offer a phenomenal variety that is strictly selected by our panel of buyers. 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Email: wine@klwines.com Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637) 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}