K&L Top 10 Picks

Our top picks and bestsellers... Monday Jun 29th, 2020 [View in Browser]( [KL-emailheader.gif]( NOTE: In accordance with local directives, our walk-in retail locations are currently closed. We have curbside pickup and low cost (often free) delivery options available in ZIP codes where we can ship lawfully, including anywhere in California. We can also include any new or existing will call orders in your delivery batch. Choose local delivery at checkout to learn if you qualify. --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Domaine Lafage "Bastide Miraflors" Côtes du Roussillon 94 $12.99 [View]( 2016 Dierberg "Dierberg Vineyard" Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay (Elsewhere $32) 94 Price: Hidden [View]( 2019 Giant Steps Chardonnay Yarra Valley Victoria 95 $27.99 [View]( 2018 My Favorite Neighbor "Harvey & Harriet" Paso Robles Red Blend 95 Price: Hidden [View]( 2016 Melville "Estate" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir 95 Price: Hidden [View]( 2015 Lazzeretti Brunello di Montalcino 96 $39.99 [View]( 2015 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe "Piedlong" Châteauneuf-du-Pape 95 $49.99 [View]( 2006 Billecart-Salmon "Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart" Brut Champagne (Previously $160) 97 $99.99 [View]( 2008 Glendronach 11 Year Old K&L Exclusive First Fill Single Oloroso Puncheon #2988 Cask Strength Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky $99.99 [View]( 2016 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien 97 $179.99 [View]( [2016 Domaine Lafage "Bastide Miraflors" Côtes du Roussillon]( [2016 Domaine Lafage "Bastide Miraflors" Côtes du Roussillon]( ($12.99) 94 points Jeb Dunnuck: "A wine that almost always over-delivers, the 2016 Côtes du Roussillon Bastide Miraflors is, I suspect, the finest vintage for this cuvée to date (its in the same league as the off-the-charts 2015). A blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache from Lesquerde and Saint Martin de Fenouillet (both in the northern part of the Roussillon), aged all in older barrels and concrete tanks, it boasts rockstar notes of ripe blackberry fruits, spice, dried garrigue, and hints of chocolate. Possessing a full-bodied, layered mouthfeel, sweet tannins, and sensational purity, its another one of those values that almost seems too good to be true. Drink it any time over the coming 3-4 years." (11/2018) K&L Notes: Jean-Marc Lafage has knocked it out of the park once again with this high-quality, low-cost stunner of a wine. Domaine Lafage is housed in their facility just outside the city of Perpignan. One of the most advanced wineries in the region, Jean-Marc and his wife Elaine are crafting "must buy" wines from the region of Roussillon. The Bastide Miraflors is a blend of Syrah and old-vine Grenache. The vineyards for this wine are practicing organic with an average vine age of 55 years. The last three years, this has been one of our ten best sellers of the year. We expect no less again. [keithmabry.gif]( Mabry]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 21, 2019 It might sound a bit hyperbolic to say but Jean-Marc Lafage is one of the best winemakers in the world. I can think of no one else who consistently delivers the cost to quality ratio that he does. From the Tesssellae, to the Saint-Roch wines, to this Bastide Miraflors, no foot goes out of place in the dance this winemaker does. Once again (and again and again), the Bastide Miraflors is one of those wines that must be tasted to be believed. This 2016 has a gorgeous nose, saturated with black and purple fruits erupting from the glass surrounded by elegant aromas of white pepper, lead pencil and cigar tobacco. On the palate, the acid, tannins and fruit are in a harmonious balance. How does he do it? First, it is access to this gorgeous fruit and second, his unerring eye for detail and that is what brings it all together. The 2016 is certainly a wine that will drink for several years to come, it is without a doubt an amazing glass now. As to top-winemaker status? I don't think there's any hyperbole - Jean-Marc is one of the best winemakers in the world. [sharonkelly.jpg]( Kelly]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 28, 2020 As unarguably one of the best French red values in the store, this longtime favorite from the Languedoc-Roussillon needs no introduction. This Syrah/Grenache blend carries all of the dark fruit, herbal nuances and palate-coating luxury you expect from this hot region. What makes it stand out from some other wines in the same category is the balance and acidity. You're not going to experience a heavy, thick, one-note wine but instead one that has all of the elements in sync, making it pleasurable to drink. Plus at $12.99 it's easy to buy in bulk. Perfect for warm weather BBQ or cold evening pot roasts, and a variety of dishes like pasta, chicken, even spicy food. Winter, spring, summer or fall, this wine suits them all. [RobertCash.jpg]( Cash]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 09, 2019 My first exposure to the Bastide Miraflors was last year with the 2015 vintage and I was floored at how so much wine could cost so little. I immediately stocked up and it became my house red. I tasted the 2016 vintage last night with Korean BBQ and I still say that this is one of the greatest wine values I have ever tasted. Ripe dark fruits, garrigue, spice, earth - they're all there, all in perfect balance With silky tannins as well. Absolutely delicious. Buy this by the case! It's that good! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2016 Dierberg "Dierberg Vineyard" Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay (Elsewhere $32)]( [2016 Dierberg "Dierberg Vineyard" Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay (Elsewhere $32)]( Price: Hidden 94 points Wine Enthusiast: "The fascinating nose of this bottling is driven by wet stone, yet it also touches on orange rinds, fresh chives, lemongrass balm and a nearly basil-like aromatic without the green spice. It's lively on the palate with flint and crushed stone, showing very fresh and acid-driven flavors of lemon and ash, riding a firm tension through the sip. (MK)" (07/2019) 92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2016 Chardonnay Dierberg Vineyard, aged 15 months in 20% new oak, has a nose of honey toast, baked golden apple, wet hay, earth, white peach and almonds plus a tinge of crème fraîche. The palate is medium-bodied with a silky texture, very lively acidity and a long, nutty finish. (EB)" (09/2019) 91 points Vinous: "The 2016 Chardonnay Dierberg Vineyard is rich, ample and super-expressive. Lemon confit, pineapple, lime and tropical notes infuse this lush Chardonnay with plenty of character. Supple, open-knit and inviting, the 2016 is best enjoyed over the next handful of years. (AG)" (09/2019) 91 points Wine Spectator: "Focused and fresh-tasting, with lemon-lime notes to the fresh-cut apple, tangerine and ripe citrus flavors. Dried green herb and spice details show on the finish. (KM)" (07/2019) 91 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2016 Chardonnay Dierberg Vineyard (10 months in 30% new French oak) reveals a lighter gold color as well as a terrific bouquet of white currants and orchard fruits, brioche, spice, and hints of toasted bread. With medium body, a rounded, nicely textured style, good balance, and a great finish, drink it over the coming 4-6 years." (10/2019) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2019 Giant Steps Chardonnay Yarra Valley Victoria]( [2019 Giant Steps Chardonnay Yarra Valley Victoria]( ($27.99) 95 points Wine Enthusiast: "The latest vintage of this noteworthy producers Chardonnay is singing. A harmonious, multifaceted nose offers notes of bright citrus, freshmelon and flowers, while a chorus of sun-baked stones and freshly baked bread linger behind. Beautifully textural and salty on the palate, it crunches with minerals and vibrant fruit. The oak is tucked away and the finish long and salty. (CP)" (08/2020) 94 points Wine Spectator: "Stunningly precise, vivid and mouthwatering, with a hint of butterscotch to the lemon curd, pear and mango flavors. Intense and juicy, finishing fresh and vibrant. Details of white tea and roasted hazelnut emerge on the finish. (MW)" (05/2020) [Thomas-Smith.jpg]( Smith]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 28, 2020 Australia's Yarra Valley is one of the most exciting places for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on the planet. And despite its growing reputation for producing top-notch Pinot Noir, I'm even more excited by their gorgeous, bright and mineral-driven Chardonnays. Giant Steps is one of the foremost producers in the Yarra. The winemaking duo of Phil Sexton and Steve Flamsteed have focused themselves on a handful of the best single-vineyards in Yarra. The 2019 Giant Steps Chardonnay is one of the best Chardonnays I've ever tasted from Giant Steps, if not the Yarra altogether. There's an incredible purity to this wine, with plenty of lime zest, wet stones along with melon and brioche. A stunning Chardonnay that's true to its place and easily over-delivering on price. [nealfischer.jpg]( Fischer]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 11, 2020 This new Chard from Giant Steps further cements the wine-making prowess of Phil Sexton and Steve Flamsteed, and they have been making very cool very good wines in the Yarra Valley for a couple decades now. The nose is an elegant balance of stones and stone fruits. I pick up nectarine and wet river rocks followed by fresh lemon along with gentle floral notes. The palate is bolder and brighter, but still restrained and refined. Nice elements of citrus zest, gooseberry, and salted melon come through. There's great acid here that spreads over the palate and encourages another sip. This wine is full-flavored while staying crisp, so it's an excellent wine for hot summer days and backyard dinners that go long into the evening. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2018 My Favorite Neighbor "Harvey & Harriet" Paso Robles Red Blend]( Price: Hidden 93-95 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Tasted out of barrel, the 2018 Harvey and Harriet sports a deep purple color as well as a powerful bouquet of ripe black fruits, tobacco leaf, smoked earth, dark chocolate, and Asian spice. Full-bodied, ripe, and incredibly sexy on the palate, it has hints of background oak, a rounded, opulent texture, no hard edges, and a great finish. It's one serious, pleasure-bent beauty. The Harvey and Harriet release is named after Jensens parents and includes small amounts of Syrah, Petit Verdot, Malbec. Its made to be the more black-fruited, richer, more powerful wine in the lineup...and as I wrote in one of the reviews, they would cost 2-3 times their going rate if they were from Napa Valley." (10/2019) 93-95 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The barrel sample of 2018 Harvey and Harriet is made up of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Syrah, 14% Petite Sirah, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot, aging in 75% new French oak. Deep ruby-black in color, it has a very layered nose with aromas of exotic spices, crème de cassis, blackcurrant bud, tar and tilled black soil with hints of violet, lilac, cardamom and baking spices. The medium to full-bodied palate is silky and has a great interplay of fruit and spice. It has a firm, pleasantly chalky frame and just enough freshness, finishing long with a youthful cloaking of oak spice. 93 - 95+ (EB)" (02/2020) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2016 Melville "Estate" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir]( [2016 Melville "Estate" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir]( Price: Hidden 95 points Vinous: "The 2016 Pinot Noir Estate is a blend of the seventeen clones on the property. Freshly cut flowers, spice, mint, blood orange and dried flowers give the Estate beguiling aromatic complexity and nuance. There is a sense of translucent beauty in the 2016 that is fabulous, while the 40% whole clusters are very nicely integrated. This is such a tremendous wine. (AG" (10/2019) 92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: ""I'm the most proud of this wine," Chad Melville says. "This includes all 16 clones, around 130 different lots. It's like an orchestra, using what's left from the single-vineyard blends. To be able to pull aside those other sweet vineyard spots to bottle separately and still have this wine keep kicking ass - I'm becoming a better farmer and learning the land." Medium ruby in color, the 2016 Pinot Noir Estate has a very bright, sunny nose of tangerine peel, ripe red cherries, spiced cranberries and rhubarb with hints of tree bark, dried earth, oolong tea and crushed strawberries plus a white pepper hint. It's light to medium-bodied with a silky texture, intense, juicy earth-accented red fruits, softly grainy tannins and a long finish. 4,877 cases were produced and at this price point, this makes a good value-for-money casual bottle. (EB)" (09/2019) 91 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Starting with the value-priced 2016 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills, it was 60% destemmed, saw a long 30-day maceration, and was aged all in very old barrels. This medium ruby/plum-hued effort offers complex notes of macerated cherries, dried strawberries, forest floor, spice, and earth. With medium body, a light, elegant texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish, it's a no-brainer purchase to enjoy over the coming 7-8 years (or more)." (10/2019) [ryanwoodhouse.gif]( Woodhouse]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 24, 2019 Melville is a perennial staff favorite here at K&L; wines our staff drink. So we were stoked when the new 2016 Estate Pinot garnered 95 points from Vinous! 2016 was the first vintage Chad Melville had turned over his Samsara wines to new owners and focused entirely on his eponymous brand with his father, Ron. Chad's love for whole cluster inclusion is perfectly executed in this wine giving beautiful texture and shape on the palate and adding spicy complexity and lift to the flavor profile. The wine is stunningly aromatic and expressive in a way only Pinot Noir can be. Crushed flowers, Asian spices, sandalwood, bright berry fruits and lick of exotic oak. Very vibrant and pure. Great length and poise on the palate, everything perfectly in place. This wine just delivers again and again. It drinks well beyond it's modest price point; I think this can hold up to most challengers from the region at any price point. With all the attention around the 95 point score this will go fast. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2015 Lazzeretti Brunello di Montalcino]( [2015 Lazzeretti Brunello di Montalcino]( ($39.99) 96 points International Wine Review: "An incredible wine from Lazzeretti, this Brunello is lively and intense with exuberant character, showing notes of hibiscus flowers and lavender along with notes reminiscent of blueberries and star anise. It possesses incredible energy with a wonderful fresh character through its full bodied texture. It displays outstanding overall quality and a pure territorial expression which is wrapped up in velvety tannins and an incandescent finish. Balanced and harmonious, this maybe the finest wine yet from Lazzeretti, even surpassing the excellent 2010. RV" (03/2020) 96 points James Suckling: "This is a very, very intense Brunello with explosive spices, cedar, leather, tar and a plethora of dried plums and berries. The full-bodied palate is incredibly dense and bold, swathed in vast, comprehensive tannins and layer upon layer of plums and cherries. Theres marvelous length and decadence to the finish, where the dried-spice character goes on and on. Stunning richness. Drink in 2025." (11/2019) 93 points Wine Spectator: "A monolithic red, with sweetness to the black cherry, black currant and raspberry fruit. Earth and iron notes anchor the bottom end, while a tobacco accent frames the dense tannins. Offers a long finish, showing solid grip. Best from 2023 through 2042. 1,500 cases made, 700 cases imported. BS" (06/2020) 91 points Wine Enthusiast: "Ripe black-skinned berry, leather and scorched earth aromas lead the nose on this structured wine. The concentrated, chewy palate offers mature black cherry, strawberry jam, star anise and black pepper alongside tightly wound tannins that need time to unwind. (KO)" (04/2020) [gregstclair.gif]( St. Clair]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 22, 2020 The nose of this wine is deeply scented with ripe plums, chocolate and accented with dried Mediterranean herbs. On the palate there is an explosion of fruit flavors that just jump off your tongue. Wave after wave of dense, dark flavors flow through the mouth in a supple, fleshy richness that shows lots of weight and density. The finish, for such a supple, smooth, rich wine is surprisingly long and balanced that seems to keep stretching out the finish after every sip. This is the best Lazzeretti Brunello Ive ever tasted they are on Montalcinos east side and not far from La Fortuna. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2015 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe "Piedlong" Châteauneuf-du-Pape]( [2015 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe "Piedlong" Châteauneuf-du-Pape]( ($49.99) 95 points James Suckling: "10 hectares of elevated Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this is an hommage to Grenache with just a hatful of Mourvèdre. Ripe raspberry and red plum pastry aromas. Super silky, plush and layered. Extremely impressive. Shows fluidity and balance, density and lightness. 50% stalks (crushed)." (08/2017) 91-93 points Vinous: "Bright violet. Highly perfumed red fruit liqueur, potpourri, licorice and white pepper scents show impressive clarity and vivacity. Sappy, seamless and precise on the palate, offering intense raspberry and floral pastille flavors and a touch of candied lavender. Finishes on a bright mineral note, displaying excellent focus, subtle tannins and emphatic, floral-driven tenacity. This is quite an elegant example of the vintage. (JR)" (03/2017) 93 points Jeb Dunnuck: "A blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre, the 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Piedlong is gorgeous, and Id certainly be happy to drink a bottle. Blackcurrants, kirsch, seaweed, tapenade, and shitake notes all flow to a ripe, supple, sexy red that has fine tannin, solid depth, and a great finish. It shows the elegant style of the vintage" (10/2017) 92 points Wine & Spirits: "The Brunier brothers, of the domaines Vieux Télégraphe and La Roquète in Châteauneuf, base this wine on fruit off 70-year-old grenache vines in the Piedlong lieu-dit, a high plateau paved with galets. The intensity of their fruit reads clearly in this wines liqueur-like berry flavors, bright, sweet and as clear as the sound of a bell. Underneath, theres a vein of leather and oolong tea, evidence of the ten percent mourvèdre in the blend, grown in the sandy soils of Pignan. Its Châteauneuf played at full volume, needing time in the cellar or a thick-cut steak to tame it." (10/2018) 92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Piedlong has been made since 2011. It's 90% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre, drawn from the Piedlong and Pignan lieux-dits. With 50% whole clusters, it's quite floral upfront but also boasts plenty of cherry fruit and cinnamon. It's full-bodied and creamy in texture, ending on a long, peppery note. (JC)" (10/2017) [alexp.gif]( Pross]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 23, 2020 This wine has the most amazing nose! Aromas of licorice, marzipan, Asian spice and subtle red fruit notes slowly rise from the glass. The palate is definitely old-world with flavors of blood orange, fennel, beef bouillon and exotic spice notes. Sinewy with sexy tannins this multi-layered beauty is already showing secondary complexity in a ready to drink package. This wine is straight out-delicious and perfect for the wine enthusiast looking for an old-world Chateauneuf! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2006 Billecart-Salmon "Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart" Brut Champagne (Previously $160)]( [2006 Billecart-Salmon "Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart" Brut Champagne (Previously $160)]( ($99.99) 97 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Created in 1964 as a tribute to the houses founder, the youngest release is the 2006 Millésime Brut Cuvée Nicolas François, a blend of 60% Pinot Noir from premier and grand crus from the Montagne de Reims and the Grande Vallée de la Marne and 40% Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs. Almost entirely fermented in stainless steel (only 5% was vinified in oak barrels) and aged for 11 years on the lees, this is a beautifully ripe and rich yet pure champagne with ripe fruit flavors intermixed with chalky notes and brioche/nougat flavors. The palate is intense and concentrated in its rich fruit and substantial depth but also tight, highly elegant and perfectly balanced. The typical finesse of Billecart-Salmon is palatable as well as amazingly pure, with the persistent structure of a great Champagne. The 2006 already drinks dangerously well, but there is no need to hurry, this will go a long way. (SR)" (12/2018) 96 points Decanter: "This wine has always been a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay since its inception in 1964, honouring the house's co-founder. Like the other founder's cuvées, 5% of the wine is vinified in old oak barrels and it then spends 11 years on its lees with partial malolactic fermentation. It has a beautiful mousse and fine, fast-streaming bubbles, and is very tight and reserved at first, opening in the glass to reveal refined sous bois, pastry, tart red apple, rich yellow plum and lifted floral notes. Elegant, complex, long and zesty, it's still very young with its full potential yet to show. (TG)" (05/2017) 95 points Wine Enthusiast: "Named after the founder of the house, Nicolas François Billecart (who married Elisabeth Salmon), this wine is now at its peak. It is poised between fresh apple fruits and broader, riper maturity. This balance gives a ripe wine hinting at toast and almonds while still with a dry aftertaste. *Cellar Selection* (RV)" (12/2018) 94 points Wine Spectator: "Fine and creamy, this harmonious Champagne layers a firm backbone of bright acidity with a lovely range of orange pâte de fruit, marzipan, lime blossom and toasted brioche notes. Tightly meshed and racy, with a long, lightly spiced finish. (AN)" (10/2018) 94 points James Suckling: "Fresh honey and bright poached apples with dried flowers, cherry pastry and richness that flows to the palate. A ripe array of white peaches, baked cherry pastry and a complex, smooth fleshy build in texture. White peaches and brioche to close. Drinking well now, but it will deliver plenty in the next decade on cork." (09/2018) K&L Notes: This beautiful tête de cuvée is always aged for at least 10 years on the lees before release, making this one of the better aged bottlings that we have in the category. It is composed of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay all from grand cru vineyards. It sees 30% barrel maturation and is dosed at just 4 grams of sugar per liter. (Gary Westby, K&L Champagne buyer) [gary.gif]( Westby]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 19, 2020 I was treated to a bottle of this by Clement Calleja of Champagne Billecart-Salmon with the whole K&L Champagne team. It was the highlight of an evening where we drank every single one of the wonderful Champagnes of this great house. What stood out to me is the extraordinary creamy, nougaty aromas and flavors as well as the exceptionally tiny, tight bead of bubbles. This elegant tête de cuvée had me writing LUXURY in all caps in my notebook, and wowed me with layers of complexity that did not get in the way of supremely easy drinking. This is one of the best we have from the grand marques! [Stephanie-Vidales.jpg]( Vidales]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 09, 2020 This is a fantastic bottle of bubbles from one of the great houses in Champagne. Aged 11 years on the lees, Billecart Salmon's 2006 Cuvee Nicolas Francois boasts ripe citrus fruits, brioche, pear and apricot. The ripe stone fruits continue on palate, balanced with a toasted nuttiness and ripeness throughout. This bottle goes down easy now, but will have a long life in the cellar as well. [diana-turk.jpg]( Turk]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 13, 2020 Billecart-Salmon Champagne is consistently exceptional, both in quality and value, and that rings even truer in this special bottling. While its tricky to label a wine that retails for over $100 as a bargain, the heart and meticulous winemaking that goes into this release makes it worthwhile. The 2006 Cuvée Nicolas François spends an extra two years on the lees than most specialty releases from Billecart Salmon, bringing the total aging to ten years, at least! Some time in barrel gives it a toasty roundness without sacrificing brightness. White floral notes and berry fruit stand out on the nose, thanks to the 60-40% Pinot Noir-Chardonnay composition, with a creaminess to the palate that feels luxurious. But at six grams dosage, it stays balanced, with a crisp, dry finish. Plus, 2006 was such a generous vintage that this baby is ready to drink, and pairs especially well with sushi. Get it while you still can. [scottbeckerley.gif]( Beckerley]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 12, 2020 This is one of the best champagnes in the store! A fragrant nose of white flowers and white stone fruits. Just lovely! Beautiful on the palate, with heavy cream, apricot, ginger and baking spices. Orange and pastry on the lingering finish. Simply yummy! It also was tied for the number one spot among a group of hardcore customers that meet quarterly and focus upon vintage champagnes. As of March of 2020, during a visit to Billecart-Salmon, it continued to show extremely well with flavors of vanilla cake and peach mousse. Buy some to drink and some to stow in the cellar for another 5 years. This one just continues to get better! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2008 Glendronach 11 Year Old K&L Exclusive First Fill Single Oloroso Puncheon #2988 Cask Strength Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky]( [2008 Glendronach 11 Year Old K&L Exclusive First Fill Single Oloroso Puncheon #2988 Cask Strength Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky]( ($99.99) After a nearly half decade hiatus, we're back with a distillery-bottled exclusive single cask of 'Dronanch. This delicious barrel was selected by our two spirits buyers, Andrew and David, way back in May of 2019. This Oloroso puncheon was filled September 17 of 2008 and bottled at the beginning of 2020 at cask strength without chill-filtration. Glendronach has become one of Scotland's most well regarded and consistently delicious producers. The distillery was officially founded 1826, just outside the town of Huntley in a hidden valley in the rolling hills of the Eastern Highlands. The distillery was refurbished with two additional stills in the '60s and was one of the last distilleries to stop using coal to fire the stills. The floor maltings continued to operate until 1996. GlenDronach had long been renowned for its use of sherry casks, but not until the BenRiach company purchased the distillery in 2008 did it become a serious contender in the eyes of whisky aficionados. This would have been one of the first whiskies distilled by the new owners. In 2016, Brown-Forman purchased Glendronach and its sister distilleries. Now, we finally have access to single casks from this special distillery once again. Holding nearly 100L more than a standard sherry butt, this first fill sherry puncheon has everything you've come to expect from this excellent distillery - bold, rich, and powerful. There are few better on the market than this special malt from the Valley of the Brambles. [David-otheningirard.jpg]( Othenin-Girard]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 24, 2020 I've always had a soft spot for this wonderful distillery. It was one of the first distillers to sell us single casks way back in 2011. Then they had significant old stocks at outrageously low prices. Part of what made Glendronach a household name was access to these stocks, a fact I try to impress on every distillery trying to make waves in today's cutthroat Scotch market. There is in fact very little room for BS any longer in this category. Things that aren't priced fairly or don't have the provenance to garner high prices simply don't sell. As Glendronach became more prominent and it's older stocks dwindled, our access did as well. Now products that we once sold for $150, would cost us $3-400. So we took a step back. And when Glendronach sold in 2016 we were prepared to say good buy to the single cask program forever. Amazingly, the new owners have refreshed attitude toward this program and acknowledged immediately that continuing the line would be a crucial aspect of their marketing strategy. But, we were still seeing single casks in the over 18 year range priced well over $400 so we were skeptical that we'd find something that worked. So, when we dropped by the distillery in the Spring of 2019, we weren't sure what would be on offer. Our only stipulation was that it be less than $100 on the shelf. I was prepared to taste through 5-6 year old stock, but our old friend Rachel Barrie instead offered us two choices, PX and Oloroso Puncheon just under 12 years old. These were some of the first stocks distilled after Billy Walker had taken over the distillery and a perfect example of the quality the new owners had brought to the old distillery. Both were excellent, but we were only allowed one. It wasn't an easy choice, but we ended up going with the puncheon because it more than exemplified the "classic" 'dronach flavor profile. And while this is a first fill it's not one of the motor oil dark malts. Instead its full of nuance, depth and balance. Over a year after our original selection, this cask is finally here. Even with tariffs, Glendronach honored their commitment to keep the price under $100 and we couldn't be more proud to be selling this gorgeous cask of this special malt. IT's difficult to find a better OB in the shop right now and for $100 this a no brainer for any lower of high proof sherry. The color is deep copper. The nose is a heady mixture of medium roast coffee beans, fig jam, jamon, burnt orange peel and graphite pencil shavings. The palate is surprisingly sweet considering the strong oloroso influence - full of dried apricots, plums, old leather, dark chocolate, roasted almonds and fudge candy. Chewy and textured, the finish builds into a long spicy beast. I wouldn't add more than a drop or two of water, but if you do you'll find the dark roasty flavors take a back seat to the fruit, followed by more exotic wood and spice. I rarely perfer young cask strength whisky with out ANY water, but this one I think doesn't benefit much from the addition. The sweetness on the palate totally hides the 60% abv, but the big spicy finish keeps you from forgetting what you're drinking. It's a lovely example of what's going on at this special distillery in the modern era and a great sign for what is to come of the next decade. They're still making some serious juice here and hopefully we'll continue to be able to offer casks that deliver on the promise of value and quality that built the Glendronach name. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2016 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien]( [2016 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien]( ($179.99) 97 points James Suckling: "Terrific intensity of dark berries, almost peppery blackcurrants and violets with attractive and integrated, spicy oak and an earthy edge. The palate has a super powerful and long, linear core with plenty of fruit flesh strapped in tight for a long and thrilling ride into the finish." (02/2019) 97 points Wine Spectator: "This is so vivid as it brims with pastis-soaked plum, blackberry, black currant and blueberry paste flavors, all carried by a perfectly integrated brambly spine. Tar and ganache notes give the finish an extra kick while everything stays within the mouthwatering roasted apple wood frame. Both regal and rambunctious, this is St.-Julien to a T. *Highly Recommended* (JM)" (03/2019) 96 points Vinous: "The 2016 Léoville-Barton is fabulous. A wine of breadth and power, the 2016 has so much to offer. The black cherry, chocolate, gravel, smoke and licorice flavors are all boldly sketched. A host of expressive savory and mineral notes develop into the substantial finish. (AG)" (01/2019) 96 points Wine Enthusiast: "The Barton familys flagship wine benefits hugely from the age of the vines. This wine is ripe and concentrated, rich in tannins but with the wonderful black fruits that can be conjured from this vineyard. (RV)" (05/2019) 96 points Decanter: "I love this - there's concentrated cassis on the nose with a strong, smoky edging. On the palate the coffee and dark chocolate is clear, a little bitter in an extremely attractive way, leaning against the rich, sweet black fruits. There's no question those tannins are in full play. An excellent wine with a great life ahead. Matured in 60% new oak. (JA)" (10/2018) 96 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Deep purple-colored and a classic Saint-Julien with its pure crème de cassis, graphite, liquid rock, and essence of lead pencil shavings, the 2016 Château Léoville Barton is full-bodied, concentrated, and backward, with bright acidity and ripe yet certainly present and building tannins. This old-school, classic Léoville Barton has a fine thread of acidity keeping the wine focused and fresh. Its a beauty, but mostly potential at this point, although it does have beautiful fruit. Savvy readers will hide bottles at the back of their cellar, and I wouldnt start to think about opening bottles for a least a decade. Its going to be incredibly long-lived. The blend of the 2016 is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot, brought up in 60% new French oak. 96+" (02/2019) 95 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Leoville Barton delivers a superstar nose of crème de cassis, plum preserves and blueberry compote with suggestions of fragrant earth, unsmoked cigars, licorice and cedar chest. Medium to full-bodied, rich and seductive with firm yet velvety tannins, it has a decadently rich finish. (LPB) 95+" (11/2018) 95 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "The 2016 Léoville Barton has a beautiful bouquet of blackberry, gravel and hints of black truffle and pencil shavings, blossoming with aeration yet remaining classic in style. The palate is medium-bodied with gorgeous ripe tannins that exert gentle grip. Lightly spiced and wonderfully focused, leaving the tongue tingling with glee long after the wine has departed. This is one of the finest wines from the estate in recent years. (NM)" (01/2019) Jancis Robinson: "Dark blackish purple. Less obviously aromatic than Langoa. Tea-leaf notes. Round texture with gloriously ripe tannins. Really a standout Barton. So unusually supple! Yet with masses of tannins underneath. This will surely be one of the vintage's longer-living wines. Glorious texture and flavour. Utterly minerally dry, but not drying. Very good freshness much fresher than many of its peers. Real energy. (JR) 18/20 points" (04/2017) --------------------------------------------------------------- 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. 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