K&L Top 10 Picks - January

K&L's Top Picks for the month of January... Monday Jan 9th, 2017 [View in Browser] 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 2014 Baracchi "O'Lillo!" Toscana (Elsewhere $20) 93 $14.99 [View] 2014 Domaine Lafage "Narassa Lieu Dit" Côtes-du-Roussillon 93 $15.99 [View] 2010 La Rioja Alta "Viña Alberdi" Reserva Rioja 95 $17.99 [View] 2014 Olivier Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc "Oncle Vincent" 90 $19.99 [View] 2012 Le Thil, Pessac-Léognan 91 $24.99 [View] 2014 Lemelson "Thea's Selection" Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 93 $27.99 [View] 2012 Damilano "Lecinquevigne" Barolo (Previously $33.00) 93 $29.99 [View] 2014 Ridge "Lytton Springs" Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 94 $37.99 [View] Ohishi "'K&L Exclusive"' Single Sherry Cask #1023 Japanese Whisky (750ml) $74.99 [View] 2014 Lewis Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 91 $89.99 [View] [2014 Baracchi "O'Lillo!" Toscana (Elsewhere $20)] [2014 Baracchi "O'Lillo!" Toscana (Elsewhere $20)] ($14.99) 93 points James Suckling: "Lots of blackcurrants, grapes and lemon zest character. Full body, firm and silky tannins and a long and flavorful finish. It's firm and very tight. Compact structure. Delicious blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, syrah and sangiovese. Better in 2018." (08/2015) 90 points Wine Spectator: "Pure and fresh, boasting black currant and black cherry flavors, with tar and earth details. Lean, almost racy, with vivid acidity driving the long, mineral-tinged finish. Sangiovese, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2017 through 2023. (BS)" (10/2015) [Greg St. Clair] | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 27, 2016 The nose of this wine is stunning: waves of complex wild cherry, classically Sangiovese, mixed with smoke and earth focus your attention immediately, as if you were to say this is the nose of a lot more expensive wine. On the palate the complexity expands, develops flavor facets that expose soil, mineral, saturated fruits with hints of leather and earth. The wine glides across your palate displaying lots of richness that is bridled, focused and gives you a sense of power and depth. The finish is long--sometimes that seems like a placeholder for this part of the review, but this wine really has length, superb balance, lots of flavors and a supple drinkability. Outstanding wine at this price point! [2014 Domaine Lafage "Narassa Lieu Dit" Côtes-du-Roussillon] [2014 Domaine Lafage "Narassa Lieu Dit" Côtes-du-Roussillon] ($15.99) 93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "From one of the warmest sites in France, the 2014 Cotes du Roussillon Villages Lieu Dit La Narassa comes from 70-year-old vines planted in the black schist soils of Maury. Despite the rugged, hot terroir from where this beauty comes, the wine is pure silk and elegant, with lots of black raspberry, chocolate covered currants, pepper and olive notes giving way to a full-bodied 2014; it has polished tannin and a seamless texture. (JD)" (04/2016) K&L Notes: Proprietors Jean-Marc and Eliane Lafage have become synonymous with quality and value from the Roussillon. They continue to create tremendous cuvees that offer some of the best QPR regardless of region or country. The Narassa is a new project from a single lieu dit, or vineyard site, that is planted with Grenache and Syrah. Planted on black schist, one of the region's most desirable soil types, the wine has all the classic notes of black fruit and intense minerality. The wine is hand-harvested, undergoes a cold soak before fermentation and spends its time in a mix of concrete tanks (80%) and wood barrels (20%). It is rich, inviting and full of great regional character, much like the Lafages. [Keith Mabry] | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 13, 2016 Jean-Marc and Eliane Lafage have offered us many great wines over the years. From their Bastide Miraflors, to the Tessellae and their Kerbuccio Maurys. They have contracted with or acquired some of the best sites in the entire Roussillon. Their newly acquired La Narassa site is one of their best yet. It is a wine that offers a palate saturated with inky black and blue fruit. This full-bodied wine also offers incredible minerality, reflecting the beautiful black schist on which it is planted. We often compare many of their releases to the great Rhone wines to the east, and make no mistake, this is a dead-ringer for a top-notch Chateauneuf. At $16 a bottle, this is truly one of the great buys this year offering more of what the Lafages do best: high-quality, well-priced wines that drink well now but have the stuffing to last for several more years. [2010 La Rioja Alta "Viña Alberdi" Reserva Rioja] [2010 La Rioja Alta "Viña Alberdi" Reserva Rioja] ($17.99) 95 points James Suckling: "Ripe and intense aromas of strawberries and blackberries with hints of black ink. Savory notes, too. Full-bodied, chewy and focused with linear fruit and character. Very finely crafted. Drink or hold." (12/2016) K&L Notes: Founded in 1890, La Rioja Alta is one of the most experienced and universally respected wineries in Rioja. Viña Alberdi is La Rioja Alta's juiciest, most approachable Rioja to drink on the younger side. That said, it still is one of the standard bearers of great quality, affordable, traditional Rioja, aged for two full years in barrels produced on site by the company's own coopers. Based upon Tempranillo, this is always quite tasty but in a vintage as strong as 2010, it elevates itself to top value category. [Joe Manekin] | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 14, 2016 Upon first whiff, the 2010 Viña Alberdi is spicy, with the cedary oak notes nearly stealing the show. There are of course baking spices and pretty fruits as well, which both become more evident on the palate, where they combine with the oak for a nicely balanced, "bien clasico" expression of Rioja. This level of quality and traditional craftsmanship at under $18 makes this a must in your regular rotation! [2014 Olivier Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc "Oncle Vincent"] [2014 Olivier Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc "Oncle Vincent"] ($19.99) 90 points Wine Enthusiast: "This is a beautifully aromatic wine with toast and yellow fruits mingling easily together. It is ripe while also light to taste, a crisp burst of acidity giving the wine a fine lift. Yellow fruits, citrus and toast play together in this attractive wine that is ready to drink." (12/2016) 90 points Wine Spectator: "A creamy style, with smoky matchstick aromas and flavors offsetting lemon and apple fruit. Turns leaner on the chalky finish. Fine balance. Drink now through 2019" (12/2015) K&L Notes: This delightfully rich white Burgundy is made as an homage to Olivier Leflaive's Uncle Vincent Leflaive, the founder of the famous Domaine Leflaive. It comes entirely from vineyards in the communes of Puligny-Montrachet and is fermented in small French oak barrels. It is satisfying and mineral-driven, as well as rich and buttery. From Olivier Leflaive: "Only grapes from the territory of Puligny-Montrachet, a village he loved so much, could pay tribute to my uncle Vincent. He has been a model for me and a valuable support during the creation of Maison Olivier Leflaive. When we talked about this project to our importers, they immediately expressed an amazing enthusiasm. This project is now concert and 'Oncle Vincent' will be available in different parts of the world, like all of our wines." [Alex Pross] | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 06, 2017 Drinking a bottle of the 2014 Olivier Leflaive "Oncle Vincent" Bourgogne Blanc allows you to drink as if you're having a Puligny-Montrachet while paying Bourgogne Blanc pricing. I was stunned the minute I smelled this beautiful wine from the glass: aromas of flint, Asian pear and hazelnut deftly mingled with a palate full of racy minerality, pear and apple notes and a touch of oak. Richly textured with impeccable balance, this punches way above its meager price!! [David Driscoll] | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 06, 2017 This is the great twenty dollar bottle of white Burgundy. It's everything I love about the region's Chardonnay wines all wrapped up into one easy, well-priced bottle. I could probably drink this every single day and never get tired of it. The acidity is like a laser beam of citrus with subtle notes of stonefruit for just enough weight. The influence of the oak is minor, but it's there and it holds the wine together beautifully. It's clean, racy, and mouthwatering. This is your workhorse French Chardonnay. It's the bottle you go to night in and night out. Dependable, delicious, and always satisfying. [2012 Le Thil, Pessac-Léognan] [2012 Le Thil, Pessac-Léognan] ($24.99) 90-91 points James Suckling: "This shows a lovely core of fruits with chocolate and berry. Full body, with a tender tannin structure. First red vintage from here for new owners who also own Smith-Haut-Lafitte. 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon." (04/2013) 91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The dark ruby/plum/purple 2012 exhibits notes of graphite, cedar wood, roasted herbs and sweet red and black currants. This medium-bodied, elegant yet rich wine should drink well for a decade or more. This 22-acre property was recently acquired by the owners of Smith Haut Lafitte, Daniel and Florence Cathiard. Sandwiched between the Cathiards Smith Haut Lafitte and nearby Carbonnieux, this vineyard was cropped at a ridiculously low 21 hectoliters per hectare and the wine is composed of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon that finished at 13.8% natural alcohol. (RP)" (04/2013) [Clyde Beffa Jr.] | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 22, 2016 This property flies under the radar, but we have enjoyed their wines for ten years. Located near Smith haut lafitte, and now under their ownership, this property has always made value reds. This is the last vintage under the old regime-and it merits your attention, Extremely spicy aromas with clove an Asian spices abounding. Very sweet and sexy on the palate with a streak of minerality through its middle. Very sweet finish-you can drink it young, but decant an hour or so. [2014 Lemelson "Thea's Selection" Willamette Valley Pinot Noir] [2014 Lemelson "Thea's Selection" Willamette Valley Pinot Noir] ($27.99) 93 points James Suckling: "Aromas of blueberries, bark and berry character. Medium to full body, chewy tannins and a fresh finish. A more structured and tannic 2014. Give it time to soften. Better in 2019." (11/2016) 92 points Wine Spectator: "**#68 In Wine Spectator's Top 100 of 2016** Polished, expressive and deftly balanced, this is generous with its baby powder-accented cherry, lingonberry and floral flavors. Remains open and inviting through the long finish. Drink now through 2022. 9,950 cases made." (12/2016) [Bryan Brick] | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 27, 2016 Simply put 2014 is a superstar vintage in the Willamette Valley. Whether its Pinot Noir or the myriad of white wines made in the valley everything was of the highest quality and to make the vintage even better there were extremely high yields as well meaning that there is plenty of wine to go around. A perfect example of the extremely high quality of 2014 is the Lemelson Theas Selection Pinot Noir. This pours a clear, vibrant ruby color and has a heady nose of typical Oregonian earth, bitter cherry, amaro, pine needles and freshly picked raspberries. Easy going, but without sacrificing complexity or depth, this wine has a lovely zest and red fruited energy with fun flavors of Bing cherry, cola, vanilla bean, whole clove and loganberry preserves. A warm, coating finish with enjoyable heft and building, richer notes of café con leche, chocolate covered cherries and touches of tar and sweetened cranberry juice round out this crowd pleasing Pinot Noir. But if you dont want to take our word for it Wine Spectator placed this in their Top 100 wines of 2016 article at #68. Not bad for a wine under $30! [2012 Damilano "Lecinquevigne" Barolo (Previously $33.00)] [2012 Damilano "Lecinquevigne" Barolo (Previously $33.00)] ($29.99) 93 points James Suckling: "Very clean and bright aromas of crushed berries, chocolate and spices, yet this is subtle and pretty. Full body, firm and silky tannins and a long, long, polished and tannic finish. Drink or hold." (11/2016) 92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "This is a wine I highly recommend especially for those who can't resist the beautiful taste of Nebbiolo in a more informal dining scenario (like around the kitchen table with family and friends). The 2012 Barolo Lecinquevigne sees fruit sourced from five vineyard sites, and all that mixing and matching gives the winemakers more flexibility for achieving quality. For this reason, Lecinquevigne has shown impressive quality over the years. The wine is redolent of wild berry, cola, licorice and soft spice. 92+ (ML)" (06/2016) 92 points Wine Spectator: " A firm, lean style, sporting cherry, licorice, mint, tobacco and tar flavors allied to dry, dusty tannins. Shows fine acidity and balance, with a long aftertaste of licorice, earth and tar. Best from 2019 through 2033. (BS)" (10/2016) [Greg St. Clair] | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 15, 2016 The bouquet of this wine is classic, full of the rose petal and leather character one would expect but behind that is a wave of fruit, spiced cherry, plumy that expand the aromatic profile. On the palate you sense immediately that this is a Barolo, full of power and depth, size and has a sweet tannin structure that fills your cheeks. The flavors are sweet cherry and plums and when you expect that to be it opens up to earth, smoke, spice, leather and hints of dried rose petals. The finish is full, broad and shows the layers of complexity that say this is really good Barolo, such a deal, buy double what you think you should! [2014 Ridge "Lytton Springs" Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel] [2014 Ridge "Lytton Springs" Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel] ($37.99) 94 points Vinous: "The 2014 Lytton Springs is another absolutely gorgeous wine...there appears to be plenty of complexity and depth hiding behind the acidity and tannin. Far from an easygoing Zinfandel, the 2014 Lytton is a wine to buy and cellar for at least a handful of years. The wine's richness, persistence and vertical intensity all lead me to believe it will be special in time. Black cherry, pomegranate, mint and sweet spices meld into the resonant finish. A kick of tannin from the Petite adds personality, something the 2014 has in spades. This is an absolutely stellar set of wines from Ridge... Zinfandel fans will find much to like in the 2014s, a vintage that produced super-elegant wines. Of course, the biggest news at Ridge is Paul Draper's retirement, but then again, that has been in the works for so long that it was hardly a surprise when it was formally announced earlier this summer. As one of the foremost ambassadors of American wine, Draper leaves behind a rich legacy at Ridge going back to 1969 and a team that is more than capable of leading the winery into the next generation. (AG)" (06/2016) [Rachel Vogel] | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 11, 2016 A wonderfully age-worthy Zin! The Lytton Springs has ripe, juicy, purple fruits on the mid-palate and great acid, but it is still tight and quite young. In a few years, when then tannins have relaxed, I can see this wine being full-bodied, dynamic and layered with earth, spice and deep fruit. I am eager to enjoy it again! [Ohishi "'K&L Exclusive"' Single Sherry Cask #1023 Japanese Whisky (750ml)] [Ohishi "'K&L Exclusive"' Single Sherry Cask #1023 Japanese Whisky (750ml)] ($74.99) The Ohishi distillery is located on the banks of the Kuma River, one Japan's fastest flowing rivers. The distillery was founded in 1872 and produces some of the most exciting whisky coming out of Japan. Ohishi grows at least 30% of the rice that they distill, and the fertile soils and exceptional growing climate make for some of the finest base ingredients available. The strain of rice is called "gohyakumanishi" (meaning "five million stones"), and an organic method of cultivation is utilized that requires the use of koi carp for weed control. The rest of the grain is procured from local farms in Kumamoto prefecture and is of the short grained Mochi variety. The grains are partially malted and then distilled on the traditional Japanese stills before being filled into ex-sherry and brandy casks and aged for a long time time in high-altitude warehouses. This cask brings in a great balanced sherry influence and definitely feels more like Scotch than our single cask from the Fukano Distillery. This cask will likely be the only one we get for a while, considering the recent events in Kumamoto prefecture. Our last cask sold out in a flash, so we can expect this special cask to go very quickly as well. [David Othenin-Girard] | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 13, 2016 This magic little cask of Ohishi proves again there is just nothing wrong with rice whisky, nothing at all. The nose is wonderfully fresh and keeps you on your feet for a big dose of fresh cut apple, followed by a deep dark Oloroso note, and sweet caramelized citrus. Subtle yet full of life, the whole thing builds and brings you some lovely hints of funk around these very pretty fruit flavors. The palate is pretty weighty, but balance is the key factor. The freshness isn't lost at all, and some cocoa and barrel spice along with dark vanilla bean and slight earthy warehouse funk take over. It's so utterly drinkable it will be difficult to put down, if you know what I'm saying. Beware! [2014 Lewis Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon] [2014 Lewis Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon] ($89.99) 91 points Connoisseurs Guide: "*Two Stars* While neither of the Lewis brace of Cabernets is the picture of restraint and both are beholden to near over-the-top ripeness, they nonetheless succeed on the strength of their fruity depth. This, the less pricey of the pair, is by small degrees the deeper and slightly less extravagant wine, and, if a bit hotter than we would like at the finish and showing the ragged edges of youth, it comes with more than enough sustained fruity extract to make us unquestioning believers in its future. Elegance may lie out of its reach regardless of how it is held, but it will find a measure of polish with age and gets our vote as a wine worth cellaring for six to eight years." (12/2016) K&L Notes: This is one of K&L's favorite Napa producers, and these folks know their Cabernet. Debbie and Randy Lewis say their 2014 is decked out "in a flashy jumpsuit with super plush fruit and sexy oak spices--Elvis is in the house! There's a whole lotta fruit going on, playing out in perfect pitch and velvety voice--it's irresistibly good. Classic, three-chord composition provides structure with notes of cedar, clove and sweet tobacco for added melody. Finely polished with chocolaty tannins, something like blue suede shoes." [Trey Beffa] | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 06, 2016 Lewis Cabernet is made for fans of that full throttle California style! The 2014 doesnt disappoint. It is a big, rich and ripe wine that coats the palate with flavors of crushed blueberries, blackberries, coco and vanilla bean. The 2014 is surprisingly open for such an early age. If you like your wine with a little kick and a ton of fruit, you can enjoy this now with some decanting. Just make sure you fasten your seat belt! --------------------------------------------------------------- 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. 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[See for yourself]. --------------------------------------------------------------- [K&L] Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637) Email: [wine@klwines.com] K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA Missed an offer? Check out recent opportunities at our [Email Archive] page. Follow us on [Twitter][Facebook] [Instagram] and read more [On the Trail (K&L Blog)] "Best wine Web site in the US" - Wall Street Journal "Great for rare and hard-to-find wines." - Time "The cellar to search first." - Smart Money "Best Wine Web Site" - Publishers of The Wine Spectator This email was sent to {EMAIL} [Click here to manage your e-mail settings] with K&L Wine Merchants or alternatively, [click here to unsubscribe from all mailings]