K&L Top 10 Picks: October 2021

Hand-Picked, Over-Delivering Selections from Across the Globe... Monday Oct 11th, 2021 [View in Browser]( [KL-emailheader.gif]( K&L Top 10 Selections: October 2021 Featuring: Stunning Value Bordeaux, "Baby Beaucastel," Iconic Aussie Cabernet, Collectible Chianti, and Age-Stated Bourbon, Rioja, Châteauneuf, and More... --------------------------------------------------------------- We're taking on autumn in full stride with October's Top 10. This month brings us standout offerings from some of our tried-and-true, well-known favorites, plus some under-the-radar gems that are finally getting the attention they deserve. Highlights include La Roque de By's 2018 Médoc, which gives Bordeaux fans an immediately accessible style for a killer bargain price, while the 2019 Coudoulet de Beaucastel mirrors the character of the estate's flagship wine at less than half the price. The maverick Spanish estate Artadi has turned out a brilliant Tempranillo blend (can't call it "Rioja" lest we upset the authorities), and a pair of winery-direct California stunners come to us at unbelievable, best-in-market pricing in the 2018 Vultour Napa Cab and the 95-point Marimar Estate "La Masía" single-vineyard Pinot from Russian River's Green Valley AVA. [Fontodi]( Leeuwin's 97-point 2017 Art Series Cabernet is yet another staggering success for this iconic estate Down Under, and two of our favorite French direct-import producers absolutely shine with their entries in this month's round-up. Durieu's 96-point "Lucile Avril" is a blockbuster Châteauneuf in the reference-point 2016 vintage, and the dynamic Alexandre Le Brun once again shows us what boutique grower Champagne is all about. Fontodi's 2017 Vigna del Sorbo offers a stirring rendition of Italy's most famous grape from an undisputed benchmark estate. Finally, we simply must call your attention to the incredible 15 Year Old Straight Bourbon bottling from Calumet Farm, an unparalleled value in the world of age-stated bourbon and one that belongs in the collection of any serious aficionado. Each of these selections is perfectly suited to carry you into the cooler months and on through the holidays, so stock up while supplies last. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2018 La Roque de By, Médoc 90 $14.99 [View]( 2018 Artadi "Viñas de Gain" Rioja 94 $23.99 [View]( 2019 Coudoulet de Beaucastel Côtes-du-Rhône 92 $27.99 [View]( 2017 Marimar Estate "La Masía - Don Miguel Vineyard" Russian River Valley Pinot Noir (Elsewhere $55) 95 $29.95 [View]( 2018 Vultour "Reserve" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Previously $115) $34.95 [View]( 2016 Domaine Durieu "Lucile Avril" Châteauneuf-du-Pape 96 $39.99 [View]( 2017 Leeuwin "Art Series" Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River Western Australia 97 $49.99 [View]( 2014 Alexandre Le Brun "Cuvée Fascination" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne $69.99 [View]( 2017 Fontodi "Vigna del Sorbo" Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 96 $79.99 [View]( Calumet Farm 15 Year Old "Single Rack Black" Small Batch Unchillfiltered Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $119.99 [View]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [2018 La Roque de By, Médoc]( La Roque de By, Médoc]( ($14.99) 90 points Decanter: "Austere cassis and blueberry fruits here with tannins that are pretty tight. This is an enjoyable estate that needs a few years in bottle but should soften and open within two to three years. (JA)" (11/2020) James Suckling: "A tight, linear young red with some currant and walnut, as well as pine needle. It's medium-bodied with firm tannins and a medium finish." (02/2021) Wine Enthusiast: "This property of the Pagès family has given us an attractively fruity wine. Tannins are still young and the black-currant fruit is still fresh and juicy. This half-and-half blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon will develop well, ready from 2023. *Best Buy* (RV)" (04/2021) Schroeder]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 19, 2021 This is a sister property to the classic northern Médoc Château La Tour de By that offers an excellent left bank profile under $20. Cabernet Sauvignon dominant, it offers succulent red currants and dark cherry, earthy graphite, and toast, with enough restraint and structure to be utterly drinkable right now. Bearden]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 27, 2021 This is quite clean and statuesque for the money with a dark and fruity middle and a finish of firm, talc-like tannins. This young, super value wine will age well but is enjoyable now for the sweetness of the fruit and the long, firm food friendly structure. Beffa Jr.]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 18, 2021 A more modern style from our friends at La Tour de By. 50% Merlot and 50% Cab. Very perfumey aromas with some toasty oak. Sweet and sexy right now. Magnums available. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2018 Artadi "Viñas de Gain" Rioja]( Artadi "Viñas de Gain" Rioja]( ($23.99) 94 points James Suckling: "Very pure fruit to this with blackberries and blueberries and some dried flowers. Medium-bodied with very fine tannins and a linear, refined finish. From organically grown grapes." (08/2021) 93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The young red 2018 Viñas de Gaín follows the same philosophy as the white, grapes from a variety of vineyards in Laguardia and Elvillar ferment in oak and stainless steel vats followed by malolactic in barrel and an élevage in oak of nine months. It showcases the serious and fresh style of the best wines from the year. It has cold fruit and a very fine thread in the palate, fine tannins, long and balanced, very fresh. It has depth and complexity. A very good wine, it transcends its price point, like an upgraded version of the 2016. (LG)" (01/2021) K&L Notes: Based in the Rioja Alavesa village of Laguardia, Artadi made headlines in Rioja and elsewhere when they decided to leave the Rioja DOC a few years ago. A blend of various Tempranillo parcels ranging from 20-30 years of age, Viñas de Gain is the tasty, structured yet open knit and dark fruited introduction to Artadi's range of Rioja (well, not according to the label, but absolutely according to the wine's profile!). Recommended. Beckerley]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 08, 2021 Another scary bargain in our Rioja collection. I tasted this before I checked the price out, and that was a very pleasant shock! It has a deep, dark-fruited nose with cocoa, violet, and cassis scents. On the palate, it is immediately lush with pure black fruits, milk chocolate and a very light touch of anise and spice. Medium to full-bodied. This wine screams out for roasted or barbecued pork or chicken. In a word, delicious! If this type of thing keeps up, I may have to resign from the Champagne department and go back to my first placement here, which was Spain. As with other Rioja's in this price range of late, don't wait to buy it. It will sell out. I've found that out the hard way. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2019 Coudoulet de Beaucastel Côtes-du-Rhône]( Coudoulet de Beaucastel Côtes-du-Rhône]( ($27.99) 92 points Decanter: "A well-balanced, perfectly ripe, very fresh expression this year. Fine tannins, with good grip, harmonious acidity and dark streak of concentrated fruit into the finish. You'll be glad you bought some of this. Not hugely deep or hugely complex, but beautifully balanced. (MW)" (10/2020) Mabry]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 22, 2021 What's the big difference between the Coudoulet Côtes-du-Rhône and the classic Beaucastel Châteauneuf? About $50 ... I kid, because there's actually so much more in common. The cépage for the Coudoulet is Mourvèdre-heavy, about 30%. Same for the CDP. The grapes are all farmed organically. The soils are nearly identical with sandstone covered by alluvial stones (those big giant pebbles). That's actually where the big difference comes in. The parcel that makes up Coudoulet is across the demarcation line for the appellation, where an ancient road existed (now it's a highway). But in flavor profile, there's a lot more in common. This is savory (hello Mourvèdre!), fruit-filled (those heat reflecting pebbles), and beautifully balanced (which is a Beaucastel thing in general). So I guess those $50 can make a difference, at least in terms of loading up on this and enjoying it in the shorter term. And like those other more expensive Châteauneufs, this has aging potential for days (if not years). A tremendous value when you add up all the parts and subtract that price difference. Bearden]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 16, 2021 Amazing pedigree and super value here. Aromas of jam, cracked pepper, BBQ sauce and roasted herb jump from the glass when this is first poured. The wine is poised, balanced and filled with spiced berry fruit, ripe cherries, potpourri and a wild note on the savory finish. Delicious now but could age for a few years. Pross]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 16, 2021 Wow! This may be the best young Coudoulet I have ever tasted! Often referred to as "Baby Beaucastel", Coudoulet comes from vineyards located just east of the Beaucastel vineyards across the road. A beautiful nose of garrigue spices, cherry kirsch and crushed molten rock give way to an energetic palate of spice, crackling minerality, zippy acidity, and wonderful raspberry and black cherry flavors. Everything comes together so well here—the fruit, spice, tannins, and acidity are all in perfect harmony with each other, resulting in a ready-to-drink wine that echoes the lineage of Beaucastel from start to finish. McIntosh]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 16, 2021 This wine is full of delicious, supple, ripe black plum and black cherry flavor with beautiful garrigue notes on the nose. It's soft-fruited with gentle tannins and fresh bright finish. Medium body and easy to approach, which makes it great for drinking now with a wide range of food, from pork roast to BBQ chicken. Great value wine! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2017 Marimar Estate "La Masía - Don Miguel Vineyard" Russian River Valley Pinot Noir (Elsewhere $55)]( Marimar Estate "La Masía - Don Miguel Vineyard" Russian River Valley Pinot Noir (Elsewhere $55)]( ($29.95) 95 points Decanter: "Ripe, bright, slightly spiky cherry-kirsch, maraschino cherry jam, Christmas spice, and cola, with hints of cocoa powder. Plump, with fine grippy tannins giving support. (DWWA)" (07/2021) Woodhouse]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 06, 2021 The timing on this deal was very fortuitous, and you, our loyal customers are going to reap the reward! Marimar Estate recently reached out to us about the possibility of forming a winery-direct relationship. Shortly thereafter, I was browsing the newly published results of the Decanter World Wine Awards for 2021, and lo and behold...a 95 point score for the "La Masia - Don Miguel Vineyard" Pinot Noir is staring me in the face. A quick call to the winery and we had secured every last case of the wine at a stellar price. The wine is classic Russian River Pinot—beautifully deep, spiced cherry fruit abounds, with baking spice, dusty earth tones, and a touch of leaf litter. It's medium-plus bodied, with a nice fruit structure and acidic balance. There's plenty of forward fruit but also some more complex earthy, ferrous tones that make this the complete package. I'm thrilled to be able to offer this 95-point, single-vineyard Pinot from a great producer at such a reasonable price! I highly doubt we'll see this combination again anytime soon, so if you like top-notch Russian River Pinot but don't like paying top dollar for it...it's time to load up! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2018 Vultour "Reserve" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Previously $115)]( Vultour "Reserve" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Previously $115)]( ($34.95) Woodhouse]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 02, 2021 This is a truly luxurious Cabernet Sauvignon. It exudes the purity, polish, and lushness of its Oakville fruit and is so undeniably delicious. No surprise really, when you consider this wine is made by ex-Opus One enologist, Kian Tavakoli! After his four years at Opus, he became the longtime winemaker at Clos du Val in Stag's Leap. Now working as a consulting winemaker for many high-end clients, Kian has access to some of the best fruit in the valley. The Vultour Reserve in 2018 takes that exotic, silky fruit from Oakville and combines it with a good chunk of mountain fruit from Pritchard Hill, giving powerful structure and concentration. The wine spent 21 months in 70% new French oak, so every last tannin is refined and honed to perfection. A lifted perfume explodes from the glass—crème de cassis, ripe blackberry, baking spice, cigar box, and subtle bay leaf. A round, lush, velvety feel on the palate, brimming with pure fruit but not jammy or over-ripe. Everything is perfectly framed and polished by the top-quality French cooperage. This wine smells, feels, and tastes expensive, but it's not! In fact, it's one of the best modern, fruit-driven, Napa Cabs out there for the money and stacks up very favorably with wines that are three, four, or even five times the price. Winkel]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 31, 2021 This definitely scratches the itch for a premium Napa Cab. The concentrated profile is built on a core of black cherry, mocha, and spice. The wine is savory overall and successfully stays well away from gloppy fruit or wood tones for interest. The structure of substantial tannins sweetens with air, but the fine beam of acid is what seals the deal for cellar potential. See for yourself! I even like the label. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2016 Domaine Durieu "Lucile Avril" Châteauneuf-du-Pape]( Domaine Durieu "Lucile Avril" Châteauneuf-du-Pape]( ($39.99) 96 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Lucile Avril is mostly old vine Grenache mixed with roughly 10% Syrah and Mourvèdre. It's another deeply colored effort from this estate that has classic notes of bouquet garni, sweet red and black fruits, new saddle leather, and assorted spicy nuances. It's deep, concentrated, balanced, and has a great finish, and is a no-brainer purchase thats going to keep for 15+ years." (08/2018) 93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "A selection of 90-year-old Grenache (85% of the blend), 60-year-old Mourvèdre (10%) and 5% Syrah, the 2016 Châteauneuf du Pape Lucile Avril boasts a bit more concentration and richness than the traditional bottling. It shows great old-vine Grenache stone fruit notes, plus hints of clove, pepper and licorice on the finish. Full-bodied and velvety in texture, it's approachable now but should age for 10+ years. (JC)" (08/2018) K&L Notes: Two estates became one in the 1970s upon the marriage of the Avril and Durieu families. The Châteauneuf holdings belonged to the Avril side, and many of the vines date back to before the First World War. This cuvée is primarily Grenache with a small amount of Syrah and Mourvèdre rounding out the blend. The vines are on the famous galets soils (the big pudding stones) that make the region so famous. The grapes are all manually harvested with no destemming. The Grenache and Mourvèdre are aged in concrete tanks, and the Syrah sees new oak for 12 months. The blend is a seamless expression of classic Châteauneuf flavors laced with gorgeous structure. Mabry]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 25, 2021 I love the story of Durieu. Two generations back, two families (one from the Plan de Dieu area and one from Châteauneuf-du-Pape) came together through marriage and combined their properties. The estate as it looks now was merged in the early 1970s by Paul Durieu, son of Henri and Lucile. Now, Vincent Durieu oversees production while his younger brother François handles marketing and sales. The wines caught our attention a couple of years ago when we bought some through a small broker. We fell in love, and when the opportunity to work directly with the property became available, we jumped at the chance. Making top notch Plan de Dieu and Châteauneuf is what they do. The Lucile Avril bottling is named for the matriarch of the family which had the Châteauneuf holdings. It is the special cuvée that is the exemplar for this emerging estate. The wine is redolent of blackberry, tar, spices, and lavender. It is a spectacular wine that has the old-school structure of a bygone era but with the sumptuous, bold fruit for which the region has become synonymous. This has a long life ahead of it, and the 2016 vintage is one of the best of many great recent vintages. This should age beautifully for a decade plus, but it is gorgeous now and would be well served alongside any hearty fare. St. Clair]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 20, 2019 The nose of this wine is deep, brooding, and layered with asphalt, rosemary, and wild berries. On the palate, the wine has an extra layer of fruit richness, but it is framed by focused tannins. The finish softens the tannins and extends them down the tongue, where it seems to go on for some time. Drinkable now with a little aeration and a hearty bowl of cassoulet! Or drop some in the cellar for another 5-7 years. Stromer]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 14, 2019 This is the kind of textbook CdP that I can get behind. I love old-vine Grenache, and the 90-year old vines used for the Lucile Avril cuvée deliver a full complement of complexity and depth. The Grenache is assisted by splashes of Syrah and Mourvèdre that round it out with a touch of blue fruits. Fields of succulent strawberries flow from the glass with a waft of licorice and herbs. The wine has a properly firm structure but the wine remains somewhat accessible in its youth (provided you decant). Drink or hold for the next decade. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2017 Leeuwin "Art Series" Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River Western Australia]( Leeuwin "Art Series" Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River Western Australia]( ($49.99) 97 points Halliday Wine Companion: "Wow. Silky smooth aromas of red berries, grey minerality (granite, graphite, etc) and breaths of oceans air whispered about. The palate is exactly as the nose promises, elegant and refined. Length of flavour is where this really kicks into gear, extending seamlessly across the palate, lingering and swirling in its profile. Beautiful, classical Cabernet from a cool vintage. What a pleasure this is. (EL)" (05/2021) 94 points James Suckling: "This classically powerful and structured cabernet offers ripe cassis and blackberries, as well as blueberries and leafy, herbal nuances. The palate is built on compressed, fine tannins that carry plenty of deep blueberry and blackcurrant flavors. Impressive now, but better after 2025." (04/2020) 94 points Wine Spectator: "Aromatic and extremely complex, a big wine with many nuances. Green olive, cedar, blueberry and wild blackberry flavors are at the core of this dense, succulent red, with velvety, polished tannins. Complexity only gains on the finish, where nuances of tobacco, thyme, sarsaparilla and Earl Grey tea linger. (MW)" (08/2021) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2014 Alexandre Le Brun "Cuvée Fascination" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne]( Alexandre Le Brun "Cuvée Fascination" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne]( ($69.99) K&L Notes: At just 7.5 acres, Alexandre Le Brun is the smallest producer from Champagne that we import, or even carry. He only makes wine from half of the grapes he brings in, selling the rest off to négociants. His production is just one thousand cases a year total. This tiny scale allows Alex to do nearly everything himself, and his hands-on approach shows through in the finished product. He only uses his own estate fruit for his Champagnes, and although small, his range of holdings is very diverse. He farms 22 plots in eight different villages. Among these are some of the oldest vines in Champagne (the Meunier vines of Vignes l’Etoges in Monthelon were planted in 1902!). Beckerley]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 30, 2021 This is such a pretty and rich Blanc de Blancs! It all starts with a super-fragrant nose of whipped cream, meringue, lemon curd, and pie crust. This followed with more richness on the palate with lemon cream, vanilla cake, and minerals. Nicely chalky finish that lingers for quite a while. After being open for about a half an hour, sea salt came forth and added a saline note to join the chalk. Neat-o! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2017 Fontodi "Vigna del Sorbo" Chianti Classico Gran Selezione]( Fontodi "Vigna del Sorbo" Chianti Classico Gran Selezione]( ($79.99) 96+ points Vinous: "The 2017 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo is a dense, packed wine. It is also surprisingly, almost shockingly backward. That is probably a good thing for its long-term aging prospects. Readers hoping to get an early glimpse into the 2017 before it shuts down may have a hard time doing that, as today acids and tannin dominate. I expect the 2017 will be stellar in another 4-5 years and drink well to age 25-30 if not longer. Proprietor Giovanni Manetti gave the 2017 18 months in barrique followed by 6 months in cask. (AG)" (09/2020) 95 points Decanter: "Fontodi's solo Gran Selezione, this sits shoulder to shoulder with the estate's iconic Super-Tuscan, Flaccianello. While the latter is a selection of grapes, Vigna del Sorbo comes from a single vineyard in the heart of Panzano; a warm, southwest-facing site on Galestro soil. Dense and concentrated, the 2017 articulates the vintage without slipping into over ripeness. The nose offers macerated black cherry, liquorice, bay leaf and smoky oak. Hefty and structured, it is firmly framed by muscular, compact tannins. A core of racy acidity carries blackcurrant, bitter chocolate and roasted coffee right through the finish. (MM)" (03/2021) 95 points James Suckling: "Powerful, tight red with currant and plum character. Hints of new wood and bark. Full-bodied with dark berries and hints of dark chocolate, as well as other dark fruit. Flavorful finish. Solid. Needs time to open." (05/2020) 94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The Fontodi 2017 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo is expressive, dark and thickly concentrated. I received my samples early and found that this wine was a little shy or slow to open in this early phase. If given extra time, the bouquet warms up to dark fruit, plum, rum cake and dried violet. I came back to the wine about two hours later and discovered a pretty note of crushed aspirin or carbon, with more crushed flower. The oak adds sweet spice and scorched earth, but these too will integrate with time. From a hot and dry vintage, I'd easily give this edition of Vigna del Sorbo a 15- or 20-year drinking window. (ML)" (08/2020) --------------------------------------------------------------- [Calumet Farm 15 Year Old "Single Rack Black" Small Batch Unchillfiltered Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)]( Farm 15 Year Old "Single Rack Black" Small Batch Unchillfiltered Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)]( ($119.99) K&L Notes: The new Calumet Farm 15 Year is an unusual release from this upstart, Kentucky-based brand. Both the highest proof and highest age for the brand to date, this is great old Kentucky bourbon bottled without chill filtration. The "Single Rack" is a reference to source of the batch being from a single rack in the brickhouse, meaning all barrels were aged in the same center part of the warehouse, which lends to longer aging as compared to the top floors. Calumet Farm is the most famous horse farm in Kentucky (having bred and trained two Triple Crown winners and eight Derby winners), and their pedigree has allowed them access that few others have. Distilled and aged in Bardstown entirely in 2006, only 19 barrels were used in the production of this batch. At the time, only one distillery was operating in the area, so we can assume this is good Barton juice. The mash bill is 74% corn, 18% rye, and 8% malted barley. --------------------------------------------------------------- [New Feed]( [Auction]( [Local]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [On the Trail (K&L Blog)]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Instagram]( [YouTube]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [BORDEAUX]( | [NAPA]( | [BURGUNDY]( | [CHAMPAGNE]( | [ITALY]( | [RHÔNE]( | [SPIRITS]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [My Account]( | [Wine Clubs]( | [Events]( |[Gift Cards]( | [Accessories]( | [Delivery]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Missed an offer? Check out recent opportunities at our [Email Archive]( page. 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