K&L Top 10 Picks: November 2021

Hand-Picked, Over-Delivering Selections from Across the Globe... Monday Nov 8th, 2021 [View in Browser]( [KL-emailheader.gif]( K&L Top 10 Selections: November 2021 Featuring: Bestselling French Chardonnay, Direct-Import Gigondas, Collectible Brunello, Single-Vineyard Cali Pinot, Iconic Rioja, Vintage Champagne, and More... --------------------------------------------------------------- November is here and with it come the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. We've got you covered for all your celebratory needs with an outstanding list of our Top Ten selections this month. The 2019 La Colline Aux Fossiles is a bestselling stunner of a Chardonnay, perfect for pleasing any large crowd, while the 2012 Alcée Côtes de Castillon and the 2019 Collazzi Toscana Rosso offer smashing Old World style for value-driven prices. Speaking of value, our direct-import stalwart Moulin de la Gardette is back in 2019 with a best-ever vintage of their fan-favorite Gigondas. At the collectible end of the spectrum, Muga's 2014 Prado Enea Rioja Gran Reserva presents another iconic expression of one of Spain's most beloved wines, and Billecart's 2007 Cuvée Louis Salmon Blanc de Blancs Champagne is a reference-point cellar gem for a simply unbeatable, winery-direct price. [Byron]( On the domestic side of things, we have a single-vineyard Pinot Noir from Byron that absolutely blows the doors off the quality-to-price ratio by offering monumental collectible appeal for an unheard-of, sub-$40 price. The original cult Napa Cabernet, Beaulieu's Georges de Latour Private Reserve absolutely shines in 2018 with a rendition that's easily among the greatest ever for this revered and iconic wine. Brunello fans won't want to miss Castelgiocondo's 97-point 2015, in stock at one of the best prices around. Finally, spirits aficionados and collectors will be thrilled to see Laphroaig's much sought-after 10 Year Old Sherry Oak Islay Single Malt in stock, but as they well know, this highly limited bottling won't be around for long. Whatever your needs for the upcoming festive season, you'll find that this list of proven standouts will fit the bill. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2019 La Colline Aux Fossiles Chardonnay Vin de France 94 $15.99 [View]( 2012 Alcée, Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux Rouge 91 $19.99 [View]( 2016 Collazzi Toscana Rosso (Elsewhere $40) 95 $29.99 [View]( 2019 Moulin de la Gardette "Tradition" Gigondas 95 $29.99 [View]( 2017 Byron "Rita's Crown Vineyard" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (Previously $65) 95 $34.95 [View]( 2015 Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino 97 $54.99 [View]( 2014 Bodegas Muga "Prado Enea" Gran Reserva Rioja 97 $79.99 [View]( Laphroaig 10 Year Old "Sherry Oak" Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $89.99 [View]( 2018 Beaulieu Vineyard "Georges de Latour - Private Reserve" Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 98 $129.95 [View]( 2007 Billecart-Salmon "Cuvée Louis" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne (Previously $170) 95 $129.99 [View]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [2019 La Colline Aux Fossiles Chardonnay Vin de France]( La Colline Aux Fossiles Chardonnay Vin de France]( ($15.99) 94 points Jeb Dunnuck: "All Chardonnay brought up in used demi-muids, the 2019 La Colline Aux Fossiles sports a medium gold hue to go with terrific stone fruits, caramelized citrus, white flowers, and honeysuckle-like aroma and flavors as well as a beautiful sense of minerality that emerges with time in the glass. Medium to full-bodied and beautifully textured, with a layered mouthfeel and a great finish, it's another knockout Chardonnay from the team of Eric Solomon and Jean-Marc Lafage." (03/2021) K&L Notes: This new joint project by winemaker Jean-Marc Lafage and importer Eric Solomon is an expansion from their Novellum project. When they found a red clay and gravel site planted to Chardonnay further inland from the alluvial soils near the sea where Novellum is grown, they knew that this site would best stand as its own wine. The name Colline Aux Fossiles derives from the hillside slopes where all the fossils are embedded in the soils. The Chardonnay vines grown here are 30+ years of age, producing densely packed yet elegant wine. Vinification takes place in a mix of stainless steel and French oak, preserving the fruit but adding weight and depth. Another knock-out success from this duo of wine titans! Mabry]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 22, 2021 The dynamic duo team of Jean-Marc Lafage and Eric Solomon never seem to disappoint. Finding a small parcel of 30+ year old vines in the Roussillon of all places, this special terroir of red clay was so distinct they decided that it would be best bottled on its own. And, as with all Lafage projects, we are the better off for it. A medium- to full-bodied style of Chardonnay that harkens to the best that the Côte Chalonnais and Mâconnais have to offer, this also falls in line with some of the best Pouilly-Fuissés I have tried in recent memory. Creamy, rich apple fruit, roasted nectarine, chalky minerality, and a lemony citrus note. This may even show some Meursault-like depth of fruit and tense minerality. All said, this is going to be one of the great buys of 2021, and we do not expect our allocation to last very long. La Colline Aux Fossiles is a new shining star that will burn brightly for many years to come. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2012 Alcée, Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux Rouge]( Alcée, Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux Rouge]( ($19.99) 91 points Wine Enthusiast: "A Castillon ridge mix of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, this perfumed wine has new wood and mint flavors that balance with the black fruits and tannins. It's ripe, with fresh acidity as well as structure. There's just 8,500 bottles from 7.5 acres. This will age well, so drink from 2017. Owner Nicolas Thienpont purchased the vineyard in 2011. (RV)" (12/2014) Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "A property of winemaking guru Nicolas Thienpont, this blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc shows very strong, chalky minerality, lots of blackberry and cassis fruit, an opaque ruby/purple color, medium body and beautiful concentration and purity. This is a sleeper of the vintage and a noteworthy choice for shrewd consumers looking to maximize their purchasing power. The wine shows some good firm tannin and spice. (RP)" (04/2015) Vinous: "The 2012 Alcée, Nicolas Thienpont's Côtes de Castillon, is absolutely delicious and a great example of how compelling this appellation can be. Sweet floral and spiced notes wrap around the supple, silky finish. The Alcée is mostly Merlot with a dollop of Cabernet Franc. Best of all, the 2012 should be a terrific value. (AG)" (01/2016) Schroeder]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 24, 2021 This is a relatively small château with only 6.5 hectares of vines, planted to 86% merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc. The nose is full of cassis, black currants, violets, and graphite. Rich and plush on the palate, with hints of savory smoked meats under the dark fruit. The finish balances the wine with brightness and freshness. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2016 Collazzi Toscana Rosso (Elsewhere $40)]( Collazzi Toscana Rosso (Elsewhere $40)]( ($29.99) 95 points James Suckling: "Flowers and citrus fruit with currants and cherries on the nose, following through to a full body, yet very tight and precise with compact tannins and a fresh, energetic finish. Tasty." (11/2019) 93 points Vinous: "The 2016 Collazzi is bold, juicy and super-expressive. Black cherry, leather, smoke, grilled herbs, iron, menthol, licorice and mocha are all laced together in a very pretty, expressive wine with tons of character and personality. (AG)" (08/2019) 92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "This is a balanced vintage with fresh fruit aromas of blackberry and wild cherry presented in a clear and linear manner. The wine is softly tannic and mildly structured, with good length. (ML)" (03/2021) St. Clair]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 14, 2021 If you follow my reviews, you might notice that there aren't many that are Bordeaux varietal blends. In general, I find that those varieties are written about in countries all over the world. Yet Italy hosts a myriad of indigenous varietals that need more of my passion and explanation. Well, get ready for this wine to rock you for the next decade-plus. The 2016 vintage is already being hailed as something extraordinary in Italy and specifically in Tuscany, with wines that are classic, complete, and gloriously flavored. I read so many reviews that refer to smooth, and I equate that to the sheen of a lustrous pearl, beautiful and characterful. I, however, prefer the multifaceted diamond, so many more flavors, peaks, and valleys rather than one flavor. This wine stunned me—it so outperforms its price point, it's unbelievable. The nose fully expresses its Bordeaux roots with cassis, hints of earth, spice, and camphor. I could go on. On the palate, I find this wine to really explode. It is supple, muscular yet more sinewy than beefy, superbly balanced, and then the earlier mentioned facets take over in a kaleidoscope of flavor. The wine has a structured, tannic core, but it's plenty sweet enough to add to the balance. The back end seems to go on forever with exceptional lift and freshness. You really need to buy this wine, as it will reward you for years and years to come. I would decant maybe a half an hour ahead of time to drink today. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2019 Moulin de la Gardette "Tradition" Gigondas]( Moulin de la Gardette "Tradition" Gigondas]( ($29.99) 95 points Decanter: "Somewhat introverted initially, some spicy black fruits take some coaxing out and then violets emerge with air too. There's a satisfying weight and presence without feeling heavy or extracted, with a clear mineral seam running through the palate. The tannins are very fine and there's a good sense of intensity and purity, with well balanced, deep-set acidity holding the wine upright. Long finish. Overall a very well-proportioned wine that gives great pleasure now, and will continue to do so for some time. (MW)" (07/2021) Jancis Robinson: "Sweet fruit and a dollop of liquorice on the mid palate, very assertive tannin but underpinned by a peppery clove character. Long finish that shows a subtle spice and lovely red fruits. Very attractive and has great character. 17+/20 points (AC)" (11/2020) K&L Notes: Jean-Baptiste Meunier is the fifth-generation winemaker behind the great property of Moulin de la Gardette in the southern Rhône region of Gigondas. We have been working with him since the mid-'90s, and the wines have always been some of our favorites from the area. The region itself has stepped out of the shadow of neighboring Châteauneuf-du-Pape, creating wines of intensity and flavor that are distinctly their own. Gigondas has more south-facing slopes and higher elevations, as well as varied soils that help distinguish the region. The "Tradition" is a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah from vines averaging in age of 50-60 years. It is aged for about 18 months in mostly used foudre and demi-muid before bottling. *Organic* Mabry]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 05, 2021 I have been tasting and drinking the wines of Gardette since I arrived at K&L some 15 years ago. We've been working with winemaker Jean-Baptiste Meunier even longer, some two decades. Along with Château de Montfaucon, these two producers are the backbone of our Direct Import Rhône program, and when you taste the 2019 Gardette "Tradition", you will understand exactly why we have been saying all these years, that JB Meunier is one of the best winemakers in the small cru of Gigondas, and his wines are some of the best in his region. His contemporaries include Louis Barruol of Saint-Cosme and Julien Brechet of Domaine des Bosquets, two of my other favorite producers in Gigondas. But JB's wines vary slightly. I find them more evocative of Gigondas and the surrounding terroir. Red fruit aromas of macerated strawberries and cherries are complemented by notes of white pepper, anise, and lavender. It's like you're wandering through the hills and forests of Gigondas while sipping this wine. The 2019 is one of JB's best wines to date, and that is saying something because his wines are always engaging. Grab several bottles of this, because it will offer incredible drinking for many years to come. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2017 Byron "Rita's Crown Vineyard" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (Previously $65)]( Byron "Rita's Crown Vineyard" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (Previously $65)]( ($34.95) 95 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2017 Pinot Noir Rita's Crown Vineyard saw the same one-third stems as well as 16 months in 57% new French oak. It's a more ethereal, elegant effort and has gorgeous notes of ripe strawberries, white flowers, spice, and forest floor. Pure, medium-bodied, and layered on the palate, it shines for its seamless, elegant texture as well as its length. It's unquestionably one of my favorites in the lineup." (10/2019) 95 points Vinous: "The 2017 Pinot Noir Rita's Crown Vineyard is one of the most distinctive wines in this range. Powerful and vertical in feel, with a real sense of energy, the Rita's Crown is fabulous. Firm tannins give the 2017 much of its shape and overall drive, but there is more than enough fruit to keep things impeccably balanced. The interplay of aromatic intensity, transparency and structure is compelling. The 33% whole clusters add complexity without overpowering the wine. (AG)" (09/2019) Woodhouse]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 12, 2021 I couldn't believe it when we secured this screaming deal on a Pinot Noir from the legendary Rita's Crown Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills! You almost never see wine from this heralded vineyard at a discount. Rita's Crown is arguably the most sought-after fruit in the entire appellation. The vineyard wraps around a perilously steep, west-facing hillside, and is one of the highest-elevation sites in the region. The soils are very lean and heavily calcareous. The vines struggle in these meager soils, constantly buffeted by the cool, onshore winds. The resulting wine has incredible concentration of aromas and flavors from the tiny yields. In the 2017 bottling, I found stunning aromas of warmed spices, dry leaf litter, bright red berries, and rose petal. On the palate, Benton cherry, pomegranate juice, and exotic Asian spices backed by so much energy and vitality in the form of resonating minerality and soil tones. Medium-bodied but quite linear in feel, it's focused, pure, and refined. With time in the glass, the array of floral notes, red berries, and spices grows, and the palate becomes a little broader and more generous as layers unfurl. It's a captivating Pinot Noir that shows exactly why this vineyard is so revered and typically commands top-dollar prices. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2015 Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino]( Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino]( ($54.99) 97 points James Suckling: "This is a pure and beautiful Brunello with super fine and abundant tannins that are comprehensive and expansive. Builds on the palate. Full body. Round and firm with beautiful fruit and length. Lively and vivid. From organically grown grapes." (10/2019) 96 points Wine Enthusiast: "Aromas of ripe dark-skinned berry, violet, underbrush and warm spice emerge in the glass, along with a whiff of camphor. Full bodied and enveloping, the structured palate delivers raspberry jam, dried black cherry, licorice and tobacco alongside firm fine-grained tannins. It closes on an espresso note. *Editors' Choice* (KO)" (05/2020) 94 points Decanter: "2015 is Castelgiocondo's first certified-organic vintage, making it Montalcino's largest certified-organic estate. Poised red fruits demonstrate underlying power. Savoury and velvety in texture, the fruit is clear and juicy: smooth with inner power. (MW)" (12/2020) 93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "I tasted this wine next to Frescobaldi's Chianti Classico Gran Selezione from their Tenuta Perano, and the differences between that wine and this are enormous. The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Castelgiocondo takes us to the southern side of Tuscany, and despite the fact the grape used in both wines is the same (Sangiovese), these two wine are as different as day and night. This Brunello gives you more saturated color intensity, more substantial weight and density that you feel on all the senses. It's extraction is much thicker, and the bouquet opens to aromas of plummy dark fruit, black currant, tobacco and spice. That ample width and power make this a good choice next to a grilled T-bone steak. (ML)" (10/2020) St. Clair]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 02, 2021 The nose of this wine is deep with full-throated dark fruits, cassis, ripe plums, and hints of Tuscan brush in the background. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, structured, and has super-fine, sweet tannins. The plummy cassis flavors are still there ,but a more subtle, umami layered richness seems to be the overriding character. The finish shows this is a wine that will age very well, but the supple, smooth texture will allow you to try several bottles before the wine completes its development. Parres]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 07, 2020 Shows a complex nose of blackberry, tanned leather, sandalwood, and cedar. Full-bodied, with supersilky tannins and a long, long finish. Concentrated yet balanced. Beautiful and complete. Needs some aging or lots of breathing time. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2014 Bodegas Muga "Prado Enea" Gran Reserva Rioja]( Bodegas Muga "Prado Enea" Gran Reserva Rioja]( ($79.99) 97 points James Suckling: "Really beautiful aromas of crushed blackberry, brambleberry, hazelnut, walnut and light coffee, following through to a full yet so reserved and polished body with fine, creamy-textured tannins. Fresh and exquisite finish. This is a much more refined and harmonic rendition of their classic wine. Three years in French oak from their own production. Very enjoyable now, but this will improve with age for a long time." (07/2021) 93 points Wine Spectator: "Full-bodied, refined and powerful, with a luxurious texture, this red boasts glossy raspberry reduction, cherry and mineral notes, woven together with floral and spice accents and hints of tobacco and tea. (GS)" (09/2021) K&L Notes: Prado Enea is the flagship wine at Muga, a steadfastly traditional Gran Reserva that is typically only produced every four years or so. A few key data points make it unique. Let's begin with the vines themselves, which are located in Sajazarra, one of the coldest growing regions in Rioja Alta, further west from Haro and with harvest dates that typically extend well into October or November! In addition to Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha and approximately 10% Mazuelo and Graciano are blended in. This creates freshness, as the latter two are higher acid grapes, which tend to result in low pH wines that are able to age for long periods of time. Finally, in the cellar, there are various types and formats of wood vessels, from huge "tiñas" to smaller new barrels, which are employed through time-tested élevage to provide the wine ample opportunity to develop its stability and complexity. Overby]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 17, 2021 The Muga Prado Enea holds a special place in my heart. It's not an "every occasion wine", but when I find my self revisiting it, it's always a delightful reminder how delcious this wine is. The upfront red fruit notes of candied cranberry, red plum, sweet pomegranate, and beet root juice show in the most splendid way. The addition of cinnamon spice plus the lingering onward minerality really sets this wine in a happy place for me. This Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo, and Graciano blend delivers a fine restraint of lively fruit at its semi-peak ripeness—just what you would want from a Rioja Reserva. Hold for later enjoyment or drink now. Either way, you'll have a winner! Walker]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 14, 2021 This wine needs a minute to open, frankly it needs about 30-45 minutes to open. Once it comes together, hot damn! The fruit is intense. On the palate, this wine sings. It is unmistakable Prado Enea, an effortless showcase of Gran Reserva aging. Everything is integrated, contained, polished, and elegant. The fruit is fresh and only starts to show a little bit of age toward the finish, where it hints at fruit leather. The oak, earth, and leather tones touch everything but never stand out—it is all accent, there to support and highlight the fruit. The wine glides on the palate and then lingers. And lingers. And lingers. As the fruit dims, the spice and earth get played up. On the finish, that you realize how clean this wine is. There is nothing rustic, nothing out of place—impeccable is the word that comes to mind. This wine does what great wine should do. While I know it will age nicely for well over a decade, it is so good now that I doubt any bottle I buy will last that long. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Laphroaig 10 Year Old "Sherry Oak" Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)]( 10 Year Old "Sherry Oak" Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)]( ($89.99) K&L Notes: Laphroaig 10 is definitely in the running for Scotland's most iconic bottling. After years of pining for a sherried version, it's finally here. The 10 Year Old Sherry Oak is finished in Oloroso casks, providing a honeyed sweetness that perfectly complements the salty smoke of Scotland's most richly flavored malt. While it's our hope that this will eventually be a staple on the shelves, the initial release is extremely limited and will certainly sell out in minutes. Othenin-Girard]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 08, 2021 The iconic Islay producer has long been a darling of the Scotch-loving world. There are fewer and fewer people out there who turn their nose up at the wildly peaty style that comes off the special stills at Laphroaig. Not only are they one of the few distillers to use their own malt, which is part of what many attribute to the unique flavors of their spirit, but they use a complex regime of seven stills to create a completely unique malt. While sherried Laphroaig is renowned historically, they rarely fill it into sherry butts. It's a real treat if they can pull it off properly. Let's have a taste. The color is amber/deep gold. OH THANK GOD! They haven't totally neutered the fires of Islay with these sherry butts. It's right smokey with plenty of oily smoke and sweet peat wafting from the glass. The sherry has drawn it slightly towards the BBQ flavors and away from the high-pitched medicinal flavors, which only the very pickiest Laphroaig lover will lament. Lots of roasted flavors—roasted wood, roasted earth, roasted meat, toasted pepper, roasted brush, ashy smoke. On the palate, it's unctuous and mouth-coating, thanks most definitely to the higher-than-normal proof, bold and not at all unabashed with the sweetness of the sherry, it's nutty frame just slightly taming the gamey peat character. We always worry that with these NAS bottlings they'll try to sneak in some "under-mature" casks, but this feels extremely well composed and, dare I say, "older"? This is an absolutely perfectly executed expression, that offers so much enjoyment and complexity while slightly opening the door to those who might be otherwise afraid to dive into the South Shore smokies. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2018 Beaulieu Vineyard "Georges de Latour - Private Reserve" Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon]( [2018 Beaulieu Vineyard "Georges de Latour - Private Reserve" Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon]( ($129.95) 98 points James Suckling: "Blackberry, blackcurrant and mint with some sage and crushed-stone undertones. Full-bodied with chewy tannins that are in-check and nicely polished. Smoke, toasted oak and bark at the end, complementing the fresh yet ripe fruit." (08/2021) 98 points Vinous: "The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve is fabulous. Inky, rich and explosive, the 2018 is a fine addition to the lineage of one of Napa Valley's most historic wines. Inky red fruit, chocolate, leather and licorice all open in the glass. Aeration brings out floral top notes, raspberry and a hint of blood orange. There is plenty of depth, but the tannins are finer than they were a few years ago. Shorter time on the skins and a reduction in barrel fermentations really allow the pedigree of these Rutherford sites to come through. The 2018 is sensational. (AG)" (01/2021) 97 points Wine Enthusiast: "The famous wine lives up to its historic promise in this wonderfully complex and structured vintage, the wine showing an abundance of tension and youthful grip. Earthy in dried herb, cedar and sage, it shares notes of black currant, cassis and forest within a textured and brightly layered foundation of elegant ageablity. *Cellar Selection* (VB)" (11/2021) 95 points Decanter: "An excellent 2018 from one of the oldest and most historic estates in Napa filled with just the right amount of density, power and structure. The nose is rich and fruit-filled, bursting with blackcurrants, raspberries and black cherries alongside perfumed aromatics and touches of dried herbs. The first sip shows the wines depth and concentration, full-bodied with layers of cherry, liquorice and tobacco leaf with an underlying suppleness and freshness that gives bounce and chewiness to the fruit. Lovely density and juice throughout with velvet-like tannins and sustaining acidity. Vibrant and youthful with plenty of potential for ageing. (GH)" (07/2021) Woodhouse]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 19, 2021 It's early going, but the 2018 may well prove to be the finest vintage of this wine in many decades, if not of all time. The perfect growing season in 2018, plus a few subtle tweaks in the cellar, seems to have paid off with this monumental release that is one of the wines of the vintage. With a pedigree dating back to the inaugural 1936 bottling, as BV writes in their notes, the Georges de Latour Private Reserve was Napa Valley's first cult Cabernet. Fruit for this iconic bottling is meticulously selected from BV's original ranches on Rutherford's western bench. These vineyards, aptly named BV Ranches No. 1 and No. 2, are the same sites originally planted by Georges de Latour in the early 1900s. In an era marked by more and more expensive wines from fledgling producers, this wine is the real deal and has the quality to back up its reputation. In my opinion, Rutherford Cab doesn't get any better. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2007 Billecart-Salmon "Cuvée Louis" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne (Previously $170)]( Billecart-Salmon "Cuvée Louis" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne (Previously $170)]( ($129.99) 95+ points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Disgorged in October 2018 with seven grams per liter dosage, the 2007 Brut Blanc de Blancs Cuvée Louis Salmon derives from the villages of Cramant, Chouilly and Mesnil-sur-Oger, and half of the vins clairs that went into the blend were vinified in older barrels. It's still tightly wound, even after over a year on cork, unfurling in the glass with a delicate bouquet of crisp yellow apple, Meyer lemon, blanched almonds, elderflower and crushed chalk. Medium to full-bodied, deep and searingly intense, it's seamless and complete, with a bracing spine of acidity, a delicate pinpoint mousse, and a long, mouthwateringly mineral finish. This is a serious, built-to-age wine that will really reward patience. (WK)" (09/2020) 95 points Wine Enthusiast: "With 50% vinification in oak, this Champagne has a deliciously smooth character while keeping the steely edge of Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs. Its texture is such that, while ready to drink, it could age much further, giving the possibility of a fine maturity. (RV)" (12/2019) 94 points Wine Spectator: "The velvety texture of this finely knit Champagne ripples on your palate, highlighting flavors of ginger-infused pastry cream, glazed apricot and lemon curd, with a rich hint of hazelnut. Clean-cut, with mouthwatering acidity defining the salty, mineral-laced finish. (AN)" (10/2020) Westby]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 21, 2021 The 2007 "Cuvée Louis" is our best value in true tête de cuvée Champagne, and one of the best that we have at any price. It is made exclusively from Grand Cru Chardonnay from the hallowed ground of Mesnil, Cramant and Chouilly and 50% barrel fermented. The ultimate elegant wine, it has the creamy texture and tight, miniscule bead that you would expect from a top-class offering from a great house like Billecart, but it has even more to offer than that. It's not the subtle brioche on the nose or even the precise Meyer lemon fruit on the mid-palate, but the ultra-long, swelling finish that really floors me. The chalky, concentrated length of this bottling is just astounding. I used love recommending this Champagne at $170, but at the current price it's just too good for words. Schroeder]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 24, 2021 This stunning Grand Cru vintage cuvée puts more expensive bottlings from the big houses to shame! Billecart sourced the Chardonnay from three Grand Cru villages: Chouilly, Mesnil-sur-Oger, and Cramant, vinified about half of it in oak casks, then aged it on the lees for a minimum of ten years. The result is an astounding Blanc de Blancs full of aromas of lemon zest, Gala apples, chalky minerals, a Parisian bakery, and white flowers. The fruit is intense and concentrated, buoyed effortlessly by vibrant acidity and the kind of creamy texture only extended time on lees provides. [Tim Telli]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 24, 2021 This immediately explodes aromatically out of the glass, and you know it's going to be classy stuff, as one expects from Billecart-Salmon. Gary was able to get a great price on this Cuvée Louis, and as a result we can all benefit and enjoy this fabulous Champagne. 100% Grand Cru fruit from the excellent 2007 vintage, and with 10 years on the lees. There is a lot of complexity and weight to the creamy palate. I think this would be a great choice to lay down and drink with more bottle age, as it will take on even more complexity. This shows the power and intensity of fruit from the Côte des Blancs. Turk]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 07, 2020 Whoa! The complexity on this baby is unbelievable! Brimming with lemony fruit and a touch of brioche on the nose, the 2007 Billecart-Salmon "Cuvée Louis" Brut Blanc de Blancs really shines through the palate, where hints of bright acidity balance a surprisingly creamy texture through the chalky finish. The Chardonnay is all sourced from Grand Cru villages in the Côte des Blancs, and it shows in the minerality. This is a slight departure for Billecart-Salmon, a house that traditionally uses all three classic grapes in their cuvées. 2007 is a vintage that's been overshadowed by the superstar 2008, but this release is drinking beautifully now, with just enough green notes and tension to build nervy complexity, while completely satisfying with palate weight and accessible fruit. This will age well, too, but after the taste I had, I'm not sure I want to wait. --------------------------------------------------------------- [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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