K&L Top 10 Picks: January 2022

Hand-Picked, Over-Delivering Selections from Across the Globe... Monday Jan 17th, 2022 [View in Browser]( [KL-emailheader.gif]( K&L Top 10 Selections: January 2022 Featuring: Best-Selling New World Chardonnay, Ultra-Classic Rioja, 95-Point Sicilian Value Stunner, Best-Ever Right Bank 2018, Extra Añejo Tequila treasure, and more... --------------------------------------------------------------- Our first Top Ten of 2022 is truly a globetrotting adventure, starting with some Old World stunners that will knock you off your seat without breaking your wallet. The 2019 Tascante Ghiaia Nera from Sicily carries 95 points for a mere $19.99 and is a top contender for best value red in our inventory, while CVNE's 2015 Cune Gran Reserva brings collectible quality that will cruise for 15 years or more at a stellar sub-$40 price. The inimitable Domaine Faiveley offers a collectible-quality red Burgundy for under $50, and Champagne Louis Roederer's Collection 242 is a thrilling new addition to this benchmark line-up that offers 94-point character for a steal. Finally, the 97-point 2018 Château Soutard is a monumental, best-ever effort from a Right Bank estate that has been moving from strength to strength in recent years, offering "that rare richness without weight character that's the hallmark of truly great wines," according to Jeb Dunnuck. [Tascante]( The New World is just as compelling this month, especially our friends in the southern hemisphere. Bodegas Aleanna's 97-point 2018 El Enemigo Chardonnay is yet another case-buy, best seller from Argentina, while direct-import star Mount Edward shines with a 95-point Kiwi Pinot for under $30. California is on the radar twice this month, first with a spectacular sub-$40 price on the 95-point AXR Napa Proprietary Red, followed by a potential 97-point collectible from under-the-radar critical favorite Aperture in Alexander Valley. Finally, our agave fanatics shouldn't miss the utterly sublime Tapatio Excelencia Extra Añejo, which spirits buyer Andrew Whiteley calls "one of the greatest tequilas ever produced." Anywhere you look, you're bound to find a can't-miss score or three in the first Top Ten of the new year. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2018 Bodegas Aleanna "El Enemigo" Chardonnay Mendoza 97 $19.99 [View]( 2019 Tascante “Ghiaia Nera” Etna Rosso 95 $19.99 [View]( 2018 Mount Edward Pinot Noir Central Otago 95 $29.99 [View]( 2015 CVNE "Cune" Gran Reserva Rioja 94 $34.99 [View]( 2019 AXR Napa Valley Proprietary Red Blend 95 $39.95 [View]( 2018 Domaine Faiveley Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 93 $49.99 [View]( NV Louis Roederer "Collection 242" Brut Champagne 94 $54.99 [View]( 2018 Soutard, St-Emilion 97 $64.99 [View]( 2019 Aperture "Soil Specific" Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 97 $74.95 [View]( Tequila Tapatio "Excelencia" Extra Añejo Tequila (750ml) 98 $134.99 [View]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [2018 Bodegas Aleanna "El Enemigo" Chardonnay Mendoza]( Bodegas Aleanna "El Enemigo" Chardonnay Mendoza]( ($19.99) 97 points James Suckling: "This is another rock-star Chardonnay from here with dried-apple, pear-skin, crushed-stone and peach-pit character. Full body. Creamy texture. Phenolic form and a long, flavorful finish." (02/2020) 93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The textbook 2018 El Enemigo Chardonnay had varietal aromas and notes from the barrel, giving it a very attractive profile. But there is a secret: the barrels develop some flor yeasts in the style of Jerez (or Jura) and this gives the wine a spicy twist, hints of curry and white pepper. The wine is silky and the very high acidity is not noticeable. This is a great commercial success, and at the price, it offers great value. (LG)" (10/2019) 93 points Vinous: "A Chardonnay from Gualtallary that underwent a carefully calibrated ageing process developed by the winemaker Alejandro Vigil: 500 liters French oak barrels, 35% new, mixed with increasing quantities of flor. Golden yellow in color, the 2018 Chardonnay El Enemigo combines aromas of pear and apple with hazelnuts, toffee and a touch of acacia. Creamy with intense flavors, the film lends a dryness in stark contrast to the ingenious structure that enhances the firm acidity and lengthy, hazelnut finish. A technical, original white inspired by the more forward thinking parts of Burgundy and California with more than a nod to Jura as well. (JH)" (06/2020) K&L Notes: A collaboration between longtime Catena winemaker Alejandro Vigil and the youngest Catena daughter, Adrianna, Bodegas Aleanna has been receiving a massive amount of critical acclaim over the past several years for their extraordinary wines. The "El Enemigo" Chardonnay is a powerful wine, with fruit, structure, and acidity all in balance. Interestingly enough, a little bit of flor resides in the barrels where this wine ages. Walker]( | K&L South America Buyer | Review Date: August 19, 2021 Deep, broad, and inviting with intriguing nuances. From the get-go, this wine delivers classic Chardonnay. The nose starts with apples and pears, then it transitions into hints of decadent hazelnuts and toffee, and hiding behind all of that are subtle, lifted aromatics of basil, mint, licorice, and pepper. The nose is almost like a tear drop; it starts big and round and then pulls you into a smaller finer point and then ... bang! The wine explodes on the palate. It is broad and rich with all of the fruit and a roundness that you can almost call lush, but the acid then pulls it back. With all of the big flavors, the wine is very clean. This wine is delicious, and it speaks to how good the high-elevation sites in Mendoza are for Chardonnay. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2019 Tascante “Ghiaia Nera” Etna Rosso]( Tascante “Ghiaia Nera” Etna Rosso]( ($19.99) 95 points James Suckling: "Subtle aromas of orange peel, cherries, and dried flowers follow through to a medium body, fine tannins and a refined, subtle finish. Such beauty. So drinkable and fine." (08/2021) 92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Pouring from the bottle with a thin, light ruby color, the 2019 Etna Rosso Nerello Mascalese Ghiaia Nera is a finely textured wine. This delicate approach and those soft footprints make this bottle quite exciting to pour, especially as an easy companion to a homemade pasta dish. It offers wild cherry, tart berry, cassis, crushed stone, smoke and lavender essence. With 50,000 bottles produced, you get great value here. (ML)" (10/2021) 92 points Wine Enthusiast: "Lithe and savory, this lovely red has enticing scents of Mediterranean scrub, wild berries, crushed stone and eucalyptus. The polished, savory palate offers wonderful finesse, featuring wild strawberry, pomegranate and star anise alongside flinty mineral notes. Glossy tannins provide elegant support. (KO)" (12/2021) [Tim Telli]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 08, 2022 This wine pours a really light, almost translucent color, but don't dismiss it for that, as color can be deceptive in a wine such as this. The wine is very bright with a spicy nose and plenty of sour cherries. Almost Pinot Noir-like in flavor and texture with great acid cut to it. This is a really nice wine that is on the more delicate side of the fruit spectrum yet has nice fruit concentration with great balance. Delicious on its own, this would also be the perfect foil to some fatty foods such as duck, pork, or roasted chicken. Schroeder]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 05, 2022 This is such an intriguing wine from the still-active volcano on Sicily! It pours a pale salmon color—almost rosé! But the nose is full of red fruits like Rainier cherries and wild strawberries, with floral rose notes and a touch of mineral salinity. It is light-bodied but full flavored with refreshing acidity to make this so delicious and drinkable. This is my top pick for an under-$20 red in the store. McIntosh]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 04, 2022 Absolutely gorgeous wine! Light and bright but with an incredibly deep flavor and fine, polished texture. It starts with aromas of wet rocks, cloves, and savory notes of underbrush. On the palate, it's full of juicy muddled red cherry and barberries with lovely savory touch reminiscent of dried thyme. Tannins are refined and very mild, acidity is supple and tamed. It seems like every aspect comes together harmoniously and effortlessly in this beautiful Etna Rosso. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2018 Mount Edward Pinot Noir Central Otago]( [2018 Mount Edward Pinot Noir Central Otago]( ($29.99) 95 points James Suckling: "An impressively poised and detailed pinot that offers such expressive red cherry and blueberry. Really pure and vibrant aromas and flavors. The tannins are crisply cut and deliver an uplifting feel to the palate with intense and lively style. *Top 100 New Zealand Wines of 2021*" (11/2020) Smith]( | K&L New Zealand Buyer | Review Date: December 15, 2021 Mount Edward's Pinot Noirs continue to get better and better with every vintage, but in the past few years, it's ratcheted up to a whole new level. Coming right off the bat of the exceptional 2017 Vintage, Mount Edward is the only Central Otago producer I've come across whose 2018 is even better. A nose of wild strawberry, piercing cranberry, boysenberry, and beautiful floral notes left my head spinning. Further, the palate is intense, red-fruited, and softly textured with fine tannin that only supports, with zero bitterness and fine-grained structure. This is in lockstep with the region's absolute top producers. I'm honestly shocked that after three stunning vintages in a row, Mount Edward isn't regarded in the same breath as Felton Road or Rippon. It's every bit as good, and half the price. If they keep up this run of quality, there's no doubt that they'll be there soon. Walker]( | K&L Spain/South America Buyer | Review Date: December 14, 2021 Central Otago is one of my favorite regions in the world for Pinot Noir. The wines from Mount Edward are one of the reasons for that. They have an aromatic complexity to them that I love. They are generous and open but also have a delicate, cool focus. Fruit, spice, earth, and herbs all play for your attention with the fruit just winning out. I love the nose, but it is on the palate that these wines really shine. The wine has sneaky concentration, the way that the best Pinots from around the world do. It is medium-light bodied and round. It has very, very fine tannins and fresh acidity, which focuses the wine but does not call attention to itself. Then it builds and builds and builds. The cool, dark cherry fruit seems to take on more intensity and weight after the wine has left your palate. Delicate earth and a very fine, almost powdered herbal accent plays against the fruit, giving it even more dimension. This is a wonderful representation of what the region has to offer and a great Pinot Noir. Westby]( | K&L Champagne Buyer | Review Date: December 15, 2021 This spicy, dark-fruited Pinot Noir is an incredible value for the money, one of the best that we have on offer, from anywhere in the world. It has enough fruit to drink on its own, but also a lovely line of fresh acidity to pair with a wide variety of cuisine. We have been waiting a long time for this great Pinot to arrive—grab it now! Schroeder]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 15, 2021 Rich berry fruits, lanolin, earth, baking spice, and tea leaves emanate from the glass. The texture is generous and pure silk, with lovely vibrancy from the subtle underlying acidity. The finish is focused, balanced, and lasts for over half a minute. This is world-class Pinot Noir at a great price. Don't miss it. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2015 CVNE "Cune" Gran Reserva Rioja]( CVNE "Cune" Gran Reserva Rioja]( ($34.99) 94 points James Suckling: "Blackberry, bark and wet-earth aromas follow through to a medium body with firm, lightly chewy tannins and a long, flavorful finish with hints of chocolate, and vanilla to the dark fruit. Tempranillo." (09/2021) 93 points Vinous: "Glistening ruby. Expansive red and blue fruit, pipe tobacco, potpourri and baking spice aromas, with vanilla and smoky mineral notes slowly emerging. Sappy and gently chewy on the palate, offering spice-accented black raspberry, bitter cherry and rose pastille flavors that turn sweeter on the back half. Shows sharp focus and repeating florality on the long, subtly tannic finish, which leaves behind notes of candied blue fruits and cola. (JR)" (04/2021) 92 points Tim Atkin, MW "Slightly riper and higher in alcohol than most vintages of CVNE's Gran Reserva, reflecting the warm vintage conditions, this is an ageworthy blend of Tempranillo with 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo framed by French and American oak. Youthful and concentrated with black fruit, fresh acidity and structured tannins." Walker]( | K&L Spain Buyer | Review Date: January 05, 2022 This is a wine that immediately captures your attention, delivering the complexity, depth, and singularity of Gran Reserva with the charming forwardness of a much younger wine. This wine is a perfect example of what makes Rioja great. Sourced from vineyards in the heart of Rioja Alta, it is a blend of predominantly Tempranillo with a splash of Graciano and Mazuelo. The wine is then fermented with native yeast in concrete and stainless, followed by 24 months aging in oak, a mix of young and old, French and American. That is Rioja but where it starts to become something even more is an additional three years aging in bottle before it is released. Time is one of Rioja's secret ingredients. In a world where time is getting ever more expensive, this wine is a deal. The winery aged this wine for five years in order to qualify for that classification. No other region ages their best wines before selling them to you. It has layers and layers of aromatics, like walking into a spice shop, but without being overwhelming. Sweet, savory, pungent, piquant, woodsy, herbal with all sorts of highs and lows. All of that on top of a driving dark cherry note. The fruit starts with a dried, almost leathery quality that starts to freshen with a little time in the glass. This is so much fun to smell. It opens and develops, giving you more and more. I was taken with just the nose, but on the palate the wine delivers. It exceeds the expectation of the nose. All the aromatics are there to support the fruit. The wine is on the lighter side of full-bodied. There is a lot of structure, very fine tannins, both fruit and oak, and fresh, driving acidity. As the nose builds in intensity, so does the palate. As the fruit freshens and awakens, it takes on more intensity and body. It just keeps on becoming more. Persistent and driving, the finish lingers and makes you want to take another sip. This Gran Reserva delivers tonight and a decade-plus from now. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2019 AXR Napa Valley Proprietary Red Blend]( AXR Napa Valley Proprietary Red]( ($39.95) 95 points James Suckling: "An aromatic red with notes of ripe cassis and blackberries, flowers, chocolate and cigar box. Full body, an array of plush, polished tannins and juicy, delicious fruit. Long finish. 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot." (11/2021) Woodhouse]( | K&L Domestic Buyer | Review Date: December 23, 2021 This is one absolutely seamless and perfectly crafted Napa Cab. I say Cab because despite being labelled a Proprietary Red Blend, the 2019 is 90% prime Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. AXR's winemaker, the iconic Jean Hoefliger, who achieved fame crafting 100-point wines at Alpha Omega, The Debate, and several other cult wineries, has really worked his magic here. The nose is packed with crushed blackberries, cassis, espresso crema, wonderful cedary oak tones, and dusty/stony mineral accents. Every element is perfectly integrated on the palate. Each flavor complements the next. The textures are finely honed with beautifully elegant tannins, while the whole wine remains so vibrant and fresh. There is great concentration and power here, but also tons of vitality and lift. This is Napa Cab I could drink right from release, but I have no doubt it will also age wonderfully in the cellar for at least a decade. For the price point, I can't think of any other Napa wines that have this level of sophistication and polish. Need a belated holiday gift? Look no further. This is instant gratification at a super reasonable price. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2018 Domaine Faiveley Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes]( Domaine Faiveley Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes]( ($49.99) 91-94 points Jasper Morris - Inside Burgundy: "Racked, to bottle early December. Principally from the former Dupont-Tisserandot domaine. Faiveley keep half of their 10ha to make this wine and sell on the rest of the fruit. It comes from the Brochon side plus Clos Prieur, Marchais, En Songe, Pincevin, Charreaux, Creux Billards and Justices, so it is pretty representative of the appellation! Rich full colour, with an absolute wealth of fruit, first on the nose but especially on the palate, a wealth of gorgeous strawberry fruit with just the right structure. Very long, and with elegance." (11/2019) 93 points Decanter: "If you want to taste a textbook Gevrey-Chambertin, this is a very representative blend combining fruit from over 30 different parcels across the appellation. With an average vine age of 45 years, it's a sweet, glossy Pinot Noir with perfumed 30% new wood, caressing tannins and layers of red berry and bramble fruit sweetness. A very harmonious cuvée. (TA)" (10/2019) 93 points James Suckling: "Subtle aromas of sweet strawberries and hints of citrus. Violets, too. Full-bodied and very fruity, but the tannins create a creamy texture and the acidity provides a tangy finish." (08/2020) 93 points Wine Spectator: "There is a fine purity to the black cherry, blackberry and spice flavors in this supple red. It's harmony and finesse makes it approachable now, yet there is ample structure to develop over the short term. Fruit and spice accents extend the finish. (BS)" (05/2021) Pross]( | K&L Burgundy Buyer | Review Date: March 02, 2021 If you are looking for an incredible Burgundian experience without emptying your wallet then you owe it to yourself to grab a few bottles of this quintessential overachiever. This is a fantastic value from one of Burgundy's top domaines with holdings in numerous top vineyard sites scattered throughout Gevrey-Chambertin. This wine has a wonderful nose of dark berry fruit, spice, and cola notes and a supple palate loaded with black and blue fruits, spice, and hints of cola and chocolate. Suave tannins, great complexity, and a palate that slowly unfurls. This is an impressive entry-level offering that showcases one of Burgundy's greatest appellations for a steal. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Louis Roederer "Collection 242" Brut Champagne]( Roederer "Collection 242" Brut Champagne]( ($54.99) 94 points James Suckling: "Aromas of cooked apple, bread dough and lemon tart follow through to a full body with round, delicious fruit and a rich, flavorful finish. Yet, it remains tight and fine with lovely, compressed bubbles. New energy and freshness. Medium-to full-bodied with layers of fruit and vivid intensity." (06/2021) 93+ points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "This debut release is very impressive indeed, wafting from the glass with notes of pear, peach, ripe citrus fruit, toasted almonds, fresh pastry and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, pillowy and textural, it's concentrated and layered, with lively acids, an enlivening pinpoint mousse and a long, sapid finish. Brut Premier was already a very persuasive wine, but the new Brut Collection nevertheless represents a step up. (WK)" (09/2021) 93 points Decanter: "Softly shimmering straw gold, green tints, with a delicate filigree dancing at will around the glass. The nose is gently authoritative; spring flowers garlanding stone fruit, a hint of hawthorn maybe, then lemongrass. The palate has encyclopaedic depth, the intricacies of the Perpetual Reserve weaving their early magic; almond, sloe, gingerbread and apples; the finish has a pleasing twist of bitterness, courtesy of the small percentage of oak-aged reserve wine. (SF)" (07/2021) 92 points Vinous: "Whereas Brut Premier was typically a focused, nervy wine that, while consistently excellent, also was not always in line with the Roederer house style, the 242 tastes more like a Roederer Champagne in terms of its complexity. Incidentally, there is no Vintage, Cristal or Cristal Rosé in 2017, so all the best lots went into this bottling. Dosage is 8 grams per liter, so lower than the 9 or so that was typical for recent Brut Premier and much lower than the 12-13 that was once customary. The 242 was also bottled with a bit less sugar than the norm, which results in lower atmospheres of pressure in the bottle and silkier texture. (AG)" (03/2021) 92 points Wine Spectator: "A bright, harmonious Champagne, layering well-cut acidity and a chalky underpinning with flavors of white cherry, crunchy pineapple, green almond and beeswax. The finely detailed mousse carries hints of saffron and spring blossom on the lingering finish. (AN)" (10/2021) Westby]( | K&L Champagne Buyer | Review Date: July 29, 2021 This is one of our best values in fine Champagne! This wine is composed of 56% of 2017, with 34% coming from a solera-like perpetual reserve that is equal parts of the five previous vintages: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. The balance (10%) comes from large oak barrel reserves going back to 2009. The perpetual reserve is always kept at 50/50 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and the final blend is 42% Chardonnay, 36% Pinot Noir and 22% Meunier. The result is a wine that is both more complex and expressive than the Brut Premier that it replaces, but surprisingly also much fresher. The dosage has been dropped to around 8g/L, and the balance is perfect. By adding the collection number to the founding date of the house, 1776, you get the year that it was bottled. If you subtract one from that number, you get the base vintage, for this first release it is 2017. This wine has a lovely fresh baked brioche nose framed by deep Meyer lemon fruit with subtle hints of honey. In the mouth it has a precise bead and great texture- not just from the tiny bubbles, but also from the concentration of the wine underneath. It manages to have white fruit, citrus, and bready complexity without becoming vinous or heavy. On the contrary, it is a fresh, finessed Champagne with a finish that had me coming back for more and more. What a treat. Vidales]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 03, 2021 Just when we thought the Roederer Brut Premier is as good as it gets, here comes Collection 242 to prove us wrong. This new, fabulous cuvée from Roederer is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier dosed at a lower rate. By blending the 2017 with reserves, you get some major complexity all while keeping the freshness and minerality shining through. Coming from a major Champagne house, this comes at a great price, too. McIntosh]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 01, 2021 What a significant and impressive upgrade for Roederer! This updated cuvée is powerful, mineral with deeper and broader texture and amazing long finish. Brioche, hints of honey and red apple along with mouthwatering acidity and rich citrus. Schroeder]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 29, 2021 What a thrill to taste "Collection," a revamping of Roederer's flagship non-vintage cuvée, and a commitment to top quality production standards and consumer transparency. With added reserve wines from a perpetual solera-style system, lower dosage, and added Chardonnay contents overall, this is a substantial improvement over an already great blend. It has added brightness, precision, and integration without losing any of the signature leesy, smoky, toasty richness. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2018 Soutard, St-Emilion]( Soutard, St-Emilion]( ($64.99) 97 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The flagship 2018 Château Soutard checks in as 61% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. It's hands down the finest wine I've tasted from this estate and offers a thrilling bouquet of cassis and black raspberry fruits as well as notes of camphor, tobacco, dried flowers, and dried rose petals. Full-bodied and flawlessly balanced, with silky tannins and that rare richness without weight character that's the hallmark of truly great wines, it's going to benefit from 3-4 years (it's brilliant even today) and have 20-25 years of prime drinking. Hats off to the team at Soutard!" (03/2021) 93-95 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Blended of 61% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Malbec, the deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Soutard features notes of warm plums, baked blueberries and blackberry pie with hints of fragrant earth, truffles, tapenade and lavender. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has great elegance and sophistication, with plush tannins and wonderful freshness supporting the subtle fruit layers through the long finish. (LPB)" (04/2019) 94 points Vinous: "The 2018 Soutard is an inky, exuberant wine. Raspberry jam, mocha, licorice, cedar and blood orange saturate the palate. Sweet floral/spiced top notes add lift, but Soutard is mostly a wine of textural resonance and creaminess. Ripe, silky tannins wrap around the succulent finish. (AG)" (03/2021) 94 points Wine Enthusiast: "From the vineyard that surrounds one of the grandest chateaux in Saint-Emilion, this wine brings richness, complexity and density. A blend that unusually includes Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, it is a structured, firm wine that emphasizes tannins as much as the black-currant fruits. (RV)" (05/2021) 93 points Decanter: "The color is deep and the nose refined with plenty of lift and freshness, the limestone soils evident. The attack on the palate is lively but smooth, the tannins finely honed. There's good depth on the mid-palate and the freshness persists throughout a long, clean finish. Certainly this is one of the best Soutards I can remember in recent times. (JL)" (03/2021) Beffa, Jr.]( | K&L Bordeaux Buyer | Review Date: December 26, 2021 We rarely buy wines from this château, but when I tasted this beauty, I knew we had a winner. Maybe it is the 1% Malbec that got me so excited. Maybe it is the black raspberry flavors and the round, soft tannins. Maybe it is the fact that my palate has gone to the Right Bank in the past five years or so. Whatever it is, the wine is delicious and should be bought for your cellar or can even be enjoyed young after a quick decant. Schroeder]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 05, 2022 It is difficult to find a rich, full-bodied red wine as perfectly honed as the '18 Soutard. It is made from a blend of 63% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Malbec. It has an intriguing perfume of black currants, blueberries, stewed peppers, licorice, dried flowers, baking spice, and smoke. It shows surprising restraint on the attack; the tannins are ripe and silky, and the rich, dark fruits explode on the long, acid-driven finish with no lingering bitterness at all. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2019 Aperture "Soil Specific" Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon]( Aperture "Soil Specific" Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon]( ($74.95) 95-97 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon (blended with 3% Merlot and 1% Malbec) has a deep ruby color and bursts from the glass with detailed aromas of violet, tar, cassis, liquid cherries and graphite. This young wine has a stunning perfume! The palate is pure and grainy. Bursts of freshness lift its perfume, and its pure flavors linger a long time in the mouth. (EB)" (06/2021) K&L Notes: A cool-climate region par excellence, Alexander Valley is where winemaker Jesse Katz makes his downright gorgeous Aperture wines. Having spent his entire life devoted to learning his craft, including time in such cellars as Screaming Eagle, Pétrus, and Paul Hobbs’ Viña Cobos, he’s got a firm grasp of both technique and vision, and the wines are quietly some of the very best in all of Sonoma. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Tequila Tapatio "Excelencia" Extra Añejo Tequila (750ml)]( Tapatio "Excelencia" Extra Añejo Tequila (750ml)]( ($134.99) 98 points Beverage Tasting Institute: "Bronze color. Aromas of fresh lumber, luxury tobacco, caramel, prune, eucalyptus, and vanilla-scented black tea with a fat body and a very long cherry-almond, dark roasted agave, sandalwood, baking spices, and root beer finish. A superlative sipping tequila that combines elegant wood with rustic, authentic agave flavors; an outstanding spirit." (04/2018) K&L Notes: The oldest expression from Carlos Camarena's Tapatio brand is finally available stateside. Rich and butterscotchy with hints of black pepper and citrus, it is distilled exclusively from perfectly matured agave at the famous La Alteña distillery in Arandas, filled into first-use, deeply charred American white oak, and aged for four years before being transferred into glass containers. It is then allowed to mellow like a fine eau-de-vie. This juice (Tapatio Extra Añejo) was once used only to add oaky character to underwhelming añejos, but later the distillery began selling it, and it remained a collector's secret until its arrival in the U.S. in 2014. Now, it is a living legend. This batch is even more delicious than earlier batches. Still the same decadent juice, but with a few degrees more ripe agave influence. Ultra-limited. Whiteley]( | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: October 15, 2021 The Tapatio Excelencia Gran Reserva is one of the greatest tequilas ever produced. Dollar for dollar, there is nothing like it available on the market today. We struggle to keep this tequila in stock but finally managed to grab a large parcel. The production of this spirit is insane, and the extra time and care in making it shows with every nosing and every sip. This is decidedly NOT your big, rich, sweet style of extra añejo laden with additives—this is pure Agave flavor perfected then aged in quality oak for four years and—like the world's finest eau de vie—allowed to rest for years before bottling. On the nose, a complex mélange of fresh agave, blue fruit compote, freshly cut cherry wood, pencil shavings, and leafy herbs. On the palate, the wood profile is rich and round but not overpowering of the agave itself. Vanilla and caramel fill the mouth, tempered by a spicy cracked pepper and fine tannin structure. Roasted and candied nuts, fresh saw dust, apple sauce, and raw sugar cane stalk all blend into a wonderful transition from mid-palate to finish. It's got length for days. If you're a lover of tequila and are looking for extra añejo outside the cloyingly sweet style, you simply cannot do better than this. --------------------------------------------------------------- [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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