K&L Top 10 Picks: February 2022

Hand-Picked, Over-Delivering Selections from Across the Globe... Monday Feb 14th, 2022 [View in Browser]( [KL-emailheader.gif]( K&L Top 10 Selections: February 2022 Featuring: Unparalleled QPR stars from Tuscany, Santa Barbara, and Pomerol, plus Burgundy, Oregon, and Champagne library gems, and collectible stunners from Napa and Japan... --------------------------------------------------------------- February's Top Ten brings us some truly spectacular QPR stunners, as well as a few unbeatable library gems and a collectible masterpiece or two. In the first category, Shiraz/Syrah fans will find a world-class, cool-climate example in the 2018 Anderson Hill "O Series" from Australia's Adelaide Hills, sporting a towering 97-point score and a jaw-dropping price of just $19.99. The record-setting, best-selling Super Tuscan from La Massa is back with a 93-point 2018 that's set to continue this wine's unbridled run of success, and the unparalleled Greg Brewer turns out another mind-blowing Chardonnay with the sub-$25, V96 2020 Diatom Santa Barbara County cuvée. Meanwhile, France brings us a pair of can't-miss values in a highly limited, sub-$30 2015 Pomerol from Beau Soleil and a best-ever, 98-point Gigondas from direct-import darling Moulin de la Gardette that ranks at the very top of the quality pyramid in the spectacular 2019 vintage, all for less than $45. [Diatom Santa Barbara County]( We've had a stellar array of library vintages come through our doors lately, highlighted by an unexpected resupply of the much-coveted 2008 Laurent-Perrier Brut Champagne, as well as a must-have, winery-direct cellar gem Pinot from Oregon's Arterberry Maresh, sourced from their treasured original vine parcel at a price that's too low to publish. Speaking of winery-direct, perfect provenance, Louis Latour's 2007 Meursault 1er Cru "Genevrières" comes to us in prime form, at a steal of price for one of Burgundy's finest Chardonnay vineyards. There is currently perhaps no better buy in the collectible sphere than the 2019 Sinegal "Estate" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a monumental, 98-point effort boasting wine-of-the-vintage potential for a staggering price of just $79.95. Finally, we have the Kirin Fuji Japanese Single Grain Whisky, a not-to-be-missed new alternative to the Nikka Coffey Grain that will thrill fans of the style for less than $100. Value stars, cellar gems, and unbeatable collectible scores—it's all here in this month's Top Ten. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2018 Anderson Hill "O Series" Shiraz Adelaide Hills South Australia 97 $19.99 [View]( 2018 La Massa "La Massa" Toscana 93 $21.99 [View]( 2020 Diatom Santa Barbara County Chardonnay 96 $24.95 [View]( 2015 Beau Soleil, Pomerol 94 $29.99 [View]( 2019 Moulin de la Gardette "Cuvée Ventabren" Gigondas 98 $44.99 [View]( 2015 Arterberry Maresh "Maresh Vineyard" Dundee Hills Pinot Noir (Elsewhere $70) 95 Price: Hidden [View]( 2008 Laurent-Perrier Brut Champagne 96 $69.99 [View]( 2007 Louis Latour Meursault 1er Cru "Genevrières" $69.99 [View]( 2019 Sinegal "Estate" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 98 $79.95 [View]( Kirin Fuji Japanese Single Grain Whisky (750ml) $94.99 [View]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [2018 Anderson Hill "O Series" Shiraz Adelaide Hills South Australia]( Anderson Hill "O Series" Shiraz Adelaide Hills South Australia]( ($19.99) 97 points Decanter: "Most keen drinkers now realise that Australia can produce a gamut of Chardonnay styles, but somehow the word seems harder to get out about Shiraz. This wine from Lenswood in the Adelaide Hills should do the trick for anyone who has yet to realise that cool-climate accounts of the variety can be every bit as compelling as as their warm-climate counterparts. The wine is dark in colour, with lots of episcopal purple; the aromas are bright, lifted and billowing, not just cherry-fresh but with some billowing cherry blossom in there too. In the mouth, the wine is deep, round, poised and lively: an explosion of vivid fruits with a peppery finish. *Best in Show DWWA 2020*" 95 points James Halliday: "Deep dark purple hue; wafts of exotic spices mingling with black plums and unobtrusive charry oak, more a seasoning than anything else. Full-bodied, rich with ribbons of velvety tannins. Impressive." (08/2020) 93 points Bob Campbell: "What a charming wine, with its wafting red berry fragrance. Excellent fruit clarity and intensity. The palate is clean, bright and poised with excellent cranberry and redcurrant flavours plus a thread of sophisticated spice. Medium-bodied with good palate tension. Love this. *Top Rank* (TP)" (05/2019) Overby]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 05, 2022 The first aroma that genuinely comes through is a bundle of fresh jasmine, blue and black berries, candied black cherries, mint, and dark minerals. Cinnamon spices and a hint of fresh cracked peppercorn. All the characteristics of an Adelaide Shiraz but with restraint. Everything about this Shiraz is subtle with hints of liveliness. It is truly a really pretty wine that can go with many meal options or just on its own. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2018 La Massa "La Massa" Toscana]( La Massa "La Massa" Toscana]( ($21.99) 93 points James Suckling: "Notes of blueberries, blackberries, porcini and nutmeg. It's full-bodied with fine tannins. Balanced with a fleshy texture. Round and velvety. Long, flavorful finish. Fine and fresh at the end." (08/2021) 93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "A blend of mostly Sangiovese with smaller parts Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and a touch of Alicante Bouschet, the Fattoria la Massa 2018 La Massa is a textured and softly pliable wine that shows gorgeous color saturation and a panoramic bouquet with black fruit, dried cherry, plum, spice and sweet tobacco. This vintage offered moments of heat and moments of coolness, and the whole approach is balanced quite nicely in this bottle. I give it a solid 10-year drinking window, and you get great value. (ML)" (04/2021) 93 points Vinous: "The 2018 La Massa is dark, fleshy and super-expressive. Blackberry jam, cloves, chocolate and crème de cassis all come alive in this wonderfully deep, voluptuous red blend of 50% Sangiovese, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and Alicante Bouschet. (AG)" (09/2021) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2020 Diatom Santa Barbara County Chardonnay]( Diatom Santa Barbara County Chardonnay]( ($24.95) 96 points Vinous: "The 2020 Chardonnay (Santa Barbara County) is outrageously beautiful. In fact, it is one of the very finest wines I have ever tasted from Greg Brewer. Rich and textured in the glass, with plenty of bright acids, the 2020 is wonderfully alive. Greg Brewer has done a tremendous job in crafting a Chardonnay that is both texturally deep and intense. In 2020, facing a lack of visibility in the market because of COVID-19, Brewer-Clifton bottled just a fraction of their appellation Chardonnay, freeing up a number of top sites that Greg Brewer was able to access for Diatom. The 2020 is simply magnificent. (AG)" (10/2021) 95 points Wine Enthusiast: "Fresh melon, Key lime and celery aromas make for a unique and refreshing nose in this tantalizing wine by Greg Brewer. The wine zips across the palate with vibrant, titillating acidity, carrying flavors of sea shell, light herb and zesty citrus into the relentlessly grippy finish. *Editors' Choice* (MK)" (08/2021) 93 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2020 Chardonnay Santa Barbara County comes from the talented Greg Brewer, and it's been an incredible value in every vintage I've been lucky enough to taste. Revealing a medium to lighter gold hue, it's medium-bodied and juicy, with a lively, up-front nose of ripe Meyer lemon, tangerine, honeysuckle, and exotic white flowers. This pure, elegant Chardonnay brings beautiful fruit and texture, has plenty of acidity, and a great finish." (08/2021) K&L Notes: The 2020 offering from Diatom bears the broader Santa Barbara County AVA designation. However, the juice in the bottle is top-notch, single-vineyard quality, coming from 3D Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills and Katherine's Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley. In classic Greg Brewer style, the wine derives its power from low yields and perfectly ripe fruit, vinified without the use of oak, entirely fermented and aged in stainless steel, with no malolactic fermentation. Woodhouse]( | K&L Domestic Buyer | Review Date: December 13, 2021 Legendary winemaker Greg Brewer was given a huge blank canvas and a full spectrum of colors to work his magic with in 2020. With pandemic-driven economic uncertainty pre-occupying the bean counters, the decision was made to reduce the number of single-vineyard wines under Diatom and Brewer-Clifton in favor of a more broad, Santa Barbara County offering at a superbly affordable price point. Brewer set to work with his pick of the finest raw materials from top vineyard sites, and he rendered an absolute masterpiece. True to his signature style, this powerful Chardonnay captures the wonderful golden, ripe, crystalline fruit grown across these sites as well as the vibrancy and verve of cool-climate Chardonnay. The quality and purity of this fruit is then beautifully preserved without use of oak or malo altering the flavor or texture of this pure expression of captured cool sunlight. The wine is flavorful and rich with golden delicious apple, lemon curd, makrut lime, sea spray salinity, and wet stone minerality. Lovely tactile weight and texture on the palate with a precise, slowly tapering finish that is laden with fascinating mineral tones. It's absolutely classic Greg Brewer. But the best thing...the price. I mean this is right up there at the level of some of his best Chardonnays that sell in the $50-$60 range, and yet you can stock up on this 96-point gem for $24.95! What are you waiting for?! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2015 Beau Soleil, Pomerol]( Beau Soleil, Pomerol]( ($29.99) 93-94 points James Suckling: "A powerful and rich red with loads of extremely ripe berry, chocolate and walnut character. Full body, round and chewy tannins and a fresh finish. Muscular." (04/2016) Moses]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 06, 2022 Considering the quality of the 2015 on the Right Bank and the limited landscape of Pomerol, there are very high expectations for 2015 Beau Soleil right off the bat. The nose has a beautifully classic mix of cassis, cedar, wild berries, and sage. On the palate it is juicy and seamless, with black cherry, hints of chocolate, and fine grain tannins that carry a long and bright finish for a good while. There is a bit of a modern flair here, but it shows a terrific sense of place and screams Pomerol all the way. A wonderful discovery and one that makes the region relatively accessible, this jewel of a find provides a great experience now, but will mature beautifully for years to come. Schroeder]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 05, 2022 This is a new Chateau for us, but when you find a Pomerol for under $30, you have to try it, and Im glad we did! This has an unmistakably expressive Merlot bouquet of red fruits, mint, pepper, herbs and dark earth. The texture is true to the vintage rich, generous and silky with pure fruit and a finish that tremolos for nearly a minute. This is one of the finest Merlot values in our store; it should move quick! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2019 Moulin de la Gardette "Cuvée Ventabren" Gigondas]( [2019 Moulin de la Gardette "Cuvée Ventabren" Gigondas]( ($44.99) 98 points Decanter: "Aromatically slightly subdued, though there is a sense of great freshness. Thyme emerges after a while along with a smoky bacon note. Fluid and fast-moving in the mouth, there's a great sense of tension and intensity on the palate. The tannins are present, like fine sand in texture with a very light grain. This feels painfully young to drink now. There's no serious reduction, and this will have a lot to give when the time comes. It exudes balance and power, but try to wait for this to show its best. Ninety-year-old vines. Grapes are handpicked, whole bunch fermented in concrete then aged for 18 months in demi-muids and foudres, followed by light filtration. (MW)" (07/2021) 95 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2019 Gigondas Ventabren is a smaller production cuvée all from the older vines of the estate and is 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Cinsault. It's cut from the same cloth as the Tradition cuvée and has remarkable complexity in its dark fruits, peppery herbs, sappy flower, and damp earth-like aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced, and concentrated, its another thrillingly Provençal Gigondas to enjoy over the coming 15 years." (01/2022) 95 points James Suckling: "What a beautiful Gigondas! Great black-fruit aromas (tons of damson plum), but also a slew of spices and Mediterranean herbs, as well as a touch of old balsamic vinegar. So ripe and rich, yet decisively dry, with mountain freshness at the powerful, complex finish. Matured for more than a year in large, older oak barrels. From organically grown grapes." (02/2022) Jancis Robinson: "Tasted blind. Bright red fruit and floral touch. Some lovely peppery notes here and fine tannins, a superlative expression of Grenache. Delicate and skips over the palate with grace. Delicious, pure and refined and shows depth of fruit alongside layers of complexity. Superb. 18.5+/20 points (AC)" (11/2020) K&L Notes: The Cuvée Ventabren is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault from the property’s oldest vines, ranging from 80 to 100 years of age. All fermentation is done in cement tanks and the wine is aged for 18 months in large oak foudres. The wine is loaded with brambly black fruit, spice notes, and that ever-present garrigue. Possessing a beautiful, full-bodied texture and an ample finish, this wine resonates beautifully and has all the hallmarks of a great southern Rhône wine. It is approachable now but has plenty of stuffing for short-term or long term cellaring. Serve it with roasted meats, braises, and stews. You’ll see why we keep coming back for JB’s wines. Mabry]( | K&L Rhône Buyer | Review Date: February 01, 2022 Sometimes, you need to provide a little comparative context when describing a wine, and I apologize in advance if you have not already tried the "Tradition" bottling of the Gardette. By comparison, the Ventabren is just more. As in more intensity, more power, more structure, and more complexity. It takes a little more time to open, say an hour or so in a decanter but the rewards are worth the wait. Oh and weight, this has more weight. The Ventabren opens with a lush raspberry coulis and currant jam palate that is immediately enticing, but as the wine unfolds, the aromas of garrigue transport you to the old-vine vineyards from which this wine is made. It is a singular wine and one of the best that Gigondas has to offer. When you compare vigneron Jean-Baptiste Meunier's wines to his peer Louis Barruol of Château Saint Cosme, you will find his single parcel wines at twice the price. This is every bit as good but doesn't have quite the national brand recognition. So much the better for us! This is a personal best for JB and I will gleefully be adding a few bottles to my collection to enjoy for many, many years to come. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2015 Arterberry Maresh "Maresh Vineyard" Dundee Hills Pinot Noir (Elsewhere $70)]( Arterberry Maresh "Maresh Vineyard" Dundee Hills Pinot Noir (Elsewhere $70)]( (Price: Hidden) 95 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "This wine comes from Pinot Noir vines planted in the early 1970s. Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, the 2015 Pinot Noir Maresh Vineyard features warm black cherries and currants on the nose with forest floor, black licorice, cardamom, mushroom and sweet wet leaves nuances. Medium to full-bodied, it's packed full of red and black fruits with layers of sweet spice and savory mushroom, with a great frame of grainy tannins and juicy acidity, finishing very long with spice-laced sweet fruit notes. (EB)" (08/2018) 94 points Vinous: "Vivid red. Sexy, high-pitched red berry, incense and candied rose scents are complemented by a smoky mineral aspect and a hint of star anise. Sappy and focused in the mouth, offering energetic raspberry liqueur, bitter cherry, blood orange and floral pastille flavors that put on weight and become sweeter with air. Conveys a suave blend of power and vivacity and closes on a subtly tannic note, displaying outstanding focus and floral-driven persistence. (JR)" (01/2018) 94 points Wine Spectator: "Refined and sensuous, with floral cherry and raspberry flavors, accented by black tea and dusky spice notes that build tension and structure on the lingering finish. (TF)" (10/2020) 94 points Decanter: "The 2015 rendition of the Maresh Vineyard shows that the lessons learned in the warmth of 2014 were put to good use. A complex bouquet of red and black fruit, lilac, burnt orange and a nicely integrated framing of wood are followed by a deep, concentrated wine with fine, velvety tannins and juicy acidity. Serious juice. (WK)" Jancis Robinson: "More purple-hued than their basic Dundee Hills. Black fruit, light tannin, soft and crunchy with touches of bitter herbs on the finish. Much more substance and fruit intensity here, but still within a willowy frame. One senses hidden depths. 17+/20 points (RH)" (09/2017) Woodhouse]( | K&L Domestic Buyer | Review Date: February 01, 2022 STOP what you're doing and take notice—here's a deal you don't want to miss! We just received a parcel of this library vintage 2015 Maresh Vineyard Pinot Noir direct from Arterberry Maresh, and we are offering it at an exceptionally sharp price that's too low to show. Arterberry's namesake, home-block bottling comes from old vines planted in 1970. The vines are entirely dry-farmed using organic practices. Third-generation winemaker Jim Maresh is making some of the most sought-after and highly rated wines in the state, and in recent vintages prices have started to climb (the 2019 release is $80). The 2015 is showing beautifully as its inherent old-vine structure and concentration start to relax and let the wine flesh out and show its full spectrum of aromas and flavors. Quite exotic, deep red to black fruits— cherry, black raspberry, bramble, wood smoke, star anise, clove—are all underscored with dry leaves, tumbled stone, and dusty earth. The tannis are soft and gently caress the palate. Lovely, fresh acidity keeps everything in precise focus on the long, layered finish. It's a world-class bottle of Pinot from one of the most pedigreed vineyards in the country, at a price point that understates its truly exceptional quality. Don't miss it! Moses]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 31, 2022 One of the best reference-point Oregon Pinots for me is Arterberry Maresh's "Maresh Vineyard" release, so it is a bit of a shock to see a back-vintage rendition from a great vintage at this kind of pricing. The aromatics bring you back again and again to find new nuances, with wildflowers, forest floor, blackberry, and currant. The palate is flawlessly textured with more bright, crisp red fruit, black cherry, and a thread of spice that carries the long, mouthwatering finish. There is a terrific amount of depth here, even though it's a relatively elegant and bright style of Pinot. This 2015 is showing youthfully with a pop and pour and will be fascinating to follow for many years to come. Westby]( | K&L Champagne Buyer | Review Date: January 28, 2022 It is a rare treat for us to be able to offer a fine Oregon Pinot Noir with bottle age like this. I was impressed by the ruby color, the black cherry aromas framed by beets and clean earth. The texture that only time can bring is here, and the wine is velvety and rich without being heavy in any way. I love the finish—still fresh and very long. This is just waiting for your best duck or salmon dish! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2008 Laurent-Perrier Brut Champagne]( Laurent-Perrier Brut Champagne]( ($69.99) 96 points Wine Enthusiast: "While still young, this Champagne has all the makings of greatness. Produced from grand cru vineyards, it already balances ripe white fruits with a firm structure that will age well. It's relatively dry and has plenty of acidity, which will also aid in the longevity. *Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2019* (RV)" (12/2019) 95 points James Suckling: "This is a solid and very dense Champagne with a phenolic and rich texture. Layers of cooked apples and light lemon rind. Brioche and light pie-crust in the aftertaste. Fresh and relatively dry aftertaste." (07/2019) 93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "A blend of equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that was disgorged with eight grams per liter dosage, the 2008 Brut Millésimé is showing nicely today, unwinding in the glass with aromas of green apple, pear, orange oil, spices and fresh bread. Medium to full-bodied, bright and precise, with tangy acids and a pillowy mousse, it concludes with a penetrating finish. This is aging very gracefully. (WK)" (03/2021) 93 points Vinous: "The 2008 Brut Millésimé is a gorgeous wine that expresses all of the pedigree of the vintage beautifully. Complex and nuanced, with tons of class, the 2008 has so much to offer. Dried pear, mint, chamomile, crushed rock, dried flowers and pastry overtones are all laced together in this finely-knit, resonant Champagne. At $75.00 a bottle, Laurent-Perrier's Brut Millésimé is one the best widely available vintage Champagne readers find from this historic harvest. (AG)" (07/2019) 93 points Wine Spectator: "A finely knit Champagne, defined by well-cut acidity that frames notes of Asian pear, white cherry, slivered almond and fleur de sel. The mousse shows a lovely creamy viscosity. Hints of citrus and spice emerge on the finish. (AN)" (12/2019) Westby]( | K&L Champagne Buyer | Review Date: July 28, 2021 The greatest vintage Champagne that I have ever had from Laurent-Perrier! I first tasted this in Tours-sur-Marne with chef de cave Michel Fauconnet and filled my notebook up with exclamation points. He said that the job of a vintage wine is to express the year, and he has expressed the 2008—the best vintage in at least a generation—perfectly. This Champagne is all about length, chalky minerality, and scintillating refreshment. The finish is nearly infinite on this wine that shows much more like a blanc de blancs in spite of the 50% Pinot Noir in the blend. Don't miss out on the best vintage ever from one of the great grande marque houses! Turk]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 21, 2020 This gorgeous vintage brut by Laurent-Perrier has been much anticipated, as it was released behind other grand marques, with reason. 2008 is a sharp, tightly-wound vintage, and while it will prove to be one of the best in years, the wines benefit from a bit longer aging. This has more chalk than we usually see expressed in L-P's Champagnes, thanks to 50% Chardonnay, although there is a rich undertone of berried Pinot Noir as well. Fresh with minerality and complex through the palate, the 2008 Laurent-Perrier Brut Champagne also shows an extraordinarily long, dry (8g dosage) finish. I was a big fan of their 2007 release, but this vintage outshines even that beauty. Fischer]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 16, 2019 This 2008 vintage bottling from Laurent-Perrier hits big with bright citrus, a little fresh dough, Granny Smith apples, and Bartlett pears. The palate is just as bold as the nose boasting bracing acid that's mouth-puckering, crisp apple, and lemon drop candies. Very sexy Champagne. Schroeder]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 09, 2019 L-P has finally released its much anticipated 2008 vintage champagne, and it is as delicious as expected! It has beautiful floral elements on the nose, bright pear, green apple, and cherry fruit notes, vibrant minerals, and the bright acidity that is a hallmark of the vintage. Vintage Champagne collectors won't want to miss out on this one! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2007 Louis Latour Meursault 1er Cru "Genevrières"]( Louis Latour Meursault 1er Cru "Genevrières"]( ($69.99) Pross]( | K&L Burgundy Buyer | Review Date: January 21, 2021 The moment I poured this wine into my glass I was excited, because it began with a vibrant yellow hue. The nose was lemon curd and honeyed nuts that quickly gave way to a palate of pear, peach, and subtle citrus notes. The Genevrières vineyard excellence is on full display here, and the structure and complexity are admirable and makes this a stunning, perfectly-aged white Burgundy. Overby]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 22, 2021 The color stands in a yellow-green hue. The bright lime, Meyer lemon and subtle oak leads. Salty, minerally soil adds to the length, then it is flipped when air is introduced to exotic tree fruits, persimmon, rambutan, lychee, and a touch of wild mint. This one is my favorite of them all. The flavors evolve over decanting, but the acidity and nose persist. Drinkable now or tomorrow or even next year. This is a good one to invest in. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2019 Sinegal "Estate" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon]( Sinegal "Estate" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon]( ($79.95) 98 points Vinous: "The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is every bit as magnificent as it was last year. A heady, statuesque wine, the 2019 captures all the pedigree of the vintage. Inky red cherry fruit, mocha, licorice and spice race across the palate. The 2019 is bright, deep and powerful, with exceptional balance and tons of class. It's a stunning wine, to say the least. The move towards a slightly less pushed style, with less overt oak signatures, has paid off big time. This is a fabulous showing. (AG)" (01/2022) 94-96 points Jeb Dunnuck: "I loved the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, and it's certainly going to over-deliver. Terrific notes of cassis, white flowers, graphite, and classy oak give way to a rich, medium to full-bodied red with classic Cabernet character, beautiful balance, ripe tannins, and a great finish." (01/2021) Woodhouse]( | K&L Domestic Buyer | Review Date: January 24, 2022 Sinegal's run of spectacular wines continues with the 2019 Estate release. Winemaker Ryan Knoth learned his trade from Napa legends like David Abreu, Fredrik Johansson (Staglin), and Michel Rolland. Celebrated grower Jim Barbour oversees the farming on the estate, and the results are nothing short of jaw-dropping. Ultra-pure, rich, polished, modern Napa Cab. Cassis, blackberry preserve, mocha, exotic oak spice, cedar, and wood smoke. Full-bodied and intense but silky and refined. A wine the captures the very best of the vintage and represents an absolute bargain given the team behind it and the enormous press. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Kirin Fuji Japanese Single Grain Whisky (750ml)]( Fuji Japanese Single Grain Whisky (750ml)]( ($94.99) K&L Notes: Produced by the Japanese brewing giant Kirin in the Fuji Gotemba distillery situated on the southeastern side of Mt. Fuji, this single-grain whisky is Kirin's entry into the U.S. market. The distillery houses an unusual still setup. They have pot stills in addition to a column/doubler setup similar to what you'd see in Kentucky, allowing them to produce a wide range of styles in one facility. By having multiple types of distillate at their disposal, the facility can produce a complex single grain. The end result is a grain whisky that offers a wider range of flavors, weights, and textures than you're likely to find in any Scottish single grain that has been produced to simply bulk out single malt when making blended Scotch. If you've loved Nikka's Single Grain in the past, this whisky is for you. Whiteley]( | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: January 18, 2022 Japanese whisky is one of the most complicated categories in the spirits world thanks to lax regulation on how things are labeled and a plethora of less-than-scrupulous actors hoping to make a quick buck. However, the fact remains that there are a number of extraordinarily high-quality producers of spirits in Japan who are committed to delivering nothing but the best. The Kirin Fuji Gotemba distillery is one such producer. It has been in operation since 1973 and quietly produced excellent spirits in a variety of styles for many years. The distillery makes both grain and malt distillates on a number of different still setups giving them tremendous flexibility. The new release under the Kirin Fuji label is a Japanese single grain that rivals the best grain whiskies we've ever bottled from Scotland. Bottled at 46% ABV, it is a miraculous combination of sweet and spicy. It's a lovely rose gold color in the glass and gives rich vanilla barrel notes on the nose. Sweet stone fruit mixes with cinnamon and fresh ginger root. The nose also presents a distinct wood profile that shows there is some significant time in barrel, although we are lacking an age statement. The palate is soft and supple. Fresh fruits dipped in whipped cream and drizzled in maple syrup come to mind. There is a whiff of cocoa. On the backend, more spice comes out. Nutmeg, cinnamon, rye grass, ginger snap cookies, and a lengthy profile of sweet wood seems to linger for minutes. It's an impressive showing for the first U.S. import under this label and a welcome addition to the Japanese portfolio at K&L. Othenin-Girard]( | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: January 05, 2022 Many people are rightfully skeptical of new Japanese whisky. Indeed, there are so many fake and/or low-quality products on the market, the industry has collectively agreed to stop the obfuscation that has led to multitude of sub-par "Japanese" whiskies. But ultimately the great distillers of Japan make exceptional whisky across the board, even when they might blend in a bit of Scotch. The few distillers that do release Japanese-distilled whisky are often times extremely hard to get. There are several famous names that were once very available that are now ultra-allocated. One of the saddest departures from regular appearance on our shelves is the wonderful Nikka Coffey Grain whisky. That lovely, high-quality grain whisky was many drinkers' introduction to the category. Now, we have very little non-imported grain available, and most are usually made using sochu-style methods. That's where this excellent whisky comes in. The Fuji Gotemba distillery has long been prized in Japan thanks to it's high-quality techniques and pure water source. Located at the base of Mt Fuji, the label has rebranded for the release of this highly anticipated grain and is known simply as Fuji. What's most striking about this product is simply how overtly delicious it is. Not as wood-driven or nutty as the Nikka Coffey, but with much more texture or character than any Scottish grain, it's simply a wonderful thing to have in your glass. Let's taste it! The color is yellow gold. Immediately, a pungent basket of fresh ripe stone and citrus fruit. Subtle, nutty character and hints of both vanilla and cinnamon. The entry is honeyed and very sweet before adding some baking spice, gingersnap cookies, fresh biscuits, and a touch of licorice bark. It's so easy to drink, but not at all boring or monodimensional. An excellent choice for anyone looking to try something new in the category or trying to fill a Coffey Grain-shaped hole in your heart. --------------------------------------------------------------- [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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