K&L Top Ten - September 2022

Hand-Picked, Over-Delivering Selections from Across the Globe... Monday Sep 26th, 2022 [View in Browser]( [KL-emailheader.gif]( K&L Top 10 Selections: September 2022 --------------------------------------------------------------- [Our monthly Top Ten]( represents the cream of the crop in our inventory. Each month, we determine which items have found the most favor among our clients and staff, and from that list we curate the finest offerings that we believe deliver the absolute best character and style for their prices. No matter your tastes, preferences, or budget, you'll find something to capture your interest and take your wine and spirits experience to a new level. From exceptional value champions to cellar contenders, from reference-point names to hidden-gem, direct-import stunners, they're all gathered below for an unmatched, one-stop shopping experience. [Château d'Ampuis]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2016 La Rioja Alta "Viña Alberdi" Reserva Rioja 94 $21.99 [View]( 2020 Ata Rangi "Crimson" Pinot Noir Martinborough 94 $24.99 [View]( 2019 Domaine Beaurenard "Argiles Bleues" Rasteau 95 $39.99 [View]( 2001 Barde Haut, St-Emilion (Elsewhere $80) 95 $44.99 [View]( 2018 Arterberry Maresh "Weber Vineyard" Dundee Hills Pinot Noir (Previously $70) 97 $49.95 [View]( 2018 Geodesy "Sage Ridge Vineyard" Napa Valley Proprietary Red Blend (Elsewhere $175) 95 $69.95 [View]( 2014 Alexandre Le Brun "Cuvée Revelation" Brut Champagne $79.99 [View]( 2017 Petrolo "Galatrona" Toscana 97 $86.99 [View]( 2018 E. Guigal "Château d'Ampuis" Côte-Rôtie 99 $109.99 [View]( 2005 Glenrothes 16 Year Old "Old Particular" K&L Exclusive Single First Fill Sherry Butt Cask Strength Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $119.99 [View]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [2016 La Rioja Alta "Viña Alberdi" Reserva Rioja]( La Rioja Alta "Viña Alberdi" Reserva Rioja]( ($21.99) 94 points Wine Enthusiast: "Medium ruby to the eye, this wine offers a bouquet of cherry, violet and juniper berry. It is rich on the palate, with flavors of black cherry, blackberry, mocha and thyme. Forceful tannins hold on almost to the last moment and then make way for a red fruit- and floral-filled finish. (MD)" (07/2022) 92 points Vinous: "Glistening ruby-red. Spice-tinged red fruit and floral aromas pick up hints of coconut and succulent herbs with air. Silky and expressive on the palate, offering appealingly sweet cherry and raspberry flavors and a spicecake nuance that builds steadily in the glass. Closes long and smooth, with repeating florality and subtle tannins that come in late. (JR)" (04/2021) 91 points Tim Atkin MW: "Alberdi is sometimes overlooked at Rioja Alta, being the cheapest wine in the range, but it's like a scaled down version of the top reds, with similar elegance and American oak sweetness. Showing the freshness and vibrancy of a cooler year, this is floral and appealing with coconut and wild strawberry flavours and tangy acidity." Walker]( | K&L Spain Buyer | Review Date: August 30, 2022 In any discussion about Rioja, one of the very first producers mentioned is La Rioja Alta. Their wines and house style are the standard, the prime meridian of Rioja, if you will, from which all other Rioja can be referenced. These are traditional wines, where Tempranillo and American oak are at the heart of the wines. But they are not old-fashioned. They have spent the last decade modernizing their production facilities and converting their vineyard practices to organics. The Alberdi gets its name from one of the original founding families of La Rioja Alta. It is unusual for the winery in that it is 100% Tempranillo. Sourced from several vineyards in the Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa subregions, it was aged for two years in American oak, and there was no filtration prior to bottling because the wines are racked twice a year into different barrels. The Alberdi is an incredible value. It has always been a great deal, especially when we have seen other Rioja bottlings become more expensive. In fact, this is the last of the 2016, as the 2018 is waiting on the bench, and sadly but not unexpectedly there will be a price increase. The 2016 vintage in Rioja was very good, not quite 2005 nor 2010, but it was very good. This wine is a chance to see how good all the other 2016s from this producer will be, even if we must wait several more years before we see them! So, what is it like? No surprise, it is delicious, very delicious. The nose is Rioja, that amazing combination of fruit, spice, herbs, and earth. Familiar yet exotic, it is as if the aromatics are composed, not one element dominating the other and in fact every element works to lift and highlight another. Where else can you find something like this at a price like this? The nose is an invitation, one that I cannot pass on. The palate is somehow both brighter and darker than the nose, with a greater range of dark fruits and berries. The tannins are present but polished and fine, and the acidity is fresh. There is a restrained energy here, the fruit pops and just beneath that there is an exotic spice. There is something that I cannot put my finger on—whatever it is, it is part of the mystery of wine, and there is always some of it in Rioja. Delicious and complex but not complicated, what more can you ask for? Oh yeah, it is a bargain and has an incredible pedigree. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2020 Ata Rangi "Crimson" Pinot Noir Martinborough]( Ata Rangi "Crimson" Pinot Noir Martinborough]( ($24.99) 94 points Sam Kim: "This is immediately appealing on the nose with ripe cherry, olive, almond and floral aromas, followed by a beautifully rounded palate offering supple mouthfeel and ripe fruit intensity. It's elegantly spicy and savory with excellent fruit purity, making it fabulously attractive." (04/2022) Smith]( | K&L New Zealand Buyer | Review Date: July 07, 2022 Ata Rangi's Crimson has absolutely everything going for it. Made by New Zealand's best producer of Pinot Noir, the Crimson is produced from younger vines on their estate in the exact same way as their flagship Pinot Noir that sells for more than twice the price. Further, sales of the Crimson help support Project Crimson, a New Zealand non-profit that works to replant indigenous trees throughout the country. But more than anything, this wine is a flat-out delicious expression of Martinborough Pinot Noir, leading James Suckling to rave "This is one of the greatest value wines on the planet." Dark, powerful, and concentrated, the aromatic profile displays brambles, earth, and black fruit above nuanced notes of perfume and wildflowers. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers wild strawberry, early-season Bing cherry with savory undertones, and a resonating finish that's rare for a wine at this price point. This is an outstanding expression of Martinborough Pinot Noir that levels the playing field at its price point. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2019 Domaine Beaurenard "Argiles Bleues" Rasteau]( Domaine Beaurenard "Argiles Bleues" Rasteau]( ($39.99) 93-95 points Jeb Dunnuck: "A smaller production cuvée, the 2019 Rasteau Les Argiles Bleues is more purple hued and has a primordial bouquet of blue fruits, scorched earth, new leather, lavender, and violets. A serious, full-bodied Rasteau, it stays in the focused, elegant style of the vintage yet packs plenty of muscle on the palate, has loads of structure, and a great finish." (10/2020) 92 points Wine Spectator: "Ripe and structured, with a graphite underpinning supporting a core of dark cherry, blueberry and plum compote flavors. The racy-edged finish has dark tea and anise notes filling in. (JM)" (12/2021) Pross]( | K&L Rhône Buyer | Review Date: September 22, 2022 This is a serious Rhône red, and the nose tips you off from the very first sniff with aromas of marzipan, dark berry fruit, underbrush, and baker's chocolate notes. The palate shows extraordinary depth with spice and dark berry fruits intermixed against crisp tannins, as well as crushed stone and mineral notes. Grippy and structured, this is a top-notch Rasteau that beautifully illustrates the amazing quality to be found in the stellar 2019 Rhone vintage. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2001 Barde Haut, St-Emilion]( Barde Haut, St-Émilion]( ($44.99) 95 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Even better, the 2001 Château Barde-Haut offers a full-bodied, beautifully textured style on the palate as well as incredibly complex notes of blackcurrants, chocolate, tobacco, and Asian spices. With resolved tannins, a great mid-palate, and a concentrated, rich, powerful style, it's another 2001 that's drinking brilliantly today. As with the 2000, it's drinking at point yet is going to evolve nicely over the coming decade." (03/2020) Beffa, Jr.]( | K&L Bordeaux Buyer | Review Date: August 12, 2021 From one of our favorite vintages and definitely one of our favorite producers. Hélène Garçin-Leveque and her husband Patrice have fashioned many great value vintages at Barde-Haut. This twenty-year-old beauty has some olive aromas mixed with a bit of toasty oak. Black fruit flavors, fine acid balance, and soft, ripe tannins. Perfect with rack of lamb. Moreira]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 14, 2022 Every once in a while we have a wine that is perfectly aged, with an affordable price, and above all, exceptional. The 2001 Barde-Haut ticks all these boxes. From an often overlooked vintage, which in a way is a good thing, prices stay down, it is drinking beautifully, and very elegantly. If you are looking for a classic aged Bordeaux, I wholeheartedly propose this bottle. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2018 Arterberry Maresh "Weber Vineyard" Dundee Hills Pinot Noir (Previously $70)]( Arterberry Maresh "Weber Vineyard" Dundee Hills Pinot Noir (Previously $70)]( ($49.95) 97 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2018 Pinot Noir Weber Vineyard comes from Pommard clone vines planted in 1983. It features pure aromas of cranberry and black raspberry with botanical and floral layers. The palate is seamless and complex, with powerful flavors, a silky texture and bright acidity, finishing with layer after layer of sweet berry fruit. (EB)" (12/2021) 94 points Vinous: "Deep crimson. Highly perfumed aromas of red and blue fruit preserves, cola, candied flowers and baking spices, along with a smoky mineral overtone. Concentrated yet lively on the palate, offering mineral-accented black raspberry, cherry liqueur, violet pastille and spicecake flavors that spread out slowly with air. Conveys a deft blend of power and finesse and finishes with steadily building tannins and strong, spicy persistence. (JR)" (02/2022) Woodhouse]( | K&L Domestic Buyer | Review Date: August 02, 2022 The 2018 Weber from Arterberry is one of the finest examples of Oregon Pinot Noir you're likely to come across. It's a wine that has everything going for it. There are complex, layered aromas of dark forest berries, smoky spices, sandalwood, clove, leaf litter, and truffle. On the palate, ripe black raspberry, dark cherry, more of those fruit cake baking spice notes, citrus peel, plus some savory, earthy, dried porcini tones. The texture is wonderfully silky with the finest, most elegant tannins and beautifully poised acidity. It's a wine with just incredible natural balance, a true masterpiece. When I poured this recently for the sales team as part of a stacked lineup of top-notch Oregon Pinot, it completely stole the show and made everything else look mediocre! Next-level Pinot Noir. If you haven't had any of Arterberry Maresh's wines yet, now is the perfect time to jump in, as we have some winery-direct pricing on this epic beauty, and it really is not to be missed. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2018 Geodesy "Sage Ridge Vineyard" Napa Valley Proprietary Red Blend (Elsewhere $175)]( [2018 Geodesy "Sage Ridge Vineyard" Napa Valley Proprietary Red Blend (Elsewhere $175)]( ($69.95) 95 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2018 Red Blend Sage Ridge Vineyard offers a fresher, more elegant, possibly more complex style. Notes of red and blue fruits, bouquet garni, tobacco, damp earth, and sous bois give way to a medium to full-bodied 2018 with the vintages fresh, elegant character, ripe yet certainly present tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish. This is another beautiful, elegant, yet concentrated wine from this estate thats well worth seeking out. 95+" (01/2021) 95 points Wine Enthusiast: "Tasting of sage and underbrush built atop mountain tannin and lasting structure, this combines 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec from the wild, high-elevation site. Smooth, rounded edges of bright acidity and rich chocolate-covered cherry and plum rise out of the glass, with notes of crushed rock and iron. *Cellar Selection* (VB)" (11/2021) Woodhouse]( | K&L Domestic Buyer | Review Date: August 15, 2022 $100 off SRP. Yep, that's right. We have an enormous Insider's Advantage deal on this huge, powerful, mountain-grown Cabernet blend. Geodesy is a boutique project from critically acclaimed Megan Baccitich. Megan rose to the upper echelons of Napa's finest talents as the Director of Winemaking at Paul Hobbs for more than a decade. She amassed numerous 100-point scores on her resumé and worked with the most exclusive fruit in the valley. The Geodesy Proprietary Red is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant (82%), Bordeaux-style blend from the revered Sage Ridge Vineyard, a true mountain site perched on the top of the Vaca Mountains overlooking Lake Hennessey. The property is simply incredible! With 600 acres total on the ranch, only 10% (60 acres) is planted due to the extreme slopes and undulations of the landscape. The estate is a patchwork of individual blocks interspersed with native forest and scrub. The steep, exposed blocks and rugged volcanic soils produce wines with exceptional concentration and power. The immense density and structure this site affords has attracted winemakers such as Russell Bevan, who crafts vineyard designates from here also. The 2018 Geodesy Red is bold and powerful with tons of smoldering black fruit and plenty of structure to boot. Crème de Cassis, blackberry preserve, smoked plum, graphite, iron, scorched oak, and mountain herbs. A mouthcoating texture and grainy tannins work in perfect unison with the rich fruit. The finish is pleasantly dry with nice refinement and balance for such a big and powerful wine. So often these monster Cabs turn very sweet-fruited and soft, but this is quite classically styled with great varietal grip and nuance. For those of you that love big, powerful, mountain-grown wines but don't want anything jammy or confected, check out this monumental stunner from Geodesy—it checks all the boxes, and the deal we struck is just incredible! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2014 Alexandre Le Brun "Cuvée Revelation" Brut Champagne]( Alexandre Le Brun "Cuvée Revelation" Brut Champagne]( ($79.99) Westby]( | K&L Champagne Buyer | Review Date: August 25, 2022 This Champagne comes from a very special plot in Monthelon, just behind the Le Brun house on a southeast-facing slope. It is entirely Meunier, half of which was planted in 1952 and the other half in 1902—the oldest living vines that I have seen in Champagne. The village of Monthelon is in the Coteaux de Sud Épernay, one of the coldest microclimates in Champagne, and that cold climate, in tandem with these ancient vines, has given us a truly epic wine. Alex’s craft has added to this—he uses a combination of small oak and large foudres for this wine along with a very long, slow fermentation like at Billecart-Salmon. The very cool and even 2014 vintage has also contributed, giving this wine extra electricity, and I think making it even better than the spectacular 2012. We drank a bottle of this wine on Sunday for our apéritif with figs stuffed with onion jam and cheese. It was the best current release Champagne I have had this year. The golden color belies the extraordinary freshness on the nose and on the palate. The bouquet was generous, with fresh baguette and subtle peach aromas. In the mouth, the wine was as elegant as any in our stock, the opposite of the reputation that Meunier has been unfairly given by many of the big houses. Certainly the wine has concentration and power, with layers of toast, green pear, and subtle vanilla, but everything is in such perfect balance that I struggle to describe it. The finish is as long and kaleidoscopic as anything I have ever had. Don't miss this one. There is not a lot to go around! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2017 Petrolo "Galatrona" Toscana]( Petrolo "Galatrona" Toscana]( ($86.99) 97 points James Suckling: "This is incredibly fresh for a 2017 with a well-executed, reductive edge; it opens with rosemary, thyme and tea leaves, before moving through blackcurrants, dark cherries, brambleberries, ash, tobacco and citrus. Dense, full-bodied and very chewy, this remains incredulously fine and elegant. Robust and enveloping tannins coat the mouth and mold the wild fruit into a sleek, pliable package. Finally, a string of refreshing acidity lifts the finish long and complex." (07/2019) 95 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2017 Galatrona shows a hot-vintage interpretation of Merlot that never feels too ripe or heavy. Instead, this wine ushers forth a remarkable succession of balsam herb-like aromas with Mediterranean shrub, rosemary essence and wild sage. Those garden-fresh aromas accompany the dark blackberry fruit that gives this wine its important center of gravity. The Merlot harvest came two weeks early in 2017, and yields were greatly reduced. (ML)" (08/2019) 94 points Vinous: "The 2017 Galatrona is a dark, sumptuous beauty. Even with all of its intensity, the 2017 has just enough aromatic nuance and delineation to keep things in check. Espresso, mocha, black cherry, menthol and licorice infuse this plush, dense Merlot with tons of character. This is such a gorgeous and sumptuous wine. (AG)" (08/2019) 94 points Wine & Spirits: "This Merlot gained densely packed flavors of plum and blackberry in the warm and dry summer of 2017. Aged for 18 months in French oak barriques, just one-third new, its lush and subtly spiced, staying on the right side of opulence. It finishes long and fully dry on lingering notes of tobacco and dried thyme." (10/2020) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2018 E. Guigal "Château d'Ampuis" Côte-Rôtie]( E. Guigal "Château d'Ampuis" Côte-Rôtie]( ($109.99) 97-99 points Jeb Dunnuck: "I was blown away by the 2018 Côte-Rôtie Château D'Ampuis, which is certainly in the same league as the famed La Las. Coming from seven single vineyards and seeing the same upbringing as the flagship releases, this reveals a vivid purple hue as well as stunning aromatics of cassis, smoked game, spring flowers, and subtle smoke. It has background espresso-laced oak that's perfectly integrated, it's full-bodied, and it has ripe, polished tannins and a great finish." (02/2022) 96 points James Suckling: "The very deep, smoky and spicy nose pulls you into this very concentrated, focused and elegant Côte-Rôtie, with delicate notes of coconut and pomegranate adding to the very complex picture. Very long, polished finish with delicate sweetness and underplayed power." (02/2022) 95+ points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Smoky, briary and complex, the 2018 Côte-Rôtie Château d'Ampuis spent 38 months in new oak, yet it still exudes notes of blackberries and blueberries, testament to the wine's ample concentration. It's full-bodied and rich yet silky and long, with hints of mocha and brown sugar appearing on the finish. It's another beautiful vintage of this cuvée, which combines fruit from seven different parcels (three on the Côte Blonde and four on the Côte Brune). (JC)" (05/2022) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2005 Glenrothes 16 Year Old "Old Particular" K&L Exclusive Single First Fill Sherry Butt Cask Strength Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)]( Glenrothes 16 Year Old "Old Particular" K&L Exclusive Single First Fill Sherry Butt Cask Strength Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)]( ($119.99) K&L Notes: The Glenrothes distillery has become one of Scotland's most prominent and recognizable over the years. They were once famous for relying exclusively on vintage releases. Situated on the Burn of Rothes in the town of the same name, it was founded in 1879. The distillery is just a quick jaunt from the famous Glen Grant and less famous Speyburn distilleries, as well as the notable still manufacturer Forsythe. The distillery had long been a part of the Edrington Group and its predecessors, but in 2010 it was sold to famous wine merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd in exchange for their famous, old, blended scotch brand, Cutty Sark. After seven short years, Berry Bros. sold the brand back to the Edrington. Over the next year or two, the brand was retooled to move away from the vintage offerings and toward a traditional core range. Usually when we see stocks outside of the distillery releases, they're offered as part of what would obviously be considered blending stocks, that is to say refill hogsheads rather than sherry butts. We're very lucky to have gotten access to this rare expression, made even rarer by the change in the distillery's own line-up. The style is distinctly Glenrothes, not diverting significantly in character from the distillery’s other offerings. Expect the classic flavors of earthy malt and dark sherry character that surely won't disappoint any lover of this special little Speyside charmer. Othenin-Girard]( | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: June 08, 2022 If you're a Scotch fan, then you've almost certainly come across a Glenrothes in your journey. The Speyside blue chip was renowned for its exclusive devotion to single-vintage releases but has recently moved toward more standard age statements. It's extremely rare to see Glenrothes being offered by independent bottlers, and when we do see it, it's often outrageously priced and filled into old, boring casks. In any case, we've not bottled one in more than seven years and never in such high-quality sherry. What so intrigued me about this cask, besides the obvious quality, was how much it truly tasted like "Glenrothes"! This is really the quintessential profile from this distillery, its rich, earthy character tempered by a top-quality, nicely active sherry butt, without being totally overpowered and losing its uniqueness. The color is deep copper/burnished (1.0-1.1). The nose is a pungent mixture of creamy vanilla and dark, earthy malt. The dark, woodsy sherry frames with a charred orange peel, roasted sugar character, and with some air the bold, savory spice comes forward. Dark Espresso Romano served with lemon rind, chocolate malt, butterscotch, candied nuts, and sweet sugar syrup build on the palate. The texture is very rich. With the tiniest drop of water the nose loses its earthy edge, offering sweeter confectionery notes and the nutty oloroso character. On the palate, the fruity citrus and dried raisin character now plays perfectly with chocolate Raisinets! A hint of mossy old dunnage funk reminds us that this is indeed Glenrothes, before a long, gorgeous finish filled with honeyed sweetness and building spice. An absolutely stellar cask with tons of distillery character that continues to open for hours after your first pour. Highly recommend some water here, unless you really love the earthy side of things. If the distillery was selling whisky like this, it would be the hottest damn distillery in Scotland, but finding a single sherry butt (or even a cask-strength version of any kind) is next to impossible. It's a terrible shame, but it's also the beauty of the single cask market—sometimes a single piece can be greater than the whole. Whiteley]( | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: June 08, 2022 Hedonistic is the first word that pops into my head when I nose this whisky. It's rich and succulent right off the bat. Toasted crème brûlée, sweet dates, sultry spices, orange marmalade, sandalwood, peach and nectarine, citrus zest. Moving onto the palate, a more dessert forward profile emerges. Baking spices, cocoa dust, orange peel, candied nuts, a touch of savory herbs, and just a bit of heat. At 57.2% ABV, it is not overwhelming but very pleasantly punchy. A drop or two of water and more candied citrus comes forth. The wood tannin takes a bit of a back seat, but vanilla steps forward. The finish feels very classic. It's malty, fruity, a bit sweet and herbaceous like wild mountain honey and sweet tea. This is the kind of fun, middle-aged malt that really knocks your socks off and reminds you just how purely enjoyable Scotch is. --------------------------------------------------------------- [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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