Bordeaux's Best Collectibles, Value Stars, and Hidden Gems

Remarkable depth of rewarding selections: discover your next favorite bottle... Monday Oct 3rd, 2022 [View in Browser]( [KL-emailheader.gif]( [Rhône News]( [Today's Newsletter]( takes us back to where it all began. Bordeaux is the cornerstone of K&L, and our industry-leading team of experts led by K&L founder and buyer Clyde Beffa, Jr. is your go-to source for navigating the myriad oppotunities for exploration in the world's favorite wine region. Our inventory has grown in leaps and bounds lately, and we start off with several in-stock, favorite new arrivals. Our Bordeaux specialists each offer a unique perspective on the region, including personal cellar picks, "off-vintage" value winners, autumn food pairing all-stars, in-store best sellers, and a Friday night tradition that will have you rethinking how you plan your weekends. Of course, no discussion on Bordeaux would be complete without the world-class collectible buys that make the region what it is. We've combed our extensive selection for the cream of the crop in cellar centerpieces at virtually any price. It's safe to say, there's never been a better time to be a Bordeaux fan. [Grand Puy Lacoste] --------------------------------------------------------------- Clyde's Favorite In-Stock Picks from Our Recent Arrivals You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone with more of an insider's view on Bordeaux than our own co-founder and Bordeaux buyer, Clyde Beffa. Leading off the newsletter, he brings us up to date on the current state of our world-class Bordeaux inventory and the market in general. As a bevy of new container arrivals has hit our shelves, Clyde has done the legwork for you in selecting his favorite in-stock picks to satisfy any and all Bordeaux lovers' preferences. A pair of critically acclaimed, all-star values from the now-benchmark 2016 vintage leads the way from Bellegrave and Kirwan, followed by a trio of library-vintage hidden gems from the always overperforming Sociando-Mallet. Four vintages of Lynch-Moussas from the early 2000s show an estate on a thrilling upward trajectory, while towering renditions from Angélus and Cos d'Estournel will fill any gaps in the most well-curated, world-class collections. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2016 Bellegrave, Pauillac 93 $29.99 [View]( 2019 l'Enclos, Pomerol 95 $32.99 [View]( 2016 Kirwan, Margaux 95 $59.99 [View]( 2012 Sociando-Mallet, Haut-Médoc 90 $39.99 [View]( 2016 Sociando-Mallet, Haut-Médoc 94 $44.99 [View]( 2006 Sociando-Mallet "Cuvée Jean Gautreau," Haut-Médoc 90 $54.99 [View]( 2000 Lynch-Moussas, Pauillac 91 $79.99 [View]( 2001 Lynch-Moussas, Pauillac $59.99 [View]( 2005 Lynch-Moussas, Pauillac $79.99 [View]( 2010 Lynch-Moussas, Pauillac 93 $64.99 [View]( 1979 Fonbadet, Pauillac (1.5L) $119.99 [View]( 2019 Fonroque, St-Émilion 94 $39.99 [View]( 2010 Fombrauge, St-Émilion 92 $59.99 [View]( 2015 Angélus, St-Émilion 99 $389.99 [View]( 2018 Cos d'Estournel, St-Estèphe 98 $219.99 [View]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Collectible Greatness Across the Entire Price Spectrum Key Accounts Manager Ryan Moses keeps a constant eye on the collectible market, and his attention to detail results in a staggering bounty of cellar-worthy offerings at virtually any price. Of course, the region has its titans that are highly coveted and revered by the most seasonsed collectors, especially in legendary vintages such as 2009 and 2010, as evidenced by the three jaw-dropping 100-pointers listed below. But a spectacular vintage also delivers the goods in every price tier, and the 2016 campaign, arguably the greatest of the last decade, is a bounty unlike any other. From a 96-point, sub-$50 Prieuré-Lichine to a "thrillingly complete, flawlessly balanced, and borderline perfect" Rauzan-Ségla, and everything in between and beyond, 2016 continues to make its case as a once-in-a-lifetime vintage of historic importance. Not to be outdone, the trio of 2018, 2019, and 2020 are already equally lauded as they comprise an almost unprecedented run of consecutive successes, in which many châteaux made their best wines ever. The almost impossible-to-find, triple 100-point 2018 Palmer is a prime contender for wine of the vintage and a nearly imortal "legend in the making," while the rising superstar Pontet-Canet reaches the pinnacle in both 2019 and 2020. Finally, a "simply brilliant" 2020 Montrose seeks to add another triple-digit score to the lofty resumé of this unparalleled Super Second growth, rounding out an embarassment of riches for committed Bordeaux collectors everywhere. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2009 Montrose, St-Estèphe (Pre-Arrival) 100 $349.99 [View]( 2009 Ducru-Beaucaillou, St-Julien (Pre-Arrival) 100 $375.00 [View]( 2010 Pontet-Canet, Pauillac (Pre-Arrival) 100 $299.99 [View]( 2016 Prieuré-Lichine, Margaux 96 $49.99 [View]( 2016 Malescot-St-Exupéry, Margaux (Pre-Arrival) 97 $79.99 [View]( 2016 La Gravette de Certan, Pomerol (Pre-Arrival) 95 $79.99 [View]( 2016 Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Pauillac (Pre-Arrival) 97 $99.99 [View]( 2016 Léoville-Poyferré, St-Julien (Pre-Arrival) 98 $129.99 [View]( 2016 Rauzan-Ségla, Margaux 98 $129.99 [View]( 2016 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien (Pre-Arrival) 97 $169.99 [View]( 2016 Les Forts de Latour, Pauillac (Pre-Arrival) 96 $249.99 [View]( 2018 La Gaffelière, St-Émilion 99 $99.99 [View]( 2018 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien 97 $109.99 [View]( 2018 Palmer, Margaux 100 $575.00 [View]( 2019 Dalem, Fronsac (Pre-Arrival) 94 $25.99 [View]( 2019 Pontet-Canet, Pauillac (Pre-Arrival) 99 $154.99 [View]( 2020 Pontet-Canet, Pauillac (Pre-Arrival) 99 $114.99 [View]( 2020 Montrose, St-Estèphe (Pre-Arrival) 100 $194.99 [View]( --------------------------------------------------------------- A Deep Dive Into the Cellar with Ralph Sands As part of our original founding cast, Bordeaux specialist Ralph Sands has literally seen it all in his nearly five decades at K&L, and when it comes to his vast knowledge on the subject, you can often find it reflected in his own cellar. Today, he offers up some of his personal favorite bargain stars, as well as a few can't-miss collector's trophies with unbeatable quality for the price. A pair of charming 2015s can easily become your next go-to weeknight wines, and the new releases from K&L-favorite L'Avocat are set to continue the estate's best-selling track record. Of course, Ralph is a fan of 2016, especially for its unmatched quality in all price tiers. Among the top cellar-worthy values, the 94-point 2016 Cantermerle and 96-point, sub-$50 2016 Meyney are best-ever contenders from these perennial overachievers. But for showcase class at a relative steal, Ralph recommends venturing south to Pessac, where two of his all-time favorites have achieved new heights in the past decade. The 2018 Domaine de Chevalier is "easily one of the wines of the vintage," according to Antonio Galloni, and the 2015 Pape-Clément is "is up at the top of the hierarchy and is a tour de force in Red Bordeaux that should be snatched up by readers," in Jeb Dunnuck's estimation. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2015 Bois-Malot, Bordeaux Supérieur $12.99 [View]( 2015 Valentons-Canteloup, Bordeaux Supérieur $12.99 [View]( 2020 L'Avocat Blanc, Graves $15.99 [View]( 2019 L'Avocat Rouge, Graves $16.99 [View]( 2016 Cantemerle, Haut-Médoc 94 $34.99 [View]( 2016 Meyney, St-Estèphe 96 $49.99 [View]( 2018 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge, Pessac-Léognan 99 $94.99 [View]( 2015 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien 97 $109.99 [View]( 2015 Pape Clément, Pessac-Léognan 99 $119.99 [View]( --------------------------------------------------------------- The Insider's Secret: "Off Vintage" Winners Offer Unbeatable Value Longtime K&L Bordeaux specialist Jacques Moreira has a keen eye for finding thrilling hidden gems beyond the spotlight of the more heralded vintages. Any true insider knows that the so-called "off vintages" are often highly rewarding propositions, especially for those seeking the ulimate value buys. Jacques' selection below offers just a glimpse of the impeccable QPR to be found where most don't look. The 2007 Lanessan is back in stock, and showing "perfect balance" as usual, while a 1996 Peyrabon is an "elegant experience" at this stage in the game. A pair of library vintages with 20+ years under their belts showcase the highly underrated Bel Air Lagrave estate in the value hunter's paradise of Moulis-en-Médoc. With such affordability and class, wines like these deserve your attention. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2007 Lanessan, Haut-Médoc $17.99 [View]( 1996 Peyrabon, Haut-Médoc 90 $21.99 [View]( 2001 de L'Ile Margaux Rouge, Bordeaux Superieur $29.99 [View]( 1999 Bel Air Lagrave, Moulis-en-Médoc $29.99 [View]( 2001 Bel Air Lagrave, Moulis-en-Médoc $29.99 [View]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Bordeaux and Autumn Are a Match Made in Heaven Bordeaux specialist John Majeski is a noted food/wine pairing enthusiast, and for the upcoming fall feasting season (and on into winter, of course), he has selected some of his top-performing favorites that shine with the cuisine of the harvest. The Roquefort Rouge is a superb everyday choice that's equally at home during a crisp, quiet evening at the cabin or at a tailgate party (John calls it "an ideal charbroiled hamburger wine"). For a holiday roast or tenderloin, the 94-point 2018 Cleméntin du Pape, the second wine of Pessac's venerable Pape-Clément, is the pro's choice for luxury and value, but if you're feeding a crowd, "you won’t find a better bottle of Bordeaux for the price" than the 2018 Virginie Thunevin. Dessert is also covered by the exceptional Sauternes estate Château Giraud, whose double 95-point 2017 is just hitting its stride and will cruise for many years in the cellar. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2018 Roquefort Rouge, Bordeaux $12.99 [View]( 2020 Roquefort Blanc, Bordeaux $12.99 [View]( 2018 Virginie Thunevin, Bordeaux Rouge 92 $13.49 [View]( 2017 Petit Guiraud, Sauternes (375ml) $14.99 [View]( 2015 Guiraud, Sauternes (375ml) 95 $24.99 [View]( 2018 Le Cleméntin du Pape Clément, Pessac-Léognan 94 $41.99 [View]( --------------------------------------------------------------- The Inimitable Barton Family: A Tribute to Our Longtime Friends Among Clyde's longest and deepest ties to the Bordeaux region is his relationship to the family and wines of the late, great gentleman genius, Anthony Barton. Our admiration for the Barton wines is the driving force behind our continued access to perfect-provenance, ex-château library vintages at impeccable pricing. What better way to understand the evolution of terroir than back-to-back vintages a decade apart? Langoa's ascent in the quality heirarchy can be clearly traced in tasting the acclaimed 2009 and 2010 along with their bookends, the 2019 and 2020, which should be a fascinating excercise for the next two decades or more. The crown-jewel Léoville-Barton, meanwhile, has moved from strength to strength from the late 1990s to today, and this early period of accelerated quality is evidenced in a spectacular mini-vertical spanning 1995 to 2009, including towering renditions from 2000 and 2005. Collectors everywhere would be hard-pressed to find a more surefire proposition in direct-import Bordeaux. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2006 Langoa-Barton, St-Julien (Pre-Arrival) 91 $79.99 [View]( 2009 Langoa-Barton, St-Julien (Pre-Arrival) 94 $99.99 [View]( 2010 Langoa-Barton, St-Julien (Pre-Arrival) 94 $89.99 [View]( 2019 Langoa-Barton, St-Julien (Pre-Arrival) 96 $59.99 [View]( 2020 Langoa-Barton, St-Julien (Pre-Arrival) 96 $49.99 [View]( 1995 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien 94 $179.99 [View]( 1999 Léoville Barton, St-Julien (Pre-Arrival) 91 $119.99 [View]( 2000 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien 96 $219.99 [View]( 2001 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien 96 $149.99 [View]( 2005 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien (Pre-Arrival) 97 $169.99 [View]( 2009 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien 98 $159.99 [View]( --------------------------------------------------------------- In-Store Top Performers and Staff Favorites As Redwood City store manager, Julio Santos brings a unique perspective to his Bordeaux expertise. As "boots on the ground," he has a daily read on what our in-store customers are flocking to and what wines keep people coming back to resupply again and again. The 2019 Bourdieu No.1 boasts a jaw-dropping 95-point score from the 2021 Decanter World Wine Awards, yet it comes in at just $15.99. An outstanding value in an equally outstanding vintage, the JS92 2015 Alcée from the Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux appellation is a "medium-bodied, focused, and refined" example of this perennial value star. Favorite buys of both our staff and customers alike are two second wine stunners from excellent vintages. The 2016 Dauphin de Grand Pontet from a now-legendary vintage is "a lot of wine for $25," as Julio notes, while the 2018 Clos la-Gaffelière shines a spotlight on a St-Émilion estate that reached new heights with this vintage. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2020 Lamouroux Blanc, Graves $12.99 [View]( 2016 Lamouroux Rouge, Graves $14.99 [View]( 2019 Bourdieu "N°1", Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 95 $15.99 [View]( 2015 Alcée, Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux 92 $19.99 [View]( 2016 Dauphin de Grand Pontet, St-Émilion $24.99 [View]( 2018 Clos la-Gaffelière, St-Émilion 93 $34.99 [View]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Gary Westby's Steak and Claret Friday Nights Among certain traditions we highly recommend adopting, K&L Champagne buyer Gary Westby's Steak & Claret Friday Night is a no-brainer. For our longtime clients who are familiar with Gary's staff reviews, he and his wife celebrate the end of the work week by pairing up a choice cut and a fine aged Bordeaux and step into the weekends with style. He's recommending a trio of his recent favorites below, starting with his own "off-vintage" winner in the 2007 Haut-Bergey Pessac, which he calls "the kind of extraordinary value that Clyde is famous for finding." Turning things up a notch, the 2000 Camensac hails from the first universally adored vintage of the modern era, and offered "an extra element that we don't often get with our Friday night claret." Of course, the consummate host needs to have 1.5L magnums on hand, and Gary's go-to is the 1986 Chasse-Spleen, from the benchmark estate of the Mouils appellation, which he describes as "still incredibly fresh, with a bright ruby color, gorgeous nose of cassis and tobacco, and a medium-tolight impression on the palate." Now that your mind is swimming with ideas for your next Friday night dinner, all that's left to do is choose your preferred cut. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2007 Haut Bergey, Pessac-Léognan $24.99 [View]( 2000 Camensac, Haut-Médoc 90 $64.99 [View]( 1986 Chasse-Spleen, Moulis (1.5L) 90 $169.99 [View]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [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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