K&L Newsletter: Top Picks for the Holiday Table

Remarkable depth of rewarding selections: discover your next favorite bottle... Tuesday Nov 15th, 2022 [View in Browser]( [KL-emailheader.gif]( [Thanksgiving News]( [Today's Newsletter]( gets us in the holiday mood with a truly all-encompassing look at our absolute favorite picks for pairing with a large and diverse holiday feast. Our best-in-the-business team of buyers has you covered with hand-picked selections that will shine in any holiday occasion, from the most casual, warm-hearted get-togethers to the most intricate and luxurious affairs. - [Surefire Value Pairings](#section1) - [Calera's Library Magnum Treasures](#section2) - [Glorious Gamay from the U.S.A.](#section3) - [Producer Spotlight: Union Sacré](#section4) - [Direct-Import Champagne Stars](#section5) - [Spanish Garnacha's Broad Appeal](#section6) - [Top Picks for Turkey](#section7) - [Kiwi Pinot Standouts for a Steal](#section8) - [All-Time Best-Selling Sauternes](#section9) - [Italy's Incredible Variety](#section10) [Jensen Vineyard] --------------------------------------------------------------- The Ultimate Food-Pairing Wines for a Steal To many, France is the gastronomic heart of western food culture, so it makes perfect sense that K&L France Buyer Keith Mabry serves double duty as our food and wine pairing wizard. It also makes perfect sense that some of the top food-pairing wines in our inventory come from Keith's beat. The trio below is comprised of hand-picked stars made to shine at any large gathering with a variety of culinary fare. "Silky in texture, with a savory mineral crunch," per Wine Spectator, the 93-point Carême Le Clos Vouvray is a textbook example of the noble Chenin Blanc grape, while the WS91 Les Vignerons de Tavel Rosé is a bona fide category standout that proves why, as Keith puts it, "there are no better all-season rosés than the ones from Tavel." Finally, Keith singles out the remarkable Loire red blend from Patrice Colin as an "exotically perfumed red [that] remains one of my favorite go-tos for wines that make you go mmmmm..." The goal of any well-done holiday feast is to get that same reaction out of as many people as possible, and these three selections make it easier than ever. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2018 Domaine Vincent Carême "Le Clos" Vouvray Sec 93 $34.99 [View]( 2021 Les Vignerons de Tavel "Cuvée Royale" Tavel Rosé 91 $16.99 [View]( 2020 Patrice Colin "Pierre François" Coteaux-du-Vendômois Rouge $16.99 [View]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Large-Format, Library Stunners from a California Pinot Pioneer Perhaps the greatest cellar acquisition in K&L history, the Calera Library was and still is an opporutnity like no other. Originally encompassing nearly every wine made at the estate from 1978 to 2018, many of the top 750ml bottlings have long since disappeared from our shelves. However, savvy buyers will still find truly jaw-dropping, library-aged expressions in the "ideal format"—that is, the always beloved 1.5L magnums and 3L double magnums. With pristine provenance directly from the winery's long-term storage, these treasured Pinot icons have displayed tremendous poise and precision in their evolution, fully earning Calera its legendary status among the world's best Pinot Noir estates. There's nothing like a perfectly aged, ultra-classic California Pinot Noir to make any holiday gathering an unforgettable one, and can't-miss opportunities like this are few and very far between. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2016 Calera "Reed" Mt. Harlan Pinot Noir (1.5L) 95 $199.95 [View]( 2010 Calera "de Villiers" Mt. Harlan Pinot Noir (3L) 94 $399.95 [View]( 2008 Calera "Mills" Mt. Harlan Pinot Noir (1.5L) 93 $149.95 [View]( 2005 Calera "Selleck" Mt. Harlan Pinot Noir (3L) 93 $449.95 [View]( --------------------------------------------------------------- The Glorious Emergence of Domestic Gamay Centuries after the "disloyal" Gamay grape was banned from Burgundy and exiled to the hinterlands of Beaujolais (where it now makes many of the world's most charming and versatile, food-friendly reds), the varietal is thriving in the United States, as artisanal growers and producers are finding much to love in the overly charming, expressive, and approachable styles that can be achieved with this once-ignored grape. I. Brand & Family have unearthed a stellar, cool Central Coast site that nonetheless yields a substantive, complex rendition, thanks to winemaker Ian Brand's expert touch in the winery. Meanwhile, Oregon has indisputably led the charge in establishing Gamay in the U.S.A. From the oldest vineyard in the Ribbon Ridge AVA, the Ridgecrest Old Vine-Estate bottling is a fragrant, floral rendition with enticing fruit "that begs for food and will be a winner at the Thanksgiving table." Finally, the 2021 Hundred Suns estate bottling takes artisan Gamay to the next level. A single-site expression from a one-acre plot of old vines, it's the pinnacle of Gamay's ability to translate terroir. As domestic buyer Ryan Woodhouse declares, "I taste plenty of wines that have great fruit, lifted aromatics, or plenty of earthy, savory notes, but very few that combine all these elements so perfectly." As you can guess, this is a category on a meteoric rise, so savvy buyers will certainly want to take notice of these and other spectacular expressions coming to our shelves. Vintage Item Name Retail Link 2021 I. Brand & Family "Escolle Vineyard" Santa Lucia Highlands Gamay $34.95 [View]( 2019 Ridgecrest Vineyards "Old Vine - Estate" Ribbon Ridge Gamay Noir $24.95 [View]( 2021 Hundred Suns "Tualatin Estate" Willamette Valley Gamay Noir $32.95 [View]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Paso Robles' Union Sacré: Alsace Roots in California's Central Coast This humble yet impressive upstart brand in Paso Robles is quickly becoming one of domestic buyer Kaj Stromer's favorite go-to sources for incredibly singular, unique style at prices that are best described as absolute steals. Alsace native Xavier Arnaudin has brought his roots all the way west and is now crafting "some of the best drinking and best value wines in California," according to Kaj. Inspired by the wines of his homeland, Xavier's wines also happen to offer all the famous food-pairing potential of Alsace itself. From what is likely the only plot of Sylvaner in the U.S., the Union Sacré Rancho Sisquoc is "immensely likable, easy to drink, and exceptionally food friendly," while the Ositos Vineyard Gewürztraminer proves just how great the skin-contact style is for fall feast wines, with amped up texture and depth of flavor to stand up to anything and everything on the table. The "star of the line-up" is unquestionably the 94-point, sub-$20 Pinot Noir from the reference-point Spanish Springs Vineyard, a cool-climate expression that shows its maker's French roots and stylistic sensibilities. A K&L favorite for several vintages, it's now a highly acclaimed breakout effort from a winemaker to watch in the coming years. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2021 Union Sacré "Rancho Sisquoc" Santa Maria Valley Sylvaner 90 $16.99 [View]( 2021 Union Sacre "Ositos Vineyard" Arroyo Seco Skin Fermented Gewürztraminer (Orange Wine) $16.95 [View]( 2020 Union Sacré "Spanish Springs Vineyard" Edna Valley Pinot Noir 94 $19.99 [View]( --------------------------------------------------------------- The Incomparable Value and Class of Ariston Aspasie Champagne—the world’s favorite sparkling wine—has grown increasingly expensive over the years. So much so that many have become priced out of their favorite bubbly. To remedy this, we’ve made it our mission to track down the region’s finest values. The truth is there are scores of bargains to be had; one simply needs to know where to look. Champagne buyer Gary Westby's go-to is always the inimitable Ariston family, of Ariston Aspasie. At the top of his list of crowd-pleasers, year in and year out, is the Réserve Brut. About as classically-styled as they come, this sparkling beauty has grown into one of our most popular brands, and for a good reason. Balanced, refreshing, and with the perfect level of richness, it is an indulgent expression, but never overly so. But for the ultimate food-pairing winner, "nothing works better than the Ariston Aspasie Brut Rosé," according to Gary. "The combination of round, red fruit and structure from bright acidity, the lack of tannin, and the vivaciousness of the bubbles make this go with everything." If you are looking for the perfect bubbles for the upcoming holidays, you will do well by picking up these universally adored sparklers. And given the prices, you might as well pick up several more, as these are the perfect Champagnes to have in your regular repertoire for all of life’s little celebrations. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link NV Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne $34.99 [View]( NV Ariston Aspasie Brut Rosé Champagne $39.99 [View]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Spanish Garnacha's Incredibly Broad Appeal Spain buyer Kirk Walker is always in the know about the latest and greatest value stars to come out of the country that produces perhaps more QPR stunners than any other. In the sub-$15 range, few wines can hold a candle to the Vinos del Viento's combination of ripe fruit, spicy complexity, and easy, approachable tannins. The 93-point Laventura is "tasty and textured, very pleasant and lively, really delicious," according to the notoriously rigorous Luis Gutiérrez of Wine Advocate. For those looking for an option that's completely outside the box, look no further than the truly exceptional Rioja from Pedro Martinez Alesanco. From a single-plot of head-trained bush vines all at least 90 years old, this superb, 100% Garnacha (a rarity in Rioja) offers a level of dark, brooding complexity that puts it on par with many examples from the benchmark appellations of the Southern Rhône, often for a fraction of the their prices. Those seeking off-the-beaten-path alternatives to Thanksgiving Pinot Noir pairings will want to take a deep dive into the Spanish landscape, starting with these impeccable classics. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2020 Vinos del Viento Garnacha Campo de Borja $12.99 [View]( 2020 Laventura Garnacha Rioja 93 $19.99 [View]( 2019 Pedro Martinez Alesanco Garnacha Rioja $34.99 [View]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Our Top Turkey Wines: Can't-Miss Pairings for the Star of the Feast When it comes to Thanksgiving wines, so much focus goes into selections that will stand up to a wide variety of sides (and even desserts), but there's one pairing that absolutely must hit the mark every time, and now we're talking Turkey. K&L's Alex Pross narrowed a staggering array of options down to three absolutely top-flight turkey wines that will deliver the goods with the main course. White wine is usally an afterthought for the bird, but once you've paired it with an Austrian Grüner Veltliner from the likes of the acclaimed Bründlmayer estate, you may never go back to red. Of course, Pinot Noir is a fail-safe option, and what better choice than a superb Burgundy value from a highly pedigreed domaine in the 2020 Frédéric Esmonin Hautes Côtes de Beaune, "a truly great red Burgundy that easily drinks two-to-three times beyond its incredibly affordable price point," as described by Alex. As any truly savvy Thanksgiving host knows, Gamay is always a delightful proposition for turkey and all the trimmings, and Jean Foillard is arguably the world's greatest source for the quintessential expression of the grape. His double 95-point Morgon from Beaujolais' most famous vineyard, the Côte du Py, "looks to be one of the finest vintages of this cuvée in recent years," according to Wine Advocate's William Kelley. With such stellar options at a broad range of price points, your Thanksgiving turkey never had it so good. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2021 Bründlmayer "Kamptaler Terrassen" Grüner Veltliner Kamptal $22.99 [View]( 2020 Domaine Frédéric Esmonin Bourgogne Rouge Hautes Côtes de Beaune $23.99 [View]( 2020 Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon "Côte du Py" 95 $44.99 [View]( --------------------------------------------------------------- The Most Dynamic Values in New World Pinot Noir New Zealand has quickly made its name as one of the most dynamic sources for New World Pinot Noir of uncompromising quality and incredible value. Many of our long-time favorites are also pillars of our direct-import program, so the inherent value is made all the more compelling by our spectacular, winery-direct prices. Case is point are the outrageously delicious examples from Matt Connell and Fromm, the former of which is a 95-point specimen from Central Otago, the heart of the Kiwi Pinot scene. "Splendidly fruited and elegantly complex," it's also "a high-energy Pinot Noir with promising ageing potential," all for under $25. For the truly world-class potential of New Zealand Pinot, look no further than a pair of jaw-dropping, 97-point Insider's deals on the all-time great, reference-point 2018 Ata Rangi and the can't-miss, up-and-coming star Valli, whose Bendigo bottling displays "outstanding depth and density, while remaining soothing and harmonious with layers of delectable flavours." There's no better time than the holidays to find your next thrilling Pinot discovery, and New Zealand is just the place to look. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2020 Greystone "Nor'Wester" Pinot Noir North Canterbury (Previously $20) 91 $13.99 [View]( 2020 Matt Connell "Rendition" Pinot Noir Central Otago (Previously $30) 95 $21.99 [View]( 2019 Fromm "La Strada" Marlborough Pinot Noir 94 $29.99 [View]( 2019 Valli "Bendigo" Pinot Noir Central Otago (Previously $50) 97 $36.99 [View]( 2018 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir Martinborough (Previously $60) 97 $43.99 [View]( --------------------------------------------------------------- K&L's All-Time Best-Selling Sauternes: In-Stock at 30% Off Ranked alongside d’Yquem as the top Sauternes of the vintage by Wine Spectator, the 2005 Guiraud is a monumental effort that must be tasted to be believed. For Sauternes lovers, this wine has it all. Capturing the #4 spot on Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2008, the 2005's pedigree and class were established on initial release, and subsequent parcels over the years have only confirmed its greatness, resulting in the best-selling Sauternes we've ever carried at K&L to the tune of 9,000 bottles sold. Rich, unctuous, vibrant, and dazzlingly multi-dimensional, its complexity is downright mesmerizing. At seventeen years of age, the 2005 is running in full stride, serving up a classic profile of honey, tropical fruits, vanilla, marzipan, and so much more. As Decanter notes of the vintage, “Everything came together beautifully in 2005, and in terms of power and elegance, the vintage may well become one of Sauternes’ most classic.” As with previous parcels, we've secured this lot at a simply jaw-dropping, best-in-market price of 30% off the going rate, making this a can't-miss proposition for astute collectors, and just in time for the holidays. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2005 Guiraud, Sauternes (Elsewhere $85) 97 $59.99 [View]( --------------------------------------------------------------- The Unparalleled Versatility of Italy's Diverse Landscape No other country on earth boasts such a staggering diversity of varietals and styles as Italy, so it's a perfect place to round out our exploration of the world's greatest feast wines. A benchmark white blend leads the way in the simply irresistable, 94-point Terlaner from the iconic Cantina Terlan co-op in the country's northern Alto Adige DOC. The triple 94-point 2018 Tolaini Al Passo is already a top seller of 2022, and at its sub-$25 price that practically demands a case-buy, you can bet this perennial value star will shine on countless holiday tables this season. Of course, no excursion through Italy would be complete without a stop in Piedmont, and the 94-point Barolo and Barbaresco expressions from Damilano and Ca' del Baio are perfect examples of the world-class quality that Nebbiolo can offer, at prices that make them can't-miss buys for collectors as well as casual wine lovers looking to make an impression at their holiday feast. No matter where you look up and down the Boot, you're bound to find a surefire winner that will take any spread to new heights. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2020 Cantina Terlan "Terlaner Cuvée" Alto Adige 94 $24.99 [View]( 2018 Tolaini "Al Passo" Toscana 95 $21.99 [View]( 2019 Ca' del Baio "Autinbej" Barbaresco 94 $36.99 [View]( 2017 Damilano "Lecinquevigne" Barolo 94 $34.99 [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? 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