Holiday Buying Made Easy: Our Top Picks in Nearly Every Category

[] Remarkable depth of rewarding selections: discover your next favorite bottle... Tuesday Dec 13th, 2022 [View in Browser]( [KL-emailheader.gif]( [Holiday Buying Guide]( [Today's Newsletter]( is the final installment of 2022, and we're ringing out the year with a bang. Our buyers have all pitched in to compile a wide-ranging selection of holiday winners for every palate, price tier, and festive occasion. Without further ado, we'd like to wish you Happy Holidays and all the best over the next few weeks and into the New Year. - [#1 Holiday Picks from Our Staff](#section1) - [Can't-Miss Winners for Any Bordeaux Fan](#section2) - [Superb QPR Grower Champagnes](#section3) - [Hidden Gems from Burgundy & Beyond](#section4) - [Heaven Hill Bourbon Multi-Packs](#section5) - [Domestic Best Bets](#section6) - [Italy's Unparalleled Depth and Diversity](#section7) - [Southern Rhônes Made for the Holidays](#section8) - [Inspiration from Spain's Roads Less Traveled](#section9) - [Dynamic DI Selections from the Southern Hemisphere](#section10) --------------------------------------------------------------- [Hendry Estate] --------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Holiday Picks: Go-To Winners from Our Buyers Everyone needs a failsafe, go-to performer for the holidays, and K&L's team of industry-leading buyers has you covered. Below you'll find their own personal selections for spreading holiday cheer. Arguably the Pinot deal of the year, boutique California star Wrath brings us a sub-$20, single-vineyard Insider's steal, and Chardonnay fans will find impeccable examples in the JS97 2020 Xanadu Estate Margaret River and the 94-point 2020 Vins Auvigue Les Villages Pouilly-Fuissé, each for under $30. Bordeaux value is again on the menu with the 2016 Tronquoy-Lalande, a "brilliantly balanced classic" that garnered 94 points from Wine Advocate's William Kelley. Direct-import Champagne star Damien Hugot offers grand cru style and class for an unbeatable price, and reference-point renditions from Remelluri and Produttori del Barbaresco show Spain and Italy in all their glory. For collectors (or anyone with a collector on your gift list), the 95-point 2018 Hendry Estate Napa Cab will shine alongside many wines twice its price, and the incredibly singular 2001 Xavier Vignon Cuvée Ange is a Rhône treasure like no other. No matter your style or budget, these top picks are guaranteed to please as the holiday festivities kick into full gear. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2019 Wrath "Pommard 4/777" Monterey Pinot Noir (Elsewhere $35) 93 $19.95 [View]( 2020 Xanadu "Estate" Chardonnay Margaret River Western Australia 97 $24.99 [View]( 2020 Vins Auvigue Pouilly-Fuissé "Les Villages" 94 $29.99 [View]( NV Damien Hugot Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne $34.99 [View]( 2016 Tronquoy-Lalande, St-Estèphe (Elsewhere $50) 94 $36.99 [View]( 2018 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco 93 $37.99 [View]( 2015 Remelluri Reserva Rioja 94 $49.99 [View]( 2018 Hendry "Estate" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 95 $59.95 [View]( 2001 Xavier Vignon "Cuvée Ange" Châteauneuf-du-Pape 96 $89.99 [View]( [Return to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- Clyde's All-Star Bordeaux Best Buys K&L founder and Bordeaux buyer Clyde Beffa, Jr. has an unmatched eye for top buys in every price tier in the region, and he's compiled a range of holiday options that offers both breadth and depth, comprising many of our top value buys as well as can't-miss collectibles. The common thread is that each wine below far over-delivers on its price point while offering supremely classic claret character. Truly spectacular sub-$40 values from the epic 2019 vintage lead the way, but a treasure trove of incredible library gems should have every seasoned aficionado taking notice, especially at prices that invite case purchases for repeated enjoyment over the coming year. In the collectible sphere, a bevy of astounding selections acquired directly from the properties of the late, great Anthony Barton will make sterling additions to any cellar, while Domaine de Chevalier and Rauzan-Ségla compete with the Left Bank's blue-chip icons in legendary vintages like 2010 and 2016. With such incomparable class and value across the board, it's no surprise that Bordeaux remains our first and greatest love at K&L. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2019 Dalem, Fronsac 94 $25.99 [View]( 2019 Latour-Martillac, Pessac-Léognan 96 $34.99 [View]( 2019 Barde-Haut, St-Émilion 95 $36.99 [View]( 2019 Fleur Cardinale, St-Émilion 95 $38.99 [View]( 2009 La Cabanne, Pomerol 94 $38.99 [View]( 1996 Citran, Haut-Medoc $39.99 [View]( 1998 Peyrabon, Haut-Médoc (1.5L) $39.99 [View]( 2007 Barde-Haut, St-Émilion 92 $39.99 [View]( 1997 Fourcas Dupre, Listrac (1.5L) $44.99 [View]( 2019 Lafon-Rochet, St-Estèphe 95 $44.99 [View]( 2009 Sarget de Gruaud Larose, St-Julien 90 $49.99 [View]( 2019 Dalem, Fronsac (1.5L) 94 $54.99 [View]( 2010 Bellefont-Belcier, St-Émilion 93 $59.99 [View]( 2010 Gloria, St-Julien 94 $79.99 [View]( 2010 Langoa-Barton, St-Julien 95 $89.99 [View]( 2009 Langoa-Barton, St-Julien 94 $99.99 [View]( 1999 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien (Elsewhere $150) $109.99 [View]( 2010 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge, Pessac-Léognan 96 $119.99 [View]( 2016 Rauzan-Ségla, Margaux 98 $129.99 [View]( 2000 Léoville Barton, St-Julien 96 $229.99 [View]( 2009 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien (1.5L) 98 $419.99 [View]( [Return to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- Incredible Holiday Values in Grower Champagne It's the time of year for Champagne to shine, and K&L buyer Gary Westby is relying on two of our absolute favorite direct-import growers to make the holidays sparkle without breaking the bank. Our recent addition of the Gilbert Jacquesson estate to our DI portfolio brings yet more top-notch farmer-fizz class to the table, as winemaker Jean-Baptiste Jacquesson somehow achieves what is arguably the greatest QPR class in the entire sparkling wine category for under $30. Long-time standout Le Brun de Neuville is no stranger to our devoted Champagne fans, as these have always been some of the greatest collectible steals we can get our hands on. The pair of vintage stunners below will fully attest to the astonishing work being done at this family-run domaine, and they'll also give ardent bubbles fans the opportunity to experience not one but two of Champagne's most celebrated 21st-century vintages, each for under $50. Celebrations call for Champagne, and these two can't-miss, direct-import growers are your go-to sources for class and value. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link NV Gilbert Jacquesson "Cuvée Tradition" Blanc de Noirs Brut Champagne $24.99 [View]( NV Gilbert Jacquesson "Cuvée Eugénie" Brut Rosé Champagne $29.99 [View]( 2008 Le Brun de Neuville "Grand Vintage" Brut Champagne 94 $49.99 [View]( 2012 Le Brun de Neuville "Grand Vintage" Brut Champagne 93 $49.99 [View]( [Return to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- Personal Favorites from Burgundy Buyer Alex Pross Our own Alex Pross covers a broad beat with his buying duties, which means he's got perhaps the most diverse range of hidden-gem overachievers at K&L up his sleeve. Among the world's best sources for incredible white wine values, Austria's benchmark producers should be on everyone's lists, as evidenced by the 91-point Schloss Gobelsburg Grüner for a mere $14.99. Speaking of value, Alsace's Pierre Sparr is back with two of our perennial best-selling sparklers. These latest releases boast glowing press from Wine Enthusiast and pricing of $16.99 each, the combination of which makes them arguably the greatest sparkling wine value buys in our inventory. Finally, Alex turns his sights on his main milieu with a quartet of direct-import, sleeper stars from Burgundy's soon-to-be legendary 2020 vintage. A sub-$50 Volnay 1er Cru Fremiets should have collectors everywhere taking notice, while cult-favorite Anne Parent shows the rising tide of quality across all of Burgundy with a 1er Cru Ladoix that will have you rethinking how you spend your Burgundy buck. Finally, the pair of superb QPR gems from Giboulot and Frédéric Esmonin showcase just how deep our DI portfolio goes in quality, with two impeccably crafted, sub-$40 specimens that will impress even the most seasoned Burgundy fanatics. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2020 Schloss Gobelsburg "Gobelsburger" Grüner Veltliner Kamptal 91 $14.99 [View]( NV Pierre Sparr "Réserve" Crémant d'Alsace Brut 92 $16.99 [View]( NV Pierre Sparr Brut Rosé Crémant d'Alsace 93 $16.99 [View]( 2020 Frédéric Esmonin Côte-de-Nuits-Villages "La Belle Vue" $32.99 [View]( 2020 Domaine Jean-Michel Giboulot Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru "Aux Gravains" $39.99 [View]( 2020 Charles Père et Fille Volnay 1er Cru “Fremiets" 91 $49.99 [View]( 2020 Domaine Anne Parent Ladoix 1er Cru "La Corvée" 92 $59.99 [View]( [Return to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- Unbeatable Bourbon Bundles for the Savviest Aficionados Our K&L bundle packs are arguably the best buys in our extensive spirits inventory, giving collectors, connoisseurs, and neophytes alike the opportunity to get their hands on some truly astounding whiskeys for prices that make exploring and collecting these inimitable gems more and more accessible to an ever-wider audience of spirits enthusiasts. The latest can't-miss score, arriving just in time for the holidays, are these superb 2-packs from a powerhouse wheated bourbon star. Heaven Hill's Larceny brand has quickly become one of the hottest names in all-star value bourbon, achieving levels of quality that have made these bottlings staples in countless go-to repertoires. Today's bundle packs take the QPR to all-new heights with the chance to get your hands on not only the beloved Small Batch, but also your only chance to acquire the coveted, highly awarded, single-cask Barrel Proof bottlings. To complete the Heaven Hill one-two combination, we've also assembled must-have bundles from the iconic Elijah Craig that will thrill longtime fans of this beloved brand, as well as anyone who just loves unbeatable value-for-price whiskey. In both the 3-pack and 4-pack, avid bourbon aficionados will be able to re-stock on the always excellent Small Batch and Rye at a below-market discount, and they will also get their hands on one or two highly coveted offerings that have always been under tight allocation—the Barrel Strength Batch B522 (3-pack and 4-pack), which just garnered 92 points and an Editor's Choice designation from Whisky Advocate for its "perfectly tempered sweetness and depth," and the 93-point Toasted Barrel (4-pack only). Item Name Retail Link John E. Fitzgerald Larceny Barrel Proof A122 and Small Batch 2 pack (2x750ml) $89.99 [View]( John E. Fitzgerald Larceny Barrel Proof B522 and Small Batch 2 pack (2x750ml) $89.99 [View]( John E. Fitzgerald Larceny Barrel Proof C921 and Small Batch 2 pack (2x750ml) $89.99 [View]( John E. Fitzgerald Larceny Barrel Proof C922 and Small Batch 2 pack (2x750ml) $89.99 [View]( The Classic Elijah Craig Pack (3x750ml) $125.00 [View]( Elijah Craig Barrel Strength B522 and Toasty Goodness Pack (4x750ml) $159.99 [View]( [Return to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- Domestic Best Bets for Any Holiday Occasion One of the greatest virtues of the American wine scene is the incredible range of options, which can often seem daunting to say the least. However, domestic buyers Ryan Woodhouse and Kaj Stromer do the hard work of narrowing it down for you, with a deep roster of surefire bets from California's most recognizable and beloved names, as well as hidden gems that every wine lover should get to know. A cult-caliber Pinot Noir from Kosta Browne will impress any discerning connoisseur, as will the sterling, 94-point Signature Cabernet from Napa benchmark Chappellet. Collectors can have a field day with screaming Insider's deals on the JS96 2018 Etude Napa Cabernet and the sub-$40, 95-point 2018 Cabernet from the iconic Stags' Leap Winery. Speaking of Insider's deals, bargain hunters shouldn't miss the 2018 Talley Estate Chardonnay, made by one of California's benchmark properties and carrying a 92-point score from Vinous, all for a jaw-dropping, sub-$15 price, and savvy Pinot buyers have already made a mad dash for a sub-$30, library-vintage, single-vineyard standout from the Russian River Valley pioneer, Joseph Swan. Depth, breadth, and supreme quality are the calling cards of our domestic portfolio, and these selections all deliver on those criteria, no matter what you're looking for. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2018 Talley "Estate" Arroyo Grande Chardonnay (Elsewhere 25) 92 $14.95 [View]( 2021 Brander Los Olivos District Sauvignon Blanc 92 $18.95 [View]( 2021 Bravium Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 93 $29.95 [View]( 2020 Brick & Mortar "Brut Nature" North Coast Sparkling Wine $29.95 [View]( 2014 Joseph Swan "Great Oak Vineyard" Russian River Valley Pinot Noir (Elsewhere $45) $29.95 [View]( 2021 Cakebread Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc $31.99 [View]( 2018 Domaine Carneros (Taittinger) Brut Sparkling Wine 93 $34.95 [View]( 2020 Frog's Leap "Shale and Stone" Napa Valley Chardonnay $34.95 [View]( 2018 Stags' Leap Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Elsewhere $50+) 95 $39.95 [View]( 2020 Goldeneye Anderson Valley Pinot Noir $42.95 [View]( 2021 Far Niente Napa Valley Chardonnay $59.95 [View]( 2018 Etude Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Elsewhere $90) 96 $74.95 [View]( 2020 Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $84.95 [View]( 2019 Chappellet "Signature" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 94 $89.95 [View]( 2020 Kosta Browne "Gap's Crown Vineyard" Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 94 $139.95 [View]( [Return to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- Showstopping Italian Excellence in Every Price Tier Italy continues to simply astound us with its dizzying range of stylistic and varietal expressions from some of the oldest wine terroir on earth. K&L buyer Greg St. Clair's decades of experience in the country give him unmatched insight into every nook and cranny, where he finds truly distinctive and unique specimens that complete the Italian wine mosaic, alongside our top-tier roster of world-renowned, benchmark estates. From reference-point values like the 94-point 2019 Fèlsina Chianti Classico and 2020 Produttori del Barbaresco Langhe Nebbiolo to savvy collectible scores such as Massolino's "unbelievably classy" 2017 Parussi Barolo and the AG98 2015 Percarlo, "a riveting wine readers will not want to miss," Italy offers unmatched Old World appeal to wine lovers of all stripes. Apart from the undisputed classics, new discoveries abound, highlighted by a truly singular Calabrian white from Antonella Lombardo, which had Greg declaring, "Superb balance, excellent length, and a whole lot of WOW. Everyone should try this wine." Proving that Italy's collectible cachet isn't confined to the reds, Marisa Cuomo's 2020 Amalfi masterpiece, the Furore Bianco Fiorduva, is "broad, rich and beautifully intense," yet it displays "an extraordinary sense of depth and precision" according to Wine Advocate's Monica Larner. For any wine lover who thinks they've seen it all, Italy will always put you on a path to new discoveries. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2019 Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico 94 $19.99 [View]( 2021 Cantina Terlano Pinot Grigio Alto Adige $21.99 [View]( 2020 Produttori del Barbaresco Nebbiolo delle Langhe 91 $24.99 [View]( 2020 Antonella Lombardo "Pi Greco" Calabria $35.99 [View]( 2017 Fratelli Barale Barolo 93 $36.99 [View]( 2016 Albatreti Brunello di Montalcino 91 $49.99 [View]( 2017 San Polino Brunello di Montalcino 94 $59.99 [View]( 2017 Massolino "Parussi" Barolo 95 $79.99 [View]( 2020 Marisa Cuomo "Furore Bianco Fiorduva" Costa d'Amalfi 95 $84.99 [View]( 2011 Rocca di Montegrossi Vin Santo (375ml) 97 $84.99 [View]( 2015 San Giusto a Rentennano "Percarlo" Toscana 98 $149.99 [View]( [Return to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- The Riches of the Southern Rhône: Incredible Direct-Import Stars K&L's Rhône department is another area where our deep direct-import relationships play a cornerstone role in making us a world-class source for the region's top buys. Our relationship with Château de Montfaucon proprietor Rudi de Pins is one of the oldest at K&L, stretching back 25 years—and in that time we’ve seen the winery go from strength to strength, always innovating and evolving. The 2017 Baron Louis Lirac wows us once again, boasting a glowing 95-point score in the 2021 Decanter World Wine Awards, making this one of the most anticipated Rhône reds of the vintage. From an iconic vintage, the 2016 Château Gigognan "Clos du Roi" Châteauneuf-du-Pape an unbeatable proposition with a 95-point score and an Editors’ Choice designation from Wine Enthusiast. Finally, there is perhaps no more iconoclastic yet consistently brilliant producer in our line-up than Xavier Vignon, and we're able to offer his utterly unique expressions at market-leading prices. Another superb 2016 QPR star, the double 95-point Cuvée Anonyme is a sub-$50, cult-caliber CdP that shows Vignon's transparent genius in spades. "Like all of Xavier's 2016s, it has purity, freshness, and richness," while the JD96 2001 Cuvée Ange is "multi-dimensional, layered, and elegant, with a Bonneau-like complexity and style ... a thrilling wine." The winter months go hand-in-glove with the richness of the Rhône, and these DI all-stars are set to impress at all your festivities. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2019 Domaine de Verquière Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages Sablet 91 $14.99 [View]( 2017 Château de Montfaucon "Baron Louis" Lirac 95 $24.99 [View]( 2016 Château Gigognan "Clos du Roi" Châteauneuf-du-Pape 95 $34.99 [View]( 2016 Domaine Chante Cigale Châteauneuf-du-Pape 91 $39.99 [View]( 2017 Château de Montfaucon "Baron Louis" Lirac (1.5L) 95 $49.99 [View]( 2016 Xavier Vignon "Cuvée Anonyme" Châteauneuf-du-Pape 95 $49.99 [View]( 1972 Xavier Vignon "1972" Châteauneuf-du-Pape $150.00 [View]( [Return to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- Travel in a Glass with Spain's Most Inspiring Values For Spain buyer Kirk Walker, wine is more than just a great sensory experience. It's an inspiration to hit the road and see the world. While trans-Atlantic flights are not in everyone's budget these days, a stupendous value stunner in a bottle certainly is. Kirk has assembled his own go-to roster of overperformers that can satisfy a crowd yet also present such an authentic expression of place that they transport you to whatever special corner of Spain where they were made. The highly traditional and unique Basque region is home to singular Txakolina gems from Zudugarai, while the Mas Codina Cava from Penedès is your party sparkler of choice. Astute collectors should not overlook a superb cellar gem in the 2019 Dominio de Águila Ribera del Duero, notching 94+ points from Luis Gutiérrez of Wine Advocate yet coming in under $35. Finally, no holiday feast is complete without a proper dessert wine, and the RP98 Alvear Solera 1910 Pedro Ximenez is an ace in the hole for true connoisseurs. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link NV Mas Codina Cava Brut Reserva Penedès $13.99 [View]( 2021 Zudugarai "Amats" Getariako Txakolina $14.99 [View]( 2021 Zudugarai "Amats" Rosé Getariako Txakolina $15.99 [View]( 2019 Dominio del Águila "Pícaro" Ribera del Duero Tinto 94 $34.99 [View]( NV Alvear "Solera 1910" Pedro Ximénez Montilla Moriles (375ml) 98 $49.99 [View]( [Return to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- The Southern Hemisphere Trio: More Dynamic Than Ever Quietly and consistently over the past decade, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand have all emerged as hotbeds of artisanal quality and style, as a number of stunning boutique estates have found their way into our Direct Import program, thanks to buyer Thomas Smith. Can't-miss Insider's deals on rising stars Minimalist (S. Africa) and Matt Connell (New Zealand) provide adventurous wine lovers with the perfect launching pad into the southern hemisphere, while the benchmark, double 95-point, sub-$25 2020 Xanadu Estate Cab shows why Australia's Margaret River is now considered one of the world's finest regions for singular Cabernet in any price tier. The crown-jewel of our New Zealand portfolio, Ata Rangi’s reputation as the best-of-the-best Pinot Noir is without question. We have long been delivering these iconic renditions at unbeatable prices for best-in-class examples of the varietal that stand tall against the finest in the world. Both the entry-level 2020 Crimson and the monumental, 98-point flagship 2018 Pinot Noir are not to be missed by any serious connoisseur of the New World style. With thrilling character and class that far outpace their modest prices, these dynamic selections should have everyone taking a much closer look at what's happening on the far side of the globe. Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2020 Minimalist Wines "Connect the Dots" Syrah Western Cape South Africa (Previously $30) $21.99 [View]( 2020 Matt Connell "Rendition" Pinot Noir Central Otago (Previously $30) 95 $21.99 [View]( 2020 Xanadu "Estate" Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River Western Australia 95 $24.99 [View]( 2020 Ata Rangi "Crimson" Pinot Noir Martinborough 94 $24.99 [View]( 2018 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir Martinborough 97 $59.99 [View]( [Return to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [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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