K&L Top Ten - December 2022

Hand-Picked, Over-Delivering Selections from Across the Globe... Monday Dec 19th, 2022 [View in Browser]( [KL-emailheader.gif]( K&L Top 10 Selections: December 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. [--------------------------------------------------------------- [Hendry Estate]]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2020 Vins Auvigue Pouilly-Fuissé "Les Villages" 94 $29.99 [View]( 2016 Bodegas Muga "Selección Especial" Reserva Rioja 96 $41.99 [View]( 2008 Le Brun de Neuville "Grand Vintage" Brut Champagne 94 $49.99 [View]( 2009 Sarget de Gruaud Larose, St-Julien 90 $49.99 [View]( 2018 Hendry "Estate" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 95 $59.95 [View]( 2000 Xavier Vignon "2000" Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Previously $100) 94 $74.99 [View]( 2019 Bibi Graetz "Testamatta" Toscana Rosso (Previously $100) 97 $79.99 [View]( 2016 Rauzan-Ségla, Margaux 98 $129.99 [View]( 2019 Beaulieu Vineyard "Georges de Latour - Private Reserve" Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 100 $149.95 [View]( 2002 Pulteney 18 Year Old "Hunter Laing Old & Rare" Single Bourbon Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $200.00 [View]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [2020 Vins Auvigue Pouilly-Fuissé "Les Villages"]( Vins Auvigue Pouilly-Fuissé "Les Villages"]( ($29.99) 94 points Wine Spectator: "Creamy in texture, this white evokes peach, floral and pastry aromas and flavors. Beautifully balanced, unfolding gracefully to a long citrus- and mineral-infused aftertaste. Very approachable now, but should develop over the next decade, too. (BS)" (10/2022) 92 points Decanter: "A classic, typical Pouilly Fuissé, with a sunny character. Apricot, mango, quince, and some well-integrated oak followed by bracing freshness. *Silver Medal* (DWWA 2022)" Pross]( | K&L Burgundy Buyer | Review Date: November 04, 2022 Beautiful aromas of orchard fruits focused on peach and nectarine burst from the glass while the palate seamlessly integrates the fruit flavors with saline, flint and wet stone notes. With wonderful energy and verve, this wine has a long, bright finish that lasts for almost 30 seconds. A tremendous value and a killer deal for a top-flight Pouilly-Fuissé for under $30! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2016 Bodegas Muga "Selección Especial" Reserva Rioja]( Bodegas Muga "Selección Especial" Reserva Rioja]( ($41.99) 96 points Wine & Spirits: "This grows at high altitudes, in high-density plantings on ancient terraces above the Ebro river, some of the vines dating to 1946, the youngest planted in 1986. Those alluvial soils and old vines performed remarkably well in 2016, delivering a fresh blend—Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano—with cool, silken tannins and the sort of peppery spice you might find in fresh-pressed olive oil. It's bright and juicy, layering thyme and rosemary fragrance into the fruit complexity. A glorious young Rioja suited to aging, or to drinking now with spit-roasted suckling pig." (12/2021) 96 points Tim Atkin, MW: "The pick of the current releases from Muga in the absence of new vintages of Aro, Prado Enea and Torre Muga, this Tempranillo-based red sees support from 25% Garnacha, Mazuelo, and Graciano. Scented, poised and well balanced, with toasty, mocha French oak, layers of blackberry and blueberry fruit, fresh acidity and stylish tannins." 95 points Wine Enthusiast: "This wine has a nose of raspberry and orange zest, with a hint of juniper. It offers flavors of blackberry, pomegranate, cocoa powder, rose petal and flint wrapped up in skein of plush tannins. An undercurrent of orange zest meanders into a spicy finish. (MD)" (11/2022) 95 points James Suckling: "A very pretty, manicured young red with plum, berry and dark-chocolate character. Medium body and round tannins that are focused and firm. Delicious, succulent finish. Plenty of subtle fruit and supple tannins take you to where you want to go in fine Rioja red. Drinkable now but linear and tight. Give it some time." (10/2020) 94+ points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The current vintage of the red that is their first option to have with food is the 2016 Selección Especial, whose grapes are selected from terraced vineyards in the Montes Obarenes and the Sierra Cantabria, from vines averaging 35 years of age. It fermented in oak vats and matured in French oak barrels for 26 months, and it's kept in bottle for at least 18 months before it's sold. This is serious and has freshness and some restraint in the palate; it's much more expressive, floral and aromatic and with more-integrated oak than the wines from five+ years ago. It's a more elegant vintage than the 2015 and every bit as good, or a tad better. Winemaker Isaac Muga considers 2016 a very good harvest. This is among the best vintages of Selección Especial. (LG)" (10/2020) 94 points Vinous: "Vibrant, smoke- and spice-accented cherry and cassis aromas show very good clarity and a hint of candied rose. Sappy, penetrating and focused on the palate, offering finely etched and appealingly sweet dark berry, cherry cola and spicecake flavors along with a subtle chewing tobacco nuance. Closes impressively long and lively, with resonating florality and chewy, youthfully gripping tannins adding final grip. Raised in new and used French oak barrels. (JR)" (04/2021) 94 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Always a terrific wine, the 2016 Selección Especial is based on 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, and the rest Graciano and Mazuelo. Almost Rhône-like with its spicy, meaty, gamey style, this beauty offers lots of red and black currants, cedary spice, incense, and tobacco aromas and flavors. It's medium to full-bodied, has terrific balance, silky tannins, and is just a class act. The 2015 is a richer, more opulent wine, while the 2016 shows a touch more freshness and elegance. Both are beautiful vintages worth buying, cellaring, and drinking." (10/2020) Walker]( | K&L Spain Buyer | Review Date: November 10, 2021 Muga produces wines that are both traditional and contemporary. They make wines that fall within the classic aging categories, and they were one of the first Rioja producers to make wines that fall outside of them. The one thing that they have never done is make wines that do not express Rioja. Muga's vineyards are located in the western portion of the Rioja Alta subzone, one of the cooler regions of the appellation, and it definitely plays into the house style. These sites have calcium-rich clay soils with sand and red stones. They consider this wine to be their flagship Reserva, which perfectly showcases the bright and fresh, later-harvested Tempranillo with a modern, French oak-only framework. This is a classic earthy, spicy wine that the region is famed for, with lots of bright fruits and berries that speak to their corner of Rioja. The restrained use of both new and older French oak barrels and the lack of the savory herbal tones from American oak gives this wine a polish not commonly found in the region. This is a Rioja that can comfortably fit in with the finest Bordeaux or Napa Cabs. It does require a little decanting to open up, so give it 30-45 minutes to breathe. This is also a perfect candidate for cellaring—I had the 2009 not too long ago, and it was very youthful with a long life still ahead of it. This is a perfect special occasion wine that does not carry the accompanying price tag. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2009 Sarget de Gruaud Larose, St-Julien]( Sarget de Gruaud Larose, St-Julien]( ($49.99) 90 points Decanter: "A spicy and fat, rich wine, atypical of Bordeaux. There is grip and depth of flavour here, with blackcurrant coulis character and some lovely menthol edging. A balanced wine. (JA)" (11/2016) Beffa, Jr.]( | K&L Bordeaux Buyer | Review Date: November 18, 2022 I hate to admit this, but in some vintages I prefer the second wine to the first wine. In 2009, I prefer the Sarget to the Gruaud Larose. This Sarget performed very well in 2009, with intense concentration and complexity. Plus, it is drinking well now. The Sarget is one of K&L's veteran Bordeaux expert Ralph Sands' favorites, and it is also one of mine. The richness of the 2009 vintage, which sometimes comes over a bit too rustic and hard, nonetheless blends well with this second wine. There is some black cherry aromas and plenty of red rose and cassis flavors. It still has some tannin at the back, so decant it one hour before service. Great value from a great vintage. Moreira]( | K&L Bordeaux Specialist | Review Date: November 28, 2022 The Sarget is a classic example of the 2009 vintage, with its soft tannins and perfect ripened fruit, but there's more ... I thoroughly enjoy the developed notes of leather and tobacco along with a delicate floral touch. It is very well balanced and a textbook Graud Larose. A deal not to be missed by my fellow Bordeaux lovers! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2008 Le Brun de Neuville "Grand Vintage" Brut Champagne]( Le Brun de Neuville "Grand Vintage" Brut Champagne]( ($49.99) 94 points Wine Enthusiast: "Almost entirely Chardonnay, with just a whisper of Pinot Noir, this is a dry Champagne. It is crisp, lively, steely and with great intensity. The apple and lemon flavors are just a part of this impressive wine that could age longer. *Cellar Selection* (RV)" (12/2017) 91 points Wine Spectator: "A firm version, with a light and lacy mousse carrying pretty hints of ripe black cherry, apple blossom, chalk and biscuit. Clean-cut on the moderate finish. (AN, Web-2017)" Westby]( | K&L Champagne Buyer | Review Date: November 5, 2022 I have to say that I am amazed that we were able to buy more of this for our customers! This spectacular offering from Le Brun De Neuville is all from Bethon, in the heart of the Sézanne. It is composed of 96% of Chardonnay and 4% Pinot Noir from some of the chalkiest soil in all of Champagne. This is a classic 2008 with fantastic drive, length, and minerality that will age very well. Your friends will not believe that they are drinking a Champagne that is under $100 if you pop this tonight. Given how well the 1988 Le Brun De Neuville showed in the same tasting, this 2008 can only get better—if you can keep your hands off of it! Beckerley]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 05, 2022 It's back! This wonderful release from Le Brun de Neuville is showing better than ever. There is a bright, clean limestone, crabapple, and nectarine nose due to the high percentage of Chardonnay. Ripe Granny Smith apple and Anjou pear on the palate, with a hint of caramel and along finish that has light chalk and minerals. Clean and crisp! Another great wine from this renowned vintage. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2018 Hendry "Estate" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon]( Hendry "Estate" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon]( ($59.95) 95 points Wine Enthusiast: "This deeply colored, extremely ripe and concentrated wine from a cooler part of Napa Valley is powerful but smooth, as a creamy texture carries blueberries, cocoa and anise flavors wrapped in significant fine-grained tannins. The flavors show great depth on the palate and good length on the finish. *Cellar Selection* (JG)" (10/2022) 93 points James Suckling: "Aromas of red and black currants, gravel and plums. Medium-to full-bodied with velvety tannins. Nice depth and intensity, without being overdone. Rather soft and subtle in its approach. Bright fruit and fresh herbs. Nicely done." (05/2022) Woodhouse]( | K&L Domestic Buyer | Review Date: November 29, 2022 A great bottle of Cabernet from a small, authentic, old-school, family-owned estate in Napa ... an endangered species for sure! Hendry has long been one of my go-to producers from Napa, as I have always admired the quality of the wines and the excellent values they represent. In July of this year, my family and I bought a house in Napa and moved to wine country! All of a sudden, Hendry was my neighbor! Their estate wraps around Alston Park Open Space, just to the northwest of downtown of Napa, and is literally a five-minute walk from my house! Recently, I got to spend a little time with Mike Hendry, who runs the estate. We talked about the history of the property, how his grandmother used to supply grapes to Robert Mondavi and Opus One from their 1970s-planted Cabernet Sauvignon blocks. We discussed the complex soils on the estate, a mix of ancient ocean floor and decomposed volcanic rocks from neighboring Mount Veeder. The winery sits directly on a fault line. In the 2014 earthquake that shook Napa, the ground literally shifted on the estate, you can see a bend in the vine rows in some blocks where the fault moved 10-12 inches. They have soil pits where you can see the actual fault running through the earth. The more I learned about Hendry, the more I became enamored with the place and the wines. It's an increasingly rare kind of property in Napa; the family that looks after this place generation after generation issues forth honest, transparent wines from its old vines and rugged soils, and they know they have something truly special. The wine itself is a big, rich Cabernet but not like many modern, overly polished, sweet, jammy styles. The intensity here comes from the old, low-yielding, largely dry-farmed vines. Traditional vinification without over-manipulation. Dark plum, blackcurrant, elderberry, bay laurel, crushed rock, leather, pipe tobacco, iron filings, smoky oak. Rich and complex, structured but not excessively so. Just a pure, timeless expression of Napa Cabernet. I'm making this my #1 wine recommendation for the holiday season—it's truly that good. Stromer]( | K&L Domestic Buyer | Review Date: December 07, 2022 You can make a strong argument that this is the greatest Cabernet value from Napa Valley. But that would be selling the wine short. For those in the know, the pedigree and reputation of this wine is without question. I first fell in love with this bottling with the release of the 1997 vintage. I was surprised to learn that both Opus One and Robert Mondavi were regular customers for this fruit. But it totally made sense. Once, while visiting the estate many years ago, I observed just how meticulously they defined every single block of their vineyards in order to understand and capture every unique nuance. Few wineries are run as scrupulously as Hendry Estate. Fewer yet make classic, old-school Napa Cab as rewarding as this and almost nobody does it for $60! As my colleague Ryan Woodhouse aptly declares, "I'm making this my #1 wine recommendation for the holiday season...". I'll add that you'll make it your go-to cab year round! Cab lovers...do not miss out on this offer! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2000 Xavier Vignon "2000" Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Previously $100)]( Xavier Vignon "2000" Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Previously $100)]( ($74.99) 94 points James Suckling: "Wild-blackberry, potpourri, tobacco and dark-chocolate aromas. It's full-bodied with firm, velvety tannins. Intense and polished with delicious praline layers. Still has plenty of energy and structure. Gorgeous balance." (02/2021) Mabry]( | K&L Rhône Buyer | Review Date: December 13, 2022 Xavier Vignon's greatest strength as a winemaker is his ability to establish long-lasting and unique relationships with his partner winemakers and growers. For 25+ years, Vignon has made exciting and sumptuous modern wines, but he has also indulged in a few unique and interesting projects along the way. The "2000" follows the "1972" in that it is from a single source. Instead of concrete aging however, the 2000 has been brought up entirely in wooden tanks for the past 20 years. It is composed of 80% Grenache and 15% Mourvèdre, with remainder Cinsault and Syrah. All from red clay soils with rolled pebbles, it reflects the stellar vintage of 2000. Upon opening a bottle, the Xavier Vignon 2000 immediately offers a promising nose of red cherry, lavender, and incense. As it unfolds, the palate joins the nose and fleshes and rounds out with a silky and inviting texture. It is amazing that the juice is 20 years old, as the wine is still so fresh and youthful. Cinnamon, allspice, and dried rose petals contribute to the fascinating palate. Almost seamless texture. An extraordinary and memorable wine. Built to last for another decade and maybe even two. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2019 Bibi Graetz "Testamatta" Toscana Rosso]( Bibi Graetz "Testamatta" Toscana Rosso]( ($89.99) 97 points James Suckling: "Very attractive combination of dried fruit and spices with black cherries and plums. Aromas of flowers and sandalwood, too. Full-bodied and very refined, yet intense, with plush, velvety tannins that are wonderfully integrated and intertwined with the fruit. Ripe center palate. Tight at the end, suggesting the need for some serious bottle age. Very structured." (07/2021) 95 points Decanter: "Yet another fine year, however some wines in 2019—although not Testamatta—lacked a little concentration. Relatively light in colour, it's at the other end of the density scale to the wines of the early 2000s. There are piquant raspberry and redcurrant aromas and both the nose and palate show admirable delicacy and restraint. Very elegant and pure, its fine acidity gives excellent length and ageing potential. (SB)" (03/2022) 94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "A pure expression of Sangiovese, the Bibi Graetz 2019 Testamatta is a wine in constant evolution. Bibi has added 17 more hectares of vineyard to the program, with 12 hectares in Fiesole (north of Florence) and 5 hectares in San Donato in Colle (south of Florence) with 70-year-old vines. The base of the wine sees fruit from old vines planted in the 1950s in the cool-climate Lamole subzone of Chianti Classico. These new terroirs bring a lot more aromatic nuance and complexity to the wine with perfumed blue flower, candied orange peel, wet earth and plumy black fruit. White Alberese soils add a strong chalky mineral signature to the finish of this elegantly streamlined and linear Tuscan red. (ML)" (08/2021) St. Clair]( | K&L Italy Buyer | Review Date: June 09, 2022 This is the 20th vintage of this wine, and it is Bibi Graetz's best so far. Early on, it was a flashy new wood, super-fruity wine that attracted a lot of attention but didn't really say Sangiovese to me. Bibi is really talented in securing leases on spectacular, old Sangiovese vineyards. This wine is made from a blend of 35- to 80-year-old vines, and that structure and character come through. What doesn't come through is a lumber yard full of new barrique! The nose is classic and hauntingly aromatic, full of wild Marasca cherry, Middle Eastern spice, and hints of Tuscan brush. On the palate, the wine's length is immediately evident, as long sinews pull the wine down your tongue and lift it at the back. The flavors show more spice and a deeper cherry flavor, and although there are some tannins, they are stretched out in a linear fashion and just supply support. This is one outstanding Sangiovese, as good as any out there today. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2016 Rauzan-Ségla, Margaux (Pre-Arrival)]( Rauzan-Ségla, Margaux]( ($129.99) 98 points Jeb Dunnuck: "I continue to love the 2016 Rauzan-Ségla, a thrillingly complete, flawlessly balanced, and borderline perfect Margaux that should be snatched up by readers. Notes of cassis, graphite, tobacco leaf, and earth all give way to a full-bodied effort that has building tannins, no hard edges, and a level of purity and elegance thats just about off the charts. Given its purity and balance, it's accessible today, but it will be best with 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for 3-4 decades." (05/2019) 98 points James Suckling: "The aromas of blackcurrants, sweet tobacco and sandalwood are tantalizing. Then it turns to subtle, dried fruit. Full-bodied with dense and powerful tannins, yet ending with finesse and vertical nature. Very deep. Power with finesse." (02/2019) 97+ points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2016 Rauzan-Ségla is blended of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot aged in 60% new and 40% one-year-old barrels for 18 months. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it sings of lifted red and black cherries, black raspberries and cassis with a rose hip tea and lilacs undercurrent plus sparks of tobacco, pencil shavings and tilled earth. The palate is medium-bodied, elegant and mineral laced with firm, fine-grained tannins and beautiful freshness, finishing with great length and depth. (LPB)" (11/2018) 97+ points Antonio Galloni - Vinous: "The 2016 Rauzan-Ségla is simply stunning. Ample and generous in the glass, the 2016 is a positively stellar wine that will leave readers weak at the knees. The flavors and textures are generous as this sublime Margaux shows off its alluring personality. Sweet red cherry, plum, pomegranate, blood orange, spice and rose petal are some of the many notes that run through this absolutely exquisite wine. The 2016 is just as impressive from bottle as it was from barrel, maybe even more!" (01/2019) 97 points Neal Martin - Vinous: "The 2016 Rauzan-Ségla has an intense bouquet, one of the most perfumed that I encountered during my round of tastings. Violets infuse the ebullient black fruit, and traces of pencil lead emerge with time. The palate is medium-bodied, very pure and supple, displaying wonderful balance and a satiny texture that belongs in a lingerie shop. This is an utterly seductive Margaux, one of the finest in recent years as this estate continues its upsurge in quality. Few 2016s will dole out such uninhibited pleasure." (01/2019) 97 points Wine Enthusiast: "Dark tannins work with the sophisticated structure of this wine. The very fine tannins are an important element of the wine, giving shape to the ripe black fruits and acidity. This wine, rich and structured, is set for a long development. *Cellar Selection* (RV)" (05/2019) 95 points Decanter: "Right from the first nose it's clear just how good this 2016 is. This feels extremely Margaux in character, and extremely Rauzan Ségla. It's a great year for Rauzan because it plays to the strengths of the estate. Full of effortless elegance, its juicy, beautifully balanced black fruits are set off by coffee, cigar box, liquorice root and flint. It has smoke and lift on the finish. Harvested between 20 September and 15 October, this was a really late harvest. The yield was 45hl/ha, so a little higher than in 2018, which comes through in the wine as a sense of effortless appeal. (JA)" (04/2019) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2019 Beaulieu Vineyard "Georges de Latour - Private Reserve" Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon]( Beaulieu Vineyard "Georges de Latour - Private Reserve" Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon]( ($149.95) 100 points James Suckling: "Wow! The aromas to this are really exceptional, with a tangerine edge to the blackcurrants, graphite, lead pencil, flowers and wet earth. It changes all the time. So expressive and refined. Full-bodied with great intensity and depth of fruit. The ultra-fine tannins display millions of layers. The texture on the palate is superb and lasts for minutes. This is the new 1974 Georges de Latour, which was a legend. Real Napa Valley red here. Drinkable now, to understand it, but truly great in five to six years and onwards. Benchmark." 97 points Wine Enthusiast: "Another stunning vintage of this classic wine, blended with 9% Petit Verdot, this wine is dark and brooding in black cherry, cassis and currant, with a rich nose of baking spice. Lengthy and generous in tannin, it shows a backbone of age-worthy structure and complexity, with a lasting thread of dark chocolate. *Cellar Selection* (VB)" 97 points Decanter: "Fragranced and richly fruited on the nose, vivid and vibrant. Smooth yet with crunchy fruit, this makes an immediate impression. Exuberant, racy and fruit forward with a sense of detail and character. I like the soft floral touches, the sweet blackcurrants and red berry elements, the chalky, minty fresh edges as well as some wild thyme and bay leaf herbal notes and a soft dusting of coffee and cocoa powder. Lots of tension still but also richness and concentration. The powdery yet also fleshy texture is so captivating and together with a mouthwatering capacity gives this wine such star power. Elegant and refined with supreme freshness and a real sense of vibrancy. That said, it's more serious than the stunning 2018, less immediately approachable—it feels cooler but with more precision. One to wait for. Amazing styling going on by winemaker Trevor Durling. This has to be one of the best value Napa Valley wines going. Ageing 20 months in French oak (95% new). More Petit Verdot in the blend than usual at 9%. (GH)" --------------------------------------------------------------- [2002 Pulteney 18 Year Old "Hunter Laing Old & Rare" Single Bourbon Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml)]( Pulteney 18 Year Old "Hunter Laing Old & Rare" Single Bourbon Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml)]( ($200.00) K&L Notes: The wonderful Pulteney distillery in the town of Wick was at one point the most northerly distillery on the mainland of Scotland. This far-flung distillery was established to support the extremely popular fishing industry in the area. While the herring was plentiful, so were rowdy fishmen, leading to a prohibition in the town from 1922 to 1947. The extreme location of the distillery meant that all supplies for a significant portion of its existence had to come by boat. Now the Old Pulteney brand is starting to become more important, the stocks are now being diverted from blending toward the brand. It's always been extremely rare on the independent bottler markets, and we've only had the honor of selling a few version from Gordon & Macphail and Duncan Taylor over the years. Now this cask from the excellent Hunter Laing Old & Rare line offers a completely classic Pulteney profile. Filled into a bourbon barrel in September 2002 and bottled in January 2022 at a perfect 18 years of age, this whisky is quintessential Pulteney offered in a way the distillery isn't even able to replicate. If we were to have found an equivalent barrel under the owner's brand, it would have certainly commanded 2-3 times this price, but be no more delicious. Expect a complex mix of mature malt and vibrant ocean character that exemplifies this excellent distillery. Please remember to add a drop of water or two to release the aromatic potential. Othenin-Girard]( | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: November 08, 2022 This gorgeous cask of Pulteney is one of the best products I've ever had from this lovely distillery. Old-school and absolutely pristine, aged 18 years in a fresh bourbon barrel, this is exactly the type of Highland malt I like to drink. In lots of ways, it exemplifies the idea of unpeated ocean malt that the Northern Coast does so well. It's not as waxy and oily as Clynelish, but with a tons of character. Let's taste. The color is a vibrant pale gold. The nose is a complex mix of fresh herbs, salted fruit, tea tree oil, and very old, fine wood. On the palate, it's very malty, extremely sweet, and approachable at full strength, but it's obviously hiding tons of character behind its 118 proof. With a drop of water and some air, we've got a huge change—sweet malt, licorice candies, pulverized stone, distant waves, gooseberries, greengage, petroleum jelly, fragrant scrubby heather, and salty chutney. The palate remains extremely rich and supple now with more salt and a complex mixture of white raisins dipped in dark cocoa powder. This whisky is an absolute dream, offering so much unique character and further solidifying Pulteney as one of the greats of the Northern Coast. It may seem pricey compared to other 18-year-olds we sell/have sold, but is in fact an incredible value considering the quality and scarcity of this special malt. Whiteley]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 03, 2022 The Old and Rare bottlings from Hunter Laing are always of impeccable quality, and this cask is certainly no different. This 18-year bourbon barrel yielded only 197 bottles of a golden elixir that is sweet and honeyed, as well as salty and fresh. At 58.6% ABV, it's a big whisky but not overly hot. The nose is full of marmalade, honey, sea spray, lemongrass, peaches, and malt balls. The palate is lifted and lively, jumping from honey and cream to snappy citrus and sweet herbs. With a touch of water, the fruit explodes into a tropical maelstrom set off beautifully by the salty tinge. The finish is long and clean. It's a beauty all around. --------------------------------------------------------------- [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. Email: wine@klwines.com Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637) K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA Click [here]( to manage your e-mail settings with K&L Wine Merchants or alternatively, [click here to unsubscribe from all mailings]( This email was sent to {EMAIL}