K&L Top 10 Picks - June

Now Available From K&L Wine Merchants... Monday Jun 12th, 2017 [View in Browser]( Each month we dig through our inventory of several thousand hand-picked wines and spirits, and come up with a list of our Top 10 selections on KLWines.com Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2014 Tapiz "Alta Collection" Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza 96 $14.99 [View]( 2009 Coufran, Haut-Médoc 92 $19.99 [View]( 2013 Trinity Hill "The Gimblett" Bordeaux Blend Hawke's Bay (Black Label) 96 $19.99 [View]( 2013 Domaine Philippe Colin Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru "Morgeot" (Elsewhere $70) 91 $39.99 [View]( 2008 Fallet-Dart Vintage Brut Champagne $39.99 [View]( 2010 Famille Perrin "Domaine du Clos des Tourelles" Gigondas (Elsewhere $80) 94 $49.99 [View]( 2013 Groth Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 93 Price: Hidden [View]( 2012 Castellare di Castellina "I Sodi di San Niccolò" Toscana 96 $64.99 [View]( 2015 Martinelli "Bondi Home Ranch - Water Trough Vineyard" Green Valley Pinot Noir 97 $69.99 [View]( 1989 Linkwood 27 Year Old "John Milroy" K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Elsewhere $250) $149.99 [View]( [2014 Tapiz "Alta Collection" Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza]( [2014 Tapiz "Alta Collection" Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza]( ($14.99) 96 points James Suckling: "A wine with lots of depth and fruit now with dark berry and dark chocolate character. Full body, velvety tannins and a long and flavorful finish. So much here. Give it four to five years bottle age. Great wine." (05/2016) K&L Notes: Tapiz is one of the most renowned and awarded Argentine wineries, made even more famous by the addition of winemaker Jean Claude Berrouet in 2012, recently retired from Petrus after 44 vintages at the revered Bordeaux chateau. To celebrate his addition to the team, Tapiz created a new "Alta Collection" line of wines using fruit that comes solely from Tapiz's sustainably farmed San Pablo vineyard in the Uco Valley. San Pablo is one of the highest altitude vineyards in Mendoza (4,600 feet above sea level). This extreme altitude provides for warm days which impart concentration to the grapes, and cold nights which give natural acidity. Manekin]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 20, 2017 Sub $15 Cab is plentiful. In fact, Cabernet at any price point is the most common request we here at K&L get. Cult cab, value cab, cab with bottle age...these are all questions we are well equipped to handle. That said, if you were to ask us for 96 point, pure varietal Cabernet for under $20, prior to this year, we would have had nothing for you. Of course this year, that all changed. So what does the Tapiz taste like? It''s good. Plenty of red fruits and hints of eucalyptus, coastal forest aromas on the nose (those who love hiking on the Marin and Sonoma Coasts will feel right at home) lead to a juicy palate which suggests younger vine fruit, but with a poise and structure lacking in most other $15 Cabs that I've had. That's it. Is it life changing? World beating? We'll let you decide. But is it fairly priced, tasty and varietally true Cab? Absolutely. Driscoll]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 15, 2017 I think the shocking part for me about the Tapiz Alta Cabernet is how subdued and Bordeaux-like it is. Normally when we see highly-pointed, bargain-priced Cabernet from the Southern Hemisphere it's in a fruit bomb style or it's oaked to holy hell. This wine is neither. At 13.9%, this is a lower alcohol, cooler climate style of Cab that drinks like something in between St. Estephe and Napa. Rarely do I say to customers "you should buy that fourteen dollar Cabernet to lay down in your cellar," but in the case of the Tapiz this is honestly a sub-$20 bottle that should only get better. Right out of the bottle you can feel the structure on your gums, the hints of earth and tobacco that penetrate through the soft and supple texture of the wine. Fans of both the old and new world styles should be pleased. Fans of inexpensive Tuesday night meatloaf Cab will want to load up big. Garneau]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 14, 2017 I admit I dont have a lot of experience with Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina. In fact, I was surprised to learn that it is the third most widely planted red wine grape after Malbec and Bonarda. What did seem familiar to me was the almost Bordeaux like restraint I found in this 2014 Tapiz "Alta Collection" Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendoza. The consulting winemaker here is Jean-Claude Berrouet, who made wine on behalf of the Mouiex family at Chateau Petrus in Pomerol and at Dominus in Napa Valley. His deft touch is easy to see in the modest 13.9% alcohol, the perfumed nose, and in the bright red and black fruits that speak of Cabernet. Lovely notes of fresh-picked raspberry here with a hint of bitter chocolate on the structured finish. Westby]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 14, 2017 This big, ripe powerful Cabernet will thrill fans of Napa wines. It is loaded with cassis fruit, and has plenty of tannic structure on the back end. This is excellent for drinking right now for fans of the big Cabernet style, and priced for any old night. Similar quality from Napa would cost a lot more than twice as much! Woodhouse]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 14, 2017 96 points! $14.99...Wow...I was skeptical as you might be...but this bottle actually delivers. It's very pure fruited, has true varietal character and has excellent balance and poise. It's not over-ripe (13.9% Alc), over-extracted or over-oaked. A quaffable Cab that is sure to be a winner with this combination of points, price and quality to boot. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2009 Coufran, Haut-Médoc]( [2009 Coufran, Haut-Médoc]( ($19.99) 92 points James Suckling: "Soft and fruity with milk chocolate. Full and round textured. Goes on for a minute or two. Excellent for the vintage. Better than I remember. And better in 2014, but why wait?" (07/2012) 90-92 points Wine Enthusiast: "Firm tannins, but also ripe, sweet fruits, with a fine balance. While the wine is on the light, fresh side, it does have a good, final structure. (RV)" (04/2010) Wine Spectator: "Solid, with bitter cherry, black currant and plum skin notes framed by a chalky minerality, which hangs on the finish. (JM)" (03/2012) Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "This Merlot-dominated wine displays a dense ruby/purple color, soft berry fruit intermixed with mocha, and hints of white chocolate, herbs, and spice. (RP)" (04/2010) Westby]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 19, 2013 We have a few house favorites when it comes to Bordeaux here at K&L, and the 2009 Coufran, Haut-Médoc confirms why we love this property. For the Haut-Medoc, this wine has a huge proportion of Merlot at 85% and just a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon at 15%. The wine has a big, ripe, plumy nose, but is very elegant in the mouth. It reminded me very much of old fashioned Pomerol; medium bodied, pure, racy Merlot without the extraneous sugar and oak. At the price, too much of this wine will be consumed to young, but the patient will be rewarded with a great experience at a very small price. If you want to see how they age, we also have the 2003 in stock! Garneau]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 28, 2012 Long time customers of K&L will recognize this producer. We have carried many different vintages over the years. I was privileged to taste the 2009 out of barrel when we visited the chateau a couple of years ago. The proprietor, Eric Miailhe, confided that he considered it the finest wine he had ever made, possibly the finest he would ever make at this property. This is a big wine! Tons of sweet fruit backed by fine tannins. Needs perhaps five years to pull itself together and can then be enjoyed for many years to come. 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2013 Trinity Hill "The Gimblett" Bordeaux Blend Hawke's Bay (Black Label)]( [2013 Trinity Hill "The Gimblett" Bordeaux Blend Hawke's Bay (Black Label)]( ($19.99) 96 points Raymond Chan: "Very dark, deep, near saturated black-hued purple-red colour, very youthful in appearance. This has a very firmly concentrated, elegantly proportioned nose with aromas of black-berried fruits along with liquorice, black plums, tar and iron-earth notes, revealing fragrant block florals, herbs, spices and lead pencil elements. Medium-full bodied, the palate is elegantly concentrated with a core of ripe blackberry fruit entwined with complexing blackcurrant, plum, tar and earth detail. The wine shows very fine-grained tannin extraction and structure supporting the fruit, and soft acidity lends a gentle liveliness and energy, carrying the wine to a long, linear finish of blackcurrants, herbs, tar and pencilly oak. This is an elegant, grainy-structured Bordeaux-varietal blend with black fruits, tar and earthy complexities. Serve with lamb, beef and venison, and semi-hard cheeses over the next 7-10 years. 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot from the companys Tin Shed and Gimblett Stones vineyards, hand-picked and fermented to 13.4% alc., the wine undergoing 3 weeks cuvaison and aged 16 months in 30% new French oak barriques." 95 points Sam Kim: "This is awesome. The wine is filled with dark plum, blueberry, spice and cedar characters with a touch of dried herb complexity, beautifully supported by silky, supple mouthfeel and outstanding fruit concentration. Tannins are fine, polished and delicately drying, and seamlessly integrated. A stunning wine destined to evolve magnificently. A blend of 40% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 29% cabernet franc, 1% petit verdot. At its best: 2016 to 2023." 92 points Wine & Spirits: "Bordeaux varieties thrive in this coastal gravel quarry, as they do in the deep river- stone promontories of the Médoc. This wine blends cabernet sauvignon (40 percent) with merlot and cabernet franc (plus one percent petit verdot). It has the supple power this sort of soil can bring to wine, the fruit glowing red while the tannins seem to glisten with details of pebbles of all colors. Cedar, cranberry and red-apple-skin flavors last, and will only gain detail as the wine ages." Woodhouse]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 09, 2017 One of the finest Bordeaux-style blends you will find anywhere on the planet at this price point. Oh...and it's from the best vintage this region has ever experienced. And from a winemaker regarded by his peers as one of the very best in the business having crafted multiple 100-point wines in the past few years. Need I go on? Did I mention that we have the best pricing in the country? This is a serious wine built with power and structure; packed full of dark fruit, briary notes, gravelly minerals, shaved cedar, pipe tobacco. Stylistically this sits somewhere between Napa Cab and Left Bank Bordeaux...but really it's pure Gimblett Gravels...a terroir that I believe commands just as much respect as either of the aforementioned regions. Drink now with a bone-in rib-eye or cellar for 10 years comfortably. Juelsgaard]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 02, 2017 This is a rockin' Bordeaux Blend for the incredible sub-$20 price point and an incredible steal given the scores on this guy! Hawke's Bay is absolutely killing it with the Bordeaux reds they are putting out right now and Trinity Hill is one I will go back to easily time and time again because of their consistently phenomenal wines. This blend is structured, yet approachable, with deep fruits and a subtle earthiness. Wonderful any night of the week, no need to hold this one for a special occasion, though it would be welcome there as well. Driscoll]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 27, 2017 The term "Bordeaux blend" is entirely apropos here because the new Trinity Hill "Gimblett" is very much like a restrained and elegant Pessac-Leognan, but for a smashing price of $19.99. There's a deepness and richness of black fruit from the Cabernet, a faint mineral note from the stony soils (a la the Graves), and a plushness from the Merlot that rounds out the finish. It's a finely balanced blend, and one that showcases the potential of Hawke's Bay as a serious destination for claret. Try this on your next steak night and see what you think. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2013 Domaine Philippe Colin Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru "Morgeot" (Elsewhere $70)]( [2013 Domaine Philippe Colin Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru "Morgeot" (Elsewhere $70)]( ($39.99) 91 points Wine Spectator: "Punctuated by floral aromas, this elegant white boasts lemon and apple notes backed by a firm structure. Long and languid on the finish, with a hint of stone. Best from 2017 through 2024. (BS, Web-2016)" 90 points Allen Meadows - Burghound: "Here too there is a very subtle hint of SO2 so I would advise decanting this as well. Otherwise, the layered and distinguished nose displays distinct petrol and resin aromas tinged with hints of lemon. The caressing and very generously proportioned full-bodied flavors possess solid mid-palate fat and concentration while delivering very good if not truly distinguished depth and length on the well-balanced finale." (06/2015) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2008 Fallet-Dart Vintage Brut Champagne]( [2008 Fallet-Dart Vintage Brut Champagne]( ($39.99) The blend for the vintage 2008 is 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir with aging of 72 months, minimum. It was disgorged in July, 2016. Fruit for the Chardonnay is from the "Les Maliva" vineyard. Winery is based in Charly-sur-Marne. (Scott Beckerley, SF Champagne liaison) Stanley]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 09, 2017 The 2008 Fallet Dart Brut Champagne is a fine example of a vintage Champagne from an incredible year. Chardonnay driven and with a fine mousse, this wine has a slightly higher acidity than some, which gives it great aging potential, and offers a refreshing note of bright green apple. There are creamy undertones as well, offered by the Chardonnay and extended lees contact, with aromas and flavors of almond meringue. The wine is very clean and offers an intense chalky minerality. This is truly a beauty. Manekin]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 07, 2017 Is there such a thing as too much great 2008 vintage Champagne? Of course not! We have sold some great value bottles from this legend in the making vintage: Franck Bonville Millesime, Louise Brisson, Launois, Louis Brochet, amongst others. Delicious as those are, for fans of subtlety and balanced lees driven complexity, the 2008 Fallet Dart is your wines. Biscuity and yellow fruited aromas (70% Chard in this cuvee) lead to a palate that balances rich yet balanced autolytic qualities with loads of acid driven intensity. It's very fine now, and will only get better with age. This is a top value in the store right now, and needless to say for a wine of this quality, that will age with grace for years, from a top quality vintage...it's a steal. My highest possible recommendation for this beautiful wine. Beckerley]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 06, 2017 This probably my favorite of all of the Fallet-Dart Champagnes that we have been stocking. A more Chardonnay-driven release, this formidable 2008 is dry but, retains the houses' overall rich style. Minerals, green apple and a hint of anise on the nose. On the palate, hints of golden apple, cream and caramel with lively acidity and elegant balance. A 2008 vintage at this price and quality is like seeing a winged unicorn! Westby]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 03, 2017 I consider the 2008 Fallet Dart to be the most exciting vintage Champagne that we have in stock. It comes from estate vineyards in the far west of Champagne, in the tiny hamlet of Drachy, from a family that has been growing grapes for an astounding 17 generations. This bottling is composed of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir, and most of the Chardonnay comes from one of the few "clos" sites in Champagne, the Clos du Mont. This vineyard was the first monastic site in the region and perhaps the oldest of the "clos" in Champagne, first planted around the same time as the l'eglise Drachy was built: 741! The wine has the electricity, length and mineral drive that one would expect from the great 2008 vintage. The surprise is how much body and structure comes along with the minerality, and the complex, seemingly every changing flavors of the wine. I found it to have everything from sourdough to truffles to nectarines from one sip to the next. We tasted this next to the 1999, a much softer vintage that is still going strong... This will last a long time! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2010 Famille Perrin "Domaine du Clos des Tourelles" Gigondas (Elsewhere $80)]( [2010 Famille Perrin "Domaine du Clos des Tourelles" Gigondas (Elsewhere $80)]( ($49.99) 92-94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Of course, the real star is the 2010 Gigondas Clos des Tourelles. This wine has surreal concentration, an almost liquid minerality with hints of spring flowers, red, blue and black fruits that represent a broad smorgasbord of dark berries, and an impressive finish that is long, textured and powerful. This wine will need several years of cellaring and should drink well for 15-20 years. (RP)" (03/2012) 93 points Vinous: "Opaque ruby. A heady, seductive bouquet evokes red and dark berry preserves, candied lavender, incense and minerals. Sweet and concentrated, offering spice-accented raspberry and boysenberry flavors and a touch of anise. Silky tannins come on late and add shape and grip to an impressively long, floral-dominated finish. (JR)" (01/2013) 92 points Wine Spectator: "Offers dark, heady plum cake, currant paste and fig notes, thickly layered with ganache and baker's chocolate accents. The hefty finish is a bit chunky and rugged, showing a lot of power now, with well-buried acidity. This should stretch out and gain finesse in the cellar. Best from 2015 through 2022. (JM)" (02/2014) K&L Notes: No standard Gigondas, this winery is an incredible historic estate that was purchased by none other than the Perrin family of Chateau de Beaucastel fame. The property itself dates back to medieval times and the current Provencal home was built in the 17th century. The property is made up of 10 hectares planted predominantly to Grenache with bits of Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvedre in the mix. The Les Tourelles vineyard is located at the foot of the village where they have their oldest vine Grenache surrounded by an ancient wall (a "Clos" in French). The grapes are fermented "whole-cluster" with native yeasts and aged for 15 months in large oak casks. The wine is bottled without filtration. As with all Perrin wines this wine was built to age but with a few years of bottle age on it now, the wine is beginning to show its stuff. (Keith Mabry, Rhone Buyer) Mabry]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 30, 2017 Alex Pross and I were in the Rhone Valley back in March doing some procuring for K&L and one of our best visits was with the Perrin Family's various properties. It was both our first visit to Chateau de Beaucastel, the flagship property, and it did not disappoint. The winery is both historically interesting and as far as production goes, immaculate. It's no surprise that they consistently make one of the best wines in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. We followed that visit with a drop in to the Perrin's other wine production facility just outside of Chateauneuf for a broad tasting of all their other wines. We finished our tour by heading to one of two Perrin restaurants in the middle of the village of Gigondas. On our way into town we had a quick look at the Clos des Tourelles vineyard as you cannot miss it when entering the village. I bring this up because, the Perrin family does not do anything by half measures. Their commitment in the south of France on Miraval is excelling. Beaucastel continues to be the benchmark property in Chateauneuf du Pape. Their appellation wines under the Famille Perrin label are each top renditions of their respective terroirs, Both restaurants in Gigondas are exceptional from their basic wine bar "Nez!" to the finer dining "l'Oustalet." So, when Perrin decides to procure one of the top vineyards in Gigondas, you have to know that the end result will be something truly special. The first commercial vintage --------------------------------------------------------------- [2013 Groth Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon]( [2013 Groth Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon]( Price: Hidden 93 points James Suckling: "Subtle and complex with mint, black currant and licorice aromas. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and a fresh finish. Clean and refined. A delicious cabernet to drink now or later. Yes." (01/2016) 91 points Wine Enthusiast: "Mellowed with 20% Merlot, this full-bodied, structured wine shows supple tannin and dark cherry, blackberry and tobacco flavors. Oak-derived notes of vanilla, clove and smoke are also present, albeit in measured quantity." (05/2017) Vinous: "Groth's 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon offers up a host of dark, earthy flavors. Smoke, game, tobacco and scorched earth give the 2013 much of its intense, brooding personality. Even so, this is a fairly accessible wine for the vintage. It should drink well with minimal cellaring." (12/2016) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2012 Castellare di Castellina "I Sodi di San Niccolò" Toscana]( [2012 Castellare di Castellina "I Sodi di San Niccolò" Toscana]( ($64.99) 96 points James Suckling: "Captivating aromas of dark fruits, cedar and tobacco follow through to a full body, silky and chewy tannins and a flavorful, rich finish. Very intense and pretty. Provocative. A classic Super Tuscan. A blend of Sangiovese and Malvasia Nera. Drink in 2019." (11/2016) 95 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "As always, this celebrated wine shows excellent results. The 2012 I Sodi di S. Niccolò (85% Sangioveto and 15% Malvasia Nera) is a young wine that needs time to flesh out. It shows bright berry flavors and fresh acidity that will benefit from more time to relax and integrate. The wine is beautifully stitched together and balanced with soft contours, and has a long, lively mouthfeel. It offers wild berry and red cherry with spice, crushed stone, pressed blue flower and scorched earth. The wine is aged in equal parts new and neutral oak. (ML)" (12/2016) 93 points Vinous: "Castellare's 2012 I Sodi di San Niccolò offers lovely depth and radiance in a silky, open-knit style for this wine. The 2012 doesn't have the explosiveness nor the depth of the very best years, but in exchange, it will drink well pretty much upon release. Polished, silky tannins wrap around the juicy, giving finish. (AG)" (10/2016) 92 points Wine Spectator: "Black cherry, black currant and plum fruit is shaded by tobacco, tar and tea notes in this densely structured red. Dusty tannins line the finish for now, but overall this is fresh, complex and needs time to reveal all its facets. Sangiovese and Malvasia Nera. (BS)" (07/2016) Parres]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 05, 2017 A few months in oak, the nose is classic ripe cherries and strawberries and a hint of coco powder. On the palate of this full-bodied wine, you will find the fruit describe above with a touch of minerals and soft tannins, which gives this wine a very lush feel to the palate and has an incredible long finish St. Clair]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 03, 2017 At the first whiff of aromatics I was in love with this wine, it speaks of place, of seasons and history, not of barrels or winemaking. The addition of 15% Malvasia Nera takes the Sangiovese to another level, it seems to release scented waves of intense spice, wild roses, lavender, violets and iris. On the palate the wine says Sangiovese; a long linear axis is the focus yet it still shows a sweet, supple balance and now at 5 years old its youthful tannins have faded. The wine is full of flavors crushed, dried flowers, sweet wild cherry, cinnamon, leather and leaves a bit of a roasted chestnut taste in the finish. The Malvasia Nera is pure perfume, it fills the nose with an array of fragrance and yet on the palate it adds facets, highlights to Sangioveses stark structure that seem to weave themselves into the wines core. The I Sodi is supple, characterful, balanced, and expressive while having a hauntingly powerful pull on my emotions; I can feel its call. This is a superb wine, it isnt going to bowl you over it is going to entice you in, to take one sip after another and have a long engaging dialog. I love this wine. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2015 Martinelli "Bondi Home Ranch - Water Trough Vineyard" Green Valley Pinot Noir]( [2015 Martinelli "Bondi Home Ranch - Water Trough Vineyard" Green Valley Pinot Noir]( ($69.99) 97 points Vinous: "The 2015 Pinot Noir Bondi Home Ranch, from Marinelli's coolest Pinot site, is another stunner. Silky, nuanced and wonderfully expressive on the palate, the 2015 possesses remarkable intensity but in a decidedly mid-weight style by Martinelli standards. Dense and compact in its center, the 2015 needs at least a few years to open up. Even today, though, it is dazzling. Early to bloom and late to ripen, Bondi Home Ranch enjoys an especially long growing season. (AG)" (03/2017) K&L Notes: Bondi Home Ranch is planted with Pinot Noir clones 115, 777, 667, 828, 943, and Calera. The 2015 vintage was marked by an early growing season and a reduced crop which finished with very good quality. The wine was aged in 80% new French oak for one year before bottling. From the winery: "The nose on the 2015 Bondi Home Ranch Pinot Noir is crisp black tea, boysenberry and spice box. The palate offers seamless, mouth-coating tobacco and blue fruit." Keilman]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 17, 2017 I poured this Martinelli Pinot Noir at a public tasting last weekend and everyone went crazy for it. The thing I love about this pinot noir is how adaptable it is to everyone's palate and preferred style. People who like a little upfront fruit will like it. People who like a touch of toastiness will like it. People who like a little bit of secondary aromatics will like it. People who like structure will like. This pinot noir fits all of the above. Loaded with beautiful exotic wood and savory spice notes, the dark brooding fruit on the palate gives way to even more savory notes and crushed floral elements on the finish. I'm always looking for a wine to go with every occasion and every crowd and I just found my wine! --------------------------------------------------------------- [1989 Linkwood 27 Year Old "John Milroy" K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Elsewhere $250)]( [1989 Linkwood 27 Year Old "John Milroy" K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Elsewhere $250)]( ($149.99) The Linkwood distillery is one of the crown jewel's in the Diageo portfolio. The distillery was originally constructed in 1821 and licensed in 1825 making it one of Speysides oldest. Much like Clynelish, in the 1970s a second distillery was erected next door and the original distillery shuttered in 1985. Today the washbacks from both distilleries are still in use, but the stills at the "old" Linkwood are silent. It remains highly prized for blending because it offers a wonderful balance between rich fruit and bold malt. Here we have a stupendous single cask, this one well into its third decade of maturation. It's extremely rare to see Linkwood at this age, Linkwood above 25 years old becomes an absolute rarity. That's why we had no problem selling a similarly aged Linkwood from Signatory for $200 not long ago. The style here is ultra classic aromas of baked apples, fresh bartlett pear, earthy malt, and subtle vanilla. On the palate the richness is impressive, the natural result of incredible concentration over nearly three decades. While this is a relatively low abv cask strength it remains incredibly full and textured. On the palate, big fudge cocoa elements pop up around sweet vanillas, subtle antique wood notes and rich orchard fruits. The perfect balance between sweet fruit, malty richness and exotic savory qualities. This is one of those no brainer whiskies for people who really care about complexity over power. No more than the tiniest drop of water for this one. [Anthony Russo]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 20, 2017 This Linkwood has an awesome, and very unique, "old wood" aroma that instantly makes your head spin (in a GREAT way). Beautiful and muted citrus zest, dark molasses, and a faint musky undertone round this scotch out. With loads of complexities and a great mouthfeel, the easy-going alcohol content make this juice go down nice and smooth. Grassy notes on the palate truly give this Scotch a sense of place. Settle into the couch after dinner with a glass of this. Jones]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 18, 2017 I always look forward to getting a bottling from Linkwood because Linkwood usually offers both good aromatics and great flavors. This bottling from John Milroy has an expressive and pronounced nose of honey and beeswax. In the mouth it is juicy with light and pretty notes of honey and a delicious finish. I tasted this offering with no additional water. Othenin-Girard]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 21, 2017 Here is some really old whisky from a great hard to find distillery for a wonderful price. The nose is all fudge, fruit, and sweet malt. Please don't add more than the tiniest drop of water (if that) as it's naturally down to near 90 proof. It must have been in a very humid part of the warehouse. Some air and we start to get baking bread, whiffs of marmalade and old exotic wood. The palate is ultra buttery in texture, luscious and fruit forward. A stupendously drinkable old malt that remains fresh and ultra balanced despite the intense age. A total treat to find such old wonderful whisky at this spectacular price. --------------------------------------------------------------- There are now several K&L email lists, where wine enthusiasts like yourself can sign up for categories that interest you. Visit [Email Preferences]( to find out more. Automate the effort to find your favorite wines! Our waiting list "keyword matching" program sends you an email when a wine matching your individual keywords comes into our inventory. Find more information or get started with your [waiting list for keywords]( in the My Account section of our site. From the home page of our site you can view a listing of all New Arrivals as well as items that are Coming Soon. In addition right there in the middle of the home page there is a link to our Best Sellers. We offer five excellent wine clubs and a new exclusive Personal Sommelier Service, that allow you to sample outstanding wines from all over the world. Due to our bulk purchase power and longstanding relationships, the quality and value offered by these clubs are tremendous. Unlike winery clubs where you typically taste the same wines year after year, our clubs offer phenomenal variety that is strictly selected by our panel of buyers. [See for yourself](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Follow us on: Check Out Our Blog: [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [On the Trail (K&L Blog)]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [My Account]( | [Wine Clubs]( | [Events]( |[Gift Cards]( | [Accessories]( | [Shipping]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Missed an offer? Check out recent opportunities at our [Email Archive]( page. Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637) Email: wine@klwines.com 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} [K&L](