K&L Top Ten Picks: February 2023

Hand-Picked, Over-Delivering Selections from Across the Globe... Monday Feb 20th, 2023 [View in Browser]( [KL-emailheader.gif]( K&L's Top Ten Selections: February 2023 --------------------------------------------------------------- [Our monthly Top Ten]( represents our 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. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Effel Cellar]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2020 Penfolds "Bin 28" Shiraz South Australia (Elsewhere $37) 94 $24.99 [View]( 2019 Aurore Dezat "Les Chasseignes" Sancerre $27.99 [View]( 2016 l'Esprit de Chevalier Rouge, Pessac-Léognan 94 $29.99 [View]( 2019 Stags' Leap Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Elsewhere $55) 93 $39.95 [View]( 2021 Martin Ray "Putnam Vineyard" West Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir (Elsewhere $80) 97 $49.96 [View]( 2019 Domaine Benedetti "Larmes Papales" Châteauneuf-du-Pape 95 $49.99 [View]( 2012 Le Brun de Neuville "Grand Vintage" Brut Champagne 93 $49.99 [View]( 2016 CVNE "Cune Imperial" Gran Reserva Rioja (Elsewhere $85) 98 $59.99 [View]( 2017 Costanti Brunello di Montalcino 97 $79.99 [View]( Siete Leguas 7 Decadas Blanco Tequila (700ml) $129.99 [View]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [2020 Penfolds "Bin 28" Shiraz South Australia]( [2020 Penfolds "Bin 28" Shiraz South Australia (Elsewhere $37)]( ($24.99) 94 points James Halliday: "Sourced from vineyards in McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Padthaway and Clare Valley. Matured for 12 months in American hogsheads (16% new). Penfolds' team of winemakers have come up with an improbably fluid wine that has entirely unexpected elements of grace. All the components of fruit, oak, tannins and acidity—the last particularly important—are in synergistic union. No blowing of trumpets here. *Silver* (JH)" (08/2022) 94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The Barossa has the ability to convey a sense of place, dirt and air in the glass. The trick is to not get in the waya cooper does not terroir make. Despite not being the dominant region in this blend (for specificity: McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Padthaway and Clare Valley), the Barossa makes a potent contribution. Here, in the 2020 Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz, the concentrated, dry and warm vintage is on show and provides a splay of earthy, dense fruit, stretched over a framework of savory tannin. Despite Penfolds's reputation for big tannins/big oak, the fruit here overpowers both and streams out over the long finish. The heart of Barossa is here. Very good. Will get better. (EL)" (07/2022) 94 points Wine Spectator: "Ripe and generous, but the aromatics take this to the next level, with notes of cardamom, paprika and dried rose petal, plus touches of candied violet and cocoa powder, to complement the core of fleshy blackberry, black cherry and cassis. The tannins are dense but velvety, and this finishes with warm chocolaty notes. (MW)" (12/2022) 93 points James Suckling: "A homage to warmer-region, South Australian shiraz, this has a rich and smooth delivery of ripe blackberries and red-to-dark plums on the nose. The wine has taken its 12 months in American oak (16% new) well and truly in its stride. Plush and suave mouth-feel here, this is effortless and a style that sits right in the Penfolds sweet spot. A blend of McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Padthaway and Clare Valley." (10/2022) 92 points Vinous: "Opaque ruby. Oak-spiced cherry, blackberry and mocha aromas, along with coconut, licorice and cracked pepper accents. Deep and weighty on the palate, offering intense black and blue fruit, mocha and oak spice flavors that show an appealing sweetness but are slow to open. In a distinctly powerful style, delivering youthfully chewy tannins and a long, chewy finish that echoes the licorice and dark berry notes. (JR)" (09/2022) Woodhouse]( | K&L Domestic Buyer | Review Date: November 07, 2022 Penfolds have been making Bin 28 since 1959, and the pedigree shows in this 2020 vintage release (the 61st edition). Wonderfully pure and vibrant, with subtle lavender, and dried herbs, lashings of purple fruit, blackcurrant, bramble, cracked pepper, scorched earth, and iron filings. Penfolds' signature use of classy American oak frames the fruit but never obscures it, and in fact, it's really quite elegantly done. An exquisitely balanced and complete wine that is true to place, varietal, and house style. What's more, $25 is a fantastic price for such a polished and delicious Shiraz. Drink now or over the next decade or more. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2019 Aurore Dezat "Les Chasseignes" Sancerre]( Aurore Dezat "Les Chasseignes" Sancerre]( ($27.99) Pires]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 15, 2023 Citrus, white flowers, and wet stone notes on the nose. This Sancerre has bright acidity and bursts with orchard fruits and floral notes up front and finishes with lemongrass and salinity. The finish is quite long and pleasant. A fantastic wine to enjoy on warmer days! [Alexandre Tweedie]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 13, 2023 White flowers resting in the cool sunshine, orchard fruits through a soft breeze, ripe pears picked at the end of a beautiful day—Sancerre should never be hard to "understand", and Aurore Dezat's Les Chasseignes is kindly transparent with what it provides out of the bottle. A round citrus tone leads the way for gently hidden notes of slight vanilla crème and dusty chalk, creating a wonderfully crisp wine with an inviting and lingering bouquet that whispers suggestions of warm weather and long days, just as Sancerre should! Overby]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 11, 2023 Saline, fresh green herbs, and fresh water stones. There is a crystalline aroma of granny smith apples, fresh lilies, fleur de sel, and oregano. A crisply textured Sancerre that is seriously intended to linger and make a memorable impression. Have with a butter noddle's and stone crab. Beckerley]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 11, 2023 With a few spins of the glass, white flower scents waft out to mingle with classic scents of fragrant lemon and a slight hint of stone fruit. On the palate, it's quite rich! Lemon cream, apricot, nectarine and lemon zest. Wonderfully long finish that has a nice bit of spice to it. Just plain old delicious! I see this as more of a main course white and would pair it with Middle Eastern or Indian food. If that's not your thing, a nice pork tenderloin will do and even a hearty vegetarian dish of eggplant, onion, and cheese. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2016 l'Esprit de Chevalier Rouge, Pessac-Léognan]( l'Esprit de Chevalier Rouge, Pessac-Léognan]( ($29.99) 94 points James Suckling: "Wonderful, fragrant blackberry and cherry nose with a delicate touch of oak. Concentrated and elegant with a beautiful balance of finely etched dry tannins and very bright acidity. Long, crisp and minerally finish with a ton of energy. Second wine of Domaine de Chevalier." (01/2019) 92 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The second wine of the estate is the 2016 L'Esprit de Chevalier, one of the top second wines out there. Offering a deep ruby color as well as a classic Graves bouquet of mulled cherry and blackberry fruits, leafy herbs, tobacco, and loamy earth, it's medium to full-bodied, textured, and loaded with character." (02/2019) [Brooke Farnden]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 11, 2022 This deep ruby wine begins with a nose of dark fruits such as plum, black currant, and black cherry. There is also a slight "funkiness" of herbaceous characteristics on the nose that is fun to experience, and did not carry into the palate whatsoever. Bright acidity leads into a full body with notes of licorice, dark chocolate, and darker fruits. Must try! Jenkins]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 11, 2022 A delicious, fruit-forward nose; red cherry and blackberry jam comes to mind. In terms of tannic structure, this wine offers some complexity, present acid plays well with some minor grip to deliver an overall satisfying experience. Flavor profile consists still of cherries and blackberries with some cassis on the periphery. The finish is delicate and medium-length. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2019 Stags' Leap Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Elsewhere $50+)]( Stags' Leap Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Elsewhere $55)]( ($39.95) 93 points James Suckling: "Lovely aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, ground spice and anise. Full-bodied with fine, silky tannins. Juicy and vibrant on the palate with lovely balance and intensity. Drinking well now, but can definitely age." (04/2022) 91 points Wine Spectator: "A textbook Napa Cabernet, with the vintage's ripe, accessible cassis and blackberry purée profile on display, laced with singed vanilla and tobacco notes along the way. The generous finish lets a toasty edge play with the fruit." (10/2022) Woodhouse]( | K&L Domestic Buyer | Review Date: January 27, 2023 In a time of spiraling price increases for Napa Cabernet, once again we've managed to secure an incredible deal from the historic, iconic Stags' Leap Winery. At over 20% off typical retail pricing, our $39.95 price for a wine of this quality and acclaim is increasingly rare. The 2018 release was one best-selling and repeatedly purchased wines of last year. In a last-minute deal, as 2022 ticked down (we literally closed the deal and had the 2019 delivered on New Year’s Eve), we managed to lock in another razor-sharp price! The storied history of this property runs all the way back to 1872, when grapes were first planted here. The Stags' Leap District AVA also holds an important distinction of being the first AVA defined by the unique terroir qualities of its soil, a mix of rhyolitic volcanic rock from the Vaca Mountains mixed with clay loam from the Napa River. The wines are famed for their unique combination of lush, exotic, powerful fruit combined with crushed rock minerality, and the 2019 delivers just that. It's packed with blackberry coulis, crème de cassis, lavender, leather, scorched cedar, subtle cocoa powder, and toasty oak. Rich and fruit-forward, but refined and balanced, too. A very classy bottle of Cabernet for an exceptionally reasonable price. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2021 Martin Ray "Putnam Vineyard" West Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir (Elsewhere $80)]( Martin Ray "Putnam Vineyard" West Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir (Elsewhere $80)]( ($49.95) 97 points James Suckling: "Fresh strawberries with hibiscus, violets, lavender, and other flowers. Superb. Medium-bodied with excellent energy and depth. Fine tannins. Lasts so long." (11/2022) Woodhouse]( | K&L Domestic Buyer | Review Date: January 27, 2023 When the massive scores dropped on these single-vineyard releases, I immediately reached out to our friends at Martin Ray to see if we could wrangle a few cases. At just 75 cases (3 barrels) total production, I was very excited when they said we could get a parcel of the Putnam Vineyard! Anyone who shops with us here at K&L is probably familiar with Martin Ray's wines, as we've long championed them as some of the finest values in the business. Their Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is a perennial best seller here. This year I'm very excited to be able to offer a limited amount of their high-end reserve bottlings. Putnam Vineyard is a small estate way up on the northern portion of the West Sonoma Coast near the remote town of Annapolis. Neighbors such as Peay Estate and Wayfarer (to the south) have long proven this region produces world-class Pinot Noir. Very close to the cold Pacific, but at a high enough elevation to peek above the fog line, the vines here cling to remote ridgetops cooled by ocean breezes, rooted in Goldridge sandy loam soils. The wine is bursting with delicious red fruits and earthy spices. Crushed raspberry, cherry, spice box, dried flowers, Coastal Redwood forest, camphor, and spiced citrus. Elegant and vibrant, with a super-long finish, the wine is quite coiled and young, but some time in the glass or a quick decant and it really opens up and allows the layers to unfold. What a stunning bottle of Pinot Noir to savor with food ... I'd suggest roasted mushroom risotto. Limited supply of this 97-point beauty. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2019 Domaine Benedetti "Larmes Papales" Châteauneuf-du-Pape]( Domaine Benedetti "Larmes Papales" Châteauneuf-du-Pape]( ($49.99) 95 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "With only 1,500 bottles produced, the 2019 Châteauneuf du Pape les Larmes Papales will be tough to find. From 100-year-old Grenache grown on la Crau (Ouest), vinified partly in demi-muids and aged entirely in them, it offers up intriguing scents of hickory smoke, cherries and red raspberries. There's more concentration here than in Benedetti's regular cuvée, plus complex oak notes and more tannins, yet this wine doesn't lose the essential elegance that is the hallmark of the vintage here. Lovely stuff. (JC)" (05/2022) 94 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Pure Grenache brought up all in demi-muids, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Larmes Papales sports a deep ruby/purple hue to go with a wonderful core of ripe strawberry and cherry fruits as well as classic Provençal garrigue, peppery spice, and floral nuances. Beautifully textured, spicy, meaty, and complex, drink this medium to full-bodied 2019 over the coming 10-15 years." (11/2021) K&L Notes: Domaine Benedetti was founded in 1930 when Nicolas Benedetti emigrated from Italy to Châteauneuf-du-Pape and purchased land in his new region. Nicolas was followed by his son Noël and Noël's son, Christian. Christian was the first owner of the estate to stop selling wine to the cooperative and begin bottling and selling his own wines. In 2000, the domaine transitioned to organic farming and over the years has slowly expanded their holdings from just over a hectare each in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côte du Rhône, to four hectares of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and ten hectares of Côtes du Rhône vineyards. In 2004, Christian's son, Nicolas, joined the domaine after studying oenology and is now overseeing all the winemaking. And finally, in 2021, we struck up a relationship with the domaine and happily added them to our Direct Import portfolio. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2012 Le Brun de Neuville "Grand Vintage" Brut Champagne]( [2012 Le Brun de Neuville "Grand Vintage" Brut Champagne]( ($49.99) 93 points James Suckling: "So much bread dough on the nose, together with cooked apple and hints of croissant, following through to a full body with round and fresh fruit and lots of apple-tart and cream flavors." (06/2022) Westby]( | K&L Champagne Buyer | Review Date: February 16, 2023 One of our top 2012s, this edition of the Grand Vintage from Le Brun de Neuville shows like a great blanc de blancs and is in fact 97.5% Chardonnay with just a kiss of 2.5% Pinot Noir in the blend. With subtle baguette toast and generous white flowers on the nose and great mid palate concentration, this will make many new fans of this top-notch vintage. The finish is fresh and dry and shows off the incredible chalky minerality of the Sézanne sub-region. [Philip Roufail]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 27, 2023 If you're searching for a superlative aged vintage Champagne, the 2012 Le Brun de Neuville "Grand Vintage" Brut Champagne may be for you. Let's talk about the "grand vintage." In Champagne, it's always about the struggle, and the first half of 2012 delivered widespread frost, sunless cold, hail, disease, and a dreary outlook. Then, a miraculous hot and dry August and September produced physiologically perfect grapes, but the smallest harvest since 2003! Now, many believe 2012 is among the best Champagne vintages of the 21st century and may rival the legendary 2008. The moment you pop the cork on the 2012 Le Brun "Grand Vintage" Brut you can see and smell its age and pedigree. It has a golden amber color with a perlage so fine and racy the bubbles explode out of the glass. You must wait until the mousse settles before you can go in for a whiff, and when you do, sweet, nutty, tart fruit aromas tickle your nose. On the palate, this is a full-bodied, rich, mature sparkling wine of roasted chestnuts, honey, baked apple, dried fig, and toast. Yet, there is an enduring acidity that makes drinking the "Grand Vintage" a smooth and effortless experience. Suddenly it was gone (who, me?). I love Champagne with food, so I paired this bubbly beast with baked brie drizzled with honey, fettuccini with a mushroom, tarragon, and goat and parmesan cheese sauce, and buttered popcorn (for the kiddo, but we raided it like pirates). A good time was had by all. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2016 CVNE "Cune Imperial" Gran Reserva Rioja]( CVNE "Cune Imperial" Gran Reserva Rioja]( ($59.99) 98 points James Suckling: "Polished and structured with firm, very fine tannins. Lots going on here, with layers of black fruit, dried spices, graphite, coconut and cracked pepper. Full-bodied and so intense. Keeps going. Long. The tannins are so fine and so numerous. One of the greatest modern gran reservas. 85% tempranillo, 10% graciano and 5% mazuelo." (08/2022) 96 points Wine Enthusiast: "Deep red-violet in the glass, this wine has a bouquet of cherry, black currant and juniper. Durable tannins coat the palate, bearing flavors of cassis, dark plums, dark chocolate and violet that lead into the spice-filled finish (MD)" (01/2023) 95 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The classical 2016 Imperial Gran Reserva was produced with a blend of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo from grapes that were picked between October 10 and 25 with good ripeness, delivering a wine with 14.5% alcohol after fermenting in small oak vats followed by malolactic in concrete and two years in barrel and three in bottle. I was quite surprised, because the wine was quite closed and needed energetic swirling and time in the glass to reveal its true colors. It has more stuffing and finesse than the reserva. 2016 was a very good vintage, with freshness and balance to develop nicely in bottle. The tannins are very fine, and the wine is tasty and long. (LG)" (07/2022) 94 points Vinous: "Deep, brilliant ruby. Cherry, cassis, vanilla and incense on the expansive nose, where a zesty mineral note adds vibrancy. Sappy and precise on the palate, offering sweet dark berry, cherry liqueur and violet pastille flavors along with hints of mocha and spicecake. Rich and ample in style but shows superb energy as well. Finishes sweet, seamless and extremely long, with lingering florality and polished, fully integrated tannins. (JR)" (04/2021) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2017 Costanti Brunello di Montalcino]( Costanti Brunello di Montalcino]( ($79.99) 97 points Wine Enthusiast: "Extremely elegant and focused, this compelling wine defies the heat of the vintage, starting with a heady fragrance of ripe dark-skinned berries, violet, camphor, dark spice and whiffs of crushed herbs. On the linear, elegantly structured palate, tightly woven but extremely polished tannins accompany juicy Marasca cherry, blood orange, licorice and white pepper while fresh acidity keeps it balanced and fresh. (KO)" (04/2022) 94 points Decanter: "Andrea Costanti has crafted an appetising and characterful 2017, expressive without being over-exuberant or pushed. He reports doing more extraction than usual, with extended post-fermentation macerations as skins were thick and healthy. The tannins are textured and gritty without being green or bitter. While this doesn't have the profoundness of 2016 or the silkiness of 2015, there is much charm in its vigour. Polished wood, subtle smoke, plum and bay leaf emerge from a backdrop of dry, dusty earth while concentrated acidity keeps it vibrant. One of the stars of the vintage. (MM)" (11/2021) 93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The Conti Costanti 2017 Brunello di Montalcino is nicely layered and concentrated, with an immediate delivery of black fruit, spice and potting soil. This vintage shows a savory personality more than it shows a sweet one, and the tannins are quite soft and velvety. (ML)" (02/2022) 93 points Vinous: "An alluring, spicy and dusty mix of cherry and raspberry preserves, crushed stone and dusty flowers is lifted by cedar shavings and dried citrus peels as the majestic 2017 Brunello di Montalcino blossoms in the glass. This is fleshy yet delicate in feel, displaying pure ripe red berry fruit, nicely contrasted by salty mineral tones, and lacking only a bit of midpalate depth that might take it to the next level. It tapers off long while leaving the mouth watering for more, as a gentle tug of tannin slowly fades under rosy inner florals. Andrea Costanti didnt produce a Riserva in 2017, and so all of that juice was used to try to bolster the Brunello. From what Ive tasted, Id say he succeeded. (EG)" (12/2021) St. Clair]( | K&L Italy Buyer | Review Date: October 08, 2022 The nose of this wine is savory, full of those umami aromatics, dried mushrooms, soy, oyster shell, and leather, with hints of Tuscan brush and earth filling out the array. This isn't a fruit laden wine, but as my Italian friends always ask me when they taste the fruit in California wines, "do you have this for breakfast?" This is how a wine is supposed to smell, taste, and feel, I'm not sure I've seen a more complete version than this. I tasted in a Zoom call with Andrea Costanti, the owner and winemaker whom I've know for almost 40 years, and with the bottle in front of me I was just stunned. On the palate, this wine is the epitome of Brunello, it is savory, subtle and supple, and specifically this vintage is good to drink now. Truthfully, at my age I'm not thinking of laying anything down for 30 years, and even though this wine could go that long, why wait? Waves of salted plum, that haunting marasca cherry, bergamot, lilac, and so much more. This wine has unreal balance, supple intrigue, and a textural drive that makes it easy to drink now but will reward with cellaring to develop the aromatics, the 2017 is a wine that you must experience, truly a classic and thrilling bottle of Brunello. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Siete Leguas 7 Decadas Blanco Tequila (700ml)]( Leguas 7 Decadas Blanco Tequila (700ml)]( ($129.99) K&L Notes: Siete Leguas' 7 Decadas Blanco celebrates their 70th anniversary and is sure to be an instant collector’s item and darling of the tequila cognoscenti. Made from wild Criollo agaves (a smaller, more concentrated variety than Blue Weber) harvested from a single rancho at peak maturity. No need to plant Criollo here—the plant covers the steep slopes that surround this large agave growing estate. The dangerous task of harvesting them is rewarded with incredible nuance and aromatic complexity. After a three-day cook in the small stone ovens of Casa Siete Leguas, the agaves are crushed on the old, horse-drawn tahona press. Natural fermentation occurs in open-air tanks with the inclusion of the agave fibers. The surrounding orchards provide ambient yeast, which helps define Siete Leguas' house style. Double distillation on small copper pot stills finishes, and a traditional resting period completes the production process, yielding the stunning, never-to-be-recreated 7 Decadas Blanco. Bottled at 42% ABV (84 proof), this will certainly be an anniversary to remember. Othenin-Girard]( | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: January 11, 2023 There is no question that a revolution is afoot in the tequila category. While some have predicted the decline of the category due to celebrity brands and corporate greed, a small handful of exceptional producers have quietly been making some of the most exciting tequilas we've ever experienced. Whether it's Cascahuin, Fortaleza, El Pandillo, or Siete Leguas, there’s no question we’re experiencing an authentic tequila renaissance, and while the great ones are still hard to get, at least they’re being made. In the case of Siete Leguas, they actually have two adjoining distilleries: one hyper-traditional—brick ovens, tahona press, full bagasse wooden fermenters, and small copper pots; and one slightly more modern—brick ovens, roller mills, no bagasse wooden fermenters, and both stainless and copper pot stills. The two distilleries are respectively called Fabrica El Centenario and Fabrica La Vencedora. Widely considered two of the best in Mexico, Siete Leguas is always a blend of the two distillates, and we have never had the chance to try them separately. Now for the very first time, we have an expression from only the old school El Centenario available. In addition, the agaves were harvested from a single rancho, and the plants in question were propagated entirely in the wild. Wild-harvest tequila is simply not a thing. We’ve never seen it before, and we may never see it again. Just those facts alone are enough in my book to make this 70th Anniversary Siete Leguas release one of the most exciting tequilas in the last 70 years, but tasting the product is a real revelation. Let's have a go! It starts extremely restrained and light aromatically, offering gorgeous aromas of fresh honeysuckle, citrus peel and mint. With air the true complexity of this exceptional spirit begins to reveal itself. Rich, vibrant tropical fruit aromas, sweet spun sugar (cotton candy!), subtle herbs, exotic bark, savory minerals, and a slight briny character. On the palate, rich cooked agave, cloves, mint, roasted herbs, and cracked black pepper. It's extremely complex yet not overt or overly powerful. This is exceptional tequila that you can literally put in front of anyone and convert them to real agave heads. Unfortunately, you'll have trouble getting them back to this is sort of high peak again without a lifelong stash of Decadas, and while we did buy every single bottle we could (distributor drama is the only reason we have any at all, not because it's actually readily available), it will disappear so fleetingly that we'll all wonder why we didn't buy more. Just give it some air! It will love you for it. Collectors should be buying all they can afford to right now. I certainly will be loading up while I can. Whiteley]( | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: January 11, 2023 This is what every old-school Tequila lover is clamoring for. It's a throw-back to the days of yore when agaves were ripe, tequila wasn't pumped full of additives yet still labeled 100% agave, and the time and care of artisan craftsmanship was a given. Siete Leguas is one of the handful of tequila producers where this type of spirit still gets made. For their 70th anniversary, they harvested ripe Criollo, a small, hillside-grown agave that shows the best of terroir and complexity due to its struggle to ripen. It gives the most robust flavors and puts this tequila in the upper echelons of fruit selection for best raw material. They then treat those ingredients with the utmost care, respect, and dedication possible. Slow cooking in stone ovens, natural fermentation, copper-pot distillation, higher-proof bottling (42%), and of course, no additives of any kind. The results are astounding. A glass at arm's length fills your nose with sweet citrus fruits, lemon, lime, grapefruit, mandarin, yuzu, pomelo, kumquat, you name it, it's making an appearance. Sweet agave is here in spades, offering its earthy/herbal/sweet complexity at every stage of tasting. Fruit blossoms mix with mint and bay laurel. Spices come forward—a surprising flash of cassia bark and allspice. It's remarkable how much difference an extra four proof points makes in the carry of the aromatics. The nose is much more intense than most 40% blancos. When you are ready to move on from the enchanting aroma and the liquid passes your lips, you're in for a treat. Agave miel, fresh ripe red peppers, more cinnamon spice, sweet clove, and minerality. Oh, the minerality is off the charts. It's got a salty, crushed granite, petrichor kind of feel to it that is pure pleasure to taste. The texture is silky. Thick in all the right ways and never cloying. This is the textbook definition of the texture that glycerol additions are trying to mimic in lesser tequilas. It's as close to perfect as I could ask for the mouthfeel of a tequila. You know it's there, but you never feel overwhelmed by the higher alcohol. In the same way it carries the aromatics, it parks the finish squarely across the palate. Without searing your tastebuds, it leaves a lasting impression, somewhat like how a big flash of light leaves an outline of shapes and intensity when you close your eyes. From the top of your nose through the back of your throat, there is a delicate impression of all things good across the palate. While most other shops are selling this amazing tequila at $200, we have, as always, kept the MSRP right where it's supposed to be at $129.99 and are now offering it without allocation. When this drop is gone, this one will be relegated to secondary market offerings and back-alley trades at what are sure to be astronomical prices. --------------------------------------------------------------- [New Feed]( [Auction]( [Local]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [On the Trail (K&L Blog)]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Instagram]( [YouTube]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [BORDEAUX]( | [NAPA]( | [BURGUNDY]( | [CHAMPAGNE]( | [ITALY]( | [RHÔNE]( | [SPIRITS]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [My Account]( | [Wine Clubs]( | [Events]( |[Gift Cards]( | [Accessories]( | [Delivery]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Missed an offer? Check out recent opportunities at our [Email Archive]( page. 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