K&L Top Ten Picks: April 2023

Hand-Picked, Over-Delivering Selections from Across the Globe... Monday Apr 24th, 2023 [View in Browser]( [KL-emailheader.gif]( K&L's Top Ten Selections: April 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. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2018 Byron "Bien Nacido Vineyard" Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay (Elsewhere $30) 95 $19.95 [View]( 2019 Catena Malbec Paraje Altamira Uco Valley 95 $19.99 [View]( 2019 Tolaini "Al Passo" Toscana 93 $22.99 [View]( 2020 Domaine Renaud Pouilly-Fuissé 1er Cru "Aux Chailloux" $32.99 [View]( 2018 Leeuwin "Art Series" Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River Western Australia (Elsewhere $63) 97 $39.99 [View]( 2016 Cornerstone Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon (Elsewhere $130) $49.95 [View]( 2019 Rippon "Mature Vine" Pinot Noir Lake Wanaka Central Otago (Elsewhere $68) 98 $49.99 [View]( 2005 Labegorce, Margaux 94 $69.99 [View]( 2012 Bunnahabhain 10 Year Old "Signatory" K&L Exclusive 1st Fill Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $149.99 [View]( 2014 Bollinger "La Grande Année" Brut Champagne 98 $169.99 [View]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [2018 Byron "Bien Nacido Vineyard" Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay (Elsewhere $30)]( [2018 Byron "Bien Nacido Vineyard" Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay (Elsewhere $30)]( ($19.95) 95 points Wine Enthusiast: "Expertly layered aromas of toast, fine-grained oak, smoked apple, nectarine, crushed limestone and light butterscotch make for a nose that should please all types of Chardonnay lovers. The palate is immediately hit with chalky and fresh acidity, leading into lively flavors of sliced Asian pear and finishing with an intriguing hint of spearmint. (MK)" (12/2020) Woodhouse]( | K&L Domestic Buyer | Review Date: March 06, 2023 I'm not really sure how much oomph I can add to a 95-point, sub-$20 Chardonnay from one of California's most renowned "Grand Cru" vineyard sites, but I can at least describe it to you in my own words! This is a rich and creamy style of Chardonnay that balances its soft texture and toasty oak with classic Santa Maria Valley acidity and salty, seashore minerality. Upfront caramelized apple, freshly baked pie crust, warm hazelnut, and brioche. Then into the finish more zest than you might expect with some preserved lemon, white peach, wet stone and oak spice. It's rounded, easy to drink, and represents a simply ridiculous value in classic California Chardonnay. It has the creamy/buttery element without being over the top, thanks to the cool-climate acidity and precise winemaking. An absolute steal at over 30% off. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2019 Catena Malbec Paraje Altamira Uco Valley]( Catena Malbec Paraje Altamira Uco Valley]( ($19.99) 95 points Decanter: "Fruit from the high-altitude, free-draining family vineyards of Nicasia and Angélica, 60% from the former. Fermentation in 100% new French oak barrels using wild yeasts, with 80% whole berry fruit and 20% of the clusters left intact. The wine is then aged for 18 months before being bottled for release. Alistair Cooper MW: High-toned nose, pencil shavings, cigar box, cassis and grilled meat. Lovely texture, elegance and grace. Dirceu Vianna Junior MW: Gently perfumed cherries, blackberries, dark chocolate, dried herbs and spice. Excellent concentration and attractive savoury complexity. World-class, simply delicious. David Williams: Generous and juicy, bright cherry and blackcurrant; some claret-like cedar and a ruffle of ripe tannins. Super-stylish. (DW)" (07/2022) 94 points James Suckling: "So much orange peel to the dark berries and ripe fruit. But never over the top. Medium-to full-bodied with medium-round tannins and a savory finish. Just a hint of chocolate and walnut. Nice subtlety to the depth." (03/2021) 93 points Wine Advocate: "Following the path of the 2018, the 2019 Appellation Paraje Altamira Malbec is phenomenal. It shows freshness, elegance, balance, complexity and nuance as well. It's seamless, precise and ethereal with lots of inner energy and light. As the 2018 was, it's expressive and floral, varietal and with the full chalky texture that is a distinct characteristic of Altamira. It's tasty, the tannins are polished and there is an almost salty sensation in the finish. (LG)" (03/2021) 93 points Wine Spectator: "Offers an alluring entry of loam, wood spice and fresh thyme, while the palate is fresh and enlivened by mineral acidity. Rich and full, with flavors of mocha-accented blackberry and plum that linger nicely around velvety tannins. (AR)" (10/2022) 92 points Vinous: "Paraje Altamira is one of the most popular terroirs in Argentina. This Malbec was aged in 35% new wood and possesses a nose of fresh boysenberry, blackberry and plum plus well-defined notes of violet and herb. In the mouth it shifts from chalky texture to voluminous freshness, with tight, polished tannins that shape the long, fruity finish. A textbook wine for the terroir. (JH)" (10/2020) K&L Notes: Catena's appellation series was started to showcase and elevate the different sub-regions within Mendoza. Mendoza is a very large region with a great deal of variability, where there are less than 50 miles separating a cold-climate region like Champagne and a very hot region like North Africa. And it all can be labeled Mendoza! Located in the southern part of the Uco Valley, Altamira has long been recognized as a premium location for grape growing. The sandy, alluvial soils with the caticata stones differentiate it from its neighbors, but it only recently received its GI (appellation). The Catena family has had vines there since the 1950s. Located above 1,000 meters in the alluvial fan of the Tunuyan River, the elevation and the sandy soils bring an elegance to all the varietals of the region, especially Malbec. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2019 Tolaini "Al Passo" Toscana]( Tolaini "Al Passo" Toscana]( ($22.99) 93 points James Suckling: "A firm, polished red with subtle blackberry, blueberry and violet aromas, as well as some cedar, following through to a full body with fresh acidity, chewy tannins and a linear finish. Needs a couple of years to open." (07/2022) 93 points Vinous: "The 2019 Al Passo is rich, ample and generous. Healthy dollops of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon turbocharge Sangiovese, adding depth and structure. Red-fleshed Sangiovese fruit emerges over time. The 2019 is deep and quite fleshy, but it also has a good deal of brightness to balance some of its more overt leanings. (AG)" (06/2022) 92 points Wine Advocate: "This entry-level blend of equal parts Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot offers outstanding value. The 2019 Al Passo (with 110,000 bottles made) shows bright energy and vertical lift. There are aromas of sweet cherry, black pepper, cinnamon and crushed stone. You get a wide spectrum of aromas over a mid-weight body and soft texture. (ML)" (02/2023) 91 points Wine Spectator: "An expressive, fruity style, this red features cherry, raspberry, plum, floral and wild herb aromas and flavors. Dense and lively, with a lingering aftertaste of red fruit and herbs. Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. (BS)" (11/2022) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2020 Domaine Renaud Pouilly-Fuissé 1er Cru "Aux Chailloux"]( Domaine Renaud Pouilly-Fuissé 1er Cru "Aux Chailloux"]( ($32.99) Pross]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 16, 2023 Loaded with citrus notes, the 2020 Domaine Renaud Pouilly-Fuissé 1er Cru Aux Chailloux deftly combines zesty citrus flavors with hints of orchard fruits and subtle spice notes. Well-balanced, complex and layered this is a fantastic 1er cru Pouilly-Fuissé that effortlessly combines fruit and terroir. Schroeder]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 16, 2023 If you are checking out the Renaud 1er Cru white Burgundies, you'll notice an intense limestone minerality in this bottling from the Aux Chailloux vineyard (the name means in the stones). If you love a saline mineral edge, little to no oak, medium-bodied texture, and bright citrus fruit with white floral elements, this is the bottle for you. Not to mention the excellent price on a 1er Cru vineyard. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2018 Leeuwin "Art Series" Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River Western Australia (Elsewhere $63)]( Leeuwin "Art Series" Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River Western Australia (Elsewhere $63)]( ($39.99) 97 points Halliday Wine Companion: "This was a freak vintage in the hands of many winemakers in WA, capable of power, balance, ripeness and glory. This has pomegranate, red licorice and peppered raspberry. The fruit flavours, while slinky and seductive, are not the major player here. And that is saying something. The key to the brilliance of this wine, like the '14, the '10 and to some extent the '05 before it, is the texture. The tannins. They are tightly woven, very fine and serve to support the fruit and the acid. This wine is built on a stable scaffold of tannin that both cushions the experience and defines it. What a wine. *Gold* (EL)" (07/2022) 95 points James Suckling: "A complex and layered nose of blackcurrants, fresh mint, pine cone and red licorice. Medium- to full-bodied with fine, structured tannins. Succulent and well constructed with a solid core of black fruit. Leafy herbs and black tea character add welcome depth. Delicious. So attractive right now but will age wonderfully. 97% cabernet sauvignon and 3% malbec." (10/2022) 95 points Decanter: "Elegant, medium-bodied, with cardamom and dried herb hints to the bitter chocolate-edged blackcurrant fruit, with suggestions of riper cassis. Lovely freshness, showing ripe but present fine-grained tannins in this outstanding Margaret River Cabernet vintage. Classy and controlled. Bordelaise-coopered French oak barriques discreetly buff and extend the fruit on a tapered finish, with cigar box and cedar resonance to the back palate. (SA)" (05/2022) 94 points Wine Enthusiast: "This is a sturdy, plush vintage of Art Series with a long life ahead of it. It's a touch austere at the moment, with some sweet oak showing and pinched acidity, but the distinctive varietal and regional character still shines. A lovely, warming earthy spice backs sleek aromas of black cherry, cassis, cedar, mint, olive brine and sea spray. Tannins are spicy and sinewy, muscular but still in a supportive role, allowing the juicy fruit to star. (CP)" (12/2022) 93 points Wine Spectator: "Dense and wonderfully juicy, with the tannic structure drawing you into a mix of intense cassis, huckleberry, clove, chai tea, dried black olive and smoked paprika. Presents a pretty thread of dried rose petal, with dried herbs lingering on the long, expressive finish. (MW)" (02/2023) Fischer]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 09, 2023 Absolute stunner here! This 2018 Art Series is an exquisite wine bursting with beautiful aromatics. Scents of intense black cherry and blackberry preserves intermingle with cigar box and soft dark flowers. The palate feels surprisingly lean after the bold nose, but it's still packed with flavor. Fun, tart mixed berries, especially raspberry, pop on the tongue with black pepper. Then the wine winds into gentle toasted spice, wood notes, and earthiness in a slow-burn finish. This vintage of Art Series Cab has excellent structure—it's in a sweet spot for enjoying right now, but it'll cellar for another 15 years or so and be quite beautiful. Schroeder]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 09, 2023 There is a reason the Leeuwin "Art Series" is the industry standard for Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon, one of the most overlooked great Cab regions in the world. On the nose, red currants mix with violet florals, black pepper, and sweet eucalyptus. Though the effusive nose hints at ripeness, the 13.5% ABV leaves the mouthfeel medium-bodied and fresh, with ripe, plush but grippy tannins and lifting acidity for superb balance. I love this wine so much, I can't believe it costs so little. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2016 Cornerstone Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon (Elsewhere $130)]( Cornerstone Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon (Elsewhere $130)]( ($49.95) Woodhouse]( | K&L Domestic Buyer | Review Date: March 29, 2023 The wine comes from one of the most highly regarded vineyards in all of Napa Valley, a truly historic site that has produced some of the most iconic bottles of Cabernet in the history of the region. Due to non-disclosure agreements, neither we nor the winery are allowed to explicitly advertise the vineyard's name unless the wine is sold for around three times the price we're offering it for today! Do a quick bit of research and we're pretty sure you'll figure it out. Here's a couple clues: the site was originally planted in 1895 by Mrs. Thomas Rutherford. In 1928, it was purchased by Beaulieu's founder Georges de Latour and named BV Ranch No. 3. Georges' third ranch went on to become the backbone of the legendary wines made by André Tchelistcheff that elevated Rutherford and Napa Valley onto the world stage. At the most recent Premier Napa Valley, our team tasted this wine and unanimously thought it was a standout in a crowded room of big-name wines. When the pourer whispered in our ears where the fruit was from, it made perfect sense! After some back and forth, we managed to negotiate a very good, take-all price for every last bottle of the fabulous 2016 vintage. The wine is everything you would expect from this world-famous vineyard—big, bold, lush crème de cassis fruit, some mulberry and red currant, too. Plenty of that signature red, loamy Rutherford dust, a touch of cigar box, subtle leather, and perfectly integrated, toasted oak spices. The wine is still very youthful and concentrated. It really packs a punch in the mouth with plush tannins and dark fruit tempered by fresh, bright, balanced acidity. Explosive on the nose and palate, but with structure and depth to age beautifully, too, this is the real deal, a wine truly worth its usual $130+ price but offered at this incredible, one-time, Insider's Advantage price. There's nothing like this that even comes close for the price. Snooze and you lose! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2019 Rippon "Mature Vine" Pinot Noir Lake Wanaka Central Otago (Elsewhere $68)]( Rippon "Mature Vine" Pinot Noir Lake Wanaka Central Otago (Elsewhere $68)]( ($49.99) 98 points James Suckling: "Firm and tight licorice, graphite, slate and light dried strawberry. Goes to iron. Flowers. Medium body. Creamy and fine tannins with a rather dusty finish. Fresh acidity and long and linear finish. Structured. From biodynamically grown grapes. Better after 2024, but already beautiful." (10/2022) 97 points Wine Enthusiast: "From arguably the most gorgeously located biodynamic vineyard in the world, this Pinot is a head-turner. Aromas change in the glass, expressing various aspects of site and variety: first succulent currant and blueberry fruit, then florals and a hint of mushroomy undergrowth, then scrubby dried herbs growing beside a lake and snowcapped mountains. The palate is elegant and juicy, with silky softnessand floral delicacy. You're almost surprised when the tannins rush in to cinch it into place. This is one of Rippon's finest Pinots to date. *Editors' Choice*" (05/2023) Smith]( | K&L New Zealand Buyer | Review Date: March 28, 2023 It's rare for me to get this excited about a wine. But we were able to secure the absolute best pricing on one of the best Pinot Noirs being made anywhere. For those that drink New Zealand Pinot Noir, Rippon is at the top of the list. For three generations, the Mills family have been crafting powerful, structured Pinot Noirs from their astoundingly beautiful winery on the shores of Lake Wanaka in Central Otago. The current winemaker, Nick Mills, studied extensively in Burgundy before returning to helm the family's estate. And for all of its power, nuance, and delicious character, the 2019 Rippon certainly has Burgundian sensibilities, but is a wonder of its own. What I love about this wine is how it unfurls in the glass. I opened it at 10 a.m. and have been going back to it over and over throughout the day. At a first pop, all the classic hallmarks of Rippon are there: intense floral aromas, dried thyme, and a staunch tannin structure. Over time, the tannins soften, still giving the wine grip but coming into balance with its black-fruited core. Each time I come back to this glass, there's another layer of depth, and new detail that reveals itself. White pepper, desiccated strawberry, and forest floor. This wine just keeps on giving. There are few Pinot Noirs in the world that reach this level of quality, and even fewer at this price. This is fantastic pricing on a world-class Pinot Noir that you don't want to miss. Whiteley]( | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: March 27, 2023 Rippon's vineyard might be the most picturesque vineyard in the world. Situated on the shores of Lake Wanaka, it has a microclimate that is perfect for Pinot. Add to that the fact that the winemaker worked at DRC and is the fourth generation to farm the vineyard, and you've got some of the finest raw materials anywhere for world-class Pinot Noir. The 2019 vintage is a stunner. These wines are particularly long-lived (I'm still slowly savoring my 2007s!), and I was expecting the '19 to be a bit shy and closed off. After just a few short minutes in glass, it was beginning to open up beautifully. Perfectly ripe red berries mix with crushed granite on the nose and violets and lavender florals. The structure is elegant and poised—acidity is bright and lively with just enough cut, and the tannins are already surprisingly supple and refined. Year after year and dozens of bottles later, I have yet to be disappointed in a bottle of Rippon. It remains one of my favorite wines on the planet, and each year I add more and more bottles to my cellar. The 2019 is the deepest position I've personally taken so far! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2005 Labegorce, Margaux]( Labégorce, Margaux]( ($69.99) 94 points Wine Enthusiast: "New wood, sweet fruit, blackberry and plum skin flavors are all here in this round, ripe wine, with its soft, dusty tannins and delicious fresh acidity. This property has certainly joined the big league in Margaux." (06/2008) 91 points Vinous: "At 16 years of age, the 2005 Labégorce shows just a little bricking on the rim. The nose offers smudged red berry fruit, incense, iris flower and peony, actually gaining delineation with time. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins. There's an almost equal measure of red and black fruit, with a fine grip and a fleshy, sensual and opulent finish. I have always enjoyed this Labégorce, and it continues to drink extremely well. (NM)" (04/2022) Beffa, Jr.]( | K&L Bordeaux Buyer | Review Date: February 03, 2023 Wow! What a great Margaux from a property that flies under the radar. We just received a shipment of this beauty, and it is showing extremely well. Pure Margaux in its silky, feminine style. Many 2005s now are still showing tannin on the finish, but this wine is full of ripe red berry fruits, soft and elegant on the palate with a very smooth, long finish. Very round tannins—a perfect wine to drink at 18 years old. I will surely buy a case for the cellar and enjoy it over the next five years. Great terroir makes great wines, and this property, located just a stone's throw from Château Margaux, certainly has the terroir. Paired it with short ribs, and it was a perfect match. Like Wine Enthusiast says, Labégorce is certainly up there with the top Margaux properties. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2012 Bunnahabhain 10 Year Old "Signatory" K&L Exclusive 1st Fill Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)]( Bunnahabhain 10 Year Old "Signatory" K&L Exclusive 1st Fill Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)]( ($149.99) K&L Notes: Bunnahabhain, originally founded in 1881, has, like many distilleries, had a rocky history. Built at a heady time for the Scotch industry, it is simply massive. The huge size helped it supply Highland Distillers (the precursor to Edrington) with copious amounts of smoky malt for blends like Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark. The '60s saw a doubling of the stills and the removal of the floor maltings, but eventually the 1980s took their toll, and the remote distillery was mothballed in favor of easier-to-operate venues. While the closure was short, the distillery wasn't really returned to its former glory until recent times. Now under the stewardship of Distell and with massive upgrades underway, Bunnahabhain, while still hard to pronounce, has become a household name (at least in those households that drink single malt). The enormous still provides ample copper contact giving a lighter profile to the spirit, but in a return to the classic style of the 19th and early 20th centuries, this cask from Signatory is a first-fill sherry butt of the highest order. Whiteley]( | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: October 27, 2022 The color of this 10-year is outrageous. It's dark like molasses in the bottle and pours looking like XO Cognac from a big house. The nose is sherry-forward and loaded with toasted nuts, orange peel, and raisined fruits. If you diligently examine the aroma, you'll find a plethora of malty goodness underneath. Sweet grain tea, chocolate malt balls, and the salty influence of the sea. On the palate, stewed fruits and a mushroomy umami note arise from the complicated interaction of spirit and cask. In a short 10 years, this has become a bomb of flavor from an epic distillery in an equally epic sherry butt. The finish highlights citrus, chocolate, and salted caramels and lingers for a long time. At 65.4% ABV, it's no wonder it's a powerful Scotch. With a touch of water, fruit tumbles forth bouncing between fresh and rancio notes. It's a delightful cask with tons to offer. If you like a sherry bomb, you'll be happy with this with no effort required. If you want a complex malt with a big sherry profile, but one that isn't a one trick pony, this will reward the patient drinker willing to sit with a dram for an extended period of time. Othenin-Girard]( | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: October 21, 2022 Lots of B distilleries coming from Signatory this year. I think the B distilleries rival the C distilleries in terms of the finest set of Scotch distilleries associated by an arbitrary factor like the first letter in the name. Nonetheless, we do very well with the B distilleries and a big part of that is Bunnahabhain! Somewhat like Bowmore, which offer some interesting if not always very exciting distillery releases, it is the independently bottled stock from Bunnahabhain to which we can attribute its stellar reputation. Although the quality contrast between distillery releases and IB bottlings is not as stark as its Islay neighbor, there seems to be a lot of really good Bunnah that makes it out of the clutches of corporate ownership. That's likely due to the multiple owners this old distillery has had over the years, but as we see younger stocks in high-quality barrels come through, it becomes clear that the current owners aren't opposed to divesting high-quality stocks to the right partners. The worry with such an active sherry butt and the sometimes more subtle spirit of the famously unpeated Islay, is that its character gets lost behind the bold sherry flavors. We're very grateful to not have that problem with this stupendous cask. That's not to say that it's not absolutely packed to the brim with intense sherry goodness. The color is a deep, brown sherry. The dark nutty aromas of oloroso are tempered by the robust savory character of the malt, adding salty umami and an almost sweet, oceanic character. Less like the sea itself and more like the windswept sands and rocky beaches of Islay, with the salty churning currents of the straights of Islay bubbling in the distance. Rich roasted espresso beans, black berry jam, cedar, sweet tobacco leaf, dried mango, salt- and caramel-covered nougat candies. Rich and surprisingly drinkable at the extremely high proof, offering tins of molasses cookies and dark fruit compote, with a dark herbal quality. With water we have more vibrant plum and stewed peach. This thing absolutely loves water. Super complex now, with lots of dark chocolate and salted caramel. On the palate, it sweetens considerably, adding fruit and a caramel finish to the tanned hide and the old, antique wood. I just can't believe this thing is only ten years old. So much going on here, this bottle will keep giving and giving for ages. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2014 Bollinger "La Grande Année" Brut Champagne]( Bollinger "La Grande Année" Brut Champagne]( ($169.99) 98 points Vinous: "The 2014 La Grande Année is stunning. In fact, it is one of the best recent editions I can remember tasting. What comes through most is the wine's sizzling energy and tension, qualities that aren't often associated with Bollinger, where the Champagnes tend to show more breadth and volume. In 2014, readers will find a Grande Année built on linear intensity and drive. The 2014 is a blend taken from 19 villages, 61% Pinot Noir and 39% Chardonnay instead of the more typical 70/30 mix. For the second time in two decades (the first was 2007), Verzenay takes the lead in the Pinots of Aÿ, more or less an inverse from the norm. That, married with Chardonnay mostly from the Côtes des Blancs (predominately Chouilly, Vertus, Oiry, and Cramant), results in a truly magical Grande Année that will delight Champagne fans for several decades. I can't recommend the 2014 highly enough. It's a total knock-out. Disgorged: April 2021. Dosage: 8 gams per liter. (AG)" (03/2022) 97 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Raised entirely in barrel, the 2014 Champagne La Grande Année Brut is all about finesse and capturing the cool, mineral tension and floral notes of the vintage. Enhancing those qualities, a bit higher proportion of Chardonnay was used for this release, making up 39% of the blend. It pours a pale straw, and it is layered and persistent with lightly toasted pastry, Mirabel plum liqueur, and saline. The palate is dry and more tightly wound at this stage, with driving citrus, a chalky texture, and a light phenolic finish. Subtle undercurrents of honey and butterscotch should continue to evolve beautifully over the coming decades. *Wine of the Year, 2022* (AF)" (11/2022) 97 points Wine Enthusiast: "With the hallmark Bollinger richness that is derived from fermentation in wood and a high percentage of Pinot Noir in the blend, this grand wine is ripe, full of apple and spice flavors. It is drinkable now, but still young. *Ranked #5, Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2022* (RV)" (09/2022) 97 points Wine Spectator: "Racy acidity drives this mouthwatering Champagne, enlivening the rich panoply of flavors. Features a fine and creamy mousse that's still a lively springboard for aromas and flavors of crème de cassis, glazed tangerine, roasted hazelnut, ground coffee, pickled ginger and white blossoms. Long and satiny, with minerally salt and chalk notes gaining momentum on the lasting finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. *Highly Recommended* (AN)" (06/2022) 95 points Wine Advocate: "Offering up complex aromas of crisp yellow orchard fruit, confit citrus, frangipane, walnuts, dried white flowers and subtle hints of iodine, Bollinger's 2014 Brut La Grande Année is medium to full-bodied, pillowy and vinous, with an elegantly fleshy core of fruit that's underpinned by racy acids and complemented by a pretty pinpoint mousse. Concluding with a long, chalky finish, this is a charming but precise Grande Année that's more giving and demonstrative than its immediate predecessor, the 2012, but which attains a very similar level of quality in a more challenging vintage—testimony to the serious viticulture that underpins Bollinger's contemporary excellence. (WK)" (03/2022) --------------------------------------------------------------- [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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