Day 2 in Spain: Jeres, the breakfast of champions!
Day 2 of MadWine, begins with a 10 a.m. sherry tasting. The wines were phenomenal. The Palo Cortado VORS Capuchino, the Oloros VORS Covadonga, and a sherry from yesterday, the oloroso from Rey Fernando de Castillo were all wonderful. These rare wines are difficult to buy…just ask Gary our sherry buyer. They are rare wines sometimes even in Spain. The monastrell tasting from the wines of Murcia, the large region which is home to Yecla, Bullas and Jumilla, was a great revelation with high quality wines from all of the entries…many of which are favorites with you K & L’ers. Pancho Campo led a discussion on the impact of global warming on the business of wine. Some Spanish wine makers are extremely concerned about this subject because Spain may very well be left wine-less if the problem is not solved. Finally, the superstar tasting at the end of the day featured famous wines from Spain with a famous moderator, Serena Sutcliffe, MW. The 1996 Unico from Vega Sicilia was a classic elegant beauty that will live for a long time. The Pingus, El Nido, and Termanthia were an homage to modern Spanish wine making. The Clos Erasmus shone as an example of great modern winemaking that respects the terroir and the fruit. Even this 2003 showed style, elegance, and grace in addition to power. Kudos to Daphne Glorian and her assistant winemaker Ester Nin!

Tomorrow…on the road

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2004 Qupe Roussanne Bien Nacido Hillside Estate ($34.99) This is 100% roussanne, a difficult varietal with which to work. But in the capable hands of winemaker/viticulturist Bob Lindquist it is a beautiful wine. This is confirmed by the 90 points given to the wine by Robert Parker and the 91 points bestowed by Stephen Tanzer. Orange rind and honeysuckle lead you straight away to rousanne. Minerals and white flowers give it complexity. The pears and pineapple aromas and flavors are an added bonus. It’s hard to imagine a better domestic Rousanne. The wine is fermented and aged in Francois Frere Burgundy barrels. This gives it a rounder and richer texture than your average California white, while its mouth watering freshness gives it perfect balance. Only 550 cases were made, so buy it now while the vintage lasts. Drink it now and over the next 10 years.
2003 Qupe Syrah Hillside Estate ($34.99) The Z block of the Hillside Estate where this 100% Syrah comes from is one of the most famous sites connected to the Bien Nacido Vineyard. Loaded with crème de cassis, blackberries and a tell-tale pepperyness that lets you know its Syrah, there’s a smokiness that adds another layer of complexity. The wine expands out as it hits your tongue and slides down your throat. The 2003 is more approachable than previous vintages of Hillside Estate. This is a dense chewy Syrah without being over extracted. Scoring 92 points from Robert Parker and 92+ from Stephen Tanzer, this limited production Syrah is very pleasurable to drink now and over this next decade.
—Chip Hammack

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This is a great month for great wines at great prices. Many small-production wines can be a little on the pricey side. This month I have three wines showing that small production doesn’t necessarily mean expensive.
2003 Willow Brook Cellars Dutton Ranch Chardonnay ($19.99)
Yes, a Dutton Ranch Chardonnay for under $20. The fruit for this wine comes from the Old Rome Block of Chardonnay located at Dutton Home Ranch on Graton Road in Green Valley. It was a former apple orchard. Aromas of honeysuckle, pear, and green apple with hints of pineapple. On the palate, this wine is rich and full bodied with lively fruit, sweet vanilla, butterscotch flavors and a refreshing long crisp finish.
2004 Sawbuck Yolo County Malbec ($9.99)
Look out Argentina, Malbec is starting to make its presence felt in California. This wine is big and rich with an abundance of bright fruit. A blend of 77% malbec, 9% cabernet sauvignon, 7% syrah, 6% graciano, 1% tempranillo. If Malbec is your love, this is not to be missed.
2004 Sawbuck Yolo County Malbec ($9.99)
Tempranillo is a varietal I love. A good Rioja is always a pleasure. This wine will remind you how good tempranillo is. A rich, spicy wine with flavors of blueberry and black cherry. 76% Tempranillo, 10% Malbec, 7% Syrah, 7% Petit Verdot. –Mike Jordan

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Day one of the whirl wind trip around Spain…twice
Well, I don’t know how I managed to plan this trip the way I did, but it involves about 18 days, two wine fairs and crisscrossing the country twice. Anyway…Day 1 is almost civilized. It is the first day of MadWine…a. k. a. the Madrid Wine Festival, an event that is run by the Wine Academy of Spain. The fair has many exhibitors, but for me the most interesting part is the lecture/tasting series. Each day of the 2 day event has 4 different tastings presented by some of the top names in the Spanish wine world. The 2 star tastings of day 1 were “Spanish wines on an international level” conducted by 4 Masters of Wine and “Rioja: Past, Present and Future”. The MW tasting had 4 flights with Spanish plus a wine from another country. It was a fun and interesting way to play stump the people. It was interesting because there were some very international styled modern wines in the mix like Clio or Aquilon, yet they really did express a certain “Spanishness”. The other top tasting was a who’s who of the top wines in Rioja. Everything was presented from the very traditional Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia to Bodegas Muga’s Aro. The Lopez wines, red and white, were both from the 1964 vintage. They were earthy, wonderful, striking and unique. The 2001 Aro was a big bruiser of a Rioja, full of blackberry fruit and spice. The wine did have a good balance of acidity to fruit and tannin, and while very modern still had minerality and a sense of place. With all of the great changes in Spain, it is nice to see that the Riojanos want to maintain a strong sense of place in addition to pressing forward with modern innovation.
Tomorrow…Sherry for breakfast!

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Last fall our Champagne buyer, Gary Westby, brought in wines from a new producer: Domaine Bruno Michel in Pierry. I was initially intrigued by the wines due to the noticeable presence of pinot meunier. It also turns out that the fruit is all organically grown. I’ll be among the first to say that organic farming is not a guarantor of quality, but when you taste these wines the fact that the fruit is so lovingly raised comes through in the glass. I visited Chez Michel in February with fellow K&Ler Jeff Vierra. Pierry is a small village south of Epernay, where Bruno and his wife Catherine make their wines in an idyllic domaine. Bruno’s father’s estate passed on to his older brother, so Bruno started his career as a nurseryman. This focus on plant material informs his work in the winery. There are many older vines on the property, and the new plantings come from selections of those older vines. This “massale” selection is a throwback to the way plants were propagated before the dominance of nursery-developed clones adapted for higher production and more consistency. By using vines that have evolved in the vineyards in and around his village, Bruno is able to produce fruit that is uniquely expressive of where it comes from, and farming organically helps that fruit speak loud and clear. There are only 100 hectares of organic vineyards in Champagne. The dominance of the grand marks provides little impetus for growers to improve the quality of their vineyards. The Michel’s are working against that trend, and their love of their vineyards comes through in their soulful wines. Try the fresh and lively Michel Cuvee Blanche Brut ($29.99) or the delicate Posted by Elisabeth Schriber at 1:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Last fall our Champagne buyer, Gary Westby, brought in wines from a new producer: Domaine Bruno Michel in Pierry. I was initially intrigued by the wines due to the noticeable presence of pinot meunier. It also turns out that the fruit is all organically grown. I’ll be among the first to say that organic farming is not a guarantor of quality, but when you taste these wines the fact that the fruit is so lovingly raised comes through in the glass. I visited Chez Michel in February with fellow K&Ler Jeff Vierra. Pierry is a small village south of Epernay, where Bruno and his wife Catherine make their wines in an idyllic domaine. Bruno’s father’s estate passed on to his older brother, so Bruno started his career as a nurseryman. This focus on plant material informs his work in the winery. There are many older vines on the property, and the new plantings come from selections of those older vines. This “massale” selection is a throwback to the way plants were propagated before the dominance of nursery-developed clones adapted for higher production and more consistency. By using vines that have evolved in the vineyards in and around his village, Bruno is able to produce fruit that is uniquely expressive of where it comes from, and farming organically helps that fruit speak loud and clear. There are only 100 hectares of organic vineyards in Champagne. The dominance of the grand marks provides little impetus for growers to improve the quality of their vineyards. The Michel’s are working against that trend, and their love of their vineyards comes through in their soulful wines. Try the fresh and lively Michel Cuvee Blanche Brut ($29.99) or the delicate Posted by Elisabeth Schriber at 12:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Located along the banks of the Duero River (also known as the Douro in Portugal, where port is produced), approximately 120 miles north of Madrid, lies the Ribera del Duero D.O. Though some cabernet and other Bordeaux varietals are occasionally employed, most famously by the likes of Vega Sicilia and Dominio de Pingus, tempranillo (known locally as tinto fino) is the star. These wines tend to show lots of dark fruit and robust tannins, making them ideal for the summer grilling season. Here are three excellent introductions to the region, all from the outstanding 2005 vintage:
2005 Bodegas Arrocal Ribera del Duero ($14.99) A nose of dark cherries leads to fleshy cherry, plum and plum skin flavors on the palate. This is the most fruit-forward wine of the line up. If you love fruit, you will love this wine. Arrocal has garnered some great press, so get this wine while it lasts.
2005 Vizcarra Roble Ribera del Duero ($14.99) This one is a little bigger and more typical of the Ribera style: dark fruit and toasty oak on the nose leading to juicy blackberry fruit on the mid-palate. The finish is savory, dry and long, with tannins that command respect (and a grilled New York strip steak).
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2005 Senorio de Barahonda Carro ($8.99) 90 points Wine Advocate: “Medium ruby-colored, it has a lovely perfume of damp earth, pepper, cassis, and blackberry. This is followed by a sumptuous wine with layers of ripe, sweet fruit, excellent balance, and no hard edges which totally belie its ridiculously silly price point. The wine is an awesome value. I had thoughts of a higher score but readers might think I’d lost my mind.”
2004 Corpus del Muni Roble ($12.99) 90 points Wine Advocate: “… a blend of 75% Tempranillo, 20% Syrah, and 5% Garnacha. The vineyards average 70 years of age. A superb value, this dark ruby-colored wine has smoky/toasty aromatics, spice, and an abundance of blue and black fruits in its broad personality. The fruit is ripe and sweet, the tannins silky, and the finish long and pure.”
2004 Bodegas Y Vinedos Maurodos Prima, Toro ($14.99) 90 points Wine Advocate: “...aged for 11 months in French and American oak and bottled unfiltered. Purple-colored, it reveals notes of cedar, pencil lead, black currant, and blackberry liqueur. Medium to full-bodied, the wine's personality is fruit-filled and flavorful. It has fine depth and concentration and the tannin is ripe.”
2004 Vinos Piñol Portal Crianza, Terra Alta ($14.99) 90 points Wine Advocate: “...composed of equal parts Cabernet, Garnacha, Merlot, Tempranillo, and Syrah aged for 6 months in French, American, and Hungarian oak before being bottled unfiltered. It is purple-colored, with an impressive array of aromas including vanilla, spice box, pepper, cassis, black cherry, and blackberry. Cutting a broad swath on the palate, this opulent wine has tons of flavor, ripe flavors, light tannin, and a pure, lengthy finish.” —Anne Pickett

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The vintage 2005 has produced some very charming and luscious reds that I think you all will totally dig. It was a small crop but one of great quality (many producers told me that these were the top wines in their careers) with wines that have loads of ripe dark fruit aromas, supple round tannins and, above all, freshness. Most offer great drinking now and all will reward a few years in bottle. First up, the 2005 Frédéric Mabileau St.-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil Les Rouillères ($13.99), 100% cabernet franc, was aged in stainless steel tanks for 7-9 months. This is a clean, bright, pure expression of cabernet franc that really sings on its own or with the fresh flavors of spring!! Next, the 2005 Château du Hureau Saumur Champigny, Philippe & Georges Vatan ($13.99), also cab franc, shows a lovely deep ruby color with forward, fruity aromas of blackberry, raspberry and fine herbs. Well-integrated tannins make this very versatile at the table, and highly enjoyable with a slight chill. Finally, try the 2005 Grange Tiphaine Touraine Côt Vieilles Vignes ($13.99). 100% malbec, known as Côt in the region. This vine has a long history here. 100-year-old vineyards, such as the one used in the making of this red, are not uncommon. This wine is explosively aromatic with a core of sweet cassis, a sappy “old vine” intensity and chewy rich texture. It is dense and packed with flavor, a wine to drink now or over the next 10 years. —Jeff Vierra

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Spaetrot-Gebeshuber Klassik Blanc ($15.99)? Neither can I, but it sure is tasty! Now you’re probably wondering what it is, as you should. This is 50/50 zierfandler and rotgipfler (that’s right, rotgipfler) blended together prior to vinification giving us a wine called Spatrot, a somewhat similar name to the actual winery. Confusing, I know! A clear, crisp wine reminiscent of Chablis, when it was done without all that modern oak influence. The zierfandler contributes all of that wonderful, zippy acidity, and the rotgiplfer tosses in body and texture. This is definitely one of the coolest white blends I have ever had.
Off to Germany now, stay with me for the 2005 Mönchhof Estate Riesling ($13.99). When you have riesling vines planted in top sites such as Urziger Wurzgarten, Erdener Treppchen and Erdener Prälat you know even the your “everyday” wine is going to be darn good. I love having this laying around the house for any occasion. It has always been a pleasure to have the wines of Mönchhof in the stores. If you are in the mood for something just a bit drier but still retaining a juicy core of fruit, give the 2004 Mönchhof Mosel Slate Spätlese ($18.99) a go. A vibrant little bugger this one is! Full of that classic Mosel slate that the region is so famous for and surrounded by spicy peach. Have fun with white wine!!! —Eric Story

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2005 Eric Kent Sonoma Chardonnay ($33.99) Eric Kent is a small producer whose labels and wine are the talk of the town. Every different wine from Eric Kent features an “artist label.” They feel that each artist brings a unique vision that complements the spirit behind each wine. A nice element to most of the Eric Kent wines is the presence of bright acidity along with the richness of fruit. The is most obvious in the Sonoma Chardonnay. Rich, decadent upfront fruit leads to hints of lime, melon and butterscotch. Finish is long and clean. Great food-friendly Chardonnay! All Eric Kent wines are limited with 300 cases of the Pinot Noir produced and 225 cases of Chardonnay.
2005 Emeritus Russian River Pinot Noir ($31.99) Released May 1, this highly anticipated wine from Brice Jones, founder of Sonoma Cutrer is now available. Emeritus sits on top of Sonoma’s Gold Ridge, which runs from Sebastopol to Forestville. All the fruit that goes into Emeritus is estate grown and bottled in the Russian River Valley AVA of Sonoma. Their first release, the 2005 Russian River Pinot shows the delicate side of Pinot Noir. Vibrant fruit, classic Pinot flavors and a focused, balanced finish will allow the wine to be paired with a variety of foods. If you are looking for a “Syrah-like” Pinot look someplace else! This wine is all about bright acidity, lively fruit and finesse. Enjoy! —Trey Beffa

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After graduating from an agronomic ingenieur school, M. Renaud de Roux bought an 18th century estate rich with 400 years of wine producing history. After suffering from breathing problems due to the side effects of chemicals, M. Renaud de Roux converted to a strictly organic cultivation. He was also one of the first growers to plant marselan (a cross between grenache and cab), which is perfectly suited to Provence. The 2004 l’Attilon Marselan ($8.99) is a dichotomy on the palate. Initially you get the levity and light temper of the grenache followed by the stern gravity of the cabernet. Overall this marriage is pleasing. Pronounced violets on the nose next to a mouthful of lively and snappy fruit with fresh, deep black currant flavors. There is nothing gushy or goopy about this wine. It’s got a strong acidic presence that mingles with dusty tannins. Enjoy this “little big guy” with bistro fare. Now that spring is officially here, we also have the 2006 l’Attilon Rosé ($8.99). This is more fresh than complex, and so satisfying on a hot night or whenever the mood strikes. —Keelyn Healy

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K&L is pleased to present the wines from Domaine Begude, a family-owned property located high in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Here, owners James and Catherine Kinglake (along with assistance of a thoroughly French winemaking team) craft a small range of delicious wines from their 25 hectare property. The approach at Begude is hands on and artisanal to the max. They are wines to live by and feel good about. Let’s all raise a glass to Domaine Begude!
2006 Vin de Pays d’Oc Domaine Begude Sauvignon Blanc ($12.99) This elegant and crisp sauvignon blanc is more in the style of a Loire Valley Sancerre, with its rapier sharp mineral laden nose, fresh citrus fruits and plenty of snap crackle and pop. This is the perfect accompaniment to grilled fish, oysters, or just by itself. Make this one your house white!
2006 Vin de Pays d’Oc Domaine Begude Pinot Rosé ($12.99) This vibrant Pinot Rosé is fast becoming one of our staff favorites. More in the style of a Loire Valley Sancerre rosé, this salmon-colored pink beauty exhibits nuances of cherries, plums and rosehip, with just a hint of wet stone minerality. And if you think rosé is too tutti fritti for your taste, than we invite you to try a glass of this dry beauty. Enjoy with charcuterie or grilled tuna... —Mulan Chan

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The 2005 vintage in Europe continues to amaze me with across-the-board, outstanding to superlatively crafted wines from all producers. In fact, the last time I can recall tasting such high quality German Rieslings, for instance, as a young “wine expert,” was when the perfect 1971s were released. So many of the 1971 Auslesens and Spatlesens were de-classified down to the next quality level; there was just way too much classified superior Riesling, and it resulted in some great values. This same purity of fruit is exhibited in the 2005 Rieslings as well, and the wines are truly remarkable and classic. A faultless case in point is the 2005 August Kesseler Riesling “R,” Rheingau ($9.99). This lovely Qualitätswein opens with opulent aromas of white peach, Chilean jasmine, and honeysuckle tones. The off-dry mouthfeel is lush, succulent, and provides incredible thickness of fruit with superb acid structure and slate-like minerality that follows with a long, mouthwatering finish. This may be the best Qualitätswein I can ever recall tasting, including many of those that I fell in love with from that great 1971 vintage. Vanilla purrs that this is the German vintage to stockpile.
We are in the midst of the soul of springtime, with summer lurking just over the horizon, and you know what that means for our customers at K&L Wine Merchants: Yahoo, it’s rosé time! When I uncorked the 2006 Domaine de l’Attilon Rosé, Vin de Pays des Bouches du Rhone, Organic ($8.99) and poured a glass to sample, the room was filled with lavish aromas, as if I had walked into a field of ripe strawberries. Made from grenache and cinsault (about 50/50), this attractive rosé is dry, clean, crisp in the mouth with uncomplicated fruit characteristic, and would be a perfect pairing with a grilled salmon fillet or simply as an afternoon sipper with seasonal vegetables. Eby says this will be our house rosé for spring.
We are particularly thrilled with the next two Rhone Valley red wines that we are directly importing, the first a private label crafted for us by the incredibly talented Cecile Chassagne at her estate, Le Camassot. Deep ruby in color, the 2005 Image du Sud Châteauneuf-du-Pape ($19.99) offers magnificent aromas of cassis, anise, game, terroir and white pepper that carry through across a broad, complex, superbly structured palate. This is one of the biggest CDPs that I have had the enjoyable treat of tasting and consuming, and Anderson has informed me that it will be one of our house reds.
Finally, a perennial Jim’s Gem favorite is the 2004 Château de Montfaucon Cotes du Rhone ($10.99) contributing tons of spicy, red fruited characteristics. Impeccably balanced and silky, this is a red for near-term consumption and will be one of our house reds for the month of May.
If you have any questions about these choices, you can contact us at jimbarr@klwines.com. Enjoy the wines, and we will back in May on a limited basis. —Jim, Anderson, Eby and Vanilla

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A new location, a fresh start, a new beginning, a stupid statement...all beginnings are new. Just ask Shirley MacLaine.
Located at 1400 Vine Street, the shop is within walking distance to many famous Los Angeles landmarks such as Kinko’s Chinese theatre, the McDonald’s Tar Pits, and the legendary Hollywood Bowl (not that one; I mean the bowling alley on Sunset). From the awe-inspiring location to the encyclodaedic staff, this K&L is no Mickey Mouse operation!
Eight A.M. The receiving crew readies for the day. Lots of trucks coming, none driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr. The radio comes on, playing Stevie Ray Vaughan or, if the crew feels funky, Isaac Hayes.
Not only do these guys coordinate all of the stock shipments to and from K&L, they need to be ready at a moment’s notice to deliver to any one of the thousands of stars that make up the Hollywood constellation. A bottle of Screaming Eagle to Joaquin Phoenix? 1996 Bruno Michel Cuvee Millesime Chamagne to the heirs of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman? Cronin Merlot to Paul Giamatti? You just never know!
Nine A.M. Managers Chip Hammack and Tom Martinez Junior arrive to do their management stretching exercises: twenty finger points, ten punts of menial tasks, ten chair-ups and fifteen watch glances, the latter with five-pound weights. As Dustin Hoffman probably would never say, management is not about heavy lifting, but about staying loose, dodging issues, stretching the truth, dancing around decisions- all of the moves Travolta utilized in “Saturday Night Fever.”
The business day is ready to commence. The amazingly versatile staff, as versatile as Hilary Swank and Mark Wahlberg, is ready for action. This hand-picked staff is so strong that luminaries such as Paul McCartney, Bono and Lindsay Lohan were not even contacted for employment.
Ten A.M: Red carpet rolled out, doors open! The day proceeds smooth as silk, the crack staff imparting vast knowledge in an understated way to their customers, none of which are Gwen Stefani or Charley Sheen, though the staff would have handled them with aplomb.
Ah, K&L Hollywood. What would the perfect day be? Catherine Deneauve buying Ch. Palmer? Can you imagine just a display of Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon separating an awkward moment between Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman? Or the 2001 Grand Puy Lacoste being fondled by Paris Hilton in front of astonished shoppers?
Closing time at K&L Hollywood. Dim the lights, lock the doors... oops, unlock the doors, and let Mickey Rourke out.
Another hectic day is over, but the staff is still amped from a day in the trenches and the possibility of waiting on Robert Downey Jr. So, it’s off to the night life, in search of good food and drink. Hey, isn’t that Roseanne Barr riding a tricycle? —Joe Zugelder

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The 2000 vintage. It isn’t just for Bordeaux anymore! A fairly wet winter (with some hail!) and spring led to almost a month (September 5 to 27) of sunshine and warm temperatures. The result is a wonderful vintage that has surprised nearly everyone. The Champagne container that arrived for us last month was like a literal treasure chest. Old friends like Ariston, Launois, Franck-Bonville and LeClerc Briant are back in stock. To make things even more interesting, we have received several vintage 2000 Champagnes for the first time. Like the stellar 1996 vintage, the 2000 will be a wonderful cellar addition. Drink your 1998s and let the 2000s settle for a couple of years. One of my personal favorites is the The 2000 Franck Bonville Brut Millesime Blancs de Blancs ($32.99). I still have some 1996 in storage, and the 2000 is quite reminiscent of that wonderful wine. Made of 100% chardonnay with fruit from Avize, Cramant and Oger, the 2000 Franck Bonville has a nose of pears, white flowers and yeast. A beautiful pale straw color that gives the appearance of richness. Which is what it is in the mouth. Ripe pears with exotic spice box notes and zippy acidity on the finish. The trademark minerality of Franck Bonville is there, but it is subdued and elegant. At the opposite end of the spectrum, there is the The 2000 Ariston Vintage Brut ($32.99). A blend of 40% chardonnay, 30% pinot noir and 30% pinot meunier, the house of Ariston is famous for the dark red fruits present in the character of their wines. An extremely interesting nose of exotic, red fruits (think pomegranate, passion fruit), coconut and dough. Very round and rich in the mouth. Caramel and black cherries mingle on the palate with balanced oak to make this a very memorable effort from Ariston. We also have the fine Carte Blanche and Aspasie wines available from Champagne Ariston. So, enjoy the new arrivals. We’ll keep bringing them in as long as they are available! —Scott Beckerley

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The 2005 Hewitson “Ned & Henry” Shiraz Barossa Valley South Australia ($17.99), including a bit of mourvèdre, sees 15 months in barrique. Sourced from old vines, the wine displays great purity with blackberry, bittersweet chocolate, spice and meaty notes. This is quite rich and intense stuff! 92 points from Robert Parker.
The The 2005 Hewitson “Miss Harry” G-S-M Barossa Valley South Australia ($17.99) offers notes of raspberry, chocolate, spice, leather and earth on the nose. There are fine tannins with good acidity and excellent length. This is one of the best GSMs Australia has to offer at this price. 90 points from Robert Parker as well.
The The 2005 Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon Robertson South Africa ($7.99) is more serious and better than previous vintages. Very structured with the nose full of ripe smoky currant and dark plums. On the palate there are supple tannins and good length. This is a great wine for large crowds or just your weekday, go-to-red.
The The 2004 Elderton “Friends” Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley South Australia ($15.99) serves up classic cabernet fruit with black cherry, cedar, chocolate and violets. On the palate there are fine-grained tannins, good structure and a silky texture. Do yourself a favor, and make a new friend! —Jimmy C

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This month I am presenting three enticing dessert wines from Maury. Maury, located in the arid Mediterranean climate of France’s Eastern Pyrenees, is one of two appellations for Vin Doux Naturels or fortified dessert wines in the Roussillon. The wines are grenache based, and the reds are rich and decadent, exuding ripe berry and chocolate aromatics. All three wines are luscious but fresh and vivacious too, making them incredibly well balanced and food-friendly. Mas du Amiel is perhaps the most well-known domaine in the appellation of Maury.
2003 Maury Blanc Domaine Mas Amiel ($19.99) This rare white dessert wine is made from grenache gris. It is bright and fresh and tastes remarkably dry for its whopping 118g/l of residual sugar. Scents of diesel, mandarin, orange blossom and star anise radiate from a mineral core. The wine is round and supple without being heavy, fat or cloying. It would be a deliciously refreshing way to end a meal and would pair beautifully with a custard fruit tart.
2003 Maury Domaine Mas Amiel “Vintage Reserve” ($22.99) The Vintage Reserve is a must try for ruby port fans. It’s 100% grenache and is brimming with luscious blackberry, raspberry and chocolate. With aeration, the wine reveals licorice, vanilla and spice. Fine grained tannins balance the aromatic richness lending structure and power. Pair this wine with chocolate cake or a linzer tort.
Maury Domaine Mas Amiel “Prestige 15 Ans d’Age” ($26.99) This oxidized wine spent a year in glass demi-johns placed outdoors, literally baking in the hot sun. It then continued to mature in old oak barrels for 14 years. This oxidation process gives the wine an intriguing Madeira-like quality. Plums, figs, sultana raisins and tobacco are accented by notes of cumin and star anise. The richness is punctuated by a delightful tang. Serve with aged parmesan, dried fruit and nuts or sip with a cigar. Serve with dark chocolate and the earth will come crashing to a stop. —Nadia Dmytriw

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The following is our tasting bar schedule for the month of May. All tastings are from noon to 3 p.m. in San Francisco and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Redwood City and Hollywood. For further information about other special monthly tastings and dinners, please see our website at www.klwines.com and click on the “local events” bar.
Saturday, May 5: Rhone varietals from France, Australia, California and other locales in San Francisco. Southern Rhone in Redwood City and Hollywood.
In San Francisco, there will be a tasting of Rhone varietals around the world. In Redwood City and Hollywood the focus will be on the Southern Rhone, particularly Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Tasting price TBA.
Saturday, May 12: Wines of the Alsace and Loire Valley in all three stores.
Jeff Vierra and Eric Story present the latest arrivals from this undervalued region. An eclectic selection of reds and whites that is sure to make the transition from spring to summer all the more easy. Tasting price TBA.
Saturday, May 19: Bordeaux in all three stores.
All three stores will host a Bordeaux tasting with picks from Clyde, Ralph, Steve and Bryan. Eight reds, one white and one Sauternes, as is our custom. Tasting price is $20.00.
Saturday, May 26: Wines of Italy in all three stores.
Greg St. Clair, Mike Parres and Kirk Walker return to the wonderful world of Italy to show off their latest and greatest picks. These are sure to be unusual and deeply satisfying selections. Tasting price TBA.
—Scott Beckerley, Kerri Conlon, Jeff Garneau and Chip Hammack

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Domaine Jean-Marc Pavelot has made a reputation for crafting some of the best wines from a commune that has a reputation of over production and “sauvage-ness.” Those are two things that you cannot accuse these wines of being, dilute and sauvage. In these wines there is always a beautiful ripe red fruit character that sings out and states that this is Cote de Beaune fruit. Pavelot’s 2004
offerings are captivating, exhibiting the fruit characteristics that we have come to expect and the depth and terroir-driven focus of the vintage. The 2004 Pavelot Savigny Les Beaune ($24.99) offers good depth, a touch of earth and nice elegance, a wine of honest charm.
Pavelot’s premier cru wines showcase the terroir differences between the sites. The 2004 Pavelot “Les Guettes” ($31.99) showcases the firmer earthier tones one would expect from its location. Firm, but rich and round, this wine exhibits a touch of herbal spice and fruits that run a darker shade of berry. This drinks now with some decanting or will improve with a few years of cellaring. The 2004 Pavelot “La Dominode” ($36.99) is a powerhouse, intense with dark spicy fruits, a rich and round mid-palate and terrific length. This is a wine that should see at least a few years in your cellar. The 2004 Pavelot “Les Narbantons” ($31.99) is sappy and pure, with vibrant red and dark fruits, earth and a floral tone on the nose. Round and ripe on the palate, drink it now or wait a couple of years. The 2004 Pavelot “Les Peuillets” ($31.99) is the prettiest, more high-toned, more mineral and with finer tannins. It is not as big as the previous wines but is more elegant and delicate. Also, keep your eyed pealed for the 2004 Pavelot Pernand-Vergelesses “Les Vergelesses” ($31.99)!
—Kirk Walker

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Well, I am back in the saddle again, after my March trip to Burgundy. The 2005 Burgundies are spectacular and most sought-after. But my watch-word in Burgundy is to follow producers you trust. To that end, we have landed some 2004s from top producers, who use a sorting table and are extremely careful in their vineyard work. These are great bets. On the facing page, Kirk Walker talks about the wines from Domaine Jean-Marc and Hugue Pavelot in Savigny Les Beaune.
I’d like to tell you about the wonderful wines made by Jacques-Frederic Mugnier in Chambolle-Musigny. Of course, he also makes some Nuits St. Georges as well now, since he took back control of the Clos de Marechale from Faiveley, after many, many years.
The 2004 Mugnier Nuits St. Georges, Clos des Fourche ($39.99) is declassified and made from younger vines in the Clos de Marechale. It has pure, round fruit and a powerful elegance, while the 2004 Mugnier Nuits St. Georges, 1er Cru, Clos de la Marechale, ($69.99) is more elegant and was picked as a Key Buy by Burghound. Should age brilliantly. The 2004 Mugnier Chambolle-Musigny ($60.99) is always a balanced and elegant wine, with pretty red fruit notes, since it is from Combe d’Orveau, near Musigny, and Premier Cru, Les Plantes. Finally, the 2004 Mugnier Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru, Fuées, ($99.95) is impeccably balanced between earthiness, elegant red fruit and raspberry hints and an unmistakable note of the 50-year-old vines’ concentration. Á Sante!
—Keith Wollenberg

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What the hell are these? Specializing in Italy provides me with a regular dose of the former phrase, and I get to explain grape varieties, winemaking methods and a geology and geography that is wholly complex. There are reported to be over 2,000 different grape varieties in Italy, and the geography runs from desert island to volcanic slopes, ground best suited for rice paddies to mountain valleys. And in the Valtellina the vineyards are planted on what amounts to a scree slope forming the south face of the Swiss Alps. Italy started a wine revolution about 30 years ago where quality (for some) became the focus. Slowly the ripples of this movement washed out to the heretofore unknown regions, and the fruits of those labors are becoming known. This month I attended Gambero Rosso’s 3 Glass tasting in San Francisco and was suitably impressed by the number of wines of extraordinary quality and little-known names in the U.S. Here are some of my favorites:
The 2004 Oasi degli Angeli “Kurni” ($89.99) is a monumental wine, concentrated, aromatic, powerful yet balanced, neither overpowering nor overripe. It is made from 100% montepulciano grape, which for me is the ONE grape in Italy that has astonishing potential and seen the least done with it. The vines are 35 years old and grown in calcareous sand and clay deposits, which add to the wine’s elegance. Move over Napa, this is a powerful wine.
The 2002 Nino Negri Sfursat “Cinque Stelle” ($69.99) is another amazing wine. If you saw where they grow the grapes for this wine you’d never want to be a grape grower. The slopes are incredibly steep rock faces, the south face of the Swiss Alps, about as close to a moonscape as you could imagine. Here they grow nebbiolo grapes, yet to make the Sfursat they then dry the grapes for a couple of months inside houses alongside the vineyards. The result is stunning richness without giving up any of the elegance, balance or delicacy. This is truly a magnificent wine.
Palari is a very small producer just outside of Messina in Sicily. Salvatore Geraci makes the 2003 Palari Faro ($57.99), which is the D.O.C. for this zone and one of Italy’s smallest (only 15 acres). From the local nerello mascalese, nerello cappuccio and nocera grapes. Dare I say Burgundian? OK, I did! It does exhibit a classic sense of terroir, extraordinary bouquet and a richness on the palate that makes it one of my favorite wines (OK, it doesn’t taste anything like Pinot).
The 2005 Cantina Valle Isarco Kerner “Aristos” ($19.99) is sensational wine. The grape is a cross between riesling and schiava (a local red grape) but produces a prodigious wine way up (2100 feet) in a lost valley in the Alps, closer to Austria than anything Italian. No oak aging, nothing but concentrated Kerner. The wine is rich and powerful, 14.5% alcohol that is so well integrated you never notice it, until you stand up. This is a white wine with size for all those who say Italian whites are thin and insipid! Saluti!
—Greg St.Clair

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2005 Blason Pinot Grigio ($8.99) One of our BEST VALUE wines at K&L! Simply sensational! Perfect balance of acidity and is very aromatic, loaded with pear, apple, citrus and tropical fruit in an elegant, concentrated and superbly balanced wine. This is a perfect wine to serve for Mothers’ Day.
2005 La Cappuccina Soave Classico ($9.99) The main grape of Soave is garganega, which is believed to be of Greek origin. Citrusy fragrance and floral tones will be found the bouquet of the wine, while the palate is rich with ripe apricot and peaches and a long creamy finish. Try with fresh water fish or grilled poultry.
2004 San Vincenti Chianti Classico ($22.99) This ’04 very much reminds me of the great 2001 we carried from this producer. I think this is even better then the ’01, more structure and complexities. Well-balanced with intense flavors, dark fruit and ripe strawberries mingle with a little Tuscan dust. Needs an hour or so to open up and serve with BBQ pork.
2003 Poggiopiano Rosso di Sera IGT ($44.99) Rossa di Sera recieved Three Full glasses in last years Gambero Rosso (very impressive! And the 2004 also received Three Full glasses, but we won’t see that for a little while). The wine. 90% Sangiovese and 10% Colorino. Very intense, rich and full-bodied, you will find cassis, roasted coffee , blueberries, red current and a dash of spiceness with well intergrated tannins and good length on the on the finish. enjoy now and over the next few years. Salute!
—Mike Parres

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The daily schedule of “The King of the Medoc,” Clyde Beffa Jr. has not changed much over the many years; it remains brisk and brutal. In the evaluation of the 2006 vintage the King brought me with him and his most trusted consultants, the Baron of St. Louis and the Prince of Filet Mignon. We managed to taste over 700 wines in seven business days. All that travel in and out of cars is also taxing on the body. Lunch and dinner are rewarding necessities on a business adventure like this.
In general the trip was tough on the palate. The 2006s are vivaciously bright colored wines with lovely fresh and fragrant fruit on the nose but many do not have the ripeness in the mouth to match up to the racy acidities and drying tannins that follow. Looking at my notes, however, it is clear that once again the finest estates in Bordeaux, which is the major aspect of our business, did very well. I found that only a couple of 2006s were better than their 2005s. The wines of 2005 have the lovely ripeness and length in the middle of the wine and the finish that is missing in many 2006s. 2006, like 1986 and 1996 before it, finds itself in a tough spot coming after a real good/great vintage with high prices. The commercial success of this vintage and our recommendations will depend of course on the pricing of the wines. For me they had better come down in price more than we are hearing. Please see our complete vintage report.
Here are the highlight wines and events for me, day to day. I use a 3-Star system for barrel samples. 1 Star: “I like this wine and would buy it;” 2 Stars: “Really good to possibly great wine that I would consider buying on futures for my collection, depending on the price;” 3 Stars: “A wine of greatness, a classic.” If the wine is listed here, I gave it a Star. Please feel free to contact me for a complete copy of my personal notes at Ralph@klkwines.com or with any questions or advice on the wines of Bordeaux.
Mercredi 28th: ’06 Pichon Longueville, ’06 Petit Village, ’06 S de Suduiraut: 1976 Petit Village, 1961, 1957 and 1937 Pichon Longueville, 1975 Suduiraut, 1999 Tokai Diznoko and 1963 Quinta do Noval Nationale that was just incredible with dinner at Pichon Baron.
Jeudi 29th: ’06 Lynch Bages, 2 Stars! ’06 Lynch Bages Blanc, 2005 Phelan Segur, 2000, 2003 Coufran, 2006 Cos d’Estournel, ’06 Goulee: Lunch at Cos, 1997 Latour, 1985 Cos: 2005 Langoa Barton, 2006 Léoville-Barton, 2 Stars! ’05 Barton, 3 Stars! ’06 Potensac, ’06 Clos du Marquis, ’06 Léoville-Las-Cases, Ducru-Beaucaillou, 2 Stars! Léoville-Poyferre, 2 Stars! Pontet-Canet, 2 Stars! Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, 2 Stars! Les Forts de Latour, Latour, 2.5 Stars! The dinner at Latour with all first growths, along with Forts de Latour, Ausone, Petrus and Cheval Blanc all from the year I started at K&L 1978.
Vendredi 30th: ’06 Branaire-Ducru, ’06 Gruaud Larose, 2 Stars! ’05 & ’06 d’Anguludet, ’05 & ’06 Dauzac, ’06 Marquis d’Anselme, ’06 Labegorce, ’06 Cantemerle, 2 Stars! ’06 & ’01 Lascombes, 1999, 1997, 1996, 1995 Lascombes.
Samedi 31st: 18 holes and a painful workout playing horrible golf, best cold Grand Heineken of the year after. 1996 Roederer Crystal, 2 Stars! 1996 Cos d’Estournel, 2 Stars! 1961 Ducru-Beaucaillou, 3 Stars! Lovely dinner with Pierre Antoine and Mary Claude Casteja. Bordeaux beat Lyon in Paris to win Championship. Sarah Levin’s party!
Dimanche 1st: More weak golf but fun party with more good wines! Bollinger Champagne, 1990 Léoville-Las-Cases, 2 Stars! 1989 Cheval Blanc at Pierre and Sophie Lawton’s..
Lundi 2nd: ’06 Ferriere, ’06 Haut-Bages-Liberal, ’05 & ’06 Malmaison, ’04 & ’05 Clarke, ’06 Palmer, 2 Stars! ’06 Malescot St. Exupery, 2 Stars! ’06 Duhart-Milon, ’06 Carruades de Lafite, ’Lafite-Rothschild, 2 Stars! ’06 d’Armaillac, Clerc-Milon, Mouton-Rothschild, 2.5 Stars! 1990 Clerc Milon, 2 Stars and 1982 Mouton-Rothschild, 3 Stars! One of the greatest wines ever. Lunch at Mouton! ’89 Coutet, ’06 Pavillion Rouge, ’06 Margaux, 2 Stars! Pavillion Blanc, 2 Stars! ’04 Smith-Haut-Lafitte, 2 Stars! ’06 Smith-Haut-Lafite. Dinner at Smith-Haut-Lafitte.
Mardi 3rd, Mercredi 4th, Jeudi 5th, Vendredi 6th Joanne tasting, 150 wines: ’0’6 Gigaut Cuvee Viva, Giscours, 2 Stars! Brane Cantenac, Beaumont, Camensac, Greysac, Latour De By, Chasse Spleen, 2 Stars, Clinet, 2 Stars! Gazin, La Cabanne, La Consiellante, 2 Stars! Petrus, 2 Stars! Trotanoy, 2.5 Stars! La Fleur, 2.5 Stars! Angelus, 2 Stars! Le Plus, Vieux Ch. Palon, Cheval Blanc, La Gaffeliere, Canon La Gaffeliere, 2 Stars! Berliquet, Bel Air, Beausejour Becot, Pavie Macquin, 2 Stars! Larcis Ducasse, Troplong Mondot, Clos de l’Oratoire, La Mondotte, 2 Stars! Haut Bergey, Le Gay, Haut Bailly, du Tertre, 1996, 1986 Haut Bailly, Carmes Haut Brion, Carbonnieux, Malartic-Lagraveliere, Dom. de Chevalier, Figeac, 2 Stars! La Mission Haut Brion and Haut Brion, 2 Stars! Sauternes: ’0’6 Guiraud, de Fargues, de Malle, Rieussec, Coutet, Suduiraut, 2 Stars! Rayne Vigneau, Latour Blanche. Dinner in the Bistro at Les Sources de Caudalie. Dinner at Haut Bailly with Veronique and Alexandre. Dinner and tingling cellar tour at Mahler-Besse with Frank and Ferdinand. 1970 Gazin, 2 Stars and 1970 Palmer, 3 Stars! Air France/Chance was again just brutal, 3 Stars. Toujours Bordeaux! —Ralph Sands

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Here at K&L Wine Merchants our Bordeaux shelves are fast being restocked with a mix of brand new wines from the most recent vintages, as well as the return of some old favorites.
2005 Jouanin Cuvee Prestige, Cotes de Castillon ($11.99) This concentrated bargain from the fantastic 2005 vintage has got to be tasted to be believed. Rich scents of berry and tobacco from this deep, dense bargain. The body is round and deep with dark currant fruit that stays firm and focused. Substantial but finely integrated tannin make this wine very food friendly.
2005 Roland la Garde, Premier Cotes de Blaye ($15.99)This deep purple blend of 70% merlot and 30% cabernet sauvignon is a bit more elegant and complex than the Jouanin, but every bit as deep and concentrated. Subtle aromas of damp clay, spice, fruit and game lure you in to the smooth middle of sweet, dark fruit and a touch of chocolate. The long finish shows traces of limestone with very fine tannin, and stays fresh, focused and palate cleansing.
1999 Branaire-Ducru, St-Julien ($54.99)This old favorite is back in stock but don’t look for it to last long. Always approachable, this has slipped into its “prime years” with grace and dignity. Broad, plump and gently earthy, this displays a complex array of sweet plum, mineral and dark fruits. Soft tannin and an overall sense of elegance make this delicious for dinner tonight.
2001 Branaire-Ducru, St-Julien ($39.99)This is drinking beautifully now but can be cellared further as well. Here we have red as well as black fruit, minerals and earth in a lively, savory style. A great price on classically styled Bordeaux! What are you waiting for?
2002 La Louviere Blanc, Pessac-Leognan ($26.99)Several years of bottle age have done wonders. Spiced pear, baked apple, oak and citrus flow from the rich, firm mid-palate of this young classic. The finish is complex and dry with minerals, lemon, honey and even some tropical notes. Fantastic! —Steve Bearden

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Spring is in full bloom, time for one of our favorite outdoor activities: baseball. How about a few wines to enjoy with all of this merriment?
Out of the box like Ichiro comes the 2004 Doisy Daene “Grand Vin Sec” Denis Dubourdieu ($14.99). From the famous Sauternes house, this dry white wine is perfect for spring drinking. The nose is like walking out onto a manicured golf course, full of freshly cut, slightly damp grass. Betraying its Bordeaux roots, this is almost New Zealand-like with its zesty acid and grapefruit. Add some fennel and wax bean and you have a perfect wine for Caesar salad.
Next are a couple of sleepers like last year’s Tigers. The 2002 Les Allees de Cantemerle, Haut-Médoc ($14.99), is the second wine of Château Cantemerle, and it is fantastic right now. Like BBQ-ed fruit, the nose is appetizingly both sweet and smoky. Add dustings of coffee, baking cocoa, menthol and iron and you start to realize this is a serious second wine for under $20. Not to be confused as a tagalong, the 2004 Parenchere, Bordeaux ($13.99) is packed with dusty blackberries and toasted anise seed. This is a lithe little wine, charming with its spice and juice, simple enough for a cocktail yet hearty enough to go with a couple of onglet steaks.
If you have to have some big names, the 2001 Ducru-Beaucaillou, St-Julien ($64.99) offers unmistakable richness and depth, bubbling over with pastille candies and pepper gelee. Exotic, spiced and intensely flavored, this is just starting to come into its own. Then there is the spectacular 1996 Cos d’Estournel, St-Estèphe ($129.00). This is the beginning of the Cos that is today, slick, exotic and polished. Black raspberry, licorice and a note of roasted coffee lace this otherwise earth-driven effort. Give this another 2-5 years of time to develop. Go A’s! —Bryan Brick

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After the fabulous 2005 vintage (in terms of quality and in terms of profits made by the properties), the 2006 Bordeaux vintage is more in line with 2004. That is to say, in terms of quality it is a very good vintage that is perhaps a bit better than 2004, 2002 and 2001. There are some stunning wines; in fact, a few wines are better in 2006 than they were in 2005! As far as what the prices will be, that is anyone’s guess right now. But the mood of the owners seems to be to discuss 2006 prices in terms of the outrageously high 2005s, never mentioning the prices of 2004, 2002 and 2001. Of course, the 2006 campaign depends on the prices. The U.K. buyers and negociants are pleading that the prices return to 2004 levels, while the producers (with quite a nice bankroll from 2005) seem not to be inclined to go there. We shall see! —Clyde Beffa from Bordeaux

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Do you ever wish you could get an immediate notification when one of your favorites arrives in inventory? Now it’s easy! Just use our “waiting list” systems and pick a specific wine or just individual keywords or phrases. When we get something that matches your waiting list, you get an automatic email with the price and quantity available. Learn more and get started at: http://www.klwines.com/waitinglist-help.asp

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Special Champagne Dinner in Palo Alto
Saturday May 12: Our Champagne Club has begun, and our first all Champagne dinner will be at Spago Restaurant. Gary Westby will host the dinner and comment on the bubblies. $150 per person. Casual elegance dress. Reception at 6:30, dinner at 7 p.m.
Gaja Dinner in Hollywood
Wednesday June 13: The charming Gaia Gaja will lead us through some of her great wines at La Terza Restaurant in Los Angeles, while we dine on a sumptuous diner. Cost: $150. Reception at
7 p.m. with dinner following. Casual elegance dress.
Ch. Pichon Lalande and Ch. Angelus
Dinner in Northern California
Wednesday June 6: Gildas d’Ollone, director of Pichon, and Hubert de Bouard, owner of Angelus, will show some of their stunning wines. Stay tuned for more details, and visit www.klwines.com!

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2003 Château d’Aiguilhe, Cotes de Castillon ($31.99) Ralph’s pick for 2003 right bank values. 91 points from the Wine Spectator: “Aromas of blackberry, spices, chocolate and meat follow through to a full-bodied palate, with lots of juicy fruit. Luscious finish. Gorgeous.”
2003 Château Malescot Ste-Exupery, Margaux ($48.99) 92 points Wine Spectator: “Plenty of blackberry and floral aromas with hints of new wood. Full-bodied, chewy and rich with round tannins and a long finish. Very tight. Lovely silky texture. Best after 2009.”
1997 Domaine de Chevalier, Pessac ($32.99) This wine is delicious right now. According to the Wine Spectator: “Wonderfully aromatic, with beautiful plum and toasted oak character on the nose. Medium-bodied, with velvety tannins and a medium, fruity finish.” (01/2000).
1999 Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac (1.5L) ($109.99) Clyde loves this wine! Direct from property. 90 points Parker: “There are loads of fruit and charm as well as a creamy texture revealing hints of tobacco, currants, and wood smoke. It is medium-bodied and supple-textured, and will provide ideal drinking over the next 12-15 years.”
1970 Château Pichon-Lalande, Pauillac ($195.00) Clyde cut his teeth on this vintage-still great wine. 94 points Wine Spectator: “Fresh and complex, generous in character, with lovely dried cherry and spice aromas that follow through on the palate. Full-bodied, with concentrated fruit and firm tannins, this has a long life ahead.” (11/97)
1970 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, St-Julien ($245.00) 92 points Robert Parker: “This wine has been fully mature and delicious for many years …. It has always been an outstanding wine for the vintage - complex, rich, savory, and the quintessentially elegant Bordeaux. This beauty continues to reveal the fragrance and finesse that one expects from Lafite-Rothschild but so rarely finds.” (06/96)
1976 Château Latour, Pauillac (1.5L) ($629.00) K&L started selling wine this year! According to the Wine Spectator: “...nearing full maturity, this offers cigar box, herbal and woodsy aromas and flavors. Supple on the palate, yet firm on the finish.--Latour vertical.” (12/97)

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This fantastic event will be held at the K&L Hollywood store (1400 Vine Street) on Saturday, June 9, from 2 to 5 p.m. Wineries attending will include Caymus Vineyards, Château Montelena, WH Smith, Lewis Cellars, Ridge Vineyards, among others! $65 advance purchase and $85 at the door.

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Join one of K&L’s Wine Clubs for a fun and easy way to explore the wide world of fine wine. Whatever your price point, we offer a broad range of high-quality wines at exceptional savings.
One of the great advantages of belonging to a K&L Wine Club is the breadth of the selections. In recent months, we have offered wines from California, France, Italy, Australia, Spain and Germany. Many of our customers have been members of winery wine clubs but dropped them after a while because it seemed to just be more of the same every month. You will never get that feeling with the K&L wine clubs because we provide a variety of wines that no other wine club can match. But what really differentiates the K&L Wines Clubs is our staff, and their expertise. Our wine buyers are dedicated professionals with years of experience, an extraordinary depth of knowledge and a 100% commitment to excellence. Being in a K&L Wine Club is like having your own personal wine shopper.
The K&L Wine Clubs are also easy and convenient. Just sign-up, and every month your selections will be sent to you. If you are traveling or unable to receive a shipment, let us know and we will hold the wines until you return or send them to one of our retail stores for pick-up at your convenience. Club members are encouraged to reorder their favorites and a member of any Club may purchase wine from any of the other Clubs. Buying a case of certain wines at a Club discount can often nearly pay for a year’s Club membership.
So what are you waiting for? Give us a call or go to our award-winning website to sign-up for one of our Clubs, and you will soon be off on a guided tour of the world’s finest wines.
CHAMPAGNE CLUB
The Champagne Club will send you two bottles of incredible Champagne bi-monthly for only $69.95. Each shipment will combine one bottle from an artisanal grower-producer and one bottle from a grand marque producer. June is the next month for shipment. Sign up now.
SIGNATURE RED COLLECTION
The Signature Red Club is our top-of-the-line Club and conceived expressly for those who believe the first duty of a great wine is to be red. The wines in this Club hail from some of the finest wine regions in the world including Bordeaux, Napa and Tuscany. The cost per month is $49.95 + shipping (and tax for CA residents). All reorders are $23.95 per bottle.
PREMIUM WINE CLUB
The Premium Wine Club is a usually a combination of one white and one red chosen for their varietal tipicity. This is club appeals to wine lovers who want both reds and whites and has even been referred to as the “his and hers” Wine Club. The cost per month is $29.95 + shipping (and tax for CA residents). All reorders are $13.99 per bottle.
BEST BUY WINE CLUB
The Best Buy Wine Club is our introductory Club and is both a great way for novices to discover a wide range of wines as well as a great source of high-quality-to-price-ratio wines for the savvy old pro. Many of our customers subscribe to multiple Clubs, especially adding in a best buy for the astounding values we deliver every month. The cost per month is $17.95 + shipping (and tax for CA residents). All r