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This new discovery is almost too good to be true. Chateau Chadenne's La Fleur is a gorgeous Fronsac from the famed 2009 vintage, a wine that I fell head over heels for when tasting a few months back and couldn't wait to share with folks at K&L. It's now here and stands tall as one of the best buys in Bordeaux, the kind of combination of value, vintage, and age that you really don't see anywhere else. Just as when I first tasted it, I'm enamored with how fresh and lively this 2009 is. When I think about how the style and panache of the 2009 vintage should evolve with time, it tastes like this. Floral and wild berry aromas lead to a palate that's full of red-to-black fruit, terrific acid lift, and well-integrated tannins that follow through to a finish with a stony, mineral edge that feels very much at home in Fronsac's clay-limestone hills, along with a touch of spice. A beautiful combination of freshness and richness, it hits all the hallmarks of this celebrated vintage. A remarkable wine that defies its low price, this is one to buy by the case. It will impress wine drinkers of all stripes and, given how fresh, composed, and vibrant it remains today, should continue to evolve gracefully for another ten to twenty years. This is a modern classic and a not-to-be-missed value.

There was once a time when we could have nearly anything we wanted in the wonderful Willett warehouses. Back in the day, our friends the Kulsveens didn't have every liquor store in America breaking down their doors to get a barrel of their special bourbon. Until 2012, they had sourced every drop, yet something about those special ricks on the hill behind Bardstown seemed to uniformly create exceptional whisky. Honestly, they were extremely ahead of their time in almost every aspect of their business, but when the distillery opened, the doors to those rickhouses closed. Now we're extremely lucky to get our one barrel a year. It's funny because those stocks are actually controlled by the distributor, and so while we definitely feel like we should be getting the lion's share of the barrels for K&L - after all, we were some of the first to jump on the single barrel bus long ago - it's hard to fault them for only giving us one, considering they have to split their allocations between five states and thousands of stores. But, as I am wont to do, I must push every button when there's something I love and believe my customers will benefit from owning. So the choice to pick a 15-year-old barrel as our only Willett seems easy on paper - an incredibly delicious and rare barrel from the pre-distillation sourced stock - but it was actually incredibly difficult. That's mostly because of this special barrel. This is easily the best own distillate I've yet to taste, and while I'm sure there are many other, perhaps superior, barrels distilled since they opened in 2012, this one was so perfectly balanced and delicious that it absolutely sang to me. So while I ultimately picked the 15-year, I asked Ethan - the single barrel guru at Willett - to hide this sample for a few days while I worked my magic. I began to prod and pester our distributor for an additional barrel allocation, but their hands were tied. They'd already committed every barrel, and I was one of the few in California to get access to a 15-year, so my political capital seemed to be spent. Our final option was to get to the New York market, where our newly opened store had not qualified for an allocation because we were so new to the local distributor there. I begged and pleaded, but the rules in New York are extremely strict. You simply can't be allocated a barrel if there are other accounts that qualify ahead of you. So I simply left it up to fate and begged Ethan to continue guarding that sample. In an amazing stroke of luck, not a few weeks later, I got a call from our supplier in New York saying one of our competitors had backed out of their pick and the allocation had opened up. Without hesitation, I mentioned this incredible barrel, and the rest is history. K&L's first Willett barrel in New York and one of the greatest modern Willetts I've ever tasted. Sometimes the stars align and the gods of bourbon allow you to step through the gates. I'm very lucky to have people in every aspect of this business who care about what we do. They know how much I care for them. They are the bourbon angels who made this possible. I won't go into tasting notes or anything like that here today. I've already been effusive enough, but rest assured, no one who understands the potential greatness that modern Willett can deliver will open this bottle and be disappointed. The barrel is named for the song that came on as we drove up that special drive to the legendary spot, "This Must Be the Place" by Talking Heads. It's true of Willett and that special spot at 270 Madison Ave in the great state of New York. We have arrived.

This is a fascinating showcase of how graceful Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon can age. Now 15 years old, this bottling still shows complex aromas of roasted strawberry, ashy wood, mashed olive, espresso bean and damp mushroom. The palate remains as fresh as many new Cabs, with polished tannins offering dark fruit, dried porcini and bittersweet cocoa flavors. *Editors' Choice* (MK)

Our latest Pinot Noir from the Anonymous Wine Collective comes from the newly minted SLO Coast AVA. This ultra-cool-climate growing region on California’s Central Coast has long been renowned for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and other aromatic white varieties, but has now been formally recognized with the creation of an AVA defined by its immediate proximity to the Pacific Ocean. We partnered with one of the region’s most celebrated and critically acclaimed producers to craft this entirely estate-grown and produced Pinot Noir from vineyards located just a few miles from the coast. The fruit was hand-harvested and meticulously sorted before undergoing open-top, native fermentation with 10% whole-cluster inclusion. Each block was handled separately until the final barrel selections were made, bringing together our favorite components into one seamless expression of the SLO Coast. The wine is effusively aromatic and pure - a silky, highly perfumed expression of Pinot Noir that is drinking beautifully right out of the gate. Yet, knowing the reputation of this estate, it should also age gracefully for many years to come. Once again, our commitment to preserving the anonymity of our winery partners allows us to offer this wine at a fraction of the price it would command under the regular label. I hope you enjoy it. Cheers!

Château de la Charrière is one of our most popular direct import producers and a label that easily represents the best bang for your buck we carry in Burgundy. Formerly run by Yves Girardin, the business is now run by his young son Benoit, who has modernized the winemaking since his first vintage in 2011.

Finding a properly aged Montepulciano d'Abruzzo of this pedigree is a rare thrill. While visiting one of the region’s most historic, traditional estates—a family famous for holding their top wines back for a decade or more before release—I was offered a tiny allocation of this magnificent 2011 from their personal library. The 2011 vintage was warm and generous, yielding a wine of immense concentration that has now softened into absolute elegance after years of perfect cellaring. The nose is incredibly complex, offering layers of baked blackberry, dried plum, cured tobacco, leather, and a signature hint of dark cocoa. On the palate, the once-massive tannins have melted into a velvety, seamless texture, carrying savory notes of balsamic and earth through a remarkably long, persistent finish. It is a profound, soul-stirring expression of mature Abruzzo that is fully ready to drink tonight, offering an unforgettable experience of aged Italian wine without the typical premium.

Compelling smoky mineral and sultry lemon characters ebb and flow across the nose and palate with a gorgeous crunch of acidity and texture. Very long and delicious. (2024 DWWA)

The Doc's Ranch is east-facing 1150-1200ft of elevation, and according to Cobb, it is pummeled with fog. The slope is southeast facing, and Ross uses 50% whole cluster to make this wine—aromas of red flowers and mint, white pepper and wild green strawberries. The palate shows sweet red berries, lightly spiced with notes of white pepper and an elegantly textured mouthfeel. This Pinot dances across the palate with zippy, savoury white pepper and a fresh note of evergreen sap and lithe pine needles lingering on through the finish. (CP)

This is one of the most exciting Cognacs we've ever stocked, particularly now that we're able to offer it at a price that better reflects just how extraordinary the age and pedigree are. It's a total bomb, not suited for most large-house Cognac drinkers, but it will easily win over lovers of old, unobtainable American whiskey, intensely sherried malt, or cask-strength Armagnac. Lovers of dense and powerful dark spirits of any kind, take note. This is a selection from Bouju's oldest stocks, with a minimum age of around 40 years and a not insignificant proportion of brandies much, much older, perhaps 80+ years old. According to M. Bouju, it's bottled without coloring, filtration, or reduction of any kind. He insists the excessively dark color is the result of that lack of reduction, something that normally happens several times during an eau-de-vie's maturation and blending. Instead, he distills and reduces slightly before barreling, then does absolutely nothing else for the next four decades. When it reaches 100 proof naturally, it's transferred into a special vat, from which only a portion is removed for each bottling. So the young, 40-year-old Cognac mingles with small portions of every previous batch that has gone into the vat. The resulting Cognac is a force of nature. The nose puts us squarely in bourbon land: dense, dry, and woodsy, with fruit compote of figs and plums, cacao nibs, sweet herbs, and all kinds of baking spice. Relatively gentle on the palate considering the high proof, but very dry, with dark fruit and a huge minty, herbal finish. A benchmark by any standard. 5 Stars.

I can't think of a single bottle of Champagne at K&L that has brought me such consistent pleasure as the Ariston Aspasie "Réserve." The Ariston family has worked very hard to deliver this great bottle to the Champagne lovers of the world. Most producers age their Champagne for less than three years in the bottle before shipping, but the "Réserve" gets five years. It is entirely estate-grown by one of the most careful growers in the business. On top of all that, it is made in one of the most modern facilities of any small producer that I have visited. The pressing is done in a €250,000 Coquard Diagonal press, and the fermentation is all done in computer-regulated, temperature-controlled tanks. The result is one of the best apéritif bottles that we sell, toasty and full, yet refreshing and crisp, a perfect balance between aged complexity and youthful vigor. And then there is the price; so fair that Cinnamon and I have had the opportunity to impact the world supply with our consumption! Don't miss it!

An absolute classic rendition of Zinfandel this legendary, historic site. There tons of rich, brambly fruit from the old vine Zin, but also real substance and complexity from the inclusion of Alicante Bouchet and a Primitivo clone brought here by Italian immigrants over a century ago. The wine shows a real sense of place with a crushed rock and ferrous mineral tone from red iron-rich loam and volcanic cobblestones that define the soils of the site. The picture perfect growing season in 2023 gave this wine lots of vibrancy and focus to balance all that old vine concentration and potency. The subtle use of both French and American oak is a well known signature when combined with this beautiful fruit. The value here, as with all the Anonymous wines is simply outstanding! Enjoy!

Welcome to the newest addition to our Rendez-Vous collection: Touraine Sauvignon Blanc. Why did we choose Touraine? Simply put, it offers one of the greatest values for Sauvignon Blanc anywhere in the world. The region's clay-limestone and calcareous soils share many similarities with those of its far more famous neighbor a couple of hours to the east—Sancerre. As prices in Sancerre have continued to climb, many of its top producers have turned to Touraine to craft their value-focused wines. We realized we could do the same. So we reached out to one of our longtime partners with a simple proposition: let's take one of our favorite everyday Touraine bottlings and create the next Rendez-Vous. If you've been a fan of Roches Touraine over the years, here's a little secret—you've found it. This wine is the foundation for the project. I've been buying and tasting these wines for well over a decade, and they've never disappointed. The 2024 is everything I look for in Touraine: sleek, vibrant, and mineral-driven, with notes of lemon oil, fresh verbena, and a lightly chalky finish. There's also a subtle tropical lift that I always love in Touraine Sauvignon Blanc. It gives the wine an open, inviting personality that's equally at home on a Tuesday night or at a weekend gathering. That's exactly what Rendez-Vous is meant to be: exceptional quality at an everyday price. One of our goals with this label is to redefine what a daily-drinking wine can be by leveraging the long-standing relationships we've built with outstanding growers to deliver remarkable value without compromise. We hope this new Rendez-Vous earns a permanent place at your table. Santé—we have a feeling we'll be seeing you again soon.

Really fine bubbles. Extremely intense, showing dried apples, peaches and light apricots with brioche and pie crust. Medium-bodied with a creamy texture and a long, long finish. Very subtle. A blend of pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier. 10% of the 2020 base wine fermented and aged in barrel. Dosage 8 g/L.

Seven percent red wine added to the blend to make the NV Champagne Brut Rosé, which is based on the 2020 harvest and is 45% Chardonnay, 25% Meunier, and the rest Pinot Noir, with about 45% reserve wine. A classic pink salmon hue, the nose is classic and pretty with notes of fresh peaches, raspberries, roses, and chalky earth. Medium-bodied and rounded, it’s approachable and fresh in style, with lovely purity and a pretty feel throughout. It’s delicious now but has the ability to age with ease over the coming 10 years. Disgorged in the first quarter of 2023, 4.7 grams per liter dosage (although interestingly, they are now including the total grams per liter, in this case 5.3 grams per liter in the final wine). (AF)

A blend of 36% Grenache, 24% Syrah, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cinsault, 8% Rolle, 5% Caladoc, and 4% Counoise, the 2025 Coteaux D'Aix En Provence Rosé is a clean, classy rosé with light red fruits, white flowers, and chalky minerality on the nose. It's medium-bodied on the palate, with a fresh, focused mouthfeel, clean acidity, and just perfect overall balance. It's a serious, delicious rosé that's up with some of the crème de la crème of the region.

One of the highlights of the vintage, the 2023 Coutet is exquisite, revealing aromas of pear, white peach, beeswax, pineapple and ripe apricot intertwined with spices and flowers. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and concentrated yet without heaviness, it is fleshy and generous, built around an enveloping, vibrant core of fruit framed by racy acidity that extends into an endless, ethereal finish. Marrying the inherent vivacity of Barsac’s limestone terroirs with the concentration of the year, this ranks among my favorite renditions and may well be one of the finest wines produced here in recent times. (YC) 98+

The 2022 Château Tronquoy is the finest vintage of this cuvée ever produced, offering fabulous aromatics of cassis, graphite, violets, flowers, chocolate, and earthy nuances. Full-bodied and beautifully rich and textured on the palate, with sweet tannins and a seamless, concentrated mouthfeel, it’s already hard to resist, and as I said from barrel, it shows the ripeness of the vintage while staying pure, balanced, and seamless. It’s going to benefit from just 4-6 years in the cellar and drink well for 25+ years.

Perfumed with sweet berry, fresh flower and cedar aromas that follow through to a medium-bodied palate with firm and chewy tannins and a fresh finish. Very classy and structured. Extremely long. Give it time to open.

This is the best wine I've ever tasted from Trois Noix. It’s full-flavoured, complex, and rich without ever feeling heavy, framed by gorgeously polished tannins with a cocoa powder quality. The wine is supremely fresh and inviting, with minty eucalyptus and sagebrush notes lifting cassis, cherry, and white pepper-infused plum fruit, all supported by a spine of crisp acidity. Really hitting all the marks in 2023.

A remarkable blend sourced from Montagna Vineyard and from sites in Oak Knoll and Calistoga. Montagna Vineyard is located on Pritchard Hill in the eastern hills of Napa Valley. This full-bodied wine features notes of cardamom, black liquorice, and black cherry, complemented by a perfumed bouquet of wild herbs. Crafted by the talented winemaker Maayan Koschitzky, it is a lovely and sophisticated wine. (JC)

The latest Cabernet from the Anonymous Wine Collective is a truly special wine with an incredible backstory. I was lucky enough to walk among the vines with the winemaker and hand-pick barrels in the cellar to put together the final blend. It has been an absolute joy to help create this tiny, 200-case bottling from a historic block of vines that played an instrumental role in putting Napa Cabernet on the global map. The block of vines from which this wine originates was planted in 1974. It sits above the valley floor on a perfect alluvial bench at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains, along the western edge of the valley. The vines, an old heritage clone of Cabernet grafted onto St. George rootstock, grow in extremely rocky soils composed of weathered basalt and compressed volcanic ash, or tuff. From the late 1970s through the 1980s, fruit from this very block was a component of early Opus One bottlings and was blended into Robert Mondavi’s iconic Reserve Cabernet alongside To Kalon fruit (apparently to add structure!) My initial dream was to bottle a pure Cabernet Sauvignon from these 50-plus-year-old vines. However, while tasting barrels, I fell in love with some Merlot and Petit Verdot from a neighboring block planted in the mid-1990s. After trying several renditions of a Bordeaux-style blend, I decided to add equal parts Merlot and Petit Verdot to the cuvée, as they beautifully complemented the dense, brooding old-vine Cabernet. The final blend was literally scribbled on the back of a napkin and sealed with a handshake. Once the components were racked together, the finished wine went back into barrel (Taransaud barrels, no less) for several more months, allowing everything to marry before bottling. Even though this wine is still an absolute baby, the quality is already clear to see. It is inky, brooding, and powerful, with an uncommon depth of black fruit, crushed rock, savory graphite, cedar, bay laurel, and beautifully integrated barrel spice. Please decant the wine for at least an hour if drinking it anytime soon, allowing it time to open up. I think it will be in fine form by this coming autumn and should have more than 20 years of aging potential. This is a wine I am incredibly proud of and one I will be enjoying on special occasions for many years to come!

Light coral pink. This is a very concentrated, intense rosé with masses of fruit ranging from tangy raspberry and blood orange to deep notes of blackberry and blueberry, infused with licorice, anise and earthy spice. Despite its concentration and power, the palate is surprisingly lively and elegant, before slowly yielding to the submerged bed of peppery grip on the finish. Simply fantastic, it is clearly structured without being serious or austere. It will age if given time in bottle but is equally enjoyable now with food. *Ranked #1 2024 Rosé from Marlborough, Recommended* (SW)

For over a decade now, I have received more emails about the Petroni rosé than any other wine in the category. "When does the new vintage arrive?" Well, it's finally here, and once again, it does not disappoint. The 2025 release is generous and expressive, showcasing notes of nectarine, passion fruit, and wild strawberry. A kiss of salinity and vibrant acidity provide balance and freshness. While unmistakably character-driven, it remains effortlessly approachable, always inviting another return to the glass. The only time I've visited Corsica, a stop at Petroni's vineyards was high on my list. Perched above the nearby lagoon, the vineyards overlooked the water on a damp, cool day just after harvest. Everything was still green and lush, and the beauty of the site left a lasting impression. That trip remains one of my favorite sourcing experiences, and Petroni continues to stand among my most rewarding discoveries. Year after year, this rosé reminds me exactly why.

We began the Discovery Series as a way to introduce our clients to outstanding producers from well-defined regions, pairing great wines with the history and backstory that bring them to life. We were truly astounded by the success and reception of these wines, and deeply encouraged by the trust you placed in us to deliver what we consider best-in-class wines at best-in-class prices under a label we will continue to develop. During the search for Discovery wines, however, I encountered a number of bottles that didn’t quite fit that specific mold, yet still offered incredible quality and value. That realization led to the creation of the Rendez-Vous label — a place to showcase wines we believe will become staples in your weeknight rotation. This project was born during a visit with our friends at Dauvergne et Ranvier in the Southern Rhône. Together, we conducted a series of blind tasting trials, working through dozens of samples and experimenting with different lots to build what I hoped would become the perfect Rhône-style blend. I began by tasting individual parcels — some already blended, others single varietal expressions. Several Côtes du Rhône lots produced charming and approachable wines, but once we moved into the Côtes du Rhône Villages selections, the depth of fruit and overall expansiveness increased dramatically. After settling on my preferred blend, we presented it to our winery partners. Watching everyone’s reactions as we arrived at the final composition was incredibly rewarding — we were unanimous in our enthusiasm. Just like that, our first Côtes du Rhône Villages blend was born. The final wine leans toward Syrah (approximately 70%), supported by a generous 30% Grenache. It shows a beautiful core of raspberry and wild strawberry fruit, backed by impressive concentration and layered notes of tobacco, black pepper, and savory spice. Now that the wine has rested in bottle after its journey from France to our warehouse, it has fully settled into its character. At recent staff trainings, I shared this wine with our teams and felt that same sense of satisfaction seeing their reactions. It has quickly become a staff favorite. There is tremendous personality here and, as I like to say, it truly overdelivers for the price. Join us for a little Rendez-Vous with this exciting new release — I think you’ll find as much pleasure in drinking it as we did creating it.

A longstanding K&L customer favorite, the 2015 Bodegas Casa Juan Señor de Lesmos Reserva Rioja is back in stock and tasting better than ever! Composed of the same blend as the Crianza Rioja (85% Tempranillo; 15% Mazuelo), this Reserva Rioja is a barrel selection by owner/winemaker Angel Escudero. He identifies barrels of the Crianza that he feels show more complexity and concentration and are able to withstand extended aging. These wines then spend a total of 27 months in barrel, before being racked to concrete tanks where they spend another year aging before being bottled and aged even further. Now with 10 years of age, the 2015 Reserva Rioja is shows a panoply of ripe, slightly desiccated red fruit (plum, strawberry) notes, backed up by wonderfully savory, earthy aromatics of mushroom, cedar, tobacco and subtle black licorice. This wine is so classically Rioja, herbaceous and woodsy on the palate, with a long and lingering finish. Considering this wine is almost a full decade old and still singing, this is an incredible value at under $20. Add in that the estate is family owned, and the vines are averaging forty-five years old, you’d be hard pressed to find many other comparable wines at this price point in Rioja.

The impressive red 2016 El Cadastro, which has the subtitle Viñas de Sierra (mountain vineyards), is an old-vine cuvée from a cooler year. This is balanced and serious, with depth and nuance, still young and unevolved, beautifully textured and with a seamless palate where the wine combines power and elegance. There is terrific balance and a dry, chalky finish. Very impressive. (LG)

I've done some crazy things here at K&L over the years. $180 barrel aged Japanese Gin? 20 barrels of delicious single malt, declassified from that coveted category to meager Blended Malt to avoid tariffs? A whole barrel of Fernet?! Hell yes. Of all the crazy things I've done though, this one might just be the craziest. I was honestly astonished when my Oliver McCrum rep waltzed into the store one morning with six barrel samples from the lovely little Biodynamic farm in Fresno known for producing unusual spirits and collaborating with Thad Vogler and Bar Agricole on one of the best California brandies on the market. Even more intriguing were the random numbers and weird scribbles across the samples: 204 150 prof, 203 150 pr, 200 159pf, 199 160 proos, 178 164 p, 179 174 pF. 174 proof? Holy hell, there’s no way this is real. As is customary, I started with what appeared to be the lowest proof, a mere 75% alcohol by volume. Solid, oaky fruit, but hot. On we went until reaching the silliest of them all, barrel 179 at an astonishing 174 proof, or 87% alcohol. And somehow, it was absolutely incredible. Powerful citrus, deep florals, woodsy aromatics, tremendous concentration. I couldn’t believe I was enjoying it. It seemed almost too good to be true, but amazingly they agreed to bottle the barrel without additions or subtractions. As it turned out, the original proof reading was a bit off, and the final bottling strength came in at a mere 160 proof. It is remarkably drinkable even there, but slowly adding small amounts of good mineral water opens the spirit into something truly otherworldly. Give it a little time in the glass and it becomes so intensely orange confectionary that you might be forgiven for thinking our friend Thad had created some bizarre new Curaçao. This feels somewhere between an aged aromatic varietal of pisco and one of the funky single barrels we used to taste in the cellars at Copper & Kings back in the day. It is utterly delicious and completely unique, but do add the water slowly and give the aeration time to work its magic. So yes, this may be one of the craziest things I’ve ever bottled, but it is also, without question, the best single-barrel California brandy we’ve ever released. Bar none.

This unfiltered Chardonnay explodes from the glass with brilliant aromas of fresh lime peel, orange blossom, chalk and green pear. The palate displays all of that acid-driven freshness, with flavors of juicy tangerine and flowers leading to a finish with echoes of salty lime zest. *Editors' Choice* (TRC)

There is no world in which I care to celebrate the demise of a promising new brand. The amount of energy and work that goes into building a craft distillery and creating products of genuine character and quality is simply enormous, and even when you do everything right, there is always a chance things will not work out. This was better than 90% of the craft gins on the market at $50, and even at half that price, it would easily the finest value in the category. At this simply unbelievable price, it's simply irresponsible of you financially not at least TRY a bottle. Many have already loaded up on cases based on the knowledge and trust K&L brings to the table. It will not last forever, but this is the anti-inflation play of 2026. You could downgrade your quality or buy industrial gin, much of which is still perfectly good to drink I supposed, but if you care about what and how you drink, there is simply nothing else that comes close in terms of handmade craft gin for the money. The wonderful National Distilling Company of New Zealand produced award-winning gins using time-honored traditions. Its incredible facility was built inside the beautiful Art Deco National Tobacco Company building. The dry gin begins with a base of high-quality neutral whey spirit and uses classic botanicals, deftly blended to create a harmonious, supple, and remarkably versatile spirit. It is a juniper-forward gin balanced by zesty Hawke’s Bay lemon peel and New Zealand orris root. Let’s give it a go. The color is perfectly clear (0.0). The nose is a balanced combination of earthy pine and sweet citrus oils, with hints of fresh mint, herbal tea, and burdock grounding the vibrant, high-toned aromatics. The palate is rich, textural, balanced, and drinkable even at room temperature. Juniper sings up front, followed by a bold, spicy pepper note through the mid-palate. The finish allows the citrus to reemerge beautifully. A truly stupendous and rightfully well-awarded gin. There is simply no reason it should be sold at this price, but here we are.

The wild success of the Sideburns 35 Year has rattled the cage of more than one large company in Scotland. If you haven’t seen my review of that product, I highly recommend taking a look: https://shop.klwines.com/products/details/1918829 . The short version is this: we may be on the precipice of a new golden age of Scotch, and K&L is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the market asymmetry. While our marketing of the previous batch was met with side eyes and raised eyebrows from the original owners of the stocks and trademarks, other suppliers with similar inventories saw it as a signal. This was an opportunity. It would seem our prayers have been answered. Another incredible value in old malt has landed in our lap, and this time the deal is even more impressive. There are, of course, differences in the stock. This distillate comes entirely from November 1989 and was matured in refill hogsheads, rather than the first-fill sherry hogsheads of Batch #1. The proof is slightly lower, but still a robust 47-48% for a whisky of such advanced age. Remember, Scotch typically loses up to 1% ABV per year and enters the cask around 63%. So yes, older, slightly lower in proof, and without the fashionable sherry influence, yet 25% cheaper. If you ask me, old malt like this absolutely thrives in refill hogsheads. While I often insist on first or second fill for younger whisky, at this age the nuance of second or third fill can be profoundly beneficial. In any case, if it’s not already clear, this malt is drawn almost entirely from one of Speyside’s most beloved distillers. Search “Burnside,” the Cadenhead/Springbank-owned blended malt, if you want clues to the source. We’re being intentionally careful about naming names, but suffice it to say this parcel comes from the cellars of one of the industry’s most powerful blending houses. Whether it was once destined as a top note for premium blends or simply forgotten stock, it now stands as perhaps the greatest value I’ve ever offered. Twice in six months. It really does feel like the start of something bigger.

Lovely transparency to this, with subtle honeysuckle, lemon rind and honey in the nose. It's medium-bodied with a refined texture and beautiful length. Real white Burgundy for the money. Drink now.

From the first pour of this vibrant purple-hued Pinot, you'll know you're in for an extraordinary ride. This estate bottling blends Pinot from Eyrie’s 5 certified-organic estate vineyards, where the Willamette Valley's iconic variety got its start. This sophisticated, well-balanced, and highly aromatic wine offers notes of candied strawberries, orange peel, pink peppercorns, and a bouquet of florals, highlighted by the distinct scent of rose petals. On the palate, the grippy tannins and vibrant acidity hint at a promising ageing journey. (CP)

Kamptal takes its name from the Kamp River, which flows through this Austrian winegrowing area before joining the Danube. GRÜNER by Etz presents the region’s signature Grüner Veltliner grape in a one-liter bottle, with the 2025 vintage clearly anchoring this release.

The 2021 Puzzle is Newton's mountain Cabernet blend at its most generous, dense and dark. It pours rich and dark, chocolate and mocha lifting out of the glass, before turning soft and fabulously friendly on the palate. Chalky dark fruit abounds, with a generous, almost decadent finish. Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon from Newton's high volcanic sites, filled out with the a supporting cast of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot.

This unusual and delicious expression is truly unique, utilizing native botanicals found only in New Zealand. The result is still unmistakably gin, with juniper firmly present, but it tastes unlike anything else on the market. How many gins can you name that bring peppery kawakawa and sweet karamu together? Unbelievable. Let’s have at it. The color is perfectly clear (0.0). The nose is pungent and opulent all at once. Juniper takes a back seat, allowing the more unusual aromatics to explode from the glass. The kawakawa, presumably responsible for some of the peppery character, reads more as a subtle earthiness than overt black pepper. Instead, there is rich, dark-toned berry fruit coupled with freshly roasted light Colombian coffee. It is simultaneously floral and earthy, offering notes of honeysuckle, sage flower, chamomile, and angelica root. I honestly have no clue how all of these elements come together, but I absolutely love the nose. The palate remains rooted in juniper, with a perfect pinch of pepper peeking through the mid-palate. It is framed by an upfront sweetness that is distinctive without becoming saccharine. There is obviously no sugar added here, but the natural sweetness of the spirit is undeniable, and that makes it extremely delicious. While the flavor profile is different, it never feels strange or off-putting. If you love experimenting and layering flavors, this is the perfect gin for you, but it will also delight any G&T drinker who does not want to be bludgeoned by juniper. There is simply nothing more to say except that, at this price, this product is unprecedented.

A ripe, fresh and expressive nose offers good Chablis typicity and plenty of citrus character that can also be found on the vibrant, delicious and nicely textured middle weight flavors that terminate in a clean and appealing dry finale. This isn't especially complex at present so two to three years of keeping should help.

A fabulous purity of plummy fruit, currants and classic garrigue herbs which nourish the nose and embrace the fleshy palate. Weighty with a long liquorice ending. (DWWA 2025)

Colombe and La Chapelle Saint Victor often arrive in tandem and Chapelle has always been the more terroir-driven sibling. Where La Colombe emphasizes fruit, Chapelle leans into precision and minerality. Crisp Red Delicious apple, citrus zest, and subtle wild herbs are framed by a streak of limestone-driven freshness that carries through the finish. There's an understated complexity here that makes it equally enjoyable on its own or alongside food. Pair it with grilled seafood, Niçoise salad, or simply a warm evening outdoors, and it's easy to understand why this has become one of the defining wines of our Provence program.

The Hillfighter, a “second label” from WeatherEye, is mostly Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon, with 24% Syrah and 7% Tempranillo. I loved how its dried blueberry, worn saddle leather and graphite aromas reminded me of a mature Bordeaux. The wine's flavors of black cherry are ably backed by fine-grained tannins. *Editors' Choice*

What an unbelievable deal. The Billecart family decided not to release this 2015 as cuvée Elisabeth Rosé (at more than double the price) because they don't think it will age for two full generations... To me, the only problem with this wine is that it is too delicious! I have found it to be the best 2015 vintage champagne that I have tasted period, with great complexity and depth hidden behind freshness and ease of drinking. I love the blood orange and black cherry depth from the ancient vine red that makes up 6.6% of the blend, and chalky, bright drive from the 52% of chardonnay. In the mouth, this wine has incredible texture from 100 months of ageing on the lees, and an airy ease that belies its depth. The finish is a wower, a real peacocks tail display, just as long as it is spectacular. Don't miss this one!

Remarkably pure and fresh. Pristine black cherry and blackberry, layered with beautiful violet aromas. Everything builds with precision and focus, supported by gorgeously firm, taut, mineral-rich tannins that bring energy and drive. The wine is compact and tightly wound at this youthful stage, its intensity truly emblematic of the vintage.

Bold and muscular, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Slope comes from the Immortal Estate Vineyard, which sits on the red volcanic soils on the Sonoma side of the Mayacamas mountains. Including 2% Petit Verdot and pouring an opaque black, potent and layered aromas lift from the glass, with menthol, cassis, toasted cedar, and vanilla. Fleshy and very full-bodied, its velvety sweet tannins and plummy fruit coat the palate, with fresh acidity and a long, toasty finish. A seductive wine, it will take time to lose some of its baby fat and reveal its more savory complexity. Drink 2025-2040. (AF)

Pastry, baked-apple and citrus aromas here. It’s medium-bodied, fresh and gently yeasty with fine bubbles. Nicely balanced.

There's something so interesting about what Rare Character does with each of these special lots. The first thing is that the product is basically the same price whether it's 8 or 12 years old. The value comes from their incredible ability to source excellent small lots. The second is that every lot has some specific trait or attribute that distinguishes it from the last. We've done several Indiana bourbons with Rare Character, but not one has been similar to the next. Meanwhile, we still have brands coming to us trying to sell 9- and 10-year-old Indiana bourbon for $150+ a bottle. It's crazy! The distillery itself has seen the writing on the wall and released a 10-year-old, small-batch, high-proof product for under $100 this year. And of course Rare Character lets its customers choose the barrels, so any pick is only as good as the person selecting. Luckily, I've got the edge here. We tend to get first crack at any set of samples that hits the California market. It's rare that I find a sample in an RC set that I think is outright bad. Maybe it's never happened. But getting first crack at those samples definitely has its advantages, and this killer barrel is proof of that. On paper, what we've got here is an unusually high-quality barrel filled with nicely aged bourbon at a lower-than-standard entry proof. That lower entry proof is a super unique factor here. Combined with the heavy-char Canton barrel, it creates an extremely unusual set of characteristics that is simply not the norm in bourbon production, a category that can sometimes feel remarkably uniform. Let's have a go at it! The color is a shimmering chestnut (1.2). The nose bursts forth with beautiful aromas of honey, jasmine tea, honeysuckle, and dried apricots, punctuated by dense savory herbal aromatics of evergreen, mint, charred oak, baking spice, and dill. The palate is bold and spicy, with the barrel and rye spices duking it out up front: peppery, clove-y, and pointed. That tense front palate is juxtaposed perfectly against an almost tropical finish, moving quickly from hearty woody spice into overripe pineapple, sweet wildflower honey, candied peaches, and sweet vanilla bean. I can't tell if it's the barrel, the low entry proof, or just the dope lot, but this is one of the most enjoyable MGPs we've bottled in many years. It falls way outside the norm in the best possible way.

It’s hard to find a bad 2021 Rioja, says Isaac Muga. This wonderful blend of Tempranillo, 18% Garnacha and 3.5% each of Graciano and Mazuelo definitely showcases the superb quality of the vintage. Stylishly aged in 40% new oak, it has lots of colour and intensity, a hint of stylish reduction, vibrant blackberry and dark plum flavours and a sheen of mocha spice.

Just bottled, the 2024 Langhe Nebbiolo is a terrific choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years. Crushed flowers, sweet red-toned fruit, mint, cedar, pipe tobacco and crushed flowers are beautifully lifted. This mid-weight, classy Langhe Nebbiolo is all charm. (AG)

Of the three NDC products currently available at ridiculously reduced prices, this might be the best of the bunch. It is undoubtedly the best deal. Like most navy-strength gins, it normally commands a premium over its siblings, and this is not simply a higher-proof version of the standard Dry Gin. I cannot tell you exactly what is different about the production, because the distillery has been rather cagey about the recipe. Needless to say, this is an obvious slam dunk for any bar professional. While I cannot explain exactly why the brand failed to gain traction in the States, I can tell you that at one-third of its original MSRP, this stuff is tasting pretty righteous. Shall we? The nose is a heady mixture of dense citrus oil, bright flashy juniper and earthy orris root. There is some of the sweet almost fruity character, perhaps from karamu peeking through, or perhaps simply the result of the distillery’s tendency to use botanicals generously. Beautiful juniper emerges on the palate, offering dense fresh pine and cracked black pepper. Huge notes of angelica and coriander finish the package nicely. A fabulous gin that loves dilution and simply should not be this cheap, but hey, I am not complaining. This is one of those things that should be stashed for the long haul if at twice the price.

This has a spicy and chocolatey nose with dark fruit and hints of walnuts and licorice. Medium- to full-bodied, broad and well shaped on the palate, with compact, velvety tannins. Good concentration and length. Drink or hold. (AS)