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www.klwines.com November 1, 2009 800.247.5987 WINE News NOVEMBER kicks off the holidays here at K&L. Start the season off at a luncheon with the legendary Jean Guillaume Prats of Cos d’Estournel at COCO500 on November 7. (See page 3 for details.) Then join us in lifting a glass to friends and family, to good food and, of course, good wine—life’s most simple gifts are best shared. Happy Thanksgiving. Harvest Report A SLOW START IN CA New Releases from Lewis Cellars Harvest is late. I mean, really late. Today is September 22nd and we are We’re obsessed with the 2007s starting to hit our shelves. Wow, are just starting to pick some of the earlier ripening grapes like Sauvignon they gorgeous! Here are a few new releases from Lewis Cellars. Randy Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (in warmer areas where it is misplanted) thinks the ’07s are some of the best reds he has produced. We agree. and grapes for sparkling wine, so it’s really too soon to get a read on the har- 2007 Lewis Cellars “Alec’s Blend” Napa Valley ($54.99) A blend of 70% vest. We had a really cold spring (without the numerous frost days that we Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, the Alec’s Blend shows had last year) and an unusually cold summer up until about two weeks ago. more of a Northern Rhône character than the Syrah does. Aromas of grilled As a result, the grapes have developed slowly and are just now coming into meats, smoke and cassis are followed by black cherry, cedar, blackberry and maturity. (Let’s just hope the fall storms stay north. Far north.) To help you vanilla flavors. Good acidity keeps the wine focused and structured. understand how late this harvest is: we picked Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel in early September (the 5th) last year, but we probably won’t harvest those 2007 Lewis Cellars Napa Syrah ($62.99) Fasten your seatbelt. This is one same vines until the first part of October. Alexander Valley Syrah might not of the bigger wines I have tasted from Lewis, but it’s not angular or out of be ready until the end of this month and Cabernet Franc needs another balance, just thick, dense and loaded with crème de cassis, chocolate and week or more, depending on the weather. Many growers and winemakers blackberry fruit flavors. The finish is lingering but not harsh. are talking about going into November with this harvest—scary stuff. If vines start to go dormant grape quality will head south. 2007 Lewis Cellars Napa Cabernet Sauvignon ($76.99) Crafted from a collection of small hillside vineyards, the 2007 Lewis Napa Cab is a full- September 28th: Ferg and Ben drove north early this morning to throttle wine. A little closed at first, this really blossoms in the glass, with Alexander Valley to bring back Syrah from our grower. When they arrived layers of rich blackberries, mocha, anise and crème. With another few back in Redwood City at about noon, the clusters looked wonderful, yet months in bottle the mid-palate will fatten up and round out on the finish. small and loose. The sugars were at 25 degrees Brix (14% potential alcohol) Tannins are firm but ripe and not woody. Delicious! with the pH at 3.4 (perfect). The grape juice flavors were sweet, intense and Also available, but extremely limited, is the 234-case ’07 Lewis Cellars zesty. We will probably receive Zin in a few more days and just wait until the “Hillstone” Napa Cabernet Sauvignon ($109.00). Call for availability. Cabernet Franc reaches maturity since it turned cold again today—autumn is really showing itself now. Trey Beffa This has been one of the strangest vintages that I have ever experienced, and that’s saying a lot since the last few years have been pretty strange. Some NOVEMBER 2009 FEATURES growers report crops like Chardonnay totally shutting down—going from green, unripe berries to shriveled raisins within several weeks—while others 7 A Bubbly Thanksgiving report some wonderful looking fruit. Each region was affected by the weath- er differently this year, so pay attention when the wines are released. It is too early to judge this vintage overall, and any definitive statement about its 20 Winemaker Interview: Harry Peterson-Nedry quality on my part would be a terrible mistake (remember 2008?). Jim Barr 28 New Burgundy Arrivals What’s Hot in Today’s Market... As most of you Bordeaux may be hot, but the Rhône Valley and DEPARTMENTS know, my specialty is Tuscany might be hotter. 2007 in the Southern Beer ....................................................................6 Bordeaux wine—old Rhône was probably the best year of the last 30. Bordeaux ......................................4-5, 14-15, 32 and new. And of The Châteauneufs are selling quickly, and they Burgundy ..................................................19, 28 course Bordeaux is are not that expensive. And the almost- Domestic ..........................................8-11, 16-17 always hot at K&L. It Châteauneufs are worthy of a mention, too. In Champagne ........................................................7 has been since 1978. fact, you should buy them; they are awesome! Direct Imports ............................................12-13 And we always have Two of my favorites are the 2007 Château de Italy ......................................................18, 26-27 Clyde Beffa Jr great buys, since we get Montfaucon “Baron Louis” Côtes du Rhône Loire/Alsace/Gernany/Austria ....................6, 25 Co-owner/Bordeaux Buyer most of our wines direct ($17.99), which is delicious, vibrant, spicy, and Rhône, French Regional ....................................8 from producers and négociants. Bordeaux is hot the cellar-worthy and rare 2007 Château de Southern Hemisphere ......................................22 right now, especially the outstanding value 2006 Montfaucon “Vin de Monsieur Le Baron” Spain & Portugal ............................................21 wines at super low prices: The 2006 Château ($39.99). It is rich and sweet and packed with Spirits ..............................................................31 d’Issan ($39.99) is a fabulous wine (94 points fruit. The 2004 Brunelli are already legendary Wine Accessories/Storage ..........................20, 29 RP; 93 from me); the 2006 Angélus ($119.99)— and they are selling out quickly. They are also Wine Clubs ..................................................3, 30 95 points from Parker—and the 2006 Smith well-priced and very ageable. For everyday Haut Lafitte ($39.99)—93 points from Parker— drinking try the the 2007 Rosso di Montalcinos, COLUMNS have sold exceptionally well. The magnificent like the 2007 Poggiarellino Rosso di Alex Pross ........................................................30 2006 Cos d’Estournel sold out at $84.99, but we Montalcino ($14.99), it is a great bargain. Anne Pickett ....................................................21 should be getting more. We have a few more Bryan Brick ....................................................6, 9 cases of other fine 2006s in case you missed Of course, I must say that California wines (at Chiara Shannon ................................................3 them. A few remarkable 2005 deals have sur- least those under $125) are doing quite well in Clyde Beffa..........................................................2 faced too, like the 2005 La Grave à Pomerol these hard economic times. I recently tasted the David Driscoll............................................25, 31 ($29.99) and the fantastic 2005 Chasse-Spleen new line-up from our good friend Randy Lewis David Othenin-Girard ....................................31 ($34.99). My absolute favorite—the 2005 and I must say I loved the 2007 Lewis Cellars Doug Davidson’s NW Corner..........................10 Giscours ($54.99), with 95 points WE and “Top “Alec’s Blend” ($54.99) with its black fruit, pep- Elisabeth Schriber’s Wine 101............................6 100” billing in the Spectator, is back too. per and spice flavors and the 2007 Syrah Eric Story ..........................................................23 ($62.99), which is so rich and ripe. Gary Westby ......................................................7 My sweet wine pick for the year is 2005 Haut Getting To Know K&L.....................................25 Charmes, Sauternes ($24.99). This wine was Whatever you are drinking these days, enjoy it Greg St. Clair’s Sul Tappeto Rosso ..................26 made from the younger vines at the most famous and have a safe and healthy holiday season. Hollywood Hot Pix ..........................................11 Sauternes property in the world. I bought a case. Clyde Beffa Jr Jeff Garneau’s Bank Shot....................................5 Jim C’s View Down Under ..............................22 Jim’s Gems ....................................................1, 24 Joe Manekin......................................................21 K&L LOCATIONS, HOURS AND INFORMATION Joe Zugelder’s Old & Rare................................24 John Majeski ....................................................22 28 Since 1976 K&L Wine Merchants has been proud to bring you the world’s finest wines, great Keith Wollenberg’s Pour Votre Plaisir ............ service and competitive prices. Over the years we’ve evolved, launched a comprehenseive Kirk Walker ......................................................27 online store and opened locations in San Francisco and Hollywood to serve you better. Call us Mari Keilman ....................................................8 toll free (877) KLWINES (877-559-4637) or visit us online at KLWines.com. Mike Jordan’s