K&L In-Store Tastings: Spain and Portugal, Must-Try Burg Values

Greetings K&L friends!

The rosters are set for this weekend's in-store tastings, so please mark your calendars for an evening (or two) of fascinating and fun exploration with your fellow wine lovers and our K&L staff. Read below for more details on this week's themes.

In addition to our weekend tastings, we regularly host or participate in other Special Tasting Events and Dinners. Also, don't forget, you can always explore in more depth on K&L's On the Trail blog with buyer/winemaker interviews, special reports, and more—straight from the vineyards!

Established in 1850 by the Jessiaume family, Domaine Jessiaume is a burgundy gem situated in Santenay, in the Côte de Beaune. The Domaine continues to invigoratively express the vibrant spirit of Burgundy across its sprawling thirty-seven acres—spanning from Beaune to Santenay, including Pommard, Volany, Auxey-Duresses, and Chassey Le Camp.

Under the skilled craftsmanship of the Jessiaume team, each grape is handpicked and sorted to ensure nothing but the finest quality wines. Their philosophy echoes a profound respect for the terroir, with a focus on organic viticulture and minimal intervention. Fermentation is carried out using natural yeasts from the grapes, with gentle methodologies applied throughout the elevage process. Embracing gravity, natural clarification, and low sulfite doses, they seek to capture the pure essence of Burgundy into every bottle.

Buckle up for a revealing journey into the heart of the Iberian Peninsula's wine world, intertwining the captivating flavors of Spain and Portugal, and featuring a special detour through the intriguing vineyards of the Canary Islands.

Bringing together an array of exceptional wines, this tasting event paints a vivid portrait of the sunbathed vineyards, the dew-kissed valleys, and the volcanic slopes that shape the distinctive wine personas from these regions. From invigorating Vinho Verde and vibrant Rosado to the profound depths of Reserva Rioja, each wine elegantly transfigures its native terroir into a sensory delight.

Join us at Musso & Frank Grill on Wednesday, 9/4 from 7 - 10 pm for a delightful occasion! K&L Spirits Buyer, David Othenin-Girard, will be hosting what's bound to be an exceptional event.

As you arrive, we'll welcome you with a Balvenie cocktail and an appetizer, setting the tone for the evening ahead. Next, you'll be served a flight of three standout Balvenie spirits that are sure to impress. We'll then move on to a sit-down dinner followed by a dessert course paired with the exquisite Balvenie 25 Year.

Each guest will also receive a bottle of Balvenie 21 Year (MSRP $300).

Adding to the excitement, Brett Bayly, the knowledgeable Balvenie Brand Ambassador, will join us for the occasion. Look forward to an engaging presentation led by Brett, complementing the spirits on offer.

K&L is thrilled to be hosting an exclusive dinner with legendary New Zealand winemaker Helen Masters, the driving force behind Ata Rangi, New Zealand's most prestigious producer of Pinot Noir. Serving as winemaker since 2003, Helen has ushered this tiny Martinborough producer to global acclaim. In 2010 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir, along with Felton Road, was honored with the inaugural Tipuranga Teitei o Aotearoa, or 'Grand Cru of New Zealand,' the only two recipients of said honor.

Helen's dedication to excellence has earned her numerous accolades, including the prestigious title of 'Winemaker of the Year' by Gourmet Traveler WINE in 2019. Beyond her accolades, Helen is an active member of the global wine community, working to promote New Zealand wines, sustainable viticulture practices, and women in wine.

Please join us for an intimate dinner where Helen will taste guests on a lineup of Ata Rangi vintages, as well as premiere their new line of acclaimed single-vineyard Pinot Noirs, which dinner guests will get first access to. This dinner is welcoming to fans of the estate, as well as those curious or interested in learning more about New Zealand Pinot Noir. We can’t think of a better person than Helen to bestow some New Zealand wisdom.

Tasting will feature the following wines:

• 2018 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir Martinborough JS96, SK97
• 2019 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir Martinborough JS98, DC97, VN97
• 2020 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir Martinborough JS98, NV96, JR17/20, DC94
• 2020 Ata Rangi "McCrone Vineyard" Pinot Noir Martinborough JS97
• 2020 Ata Rangi "Kotinga Vineyard" Pinot Noir Martinborough JS96
• 2020 Ata Rangi "Masters Vineyard" Pinot Noir Martinborough JS97, DC95

Lineup subject to change. Tickets inclusive of dinner, tasting, & gratuity. Please specify any allergies or dietary restrictions when making your reservation. We cannot accommodate requests or changes submitted after 9/14.