Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

I will say that K&L Wine Merchants private label is consistently very good and this 2014 is simply stupid for $22. They buy fruit and have a guality producer make their private label or buy a quality producers juice and sign ND contracts. Pushing 9.2. It is right around its peak. Drinks like a similarly aged $60 plus Napa Cabernet. After being in business for over 40 years, they have built many grower and or producer relationships to be able to capture some really nice juice with excellent value. — 2 years ago

Jonas Johansson

9.0

I guess I should have stored it for a few more years. Very appreciable Cab — 7 years ago

Paul T HB

9.0

Sometimes you just need a McDonald's salad to prepare for the weekend,
This Chardonnay is better than their SB, nice cheap in betweener,
3 bottles till 1,000th on Delectable. Count down begins! — 8 years ago

Michael O'Sullivan

9.0

Love this. My favorite domestic sav blanc this year so far. Super dry, mineral, saline... crisp...the color is pale pale - k and l wines shop label. I guess it's real good fruit from a source that must remain nameless — 8 years ago

with Lauren

Gene Chow

8.9

NV gift from Dunns. Tannic and complex. — 4 years ago

Tony Leach

9.0

Way solid for the price. Fruit forward and low alcohol. Definitely an every night wine. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Don’t walk, run to buy at least a case of the 16 Napa Lot 2 Kalinda Cabernet. At $22 a bottle, it’s delicious at pop & pour (not to try & sound like @Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher Bum) and I can’t wait to experience it’s rounded complexity in 5-7 to years.

I don’t know which Napa producers juice K&L Wine Merchants bottled or had make their 2016 but, it’s delicious. They’ve bottled a Kalinda Cabernet every year since 1984 and have not missed on any bottling that wasn’t worth two or three times + what I paid for it. The 16 is absolutely one of their best.

On the nose, ripe & slightly candied; kirsch cherries, blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, some plum and hues of blueberries. Incense, bright vanillin, cinnamon, clove, smoke, dark, moist soil, limestone minerals and bright dark, red & blue florals.

The body is rich and leaning towards full. Tannins are dusty big. The length, tension, structure and balance are beautiful now and will evolve over the next ten years. Kirsch cherries, dark cherries, blackberries, blueberries, plum, strawberries, big vanillin cream, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, incense, dark spice with heat, licorice/cola, limestone minerals, crushed rocks, dark, rich moist soils, soft leather, wood shavings, cigar, bright, dark & red bright florals, waterfall acidity and a very, rich, long, elegant, well polished & balanced finish that lasts minutes. A steal @ $22. Don’t miss it.

Photos of, the K&L tasting bar in San Francisco, racks of wine in their SF store, Owner of K&L-Clyde Beffa and the marquee Napa sign all tourist stop to take a photo. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

Tonight’s bottle a little better than when we had it in June last year.

K&L is a three store Wine Merchant with a store in San Francisco, Redwood City & Hollywood. They have been in business since the early 80’s.

For their Kalinda label, they turn to quality producers they’ve had long term relationships with to make their Kalinda wines. They either buy juice from a quality producer or purchase fruit and have them make their wines & it’s sold under the Kalinda label. Kalinda wines are nice to very good in the $21.99 to $25.99 range...always over achieving on QPR.

The Kalinda name is derived from two women in the owners family circle, Kay & Linda.

The nose reveals; bright yellow & spring florals, slightly sour lemons, green apple, just ripe, green melon, lime zest, understated, pineapple juice, some white peach, touch of unsalted butter cream, vanilla, hints of honey, white spice, toast, nice, soft, chalkiness, sea fossils, grey volcanics & limestone.

The body is medium full and glides across the palate with elegant mouthfeel. slightly sour lemons, green apple, just ripe, green melon, lime zest, understated, pineapple juice, some white peach, touch of unsalted butter cream, vanilla, a little more honey on the palate, caramel notes, white spice with soft palate heat, toast, slivered almonds, nice, soft, chalkiness, sea fossils, grey volcanics & limestone that penetrate the palate perfectly giving it a very good mineral backbone with yellow & spring flowers in mixed greens. The acidity is round and nicely done. The long finish is rich, lush, elegant, well balanced & polished with nice persistence for minutes.

Photos of, sunset over a Burgundy vineyard, the K&L Library wine section in SF, their SF tasting bar and classic Burgundy scenery. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

For those of you that may have not seen me post Kalinda, it’s a private label for K&L Wine Merchants. This one is extra special. They bottle other people’s juice or have them make juice for their private label. This one’s had some time to settle in. On the nose; It’s sweet & sour macerated lemons, overripe pineapple, butterscotch, honey notes, melted butter, orange citrus/marmalade, soft volcanic minerality and yellow lilies. The body is rich, round and thick...a little sticky. It’s sweet & sour macerated lemons, overripe pineapple, butterscotch, honey notes, melted butter, orange citrus/marmalade, touch of ginger, soft volcanic minerality and yellow lilies. The acidity is round and beautiful. The length, balance and long, beautiful finish lasts over a minute. The best thing about their Kalinda, it prices around $25 or less on their Chardonnays. If the KB on the label has anything to do with who made this Chardonnay, I might have a guess as who’s producers juice is in the bottle. I will also say that I’ve done business with just about every major wine retailer in the country and these guys are the best in the business! I also like to remember one of their staff members who worked at the Redwood City store for 30 years. Jim passed away at the end of December after a near two year struggle with cancer. I can’t say I’ve met many better nicer people than Jim. Also, few who equaled his love and passion for wine. Jim worked full time there and spent many of those 30 years either making wine and or tending to his Pinot Noir Vineyard in the Anderson Valley outside of his of his work week. I will miss our wine chats and his amazing demeanor. He will be missed by countless others that knew him. RIP Jim. Hopefully, with with an endless glass of great wine! Peace & Cheers! — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The steal of the century in CA Chardonnay. Nice citrus and citrus blossoms. Clue, pay close attention to the KB in the label and imagine who the producer must be! — 9 years ago