Discovery Time: New Labels Making Their Début
by Anthony Lynch
© Nicolas Maillart
© Nicolas Maillart
Discovery Time: New Labels Making Their Début
by Anthony Lynch
Have you tried our new Champagne?
This phrase has been on repeat for me ever since our first container from Nicolas Maillart, the latest Champagne grower to join the KLWM ranks, arrived at port a couple of months ago. His pure, precise, and vinous Pinot Noir-based cuvées have been a staple on my table through the holidays and into the new year, and I urge all Champagne aficionados to become acquainted with Maillart’s creations before they sell out.
But that’s not all there is to discover—we have been hard at work unearthing new domaines to introduce to American palates, and on top of that, some of our longtime producers have surprised us with compelling new bottlings we can’t get enough of. We’ve gathered some of the most exciting novelties below for your enjoyment.
Highlights include Montmajou, a fleshy white blend from the Languedoc’s Saint-Chinian appellation with alluring notes of gunflint and stone fruit, as well as new Loire whites showcasing Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc in off-the-beaten path appellations. In the realm of reds, there is a novel cuvée from Corbières trailblazer Maxime Magnon, plus labels from familiar domaines in Corsica, Alto Adige, and the Rhône making their début. We’ve also highlighted a deeply hued rosato from the little-known Molise region—a perfect winter rosé, robust and loaded with southern Italian sunshine.
Wines In The Collection
Steiger-Kalena Italy | Molise
Offers an absolutely electric perfume loaded with bright notes of pomegranate, sour cherry, and fresh strawberry, while the palate delivers bracing acidity and a chiseled, chalky finish.
Grange Saint Sauveur France | Loire
The new vintage shows great freshness and brightness, making me think of tart berries picked in the forest just a touch below full ripeness.
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône
Deep, dynamic Grenache feels aptly highlighted by bright and fresh Clairette. Soft and rich, yet still defined.
Christine de Mianville France | Loire
Juicy and open-knit, it mirrors the sensation of biting into fleshy slices of white peach, nectarine, and guava.
Italy | Molise
Offers an absolutely electric perfume loaded with bright notes of pomegranate, sour cherry, and fresh strawberry, while the palate delivers bracing acidity and a chiseled, chalky finish.
France | Loire
The new vintage shows great freshness and brightness, making me think of tart berries picked in the forest just a touch below full ripeness.
France | Southern Rhône
Deep, dynamic Grenache feels aptly highlighted by bright and fresh Clairette. Soft and rich, yet still defined.
France | Loire
Juicy and open-knit, it mirrors the sensation of biting into fleshy slices of white peach, nectarine, and guava.
More Collections
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Pairing Pinots in Spring
Coming upon Chris Lee’s Wild Salmon Baked in Fig Leaves with Rosé Butter, I thought, what could be more appropriate right now? The recipe appears a few times across our sixteen-year archive, and the suggested pairings change every time, ranging from lush whites to juicy, light reds, and crisp, mineral rosés in between. For such a simple dish, the possibilities seemed endless. In revisiting, I wanted that same versatility in the glass, and only one word came to mind: Pinot…
Arthur Ostertag
Arthur’s wines were the revelation of the trip. For months after, in the group chat with everyone on the tour, my screen would light up with shots of his wines—those incomparably elegant bottles with the stunning labels—standing tall atop the tables of every restaurant the other growers were dining in, in their hometowns or around the world. Arthur was officially the breakout star of the trip...
New Arrivals
Here is a collection of recent arrivals. Every week, we’ll be adding a dozen or more new arrivals, so check back often for your favorite classics or new discoveries!
The Carpe Vinum Collection
An ever-changing offering of wines that are just about to sell out; one last opportunity to seize a range of selections before they disappear from our shelves forever.
50th Anniversary Merchandise
When the esteemed French wine artist Michel Tolmer created beautiful artwork for our 50th anniversary, we knew right away that we had to feature it on a few select items of merch. After spending maybe a little too much time researching the options, we landed on a classy, leather-strap cap, a comfortable t-shirt made from 100% cotton, and a tote made with incredibly sturdy, fair-trade, and organic cotton by a certified B corp that invests in the livelihoods of women and farmers of India, featuring three wine sleeves and two other compartments for all of your other needs!
Recent Wine Club Selections
Our five wine clubs feature our best values from France and Italy as well as complex and cellar-worthy wines.