The past few Decembers we’ve reviewed your year in wine, highlighting recurring favorites in categories such as price point, color, style, and region. This year we’ve set aside the formal data in favor of the anecdotal to bring you a collection of wines—newcomers of sorts—that stood out for any number of reasons. Some of you never miss a beat when we introduce a new cuvée or begin working with a new producer, others may not even notice. So, in case you missed it, we’re spotlighting a few noteworthy selections that delighted, regaled, surprised, and impressed our KLWM community in 2024.
     Bourgogne Tonnerre from Chablis’ Lavantureux brothers is a bottling that made us wonder what magic they’d accomplish in any appellation they put their mark on, and likely the best new Chardonnay we’ve introduced of late. The piercing, salty whites from Sicily’s “Caper King” and his Vignedimare estate are like nothing we’ve ever imported. Hailing from Sicily’s Aeolian Islands, previously uncharted territory in our portfolio, these are sure to become cult classics once tasted by esoteric wine lovers and collectors alike. Honorable mention goes to our first-ever import from the miniscule Loire Valley appellation of Menetou-Salon, where Joseph de Maistre bottles fresh cut Sauvignon Blanc with the most charming balance of tart citrus and a gentle, herbal bite. This is a great one for anything from crudités to quiche to lemony chicken.
     Though it’s not a beauty contest, in the way of reds, the impeccably-labeled (designed by the famous illustrator, Michel Tolmer) new Côtes du Rhône Villages dazzled our shelves. Blended from our pick of tanks at the Estézargues coopérative, this one was a smash hit: great design, a killer price point, and delicious, brambly juice. For a taste of hallowed Tuscan terroir, get familiar with JG Benda’s Rosso di Montalcino. His is built to last, to seduce, and honors the traditions of the region in a way we feel privileged to come by. And lastly, young Bastien Jolivet’s “Cuvée de Louis” is a fresh and stony Syrah from a wild pocket of granite terroir. We can’t wait to watch Bastien’s star rise. These are just a few of the cuvées in the collection, with plenty of others to discover.
     Wishing you a prosperous year-in-wine in 2025, with permission to stick to your tried and true selections, or the resolve to try new things. Whatever piques your interest, there are no hard and fast rules in wine, just pleasure!