In Case You Missed It: A Collection of Noteworthy Selections from 2024
by Jane Augustine
In Case You Missed It: A Collection of Noteworthy Selections from 2024
by Jane Augustine
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!
Wines In The Collection
Roland Lavantureux France | Burgundy
Displaying both the oyster shell quality we love about Chablis and the sunny orchard fruit notes that make Bourgogne blancs so delicious.
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
Unique in its combination of honeyed richness and flinty verve. Hard to resist on its own, but you might also try serving it with salty-sweet yakitori or buffalo chicken wings.
J.G. Benda Italy | Tuscany
The perfume of rose petals and vivid red berry fruit, along with the delicate, fine-grained tannin, make this a truly special Rosso.
Cantina Favaro Italy | Piedmont
Hailing from the northern edge of Piedmont, at the foot of the Alps, this gorgeous bottle courses with energy and bursts open with notes of citrus, pear, white flowers, and a faintly saline finish.
France | Burgundy
Displaying both the oyster shell quality we love about Chablis and the sunny orchard fruit notes that make Bourgogne blancs so delicious.
France | Loire
Unique in its combination of honeyed richness and flinty verve. Hard to resist on its own, but you might also try serving it with salty-sweet yakitori or buffalo chicken wings.
Italy | Tuscany
The perfume of rose petals and vivid red berry fruit, along with the delicate, fine-grained tannin, make this a truly special Rosso.
Italy | Piedmont
Hailing from the northern edge of Piedmont, at the foot of the Alps, this gorgeous bottle courses with energy and bursts open with notes of citrus, pear, white flowers, and a faintly saline finish.
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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
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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.