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April 2024 Newsletter
Receive our Monthly Newsletter and Special Promotions. Stay up to date on new arrivals, sales, and events at our Berkeley shop.
April 2024 Newsletter
Table of Contents
- Introducing Bastien Jolivet by Dixon Brooke
- Venetian Values by Madison H. Brown
- Springtime Sparklers by Tom Wolf
- Les Blancs Du Printemps by Dustin Soiseth
- Red Burgundy by Chris Santini
- Château Thivin by Jane Augustine
- Tuscan Reds by Tom Wolf
Kermit was one of the first American buyers to recognize the potential in the appellation of Saint-Joseph, the series of rolling granite hills on the ...
Kermit was one of the first American buyers to recognize the potential in the appellation of Saint-Joseph, the series of rolling granite hills on the west side of the Rhône River between Ampuis (Côte-Rôtie) and Tournon-sur-Rhône (Hermitage) planted to Syrah. I’m sure it was an aha moment for him back in the 1970s, realizing he could get hillside fruit, vinified by masters of the vine working outside the pressure of the spotlight, for a fraction of the price of the more famous growths noted above. That is what he set out to do, and the rest, as they say, is history. He unearthed “Saint Joe” treasures over the years such as Raymond Trollat, Joseph Panel, Gérard Chave, Pierre Gonon, and Philippe Faury, and we are still going strong.
Our latest discovery comes from the talented hand of young Bastien Jolivet, working his family’s vineyards in the small village of Saint-Jean-de-Muzols. Saint-Joseph fans will know this as prime country, just north of the birthplace of the appellation in Mauves, and the site of Trollat’s old vineyard that formed the backbone of his wines for years and now those of the Gonon brothers. In the rare moments when Jolivet is not outdoors tending his vines, he wields a magic wand in the cellar with both his whites and his reds. Ah, a young man committed to the hard work that makes great wine, while also possessing the instinctive touch it takes to accompany his fruit into an elevated realm . . . a rare find indeed.
Buy this collection 4 bottles
Wines in this Collection
2022 Vin de France Blanc “Cuvée de Louis”
France | Northern Rhône
Golden, luscious aroma and flavor, a delicious nectar infused with honeysuckle that invites you in at first sniff for a leisurely dip.
2022 Saint-Joseph Blanc “Clef de Sol”
France | Northern Rhône
Round and generous on first blush and then wound up, energetic, and fine-grained on the finish, this thoroughbred wine is sculpted for the cellar but still provides a lot of immediate gratification.
2022 Vin de France Rouge “Cuvée de Louis”
France | Northern Rhône
Cool in the mouth, with a whiff of smoke and game, this soulful little country Syrah will do a jig with your pâtés and terrines.
2021 Saint-Joseph Rouge “L’Instinct”
France | Northern Rhône
It is a real-deal northern Rhône roasted-slope Syrah that walks the tightrope perfectly between creamy fruit, meaty tannins, and fresh spine.
I adore our Italian portfolio—for the intriguing diversity of its out-of-the-ordinary wines, as well as the fantastic value they present—and I fin...
I adore our Italian portfolio—for the intriguing diversity of its out-of-the-ordinary wines, as well as the fantastic value they present—and I find myself stocking up on Veneto more than any other region. The producers featured below have perfected the art of crafting singular and delicious wines made to be drunk with gusto. These bottles effortlessly capture the convivial spirit of the Venetian bacaro—a cozy wine bar where locals gather for pre-dinner snacking and an aperitivo—and fit the bill for an unceremonious glass or two while winding down over finger food and carefree conversation. No need for a cellar, decanter, patience, or prime cut of beef. Simple, yes, but joyously so.
Buy this collection 3 bottles
Wines in this Collection
2021 Colli Trevigiani Manzoni Bianco
Italy | Veneto
Crisp, clean, and aromatic, this is a delightfully refreshing white.
2020 Veneto Garganega “Col Moenia”
Italy | Veneto
It’s made from his oldest, highest-altitude vines trained in the traditional pergola style, creating a beautiful canopy from which his Garganega dangles in slinky, loose bunches.
2021 Bardolino “Le Fontane”
Italy | Veneto
There is actually a depth of interest that can reflect man’s insignificance in the solar system. Take me to the terrace!
At KLWM, we are firmly in the camp of not needing a special occasion to pop the cork on a sparkling wine—everyone could use a little effervescence o...
Buy this collection 3 bottles
Wines in this Collection
2022 Valle d’Itria Spumante Brut
Italy | Puglia
Verdeca, a specialty around the town of Locorotondo, stars in this bottling that drinks like a southern Prosecco: light, crisp, and citrusy, with a playful bead.
2019 Crémant d’Alsace Brut
France | Alsace
Soaring with aromas of brioche and praline, this lush and luxurious bottling sets the benchmark for Crémants everywhere.
2011 Blanc de Blancs Brut 1er Cru
France | Champagne
Don't miss this 2011 Blanc de Blancs, a powerful yet refined tour de force from one of the region’s most consistent and talented growers.
Exotic, perfumed notes from Muscat swirl around classic Riesling aromas like pear and nectarine. A beautiful pale straw color belies the dense stone f...
Buy this collection 2 bottles
Wines in this Collection
2022 Sancerre
France | Loire
An intense exotic nose lures you in before the minerality channels the lightning energy of this pure Sauvignon Blanc.
2021 Gentil d’Alsace
France | Alsace
A fragrant blend of mostly Riesling and Muscat, Félix Meyer’s organically grown Gentil is crisp and lean and works like a reset button for your palate.
Sure, there’s something to be said for the ripeness and depth of the warmer years, but I swear I haven’t tasted anything with this kind of simple ...
Buy this collection 2 bottles
Wines in this Collection
2021 Côte de Nuits-Villages
France | Burgundy
First, it is impeccable. Second, it does not exceed its appellation; it is not a substitute Romanée Conti; it is a perfect Côte de Nuits-Villages.
2019 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru “Les Pruliers”
Domaine Lucien Boillot et Fils
France | Burgundy
It’s floral, finessed, and delicately detailed, thanks to vines that are more than a century old, planted in 1911.
The first time I had lunch with the lovely Geoffray family, overlooking the Côte de Brouilly from their canopied terrace on Mont Brouilly, they serve...
The first time I had lunch with the lovely Geoffray family, overlooking the Côte de Brouilly from their canopied terrace on Mont Brouilly, they served a range of Lyonnaise “salads” and other nose-to-tail specialties. Back then I was still developing a strong enough stomach to survive living in Burgundy, but I dove in to this generous meal with curiosity and a touch of naiveté: I decorated my plate with salade de museau (thinly sliced pig snout), fromage de tête (a cold, gelatinous terrine), and a medallion of andouillette (tripe sausage). I will be honest. The setting was quaint, but the flavors were not! I’ve never been so grateful to have a chilled glass of delicious, cleansing, fruity Brouilly within reach—the wine is quaffable for a reason. Gamay eagerly complements the coarse fare of the region. But the beauty of Château Thivin’s Beaujolais is that they’re versatile, a match for the boldest of flavors but also for the more subtle. How do they manage?
The Geoffrays treat all of their parcels like premiers crus, interested in the specificity of each. Every wine speaks of a different-colored stone found in its vineyard: pink granite in Brouilly, a blue and veiny diorite in Côte de Brouilly, and yellow limestone in their Beaujolais blanc. Organic viticulture and biodiversity are key elements to keeping their vineyards healthy. Sheep roam about, while birds nest in the vines. In the cellar, they privilege whole-cluster, low-intervention methods during fermentation to capture pure fruit aromas and flavors.
Readers of our newsletter already know about the mythical experience of lunch at Château Thivin. To me, it is memorable not because I have a lust for daring butcher’s salads, trotters, and snouts, but because the meal is rooted in tradition, which is how every aspect of a visit to Château Thivin feels.
Buy this collection 4 bottles
Wines in this Collection
2022 Beaujolais Blanc “Clos de Rochebonne”
France | Beaujolais
Different from the whites of neighboring Mâcon, this blanc is firm but also a touch fleshy.
2022 Brouilly “Reverdon”
France | Beaujolais
This bottling is classic Brouilly, balanced and old-school, and showcases the beauty of Gamay
2022 Côte de Brouilly
France | Beaujolais
Not your basic Beaujolais, it showcases pedigreed and assertive fruit that is strikingly substantial for Gamay.
2022 Côte de Brouilly “Cuvée Zaccharie”
France | Beaujolais
This is a true homage cuvée, with an old-fashioned soul and vibrant energy.
When Giuseppe and Sarah Sesti moved to Tuscany in the 1970s, they settled not in Florence or Siena, but among the abandoned ruins of the medieval Cast...
Buy this collection 3 bottles
Wines in this Collection
2018 Brunello di Montalcino
Italy | Tuscany
Ample, deep, and succulent, this enthralling Brunello is already highly rewarding.
2019 Chianti Classico
Italy | Tuscany
A delicious Chianti Classico for now or later, with extraordinary potential at table.
2018 Chianti Classico Riserva
Italy | Tuscany
Concentrated, youthful, and soulful, this Sangiovese is enchanting now, but it has a long life full of gorgeous evolution ahead.
Catch of the Day: Côtes de Provence Rosé
Wow! We sold out of our Catch of the Day Cassis Blanc quicker than we thought. We want to ensure everyone has an opportunity to stock up on the incredible wines of Clos Sainte Magdeleine, so with our apologies we are offering 25% OFF the delectably versatile Côtes de Provence Rosé. It is just as delightful with seafood as the Cassis, and will make a wonderful match with Chef Chris Lee’s Grilled Whole Fish recipe.
This month only, take 25% OFF the 2022 Côtes de Provence Rosé with promo code CASSIS25 at checkout >
Introducing Bastien Jolivet
by Dixon Brooke
Kermit was one of the first American buyers to recognize the poten tial in the appellation of Saint-Joseph, the series of rolling granite hills on the west side of the Rhône River between Ampuis (Côte-Rôtie) and Tournon-sur-Rhône (Hermitage) planted to Syrah. I’m sure it was an aha moment for him back in the 1970s, realizing he could get hillside fruit, vinified by masters of the vine working outside the pressure of the spotlight, for a fraction of the price of the more famous growths noted above. That is what he set out to do, and the rest, as they say, is history. He unearthed “Saint Joe” treasures over the years such as Raymond Trollat, Joseph Panel, Gérard Chave, Pierre Gonon, and Philippe Faury, and we are still going strong.
Our latest discovery comes from the talented hand of young Bastien Jolivet…
Venetian Values
by Madison H. Brown
I adore our Italian portfolio—for the intriguing diversity, as well as the fantastic value they present—and I find myself stocking up on Veneto more than any other region…
Springtime Sparklers
by Tom Wolf
At KLWM, we are firmly in the camp of not needing a special occasion to pop the cork on a sparkling wine—everyone could use a little effervescence on a Wednesday night…
Les Blancs Du Printemps
by Dustin Soiseth
Exotic, perfumed notes from Muscat swirl around classic Riesling aromas like pear and nectarine. A beautiful pale straw color belies the dense stone fruit on the palate. The wine has tension and texture…
Red Burgundy
by Chris Santini
Sure, there’s something to be said for the ripeness and depth of the warmer years, but I swear I haven’t tasted anything with this kind of simple pleasure and cool-climate charm since the 2004 vintage…
Château Thivin
by Jane Augustine
The first time I had lunch with the lovely Geoffray family, overlooking the Côte de Brouilly from their canopied terrace on Mont Brouilly, they served a range of Lyonnaise “salads” and other nose-to-tail specialties. Back then I was still developing a strong enough stomach to survive living in Burgundy, but I dove in to this generous meal with curiosity and a touch of naiveté. I decorated my plate with salade de museau (thinly sliced pig snout), fromage de tête (a cold, gelatinous terrine), and a medallion of andouillette (tripe sausage). I will be honest. The setting was quaint, but the flavors were not! I’ve never been so grateful to have a chilled glass of delicious, cleansing, fruity Brouilly within reach...
Tuscan Reds
by Tom Wolf
When Giuseppe and Sarah Sesti moved to Tuscany in the 1970s, they settled not in Florence or Siena, but among the abandoned ruins of the medieval Castello di Argiano outside of sleepy Montalcino at the region’s southern end. In the half-century since, they have restored the castle and overgrown land, reviving this magnificent estate in all its glory and turning it into one of the most respected sources of Brunello di Montalcino.
It might be hard to understand how this stunning hillside castle and the surrounding woodland could have fallen into such neglect, but its prior abandonment turned out to be a blessing in disguise…
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
Let the brett nerds retire into protective bubbles, and whenever they thirst for wine it can be passed in to them through a sterile filter. Those of us on the outside can continue to enjoy complex, natural, living wines.
Inspiring Thirst, page 236