Welcome to 2025

Reflecting on the challenges and successes of the past year, I'm optimistic about the future of fine wine and spirits—especially at K&L. While the industry faces some turbulence, I'm still deeply enamored with the products, culture, and people that make this one of the most exciting businesses in the world. There’s a clear trend toward better, more accessible products that will level the playing field.

Fine wine and spirits aren’t going away. We’re in a golden age of selection, with access to handcrafted, tangible, collectible, and inspiring products. These bottles create joy, spark conversation, and have been central to our culture for centuries. It takes time to ignite that spark, and more than ever, we’re committed to making great wine and spirits both approachable and affordable. The market is on the brink of a turning point—keep reading here for my predictions for the coming year.

Looking ahead to 2025, Bordeaux is poised for a fascinating and challenging year. The wines are better than ever, but it’s time to make that matter. Early returns on the 2022 vintage, the 2024 vintage report, and strategies for navigating the tariffs are all covered in-depth. Continue reading On the Trail for my thoughts and a few key Bordeaux events I'm looking forward to.

Ultimately, we remain dedicated to finding unique, exceptional producers you won’t find elsewhere, all while delivering luxury wine at an affordable price—and that won’t change. Our goal is to be indispensable in your wine journey, whether you're just starting or already in full force.

While my personal focus is Bordeaux, I am thrilled to work with some of the industry's best individuals in our buying team. I firmly believe that our regional specialization takes our wine and spirits program to the next level. Whether you’re looking for a high-end collectible or a great value, we’re endlessly scouring the market, local and abroad, to get the best products to your table. Here’s a small shout out to just a few of the folks that make your shopping through the aisles at K&L that much more magical.

Every single day, we’re on an endless treasure hunt at K&L, scouring for the next jaw-dropping collectible to share with you. The thrill of discovery never gets old, and luckily for you, we’ve got one of the most customized e-mail platforms around to keep you in the loop. Seriously, it’s like your own personal shopper on autopilot. All you have to do is log in to your account, select your interests, decide how many emails you want to receive per month (a little or a lot, totally your call), and voilà—you’re set.

And then, there’s the pièce de résistance: K&L Keyword Alerts.

Let me tell you, these emails are game-changers. Picture this: your own digital concierge combing through thousands of SKUs to pinpoint exactly what you’ve been dreaming of—whether it’s a rare auction lot, a long-lost vintage, or a new arrival so fresh it practically sparkles. Even as someone who spends hours poring over our inventory, keyword alerts constantly surprise me with gems I didn’t even know existed.

They’re one of K&L’s best-kept secrets—a tool I wish I’d discovered sooner. And trust me, I’ve been around the block. Sure, I still love the thrill of discovery that comes with our curated email blasts—but if you want to take it to the next level, keyword alerts are the golden ticket. Set up your personalized K&L Keyword Alerts here, because who knows? Your next great find might already be waiting for you.

Sometimes, it doesn’t seem like it in the moment, but every year I look back and realize how blessed I’ve been to experience so many great wines, stories, and events. Often, it’s not the scale of the wine, but the people you’re with or the places you find yourself. 2024 was a rollercoaster year for sure, but here are some of the peaks, and the wines we have available that inspired them.

From the sneaky good 2019s from Rauzan-Ségla, Brane-Cantenac, Léoville-Barton, and Lynch-Bages, wines that I simply can’t get enough of, to Dominus "Napanook" Bordeaux Blend, which absolutely stuns at under $100 a bottle, and the ever-elegant 2016 Montrose, one piece of advice I can impart: open that bottle.

I’m one of those collectors who has a few too many “hands-off” wines that I can never bring myself to open. But every once in a while, I’ll convince myself to pull the cork—whether for a special occasion or not—and the same thing always happens: I’m thrilled to have experienced the wine, more than being concerned with having a hole in my collection. Even more so when I have lots of people to share the bottle with. So with that in mind, make 2025 the year you open that bottle. Find a reason, make one, or just take a leap and find a day where you need that uplifting moment. Either way, make sure to pull corks and get inspired.