Berry's Exception Cask Chichibu 2015
$849.99
This Chichibu single cask was fully matured in a Kusuda Pinot Noir cask, from Martinborough, New Zealand. Initially filled in 2015, the whisky was bottled under Berry Bros. Exceptional Cask range after 9 years at 65.2%. Only 6 bottles coming to Canada, exclusively to KWM! 88.82pts Whiskybase
Berry's Glen Keith 1995 21 Year
$229.99
This 21 year old Glen Keith, a 1995 vintage was matured in cask 171273 (of unspecified type, but probably a refill American oak hogshead) and was bottled in 2017 at a cask strength of 49.8%. The whisky was discovered in one of Berry Bros.' warehouses, years after it was bottled, and offered to KWM as an archive release. The whisky was produced at the once closed (1999), then reopened (2013, and soon to be closed again* (2026 or 2027) Glen Keith Distillery.
*This is just a bit of black humour, we have absolutely no idea whether Glen Kinchie will remain open, or for how long. But of all of Pernod Ricard's distilleries, it is probably the most likely to be shut down... again... though it was refurbished in 2012. Maybe they will close Glenlivet instead!
Agrapart 7 Crus Champagne
$136.99
Oh, yeah. A beautiful, beautiful Champagne - and 92 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, too. The review: "Agrapart’s NV Brut Blanc De Blancs 7 Crus E13 – named for the seven Cote des Blancs villages from which it is sourced, and in this instance disgorged in May, 2013 – displays uncommon delicacy, buoyancy, tension and nuance for an “intro-level” cuvee, and that uncannily combined with a sense of richness and purity to its white peach and grapefruit. Almond and pistachio cream lend allure; chalk and salt along with piquancy of peach kernel and toasted pumpkin seed impart interest, invigoration and saliva-inducement to an effusively juicy, succulent and refreshingly sustained finish. Seven grams of residual sugar, incidentally, is fairly high by estate standards but perfectly complements this wine’s forward fruit without engendering any sense of outright sweetness. This exceptional value in Champagne should remain irresistible for at least the next couple of years, and I shall be anxious to experience what happens further down the pike as I revisit the bottles I recently purchased (because older “intro-level” bottles are not usually something that growers – or, for that matter, most self-styled wine collectors – can lay their hands on to pour for you)."
Agrapart Terroirs Blanc de Blanc
$179.99
92 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate for this beauty from Agrapart! The review: "Agrapart’s NV Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Terroirs is another fabulous wine. Here it is the combination of tension and weightlessness that is especially appealing. Sweet floral notes and a suggestion of mint meld into white orchard fruit in this effortless, totally gracious wine. All the elements meld together on the seamless, crystalline finish." A Kensington Wine Market exclusive, too!
Berry's Sutherland 2000 24 Year
$364.99
This 24 year old mystery Highland Malt comes with the name Sutherland attached to it, which immediately brings the Clynelish Distillery to mind. A 2000 vintage, the whisky was initially matured in a Hogshead, before finishing in a Quarter Cask. While Berry's can't explicitly call this Clynelish, there are a couple of clues in the description below. Exclusive to KWM, only 18 bottles are coming, so for now, we are limiting them to 1 per customer! 87.91pts Whiskybase. 52%
Producer Description
"Occasionally, we come across a whisky we'd love to wax lyrical about, but unfortunately can't disclose its origin. While we might not be able to let the proverbial cat out of the bag, we just couldn't pass up the opportunity to bottle it."
Basilio Acodo Tinto
$51.99
Basilio Izquierdo is a prominent figure in the Spanish wine industry, having spent 32 years as the head winemaker at CVNE, a highly respected brand in Rioja. In 2007, he established Bodegas Basilio Izquierdo with a vision to craft wines that reflect a modern interpretation of Rioja. His mission focuses on sourcing grapes from unique vineyards that are over 40 years old, utilizing his four decades of expertise to create exceptional wines. This dedication has led to the creation of the “Basilio inventions” label, featuring small batches of exclusive wines that are seldom found outside of Spain.
In 2016, Basilio was recognized as one of the 50 exceptional winemakers globally, standing out among over 2,500 winemakers.
Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva
$98.99
Lopez de Heredia is a family-run Spanish producer based in Rioja and regarded as one of the world’s greatest wine estates. It was founded in 1877 by Don Rafael Lopez de Heredia y Landeta. Four generations of the Lopez de Heredia family have devoted themselves to upholding their 140-year tradition of producing exceptional wines.
Tondonia, the winery’s most famous vineyard and product, was established between 1913 and 1914. It extends over 250 acres on the right bank of the River Ebro. In addition to Tondonia, the estate owns three vineyards (Cubillo, Bosconia, and Zaconia) covering a total area of 420 hectares. The soil is alluvial clay with a high proportion of limestone. Lopez de Heredia winery is the oldest in Haro and one of the first three houses in the Rioja region. They use completely natural and traditional methods of winemaking and their grapes are sourced exclusively from their own vineyards. They use typical Rioja varieties to produce the best wines: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo for reds, Viura and Malvasia for whites. The winery’s commitment to tradition is evident in their 131-year history of using American oak. They continue to have their own cooperage, making them the only bodega in Spain to hand-craft all the barrels used to age their wines.
Lopez de Heredia Vina Bosconia
$72.99
The Bosconia vineyard, which has always been vinified separately at the winery, has more clay in the soil and tends to produce richer, plumper wines that are priced below Tondonia. This cuvée of Tempranillo with 10% Garnacha and 5% each of Graciano and Mazuelo boasts sweet fruit, dark plum, savoury herbs, black cherry, and silky tannins, almost Burgundian in style.
The 2013 Viña Bosconia Reserva, even in a cooler year, like 2013, has a rounder body and still 13.5% alcohol. They also insisted that "remember that we can use 15% of wine from another vintage, and perhaps we topped this one up with wine from 2015. We want consistency year after year." This matured in barrels for five years and was bottled unfiltered but fined with egg whites. It's expressive, elegant and subtle, clean and complex, with polished tannins and very good acidity (pH 3.3 and 6.7 grams of tartaric acid per litre of wine).
Lamadrid Malbec Gran Reserva
$34.99
Guillermo García Lamadrid began this project in 2004 by opening the door to wine growing in Argentina, from the lands of Agrelo in Luján de Cuyo, one of the first regions in Argentina to embrace Malbec. He partnered with winemaker Pablo Durigutti to produce a range of wines that run the gamut from good value to single vineyard examples from their oldest vineyard sites.
People love this wine! Deeply rooted in the mineralized soils of Agrelo, nourished by the pure water of the Andes Mountain Range, and embraced by the unique sun exposure of this corner of Argentina Lamadrid is a unique partnership. Guillermo Garcia Lamadrid and Hector Durigutti, master winemaker and general manager, have developed a close working relationship and partnership crucial for the success of the Lamadrid brand. Excellent nose of spice box, mineral, black cherry, and blueberry. Medium to full-bodied, it has excellent richness and depth, succulent fruit, and superior length, considering the price. Goes well with grilled meats and roasts.