Kalinda

Cuvée Réserve Cabernet Sauvignon

9.13 ratings
9.12 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy
Top Notes For
Shay A
9.2

This is K&L’s private label. I believe they either purchase the wine and don’t disclose the winery or they purchase the fruit and have it made under their label. They gave a pretty big clue on this one...the property is owned by the first winemaker to score 100 points on a Napa cabernet from Robert Parker (the research is easy, look it up!). At $20-25 on release, holding this for a few years yields a great QPR.

At 10yrs, this is probably drinking at its apex. Nicely integrated...smooth and round. Fruit is still the main focus, but the oak is in the background and it is certainly not dense or heavy. Aromatically, it’s showing red, blue and black fruits. Dark cocoa dusted dates, cedar and a hint of smoked meats. On the palate, it’s fairly light revealing a mix of sweet and spiced fruits...peppercorn covered rhubarb pie, baking spices, holiday fruit cake, violets and freshly squeezed black cherries. Enjoy now or hold for 2-3 more years. My thanks to
@David T for the bottle, and introducing me to this label and the story behind it.

This is K&L’s private label. I believe they either purchase the wine and don’t disclose the winery or they purchase the fruit and have it made under their label. They gave a pretty big clue on this one...the property is owned by the first winemaker to score 100 points on a Napa cabernet from Robert Parker (the research is easy, look it up!). At $20-25 on release, holding this for a few years yields a great QPR.

At 10yrs, this is probably drinking at its apex. Nicely integrated...smooth and round. Fruit is still the main focus, but the oak is in the background and it is certainly not dense or heavy. Aromatically, it’s showing red, blue and black fruits. Dark cocoa dusted dates, cedar and a hint of smoked meats. On the palate, it’s fairly light revealing a mix of sweet and spiced fruits...peppercorn covered rhubarb pie, baking spices, holiday fruit cake, violets and freshly squeezed black cherries. Enjoy now or hold for 2-3 more years. My thanks to
@David T for the bottle, and introducing me to this label and the story behind it.

Dec 7th, 2019
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

I'm pretty sure I paid $18.99 or $21.99 for this private label Cab at K&L Wine Merchants. If you are not buying this wine by the 1/2 case or case...then, holding it for 4-5+ years, you are missing a great QPR opportunity. It's a great everyday wine and at it's price and it doubles as a quality wine to serve and impress friends on the weekend. This is a $50+ Napa Cabernet tonight. The details on Kalinda is K&L buys juice from quality producers or has a quality producer make wine for them under their private label. It's a wine to buy year in and out! When you have it 5+ years later, you'll sip it with a smile thinking how good it is and feeling even better about how little it cost you. It's easy to pay a lot of $ for a good wine. The real trick is to find an affordable quality wine that's worth 2-3 times what you paid for it. A bit of 411 on K&L. The staff at K&L as a whole are amongst the best in the country, if not the best. They experience very little turnover and they been doing wine & spirits for around 40 years. They have awesome relationships with all the wine regions and are greatly respected by producers and vendors alike. They have been traveling to all the major wine regions multiple times a year for a very long time. Good knowledgeable people who are very personable & accessible.

I'm pretty sure I paid $18.99 or $21.99 for this private label Cab at K&L Wine Merchants. If you are not buying this wine by the 1/2 case or case...then, holding it for 4-5+ years, you are missing a great QPR opportunity. It's a great everyday wine and at it's price and it doubles as a quality wine to serve and impress friends on the weekend. This is a $50+ Napa Cabernet tonight. The details on Kalinda is K&L buys juice from quality producers or has a quality producer make wine for them under their private label. It's a wine to buy year in and out! When you have it 5+ years later, you'll sip it with a smile thinking how good it is and feeling even better about how little it cost you. It's easy to pay a lot of $ for a good wine. The real trick is to find an affordable quality wine that's worth 2-3 times what you paid for it. A bit of 411 on K&L. The staff at K&L as a whole are amongst the best in the country, if not the best. They experience very little turnover and they been doing wine & spirits for around 40 years. They have awesome relationships with all the wine regions and are greatly respected by producers and vendors alike. They have been traveling to all the major wine regions multiple times a year for a very long time. Good knowledgeable people who are very personable & accessible.

1 person found it helpfulNov 13th, 2016
Brian Tuai

Brian had this 11 years ago

Brian had this 11 years ago

Nov 6th, 2012