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Staff Favorites

If you’re going to have Robert Parker or Stephen Tanzer over for dinner, selecting a wine they’ve rated highly will be a nice choice. However, when you’re buying wines for yourself, we’d love to see you find wines that match up your unique palate and pocketbook. We have a large staff of friendly and knowledgeable wine professionals that taste hundreds of wines each week. They can put you in touch with bottles that you are likely to love, often at a much lower cost than the highly-rated gems that often see a run-up in price and frequent availability issues. Like any great group of opinionated professionals, our staff has varied tastes themselves. Often our customers will find a particular staff member with a style that corresponds to their own. That concept works extremely well in our retail stores, and this section is our effort to bring you the same online. Don’t get us wrong, we love the highly rated wines from the press and will continue to offer them, but we think you’re missing out if you’re not augmenting those selections with picks from our excellent staff. Here are their favorites. (Click on a name to see their other selections - or to drop them a line.) Cheers!


Reviews

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1990 Mortlach 22 Year Old K&L Exclusive Chieftain's Single Sherry Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml
 By: Joe Manekin | Review Date: 5/18/2013 | Send Email
  Reading my co-workers' reviews, I couldn't help but notice both the huge number of total reviews, and the fact that they are all very similar raves about this whisk(e)y.I'm admittedly late to have caught this train, but absolutely feel the need to chime in on this one. As a sherry drinker, I'm especially fond of the burnished, burnt caramel, dried citrus peel and walnut husk flavors of dry oloroso. This bottling perfectly embodies these flavors; you can tell that not only are these first fill Oloroso Sherry barrels, but really high quality ones at that! (I wonder where they were purchased?) I have to agree with David; this is perhaps the most complete, well balanced, delicious bottle of sherry barrel aged scotch I have tasted. A new favorite and instant classic for me and, I suspect, for many of our single malt customers as well.
Price: $169.99 Add To Cart
Ceci, "Ducati Piega"Emilia-Romagna
 By: Chris Miller | Review Date: 5/18/2013 | Send Email
  Well, where do I start with this wine? I guess I should start out by saying what's in the bottle is REALLY GOOD!! A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Lambrusco, I was prepared for this wine to be okay at best, an abomination at worst. But it was rich, well balanced, varietally correct, long on the palate with a fair dollop of complexity. I was very impressed. So what's with the bottle. Well, let me start that off by saying I'm no fan of motorcycle racing, but the Italians are obsessed with it, and I'm obsessed with everything Italian, so I guess that, by extention, I am indeed a fan of motorcycle racing. "Piega" is the leaning angle of a rider as he makes a turn. 68.2 degrees is, according to Ducati, the optimum "piega", and that is the angle of the bottle/decanter. This is a bottling commissioned by Ducati from an excellent producer(Ceci) for their cafes around Italy. Yes, Ducati has cafes around Italy. (I told you they were obsessed!). Anyway, wine is great whether your into the groovy bottle or not. But chances are, you will be. CM
Price: $24.99 Add To Cart
Ceci Malvasia Frizzante Secco "Terre Verdiane" Emilia-Romagna
 By: Chris Miller | Review Date: 5/18/2013 | Send Email
  I came across this wine at a Prosciutto di Parma seminar and immediately fell in love with it. I guess I should mention Italians in general have a penchant for "fizzy" wine, there refered to as "frizzante" or "vivace" (lively), and the people of Emilia-Romagna in particular LOVE it. Not only does it make an already refreshing wine even more so, it makes the wines that much more food friendly, especially with the richer, more fatty cuisine of Emilia-Romagna. Hence it's pairing with the Prosciutto. I could go on and on how much I adore and appreciate the food and wine of this part of Italy, but suffice to say this wine rocks! Lovely lime, pear blossom, jasmine and acacia flower on the nose, medium bodied with just enough spritz and acidity to make it achingly refreshing. Perfect not just with charcuterie and affitati misti, but along side a salad or pannino, or even just on it's own on a beautiful summer afternoon. CM, LA Italian wine specialist
Price: $14.99 Add To Cart
Rusty Blade K&L Exclusive "Cask B" Single Barrel Cask Strength Barrel-Aged Gin 750ml
 By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 5/18/2013 | Send Email
  Of the two single cask Rusty Blade offerings cask B was the more subtle one. There are juniper and baking spices but they a slightly more delicate and nuanced than cask A. Cask B , however, is the fuller bodied of the two.
Price: $67.99 Add To Cart
Rusty Blade K&L Exclusive "Cask A" Single Barrel Cask Strength Barrel-Aged Gin 750ml
 By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 5/18/2013 | Send Email
  This aged gin is full of expressive and pronounced aromatics and flavor. There is juniper mixed with baking spice flavors enveloped in a full bodied and round liquid.In other words, it is delicious, unique, is good alone and should go well in creatively inspired cocktails.
Price: $67.99 Add To Cart
2010 Erik Banti "Ciabatta" Morellino di Scansano Riserva
 By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 5/17/2013 | Send Email
  The Erik Banti Ciabatta is 85% Sangioves, 10% Alicante and 5% Ciliegiolo and is a good alternative to Chianti. The flavor of the Sangiovese is fattened up by the Alicante and creates a wine that is medium to full bodied,has nice fruit,and is balanced with complexity and acidity. It is delicious and interesting and will go well meats, pasta and pizza.
Price: $18.99 Add To Cart
2010 Erik Banti "Carato" Toscana
 By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 5/17/2013 | Send Email
  When you taste this wine you won't believe that it only cost $6.99. It is a bright juicy medium bodied wine that is easy to drink alone and will go well with pasta and pizza.
Price: Hidden View Price
2007 Viticcio "Monile" Toscana
 By: Greg St. Clair | Review Date: 5/17/2013 | Send Email
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  The 2007 vintage in Tuscany produced many top quality wines and this Super Tuscan from Viticcio shows the power, structure and age worthiness of Bordeaux blends from Chianti. Powerful,focused with a blend of gravelly earth and ripe cherry on the palate, long and intense a wine with great structure.
Drink from 2017 to 2027
Price: $34.99 Add To Cart W&S 93 WS 93
1990 Mortlach 22 Year Old K&L Exclusive Chieftain's Single Sherry Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml
 By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 5/17/2013 | Send Email
  Delicious and just packed full of flavor. This 22 year old Mortlach is dark brown from the sherry cask aging. It is rich, round and mouth filling with lots of flavors to think about and enjoy.
Price: $169.99 Add To Cart
2011 Tenuta Sarno 1860 Fiano di Avellino
 By: Chris Miller | Review Date: 5/16/2013 | Send Email
  This is a direct quote from my article in the February 2012 K&L newsletter; "Fiano is one of Italy’s most important white grapes, and Fiano di Avelino is one of Italy’s greatest white wines. I sincerely believe the 2009 Tenuta Sarno Fiano di Avellino could be the best Fiano I’ve ever had. There’s so much complexity to this wine, it’s hard to pinpoint the fruit. Stone fruit? Tree fruit? Tropical? There is also a smoky, slightly gamey, intensely mineral quality I find beguiling. It reminds me of a great Hermitage Blanc four to five times its price. Delicious." Well, all that said folks, I'm thinking the 2011 may be even better. So seamless and complete, just a stunning wine. My only caveat is that it could use another year or so in the bottle to really hit it's stride. You know those nature shows where you see a baby horse or deer born and it immediately gets to it's feet but is really wobbly and not really ready for what it's meant to do. That's sort of where I see this wine at this moment. It will be bounding with endless grace soon, but this wine will not last, so stock up for sure. CM
Price: $24.99 Add To Cart DC 96
1987 Chateau Pellehaut K&L Exclusive Tenareze Vintage Armagnac 750ml
 By: Mike Barber | Review Date: 5/15/2013 | Send Email
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  $80 for a well aged armagnac from a renowned producer? Why aren't you buying this right now!? Tenareze is a higher altitude area for brandy production- which gives its armagnacs more spice and minerality than their bas counterparts. This brandy's finish is loaded with all the spice you'd expect from a tenareze- but none of the bite. It is lush and delicious, with gorgeous oak notes and a rich body of candy and caramel fruit flavors.
Drink from 2013 to 3013
Price: $79.99 Add To Cart
2011 Tenuta Sarno 1860 Fiano di Avellino
 By: Greg St. Clair | Review Date: 5/15/2013 | Send Email
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  I've always thought Fiano d'Avellino was really good but never great, that was until I had this wine. Tenuta Sarno has more depth, more structure and more flavor than I can ever remember having before in a Fiano. The aromas are spicy and powerful while on the palate layers of complexity, alternating between a leesy, biscuit like richness and a slightly gritty tannin grip really make this wine's presence unmistakable. I would love to have this with a bigger, more structured fish like Swordfish although I'm sure many of you'd head towards Lobster. I really think this wine is stunning, you definitely need to try this!
Drink from 2013 to 2017
Price: $24.99 Add To Cart DC 96
2011 Patient Cottat "Le Grand Caillou" Sauvignon Blanc
 By: Mike Parres | Review Date: 5/15/2013 | Send Email
  We have carried this wine for a couple years now and I have always enjoyed it... The 2011 just came in last week and Wow! The BEST yet! Three stars from Guido. Lots of limestone and flint on the palate, has wonderful length and is food friendly. This would be a great luncheon wine - maybe baked goat cheese with fines herbs and baguette?
Price: $10.99 Add To Cart
2012 Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc
 By: Mike Parres | Review Date: 5/15/2013 | Send Email
  One of California’s finest producers of Sauvignon blanc’s. A crisp, light to medium-bodied example revealing forceful, fragrant notes of melons, figs, dried herbs, and a hint of citrus, delicious, and surprisingly a great value from California!
Price: $7.99 Add To Cart WE 90
2011 Tenuta Sarno 1860 Fiano di Avellino
 By: Mike Parres | Review Date: 5/15/2013 | Send Email
  Haven't heard of Fiano before ? This grape is becoming very popular in the San Francisco bay area, thanks to a little restaurant called "A16", that has introduced alot of Southern Italian veritals to its patrons. A bright, fresh wine with pear, lime, lemon peel, toasted hazelnut with a mineral/salty notes on the palate, this is a very food friendly wine.
Price: $24.99 Add To Cart DC 96
1990 Mortlach 22 Year Old K&L Exclusive Chieftain's Single Sherry Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml
 By: Mahon McGrath | Review Date: 5/15/2013 | Send Email
  Pungent stuff, this! The nose gives off big aromas of salty, toasted almond, brown sugar, maple syrup and caramel fudge. You might think this would then be one of the sweeter malts, but it switches up when you taste it: the contrast of the salty, rancio notes from the Sherry cask keeps the sweetness well in bounds. Still, this is a full, thick and rich dram, which comes across to me something like a pianist playing a slow, left handed vamp on the lower reaches of his instrument. Into this deep end flavor range, on the finish, comes just the slightest bit of fruity, bright, candied citron peel; a spot of sunlight beaming into a shadowed room through a torn shade. While this, of course, makes me wish we had more Mortlach, getting to sample this singular malt is well worth the price of admission.
Price: $169.99 Add To Cart
1990 Mortlach 22 Year Old K&L Exclusive Chieftain's Single Sherry Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml
 By: Mike Barber | Review Date: 5/15/2013 | Send Email
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  When mortlach is good- its this freaking good. This is a rich and dense bottle of pure malty deliciousness, filled with dark fruits, baking spices, and round oak flavors that coat your mouth and leave you wanting more. Put a little water in this cask strength beast- it will show you all its capable of.
Drink from 2013 to 3013
Price: $169.99 Add To Cart
2010 Hewitson "Miss Harry" Red Rhône Blend Barossa Valley South Australia
 By: Mike Barber | Review Date: 5/15/2013 | Send Email
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  Hewitson is a great grower/producer who does not make his wines with the heavy handed approach popular in Australia. His are balanced and finessed wines that show what Barossa is really capable of. The Miss Harry blend is a rhone-inspired wine, unmistakably Australian in its fruit flavors, but with a bright and balanced finish and wonderful spices. Its easily one of the best deals we have for good Australia wines.
Top Value! Drink from 2013 to 2018
Price: $19.99 Add To Cart JH 94 W&S 92 JS 91
2011 Algueira Joven Mencia Ribeira Sacra
 By: Mike Barber | Review Date: 5/15/2013 | Send Email
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  Mencias from ribeira sacra tend to be more elegant than their bierzo brethren. This wine is a fine example at a perfect price- bitter raspberry fruit and earth with an elegant body and light tannin.
Top Value! Drink from 2013 to 2015
Price: $14.99 Add To Cart
1990 Mortlach 22 Year Old K&L Exclusive Chieftain's Single Sherry Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml
 By: Sarah Covey | Review Date: 5/15/2013 | Send Email
  If there is one single malt I'm going to drop the cash on this year, the Mortlach has just won my first choice slot. Baking spices like cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg with caramel and vanilla. Sweet richness intertwined with a meaty saline quality. Stunningly layered and crazy drinkable. Snap it up while you can- it's a rarity worthy the splurge.
Price: $169.99 Add To Cart
Rusty Blade K&L Exclusive "Cask A" Single Barrel Cask Strength Barrel-Aged Gin 750ml
 By: Sarah Covey | Review Date: 5/15/2013 | Send Email
  Fans of past bottlings of the Rusty Blade rejoice- this is your baby, back again! All that wonderful gingerbready goodness, clove, nutmeg and cinnamon with sweet juniper flashing through. Doesn't even really feel like Gin. Y-U-M!
Price: $67.99 Add To Cart
Rusty Blade K&L Exclusive "Cask B" Single Barrel Cask Strength Barrel-Aged Gin 750ml
 By: Sarah Covey | Review Date: 5/15/2013 | Send Email
  Super nerdy Gin fans, this one's for you! Cinnamon, vanilla sweetness, with a funky saline-wet-sand-beach kelp thing happening. Richer mouthfeel than the "Cask A" for sure. A gin to stretch your intellect over a long afternoon!
Price: $67.99 Add To Cart
Launois "Quartz" Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne
 By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 5/15/2013 | Send Email
  The Launois Quartz is a perennial favorite here at K&L. One of our cleanest and lightest in style, the Chardonnay flavor really comes through on the nose with a tasty finish that's brimming with crisp acidity. A no brainer for the money.
Price: $34.99 Add To Cart
Launois "Cuvée Reserve" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
 By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 5/15/2013 | Send Email
  Absolutely delicious bubbly! Bright citrus and stonefruit right on the entry with a richness that finishes cleanly, rather than nutty or oaky. The Launois Reserve is right there with the Bonville Blanc de Blanc and Bruno Michel for best $35-ish bottle of Champagne we carry. A big step up from the Quartz, although both are the same price.
Price: $34.99 Add To Cart
1990 Mortlach 22 Year Old K&L Exclusive Chieftain's Single Sherry Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml
 By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 5/15/2013 | Send Email
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  I had previously seen releases of Mortlach growing up in the UK but sadly had not yet developed much of a taste for Scotch. Bottlings I have had since then in the USA have been pretty underwhelming yet I remember the distillery being held in high regard by customers in London. Just the other day Mr. Driscoll presented us with this new purchase and announced it was the real deal Mortlach expression complete with heavily sherried color, texture and taste. The bottle does not disappoint. Decadently concentrated, with a rich and saturated texture. It shows alluring and complex flavors of fruitcake, dried figs, baking spices and a beautifully savory sherry induced rancio character with toasted hazelnuts that lingers on the finish.
Price: $169.99 Add To Cart
1990 Mortlach 22 Year Old K&L Exclusive Chieftain's Single Sherry Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml
 By: Kyle Kurani | Review Date: 5/15/2013 | Send Email
  Mortlach as it was meant to be, that Diageo doesn’t see fit for the American consumer, heavily influenced by Sherry, and darn delicious. David had been raving about this, I try to remain neutral until I’ve had a chance to have it in my glass, well (and I am loathe to say this, again, but) He was right. This is one of the purest expressions of what Sherry tastes like. This isn’t sweet, like most Sherry isn’t, it is nutty, and savory, notes of roasted coffee and black walnuts, the Scotch really has been beautifully influenced by the barrel. The marriage of Single Malt and Sherry is in supreme balance, and at the apex of maturity.
Price: $169.99 Add To Cart
Absolut Elyx Single Estate Vodka 1L
 By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 5/15/2013 | Send Email
  The Absolut Elyx Single Estate impressed me with its effortless presence, it seemed to tease me with a hidden flavor or texture, and this hard to describe but easy to appreciate vodka changed the way that I think about the whole category. Since I tasted it yesterday with Mr. Driscoll I have not been able to stop thinking about it! Vodka is not an easy thing for a wine guy to get excited about. It is meant to be flavorless, which seems like a strange goal for something that goes in your mouth. If you have been drinking Grey Goose or Chopin and want to see what one of the world’s top producers of vodka can do when they really put their mind to it, this is bottle is a must.
Price: $49.99 Add To Cart
1990 Mortlach 22 Year Old K&L Exclusive Chieftain's Single Sherry Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml
 By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 5/15/2013 | Send Email
  I was blown away by this malt! Finding value in over 20 year old Speyside in first fill Sherry sounds like an impossible task in today’s market, but our two David's have really done it with this Mortlach 22 Year Old. It has a deep walnut color and a rich rancio nose full of both malty sweetness and nutty Oloroso complexity. On the palate this Chieftain's bottling is giant and powerful, but opens very nicely with a little water. The finish has the rare "peacocks tail" expansiveness that only the best well aged elixirs in the world have- it goes on forever. If you don't have room for one more bottle of scotch in your cabinet, it is time to finish one, because this is not to be missed!!!!
Price: $169.99 Add To Cart
1990 Mortlach 22 Year Old K&L Exclusive Chieftain's Single Sherry Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml
 By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 5/15/2013 | Send Email
  Finding a cask of sherry-aged Mortlach has been kind of a white whale hunt for me. In my opinion, when Mortlach is aged properly it's the best sherry aged whisky in the world - better than Macallan, Glenfarclas, Glendronach, or Balvenie. There's something deeper and more magical happening at the core of this malt that outshines the other Speysiders. There's plenty of Mortlach casks out there, but they're always the castaways - the barrels that Diageo cut loose because they were aged in refill hogsheads (barrels that add little richness and result in light, fruity, leaner whiskies). However, we fell upon this 22 year old monster in the Chieftain's warehouse and we didn't even blink when they offered it to us. I think it's the best sherry-aged whisky we have - it may be the best sherry-aged whisky we've ever had. It makes Mac 18 seem foolish and watered-down . It makes Glenfarclas seem overbearing. It makes Glendronach seem overly sweet. Balvenie can't hold a candle to this. Behold everyone - the great Mortlach. Sherry-aged perfection if there ever was such a thing.
Price: $169.99 Add To Cart
Absolut Elyx Single Estate Vodka 1L
 By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 5/15/2013 | Send Email
  I love it when a brand-oriented whisky customer comes into K&L and I get the chance to talk with them about all of the smaller independents. Nothing feels better than turning a new drinker onto the lesser-known spirits of the world. Almost nothing. There's one thing I actually enjoy even more. I really get a kick when a brand known for bulk production and cheesy gimmickry actually delivers a product that tastes good.I love it when Glenlivet makes a good whisky. I love it when Tanqueray releases a good gin. I love it when gigantic brands show that they're still capable of making something inexpensive, but tasty. Taking a page from the craft spirits movement, Absolut has answered the call for locally-sourced, "handcrafted" (whatever that means these days - in this case I think they're referring to the fact it was manually distilled on a copper still) spirits by offering one of their own. The Elix is made from all-estate (apparently Absolut owns a number of fields in Sweden) grown wheat. It's bottled in a nice package and proofed down to 42.3%, which to me means that they actually tinkered with this thing at various levels to find the one that tasted best, rather than just dropping it down to the defacto 40%. One of the best vodkas I've ever tasted - easily.
Price: $49.99 Add To Cart
1990 Mortlach 22 Year Old K&L Exclusive Chieftain's Single Sherry Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml
 By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 5/14/2013 | Send Email
  Upon first sip, I realized this one is not for the faint of heart(or mouth), nor for drinking "straight". Once a splash of water (maybe some ice) is added to this beauty, the nose quickly becomes quite amazing. No doubt a huge amount of toasty caramel and even some spice on the nose. This resonated with a pretty baking spice, and savory nuttiness on the palate. The finish is long, supple, and well balanced. If you should decide to splurge, this one will not let you down.
Price: $169.99 Add To Cart
2005 Leeuwin Estate "Siblings" Shiraz Margaret River
 By: John Downing | Review Date: 5/14/2013 | Send Email
  Although Leeuwin Estate is best known for their exceptional Artist Series Chardonnay, many of their other wines are often overlooked. Such is the case with this sleeper. Our initial reaction was "this is a 2005"? The wine certainly exceeds expectation as it over delivers at $14. "Siblings" Shiraz offers up a smooth, rounded palate of delicious mulberry and black plum fruit, fully ripe underlying dusty tannins and a nice touch of earthiness. It really is a terrific steal and we'll certainly be taking advantage ourselves!
Price: $13.99 Add To Cart W&S 92 ST 90 JH 89
1990 Mortlach 22 Year Old K&L Exclusive Chieftain's Single Sherry Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml
 By: Shaun Green | Review Date: 5/14/2013 | Send Email
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  Granted I'm a wine guy but I do love a good single malt now and then, and the 1990 Mortlach is a fantastic bottle at a great price for this quality. Long and rich, fruitcake, spices really meaty and complex and a hands down winner. Now this is no lightweight delicate whisky, it has wonderful power and the beauty of sherry barrel ageing, with a wonderful meatiness. David finds us quite a few fantastic gems and this is another winner!
Price: $169.99 Add To Cart
2008 A.T. Richardson "Chockstone" Shiraz Grampians Victoria
 By: Jim Chanteloup | Review Date: 5/14/2013 | Send Email
  As their "tag" says, "cool climate wines of distinction". The wines from the Grampian region in Victoria produce a style that is more medium-bodied and elegant with accents of spice. The 2008 Chockstone offers lifted, effusive aromatics with black cherry, blueberry, boysenberry, bittersweet chocolate, earth and a hint of pepper. On the palate the wine has poise and elegance with fresh, bright flavors supported by good acidity, refined supple tannins and a persistent finish with a touch of mint. 14.1 ABV
Price: $12.99 Add To Cart JH 95
2008 A.T. Richardson "Chockstone" Shiraz Grampians Victoria
 By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 5/14/2013 | Send Email
  A nice example of Aussie Shiraz that shows both richness and restraint. The nose has lots of ripe succulent dark fruit, some bittersweet chocolate and spice box. On the palate the wine has moderate ripe tannins and a robust yet polished mouthfeel. The flavors mimic the nose with dark fruits, blackcurrant and loganberry. The cooler climate origin of the fruit (in the high elevation Grampian Mountains) shows on the finish bringing a more focused acidity than the opulent nose and mid-palate suggests. Just imagine a dark chocolate coated raspberry where that bright acidity peeks through and keeps things interesting. A lot of wine for the price!
Top Value!
Price: $12.99 Add To Cart JH 95
2006 Launois Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
 By: Jim Barr | Review Date: 5/14/2013 | Send Email
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  Produced from an old vine, mid-slope South facing vineyard, this powerful wine provides tons of opulent yeasty, nutty characteristics on the nose that transcend its impressively complex, rich, lush, and deep flavors with incredible structure and a finish that defines Champagnes that are three to four times this price. The Bean has informed me that, without a question, we need to have a case of this Gem in our cellar, now! 12.0% ABV
Drink from 2013 to 2020
Price: $49.99 Add To Cart
Launois "Cuvée Reserve" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
 By: Jim Barr | Review Date: 5/14/2013 | Send Email
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  Produced from Chardonnay [obviously, since it is “Blanc de Blancs”], this amazing Gem throws tons of yeasty, nutty, creamy fruit at you both in the nose and on the palate, with brilliant complexity, and a lush, broad, and rich finish. The Bean has ordered me to bring at least one case of this home for our consumption in the next one to three-plus years. I will probably bring home more than that. 12.0% ABV
Drink from 2013 to 2018
Price: $34.99 Add To Cart
2012 Kalinda Rheingau Riesling Qba
 By: Jim Barr | Review Date: 5/14/2013 | Send Email
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  Lush aromas of jasmine to white peach underscored by a wet river stone to slate-like minerality define the very serious bouquet of this lovely wine that was created by our German Wine Buyer, Eric Story [his third such creation in three years], which is a not quite a Tröcken nor a Halb-Tröcken, but somewhere in between those styles. Incredible structure and depth of character on the palate, this Gem is off-dry, yet refreshing and bright due to its excellent acid levels and presentation of superb Riesling fruit. According to Rusty, this very serious Gem is one of the best buys in the store and he has informed me that we need at least several cases of this wonderful wine. 11.5% ABV
Drink from 2013 to 2018
Price: $11.99 Add To Cart
2008 Cantine Ascheri Barolo
 By: Greg St. Clair | Review Date: 5/14/2013 | Send Email
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  This is a beautiful expression of the 2008 vintage in Barolo and that vintages is turning out to be one of my favorite vintages in recent years. The wines are balanced, full of classic aromatics and flavors yet showing enough character and complexity in a drink now wine that would satisfy most Barolo lovers and still show flavors that are reminiscent of bygone decades. This Ascheri is elegant, I mean by that it has grace not that it is lightweight, ok by Paso Robles standards it isn't a "BIG" wine but certainly full-bodied, yet doesn't have the mouth searing tannins of Barolo past. Perfect accompaniment to Risotto with Porcini or Barolo al Brasato (Pot Roast).
Drink from 2013 to 2025
Price: $29.99 Add To Cart JS 91 WS 89
2012 Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc
 By: Mahon McGrath | Review Date: 5/13/2013 | Send Email
  With summer a short ways off, this crisp, affordable Sauvignon Blanc answers the call of warm days and backyard grilling parties, picnics, and the like. Light and refreshing, with green melon, citrus, and a dash of herbs, this could either make a good foil to, say, grilled shrimp, or serve as a nice, straightforward, juicy, "cocktail" wine.
Price: $7.99 Add To Cart WE 90
2009 Joya Sonoma County Chardonnay
 By: Mahon McGrath | Review Date: 5/13/2013 | Send Email
  For under ten dollars, in a domestic Chardonnay with no overt oak, this is worthy of consideration. While the nose is a little short, on the palate it packs plenty of flavor, ranging from blossom, apple and orange, to honeyed, waxy notes. The thick texture is cut, on the finish, as the underlying acidity pops out, keeping things lively.
Price: $9.99 Add To Cart
2012 Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc
 By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 5/13/2013 | Send Email
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  This is a great little buy for domestic Sauvignon Blanc or for any affordable white wine, in fact. It has a very pleasant floral nose with hints of nectarine and herbs. Simple, clean and fresh on the palate with generous acidity, lemon-lime notes and just a hint of melon.
Price: $7.99 Add To Cart WE 90
2002 Bruno Michel "Cuvee Millésime" Brut Champagne
 By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 5/13/2013 | Send Email
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  As with all Bruno Michel's wines this is very interesting. He works Biodynamically and the wines are generally slightly on the esoteric side. The nose of this wine has an intriguing Pecorino cheese note, a touch of saline character that also shows through on the palate. It has bright green apple and citrus notes wrapped with some more toasty rich hazelnut character showing on the finish. Complex and intriguing, more of a food orientated wine than a simple sipper. Enjoy!
Price: $59.99 Add To Cart
Franck Bonville "Belles Voyes" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
 By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 5/13/2013 | Send Email
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  I don't think there is anything I can say about this wine that Gary or my colleagues haven't already said yet I feel compelled to review it. Hands down my favorite Champagne in the store. Even when you take much more expensive wines into account it's hard to say that considerably more cash gets you any improvement in quality.
Price: $67.99 Add To Cart WS 91
2004 Launois "Spécial Club" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
 By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 5/13/2013 | Send Email
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  Special wine and not just in name! As with all Special Club bottlings this comes from Launois' top parcels of vines. The wine has extra time on the lees which not only enhances its depth and quality but also gives the wine great oxidation resistance to allow for extended cellaring. The vibrant acidity of the 2004 vintage gives energy and life to this wine that is simply a delight to drink now and will only get better with time.
Drink from 2013 to 2023
Price: $59.99 Add To Cart
Launois "Quartz" Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne
 By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 5/13/2013 | Send Email
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  Great wine that is a little more reserved than most of Launois' rich, decadent style. From a single vineyard and bottled at a slightly lower pressure. Soft orchard fruits abound, some fleshy peach character and a nice toasty note on the finish with our being overly buttery of nutty. This restraint allows the quality of fruit to show through a little more precisely. Excellent value.
Price: $34.99 Add To Cart
2012 Zudugarai "Amats" Getariako Txakolina
 By: Joe Manekin | Review Date: 5/9/2013 | Send Email
  Do you love unoaked, dry white wines? This is textbook, deliciously crisp, slightly fizzy, bone dry txakoli! One of my favorite wines to drink in summer, I have in the past always been happy to pay the piper for these delicious, mineral, yet ultimately uncomplicated and refreshing whites. Now that we import this one directly though, I think I've found a new go to summer white (though I'm sure I'll be drinking this in the winter as well, with oysters, dungeness crab, pan fried trout...). A by the case purchase for me and probably for staff as well; buy some before we drink it all.
Price: $12.99 Add To Cart
2012 Zudugarai "Amats" Getariako Txakolina
 By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 5/9/2013 | Send Email
  This succulent wine made a big impression on me when I tasted it today. Something this refreshing, clean and easy to drink seems like it should come with a warning label that reads: "Caution this wine is easy to get carried away with"! I can imagine pairing it with tapas, or just with a warm summer day. It is fantastic and a great deal!
Top Value!
Price: $12.99 Add To Cart
2009 Tatomer "Vandenberg" Santa Barbara County Riesling
 By: Chiara Shannon | Review Date: 5/9/2013 | Send Email
  If you desire a richer style, the botryized and off-dry 2009 “Vandenberg” is more generous and rich in the mouth than the 'Kick On Ranch', yet still gorgeous and vibrant. It's laden with lush tropical and lychee fruit aromas and a flavors and a finish that lingers...perfect for spicy exotic fare or a sumptuous fruit dessert. Very impressive form for Riesling from as unexpected a locale as Santa Barbara! Graham Tatomer is a winemaker to watch.
Price: $23.99 Add To Cart RP 91 ST 90
2009 Pyramid Valley Vineyards "Calvert" Pinot Noir Central Otago New Zealand
 By: Sarah Covey | Review Date: 5/8/2013 | Send Email
  Beautiful red currant, red cherry, raspberry, cassis, black plum, graphite, & spice with medium plus acidity and fine, well-integrated tannin. Elegant and graceful, I want to sit and linger with this wine all afternoon.... Simply stunning.
Price: $34.99 Add To Cart ST 92 RP 91
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