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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
2024 As Laxas "Laxas" Albariño Rias Baixas
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/9/2026 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/9/2026 | Send Email
Albariño is undoubtedly one of Spain’s gifts to the world – it’s fresh and crisp, bursting with stone fruit and lemon zest flavors, making it the ultimate wine for summer. Though the vast majority comes from Rias Baixas, in Spain’s cool northwestern corner, there’s a surprising amount of variation within the region, generally dependent on how far away the Atlantic ocean is. Examples close to the coast are lean, mineral-driven and saline, while those more inland, like the 2024 Bodegas As Laxas Albariño, retain the bright freshness the variety is so well-known for, but add in densely packed nectarine and apricot notes, along with tangerine peel and fragrant lemon blossom. On the palate, the wine feels round and juicy, but that racy acidity adds structure and leads into a lingering finish. The slightly weightier style of this wine also makes it an excellent match for richer seafood and fish, like grilled shrimp or braised octopus, or even poke bowls. This is such a delicious and drinkable style of Albariño that’s also just highly enjoyable and uncomplicated to drink – it’s going to be hard to stop at just one glass! And at well under $20 per bottle, there’s no reason not to stock up on this one by the case.
2021 Domaine Jaume "Altitude 420" Vinsobres
By: Noah Schwartz | Review Date: 6/9/2026 | Send Email
By: Noah Schwartz | Review Date: 6/9/2026 | Send Email
I have a soft spot for Rhône Grenache. Its juicy berry fruit, gentle tannins, and velvety texture make it endlessly appealing. Here, the addition of 40% high-altitude Syrah brings an extra spark of acidity that gives the wine energy and complements Grenache's natural roundness. I particularly enjoy how the oak softens Syrah's peppery notes and greener edges, allowing its spice character to shine without taking over. Honestly, this is the sort of bottle I'd happily open at lunch, pour another glass with dinner, and slowly finish over the course of the evening. It's fruit-forward and generous yet balanced by spice and lifted acidity that keep it fresh. Delicious, versatile, and a fantastic value.
2023 Domaine Seguinot Bordet Petit Chablis
By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 6/8/2026 | Send Email
By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 6/8/2026 | Send Email
Aromas of stone and citrus fruits burst from the glass while the palate displays perfectly ripe fruit, crushed stone and mineral notes. The depth here is impressive with layer-after-layer of complexity that far surpasses what one would normally find in a humble Petit Chablis. This wine is in a great place right and it drinking wonderfully.
2023 Planeta Chardonnay
By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 6/7/2026 | Send Email
By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 6/7/2026 | Send Email
I remember my first bottle of 'Planeta' from my second year in the wine industry. I was surprised to see a Chardonnay from Italy, as it was and still is relatively uncommon. At the time I remember it being richer, loaded with expressive tropical fruits.Tasting this 2023 vintage now, I am pleased that the style have evolved along with my palate. Now it is showcasing maritime influences with beautiful tones of salinity and crushed minerals, juxtaposed with a nice touch of oak. Quite delicious, much more balanced than before. If you ever wanted to try a Sicilian expression of the famous varietal, this is the perfect place to start.
2021 Planeta "Maroccoli" Menfi Syrah
By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 6/7/2026 | Send Email
By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 6/7/2026 | Send Email
An intriguing, engaging wine, jampacked with flavors of black plums, ripe blueberries, dark roast coffee beans, earth, tar, baking spices, and mocha dust tannins on the finish. There are many layers to this wine, a lot happening, but it remains well balanced and approachable. A delicious, distinctive, delightful Syrah from an unconventional origin. Cheers!
2023 Planeta Etna Rosso
By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 6/7/2026 | Send Email
By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 6/7/2026 | Send Email
It seems that the wines of Etna are getting more and more popular these days, and there are good reasons for that. The volcanic reds are fresh, light, normally with a pretty minerality to them. This rosso adheres to that typicity and authentically showcases the flavors of Nerello Mascalese under volcanic influence. Explosive notes of fresh wild strawberries, hibiscus juice, a touch of pomegranate, dried thyme, a touch of ash, and crushed earth. There is a distinctive smokiness and ample acidity through the lip smacking finish. A refreshing, and often economical alternative to quality Pinot Noirs.
Price:
$29.99
2023 Planeta "Contrada Taccione" Etna Bianco
By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 6/7/2026 | Send Email
By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 6/7/2026 | Send Email
I love a super crisp, mineral forward volcanic white wine, and this scratches that itch. Flavors of fresh lemons, kumquat, crunchy pears, orange blossom, fresh ginger, chamomile, and chalk. Piercing acidity, refreshingly energetic, with a long smoky finish. A great example of Etna Bianco at an entry level price point. The perfect match to the garlic tiger prawns I was cooking while I was sipping on this wine. Salute!
2023 Chateau de Pizay Regnie
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/6/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/6/2026 | Send Email
Cru Beaujolais at its most charming, and an absolute steal. From organically farmed parcels in Régnié—one of the smallest crus—with whole-cluster fruit and traditional carbonic maceration. The 2023 delivers everything you want from the appellation: juicy red cherry and raspberry, a floral lift, and a sleek mineral edge that keeps it fresh. Plush and fruit-forward but never heavy, with silky tannins and bright acidity. Serve it with a slight chill and pour it with anything from charcuterie to roast chicken.
2023 Laberinto "Arcillas de Laberinto" Riesling Valle de Maule
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/6/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/6/2026 | Send Email
A thrilling, off-the-beaten-path Riesling from one of Chile’s most influential winemakers. Sourced from a 1995-planted vineyard at 1,800 feet on volcanic soils, hand-harvested, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and given skin contact and time in clay amphora and concrete. The result is textural and electric—lime zest, white peach, wet stone, and a savory, almost briny edge. Bone-dry and laser-focused, with a long, mineral finish. Distinctive, ambitious, and a screaming value for anyone who wants Riesling with real character.
2023 Method Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/6/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/6/2026 | Send Email
Classic Napa Cabernet with the polish you’d expect and a price that doesn’t scare you off. The 2023 leads with ripe black currant, blackberry, and dark cherry, layered with notes of cocoa, sweet cedar, vanilla, and a whisper of crushed herb. The palate is rich and full-bodied, with plush, well-integrated tannins and just enough acidity to keep all that dark fruit lively. Oak is present but tasteful, framing the wine rather than dominating it, and the finish is long, smooth, and gently spiced. Approachable now with a short decant, but with the structure to develop over the next several years. A confident, crowd-pleasing Napa Cab—pour it with a ribeye and watch it disappear.
2015 Famiglia Cottarella Sodale Merlot
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/6/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/6/2026 | Send Email
Proof that Lazio can do serious Merlot—and that some of the best values come from the regions nobody’s watching. Made by celebrated winemaker Riccardo Cotarella on his home turf outside Rome, this is grown in volcanic soils and given the kind of attention usually reserved for far flashier addresses. With a decade of bottle age behind it, the 2015 has landed right in its sweet spot.
Ripe black cherry and plum lead on the nose, then slowly unfurl into cocoa, sweet pipe tobacco, dried herbs, and a savory note of forest floor that only comes with age. The palate is plush and velvety with mature, silky tannins and a mocha-tinged depth from the volcanic terroir, all kept balanced and lifted by a line of fresh acidity. The finish is long, savory, and gently spiced.
Drinking beautifully now—give it a 30-minute decant and pour it with braised short ribs, mushroom risotto, or anything off the grill. A sophisticated, mature Merlot from an unexpected corner of Italy.
Price:
$9.99
2022 Dominio de Atauta Ribera del Duero
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/6/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/6/2026 | Send Email
The flagship, and the most serious wine in the whole lineup—all about texture, not power. Sourced from microscopic plots of ancient 120- to 140-year-old pre-phylloxera vines rooted in limestone bedrock, it shows a chalky minerality and a striking note of powdered stone that comes straight from the rock. Dense, structured, and super precise, with dark fruit framed by firm tannins and savory depth. Decant a full hour or cellar it 8 to 12 years. A top pick.
2019 Miguel Merino Reserva Rioja
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/6/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/6/2026 | Send Email
This is Rioja with depth, patience, and real class. Layers of dried cherry, plum skin, tobacco, and warm baking spice unfold slowly from the glass, giving a wine beautifully mature and composed despite its youthful energy. The palate is silky and deeply savory, with finely integrated oak framing the fruit rather than overpowering it. There’s a quiet intensity here—nothing flashy, just confident winemaking and exceptional balance. The finish lingers with notes of leather, crushed herbs, and earthy minerality, making this a Reserva that feels both timeless and remarkably polished.
2019 Miguel Merino Gran Reserva Rioja
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/6/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/6/2026 | Send Email
This is Rioja with real gravitas. The nose opens with dried cherry, tobacco leaf, cedar, worn leather, and sweet baking spice, but there’s still a vibrant core of red fruit keeping everything alive and lifted. The palate is silky and layered, unfolding slowly with notes of black tea, balsamic, dusty earth, and finely integrated oak. What makes this especially compelling is the balance between maturity and energy—it carries the soul of traditional Rioja, but with remarkable precision and freshness underneath the depth. Long, elegant, and quietly dramatic, this feels like a wine made to linger over for hours rather than simply drink.
2019 Recaredo "Terrers" Brut Nature Corpinnat (Cava)
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/6/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/6/2026 | Send Email
A true cult sparkler from one of the world’s great traditional-method houses. Hand-riddled, aged under natural cork, and disgorged by hand at cellar temperature—this is craftsmanship taken to the extreme. A remarkable 52 months on the lees and zero dosage give it a nutty, intense, bone-dry profile with aromas of toasted hazelnut, baked apple, and crushed stone. Layered, age-worthy, and uncompromising—a sparkling wine for serious drinkers who want substance over polish.
2021 Gramona "Aliances La Cuvee" Brut Corpinnat (Cava)
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/6/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/6/2026 | Send Email
Proof that Spain’s traditional-method sparklers belong in the conversation with Champagne. Gramona left Cava behind to help found Corpinnat, and the extra ambition shows—24 to 34 months on the lees give this real depth. Toasty brioche, almond, and ripe orchard fruit lead into a bone-dry, finely beaded palate built on Xarel·lo, Macabeu, and a touch of Parellada. Long, savory, and impeccably balanced—a staff favorite and an absolute steal that’s brilliant with oysters.
2025 Château Pradeaux Bandol Rosé
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 6/4/2026 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 6/4/2026 | Send Email
Bandol Rosé is surely one of the elite expressions of pink wine. These are rosés with depth, intensity, and substance—wines that can age well beyond the lifespan of most easy-drinking Provençal bottlings. While Tempier remains the benchmark for many, Pradeaux has always belonged in the same conversation, often at nearly half the price.
The 2025 vintage is a bit more powerful than your average summer rosé. The deeper color hints at what's to come, but don't mistake that for heaviness. Bright and inviting from the start, it bursts with notes of white peach, passion fruit, and red currant. The palate carries Pradeaux's signature silky texture, followed by a long, satisfying finish that immediately encourages another sip.
It's already drinking beautifully, but Pradeaux's rosés continue to evolve with time. That's why it's always worth buying multiple bottles—or even a case or two—to follow its progression over the next year and beyond. Equally at home on the dinner table or enjoyed on its own, this is the kind of wine that always brings people back for more.
2019 Miguel Merino Reserva Rioja (1.5L)
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
Miguel Merino is somewhat unusual in that he chooses to release the same vintage of Reserva and Gran Reserva side by side, rather than a younger vintage of Reserva next to an older vintage of Gran Reserva. This makes for a fascinating comparison, with the main differences being time spent in barrel and the type of oak used for aging. The 2019 Reserva is made from mostly Tempranillo, with just a dash of Graciano, aged for two years in an interesting hybrid barrel of sorts: the staves are made from American oak and the heads are made from French oak, allowing the two flavor profiles to meld from the earliest stages of maturation. The barrels are 70% new, imparting a clear savory and dried herb component to the wine, along with dried tobacco, leather and toasted hazelnut. Now with over four years of bottle age, this Rioja is absolutely singing, with seamlessly integrated supple tannins and lovely, refreshing acidity. For me, this Rioja sits perfectly in the middle of a traditionally styled Rioja and one with more modern sensibilities – it seems to have one foot in the past honoring Miguel Sr. and one foot firmly in the present, showcasing the forward-thinking style of Miguel Jr. It’s clearly of the region, but it is a wonderfully elegant, light-footed version of a Rioja Reserva.
2019 Miguel Merino Gran Reserva Rioja (1.5L)
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
Released alongside the same vintage of the Reserva Rioja, the Miguel Merino Gran Reserva Rioja ages for three years (as opposed to two for the Reserva) in barrel. Made from mostly Tempranillo with a touch of Graciano, the wine spends its first two years in 100% new French oak barrels, and then it is racked into used French oak barrels for its third year, to allow for seamless integration of the toasty oak aromas. This sort of attention to detail is just what sets the Miguel Merino Riojas apart, this one included. The wine is both elegant and powerful, achieving a harmonious balance between its firm, well-built structure and the densely woven red and black fruit notes. As the minutes pass in the glass, the wine just seems to gain in complexity, further unveiling woodsy forest floor and moss aromas, along with subtle licorice and dried thyme. There is a fine balance between freshness and maturity, with vibrant acidity carrying the wine into a long, lingering finish. Muscular and delicate at the same time, this Gran Reserva is such a wonderful example of the finesse and understated beauty Rioja can achieve.
2023 Miguel Merino Blanco Rioja
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
Miguel Merino’s Blanco Rioja is made from 60% Viura and 40% Garnacha Blanca sourced from three distinct vineyards. It ferments and ages for 10 months in 500L neutral casks, avoiding any significant impression of new oak. The focus here is on freshness, fruit-purity and a racy, refreshing mouthfeel driven by acidity and dense minerality. A delicate floral note lingers in the background, along with fresh lemon thyme. This is such a delicious, clean and thoroughly modern style of white Rioja, with just enough creaminess on the palate to make it an excellent food wine.
2019 Miguel Merino Gran Reserva Rioja
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
Released alongside the same vintage of the Reserva Rioja, the Miguel Merino Gran Reserva Rioja ages for three years (as opposed to two for the Reserva) in barrel. Made from mostly Tempranillo with a touch of Graciano, the wine spends its first two years in 100% new French oak barrels, and then it is racked into used French oak barrels for its third year, to allow for seamless integration of the toasty oak aromas. This sort of attention to detail is just what sets the Miguel Merino Riojas apart, this one included. The wine is both elegant and powerful, achieving a harmonious balance between its firm, well-built structure and the densely woven red and black fruit notes. As the minutes pass in the glass, the wine just seems to gain in complexity, further unveiling woodsy forest floor and moss aromas, along with subtle licorice and dried thyme. There is a fine balance between freshness and maturity, with vibrant acidity carrying the wine into a long, lingering finish. Muscular and delicate at the same time, this Gran Reserva is such a wonderful example of the finesse and understated beauty Rioja can achieve.
2019 Miguel Merino Reserva Rioja
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
Miguel Merino is somewhat unusual in that he chooses to release the same vintage of Reserva and Gran Reserva side by side, rather than a younger vintage of Reserva next to an older vintage of Gran Reserva. This makes for a fascinating comparison, with the main differences being time spent in barrel and the type of oak used for aging. The 2019 Reserva is made from mostly Tempranillo, with just a dash of Graciano, aged for two years in an interesting hybrid barrel of sorts: the staves are made from American oak and the heads are made from French oak, allowing the two flavor profiles to meld from the earliest stages of maturation. The barrels are 70% new, imparting a clear savory and dried herb component to the wine, along with dried tobacco, leather and toasted hazelnut. Now with over four years of bottle age, this Rioja is absolutely singing, with seamlessly integrated supple tannins and lovely, refreshing acidity. For me, this Rioja sits perfectly in the middle of a traditionally styled Rioja and one with more modern sensibilities – it seems to have one foot in the past honoring Miguel Sr. and one foot firmly in the present, showcasing the forward-thinking style of Miguel Jr. It’s clearly of the region, but it is a wonderfully elegant, light-footed version of a Rioja Reserva.
2022 Miguel Merino "Viñas Jóvenes" Rioja
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
The Viñas Jóvenes is Miguel Merino’s “village” wine, crafted from younger vines (between 10 and 25 years of age) and designed to show off the personality of the village of Briones where the winery is located. These are vines in training, in a sense, waiting to grow old enough to be included in the Reserva or Gran Reserva, yet in the interim produce readily accessible, highly enjoyable wines bursting with exuberant red fruit notes framed by a delicately savory quality. Made from 92% Tempranillo, with smaller amounts of Graciano and Garnacha, the wine ages for 12 months in second use barrels as well as 500L casks, to emphasize the youthful fruit and not cloak it in oak. Ready to drink now, with juicy fruit notes and lively acidity, this is hardly a trivial wine, however. Rather, it has a surprising amount of concentration for such a well-priced bottle, with a noticeable Miguel Merino thumbprint of elegance, finesse and restrained energy pulsing through the core of the wine, just like its older siblings.
2018 Billecart-Salmon 250th Anniversary Vintage Champagne
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
The perfect wine to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. Billecart Salmon is one of my favorite houses, so it's no surprise that their 2018 vintage is out of this world. On the palate, this wine has notes of brioche, red apple, citrus, and white flowers, with a touch of salinity and refreshing minerality.
Price:
$119.99
2018 Fallet-Dart Extra Brut Champagne
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
This champagne is all estate-grown fruit, mostly Chardonnay with a small portion of Pinot Noir, and entirely from the 2018 vintage; the perfect combination in my opinion! Pear, apple, white peach, brioche, and almonds dominate the palate on this wine, with crisp minerality that makes this champagne super refreshing. Buy this wine while you still can!
Price:
$49.99
Fallet-Dart "Heres" Brut Champagne
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
Bottled in 2019, but with a base vintage of 2018, Fallet Dart's "Heres" is an awesome champagne, especially for its price. The Fallet Dart family has been growing grapes in Champagne since the 1600s and you can taste the years of experience in this wine. On the palate, this champagne is light with perfect minerality, offering notes of tart green apple, grapefruit, lemon juice, and plum.
2017 Boulard-Bauquaire "Les Fervins" Verzenay Grand Cru Brut Champagne
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
The perfect gift for lovers of grower champagne, and not just because of the awesome packaging. 50/50 blend of Pinot Noir and Champagne and a single vintage from a single vineyard, this wine is fantastic. On the palate, this wine has notes of lime zest, lemon juice, red apple, and toasted hazelnuts, wrapped up with a long, chalky finish.
Price:
$119.99
Boulard-Bauquaire "Carte Noire" Brut Blanc de Noirs Champagne
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
50% Pinot Noir and 50% Pinot Meunier, this is one of the finest examples of Blanc de Noirs on our shelves. On the palate, this champagne has notes of blood orange, raspberry, red apple, lemons, and almonds, with great acidity and an apple driven finish. The first wine I would point out to a customer inquiring about Blanc de Noirs, especially at this awesome price point.
Boulard-Bauquaire "Trepail" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Vieilles Vignes
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
A super fun Blanc de Blancs from a single vineyard full of 75+ year old vines. On the palate, this champagne has the depth one would expect from very old vines, with notes of orchard fruit, croissant, lemon zest, and fresh cream, wrapped up with chalky acidity and a touch of honey. The perfect champagne for fans of "old vine" wines.
Price:
$44.99
Jean-Jacques Lamoureux "Les Amoureux" Pinot Blanc Champagne
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
An incredible rare champagne, one press loads worth per year to be exact. If you're looking for something different from Champagne, this 100% Pinot Blanc wine is perfect for you. On the palate, this wine has notes of apricot, white peach, apple, and tart lemon juice, tied together with bright acidity and a bone-dry finish.
Price:
$49.99
Jean-Jacques Lamoureux "Cuvée Gabin" Brut Zero Champagne
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
My personal favorite Brut Zero/Nature. 100% Pinot Noir, this champagne offers notes of green apple, lime zest and underripe pear, with a dry finish and a clear line of acidity throughout. A great small production apertif champagne for those looking for zero dosage.
Price:
$44.99
2017 Franck Bonville "Belles Voyes" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
Single vineyard, single vintage champagne from one of my favorite champagne houses; this is one of the best champagne's I've ever had. On the palate, this wine is rich with incredible depth, with notes of lemon zest, apple, pear, brioche, and rosemary, with a creamy mid palate and bright acidity. Do not hesitate to buy.
Franck Bonville Unisson Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
"Unisson" is one of my favorite champagnes from Franck Bonville, 100% Blanc de Blancs primarily from the village of Avize. Medium-bodied and complex, this champagne has notes of orchard fruits, pastry bread, sweet citrus, and hazelnuts on the palate, tied together with the perfect amount of minerality. Perfect for those looking for a complex Blanc de Blancs at a great price.
Maison 76 Côte des Blancs Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
I'm a massive fan of this champagne. Crafted by Olivier Bonville and hand-selected by Gary Westby, this Blanc de Blancs champagne is zippy and bright, with notes of apple, pear, honey and a hint of brioche. I'd pay double for this wine, the perfect champagne for any occasion.
Price:
$44.99
2021 Francophone by Daniel Baron Sonoma - Napa Cabernet Sauvignon
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
This is a really fun wine for folks who appreciate both Old World and New World styles - or at least wines that strike a thoughtful balance between the two, as this one does.
Daniel Baron is one of the most experienced winemakers you’re ever likely to meet. In 1974, he attended UC Davis, where he studied Viticulture and Enology under the legendary Dr. Harold Olmo. After graduating, he worked numerous harvests before eventually landing in Bordeaux at the iconic Château Pétrus during none other than the famed 1982 vintage. After 12 months at Pétrus, he had befriended owner Christian Moueix and returned to his native California to help launch the newly minted Dominus Estate.
After working at Dominus for 13 years as General Manager, Dan went on to become the winemaker at Silver Oak, a tenure he held until 2016. Now that’s quite a résumé, huh?
Francophone is a project Dan made with Naked Wines, combining fruit from both Napa’s Oakville district and Sonoma’s Moon Mountain. The 2021 Francophone - a playful nod to Dan’s inspirational journey to Bordeaux and back - has rich, ripe fruit, but also an elegant, refined structure more reminiscent of Bordeaux. Dusty red and black fruits meet leather, camphor, subtle hints of licorice, and graphite. The very modest use of oak frames the wine with just a faint sprinkle of spice.
Very easy-drinking and silky on the palate, this is a remarkably compelling Cabernet. The fact that you can get a wine directly from the hands of a winemaker with this kind of pedigree is just mind-blowing. Check it out, Insiders!
Price:
Hidden
2019 Fallet-Dart "Pur Meunier" Champagne
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
I don't always like champagne made from 100% Meunier, but I truly enjoyed "Pur Meunier" from Fallet Dart. A rich wine full of acidity, this champagne has notes of orchard fruit, lime zest, and a distinct nutty flavor, complemented by a hint of smoke. A must-buy for Meunier lovers.
Price:
$69.99
2018 Billecart-Salmon 250th Anniversary Vintage Champagne
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
One of the best recent vintages, similar in spirit to 2002, and a fitting tribute for the house’s 250th. Lovely from the first pour—always a crowd-pleaser—with a beautiful balance of subtle oak and crisp acidity. Layers of white fruit, toasted brioche, and citrus zest carry through a long, refined finish. A polished, celebratory Champagne that delivers elegance and crowd appeal in equal measure.
Price:
$119.99
2019 Fallet-Dart "Pur Meunier" Champagne
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
A pure and expressive take on Meunier that really shows why the grape matters in Champagne. Ripe red apple, pear, and gentle baking spice lead the way, followed by subtle notes of stone fruit and a faint earthy edge that adds complexity. The palate is rounder and more generous than the house’s blends, with a soft, cushioning texture balanced by lively acidity that keeps everything fresh and energetic. There’s a quiet confidence to this wine — characterful without being heavy, expressive without losing precision. Distinctive, food-friendly, and deeply satisfying, this is Meunier in its most honest and compelling form.
Price:
$69.99
2018 Fallet-Dart Extra Brut Champagne
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
A warm-vintage cuvée—70% chardonnay, 15% meunier, 15% pinot noir—finished with a low dosage that lets the fruit speak. Ripe pear, citrus, and toasty notes are framed by a dry, focused structure. The warmth of the vintage gives generosity, while the extra-brut finish keeps it tight and refreshing. A versatile, food-friendly bottle that bridges richness and precision.
Price:
$49.99
Fallet-Dart "Heres" Brut Champagne
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
From a family farming the far western edge of Champagne, now in its 13th generation. A 2018 base of roughly 70% pinot meunier and 15% chardonnay gives this an inviting, easygoing nose and palate. Ripe orchard fruit, fresh-baked bread, and a touch of spice make it immediately likable. Honest, generous, easy-drinking Champagne with real heritage behind it.
2017 Boulard-Bauquaire "Les Fervins" Verzenay Grand Cru Brut Champagne
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
A Verzenay Grand Cru that splits the difference—half chardonnay, half pinot noir—and gets the best of both. A lovely round palate is lifted by bright acid that keeps everything balanced and lively. Layers of stone fruit, citrus, toasted nuts, and chalk build toward a long, mineral finish. A complete, age-worthy Champagne that shows just how good Verzenay can be.
Price:
$119.99
Boulard-Bauquaire "Carte Noire" Brut Blanc de Noirs Champagne
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
Lovely and toasty, round, and big-bodied—everything you want from a Blanc de Noirs. Red apple, brioche, and a hint of strawberry lead into a generous, full palate with real weight and presence. The richness is balanced by enough freshness to keep it lively through the finish. A crowd-pleasing, food-loving Champagne and one of the best values in the case.
Boulard-Bauquaire "Trepail" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Vieilles Vignes
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
From 75-year-old vines on selected high-quality fruit, this is old-vine chardonnay with depth to spare. Lemon, white peach, and toasted grain on the nose; a round, concentrated palate carried by vibrant acidity. There’s real intensity and old-vine texture here for the money. A serious, savory Blanc de Blancs that punches well above its price.
Price:
$44.99
Jean-Jacques Lamoureux "Les Amoureux" Pinot Blanc Champagne
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
A rare all-Pinot-Blanc Champagne and a genuine conversation piece. Apricot and orchard fruit lead on the nose, with a toasty edge and a slight floral note adding intrigue. The palate is fresh and lively with nice acidity holding everything in line, finishing dry with surprising length. Distinctive, food-friendly, and unlike anything else on the shelf—seek it out.
Price:
$49.99
Jean-Jacques Lamoureux "Cuvée Gabin" Brut Zero Champagne
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
Zero dosage done right—nothing to hide behind and nothing it needs to. The nose is toasty and nutty with a slight almond lift and a lovely round opening on the palate. Apple-skin notes and a beautiful, expansive mid-palate give it shape, while the bone-dry finish stays clean and focused. A transparent, characterful aperitif Champagne for drinkers who want purity over polish.
Price:
$44.99
2017 Franck Bonville "Belles Voyes" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
A single-vineyard statement wine and worth every penny of the splurge. Aromas of baked apple, candied citrus, almond, and a deep wet-stone minerality unfold slowly and keep coming. The palate is concentrated and chiseled, with a creamy texture wrapped around laser-cut acidity. This is grower Champagne at its most ambitious—structured for the cellar but already mesmerizing for anyone who pulls the cork early.
Franck Bonville Unisson Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
Built on a 2018 base from older vines, this is Avize chardonnay with real presence. Fine, persistent bubbles carry aromas of poached pear, hazelnut, and lemon oil. The mouthfeel is rounder and more generous than most Blanc de Blancs, but a firm chalky backbone keeps it honest. Vinous, layered, and serious—a Grand Cru that rewards a proper glass and a little patience in the bottle.
Maison 76 Côte des Blancs Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
A Côte des Blancs overachiever at this price. Lemon curd, white flowers, and crushed chalk lead, with four years on the lees adding a layer of toasted brioche and roasted nuts. The palate is taut and saline, all bright orchard fruit pulled tight over that signature Grand Cru minerality. Precise, energetic, and genuinely elegant—a benchmark grower Blanc de Blancs that drinks well above its sticker.
Price:
$44.99
2010 Bodegas Casa Juan "Señor de Lesmos" Gran Reserva Rioja
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
One of the most remarkable traditions of Rioja is the long cellaring many bodegas undertake on behalf of the wine drinker, without any premium added! This tradition makes no sense from a financial or logistical point of view, and yet many wineries, Casa Juan included, continue to hold onto their Gran Reserva wines for years beyond what the appellation dictates, only releasing them when they are perfectly mature and ready to drink. The 2010 “Señor de Lesmos” Gran Reserva is a great example of this – savory, earthy and herbal on the nose, this wine is bursting with complex aromatics that came together over the past 15 years. Tobacco, tea leaf, graphite, dried oregano… every minute in the glass seems to unveil a new aroma. This is a wine of contemplation, but it’s also very approachable. Medium-bodied, with a lingering finish, this wine would be perfect with chorizo or grilled steak, or even just a good conversation with friends.
Price:
$29.99
Wilderness Trail 5 Year 10 Month K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #767560 Cask Strength High-Rye Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
Wilderness Trail is one of those places that has always felt a little like Willy Wonka. On one of our first visits, we got the tour from Dr. Pat himself, and we have been smitten ever since. They have done some amazing things, and while I'm still not quite sure why Campari purchased the distillery, this whiskey was made by the original team back in 2020. These older single barrels have finally turned the corner and are showing so much depth and unique character. Let's have a look. A classic auburn hue (1.5). The nose explodes with dark berry fruit, blackberry and cherry, plus loads of graham cracker, honey, leather, medium-roast Colombian coffee, hints of earthy herbs, and bitter bark. The palate is almost like cherry cola and Dr Pepper mixed together, with dark dried plums, cherry, vanilla, and cola nut. This is one of the more balanced WT barrels we've tried, but it is still bold and spicy, with the big green herbal notes and baking spices coming in on the finish to clean it all up. An absolutely delicious barrel, seemingly determined to prove the thesis that was proposed in Danville one day many years ago.
Price:
$69.99