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Staff Favorites - Scott Beckerley
Scott Beckerley
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I wear a number of “hats,” so to speak (covers my bald head well). I am an assistant manager at the SF store. I also manage the SF tasting bar and work sales as well. Working the sales floor allows me to explore different vineyards and regions. Luckily, there are opportunities at K&L to bounce around a lot. I’ve developed a preference for wines that are drier, more tart and more complex. Fruit bombs are not my thing like they were when I was, ahem, younger. I definitely prefer more terrior and wines that are “earthy,” particularly with some age on them. My advice? Trust yourself and try to keep track of what you have had that you like. Don’t let anyone tell you what you are supposed to like. Everyone has a different palate and that’s what makes this business interesting.
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Reviews
2019 Vinos del Atlantico "Calma" Crianza Rioja
Review Date: 05-30-2026
One of my very favorite Rioja's in the store has always been Vina Ardanza. I pretty much just automatically buy it. So, it was a pleasure to taste this new Atlantico Calma Crianza Rioja because it reminds me, to a certain extent, of the Vina Ardanza. They both have that wonderful cedar/dill/rye bread thing going on. The Calma also has bright and medium-dark red fruits with savory spice and bright minerals. It is beautifully balanced and fills my craving for Rioja that combine the old and new schools. It's just delicious!
2021 Vinos del Atlantico "Cortijo" Rioja
Review Date: 05-30-2026
This will be one of the best go-to wines for the summer months. It is bright and bouncy with tart cherry, spice and cedary scents and flavors. It will pair well with chicken, pork, fish, grilled vegetables and even some lighter red meat dishes. Putting a slight chill on it is perfectly acceptable and adds to enjoying it during the hotter months. A great value, too!
Price:
$15.99
2022 Wine & Soul "Manoella" Tinto Douro
Review Date: 05-29-2026
This big and bouncy red with the funny name from Portugal is very interesting and just plain old neat-o. Boysenberry, blackberry and red cassis fruit dominate. Very pure and upfront. It is smoooooth and also offers up light baking spices and clean fresh wood at the top of the palate. Fresh is pretty much the word to describe everything about this wine. The finish is long and soft. This one may be a little too scarily easy to drink. Luckily, I know where to buy more.
Mas Codina Brut Nature Gran Reserva Cava Penedès
Review Date: 05-29-2026
I'm not a huge fan of the phrase "cheap and cheerful" but, that may just be an apt description for this delightful (and delightfully priced!) bubbly. Beautifully dry and full and citrus goodness. Clean and zippy but not without some really fun flavors. Remember Jolly Rancher sour apple hard candy? Well, here it is. Tart and super delicious! Just add a bit of cream to that flavor profile. The bead is also creamy and dare I say, almost elegant. My new go-to for fun and affordable bubbles.
Price:
$16.99
2022 Dominio de Atauta Ribera del Duero
Review Date: 05-29-2026
Far and away my favorite Ribera Del Duero of the year, so far. My first note written during the tasting is "excellent depth!". This is a biggie! Very dark-fruited and definitely geared towards blacker fruits and supple tannins. There are also layers of cinnamon, cardamon, anise and the tiniest bit of black pepper. The tannins do linger on the finish, even with the very generous mouthfeel. I tasted it at the beginning and the end of the day. A thorough decanting brings the fruit even further out. It can also be an excellent selection for the cellar!
2021 Dominio de Atauta "La Celestina" Crianza Ribera del Duero
Review Date: 05-29-2026
This very pretty release has low to moderate tannins and an upper palate clean spice and bright red fruits. Overall, it is a more mouth-filling style with generous red and black fruits, erring a bit more toward black fruits. The oak and tannin show up at the finish, which lingers for a surprisingly long time. This is certainly the least expensive Ribera Del Duero that I have seen in a very long time!
2019 Miguel Merino Gran Reserva Rioja
Review Date: 05-29-2026
Of the trio of new Rioja releases from Miguel Merino, the Gran Reserva is the most traditional. That being said, the Merino style always balances "old world" and "new world" extremely well. For a Gran Reserva, this bottling has the perfect amount of tobacco, herbs and cedar wood. Though the fruit is quite dark, a combo of dried and black cherries, the balancing elements make it very complex. There is also a red cassis-like fruit and just a hint of fig. It all finishes very cleanly with the nicest subtle amount of "bite". For a Gran Reserva, the price is also more than reasonable.
2019 Miguel Merino Reserva Rioja
Review Date: 05-29-2026
This is, by far, one my most favorite Rioja's that I have tasted since the beginning of the year. Like the "Vinas Jovenes" Rioja from this producer, it is cherry dominant though the fruit in this one run more toward darker cherries combined with increased rustic elements of more traditional Rioja. There are earthy scents, tobacco, baking spices, herbs. The fuller mouthfeel integrates with the traditional elements most brilliantly and the overall effect is one of increased complexity. I was quite astounded by the price to quality ratio! It's just a wonderful bottling and can drink beautifully now or it should cellar well for several more years.
2022 Miguel Merino "Viñas Jóvenes" Rioja
Review Date: 05-29-2026
It's super nice to see the return of this line to our portfolio. The Miguel Merino wines have always been ones of excellent quality with attention to detail. This "entry level" version is cherry- fruit dominant with sweet and bright red cherries on the palate. There are also some nicely traditional elements of (lightly) rustic spices, crushed lavender, aromatic cedar. It starts out deep and finishes brightly. It is a hugely enjoyable rioja that has just enough traditional elements blended with a softer and more accessible style.
2023 Domaine Guillaume Curveux Pouilly Fuisse 1er Cru "Les Menestrières"
Review Date: 05-15-2026
If you, or a friend/relative are enamored of Chardonnay, do not overlook this bottling! Not only is it priced extremely well, but it is also simply just delicious. My palate was trained, early on, to be an acid lover. Imagine lemon juice with an aspirin ground up into it. I love sour flavors. That being said, this beauty goes in a completely different direction, and I appreciate and enjoy it so much! There is a richness and fullness that is very, very pleasing with very balanced background acidity to keep it from being over the top. Golden apples, juicy pear pulp, mild citrus and clean oak. Not too much oak, that is. Really, the perfect amount. This is a great alternative to CA Chardonnay that is just a pleasure to drink!
Price:
$32.99
2022 La Chablisienne Chablis 1er Cru "Les Lys"
Review Date: 05-15-2026
This enticing medium-rich Chablis has fleshy yellow orchard fruit flavors with a finish of refreshing acidity and bright citrus. Yellow pear fruit, soft lemon cream, minerals. It begins with mouth-coating fruit and zips along the palate cleanly. Very appealing for those who like some weight to their Chardonnay as well as those who like the traditional acidity of classic Chablis. Lastly, the fruit from "Les Lys" is a sub-section of the famed "Vaillons" vineyards. So, you just know how high the quality is of this bottling.
2025 Pax "Cuvée Syrah" California Syrah
Review Date: 04-30-2026
The nose on this new release is very, very pretty and full of violet pastille and boysenberry scents. On the palate, red cassis, with upper palate chalk and light minerals. It's really just a lovely wine at a pretty exceptional price. I would like to see where it goes in a couple of years. I had wonderful experiences with their vineyard designated Syrah's starting from the mid-1990's. They would age for decades!
Price:
$22.95
2025 Massican "Annia" California White Blend
Review Date: 04-30-2026
Like the Sauvignon Blanc, a brand-new release that retains the quality of their previous efforts. Like the Sauvignon Blanc, it is also refreshing and clean and bright. There are flavors of tart apricot, lemon, cantaloupe and nectarine. It's simply a perfect warm weather drink!
Price:
$29.95
2025 Massican California Sauvignon Blanc
Review Date: 04-30-2026
Brand new! In keeping with its past vintages, this Massican Sauvignon Blanc retains its unique character of crispy clean refreshment! So clean with pink grapefruit, yellow citrus and white exotic fruits. Just enough minerals and "bite" to make it a classic.
Price:
$24.95
2015 Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix Chablis 1er Cru "Les Lys"
Review Date: 04-30-2026
This was such a treat to taste along with the 2015 Vaillons version from Defaix. The two could not be more different. Both in ways most excellent! While the Vaillons leans toward a fuller and richer style, the Les Lys has more citrus and comes across as a bit more delicate. It starts with a pretty nose of sea salt, delicate flowers, juicy lemon. On the palate, more lemon, green apple, followed by yellow apple skin and fresh minerals. The finish lingers and dissipates elegantly and softly. I hear a seared scallop calling the name of this Chablis!
Price:
$64.99
2015 Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix Chablis 1er Cru "Vaillons"
Review Date: 04-30-2026
This is a rarity! A Chablis with 10 plus years under its belt! Of the two offering from this vintage and this producer, the "Vaillons" is of a richer style. Nicely rounded yellow apple fruit with an ample texture and mouthfeel. Of course, there is also a lovely citrus, which in this case is more lemon than lime and of a creamy style. Underneath it all is a classic Chablis minerality and wet stone character. A top quality Chablis with just the right amount of age!
Price:
$64.99
2024 Samuel Louis Smith "Baytree Lane Vineyard" Sonoma Valley Gamay Noir
Review Date: 04-29-2026
We don't get a lot of Gamay Noir but, when we get ones like this, it's time to jump up and take notice. I find this type of wine to be absolutely perfect when I need something a little lighter than Pinot Noir. Particularly to match with certain food for certain friends who do not drink white wine. You know who you are. This is one pretty baby that smells floral and crunchy. Raspberry flavors dominate with bright minerals and crunchy, crunchy cherry flavors. Jolly Rancher cherry flavors! The tiniest bit of spice on the upper palate brings joy and the finish is pure and lingering. I don't know why but, fish and chips came to mind when I tasted this.
2025 Red Car Sonoma Coast Rosé of Pinot Noir
Review Date: 04-29-2026
Yes, it is only Spring but, this wine screams "hellooooo Summer!". So darn clean and crisp and inviting! It's even less expensive this year than last year. Wonderfully juicy with bright raspberry and tart strawberry flavors. Minerals and a very light chalk appear along with the mid-palate watermelon goodness. The is going to be THE Rose for your 4th of July!
Price:
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2021 Ernest "Alder Springs Vineyard" Mendocino County Chardonnay
Review Date: 04-29-2026
This wonderfully flinty and clean Chardonnay has some very nice mid-palate flavors of Granny Smith apples, juicy oranges, tart pineapple and super crisp lemon-lime citrus. Underneath it all is a deft bit of savory herbs and orange blossom. The finish is clean and slightly rich at the same time. It simply begs to be served with fatty fish, scallops, lobster.
2018 Trimbach "Reserve Personnelle" Pinot Gris
Review Date: 04-18-2026
This is pretty likely to be the best Pinot Gris that I have tasted in years. Literally! It is yummy and rich with a nice zesty finish. Initially, there are citrus flavors of ripe lemon and tart lime. These quickly give way to yellow orchard fruit, dominated by juicy pear with a hint of whipping cream. The finish is zippy with citrus and crunchy minerals. Elegant, lively and mouth filling. I can't really ask for anything more from this wine!
2024 Anonymous Wine Collective "Envy Block" Ballard Canyon Syrah
Review Date: 04-17-2026
Brand new from this series! The luscious nose has scents of boysenberry, red licorice, lightly savory herbs and the merest whiff of white pepper. On the palate, the tannins are supple with deep red fruits, more boysenberry and black raspberry. At the back of the throat, there is a pleasant acidity and savory "bite". The oak is very integrated and there is just enough of it. The finish has a tip of the tongue chalk. The price is too good to beat. I'm looking forward to tasting it again in a few hours to see how it progressed.
Two hours later, the fruit is quite plush with dark cherry and red cassis notes. The spice is more subdued and the tannis are smooth. Hello, barbecue!
Price:
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2022 Altos Las Hormigas "Reserve" Malbec Valle De Uco Mendoza
Review Date: 04-17-2026
This is a wonderfully deep and dark Malbec with deep red fruits and ripe black cherries. It is a beautifully structured wine that also has some clean oak tannin and a surprisingly long finish that is clean with some chalk, which evens everything out. One of the best Malbec's that I have had in many months! It satisfies the traditionalist for this varietal and adds an additional touch of out-of-the ordinary complexity. Simply put, it is extremely delicious!
2023 Domaine Ferret Pouilly-Fuissé "Autour de la Roche"
Review Date: 04-16-2026
Looking for a stellar Chardonnay or perhaps experimenting outside of California? This is the place to start! There is a wonderfully floral nose with scents of sea salt, nectarine and lemon cream. On the palate, quite zippy and clean. There is a nice base of white peach, yellow pear and a mid-palate that has moderate and elegant richness. The finish is quite clean but, also has depth of lingering stone fruit and orchard fruit flavors. A winner!
Price:
$49.99
2024 Laberinto "Cenizas" Sauvignon Blanc Valle de Maule
Review Date: 04-15-2026
Those of you who just love Sancerre should stop here and pick up a bottle of the Laberinto Sauvignon Blanc! With its seaside scents (sea salt!), crisp and clean character, generous minerality, and top-notch quality fruit, it's a great go-to for a seafood feast. Flavors of lemons, green citrus fruits and juicy stone fruits (in that order), lead to an outstanding long finish that is mineral driven. This is up there toward the number one spot for me for this year for all the Sauvignon Blancs that I have tasted. Mouth-watering, refreshing, clean and balanced.
2018 Anonymous Wine Collective "Extended Tirage" Sonoma Coast Brut Sparkling Wine
Review Date: 04-14-2026
This bubble has spent an incredible amount of time on the lees! Seven full years. Comparable to what we see from a few of our very finest small-estate Champagne producers. I really loved its balance of tartness, cream, citrus, poached pear fruit and that super-duper long and chalky finish. It went on forever! There are also some flavors of juicy stone fruits with undertones of exotic Asian spices and Granny Smith apple. I have the distinct feeling that this bottling is also cellar worthy, just like a fine Champagne. I've had bottlings of Schramsberg Blanc de Blanc that were decades old and I can see this one also having that high quality advantage.
Price:
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2021 Anonymous Wine Collective Sonoma Coast Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine
Review Date: 04-14-2026
This is the American equivalent of a fine Blanc de Blanc from Avize or Mesnil. It is so refreshing and bright with key lime, creamy lemon, puff pastry and juicy orange flavors. The minerality is generous and it lingers on and on! The bead is very fine, and it reminds me of the Launois Quartz, which I love. I literally jumped on the last remaining bottles that we had of Anonymous Blanc de Blancs from the previous bottling and now, I will not have to despair. Its successor is just as wonderful!
Price:
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2024 Alzinger "Ried Loibenberg" Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Wachau
Review Date: 04-11-2026
One of the finest Gruner Veltliners that I've had so far this year. Once given a little air, it opens up with some very nice floral scents and orchard fruits. On the palate, again after airing, the palate becomes fuller though by no means oily. There are some very excellent tropical fruit flavors that combine with grapefruit and lime. There is also a nice, shaved ginger undercurrent. So appealing!
2023 Zind-Humbrecht Rangen de Thann "Clos St-Urbain" Riesling Grand Cru Alsace
Review Date: 04-11-2026
Don't let the silky aspect of this wine fool you! It also has very generous acidity with green and yellow citrus fruit. Under all of that are some fantastic flavors of ginger spice and tart white peaches. In place of petrol scents is an extremely intriguing smoky scent that is neither too strong nor overpowering. It adds to the exotic intrigue of this bottling. This baby is built for the cellar. It will only get more complex and the acidity will mellow. I'm looking forward to pouring this for our customers today (4/11) to see what they think of it!
Jean-Jacques Lamoureux "Les Amoureux" Pinot Blanc Champagne
Review Date: 04-09-2026
Ever since tasting the champagnes of Jean Jacques Lamoureux, many years ago, I fell in love with them. This brand spanking new release is not only delicious, but it is also extremely unique in that it is 100% Pinot Blanc and we receive very, very few Champagnes made with this varietal. It has a very pretty nose of white flowers, honeysuckle, cream, and white stone fruits. On the palate, it starts out rather delicately, with lychee and tangerine. After that, lush with cream, like a cross between homemade whipped cream and a tart lemon meringue. Delicious! It finishes with bright minerals and key lime. So very interesting and unique. This is one to sip slowly and enjoy! Such a nice surprise from winemaker Vivien Lamoureux.
Price:
$49.99
Launois "Veuve Clemence" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Review Date: 04-09-2026
Hello, my pretty! That's because this is just what this champagne is, very, very pretty. Loads of cream, with muted citrus fruits and white stone fruits. Hints of mandarin and blood orange. Like our other Launois champagnes, the quality is there, along with their signature creamy mousse. Also, like other Launois champagnes, it is a sure bet that it will sell out quickly!
Price:
$44.99
Michel Arnould "Observation" Grand Cru Verzenay Brut Champagne
Review Date: 03-28-2026
Michel Arnould's champagnes are so good that I always end up buying a magnum of them. Especially the Observation Brut and the Genese Brut Rose. The represent such tremendous value with the quite stellar quality inside the bottle. Though a majority Pinot Noir, the Observation still retains the clean acidity of a softer Blanc de Blanc while still giving you the richness of the Pinot Noir. Then, there is that awesome hazelnut flavor that comes via the soils of Verzenay. Golden apples, baking spices, roasted hazelnuts, hints of citrus, a creamy bead and fine acidity. What more can you really ask of this champagne? Nothing!
2025 Anonymous Wine Collective Oakville Sauvignon Blanc
Review Date: 03-20-2026
A brand-new release from the Anonymous line. In perfect sync for warm weather sipping! A fresh nose of white peaches, tart apples and ripe cantaloupe. Floral and inviting! On the palate, some very nice and rather rich mouthfeel, with melon, juicy stone fruits, sour apples and lemon cream on the finish. Like the nose, delightful and refreshing!
Price:
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Laurent-Perrier "Grand Siècle" Iteration #26 Brut Champagne
Review Date: 03-18-2026
This current iteration of the Grand Siecle is one of my very favorites! Even up there with my ultimate favorite Iteration, No. 22 in the magnum size. The No. 26 is an extremely memorable release! A nose of honeysuckle, nectarine, hazelnut, peach, and light smoke. On the palate, even better, with mellow citrus flavors, apricot, white peach, saline and toasted almond. There is a lot going on here and this release is at the top of the heap!
2024 Joël Taluau "Expression" St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil
Review Date: 03-14-2026
This new release from Joel Taluau is so pleasing, so fun and sooooo easy on the wallet. So much so that I hope Keith gets much more of it for us! The nose is of wild strawberries, dried lavender, bright minerals, roses, and dried herbs. There's a bit of a changeup on the palate, which is very clean, with tart minerals, some light chalk, black raspberries and red cherries. This wine is super versatile for picnics, with grilled foods, or smoked foods, whether these be meat related or vegetarian. Or simply a pleasure to drink all by itself!
Price:
$13.99
2020 Domaine de Pallus "Les Pensees de Pallus" Chinon
Review Date: 03-14-2026
This is, seriously, the best Chinon that I have had in at least a year. It is, at once, deep and dark but, it also has a magnificent tartness to back it up. Although I do have a soft spot for "dirty bird" Chinon's, this one hit the sweet spot for opulence. Dark red and black fruits with boysenberry fruit goodness, cola berry, spice and a hint of dried herbs. It pretty much has everything that I can think of and enjoy in a Cabernet Franc. Then there's that tart chalk and minerality to balance the whole thing out. We tasted about 24 Loire Valley wines on that day and although all of them were good or quite outstanding, this one really stood out to me!
2022 Viña Zorzal Graciano Navarra
Review Date: 03-13-2026
It is very rare to find a 100% Graciano bottling! This little rare bird is a fine example of the varietal. The first scents that were in the glass were a surprisingly clean chalk with bright red fruits, some fresh (dried) herbs and (most unusually!) honeycomb. On the palate, it retains its crispness but, leans into boysenberry and blackberry fruit. The honeyed aspect comes through at the upper palate, and the acidity hits you at the back of the throat. All in all, this wine is a little charmer that should have a wide appeal for those who like a bit of crunch in addition to generous (and very pretty!) red and black fruits. Super versatile!
2023 Sheild Pinot Noir Nelson
Review Date: 03-11-2026
I have long enjoyed the white wines of Sheild, so it was both interesting (and fun!) to try a brand-new red wine from them, especially a Pinot Noir. On the first whiff, there are extremely pleasant scents of smoky cherries and black raspberries. There is also an underlying clean scent of crunchy red fruits. In the mouth, there is a very attractive weight and smoothness that still comes off as quite bright with the acidity hitting the back of the throat. There are flavors of underripe strawberries, tart cherries and a light sandalwood. It finishes with a lovely brightness and just a touch of rose hips. The texture is very supple and the brightness shines through after some lightly plush red fruits. All in all, delicious and quite the value!
2025 Anonymous Wine Collective Contra Costa County Rosé of Mourvedre
Review Date: 03-04-2026
This is THE Rose of Spring! It has wonderful depth, intriguing brightness and bouncy acidity. It is full of raspberry-fruited goodness with tart strawberry, a little bit of watermelon rind and crunchy juicy fresh cut mandarin orange flavors. The finish is clean and has bright acidity. The Mouvedre fruit adds lush mouthfeel and deeper red fruits. This one is made by one of my very favorite producers of so many varietals. They are MasterCraft winemakers! This delectable Rose is full proof of that!
Price:
$14.95
Boulard-Bauquaire "Trepail" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Vieilles Vignes
Review Date: 03-03-2026
A lovely, creamy nose of lemon meringue, bread dough and chalk. On the palate, it starts out a bit richly with caramel green apple, cream, and macaroon. By the mid-palate, up pops the acidity, chalk, and citrusy lemon flavors. There is a long, chalky finish that lingers with a very fine bead. An excellent value for this quality of Blanc de Blancs!
Price:
$44.99
2023 Domaine Parent Bourgogne Côte d'Or Rouge "Sélection Pomone"
Review Date: 02-18-2026
Always a favorite producer for me! This newly released 2023 has deep red cherry fruit with an upper palate of cedar and subtle herbs. It is relatively mouth-coating and deep with a finish of black cherries and black raspberries. It is composed of all Pommard fruit! This is a supremely delicious wine.
Price:
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2023 Domaine Gerard Mugneret Vosne Romanee "Cuvee Quatrain"
Review Date: 02-18-2026
This one is a very rare four star pick for me. Most likely the best red Burgundy that I have had in the last six months. Beautifully floral nose with violets and rose petals. The fruit on the nose is cherry dominant, and this carries over onto the palate with violet pastille and Asian spices. My initial note on it is "Sooo wonderful!". That is definitely what it is. Worth every penny!
2023 Domaine Jean-Marc Pillot Bourgogne Rouge "Les Grandes Terres"
Review Date: 02-18-2026
This is a very pretty, black raspberry laden Bourgogne with just the right amount of earth and spice. A light and balanced touch of these. The is also a very nice minerality and firm acidity on the finish. It's just plain lovely and very, very drinkable!
Price:
$44.99
2022 Matthiasson Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Review Date: 02-11-2026
I tried the 2021 version of this bottling last September at the vineyard, in the morning. Literally standing in the vineyard at about 9 a.m. Fresh palate and all. Unsullied by my morning coffee. It was wonderful AND it is lower alcohol. Who needs the extra alcohol to take away from its elegant personality? The 2022 is even better! Comparable to what the 2022 Bordeaux are! Deep and dark blackberry and black cherry fruits. Background flavors and scents of black licorice and spearmint. Wonderfully integrated tannins that add to, rather than taking away or overwhelming the fruit. The wood is also amazingly balanced and mostly consists of the clean and pure type, not heavy-handed or too toasty. This is my favorite Cabernet Sauvignon of the year, so far. If anyone in my family asked me to pick out a wine to give to me, this would be it. Hands down. Alas, they never will. "You have too much wine", is what I get. Hardly the truth. No such thing!
2023 Bishop's Peak (Talley) San Luis Obispo Coast Pinot Noir
Review Date: 02-11-2026
It's baaaccck! This great little bargain of a Pinot Noir has thankfully returned to grace our shelves. It is, thankfully, still bright and pure and delicious! This one goes, crunch, crunch, crunch. Bright and alive with raspberry, tart cranberry and baking spices. It has just the right amount of weight. Not thin or too light, as some crunchy Pinot can be, nor is it of the heavier black cherry variety. Pure crispy red fruits with clean spice and the merest hint of white pepper. The price is, well, you can see it!
2024 Brick & Mortar Anderson Valley Chardonnay
Review Date: 02-11-2026
This orchard fruited little beauty is quite the bargain. It has a really beautiful combo of white pear pulp and key lime fruit all wrapped up in a mouthfeel that starts out with moderate richness and quickly cleans up and leaves a nice lingering bit of acidity on the palate during the finish. The oak is clean and fresh and never takes away or overwhelms the delicious fruit and citrus aspects of this release.
Rhys "Perpetual Reserve" California Sparkling Wine
Review Date: 02-11-2026
This is a very serious threat to French Champagne! Super high quality and super interesting character from CA! A Perpetual Reserve, yet. Not something that see very often, even in Champagne. What struck me the most while tasting this bubbly was the very creamy texture of the bubbles. The fine bead and silky texture bring out the simply wonderful poached pear fruit with orange cream and lemon tart flavors. Though the pear dominates, the citrus shines through and freshly shaved ginger comes out on the lingering finish. The long finish also has refreshing minerality and salinity. This is simply one of the best domestic bubbles that I have ever had! They do not produce a lot of it, so don't wait too long to buy it.
2022 Mount Edward Pinot Noir Central Otago
Review Date: 02-05-2026
This latest release from Mount Edward has a bright and spicy nose with floral scents, as well. Very pretty! In the mouth, a nice medium to full viscosity with flavors of tart cherry, raspberry and lightly savory herbs. The acidity is fine and lingers on the finish, followed by acai juice. Delicious and ready to drink!
2024 Domaine Pascal & Mireille Renaud Mâcon-Charnay
Review Date: 02-04-2026
In contrast to the Macon Soultre, the Charnay has a more upfront fruited nose with the orchard fruits at the forefront, while the citrusy scents come in afterward. It does have the similar white flower scents of the Soultre but, the fruits are more yellow than white, though there are white fruits, for sure. The quite rich palate has mouth-coasting fruit of yellow apple, cream and white peach. Like the Soultre, the finish is more mineral driven and clean with bright citrus. These siblings are both mightily attractive in each their own way!
Price:
$23.99
2019 Fallet-Dart "Pur Meunier" Champagne
Review Date: 02-04-2026
I am pretty sure that I tasted this as a still wine during my Vin Clair write-ups for 2020. I have a picture of the bottle. It was astoundingly drinkable before it even became bubbles! Now that it is a bubbly, that only added to the character and the quality. This bottling has some very nice and crispy scents combined with that classic Pinot Meunier earthiness and smoke. Key lime, green pear, caramel cream. On the palate, although the citrus does carry over, the palate has a gentle richness of orchard fruits, with acidity at the tip and back of the tongue. Once gain the tart lime flavors pop up and linger on the finish. Joining them are green and yellow pears, fresh ginger and some lightly roasted nuts flavors. This is not "funky" Pinot Meunier but, clean AND rich Pinot Meunier. Sorry, Phil Mc! Here's a wonderfully drinkablle one! Chhers to you, Doc Salad!
Price:
$69.99
Fallet-Dart "Clos du Mont" Brut Champagne (2006)
Review Date: 01-30-2026
After a few spins in the glass, the initial whiff of tart lemons mellows out with scents of baked golden apples and almond cake. It is a very nicely complex nose which made me anticipate what the palate would be like. It does not disappoint! The palate is also quite tart (upfront) with a softer touch of lemon and citrus. The upper palate exhibited some fresh ginger flavors, almonds and pine nuts, with white fruits (apple and pear) and rich baked caramel. The latter flavors come out more after some slight warming in the glass. The finish is very long and citrus evident. This one should age beautifully, even though it is already 20 years old! I have several bottles of the 2004 version of this and have opened those over the past few years. They were still fresh and tasty, with a very small bead. So, you can take your pick and either drink it today or put it into the cellar for further aging. Quite the wine for under $80.00!
Price:
$79.99