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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
2023 Vigneti Repetto "Quadro" Timorasso Derthona DOC
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 6/16/2026 | Send Email
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 6/16/2026 | Send Email
What an incredible value in white wine! This wine manages to be crisp, precise and super easy to drink while at the same time offering depth and interest that is extraordinarily rare at this price point. I loved the nutty frame on the subtle white fruit nose, the texture and the great bright finish. Don't miss this!
2021 Caelesta "Ara - Estate" Templeton Gap District Red Blend
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 6/15/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 6/15/2026 | Send Email
This is a gorgeous proprietary red blend grown at Caelesta Estate. The 2021 Ara combines Tempranillo with Mourvèdre, or Mataro as it would be known in Spain. The varieties work in perfect union with one another, delivering stunningly pure, rich fruit: macerated dark cherry, blackberry, woodsy spices, hints of leather, and dusty earth. Full-bodied and saturating on the palate, but with lots of dynamic energy and vibrancy, too. The rocky mineral core beams through the ripe fruit and lingers long on the palate. Drinking great now, but also a wine with clear potential to develop further complexity in the cellar, so don’t be afraid to buy a few to lay down for 5–8 years.
2021 Caelesta "Apollo - Estate" Templeton Gap District Paso Robles Red Blend
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 6/15/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 6/15/2026 | Send Email
Apollo is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend with a smaller portion of Petite Sirah. Brian consulted with legendary Napa Valley winemaker Tony Biagi of Hourglass, PlumpJack, CADE, To Kalon Wine Co., Amici, Odette, and others to help hone his Cabernet Sauvignon skills after focusing primarily on Rhône varieties. It seems to have done the trick, as this Cabernet-based blend is stunning. Very lifted, with lavender, crushed cassis, blackberry, hints of green tobacco leaf, crushed-rock minerality, and sexy oak spice around the edges. A bold but beautifully polished wine. STUNNING value at this ludicrous price.
Fallet-Dart "Clos du Mont" Brut Champagne (2006)
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/12/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/12/2026 | Send Email
The 2006 Fallet Dart “Les Hauts des Clos du Mont” feels like a Champagne that has finally settled into itself. The mousse is soft and refined, more silk than sparkle, opening with aromas of toasted brioche, roasted almond, honeyed apple, and a subtle chalky depth that immediately signals age and complexity. On the palate it’s broad and layered, showing baked pear, lemon curd, hazelnut, and a touch of caramelized sugar, all carried by a quiet but persistent line of acidity that keeps everything balanced. The finish is long, savory, and mineral-driven, leaving behind notes of warm pastry and saline stone. This is not a loud or flashy Champagne — it’s mature, composed, and indulgent in a slow, luxurious way, made for dim lights, long conversations, and unhurried drinking.
Price:
$79.99
2021 Big Basin "Coastview Vineyard" Gabilan Mountains Monterey Pinot Noir
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 6/12/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 6/12/2026 | Send Email
Set in the same Gabilan Mountains area as the Rodnick Farm vineyard site, Coastview is another super dramatic vineyard that is heavily influenced by both elevation and coastal breezes. Sitting at 2,200 feet elevation, Coastview lies a little further northwest than the Chalone AVA. The soils here are dominated by granite, from hard fractured bedrock to various stages of decomposition and granitic sand. The vineyard itself is nothing short of spectacular, with terraced blocks carved into a southwest-facing mountainside and unobstructed views over Monterey Bay. Again, the elevation keeps the vines well above the daily fog below; however, stiff afternoon breezes bring much cooler air in from the Pacific, tempering the strong sunlight beaming down on the vines. Coastview always achieves wonderful ripeness of fruit from that powerful sun, but the notable cooling effect of the maritime influence means the wines stay fresh and vibrant, with great structure and natural acidity.
The 2021 is quite a potent wine, and I think the most concentrated of the three offerings we have today. Deeply fruited with dark berries, black raspberry, Asian spice, hints of amaro, and alpine herbs. Medium-bodied with great density and flesh on the palate. A long, textural finish once again hints at this wine’s potential to continue aging gracefully. Decant for 30 minutes if drinking soon, or tuck it away in the cellar for another 5-10 years, possibly beyond. Incredible value for a serious 95-point single-vineyard Pinot Noir.
2021 Big Basin "Rodnick Farm Vineyard" Chalone Gabilan Mountains Pinot Noir
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 6/12/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 6/12/2026 | Send Email
Rodnick Farm is a fascinating vineyard in one of the most distinctive and singular terroirs in all of California: the Chalone AVA. This high-elevation, mountainous region is famed for its rugged limestone soils. Sitting high in the Gabilan Mountains, very close to Pinnacles National Park and right on the San Andreas Fault, the unique geology here really informs the wines. Ancient, uplifted seabed limestone on the western side of the fault meets volcanic and granitic bedrock on the other. The region’s climate is very dry due to the rain shadow effect of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range. It’s almost like a high desert up there, well above the fog line, but the region still gets significant cooling from the Pacific Ocean 40 miles away, creating dramatic diurnal swings in temperature.
Rodnick Farm was planted by legendary vigneron Richard Graff in the 1980s. Graff also owned Chalone Vineyard from the 1960s and developed this vineyard right next door. This Pinot Noir is produced from those same 40+ year-old heritage Pinot Noir vines planted by Dick Graff himself. The wine is so reminiscent of the place. A real mineral core runs throughout. The fruit is a little more substantial than the Ascona Vineyard bottling, and Rodnick trades redwood forest character for more dry-land, mountain chaparral and dusty limestone elements. The fruit profile is quite brambly, and the wine has a really fascinating “sauvage” wildness to it. Whether it’s the old heritage vines or the ruggedness of this remote mountain terroir, this wine is totally captivating and such a vivid expression of place. Once again, our pricing here is just incredible for such an artisanal, high-quality wine.
2021 Big Basin "Ascona Vineyard" Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 6/12/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 6/12/2026 | Send Email
This Pinot Noir comes from one of my personal favorite vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains: Ascona Vineyard. Perched right on Skyline Blvd high above Los Gatos, this vineyard sits at 2,500 feet elevation on ancient calcareous sandstone soils that were once part of the ocean floor. The vineyard is surrounded by Redwood trees and actually looks due west to Big Basin State Park and the Pacific Ocean beyond. For the past decade, the vineyard has been meticulously farmed by Ken Swegles, one of the most renowned grape growers in the region. The quality and purity of that fruit really shines through in the wine. Pristine berry fruits, alpine strawberry, dark raspberry, coastal redwood grove nuances, freshly turned soil, spiced citrus peel, and dried floral notes all emerge from the glass. This is a supremely elegant, yet sneakily structured wine. It is at once fine and detailed, but with a subtle mountain structure underneath. As with all the Big Basin Pinots, it’s quite Burgundian in nature, but also a distinctly Santa Cruz Mountains expression of place. Drink now with a nice 30-minute decant to allow the subtleties and nuances to emerge, or lay it down comfortably for another 5-8 years. Absolutely ridiculous at this price!
2021 Doren "Reserve" Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 6/12/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 6/12/2026 | Send Email
Today we have an absolutely incredible price on a classically styled, tiny-production Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon. Just four barrels of the 2021 Doren Reserve Cabernet were produced - only 85 cases in total. The organically grown fruit comes from two small vineyards in Glen Ellen and Kenwood and is the passion project of longtime K&L friend Ben Doren.
Ben crafts this wine with meticulous attention to detail, and the Reserve bottling spent more than three years maturing in top-quality French oak, 25% of it new. The flavor profile is decidedly old school, favoring varietal typicity, balance, and nuance over sheer power and ripeness. Weighing in at a modest 13.2% ABV, it recalls local icons such as Laurel Glen and B.R. Cohn's Olive Hill Cabernet.
The wine leaps from the glass with dark fruits intertwined with leafy, cigar box notes. Plummy fruit is laced with tobacco, cedar, mint, and an array of dried herbs. Dark chocolate-covered cherry and dried rose petal aromas add another layer of intrigue, creating a fascinating interplay of dark fruit, savory complexity, and floral nuance.
This is a complex, beautifully layered Cabernet with excellent aging potential. I can easily imagine it shining a decade from now as secondary characteristics begin to emerge and add even greater depth and complexity. We secured every remaining case of this beautiful wine, and at the price we're offering, it certainly won't be around for long.
2022 Lamothe-Bergeron, Haut-Médoc
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 6/11/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 6/11/2026 | Send Email
One of our favorite under-the-radar value producers, Lamothe-Bergeron, elevated their game even further in 2022. Located between St-Julien and Margaux, Lamothe-Bergeron delivers exactly the kind of Cabernet-led, Left Bank value that savvy Bordeaux buyers love: undeniably delicious yet complex, with classic Médoc character. The 2022 vintage provides remarkable accessibility without sacrificing depth, as layers of deep red and black fruit cover the palate, accented by notes of tobacco and lifted by enough acidity to carry the fruit through a long finish. Polished, refreshing, and already highly enjoyable, this is a bottle that should age well, though I imagine it will be hard to resist pulling corks now. A top value selection and another winner from both the 2022 vintage and Lamothe-Bergeron.
Omnipollo+ Moksa "All The Coconuts" Barrel-Aged Coconut Imperial Stout, Sweden (11.2 oz bottle)
By: Michael Pires | Review Date: 6/11/2026 | Send Email
By: Michael Pires | Review Date: 6/11/2026 | Send Email
Omnipollo and Moksa were not messing around on this one! The coconut is not overwhelming and plays well with the dark chocolate, espresso, and biscotti. Thick and rich with an extremely long finish!
Price:
$25.99
2018 Rhys Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/10/2026 | Send Email
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/10/2026 | Send Email
Rhys consistently produces incredible wine, and their 2018 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot is yet another examples. This wine is smooth with plush tannins and notes of dark cherry, plum, espresso, dark chocolate, and pomegranate on the palate. An awesome wine from a fantastic winery at an incredible price.
2021 Big Basin "Coastview Vineyard" Gabilan Mountains Monterey Pinot Noir
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/10/2026 | Send Email
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/10/2026 | Send Email
This is a ton of wine for the price, a massive discount on an incredible wine. Super plush with fantastic structure, this Pinot has notes of cherry, plum, blackberry, and a touch of spice on the palate. Only a small quantity of this wine was produced, buy while you can.
2024 As Laxas "Laxas" Albariño Rias Baixas
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/10/2026 | Send Email
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/10/2026 | Send Email
If you're looking for a great white wine for summer, look no further than As Laxas's Albarino. Light, fresh, and crisp, this wine has notes of lemon juice, lime zest, green apple, and apricot, tied together with beautiful salinity and tart minerality. A delicious wine, perfect for a hot day in the sun.
2024 As Laxas "Laxas" Albariño Rias Baixas
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 6/10/2026 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 6/10/2026 | Send Email
This Albarino has the traditional elements of fresh citrus, dominated by fresh squeezed lime juice and light sea salt. Where it differs is in the scents of white peach and nectarine. So juicy! On the palate, a repeat as far as style goes. It starts out fresh and crisp with the citrus flavors. From there it expands into more peach with white stone fruits and a light dose of sea salt. The finish stays with you, and it is a clean one. Just the perfect amount of acidity and tartness. All in all, a fresh style that has a nice semi-plush center. This one will be super versatile per the food pairings. Seafood, fowl, pork, veggies, cheeses, charcuterie. This will be THE wine of Summer!
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:
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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