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Wine Scores
Below is a listing of the wine review scores we frequently reference in our notes. While these sources remain an excellent source of information, we always recommend that you trust your own palate. Scores in these publications often represent the personal taste of an individual critic, which may not always coincide with your own. We have a huge team of excellent wine professionals that can match wines you've had in the past with new arrivals that meet your flavor profile.
- Allen Meadows - Burghound
- Connoisseurs Guide
- Gambero Rosso
- James Halliday
- James Suckling
- Malt Advocate
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
- International Wine Cellar
- Wine & Spirits
- Wine Enthusiast
- Wine Spectator
- The Wine News
- Malt Advocate
Reviewers
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Staff Favorites - Melissa Smith
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Reviews
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2010 Branaire-Ducru, St-Julien Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 2-4-2013
A very pretty wine with Rainier cherries and baking spices, silky tannins and bright acidity.
Price: $84.99
2010 Branaire-Ducru, St-Julien (1.5L) Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 2-4-2013
A very pretty wine with Rainier cherries and baking spices, silky tannins and bright acidity.
Price: $179.99
2011 Domaine Seguinot-Bordet Chablis
Review Date: 1-29-2013
This is Chablis! Bright beautiful acidity, subtle minerality, followed by lime blossoms and green apple peels. Wonderful texture.This has be looking to Spring and all that willpair with it!
Price: $17.99
Del Maguey Chichicapa Mezcal 750ml
Review Date: 1-10-2013
I am in love with this mezcal. Mind you the last time I had mezcal prior to this one was over a decade ago and there was a dead worm in the bottom of the bottle, but I think my palate is right on with this one. Sweet and smoky, it reminds me of a romantic evening by a campfire, in a glass! I've used this in a cocktail with fresh pineapple juice, and a splash of homemade Fresno chili simple syrup.
Price: $69.99
Breuckelen Distillers 77 Whiskey "Local Rye & Corn" Whiskey 750ml
Review Date: 12-27-2012
This tastes deliciously of Barbie heads and Dr Pepper Chapstick! How do I know that??
Price: $44.99
1979 Glenfarclas K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml
Review Date: 12-26-2012
Mmmm, this is yummy. There is this sweet barley thing going on with just the faintest imposition of sherried oak. A suppleness that you allow to linger on your tongue while the vanilla and spirits macerated dried fruit make appearances, leading to a long waxy classic Glenfarclas finish.
Price: $299.99
1970 Glenfarclas K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml
Review Date: 12-26-2012
This is insane from the moment it leaves the bottle as it is poured into your glass. I don't know that I've ever seen a rum this dark, much less a Scotch! It's the color of an 1800s Madeira. On the nose you get burnt orange and caramel that has gone just past the point of perfection (if you were making a sauce). On the palate it is like my wedding cake in liquid form. Instead of the typical white or chocolate cake, we chose a porter spice cake, intense and malty with molasses, ginger, cinnamon, clove, and cardamom. There is a waxy finish with a persistent dark molasses that brings me back to a childhood memory of trying black strap molasses for the first time. Cautiously tasting a drip from the glass container, it was exotic, and something I wasn't able to fully wrap my head around. This has me going back for more.
Price: $579.99
Armand de Brignac "Ace of Spades" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 9-28-2012
Las Vegas in a bottle. All the glitz, glamour, and class presented in a lacquered black box lined with velvet. A very impressive gift, and a delicious champagne with a healthy, but not over powering, dosage.
Price: $249.00
2011 Chehalem "3 Vineyards" Willamette Valley Pinot Gris
Review Date: 9-19-2012
Gorgeous wine, lots of grapefruit and apricot. Simple, clean, and satisfying.
Price: $15.99
2011 Evesham Wood Willamette Valley Chardonnay
Review Date: 9-19-2012
Delicious juice, minimally manipulated, a great price.
Price: $13.99
Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne
Review Date: 9-19-2012
I forgot how great this one is. Thankfully I was recently reminded and can confidently hand you a bottle of this beautifully textured, balanced, and well priced bubbly.
Price: $34.99
2009 Sequoia Grove Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Review Date: 9-14-2012
I love it when a buyer is so excited about a wine that he brings a glass for me to try at my desk. His excitement rubbed off as soon as I tasted it. Bright lively fruit, medium tannins, and just a bit of grip that to me indicates great ageability. Thinking ahead to the holidays, this one would be great to set aside a case for gifts or Christmas dinner.
2010 Iron Horse Green Valley Estate Chardonnay
Review Date: 8-29-2012
A food wine for sure! This wine has incredible acidity for a chardonnay. Dominated by tropical fruits, citrus, and apricots with just a touch of vanilla on the finish, I'm thinking Halibut with a lime infused beurre blanc, Roast Chicken over duck fat fried potatoes with a mushroom and Dijon cream sauce, or a simple zucchini flatbread with shavings of gruyere.
Price: $19.99
Kilchoman Machir Bay Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml
Review Date: 6-6-2012
A pretty amazing blend of casks, and one of the best, if not THE best, I've ever had. Just the right amount of salinity, smoke, vanilla, and acid to make it a very intriguing Scotch. I might just make a pork terrine, with some star anise poached fried apricots, and Marcona almonds to celebrate this with.
Price: $53.99
2008 Anderson's Conn Valley "Right Bank" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend
Review Date: 3-5-2012
I had the great opportunity to hang out with Mr Todd Anderson at his winery last year, tasting through countless bottles and barrels, but I kept coming back to this wine. The 2008 Right Bank has a richness and complexity to it that demands a meal of equal caliber. In the final throes of "winter" in the Bay Area, this wine has me braising beef shanks, roasting the last of the Brussel's sprouts, and pouring this lovely bold wine from my decanter, tempting me to start a fire in the fireplace while the nights are still “chilly.”
Price: $49.99
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2009 Waterkloof "Circumstance" Syrah Stellenbosch South Africa ($24.99)
2011 Waterkloof "Circumstance" Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch ($19.99)
2010 Waterkloof "Circumstance" Chardonnay Stellenbosch ($19.99)
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2010 Charles Baur Pinot Blanc ($12.99)
2009 Patricius Sárga Muskotály (Yellow Muscat) Tokaj (Dry) ($14.99)
Campo de Encanto Pisco de Peru 750ml ($32.99)
Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva Rum 750ml ($34.99)
