Staff Favorites

TA: 92

2022 Dominio de Atauta Ribera del Duero

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 5/29/2026 | Send Email

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!

Price: $42.99

RP: 93

TA: 93

2021 Dominio de Atauta "La Celestina" Crianza Ribera del Duero

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 5/29/2026 | Send Email

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!

Price: $19.99

JS: 91

WS: 91

2019 Miguel Merino Gran Reserva Rioja

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 5/29/2026 | Send Email

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.

Price: $54.99

2022 Overshine "Tina's Block - Maple Vineyard" Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 5/29/2026 | Send Email

I had not seen the Overshine wines until recently, but when I learned that Sam Bilbro was making the wines I immediately payed full attention. I have long loved Sam's wines from his other brand, Idlewild, that is focused on Italian grape varieties. Knowing his exceptional skills in the cellar, deep connections to great vineyards across Sonoma, and his dedication to top-notch farming, I knew these wines would be special. Overshine's "Tina's Block" Zin comes from a tiny 2-acre block of vines planted in 1910 at Maple Vineyard in Dry Creek Valley. The wine is a classic ancient vine field blend. The block is thought to be roughly 80% Zinfandel interplanted with Petite Sirah, Carignan, Mission, Alicante Bouchet, and Cinsault. The wine is medium to full bodied with lots of beautiful brambly dark fruit, hints of hot stone and dusty earth. Soft, ripe tannins, hints of baking spice and subtle oak. Lush, rich, soft, but not sweet or overly jamy. Really excellent Zinfandel from a fantastic old block of vines. Classic California in a bottle. Our Insider's Advantage price on this is laughable given the quality. Load up for summer grilling season, at $15 this can't be beaten.

Price: Hidden

2019 Miguel Merino Reserva Rioja

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 5/29/2026 | Send Email

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.

Price: $39.99

2022 Miguel Merino "Viñas Jóvenes" Rioja

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 5/29/2026 | Send Email

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.

Price: $21.99

RP: 91

TA: 91

2021 WeatherEye "Estate - Hillfighter" Red Mountain Proprietary Red

By: Kirk Walker | Review Date: 5/28/2026 | Send Email

The wines from Weather Eye are some of the most exciting wines that we have tasted recently here at K&L. It was first brought to my attention a few years ago by a Spanish wine importer. It makes sense, they do have Garnacha and Tempranillo planted, but when you look at the images of the vineyards, it looks so much more like Spain than California, or in their case, Washington (that being said, I have no feet on the ground experience in that corner of the state. These vineyards were deliberately planted in what most viticulturalists would never plant vines. They are planted in bush vine style and echalas, making sure that everything is done manually. What is even more exciting is that they never cleared the native scrub when planting the vines, it gives the wines a distinctive local “garrigue”. These are wines that were intentionally crafted to take on a very challenging terroir and express it! And these wines are expressive! The Hillfighter is their entry into the project, and it has captured my attention. A blend that does not make immediate sense when you see it; Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Tempranillo. It reminds me a little bit of the wines that you find in the hills of Aragon, and I do not think it is a stretch of the imagination to say it reminds me a little bit of Priorat!. The fruit has a vibrancy and richness and there is a distinctive mineral energy to the finish. The CS and Syrah give this wine a little more structure than you will find in wines from that region. But the aromatic lift, purity, and complexity put me in an “old world” mindset rather than anything from the “new world”. For $30 this is a crazy deal, especially when you stop and think about the cost and effort that went into the production of it.

Price: Hidden

Mas Codina Brut Rosé Reserva Cava Penedès

By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 5/28/2026 | Send Email

Made from 100% Pinot Noir, the Mas Codina Brut Rosé Reserva Cava is fresh, juicy, and loaded with gorgeous red fruit notes – think ripe red cherry, strawberry and plum – all kept in check with bright, racy acidity and a chalky finish. A touch fuller-bodied than the white Reserva and Gran Reserva, the more prominent fruit notes make this an ideal Cava to pair with soft cheeses and charcuterie, or even dishes featuring grilled chicken or shrimp. It’s also an astounding value, considering that it’s made from organically grown fruit and handmade at a family-owned estate that has been in operation since the 1600s. The quality of Cava has never been better, and this one is a prime example of that trend!

Price: $14.99

Mas Codina Brut Reserva Cava Penedès

By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 5/28/2026 | Send Email

Don’t let the low price of this wine fool you into thinking that it’s a simple, forgettable wine – instead it might just be one of the greatest values we stock. Made from organic fruit grown on the Mas Codina estate, the wine is creamy and toasty on the palate, with a rich round mouthfeel arising from the minimum of 18 months aging on the lees before disgorgement. This Cava is balanced by ripe golden apple, quince and lemon zest notes, with subtle minerality in the background. The bubbles are fine and refreshing, making this Cava dangerously easy to drink. Perfect for brunch, backyard parties, and sunny days by the pool, this is a sparkling wine that should be purchased by the case.

Price: $13.99

Mas Codina Brut Nature Gran Reserva Cava Penedès

By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 5/28/2026 | Send Email

With a minimum of 30 months aging on the lees, this beautifully crafted Cava bursts from the glass with notes of fresh brioche, toasted almond, lemon zest, and Granny Smith apple, all wrapped in fine, persistent bubbles. The palate is energetic yet creamy, balancing bright citrus fruit with layers of chalky minerality and a subtle hint of honey. Bottled as a Brut Nature, with just 1.5 g/L of residual sugar, the finish is crisp and clean, achieving a great balance between the lees-derived rich mouthfeel and the austerity of the acidity. Despite its serious pedigree and traditional-method craftsmanship, the wine feels joyful and approachable — the kind of bottle that disappears far too quickly once opened. It’s equally at home paired with oysters, sushi, roast chicken, or even juts salty potato chips. This is a sparkling wine that overdelivers in every possible way and proves just how exciting great grower Cava can be.

Price: $16.99

2023 Ricca Terra "Juicy June" Chillable Red Blend Riverland South Australia

By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 5/28/2026 | Send Email

The 2023 Juicy June from Ricca Terra might just be the Southern Hemisphere version of Beaujolias Nouveau! The 2023 blend is composed of 53% Grenache, 30% Nero d’Avola, and 12% Black Muscat, all sourced from the sun-drenched Riverland region of South Australia. It is bottled only a few months after harvest, resulting in a wine that is intensely aromatic, refreshing, and yes, juicy. Bursting with notes of candied cherry, ripe raspberry, wild strawberry, and red plum, the wine also shows subtle floral lift and a touch of spice from the Black Muscat component. Light-bodied and silky smooth on the palate, it’s an easy-drinking style of light-bodied red wine that is best enjoyed chilled down. Its lively fruit profile and fresh texture make it an ideal wine for casual gatherings, sunny afternoons, and relaxed outdoor meals. Juicy June pairs beautifully with charcuterie, wood-fired pizza, roast chicken, burgers, or smoky barbecue.

Price: $14.99

JH: 90

2023 Vigneti Repetto "Quadro" Timorasso Derthona DOC

By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 5/28/2026 | Send Email

I've been drinking lots of Italian white wines lately, and it is because of delightful wines like these. Beautiful aromas and flavors of the fresh stone fruits, yellow pears, jasmine tea, and a touch of crystallized ginger. A crisp, refreshing wine that kept growing on me till it was gone. Enjoy!

Price: $24.99

Wine Club

$19.99

WE: 91

2015 Billecart-Salmon Rosé Champagne

By: Craig Morris | Review Date: 5/28/2026 | Send Email

For me, Billecart makes one of the best non-vintage rose sparklers out there with their Le Rose, so I was very excited when our Champagne buyer Gary Westby opened a bottle of this 2015 vintage for the staff and it did not disappoint. This bottle has such a depth and intensity. It is at once savory and complex, but also bursting with juicy fruit, all with the chalky minerality one expects from Champagne...and for a shockingly low price tag. Champagne fans or those needing something for a special occasion need to pick this up!

Price: $119.99

Bollinger "Special Cuvée" Brut Champagne

By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 5/28/2026 | Send Email

Bollinger has a sterling reputation for standout quality in Champagne for a great reason—they do the hard work to make great Champagne, and their "Special Cuvée" is the standard bearer for their range. Along with Krug, Bollinger is the only grand marque to refuse to give up their barrels, which they still ferment the wine in to this day. They are located in the village of Aÿ, famous for being the chalkiest terroir for Pinot Noir in all of Champagne, and Aÿ is the soul of this blend. It is one of the fullest, most powerful non-vintages from the grand marques and also one of the driest. If you are a fan of Champagne and haven't tried this classic lately, you should!

Price: $69.99

JD: 93

JS: 93

WS: 93

2015 Billecart-Salmon Rosé Champagne

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/28/2026 | Send Email

This is absolutely glorious, coming from what would normally be the Cuvee Elizabeth from Billecart-Salmon, but their choosing to declassify it give us the best 2015 Champagne I've ever tasted and probably the best Champagne I've tasted so far this year. The nose after opening for a little while is full of plump alpine strawberries, white plum flesh, blood orange zest, the middle of a loaf of fresh brioche, and a whisper of hyacinths. The palate unfathomably dense and deep, the fruit is spritely and bright with white strawberry, blood orange pith, and a little bit of green apple. This is not just a Champagne, this is an experience. This is something you want to sit and dig into the whole time, slowly peeling it back layer by layer, and every time you think you have it figured out something else comes to the forefront. This is like the best book you've ever read, the one that made you just turn page after page after page until you had finished it, and then when you were done you felt like something was taken from you. This bottle is a transcendent magical portal that will take you into a newer and better future, because you'll have had this bottle.

Price: $119.99

2015 Billecart-Salmon Rosé Champagne

By: Lilia McIntosh | Review Date: 5/28/2026 | Send Email

This is a real treat from Billecart-Salmon! The complexity of this Champagne is stunning. It has gorgeous aromatics of raspberry coulis, fresh wild strawberries and a touch of tulip. Palate is expressive with berries note lingering on and saline minerality backing it up. It's long and mouthwatering on the finish. Definitely opening up with more nuances as it decants itself in your glass. Great Champagne to enjoy slowly, letting it unwrap itself like a flower.

Price: $119.99

2015 Billecart-Salmon Rosé Champagne

By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 5/28/2026 | Send Email

What an unbelievable deal. The Billecart family decided not to release this 2015 as cuvée Elisabeth Rosé (at more than double the price) because they don't think it will age for two full generations... To me, the only problem with this wine is that it is too delicious! I have found it to be the best 2015 vintage champagne that I have tasted period, with great complexity and depth hidden behind freshness and ease of drinking. I love the blood orange and black cherry depth from the ancient vine red that makes up 6.6% of the blend, and chalky, bright drive from the 52% of chardonnay. In the mouth, this wine has incredible texture from 100 months of ageing on the lees, and an airy ease that belies its depth. The finish is a wower, a real peacocks tail display, just as long as it is spectacular. Don't miss this one!

Price: $119.99

2023 Famille Isabel Ferrando "Colombis" Châteauneuf-du-Pape

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 5/28/2026 | Send Email

Made from 100% Grenache, this wine beautifully reflects the diversity of the soils from which it is sourced: the cooler-climate home vineyard of Colombis on the western side of the appellation, the cooling sandy soils of Rayas, and, of course, La Crau, whose deep limestone sub-soil and heat-reflective galets contribute richness and depth. All of the fruit is composed from the oldest vines in these parcels as well. "Colombis" is one of the most compelling Grenache-based wines in the region, it puts the purity of the grape fully on display, balancing richness with a seamless structure and a lifted, floral finish. In many ways, it recalls a great Bonnes-Mares from Burgundy — though thankfully at a fraction of the price. Exceptionally ageworthy, this should begin hitting its stride in the 2030s and continue to drink beautifully for another decade or more beyond that.

Price: $179.99

JS: 98

JD: 96

DC: 95

2022 Famille Isabel Ferrando Châteauneuf-du-Pape

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 5/28/2026 | Send Email

Isabel Ferrando is one of the true cult icons of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Long regarded as an outsider in the region—coming from a background far removed from the wine industry—she proved how transformative that perspective could be. After taking over the historic St-Préfert estate, situated on some of the sunniest and warmest soils of the appellation, she began crafting wines of remarkable finesse and lift, a striking contrast to the bold, powerful style traditionally associated with the region. Her boundary-pushing approach, including special cuvées like 100% Cinsault or 100% Clairette, challenged long-held norms and has since inspired many others to follow in her footsteps. The new 2022 Ferrando is superb, brimming with blackberry fruit, herbs de Provence, and subtle peppery spice. Its seamless structure and silken texture are unmistakably Ferrando—elegant, composed, and deeply expressive. While it has the architecture to age beautifully in the cellar, it already offers impressive complexity and charm for those eager to enjoy it now.

Price: $94.99

Mas Codina Brut Nature Gran Reserva Cava Penedès

By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 5/27/2026 | Send Email

For the price, this is wildly impressive. Bone-dry and sharply focused, with crisp green apple, lemon peel, toasted almond, and that classic salty minerality that makes great Brut Nature Cava so addictive. The mousse is fine and energetic, giving the wine a clean, refreshing lift without ever feeling thin. There’s real depth beneath the brightness too—subtle brioche and leesy complexity start to emerge as it opens. This drinks far above its price point and feels more serious and gastronomic than most sparkling wines anywhere near this range.

Price: $16.99

2022 Miguel Merino "Viñas Jóvenes" Rioja

By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 5/27/2026 | Send Email

A beautifully modern Rioja that still respects its roots. Bright red cherry, crushed raspberry, dried herbs, and subtle baking spice lead the way, while the palate stays energetic and precise rather than overly oaked or heavy. There’s a purity to the fruit here that makes the wine feel incredibly alive, backed by silky tannins and a streak of earthy minerality that adds depth. The “Viñas Jóvenes” bottling showcases the freshness and vibrancy of younger vines without sacrificing complexity. Elegant, soulful, and dangerously easy to keep drinking.

Price: $21.99

RP: 91

TA: 91

2022 Fèlsina Chianti Classico Riserva

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 5/27/2026 | Send Email

Fèlsina is the undisputed king of Castelnuovo Berardenga, and in a deeply warm, solar vintage like 2022, they are one of the very few estates in the southern reaches of the appellation that completely retained their nerve. It leaps from the glass with a fiercely high-toned wave of crushed alberese rock, dried tobacco, scorched earth, and a deeply "crunchy" core of tart black cherry and dried blood orange peel. It smells intensely savory, cool, and firmly anchored to the dirt.

Price: $34.99

VN: 92

WE: 92

2018 Fèlsina Vin Santo del Chianti Classico (375ml)

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 5/27/2026 | Send Email

The process is a painstaking labor of love. A blend of Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes are hand-harvested and then hung to dry (appassimento) in airy lofts for months, concentrating their sugars and flavors. The thick, sweet juice is then pressed and sealed in small oak and chestnut barrels, called caratelli, where it ferments and ages slowly for at least a decade in the vinsantaia—a process that exposes it to the natural temperature fluctuations of the seasons. It is rich and lusciously sweet but with a vibrant, electrifying acidity that cuts through the richness, preventing it from ever feeling cloying. This is a wine to be sipped slowly on its own at the end of a meal, or paired with the classic Cantucci (almond biscotti). A small bottle will last for weeks after opening, its flavors continuing to evolve. This wine is immortal; you can keep it in the cellar for generations.

Price: $34.99

2021 Federico Mencaroni Lacrima di Morro d'Alba

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 5/27/2026 | Send Email

Venture to the rolling hills of the Marche region, caught between the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea, and you will find the Federico Mencaroni estate. Located in the picturesque town of Corinaldo, this family-run winery is currently guided by its fourth generation. Federico Mencaroni took the reins from his uncle in 2009, combining modern precision with a deep respect for his family's agricultural heritage. His vineyards are planted in ideal clay and limestone soils, benefiting from a unique microclimate that marries continental mountain air with moderating coastal breezes. While the Marche is famous for white Verdicchio, its greatest red secret is Lacrima. Indigenous to the tiny Morro d'Alba appellation, the Lacrima grape takes its name (meaning "tear") from the fact that its thin skin often weeps juice when fully ripe. Mencaroni ferments this entirely in stainless steel to preserve its astonishingly pure aromatics. This wine is an absolute aromatic explosion. It pours a deep ruby with violet reflections, but the nose is what stops you: an intoxicating wave of blooming violets, wild strawberry, and sweet spice. On the palate, it is smooth, charmingly fresh, and unburdened by heavy tannins. Pair this floral beauty with a charcuterie board or a savory meat ragù.

Price: $17.99

Wine Club

$14.99

2024 Bianchi "Il Rosato" Vino Nebbiolo Rosato

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 5/27/2026 | Send Email

The legendary Pasquero-Elia family, the visionary minds behind the historic Paitin estate in Barbaresco, have embarked on a thrilling new chapter with their "Bianchi" venture. While Paitin has been a cornerstone of traditional winemaking in Neive since 1796, the Bianchi project serves as a fresh, modern canvas for the family to explore vibrant new expressions of their beloved Piedmontese terroir. This Rosato is a masterclass in the versatility of the noble Nebbiolo grape. While their Barbaresco demands years of patient cellaring, this wine is designed to capture the grape's youthful, immediate energy. Sourced from the Langhe's famous calcareous-clay soils, the fruit is harvested specifically for rosé production to maintain high acidity, undergoing just a brief, delicate maceration to extract a perfect kiss of color without the heavy tannins. As the weather warms up, this is exactly what you want chilling in the fridge. It pours a brilliant, pale salmon hue. The nose trades Nebbiolo's brooding dark notes for a bright, springtime bouquet of wild strawberry, white peach, and crushed rose petals. On the palate, it is crisp, bone-dry, and electric, finishing with a savory, mineral snap. It is the ultimate seasonal aperitivo and a gorgeous pairing for fresh goat cheese or a vibrant spring pea risotto.

Price: $29.99

Wine Club

$24.99

2023 Gianfranco Bovio 'Firagnetti' Langhe Nebbiolo

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 5/27/2026 | Send Email

When discussing traditional Piedmontese winemaking, the Bovio family holds a revered place in La Morra. Originally famous as local restaurateurs, the late Gianfranco Bovio revitalized his father's estate in the 1970s, establishing a winery that has become a benchmark for classic, terroir-driven Nebbiolo. Today, the third generation continues this legacy, deeply committed to preserving the historic style of the Langhe. The "Firagnetti" Langhe Nebbiolo—named after a Piedmontese dialect term referring to a vineyard area with short rows—is the perfect introduction to the Bovio philosophy. Sourced from the estate’s younger vines, this wine offers the noble pedigree of Barolo without the prerequisite decade of cellaring. The vines thrive in the calcareous-clay soils of La Morra, known for yielding Nebbiolo with pronounced elegance and perfume rather than brute force. In the glass, it reveals a brilliant, translucent ruby color. The nose is incredibly expressive, offering a classic bouquet of dried cherries, crushed roses, and the subtle hint of leather and spice that defines the grape. On the palate, it is vibrant and approachable. Instead of gripping tannins, it delivers a lively freshness and a graceful, spicy finish, making it a dream pairing for agnolotti del plin or roasted poultry.

Price: $29.99

Wine Club

$24.99

2022 Lagar de Costa "Calabobos" Albarino Rias Baixas

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/26/2026 | Send Email

The nose is so perfectly round and there's these little bright and perfect touches of fruit that expose themselves as you keep taking in the bouquet. Really ripe and perfect pear, white peach, yellow plum, bruised golden apple, and jasmine. The palate has this really great weight to it, the fruit mirrors the nose especially with the bruised golden apple coming out a bit more in front, there's this really great acidity that pushes through and a very slightly saline finish. This is really top tier white wine, both really well made, but also supremely enjoyable. I would definitely recommend decanting this because while I liked it this morning, it's taking a huge step up with some air. The fruit has taken on this kind of honeyed quality and the whole nose is a lot more expressive. Super super good. Maybe my favorite wine from the whole tasting today.

Price: $29.99

Wine Club

$24.99

2024 Lagar de Costa Albarino Rias Baixas

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/26/2026 | Send Email

Really pretty and almost crystalline nose. There's white peach, ripe pear, a little lemon candy, and some white flowers. This is a little bit more light and pretty and less juicy than some of other other Albarinos but no less amazing, and definitely with a little bit more elegance. The palate is still fairly juicy with more white peach, apricot, lemon zest and pith, and more pretty and lovely white flowers coming through. This is really fantastic and a super crushable bottle for the summer time, when you want to crush something of quality.

Price: $21.99

TA: 92

JD: 91

2022 Dominio de Atauta Ribera del Duero

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/26/2026 | Send Email

The florals on this are going crazy with a few hours open and it's got this really perfumed red fruit thing going on that I am totally vibing with right now. The fruit is pretty and ripe and really plush on the nose, with the perfume giving it this kind of glossy aura. It makes sense in my head. Gosh it is a deep one too, dark and inviting. There's some really good structure with moderate tannins and really nice acidity framing the really pretty and dark fruit, this is really interesting as it's bigger than wines I often like, but I really am just into it right now.

Price: $42.99

RP: 93

TA: 93

2022 Dominio de Atauta "Parada de Atauta" Ribera del Duero

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/26/2026 | Send Email

Big and ripe nose at the very outset, but I am not deterred, there's this kind of hibiscus floral note in the very back that has hooked its finger into my nose and keeps me riveted in place. Really plush with cherry, bramble-fruit, plum, and some really pretty purple flowers. The palate is big and just a little bit chewy, there's definitely a firm grip of tannin but nothing that fat can't fix. There's my tip for today, if your wine is too tannic just eat some butter before each sip, it'll be fine. You might get a tummy-ache depending on how much butter you eat, though. There's really nice fruit, but also some good mid-palate umami notes that kind of slip between the fruit, like a savory little ninja. The finish is lingering and full of barrel spice and oak toast with little bits of fruit still hanging around the edges but it's a very barrel-forward finish. I really enjoyed this, all this Atauta wines have been great.

Price: $27.99

TA: 92

2021 Dominio de Atauta "La Celestina" Crianza Ribera del Duero

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/26/2026 | Send Email

A really friendly and accessible nose, there's some creamy fruit on the very front, dark and a little seductive there's a nice depth to the nose that pulls me in a little bit further each time. Black cherry, Red Vines, blackberry, purple flowers, and some barrel spice. The palate has a really nice heft to it, allowing you to really dive down into the fruit, there's some oak around the edges of your palate the whole time, but blackberry, black cherry, ripe raspberry, and little touches of cranberry skin around the very outside bleeding into the oak. This doesn't taste like a $20 bottle of wine. It's better, in case that wasn't clear.

Price: $19.99

JS: 91

WS: 91

2019 Miguel Merino Gran Reserva Rioja

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/26/2026 | Send Email

I really love the French oak on this, it's one of those things that sounds a bit weird, especially when you're talking about Rioja, but ends up making complete sense. The French comes at it with a bit more subtlety than American oak would, but ultimately has no less presence. Oak and toast on the front of the nose, and then underneath that cherry, bruised strawberry, dried herbs, and then the deep barrel spice. This is just so incredibly pleasant to drink even by itself, I want some food but my mouthbuds aren't demanding it instead they're just drinking in every flavoroid and enjoying the depth and length of this wine that each sip brings. This is absolutely amazing and I'll probably be picking up the single vineyards to try they have to be just outstanding as well.

Price: $54.99

2014 Caol Ila 10 Year Old "Signatory" K&L Exclusive Refill Hogshead #326090 Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 5/26/2026 | Send Email

If you weren’t aware, I’m a total sucker for Caol Ila. It’s a very large distillery, but only a fraction of its output reaches the market as single malt. I’ve even heard rumors that significant quantities of unpeated malt are produced for blending needs. One thing I love about Caol Ila, much like some of its Islay neighbors, is how remarkably multifaceted it can be. It’s difficult to determine whether these stylistic ranges are intentional, as with Bruichladdich, or seasonal, as with Laphroaig, but this year we have three barrels of different styles and ages, each from classic refill hogsheads. The idea was to capture three faces of Caol Ila and present them at stupendous prices. This first cask is the youngest of the three, but also the most vibrant. The color is a juicy pale gold (0.3). The nose is shiveringly good, offering zesty citrus and salt, briny oiliness, salted capers, tense sea spray, and fresh green peat. With air, it moves further into a pure, taut vibrancy. The palate is intense, with a strong citrus character of lime and salt, followed by more brine and a long, peaty finish. An absolute laser beam for serious lovers of the high-intensity style but it also has plenty of sweet barrel and a deep rich texture to keep it balanced. Signatory is not officially offering top tier malt year after year at prices that outperform the market by larger margins.

Price: $74.99

2019 Miguel Merino Reserva Rioja

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/26/2026 | Send Email

The whole nose just is so classic Rioja and it's absolutely delightful. The American oak shines through with little touches of menthol, coconut, and little touches of dried herbs. The fruit is really clean underneath that, dusky and lush with black cherry, blackberry, dried herbs, brambles, and just deep and lush barrel spice as you let yourself mentally fall into the glass, swirling down and down into the depths. The palate is relatively rich, more dark fruits, and then some plum skin and raspberry coming in to join the party. The finish is mostly barrel and spice, but there's little vestiges of fruit and a really decent acidity that pushes through the whole palate. Definitely a step up from the Jovenes and a really compelling bottle of wine. One of my top picks from today's staff tasting.

Price: $39.99

2018 Vigneti Repetto 'Evoluta'' Monleale Barbera

By: John Downing | Review Date: 5/26/2026 | Send Email

"Evoluta" represents the best of Barbera from this region. It truly reflects the ability of Monleale Barbera to age and evolve. It's matured in oak for one to two years and subsequently in bottle for an additional 18-24 months. Since we were only able to obtain a small allocation of this rare treat, it's sure to sell out quickly.

Price: $39.99

2022 Miguel Merino "Viñas Jóvenes" Rioja

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/26/2026 | Send Email

I'll just say it and then we can move past it, this wine smells like being in a really comfortable plush box. I have no clue what that means, but it's the first thought that came to mind as soon as I smelled it so here we are. Also, I asked Mick and he agreed, so it's not just me. There's a real generosity and roundness to the fruit on the nose, it's really opened up delightfully since the tasting this morning. Blackberry, black cherry, and overripe strawberry all pop on the nose with this roundness edging its way through as well, and little touches of barrel spice and fresh peppercorns. The palate is really fantastic, there's some fruit on the front but also a lot of really lovely structure with firm but forgiving tannins and really great acidity pushing through the whole thing. The fruit is higher toned with raspberry, pie and black cherries leading the way, and then the barrel comes back in and it finishes with a combination of tannin and fruit with acidity urging the whole thing forward again into the next sip. This is just phenomenal wine at a super reasonable price.

Price: $21.99

RP: 91

TA: 91

2021 Vigneti Repetto 'Sfera' Barbera Colli Tortonesi

By: John Downing | Review Date: 5/26/2026 | Send Email

The "Sfera" is classic Colli Tortonesi Barbera. It delivers concentrated ripe fruit balanced by fresh acidity. It's lively and vibrant as it's aged entirely in stainless steel and concrete tanks. This incredibly versatile red is outstanding with a wide array of dishes. Pizza, pasta, meats, cheeses and more.

Price: $19.99

2022 Viña Zorzal Graciano Navarra

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/26/2026 | Send Email

A really elegant and high toned nose with really bright red fruits. There's cranberry skin, ripe raspberry, red licorice, and a little bit of spice on the finish to round it out. The palate is a little crunchy at the outset but then it deepens with some darker fruit, including a little touch of purple here and there. It begins with cranberry and pomegranate, before it gets this touch of purple fruit and then some underripe cherry. This is a really easy and pleasant little bottle of wine that overdelivers for the price.

Price: $18.99

DC: 92