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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
Jean-Jacques Lamoureux "Les Amoureux" Pinot Blanc Champagne
By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 6/17/2026 | Send Email
By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 6/17/2026 | Send Email
The three noble grapes of Champagne are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Meunier, but there are four other OG grapes that are part of Champagne's storied history and are still legally allowed to be used in champagne, though rare. Jean Jacques Lamoureux's Les Amoureux is one of those rare champagnes - it's 100% Pinot Blanc planted in 2010! Pinot Blanc is still used frequently in the crémants of Alsace, but you have to search for one in Champagne and when you do find one it's usually blended with the other three - Pinot Gris, Petite Meslier, and Arbanne. If you've ever wondered what a pre-World War I champagne tastes like, the Amoureux is your ticket to a different era. Aromatic and exotic, many of the flavors are familiar - peach, citrus, pear, apple, and almond, but the floral and herbal elements reveal a cuvee that is out of the ordinary. This is a great sparkler that is a liquid unicorn!
Price:
$49.99
2021 Quinta de Saes Tinto Dão
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/17/2026 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/17/2026 | Send Email
The quality of wine coming out of Portugal has simply never been better. In the past few decades, the country has experienced a renaissance of sorts, with an infusion of wine technology, young winemakers armed with fresh ideas, and a newfound dedication to regional and varietal typicity. And while the quality has steadily risen, the prices remain unbelievably low! If you haven’t opened a bottle of Portugese wine in a while, my hands down pick would be the 2021 Quinta de Saes from Dão, a region in the north of the country often referred to as the “Burgundy of Portugal”. Medium-bodied, with loads of fresh, almost slightly crunchy red fruit – think pomegranate, Bing cherry and cranberry – this is a wine that will likely change your mind about the kind of wine Portugal is capable of producing. There is an almost Pinot Noir-like transparency here, with subtle earth and oak spice notes emerging on the lingering finish, adding depth and complexity without sacrificing freshness. The mouthfeel of this wine is so light and graceful, it could be served with a slight chill even, perfect for warm summer evenings. The varieties here are a blend of native varieties as most Portuguese wines are – about 25% Touriga Naçional, 25% Alfrocheiro, 25% Jaen, and 25% Tinta Pinheira in this wine. Portugal has the highest density of indigenous varieties in Europe, about 300 by most counts, an extraordinary number for a small country. Most of these varieties are little known outside the country yet have had centuries to adapt to the climate and terroir where they grow, making them the perfect mirrors of each region. Refined yet utterly approachable, the 2021 Quinta de Saes truly overdelivers, offering distinctive character and sophistication at a price that makes reaching for a second bottle feel entirely justified.
Jean-Jacques Lamoureux "Cuvée Gabin" Brut Zero Champagne
By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 6/17/2026 | Send Email
By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 6/17/2026 | Send Email
Jean Jacques Lamoureux is in the most southern part of Champagne - the Aube, aka Cotes des Bars. What separates the Aube from the rest of Champagne is the soil. While limestone, it's not the chalk that dominates the rest of the region. Just north of Chablis, the Cotes des Bars shares it's Kimmeridgian clay-limestone (along with Sancerre), giving the champagne, including Lamoreaux's Gabin, a distinctive ancient sea minerality. The Aube is also known for its Pinot Noir. The area is frost-prone and reliably growing and ripening Chardonnay can be challenging. The Gabin is 100% Pinot Noir, aged for 4 years on the lees, On the nose and palate, orange zest, white flowers, potpourri, brioche, smoke, and red berries. This is a true Brut Nature - bone dry on the finish, but "never austere." Pair with shellfish.
Price:
$44.99
2017 Franck Bonville "Belles Voyes" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 6/17/2026 | Send Email
By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 6/17/2026 | Send Email
Everything about Champagne Frank Bonville's vintage dated prestige cuvee is special. It's from the oldest plots (planted in the 1920s/1930s) of a single vineyard, "Les Belles Voyes," from a single Grand Cru village in the Cotes des Blancs, Oger, and is 100% Grand Cru chardonnay. "The Beautiful View" is a hilltop vineyard that overlooks the village of Oger (population 514) and, as you can imagine, it is stunning. The 2017 vintage was solar, but exceptional specifically for Chardonnay. It's vinified and aged in 228L barrels before bottling and the dosage is 2.5g/l, giving it a bone-dry finish that allows the fruit shine. On the nose and palate, orange zest, mocha, pastry crust, green apple, almond, toast, and a long honeyed, lemon, and chalky finish. A remarkable champagne of depth and character.
2023 Esk Valley Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/17/2026 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/17/2026 | Send Email
One of New Zealand’s gifts to the wine world is undoubtedly Sauvignon Blanc, made in a wonderfully crisp and exuberant style, and the 2023 Esk Valley is a great example of just why Sauvignon Blanc from this tiny nation is so remarkable. Expressive and juicy immediately after opening, the wine also presents incredible value – there’s just a lot going on here for only $14.99! Aromas of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, lime zest, and passionfruit leap from the glass, followed by hints of Thai basil, orange blossom and sea spray. Bright and energetic on the palate, the wine delivers layers of juicy citrus and tropical fruit framed by mouthwatering acidity. There is plenty of intensity here, but the wine remains balanced and graceful rather than overly pungent. A subtle mineral streak carries through the finish, lending length and a satisfying sense of freshness. A small percentage of the wine was barrel fermented with some lees stirring, which adds complexity and a slightly weightier, rounder mouthfeel than one might expect from a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Both vibrant and satisfying, this is the kind of white wine that seems to disappear from the glass all too quickly. Whether enjoyed on a warm afternoon or paired with fresh seafood, goat cheese, or spicy Asian cuisine, the 2023 Esk Valley is a delicious reminder of why New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc remains one of the wine world's greatest values.
Maison 76 Côte des Blancs Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 6/17/2026 | Send Email
By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 6/17/2026 | Send Email
Our first round of K&L's inaugural champagne collaboration, Maison 76, broke sales records, and why wouldn't it? This incredible new champagne from fourth generation grower-producer superstar Olivier Bonville of Champagne Franck Bonville and K&L's own champagne buyer, Gary Westby, is 100% Grand Cru Chardonnay from the renown Cote des Blancs village of Avize, where Bonville has been operating since 1936 (first bottling under the Franck Bonville name was in 1959). It's 40% base vintage with 60% reserve wines, aged for 4 years on the lees, and the dosage is 5.8g/l. On the nose and palate, beautiful ripe orchard fruit, green apple, lemon, hazelnut, fresh dough, honeysuckle, with a chalky backbone and richness mid-palate. Maison 76 is everything you want from a Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs!
Price:
$44.99
2017 Mazzei Castello di Fonterutoli 'Siepi' Toscana
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 6/17/2026 | Send Email
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 6/17/2026 | Send Email
Siepi is the ultimate proof that you can blend Sangiovese and Merlot without losing your Tuscan soul.
The nose has an incredibly playful interplay between the two varieties, Sangiovese and Merlot. The Merlot provides a brooding, savory wave of dark chocolate, crushed blackberry, and roasted earth, but the Sangiovese cuts straight through it with a fiercely high-toned, "crunchy" core of dried blood orange peel, wild mint, and iron. It smells profoundly serious and firmly anchored to the dirt.
You might expect a 50/50 blend to sit wide and plush across the mid-palate, but it drives straight down the center with a razor-sharp, vertical spine of acidity.
A top Supertuscan offered at 50% off—what more could you ask for?
2015 Vieux Château Certan, Pomerol
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 6/17/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 6/17/2026 | Send Email
This is a quietly great vintage on the Right Bank, one we’ve been fans of since release. The very top wines of the year—especially in Pomerol—produced some all‑timers, bottles with remarkable density, structure, and depth. Right at the peak of that class sits the 2015 Vieux Château Certan. The 100‑point scores are really just the appetizer; what’s in the bottle is the true reminder of why collectors have such deep affection for this limited‑production Pomerol estate.
After about an hour in the decanter, all the brilliance of VCC comes forward: dense fruit without heaviness, a harmony of richness and precision, and a long, incredibly fine finish. We’ve tasted it a few times over the years, but this recent look—now a decade on—shows that the early promise is coming through in a big way. It should age effortlessly for another 30 years, yet there’s already so much to enjoy with a bit of air.
A genuine and wonderful Pomerol that will rival the greats of the region, which is no easy feat.
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!
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 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
2025 Vieux Château Certan, Pomerol
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 6/10/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 6/10/2026 | Send Email
One of my favorite moments of the year is tasting Vieux Château Certan En Primeur, and this year was no different. The Thienpont family—this time with Guillaume leading the way—always lets the wine speak for itself. And the 2025 speaks volumes.
Fragrant, perfumed red‑to‑black fruits lead the way, lightly oak‑kissed in all the right ways. Any initial sense of opulence quickly gives way to precision and focus on the palate: powerful yet silky, driven by fruit and mineral, with black fruit, baking spice, and a lifting acid backbone. Fine, long tannins frame an intense but beautifully balanced wine. The finish is long and layered, carrying the clay soils with it alongside mouthwatering fruit.
It’s a wine you simply want to spend time with, and once again it brought a smile to all of our faces—placing Vieux Château Certan firmly among the finest in Pomerol.
2025 Margaux, Margaux
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 6/10/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 6/10/2026 | Send Email
The 2025 Margaux has the potential to be a singular wine on many fronts. With production down 40%, it will be rarer than recent vintages, but it’s really the decisions in the vineyard that define it. Among the last to pick, the team at Château Margaux held steady through one difficult call after another, and the result makes clear that their risks paid off.
Highly floral, red‑fruit‑driven aromatics lead into a silky palate that carries more intensity than is typical for this address. Everything feels precisely placed: delicate spice, deep red fruits, an endless finish, and very fine tannins. It is, however, a powerful Margaux—one that will almost certainly reward time, even if it won’t strictly require it.
I’ve tasted prettier, more overtly elegant versions of Margaux in the past, but if this comes together in bottle, it will deliver all of that and more. I hope to have the chance to revisit it in the years ahead.
2025 d'Issan, Margaux
By: Scott Turnbull | Review Date: 6/10/2026 | Send Email
By: Scott Turnbull | Review Date: 6/10/2026 | Send Email
Château d’Issan’s 2025 is initially restrained and slow to reveal itself, but with a little patience and air it opens beautifully. Layers of rich dark red fruit emerge with ripe cherry and plum, interwoven with delicate floral notes of cherry blossom and a subtle note of verbena that adds freshness and lift. On the palate, there is a sense of purity and balance rather than overt power, with the fruit carrying cleanly through the mid-palate and supported by fine, well-integrated structure. The tannins are polished and measured, giving shape without overshadowing the wine’s charm. Tasted at the château, the winemaking team described it as the most “on point” d’Issan they have produced to date, and I am included to agree. Everything is in harmony, with the fruit, freshness, and structure aligned with clarity and intent. A charming and finely tuned wine that combines approachability with clear cellar potential. The 2025 d’Issan would be a strong addition to any serious Bordeaux collection.
2025 Margaux, Margaux 6-Pack in OWC
By: Scott Turnbull | Review Date: 6/10/2026 | Send Email
By: Scott Turnbull | Review Date: 6/10/2026 | Send Email
The team at Margaux described 2025 as a year defined by crucial decisions, and it appears they made the right ones at every turn. They were among the last estates to begin and complete the harvest, waiting for full ripeness. Following an even stricter selection process than usual, production of Château Margaux is expected to be approximately 40% lower than normal in 2025. The resulting wine is exceptional, offering a lush concentration of dark red fruits layered with subtle notes of cedar, graphite, and Christmas cake. The tannins are firm yet silky, providing structure without sacrificing elegance, while a vibrant acidity brings freshness and balance throughout. Another outstanding release from Margaux, this is a compelling candidate for wine of the vintage.
2025 Margaux, Margaux
By: Scott Turnbull | Review Date: 6/10/2026 | Send Email
By: Scott Turnbull | Review Date: 6/10/2026 | Send Email
The team at Margaux described 2025 as a year defined by crucial decisions, and it appears they made the right ones at every turn. They were among the last estates to begin and complete the harvest, waiting for full ripeness. Following an even stricter selection process than usual, production of Château Margaux is expected to be approximately 40% lower than normal in 2025. The resulting wine is exceptional, offering a lush concentration of dark red fruits layered with subtle notes of cedar, graphite, and Christmas cake. The tannins are firm yet silky, providing structure without sacrificing elegance, while a vibrant acidity brings freshness and balance throughout. Another outstanding release from Margaux, this is a compelling candidate for wine of the vintage.
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.
2025 Lafleur Vin de France
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 6/9/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 6/9/2026 | Send Email
Lafleur’s 2025 is the first release since leaving the appellation, a move made to ensure they can craft the best possible expression of their treasured Pomerol terroir. The Grand Vin is a remarkable wine in 2025—every bit as inspiring as it has ever been—and the only thing not‑Pomerol about it is the name.
Aromatically it leaps from the glass with a beautiful perfume, flowers, and blackberries. On the palate, the incredibly seamless texture is hard to get over, yet it’s supported by deep red and black fruit, a distinct minerality, and a touch of spice on the finish. Dense but never heavy, as long as anything in the vintage, it’s a wine you simply want to spend time with as it reveals one nuance after another without ever becoming tiring.
I think Lafleur continues to reach new heights these days, and 2025 will be a signature vintage for reasons that go well beyond classification. This is a remarkable wine that will be an absolute treasure in the years to come.
2025 Margaux, Margaux
By: Andrew Shaheen | Review Date: 6/8/2026 | Send Email
By: Andrew Shaheen | Review Date: 6/8/2026 | Send Email
A wine of unanimous praise. I don't recall encountering a single taster during en primeur week who did not place Château Margaux among their top wines of the vintage. I can't disagree. The 2025 Margaux is incredibly pure and expressive on the nose, with violet, lavender, and graphite framing a silky, elegant palate of cassis, plum, subtle cocoa, and baking spice. The 2025 will likely take its place among the great releases from this estate. A must-have for the cellar.
2025 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc, Pessac-Léognan
By: Andrew Shaheen | Review Date: 6/8/2026 | Send Email
By: Andrew Shaheen | Review Date: 6/8/2026 | Send Email
One of the whites of the vintage. Exceptionally textural, rich and silky with layers of lemon, apple, honey, honeysuckle, and orange blossom. Remarkable balance and depth, with more subtle yet beautifully integrated oak allowing the fruit and minerality to shine. This should age very well, but it is already so delicious I found it difficult to spit. For me, this was an absolute standout.
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.
2023 Laberinto "Arcillas" 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.
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 Les Carmes Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan (1.5L)
By: Scott Turnbull | Review Date: 6/4/2026 | Send Email
By: Scott Turnbull | Review Date: 6/4/2026 | Send Email
The 2025 Les Carmes Haut-Brion shows a striking and characterful expression of Pessac-Léognan, continuing the estate’s recent upward trajectory with confidence and precision. The aromatics open with vibrant bramble and dark berry fruit, layered with a vivid streak of blood orange that brings both lift and definition. On the palate, the wine is marked by bright, energetic acidity that drives the structure forward, keeping the fruit focused and lively rather than weighty. Moderate, finely grained tannins provide shape and grip without overpowering the wine’s elegance, allowing the mid-palate to remain lifted and agile. A subtle saline edge emerges toward the finish, adding complexity and a faint maritime nuance that enhances the overall freshness. Well-balanced and distinctly styled, this is a refined and slightly unconventional take on Bordeaux, showcasing the estate’s increasingly distinctive identity within Pessac-Léognan. The result is a wine that feels both precise and expressive, with excellent harmony between fruit purity, acidity, and textural finesse.
Price:
$229.99
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.
2025 Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan (1.5L)
By: Scott Turnbull | Review Date: 6/4/2026 | Send Email
By: Scott Turnbull | Review Date: 6/4/2026 | Send Email
For its 2025, Château Haut-Bailly shows a refined and expressive profile, unfolding with dark red fruit at its core, ripe yet restrained, lifted by a distinctly floral perfume of wisteria and fresh blossoms. As it opens, brighter high-toned accents emerge, with blood orange and cranberry sauce adding a vivid, almost citrus-tinged tension against the deeper fruit. The palate is finely structured, defined by polished, well-integrated tannins that give shape without weight. Subtle notes of black tea weave through the mid-palate, lending an earthy sophistication, while a crushed rock minerality provides a cool, stony backbone that extends the wine’s sense of precision. The overall impression is of a wine that is both composed and expressive, with detail and finesse carrying through the finish rather than overt force. This wine was one of favorites of our week in Bordeaux, and I look forward to revisiting it for years to come.
Price:
$199.99
2025 Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan 6-Pack in OWC
By: Scott Turnbull | Review Date: 6/4/2026 | Send Email
By: Scott Turnbull | Review Date: 6/4/2026 | Send Email
For its 2025, Château Haut-Bailly shows a refined and expressive profile, unfolding with dark red fruit at its core, ripe yet restrained, lifted by a distinctly floral perfume of wisteria and fresh blossoms. As it opens, brighter high-toned accents emerge, with blood orange and cranberry sauce adding a vivid, almost citrus-tinged tension against the deeper fruit. The palate is finely structured, defined by polished, well-integrated tannins that give shape without weight. Subtle notes of black tea weave through the mid-palate, lending an earthy sophistication, while a crushed rock minerality provides a cool, stony backbone that extends the wine’s sense of precision. The overall impression is of a wine that is both composed and expressive, with detail and finesse carrying through the finish rather than overt force. This wine was one of favorites of our week in Bordeaux, and I look forward to revisiting it for years to come.
Price:
$595.00
2025 Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan
By: Scott Turnbull | Review Date: 6/4/2026 | Send Email
By: Scott Turnbull | Review Date: 6/4/2026 | Send Email
For its 2025, Château Haut-Bailly shows a refined and expressive profile, unfolding with dark red fruit at its core, ripe yet restrained, lifted by a distinctly floral perfume of wisteria and fresh blossoms. As it opens, brighter high-toned accents emerge, with blood orange and cranberry sauce adding a vivid, almost citrus-tinged tension against the deeper fruit. The palate is finely structured, defined by polished, well-integrated tannins that give shape without weight. Subtle notes of black tea weave through the mid-palate, lending an earthy sophistication, while a crushed rock minerality provides a cool, stony backbone that extends the wine’s sense of precision. The overall impression is of a wine that is both composed and expressive, with detail and finesse carrying through the finish rather than overt force. This wine was one of favorites of our week in Bordeaux, and I look forward to revisiting it for years to come.
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.
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.
2025 Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac (1.5L)
By: Scott Turnbull | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Scott Turnbull | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
The 2025 Mouton Rothschild presents a richly expressive nose of creamy cassis, layered with notes of ripe tobacco leaf and a touch of cigar box. Subtle undertones of sandalwood and incense add depth and an almost perfumed complexity that builds with air. On the palate, the wine shows remarkable cohesion, nothing feels out of place. Bright, well-integrated acidity carries the fruit cleanly, while finely grained tannins provide structure without weight. The result is a polished, harmonious wine that feels both powerful and controlled, with each element in balance from start to finish.
2025 Mouton Rothschild "Aile d'Argent" Bordeaux Blanc
By: Scott Turnbull | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Scott Turnbull | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
The 2025 Aile d’Argent from Mouton Rothschild is pale gold in the glass, opening with expressive aromas of ripe yellow grapefruit, honeyed citrus, and fresh white peach. On the palate, it shows a refined balance of richness and precision, with layered notes of stone fruit and citrus blossom unfolding over a core of weighty minerality. The midpalate is notably textured and generous, yet never heavy, carried by a vibrant line of crisp acidity that brings definition and lift. There’s a quiet roundness to the structure, giving the wine a polished, seamless feel from entry to finish. The finish is clean, focused, and persistent, leaving a lingering impression of citrus zest and mineral tension.
2025 Le Petit Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac
By: Scott Turnbull | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Scott Turnbull | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
The 2025 Petit Mouton shows a surprisingly serious depth and gravitas on the palate, especially for its position in the estate’s hierarchy. The wine opens with rich, dark blackberry, cassis, and plum, layered with subtle hints of spice and graphite. Despite its generosity, it maintains a composed structure, with well-integrated tannins and a bright, energetic acidity that keeps everything lifted and focused. This sense of structure is likely influenced by its sourcing: vineyards situated in the slight dip of land between the Mouton and Carruades plateau, where clay and silt-rich subsoils contribute more plushness and mid-palate density compared to the more gravel-dominant parcels reserved for the grand vin. The result is a wine that feels both serious and approachable: less about overt power, more about controlled depth and precision within a richly layered frame.
Price:
$179.99
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 "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