K&L Wine Merchants - Staff Favorites

Boulard-Bauquaire "Trepail" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Vieilles Vignes

By: Michael Benoit | Review Date: 3/3/2026 | Send Email

Wow! The Boulard-Bauquaire "Trepail" Brut Blanc de Blancs is everything I want in a blanc de blancs. The nose is floral and faintly bready, and the slight sourdough toast on the palate is in perfect balance with the flavors of Meyer lemon, pear, and apricot. The wonderful fine bead gives this champagne a velvety texture that goes down easy, and the acidity is fairly delicate, but plenty to keep it refreshing and keep you coming back for more. A great champagne to enjoy on the first warm days of summer!

Price: $44.99

Jean-Jacques Lamoureux "Réserve" Brut Champagne

By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 3/3/2026 | Send Email

This all Pinot Noir blanc de noirs is one of our very best values in the category, and has clean baguette style toast married to quite impressive Pinot savor on the nose, as well as great texture and a compact, pretty bead of bubbles. This champagne comes from Les Riceys, the most famous village in the Aube department of Champagne, located on the border with Burgundy. With a dry, but in no way austere finish, it is a fabulous bottle to start your next weekend with, and affordable enough to pour for a party!

Price: $34.99

Boulard-Bauquaire "Trepail" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Vieilles Vignes

By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 3/3/2026 | Send Email

This is our most exotic and intense Blanc de Blancs, all from one ancient vineyard in the 1er cru of Trepail, now over 75 years old. This bottle just took the staff by storm when I poured a flight of all Chardonnay Champagne for my final training seminar of the year. The Boulard Bauquaire made bottles twice the price seem hollow with its wonderful richness and white fruit quality. Luckily, this Champagne also has a great dry, long, chalky finish!

Price: $44.99

Michel Arnould "Acuité" Grand Cru Extra Brut Champagne

By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 3/3/2026 | Send Email

Anyone who loves champagne should try this exceptional bottling! The Acuité from Michel Arnould is a great example of top grower champagne at a wonderful, accessible price. The seamless blend of two of the top grand cru villages in the region (Verzenay and Mesnil no less!) gives us beautiful hazelnut and baguette toast as well as super clean minerality and lively acidity. While this is labeled as an Extra Brut, the wine is balanced like Brut and comes across as dry without being austere. I cannot overstate just how good the balance is of this wine- it is impossible to get tired of and reminds me of tete de cuvée!

Price: $44.99

2022 Matthiasson Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 3/3/2026 | Send Email

As you can see from the long list of staff reviews, this wine is exactly what we love to drink here at K&L—wines with balance, poise, purity, and precision. Steve Matthiasson crafts exactly that: wines rooted in elegance, varietal typicity, and a profound sense of place—first and foremost, gastronomic wines meant to be enjoyed at the table. A farmer above all else, much of Steve’s magic happens in the vineyard, where the vines are meticulously hand-tended with an uncompromising focus on quality. He aims for modest yields and true physiological (flavor and phenolic) ripeness at lower sugar levels. Farming organically and regeneratively, Steve sources from both his estate vineyards and select parcels up and down the valley that he farms with the same loving care and attention. Our team (myself included) absolutely fell in love with this wine’s old-school sensibility. At just 13% alcohol, it offers plenty of savory, lifted aromatics—tobacco, wintergreen, bay laurel, and freshly turned earth—woven seamlessly with pure mulberry, dark cherry, and black raspberry fruit. All that classic Cabernet character is beautifully interlaced with freshness and clarity. The wine is alive on the palate, buoyed by vibrant acidity and framed by fine yet tactile tannins. It’s youthful and already open and delicious, yet with its electric freshness, I have no doubt it will age gracefully for 10 years or more. It will be fascinating to watch those classic varietal notes evolve as bottle age begins to shape the wine. A singularly brilliant Cabernet, confidently charting its own course through the modern era of Napa Valley. And an exceptional value in its own right.

Price: $79.95

DC: 99

2023 Domaine Ferret Pouilly-Fuissé "Autour de la Roche"

By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 3/2/2026 | Send Email

I first discovered the wondrous wines of Domaine J.A. Ferret about 15 years ago, when I began a deep dive into Pouilly-Fuissé. At the time, they were the region’s standard-bearer, crafting serious, age-worthy wines capable of competing with—and often surpassing—their counterparts to the north in the Côte de Beaune. Their wines consistently showed remarkable elegance and purity, with subtle fruit expression, racy acidity, and impressive complexity and length. The 2023 Domaine J.A. Ferret Pouilly-Fuissé is a beauty, opening with aromas of white flowers and sea breeze. The palate unfolds as a complex blend of citrus and stone fruits, layered with hints of iodine and wet stone. Racy and zesty yet still beautifully layered, it feels like a mythical meeting point between classic Chablis precision and a lightly styled Meursault richness. I love the wines of Domaine J.A. Ferret, and this bottle is an absolute delight.

Price: $49.99

Hakushu 18 Year Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky

By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 3/2/2026 | Send Email

For many years, Hakushu 18 Year was my golden goose of Japanese whisky. Believe it or not, back when I started in this industry over 20 years ago, the Yamazaki 12 year was the least expensive 12-year-old single malt in my store. I think we charged $37 and Glenlivet 12 Year was $40. When I wanted to treat myself the 18 year was only $100! When the Hak 18 Year launched in 2006, it was literally all I wanted, and it was damn hard to find. Difficult to sell yourself the one bottle allocated to your store, so I eventually paid retail elsewhere and coveted that bottle like it was my baby. Then, it became impossible to find and extremely expensive, yet my desire to have it in my possession diminished very little. Now, tasting the modern version, I actually think it's improved amazingly over the years; my desire to own the Hak 18 Year never really connected with my perception of its quality. Let's have a little bit together! The color is a beautiful, burnished color (1.1) Huh, this is much darker than I remember the old version being. HOLY MOLY, the nose is absolutely stunning, full of beautiful, tropical fruit, wild honey, antique wood, and the finest black teas. The smoke is so well-integrated and rich you'd be hard pressed to call it out as a peated malt on the nose. The ultra supple entry builds with deep, roasted fruit, deep vanilla, rancio, and baking spice that build toward a round, complete, and savory finish. Again, we're not at all in the overt peat world, and the depth and age feel well beyond 18 years. For all that is said about Suntory's consistency, this is wildly inconsistent with what I remember in that it's much, much better! A poor, little 92 point score from 13 years ago does not do the modern Hakushu 18 year any justice. It's very clear that they're putting beautiful old malt in this from a variety of extremely high- quality barrels. A beautiful whisky that should be considered for anyone looking for a luxurious experience.

Price: $599.99

Limit of 3 per customer

Pierre Mineral Brut Rosé Champagne

By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 3/2/2026 | Send Email

This elegant, delicate rosé champagne has the soul of the blanc de blancs. It is 90% chardonnay, and not just any chardonnay, but Mesnil grand cru and Montgueux, two of the best terroirs in the region for the variety. The pretty, subtle strawberry fruit that this wine delivers comes from 1er cru of Vertus pinot noir vinified red. The result is a clean, refreshing, dry rosé with a bright, mineral finish. If you like the rosé from Billecart-Salmon and Damien Hugot, this is a must try!

Price: $49.99

Redbreast Moscatel Finished Irish Whiskey (750ml)

By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 2/27/2026 | Send Email

This is classic Redbreast, plussed up with an elegant sweetness and a touch of herbaceousness. The nose opens with dry vanilla, orange spice, and a wisp of clove underneath baked, honeyed pastry. That pastry note turns right into honeycomb on the palate, bringing out lovely orchard and stone fruits, toffee, and cedar. A light touch of thyme and sage settles on the finish, all while that signature oily Redbreast texture lingers for minutes on end. This is a beautiful new expression that lets the whiskey guide the cask, avoiding the heavy-handedness often found in other sweet wine finishes.

Price: $104.99

2024 Riff Pinot Grigio delle Venezie

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/27/2026 | Send Email

March is the season of renewal, and Riff is the perfect project to illustrate how a fresh perspective can revitalize a classic category. While the label says "Pinot Grigio," the pedigree here is pure royalty. This is a passion project from Alois Lageder, the legendary biodynamic pioneer of Alto Adige who has spent decades proving that Northern Italian whites can be world-class. Lageder created Riff to prove that affordable Pinot Grigio doesn't have to be industrial plonk—it can have a soul and a story. The name "Riff" (German for Reef) is a direct nod to the geological history of the Dolomite foothills where these vines grow. Millions of years ago, these majestic, jagged peaks were actually living coral reefs in a prehistoric ocean. That ancient marine heritage is the defining feature of the terroir, leaving behind fossil-rich limestone soils that impart a distinct, saline backbone to the wine. By sourcing fruit from trusted growers in the foothills of the northeastern Alps who adhere to strict sustainable protocols, Lageder ensures that the wine expresses this unique "alpine-mediterranean" microclimate. It’s a masterclass in sourcing and terroir, resulting in a wine that is crisp, mineral-driven, and vibrant—a true reflection of the ancient stone it grows on

Price: $13.99

Wine Club

$9.99

2024 Erste + Neue Kalterersee Classico

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/27/2026 | Send Email

Erste + Neue translates to "First + New," a name that tells the story of a merger between two historic cooperatives in Alto Adige (the "First" from 1900 and the "New" from 1925). In this region, the cooperative model is king—and unlike in many other parts of the world, "co-op" here means exceptional quality. These wineries allow hundreds of tiny, family-owned plots to be vinified together with state-of-the-art technology, preserving the agricultural fabric of the South Tyrol. This specific wine is a Kalterersee Classico, an appellation that wraps around the stunning, sun-drenched Lake Caldaro (Kalterersee). This is the warmest area in Alto Adige, a microclimate where Mediterranean cypress trees grow alongside alpine firs. The star here is the Schiava grape (also known as Vernatsch). For centuries, this was the "daily bread" of the region—the wine that fueled the farmers and the workers. It is genetically wired to produce light, low-tannin wines that are meant to be consumed young and fresh. While the world chases heavy Cabernets, Erste + Neue has stayed true to this local treasure, protecting the old pergola-trained vines that define the lakeside landscape. It’s a delicious piece of Tyrolean history in a glass.

Price: $24.99

Wine Club

$19.99

2019 Plozza Rosso Di Valtellina

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/27/2026 | Send Email

This wine takes us to one of the most dramatic wine regions on Earth: Valtellina. Located in Lombardy, tight against the Swiss border, this is the home of "heroic viticulture." Here, the Nebbiolo grape (locally known as Chiavennasca) clings to steep, terraced cliffs that have been carved out of the mountain by hand over centuries. If you drop a grape bunch here, it might roll a thousand feet down to the valley floor! Plozza is a historic institution in this valley.. They are famous for their Sforzato (dried grape wines), but their Rosso di Valtellina is perhaps the purest expression of their philosophy. In Valtellina, the Nebbiolo grape behaves differently than in the foggy hills of Barolo. The high altitude, the intense ultraviolet light, and the cool alpine breezes create a wine that is thinner-skinned, paler, and more aromatic. It is Nebbiolo stripped of its heaviness, revealing its "mountain soul." This bottle is a tribute to the farmers who maintain those dry-stone walls year after year, offering a taste of the Alps that is as rugged and beautiful as the landscape itself.

Price: $24.99

Wine Club

$19.99

2023 Melville "Estate" Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 2/27/2026 | Send Email

This year, Melville celebrates 30 years of grape growing in the Sta. Rita Hills, and over that time this family-run estate has firmly established itself in the upper echelon of producers in the region. Entirely dedicated to estate-grown, organically farmed fruit and classical, refined winemaking, Melville crafts wines that stand among the purest expressions of place you’ll find anywhere in California. While the Pinot Noirs of Sta. Rita Hills often steal the spotlight, this is also an absolutely magical place to grow Chardonnay. Just ten miles from the Pacific, the sandy soils and ultra-cool climate of Melville’s estate yield a wine that is crystalline, vibrant, and laser-focused, driven by electric natural acidity. The estate is planted to an impressive array of Chardonnay clones—from Dijon and UC Davis selections to heritage massal cuttings from Hanzell, Mount Eden, and Hudson—adding layers of nuance and complexity. Fermented and aged entirely in neutral oak, with no malolactic fermentation, the philosophy here is clear: precision over opulence, minerality over weight, tension over ripeness. The aromatics are beautifully defined—preserved lemon, white florals, baked golden apple, cracked rye, lime leaf, and wet stone. On the palate, it’s incredibly refreshing and alive, with mouthwatering energy and a clean, mineral-laced finish that calls you back for another sip. Delicious now for its vibrancy and lift, this is also a Chardonnay that should evolve gracefully over the next 3–5 years, if not longer. At 25% off, our Insider’s Advantage price represents exceptional value. Load up—summer is right around the corner.

Price: Hidden

2023 Melville "Estate" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 2/27/2026 | Send Email

This year, Melville celebrates 30 years of grape growing in the Sta. Rita Hills, and over that time this family-run estate has firmly established itself in the upper echelon of producers in the region. Entirely dedicated to estate-grown, organically farmed fruit and classical, refined winemaking, Melville crafts wines that stand among the purest expressions of place you’ll find anywhere in California. The estate sits on the northwestern edge of the AVA, just ten miles from the Pacific. Here, soils are dominated by windblown sands, underpinned in places by Monterey shale and pockets of clay loam. Mature vines—planted to a diverse array of clones—stretch across the estate’s rolling contours, divided into dozens of meticulously farmed blocks. After three decades, the Melville team knows this land intimately, and they weave those blocks together in their Estate Pinot Noir with remarkable precision and purity. With 40% whole-cluster fermentation, the wine is an aromatic delight. The nose bursts with lifted florals, ripe berry fruit, exotic spice, star anise, clove, citrus peel, pomegranate, black raspberry, and dried alpine herbs. On the palate, it is incredibly vibrant and fresh, delivering generous yet crunchy, spice-laced red fruit alongside subtle notes of earth and amaro-like bitters. This wine perfectly reflects the Sta. Rita Hills’ famed “refrigerated sunshine”—ample California ripeness balanced by the bracing freshness of an ultra-cool growing season. The result is Pinot Noir with both depth and electric energy. With our extra-sharp Insider’s Advantage pricing, this becomes an absolute must-buy. Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir simply doesn’t get better at this price—it's not even close.

Price: Hidden

2019 K&L Discovery Series Bordeaux, Pomerol

By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email

The Discovery series continues in the world renown Right Bank (of the Gironde River) village of Pomerol, known for its rich, plush, Merlot based blends grown in gravel, iron rich clay, and sand. The 2019 K&L Discovery Series Pomerol is a traditional blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc from an epic vintage whose hot dry summer produced consistently excellent wines that are aging into classic old school Bordeaux that are round and luscious. On the nose, cigar box, olive tapenade, crushed stone, fennel, dark red berries. On the palate, coffee bean, sweet vanilla, red plum, chocolate, with subtle notes of bell pepper and herbs. This Pomerol continued to open up throughout the day, slowly revealing its historic pedigree and terroir. For a wine that is ready to drink, or can be cellared for another two decades, all for $29.99 this new K&L offering is a no-brainer!

Price: $29.99

2019 K&L Discovery Series Bordeaux, Pomerol

By: Simon Li | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email

The 2019 Discovery Series is a compelling expression of Pomerol from a stellar Vintage. The nose presents a vibrant bouquet of ripe plum and black cherry, with a distinct blackcurrant note. Subtle hints of mint and a floral lift of violet add layers of complexity. On the palate, the wine is powerfully fruit driven, showcasing a concentrated core of black fruit balanced by fresh acidity. The finish is supported by polished tannins, providing amazing structure for the wine to evolve beautifully over the next 5-10 years. Experiencing the character and prestige of Pomerol. one of France's most exclusive regions, for just 29.99 makes this a truly remarkable find!

Price: $29.99

2019 K&L Discovery Series Bordeaux, Pomerol

By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email

Our Discovery Series has arrived! At the heart of this program is a mission to showcase wines of impeccable quality, unmistakable regional typicité, and exceptional value. As I often say, we’re not simply putting a label on someone’s latest release—we’re curating standout selections from our deep and trusted network of producers. Each wine must distinguish itself from its peers, often outperforming bottles that sell for many times the price. Only those that meet this high bar earn a place in the lineup. From one of the most treasured terroirs in the world of fine wine, it’s nothing short of a coup to bottle an exclusive Pomerol of this caliber and deliver it for under $30. This is land where bottles typically fetch $100 to $3,000, simply because production is so limited and quality so high. The plateau of Pomerol is defined by its unique gravel and iron-rich clay soils, which yield wines of remarkable complexity, richness, texture, luxury, and longevity. I was captivated by this particular selection for its quintessential Pomerol character: gorgeous red fruits, striking density, and a textured palate that reflects the famed mosaic of soils beneath the vines. It is a wine that could come from nowhere else. We’ll count ourselves fortunate if we can continue to collaborate on future vintages. This is a delicious, complex, and thoroughly enjoyable Pomerol that easily merits double the price, and one that will be a standout on our shelves while it’s in stock.

Price: $29.99

Pierre Mineral Brut Rosé Champagne

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email

Really full-fruited nose with red berries, red apple, lemon, and little touches of this really seductive creamy cherry. The palate has bright blood orange, green apple, a little bit of chalky raspberry and then a long and lingering finish that just pushes little touches of fruit and a long line of acidity through the whole palate. This is a really nice option with more fruit without getting too heavy or rich on the palate. It dances this line and really is just another great bottle of Champagne for the right person. Definitely will be picking a couple up, I think this would absolutely bang with breakfast.

Price: $49.99

Pierre Mineral Brut Rosé Champagne

By: Graham Collis | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email

This is a fantastic example of Champagne rosé at an excellent price. The nose and palate are vibrant and full of energy, opening with aromas of slightly underripe strawberry and freshly baked, buttery croissant. On the palate, concentrated flavors of strawberry and wild raspberry take center stage. The finish is bright and precise, driven by razor-sharp acidity. This is a wine that begs to be enjoyed on a sunny day.

Price: $49.99

2018 Giuseppe Quintarelli Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email

The benchmark. The absolute gold standard. I am constantly warning people away from the heavy, residual-sugar bombs that dominate the commercial Amarone market, and this wine is the reason why. Quintarelli’s Amarone is not a dessert wine; it is a serious, bone-dry, structural masterpiece. This wine is legendary for a reason.

Price: $399.99

2021 Talenti Brunello "Piero" di Montalcino

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email

The "Piero" is the cru dedicated to the founder of the estate, born from a strict parcel selection of their oldest and most magnificently exposed vines. This is a wine that does not seek immediate consensus or crowd-pleasing softness. It doesn’t pretend to be what is not. The aromatic profile is darker and more introspective than the base bottling: wild blackberry, graphite, pressed violet, and an unmistakable ferrous stamp. It is the staple of this vineyard, after all. As it breathes in the glass, it reveals deep layers of licorice root and crushed rock. An absolute masterpiece of terroir definition, destined to become one of the absolute heavyweights of this legendary vintage. If you like bolder, darker style of Brunello. This is it for sure,

Price: $119.99

2021 Talenti Brunello di Montalcino

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email

It is a common mistake to associate the southern sector of Montalcino (Sant'Angelo in Colle) exclusively with solar power and heavy extraction. In a perfectly balanced vintage like 2021, Talenti dismantles this preconception, giving us a Brunello that vibrates. The nose has an immediate balsamic drive. You won't find sweet or overripe fruit here, but rather a core of "crunchy" cherry and blood orange, wrapped in notes of Mediterranean scrub (macchia), wild mint, and a distinct earthy minerality. On the palate, it is straight, tense, and vertical. It completely bypasses that mid-palate heaviness that sometimes afflicts the southern quadrant; instead, it drives forward with an enviable saline tension and nerve.

Price: $59.99

2021 Trediberri "Berri" Barolo

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email

If you want to understand the electric, nervous energy of this classic vintage, Trediberri’s "Berri" is exactly where you need to look. Nicola Oberto is crafting some of the most transparent, terroir-driven wines in La Morra right now, and the 2021 is just a smoking success. As most of you know at this point, La Morra terroir produces wine of extreme elegance, vibrancy. The Berri cru sits at the extreme western edge of the La Morra Village zone, heavily influenced by cooling winds from the Tanaro River. In a structured, powerful vintage like 2021, this cooler microclimate is the magic ticket. This wine completely bypasses heavy extraction; instead, it relies on a beautiful, vertical spine of acidity and pure aromatic lift. I’m obsessed by this, honestly, If I could, I’d drink this every day. The nose is a high-toned, blood-orange peel, and white pepper to take the scene. But there is a distinct balsamic edge here that balances the high tone characteristics of this producer. On the palate, it vibrates. This is the definition of "crunchy" Nebbiolo. It doesn't expand horizontally with sweet fruit; it drives forward with a linear, saline tension. While many 2021 Barolos are currently brooding, inward-looking monsters, the Berri offers a crystalline transparency that makes it intellectually thrilling right out of the gate. This are the types of wines that make me love this grape, a true gem.

Price: $59.99

2021 Fattoria dei Barbi Brunello di Montalcino

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email

When we talk about the history and soul of Montalcino, Fattoria dei Barbi is foundational. In a classic, perfectly balanced vintage like 2021, this estate is exactly where you want to look for traditional, unmanipulated brilliance. This is the benchmark annata, and it makes no apologies for being distinctly old-school. This isn't a wine trying to be a modern fruit bomb. The nose is incredibly savory and deeply rooted in the earth. On the palate, it is all about tension and "crunchy" red fruit. It bypasses the sweet, fleshy mid-palate of the modernists and instead offers a firm, vertical spine of acidity. The tannins are traditional, and grippy, driving a mouthwatering, saline finish that begs for a roasted boar ragù, yum. It’s consistently the best value of the region.

Price: $54.99

2023 Schiopetto Friulano Collio

By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email

When I first tasted Schiopetto's M Collio Friulano, I instantly became a fan. Luckily, this entry level Fruilano bottling offers a comparable experience, at a level of complexity for a fraction of the price. Bruised apricots, ripe citrus, lemon skin, fresh quince, jasmine tea, and wet gravel. Texturally, nice delicate tannins, and a crisp, refreshing finish.

Price: $27.99

JS: 95

RP: 90

2023 Schiopetto Sauvignon Blanc Collio

By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email

Sauvignon Blancs from Northern Italy is a category I've been exploring lately. Often more expressive and distinctive, offering a fresh take on the famous varietal. Aromas of plump stone fruits, fresh lemons, yellow pear, slices of ginger, a touch of dried herbs. On the palate, crisp, clean, lively, with a nice, slight viscosity on the finish. Delicious!

Price: $27.99

JS: 95

RP: 91

Pierre Mineral Brut Rosé Champagne

By: Lilia McIntosh | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email

This Champagne represents elegance in its purity! It's delicate but yet persistent and dry on the palate with distinctive light strawberry, hint of raspberry and white peach notes with pronounced minerality. Bright and ethereal beauty!

Price: $49.99

2022 Tread "Sierra Madre Vineyard" Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay

By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 2/25/2026 | Send Email

Focused and mineral driven, this chardonnay opens with aromas of lemon peel, green apple, and subtle wet stone, accented by restrained oak influence. The palate is bright and precise, with vibrant acidity supporting citrus and orchard fruit flavors layered with light savory complexity. the texture is clean and structured, with excellent balance between freshness and depth. A precise, site-driven Chardonnay emphasizing tension, minerality, and restrained elegance.

Price: Hidden

VN: 94

WE: 92

2021 Teusner "The Gentleman" Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley South Australia

By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 2/25/2026 | Send Email

Deep and concentrated, this Cabernet opens with aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, and dark plum, layered with notes of cedar, baking spice, and subtle eucalyptus. The palate is full-bodied and structured, with firm tannins supporting dense dark fruit and savory undertones. Oak is well integrated, adding depth without overwhelming the fruit. A bold yet balanced Barossa Cabernet emphasizing structure, richness, and classic varietal character.

Price: $21.99

JH: 92

JS: 92

2015 Bodegas Ontañon Reserva Rioja

By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 2/25/2026 | Send Email

Savory, woodsy and very delicious, this is a classic textbook example of a traditional Reserva Rioja. In recent years, there’s been a growing divide between the traditionalists and the modernists in this storied region. The split often lies within the decision to participate in the aging classification of Rioja, with the appellation required a minimum amount of time in oak barrels followed by additional time in bottle (in the case of Reserva, three years total). While many wineries are choosing to abandon this system of aging, in favor of labelling as generic Rioja, just as many are steadfastly dedicated to the classic manner of aging Rioja. This isn’t to say that one is better than the other – rather, there’s never been more choice and stylistic diversity in the region! The 2015 Ontañón Reserva Rioja is a wonderful option to explore the traditional style, at a very attractive price for a wine almost a decade old. Lovely vanilla and cocoa nib aromas surround earthy fallen leaves and dried red currant. Firmly medium-bodied, with smooth, supple tannins and bright, uplifting acidity, this wine is aged in both American and French oak barrels for two years, followed by several more in bottle, resulting in excellent balance and integration of flavors. It’s also still incredibly youthful for its age, and from an excellent vintage in Rioja, is a wine to stock up on.

Price: $24.99

JS: 93

WS: 90

2020 Celler Pardas "Hermós" Brut Nature Corpinnat (Cava)

By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 2/25/2026 | Send Email

I love honest sparkling wines that don’t try to be anything but themselves. While most others posture and preen, the 2020 Celler Pardas “Hermós” Brut Nature Corpinnat shows up to the dinner party in sexy black jeans, black boots, a tuxedo shirt, and a black leather jacket—looking like a million bucks. Soft, luxe, and creamy on the palate, it offers notes of quince, pear, lemon verbena, and amber honey—dry without being austere. It’s gorgeous and unusual in the most satisfying ways. ¡Viva la diferencia!

Price: $44.98

RP: 95

2021 Teusner "The Gentleman" Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley South Australia

By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 2/25/2026 | Send Email

Founded by former Torbreck winemaker Kym Teusner in 2001, Teusner Winery is winery to watch in the Barossa Valley. Kym was a student at the University of Adelaide studying business, but as he describes it, a chance encounter with a Barossa Valley Cabernet changed his trajectory and he quickly pivoted to study winemaking instead. Following his stint at Torbreck, he later worked with acclaimed Barossa winemaker Rolf Binder, so it’s accurate to say that Kym is an old vine Barossa expert in his own right now, crafting modern wines from ancient, dry-farmed vineyards. He believes in a light hand in the winery, including the use of manual pumpovers and well-seasoned French oak barrels to let the character of the ancient vines speak. The 2021 “The Gentleman” Cabernet Sauvignon is a great example of this approach. Inky and brooding at first approach, the wine has dense aromas of wild blackberry, plum and currant with a distinctive dried thyme streak running through the core of the wine. While the nose is quite powerful, the palate follows through with surprisingly refreshing acidity, and a lithe mouthfeel – the perfect balance between power and elegance. This wine is also immediately drinkable, offering up a lot of pleasure for an incredibly reasonable price. Try this one with a juicy steak or burger. It’s meaty, savory, concentrated, and really hard to stop at just one glass.

Price: $21.99

JH: 92

JS: 92

2021 Château Sainte-Eulalie "La Cantilene" Minervois La Liviniere

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 2/25/2026 | Send Email

Minervois is a region on the rise. This humble yet dramatic corner of the Languedoc-Roussillon has several key elements working in its favor. First, the Mediterranean climate provides ideal conditions for ripening Syrah and Grenache, delivering consistent phenolic maturity year after year. The growing seasons here strike that beautiful balance — ample sunshine tempered by cooling influences that preserve freshness. The soils are another major asset, particularly in the hills of La Livinière, the cru appellation within Minervois. Limestone dominates the landscape, much of it fractured and rocky, ensuring excellent drainage and encouraging deep root systems that bring both structure and mineral tension to the wines. Then there are the winds sweeping down from the Montagne Noire, providing vital airflow that keeps disease pressure low and makes organic and biodynamic farming not just possible, but prevalent. All of these terroir elements converge to produce some of the most compelling Syrah in the south of France. Château Sainte-Eulalie crafts particularly striking examples, and their Syrah-dominant cuvée, La Cantilène, is a lush, full-bodied expression of the region. Saturated and generous, it layers deep blackberry fruit with roasted plum, toasted rosemary, and hints of smoked meat. While the fruit is expansive, savory undertones provide lift and complexity, keeping each glass compelling. This is a terrific expression of Minervois — and a powerful reminder that some of France’s best values are still hiding in the hills somewhere off the beaten path.

Price: $24.99

JD: 94

2022 Matthiasson Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

By: Craig Morris | Review Date: 2/25/2026 | Send Email

New world fruit meets old world philosophy! This is California Cabernet, but picked on the less ripe side, with the overt tension of less alcohol and ripeness. The result is a restrained wine of elegance and purity. This is a less heavy wine than most California cab, providing a freshness and acidity to counter-balance the rich fruit. The tannins are polished and well integrated, resulting in a balanced, crunchy Cabernet you won't be able to put down.

Price: $79.95

DC: 99

2020 Domaine de Pallus "Les Pensees de Pallus" Chinon

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 2/24/2026 | Send Email

Really lovely and very typical nose, a lot of what I expected from a Chinon. I enjoy not being disappointed. There's some dusky fruit on the nose, but you can tell from the very first whiff that it's playing second fiddle to the dense and deep core that is brambles and thorns and dried herbs, it just smells a little wild like stepping into a pristine forest. There's lots of loam, more dried green herbs, a little thyme and tarragon, cracked black pepper, green peppercorns. It's so savory and complex and fun, I just want to have this with some braised meat and I would be the happiest boy this side of the Rockies. but alas I do not currently have braised meat. The palate is great, still very savory with some toasted tobacco and very fruity light-roast coffee on the lingering finish, eventually turning into a little cedar before finishing with a little dusty cherry. Fantastic wine at a super reasonable price. No jokes.

Price: $25.99

2020 Domaine de Pallus "Le Clos de Pallus" Chinon

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 2/24/2026 | Send Email

Cabernet Franc was one of my first loves in wine, I worked for a winery that bottled one and it was one of my favorite wines we made, it just had this twist that made it a little bit different, a little bit more interesting, and to this day I have a big ol' soft spot in my heart for the grape. This is just such a very French expression, in the best of ways. There's fruit there on the nose some blackberry, a little raspberry, something slightly crunchy as well, but then there's this kind of thorny green bramble of aroma running through the whole thing, with hints of bay, thyme, some dense and rich earth, and a little bit of fresh tobacco leaf in the very back. The more it opens, there's this kind of wilted rose petal around the edges, very subtle but pretty. The tannin is mid+ with a little bit of a grip, but it just wants some food. A little bit of black and red fruit on the front, but then it goes back into the more savory components, there's black tea and green peppercorn, a little bit more bay leaf, and then a lengthy finish that has just a touch of fruit around the very outside, but more spice and dried green herbs as it moves along. This is just so good, and with a meal it would be absolutely perfect.

Price: $39.99

JS: 94

VN: 93

CK: 92

2021 Château Sainte-Eulalie "La Cantilene" Minervois La Liviniere

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 2/24/2026 | Send Email

When I first popped open this bottle, I did as usual and took a sniff right from the neck just to see if it was corked before I put it in my glass, and there was this strong blueberry yogurt thing going on that was super compelling, now that it's in the glass the yogurt part has blown off and it's this slightly creamy plummy blueberry nose with just a little bit of something floral in the back. The fruit on the palate is less creamy than the nose, but there's still something very pleasantly round about the overall fruit. Definitely more dusky and dark than the nose, with a bit of a toasted tobacco note in the mid-finish before it turns more spicy. The tannins aren't out of control, just barely mid+ and while it wants food, it doesn't outright demand it. This is a very pleasant little bottle of wine for the price and really approachable right from the open.

Price: $24.99

JD: 94

2021 La Jota Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 2/24/2026 | Send Email

The 2021 La Jota is an absolute masterclass in Howell Mountain Cabernet. Winemaker Chris Carpenter—of Lokoya and Cardinale fame—may well be the finest craftsman of powerful yet poised, mountain-grown Cabernet of his generation. His monumental wines over the past few decades stand as a testament to unwavering dedication and precision. Few producers capture the immense power and intensity of site with such consistency, while maintaining vibrancy, dynamism, and refinement. From this historic estate, first planted in the late 1800s, the 2021 La Jota is a tour de force of Howell Mountain Cabernet. The nose is deeply expressive, redolent of crème de cassis, blackberry coulis, dried wildflowers, graphite, leather, charred oak spice, and crushed rock. There is beautiful tension between the richness of the fruit, the wild savory chaparral character of the mountain, and a firm mineral backbone. Structurally, the wine is muscular and brooding, yet the tannins are remarkably refined and fine-grained for such a powerful expression. It’s a Cabernet of both authority and precision, with exceptional balance and a long, resonant finish. An incredible wine with decades ahead of it. Enjoy now with an hour in the decanter, or cellar confidently for 20+ years. Our limited-time Insider’s Advantage pricing offers a very rare opportunity to secure this iconic Howell Mountain Cabernet at nearly 40% below its typical retail price.

Price: Hidden

2020 Domaine de Pallus "Les Pensees de Pallus" Chinon

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 2/23/2026 | Send Email

Everything I love about Chinon is captured in this glass. A vibrant mix of spiced cherries, violets, and black olive is lifted by notes of wild thyme. The interplay between fruit and savory elements keeps the wine beautifully balanced and makes it incredibly versatile at the table. My favorite pairing? Herb-roasted chicken with potatoes tossed in the pan drippings. Absolute perfection.

Price: $25.99

2021 Heitz Cellar Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 2/23/2026 | Send Email

For more than half a century, Heitz Napa Valley Cabernet has stood as a benchmark for the region. Few names are as synonymous with Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon; it unquestionably belongs among the valley’s handful of true icons and remains a standard-bearer for New World Cabernet as a whole. What I’ve always admired about Heitz—both under its original ownership and now with Lawrence Wine Estates—is its unwavering commitment to its own vision. The wines have never chased fashion, nor bent to the fleeting preferences of critics. A steadfast dedication to estate farming, traditional winemaking, and a clearly defined house style has always set Heitz apart from the crowd. A visit to the old stone winery tucked into the hills east of St. Helena—still home to massive, antique (and very much in use) oak foudres—perfectly illustrates how deeply rooted in tradition these wines are. Longtime winemaker Brittany Sherwood deserves tremendous credit for maintaining remarkable continuity through the 2018 change in ownership. Quality remains as high as ever, with the wines staying true to their historic style. The 2021 vintage at Heitz is simply spectacular. A year that played directly into the hands of a producer with exceptional vineyard holdings and a philosophy centered on longevity. A small, deeply concentrated crop delivered power and structure in abundance. True to form, the wines underwent an extended élevage—more than two years in a combination of French oak barrels and large-format neutral foudre, followed by a minimum of another year in bottle before release. That patience in the winery's cellar means you don’t have to wait: the wine is already beautifully polished and primed for decades of graceful evolution in your cellar. The 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet is a blend of estate and single-vineyard sources. As one of the largest landowners in the valley, with over 400 acres of organically farmed vineyards, Heitz has an extraordinary palette of sites from which to draw. The core of the wine comes from the famed Trailside Vineyard in Rutherford, with contributions from Howell Mountain, Oakville, St. Helena, Calistoga, and Oak Knoll. In the glass, the wine is both classic and compelling. Aromas of lavender, briar patch, cedar, and tobacco lead into a dark, concentrated fruit profile of blackcurrant, mulberry coulis, and bittersweet baker’s chocolate, with subtle menthol notes lending lift and freshness to the black and blue fruits. Medium-plus in body with impressive concentration and flavor, it remains poised and never heavy—no overt oak sweetness, just pure, expressive Cabernet character. If you were to look up “Classic Napa Cabernet” in the dictionary, this wine would be a fitting illustration. Proof, once again, that when something isn’t broken, there’s no need to fix it.

Price: $69.95

2020 Domaine de Pallus "Le Clos de Pallus" Chinon

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 2/23/2026 | Send Email

I love the old-school vibe of this classic Chinon. Aromas of blackcurrant, olive tapenade, and roasted red pepper leap from the glass. As the wine opens, beautiful floral and herbal notes emerge — rosehip, freshly picked sage — adding lift and complexity. The palate shows lovely texture, with tannins that are just beginning to melt into the background. This is my favorite OG Cabernet Franc on the shelf right now — savory, terroir driven, and perfectly suited to the table. It would shine alongside smoked duck, braised pork, or a classic tête de veau.

Price: $39.99

JS: 94

VN: 93

CK: 92

2021 Heitz Cellar Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

By: Noah Schwartz | Review Date: 2/21/2026 | Send Email

This Cabernet caught me by surprise. As someone who prefers old, round, and rich wines. I was impressed by how many of those qualities it already has at a relatively young age. The ripe black fruit and the leather notes stand out the most, but what really won me over was its balance - just the right amount of acidity, with soft tannins that aren't overwhelming. I would definitely have it again, and I can’t wait to see how it develops with a few more years on it.

Price: $69.95

2023 Castello Monaci "Pilùna" Primitivo Salento

By: Noah Schwartz | Review Date: 2/21/2026 | Send Email

This wine reminded me why I love the Italians- they know how to enjoy a simple glass of wine just as much as a complex one. It’s packed with red fruit, black cherry, a touch of vanilla, and warm spice. The tannins are ripe and smooth, balanced by a pleasant tartness and just a hint of sweetness on the finish. Medium-bodied and nicely textured, it coats your mouth with juicy, jammy flavors. This is the kind of wine you can open any day, with no special reason needed- easy, fun, and deeply colored. At this price point, it’s definitely becoming a regular at my house.

Price: $16.99

JS: 90

2022 Cantina Terlano "Vorberg" Pinot Bianco Riserva Alto Adige

By: Noah Schwartz | Review Date: 2/21/2026 | Send Email

This wine grabbed me right away. That golden-lemon color had me expecting something layered and interesting- and it really delivered. As a Chardonnay lover, I found that Pinot Bianco is now my favorite variety to explore. It's mineral and crisp, with pear, green apple, and floral notes. It has a medium body and a great texture with a long, satisfying finish. For my taste, it doesn't fall far from the complex, barrel-aged, round white wines I usually look for. If you like white Burgundy or Alsace, you're in for a treat with this one.

Price: $54.99

DC: 96

2023 Schiopetto Friulano Collio

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/20/2026 | Send Email

This is the signature wine of the estate and the region. If you want to understand Friuli, you start here. It is classic Tocai Friulano—textured and slightly oily on the palate, with that unmistakable bitter almond finish that acts as a palate cleanser. It smells of wildflowers, pear skin, and wet stone. It is the ultimate prosciutto wine.

Price: $27.99

JS: 95

RP: 90

2023 Schiopetto Sauvignon Blanc Collio

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/20/2026 | Send Email

Schiopetto’s Sauvignon is not like New Zealand or Sancerre. It is distinctly Friulian. It has the varietal "green" notes—tomato leaf, sage, and mint—but it also has a weight and density that you only find in the Collio. It is creamy, savory, and long, with a piercing mineral backbone.

Price: $27.99

JS: 95

RP: 91

2023 Schiopetto Pinot Grigio Collio

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/20/2026 | Send Email

Please, erase everything you know about "supermarket Pinot Grigio." This is the real deal. In the hands of Schiopetto, Pinot Grigio becomes a serious wine. It has structure and grip. It offers notes of golden delicious apple, hay, and acacia honey. It is rich enough to handle white meats and complex pasta dishes.

Price: $27.99

JS: 95

2022 Schiopetto M Collio Friulano

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/20/2026 | Send Email

This is not just a wine; it is a benchmark for Friulano. The 'M' stands for Mario, and it is created from the estate's oldest vines, planted in 1954. These 70-year-old roots dig deep into the marl, producing a wine of shocking complexity and depth. Interestingly, there is a touch of Riesling in the blend here. This secret weapon lifts the aromatics and adds a vibrating nerve of acidity to the rich Friulano fruit. And crucially, there is no wood here. This is pure, unadulterated terroir. It is incredibly aromatic, bursting with notes of crushed sea shell, brine, white roses, and honey blossom. On the palate, it is racy and refined, with savory layers of dried mushrooms, schist, and ash. It has a medium body but an intensity that feels weightless. Suckling calls it "very aromatic... with a racy and refined texture that gives so much length and beauty." This is a white wine that will age effortlessly, but it is already singing right now. If you only buy one white wine from Friuli this year, make it this one.

Price: $79.99

JS: 96

VN: 93

2023 Berta Valgañón "Selección Maturana Tinta" Rioja

By: Vanessa Serrano | Review Date: 2/20/2026 | Send Email

What a charming wine! On the nose you get blackberry and currant backed by a lightly herbal note. On the palate, the black fruit notes give way to a leathery and dark chocolate finish. There is a subtle gaminess that is so well integrated that the wine feels rustic, yet polished. If you're looking for more modern expressions of Rioja or you're looking to learn more about lesser known grapes from Spain, this is a great place to start.

Price: $29.99

TA: 93

Damien Hugot Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru

By: Vanessa Serrano | Review Date: 2/20/2026 | Send Email

I'm always excited to see the Damein Hugot back on our shelves! The extra brut is my favorite in the line up, it's expressive, pretty, and sits at a great price point. The nose is inviting, with aromas of orchard fruit, lemon, and honey. On the palate you get notes of yellow apple and a lovely creamy texture balanced by punchy acidity. This is a great crowd pleaser, pick up a bottle or two for your next party!

Price: $49.99

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