K&L Wine Merchants - Staff Favorites

1997 Auchroisk 26 Year Old "Old Malt Cask 25th Anniversary" Single Bourbon Barrel Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 2/20/2026 | Send Email

In the hands of an independent bottler, Auchroisk really gets a chance to step out of the shadows of the big blends. While it’s naturally a delicate and polite spirit, the 100-proof treatment from Old Malt Cask gives it some much-needed backbone, highlighting a hidden spiciness and a creamy mouthfeel that usually gets lost. It’s the kind of whisky that doesn't try to overpower you with peat or heavy sherry; instead, it offers a balanced, crisp experience that showcases the pure, honeyed essence of Speyside malt. This one starts with a bright fresh orchard on the nose, surprising for its age, but emblematic of the stunning distillate and its ability to mature ever so patiently. Apples and pears, ensconced in orange blossom honey, encase the palate as it takes you on a journey through the Scottish countryside. Floral and elegant with a touch of winter spice, this is a beautiful release and one to savor and enjoy while it lasts.

Price: $325.00

1994 Tomatin 28 Year Old "Old Malt Cask" Single Hogshead Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 2/20/2026 | Send Email

This is exactly what you want from a Tomatin single cask, and more. The refill hogshead allows the foundation to shine, giving just the right amount of barrel maturation without over oaking it and hiding the stunning nuance. Rich maltiness shines on the nose, along with buttery, honey graham cracker crust and lemon zest, coconut cream, and hint of fresh cut grass. The palate shines with sea-salted crème brûlée , a touch of raspberry jam, heather, and hay, which lasts forever, finally landing with creamy, apple buttery finish. This is another stunning OMC release of a distillery not commonly available and a beautiful taste of 1990s distillation.

Price: $324.99

1996 Fettercairn 26 Year "Old Malt Cask 25th Annivesary" Single Hogshead Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 2/20/2026 | Send Email

When you find a Fettercairn under an independent label like Old Malt Cask, it’s usually a standout because that signature tropical fruitiness handles the higher proof beautifully. The cooling ring process gives the spirit a distinct weight and sweetness that feels substantial on the palate without being heavy or smoky. It’s a sophisticated Highland pour that manages to be both refreshing and complex, offering a different kind of fruit-forward profile than what you typically find in the region. The nose on this 26 Year Old brings a touch of dunnage must behind the buttery pie crust, baked pear, lemon oil, butterscotch, and cigar box cedar. The palate is rich and oily, but fresh, with grilled pineapple, toasted coconut, honeyed pastries, and a bit of cinnamon dust, which settles over time into light toffee cream and dry, sweet sandalwood.

Price: $325.00

Damien Hugot Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru

By: Craig Morris | Review Date: 2/19/2026 | Send Email

Damien Hugot always impresses me with the acidity and precision of his wines, and this is no exception. Comprised of fruit from Grand Cru sites in Cramant and Chouilly, this wine has that trademark Hugot acidity, but also with lots of citrus and limoncello notes. And although it's an Extra Brut, it is rich and creamy so as not to be austere. It's a balanced, delicious bottle of Champagne at a great price!

Price: $49.99

2018 Fallet-Dart Extra Brut Champagne

By: Graham Collis | Review Date: 2/19/2026 | Send Email

The nose bursts with perfectly ripe red apple while underlying toastiness and minerality lends elegance. On the palate, the apple steps slightly back, allowing the minerality, fine bubbles, and vibrant acidity to shine. The ripeness of the apple character negates any need for a higher dosage. This checks every box I want from a vintage Champagne, and at fifty dollars, it can’t be beat.

Price: $49.99

Dérot-Delugny "Retour en Avant" Brut

By: Graham Collis | Review Date: 2/19/2026 | Send Email

This wine truly surprised me. I was worried that Pinot Gris’ high aromatics would overpower the nuance and elegance that defines Champagne, but with one sniff these worries were put to rest. The nose is toasty and chalky, as champagne should be, but still expresses the aromatic profile of Pinot Gris. There is a ton of red apple, pear, and honey on the nose. The palate confirms the nose and is beautifully complemented by a firm streak of acidity. If you like the generous fruit of Prosecco and are interested in trying something more refined, I would give this a try!

Price: $49.99

Knob Creek 10 Year Old "Cask Strength Single Barrel Select - Warehouse J Floor 5 Rick 20" K&L Exclusive Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)

By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 2/19/2026 | Send Email

We got ourselves yet another fantastic Knob Creek cask strength bourbon, and this one crosses over the decade line. Combining the classic Knob Creek flavors with another level of spicy nuttiness, this is a great one for the collection. The nose brings forward some charred peanut brittle, bold cinnamon and cardamom, sawdust and steel, and a touch of caramelized banana. The palate is big and robust, as the baking spices come forward even more, sharing space with the dense oaky char. Clove, licorice, and leather remain on the palate, and a touch of water settles the 125.1 proof liquid down a touch to pop out a little more of the roasted vanilla and stone fruit sweetness underneath.

Price: $64.99

2016 Lagrange, St-Julien

By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 2/19/2026 | Send Email

Lagrange is one of the great hidden gems of the unforgettable 2016 vintage. Whether it’s the unanimous acclaim, the dueling 97-point scores, its 30+ year aging potential, prime Left Bank terroir, or the Goldilocks nature of the vintage, this is the complete package. Add perfect provenance, and it stands out as one of the best buys on the tenth anniversary of the 2016 growing season. The key to this vintage—and what Lagrange captures so well—is its concentration of fruit paired with true elegance: a seamless balance of acidity, fruit, and tannin, offering structure while remaining approachable. Cabernet Sauvignon leads the blend (70%), showcasing classic aromatics of cassis and cigar wrapper, with deep red fruit unfolding across the palate. Time in bottle has elevated the wine to another level, yet there is still a long road ahead for 2016 Lagrange. For a quintessential, ageworthy, classic St-Julien, this is a brilliant buy with few peers.

Price: $74.99

2019 Oddero "Bussia Mondoca" Barolo Riserva

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email

While the 2021s are about electric energy, the 2019 Riserva is about classic, structural power. Sourced from the upper part of the Mondoca vineyard in Monforte d’Alba, this is not a "fruit bomb." At this stage, the fruit has receded to reveal the soul of the soil: tar, licorice root, dried herbs, and scorched earth. It is incredibly savory. On the palate, it is full and enveloping, with the significant tannic mass typical of Monforte. If you love Barolo with "grip" and earthy depth, this is the benchmark. What a wine, drink now, in a year or in 20. This will deliver at each stage.

Price: $129.99

RP: 96

VN: 96

DC: 94

2021 Oddero "Brunate" Barolo

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email

Brunate is fascinating because it sits in La Morra, which we associate with elegance, but it behaves with the power of a Serralunga wine. It is the "masculine" side of the village. In 2021, Oddero’s Brunate is a powerhouse of balsamic complexity. The fruit profile shifts darker here, but it is immediately lifted by a huge wave of wild mint, eucalyptus, and truffle. On the palate, it has more weight and density than the Villero, but the acidity of the vintage keeps it from feeling heavy. It is plush, velvety, but with a firm, saline finish that keeps it fresh. A flashier style of Barolo that can be the perfect first transitional bottle if you are coming from Napa and similar.

Price: $119.99

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

By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email

Precise and mineral driven, this Brut Nature opens with aromas of green apple, citrus peel, and subtle brioche from extended aging. The palate is bright and sharply defined, with fine mousse, vibrant acidity, and excellent tension throughout. Zero dosage highlights the wine's purity, allowing crisp orchard fruit and mineral notes of carry the finish. A focused terroir-driven Corpinnat emphasizing structure, precision, and long lees complexity.

Price: $44.98

RP: 95

2015 Bodegas Ontañon Reserva Rioja

By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email

Showing clear maturity, this Reserva opens with aromas of dried red fruit, leather, and pronounced oak influence. The palate is structured and savory, with notes of dried cherry, spice, and integrated tannins supported by firm oak presence. The texture is smooth and developed, with secondary complexity emerging alongside lingering oak and earthy undertones. A classic aged Rioja emphasizing structure, oak character, and traditional Reserva depth.

Price: $24.99

JS: 93

WS: 90

2019 Señorio de Sarría "Viñedo Uno" Garnacha Crianza Navarra

By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email

A more structured, oak-influenced Garnacha showing aromas of black cherry, plum, and baking spice. the palate is fuller-bodied, with dark fruit, integrated oak, and firm polished tannins. Savory undertones and subtle spice carry through the long, balanced finish. A great example of Garnacha with added depth, structure, and savory complexity from oak aging.

Price: Hidden

JS: 93

2024 Viña Zorzal Garnacha Navarra

By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email

Bright and expressive, this Garnacha opens with aromas of ripe black cherry, raspberry, and subtle mineral notes. The palate is juicy and fruit forward, with dark red fruits, soft tannins and excellent balance. A mineral undertone adds structure, while the finish remains smooth and focused. A fantastic value and an excellent introduction to the purity and drinkability Navarra Garnacha.

Price: $14.99

DC: 93

RP: 92

VN: 90

Billecart-Salmon "Le Rosé" Champagne

By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email

Billecart's "Le Rose" is not only one of the best-selling and highly rated rose champagnes in the world, but its release in 1970 was an announcement that rose champagne was now a thing - a luxurious, premium sparkling category that had never existed in Champagne's long and storied history. Made in the "assemblage method" -- adding still red wine to the blend -- Le Rose is 43% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Noir, and 24% Meunier. The dosage was dropped from 9g/l to 5.1g/l, resulting in a much drier and more refined style of champagne. This is the reason for the name change from Brut Rose to Le Rose. The current release is Extra Brut. Next year, it may be brut again. Billecart will make that decision once each harvest is complete. Wines were fermented in stainless steel tanks and went through partial malolactic fermentation to preserve freshness. When Billecart-Salmon decided to make a rose champagne, they approached it with the idea that if tasted blind, you wouldn't know it was a rose because its elegance and finesse would match that of regular champagne. It's a historical fact that their approach worked like gangbusters, and Billecart's Le Rose has become THE iconic offering from this old Grand Marque. Just one of those champagnes that always lives up to its hype.

Price: $89.99

2023 Berta Valgañón "Selección Maturana Tinta" Rioja

By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email

My goth past has come back to haunt me. This is winsome nostalgia in a glass. The 2023 Berta Valgañón “Selección Maturana Tinta” Rioja is dark, inky, and hypnotic, with intriguing notes of cassis, smoldering clove cigarette, glossy black lipstick, Choward’s violet candies, incense, and leather, all wrapped in a plush, velvety mouthfeel. It’s lights-out lovely and highly recommended. Made from Maturana Tinta with a splash of Garnacha by a one-woman winery with an annual output of a mere 1,500 cases. Pay attention as Berta Valgañón is one to watch!

Price: $29.99

TA: 93

CVNE Brut Cava Penedès

By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email

CVNE Brut Cava Penedès is composed of 40% Xarel-lo, 30% Macabeo, and 30% Parellada, aged 9–12 months on its lees before disgorgement and finished with a 9 g/L dosage. It’s a sound choice for midweek bubbles, a quality base for sparkling cocktails, or as a festive aperitif for gatherings. In classic Brut style, it offers notes of poached pear, light honey, and flint, carried through by an easy-breezy touch of lemon squeezy finish.

Price: $11.99

2022 Matthiasson Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email

The 2022 Napa Valley vintage was "legit tough" because of a terroir-turning heat wave that divided the wines into those made with grapes picked before the heat wave and those that were picked during and after. Before, resulted in bright, fresh, and crunchy reds that are easy on the palate, but lack some of the complexity that more time on the vine may have developed. After, are big, plush, wines pressed from grapes bursting with sugar. The 2002 Matthiasson Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon falls into the first category, and the result is a beautifully complex, classic, old-school, Napa Cab coming in at a delectable 13% ABV. Layered with dusty black fruit, bell pepper, eucalyptus, baking spices, herbs, and subtle notes of vanilla, clove, and cedar. Ready to drink and will evolve for years to come!

Price: $79.95

DC: 99

2023 Bishop's Peak (Talley) San Luis Obispo Coast Pinot Noir

By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email

If you're looking for a sub-$15 Pinot Noir that will blow your mind, this is it. It has a Burgundian profile (20% new French oak, forest floor, garrigue, mushroom) with a California twist (crunchy ripe red fruit, dark cherry, herbs, and spice). A crowd-pleasing domestic Pinot that punches way above its price point. Load up now. This one will go fast.

Price: Hidden

WE: 93

VN: 90

Rhys "Perpetual Reserve" California Sparkling Wine

By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email

The question I have when I see a domestic sparkling wine for $60, is, "What champagne can I get for $60 and is this as good?" The answer is almost always, "Plenty and 'no'." There are a few exceptions, and this Rhys Perpetual Reserve is one of them. The first thing to know about Rhys is that they have 9 estate vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains and Anderson Valley. The grapes (i.e. clones and rootstocks) Rhy's uses in their sparkling wine is planted specifically for that purpose, so they're coming from plots that will maximize acidity levels. The perpetual reserve is a solera style blend from 2016-2023, comprised of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir sourced from Bearhollow in Anderson Valley and Mt. Pajaro in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The seven-vintages-old-perpetual-blend is 30% of the cuvee, 70% is the harvest year, and it is then aged for 3 years on the lees with a dosage of 5.g/L after disgorgement. The result is a complex creamy sparkling wine with lemon custard, orchard fruit, zippy acidity, brioche, and zesty mineral laden finish. Add some chalk and it could be champagne!

Price: $59.95

2023 Luis Pato Vinhas Velhas Bairrada

By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email

The 2023 Luis Pato Vinhas Velhas Bairrada hails from 100% estate-grown Baga planted on clay and limestone soils. Fermented in stainless steel and aged 18 months in neutral oak, it offers baskets of ripe blackberry, briny olive, dried violets, and zesty blood orange, with a subtle touch of vanilla riding waves of muscular tannins. Decant if opening young, and serve alongside roasted meats and vegetables or a charcuterie board of aged cheeses and cured meats.

Price: $39.99

RP: 94

2024 Filipa Pato "Post Quercus" Baga Bairrada

By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email

Composed of amphora-aged Baga from 80+-year-old vines, the 2024 Filipa Pato “Post Quercus” Baga Bairrada is feral and earthy in a way that quickens the pulse. Notes of dark plum, clean saddle leather, dried herbs, and sun-baked soil evoke a wine shaped more by land than by human hand. Powerful yet composed, it carries a deep sense of place, finishing with hints of black raspberry and leather. Its vibrant acidity makes it an easy partner at the dinner table. For prime deliciousness, pair with hard or smoky cheeses, BBQ, or grilled meat.

Price: $39.99

JS: 94

Willett Family Estate 4 Year Old Small Batch Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email

Few whiskeys elicit more longing than the Willett 'Purple Tops'. This legendary Family Reserve line started about 20 years ago using highly sought-after sourced barrels, including some famous pre-fire Heaven Hill stocks that enthusiasts have hunted for decades. Since Willett began distilling their own spirit in 2012, the Family Reserve line has continued to showcase some of their finest liquid, all nonchillfiltered and bottled at cask strength. The only problem for most fans has been the limited supply and overwhelming cost, with many bottles fetching hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Thankfully, they have introduced a younger, more accessibly priced offering for the masses and connoisseurs alike. This is definitive Willett. Even at only four years old, the nose brings a warm, oaky mustiness characteristic of their older 7 to 14-year-old expressions. You are greeted by maple, banana skin, dried apricot, and brown sugar, along with a touch of tanned leather and a breath of effervescent cream soda. On the palate, cinnamon and cocoa enter to complement the woody maple and torched Madagascar vanilla bean. The 123.6 proof is surprising because it drinks a little softer than the numbers suggest, though it remains bold and robust. The finish lands with a bit of apple pie crust and forest floor. A splash of water is welcome here, as it softens the heat and further opens up an oily maple sweetness that stays constant throughout the pour. This is a wonderful, affordable way to experience the Willett legend, and I am glad to see it become a permanent fixture in their lineup.

Price: $69.99

2022 Schiopetto M Collio Friulano

By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email

Beautiful aromas and flavors of plump apricots, white nectarine, lemon curd, quality macadamia nuts, chamomile tea, white mushrooms, and a touch of tarragon. There's a lot happening here. Vibrant, yet lush, with a very long finish. Take your time with this. The wine keeps evolving and every sip equally delicious. One of the most complex Friulano I've tasted so far.

Price: $79.99

JS: 96

VN: 93

2023 Domaine Parent Bourgogne Côte d'Or Rouge "Sélection Pomone"

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email

Always a favorite producer for me! This newly released 2023 has deep red cherry fruit with an upper palate of cedar and subtle herbs. It is relatively mouth-coating and deep with a finish of black cherries and black raspberries. It is composed of all Pommard fruit! This is a supremely delicious wine.

Price: Hidden

2023 Domaine Gerard Mugneret Vosne Romanee "Cuvee Quatrain"

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email

This one is a very rare four star pick for me. Most likely the best red Burgundy that I have had in the last six months. Beautifully floral nose with violets and rose petals. The fruit on the nose is cherry dominant, and this carries over onto the palate with violet pastille and Asian spices. My initial note on it is "Sooo wonderful!". That is definitely what it is. Worth every penny!

Price: $139.99

JM: 91 - 94

RP: 89 - 91

BH: 88 - 91

2024 Domaine Dominique & Janine Crochet Sancerre

By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email

Aromas and flavors of fresh stone fruits, crunchy yellow pears, quality jasmine tea, and chalky minerality. Delicious, refreshing, lively, and easy drinking. Cheers!

Price: $29.99

Wine Club

$24.99

2023 Domaine Jean-Marc Pillot Bourgogne Rouge "Les Grandes Terres"

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email

This is a very pretty, black raspberry laden Bourgogne with just the right amount of earth and spice. A light and balanced touch of these. The is also a very nice minerality and firm acidity on the finish. It's just plain lovely and very, very drinkable!

Price: $44.99

2021 Donvitantonio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email

Fascinating aromas of savory dried herbs. Sage, parsley, and a touch of tarragon. Explosive flavors blackberries, peppercorn, dark coffee beans, a hint of black olives and persimmon. Delicious on its own, will elevate any poultry dish. Cheers!

Price: $13.99

JS: 90

2023 Manincor "Il Conte" Vigneti delle Dolomiti

By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email

Lagrein, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. I had not tasted this blend before, but now I am very intrigued. Aromas of kirsch, pomegranate, and hibiscus. On the palate, refreshing flavors of plums, ripe figs, black cherries, and dark chocolate. A light bodied, chillable red, that is equally delightful as it is complex. One of my personal favorites from the Italian section at the moment.

Price: $39.99

JS: 92

2019 Fallet-Dart "Pur Meunier" Champagne

By: Graham Collis | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email

If you were to look up Meunier in a dictionary, this should be the definition. It checks every box that I look for in Champagne-- bright crunchy fruit, sweet creaminess, savory yeastiness, and a salty chalky minerality. The palate has weight and flesh, and finishes with a jolt of electric acidity that literally makes my mouth water. This bottle rejects the notion that Meunier is just a blending grape. Buy it while you can!

Price: $69.99

2023 Bishop's Peak (Talley) San Luis Obispo Coast Pinot Noir

By: John Downing | Review Date: 2/17/2026 | Send Email

I love Pinot Noir but rarely come across ones I like at value price points. This one, however, is outstanding. It's high quality fruit from Edna Valley and the Talley Estate vineyards that truly over delivers. It's soft, fresh and flavorful and drinks perfectly now. This is a serious sleeper pick!

Price: Hidden

WE: 93

VN: 90

2023 Bodegas Frontonio "Microcosmico" Macabeo Aragon

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 2/17/2026 | Send Email

This might have been my standout wine from the staff tasting that we did today. I immediately fell in love with the nose, it's so pretty with orchard fruit cushioned with white flowers. I could just sit here and smell this all day, I'm just super enchanted. While it's mostly peaches, there's some apricot, a little fresh red apple, and a little bit of mixed citrus zest and then just everything surrounded by pretty white flowers more honeysuckle than jasmine. The palate is really juicy and fresh, apricot, crisp red apple, lemon candy, and a little bit of orange zest just bring so much to the party with this lingering fresh finish that just goes and goes. I really really dig this, for the price it's such an easy choice. This is fabulous, you're fabulous, let's just go for it.

Price: $21.99

RP: 93

2021 Celler Pardas "Pur" Xarel-lo Penedès

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 2/17/2026 | Send Email

This is a very interesting wine, it's the still wine from a producer that does Corpinnat (fancy Cava) and it really has the nose of a sparkling wine, there's a touch of lees, a kind of tree-fruit and citrus component, which I think actually makes it a little bit more compelling to me, there's this kind of mystery and intrigue when expectations are subverted. The palate too has a similar kind of thing going on where you almost expect there to be bubbles just by the palate alone, but it's deliciously still with very similar fruit to the nose and a lingering zest on the finish. I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected to, and it's a very fun bottle to try.

Price: $39.99

RP: 93

2024 Filipa Pato "Post Quercus" Baga Bairrada

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 2/17/2026 | Send Email

Super fresh and bright on the nose, really juicy with this kind of spicy note that goes completely sideways and makes the whole thing feel just very slightly bonkers, but I'm having a lot of fun right now. The more that I smell, the more integrated it feels, and it kind of is coming across like a pie spice that's found its way into this completely amphora aged wine. The palate is really lovely and juicy, the spice finding its way on the lingering and lengthy finish. This is medium bodied, bolstered by some moderate+ tannins that the acidity eventually wins the fight over, but definitely it puts up a little bit of a struggle. This is a really fun an enjoyable wine from a varietal you won't likely see outside of Portugal, at least until it becomes the next huge thing and it's all over Paso Robles or whatever. This is great.

Price: $39.99

JS: 94

2023 Berta Valgañón "Selección Maturana Tinta" Rioja

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 2/17/2026 | Send Email

Yet another grape that I don't think I've had before. Maturana Tinta is the name, and being floral and juicy is its game, apparently, and I am definitely not mad about this. This is great, Rachael Ryan (Master of Wine candidate) compared this varietal to Mourvedre and I dig that comparison. There's just so much raspberry and violets with something a little more rich and buried deep in the background, a kind of plum skin, black cherry, and this dense earthiness. I love this nose and want it made into a candle. The palate is more dense and dark than I expected, but I'm not mad about it. There's an almost chewy aspect to the fruit and tannin, lots of dark black fruit and a little bit of more florals coming across on the palate. This is really fun, and definitely something to be had with a meal, but I could actually see having this with a nice fat potato and a good piece of meat or whatever protein you prefer. Very fun.

Price: $29.99

TA: 93

2021 Bodegas Frontonio "Telescopico" Garnacha Valdejalon

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 2/17/2026 | Send Email

The nose on this is super ethereal, really light and lovely, with these hints of crunchy fruits and something floral in the background. The palate is surprisingly bright and bold for having such a reticent nose. I don't remember it being like this, perhaps it's the time it's been open, but that definitely hasn't negatively impacted the palate at all, it's great and juicy and super delicious. Much more red than black on the fruit, there's tons of cran-raspberry with a little bit of pie cherry, and a touch of pomegranate with a really long very juicy and only slightly tannin finish that just keeps going and going.

Price: $27.99

RP: 94

2015 Bodegas Ontañon Reserva Rioja

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 2/17/2026 | Send Email

This wine just smells old school in all the best of ways. While modern Rioja is great and has its place, there's just times you want to buy something that's a little more traditional. This has the oak, the touch of dill, and at least to me a little hint of menthol in the background. There's also a little touch of some actually inviting barnyard that feels integrated and super natural in a wine like this, just adding a little more rusticity. The fruit is dark and fairly inky and the longer I hold my nose in the glass the more it stands out and the other notes fall back a little bit. The palate is mid-plus in body, and really doesn't show all of its age it's still surprisingly fresh with pretty and slightly chewy fruit with moderate tannins and a super long and lingering finish that's a combination of stewed fruit and cigar box. This is great and for the price is such a simple answer to a common week day question: Which bottle are we going to open? What's our weekly driver? If you like Spanish wine, here you go, a great solution to your problems.

Price: $24.99

JS: 93

WS: 90

2024 Viña Zorzal Garnacha Navarra

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 2/17/2026 | Send Email

Super fresh and pretty nose, really pure fruit with plum, cherry, and a combination of bramble-fruit, in the background I'm noticing rose petals coming out more and more, and I am digging it. This is super inviting, seductively whispering for me to take a sip, and it would be rude for me to decline. The palate is absolutely not a let down in the least, it's generous and plump, there's a little bit of tannin there but mostly it's just really lush and slightly creamy fruit that then slides into a little bit of a pithy and very lightly tart finish. This is just gorgeous and for this price, it's definitely a banger bottle for the bucks, this is just such a food friendly and adjustable wine I could see having this with any number of dishes and in my head I'm enjoying every single one. I think I said this before about another wine, but that doesn't make it any less true about this one. I dig it. You'll probably dig it.

Price: $14.99

DC: 93

RP: 92

VN: 90

2021 Lagar de Baixo (Niepoort) Baga Bairrada

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 2/17/2026 | Send Email

While there's really lovely crunchy fruit on the nose, there's this ethereal smokiness, which comes across as terroir, that's only come out more since we opened this earlier today, it's winding its way through the whole nose and it's super alluring and interesting, it makes everything it touches slightly savory. The palate is really juicy, and there's a dustiness lingering on the finish. There's cranberry, pie cherry, some slightly underripe raspberry, and then it goes into something very savory and a little salty, and then the finish comes around and there's this beautiful spiciness on the finish along with just a little touch of something pithy. This is so fun and interesting, and a varietal I haven't had a lot of experience with. We tried a few today and this was one of my favorites. Really enjoyable, very mid-low tannins overall. Go for it.

Price: $25.99

JS: 94

2023 Tenuta San Guido "Guidalberto" Toscana

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/17/2026 | Send Email

I have always argued that Guidalberto is the most misunderstood wine in Bolgheri. Too often dismissed as just "Baby Sassicaia," it is actually a distinct, serious wine with its own identity—and in a vintage like 2023 is where I find it more interesting. While the 2022s were about solar power and flesh, the 2023 vintage marks a return to a more "classic" style of Bolgheri: defined by tension, aromatics, and lift. This is where the Merlot (40%) in the blend really does the heavy lifting, providing a lush, velvety mid-palate that perfectly counterbalances the vertical, graphite-driven spine of the Cabernet Sauvignon (60%). On the nose, you get that signature San Guido balsamic note: It smells "cool" and sophisticated this year. On the palate, the wine has a vibrating energy. It is medium-bodied and sleek, avoiding the heavy extraction that plagues so many other wines from the coast. If you love the elegance of Sassicaia but want something you can actually drink on a Tuesday night, this is the benchmark. And this vintage might make happy also the Piedmontese drinkers

Price: $64.99

2022 Matthiasson Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

By: Alex Leonardini | Review Date: 2/17/2026 | Send Email

The 2022 Matthiasson Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine that harkens back to the Napa Valley of old and perfectly encapsulates everything that Napa wine should be. The structure is silky yet lithe, fresh acidity and fine-grained tannins balancing on a pinpoint. Then there's the palette of aromas and flavors, kaleidoscopic in their interlacing breadth. Black cherry, cassis, violet, fresh herbs, anise seed, graphite, eucalyptus--the list goes on and on. This is one of the most complex and focused wines I've ever had the pleasure of tasting. No cellar is complete without it.

Price: $79.95

DC: 99

2019 Vinos del Atlantico "Calma" Crianza Rioja

By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 2/17/2026 | Send Email

Change is afoot in Rioja. Increasingly, producers are backing away from extraction, new oak and extended aging, instead favoring a lighter hand in the winery that highlights vineyard-specific terroir. The 2019 Vinos del Atlántico “Calma” Crianza Rioja is a compelling example of this exciting stylistic shift. Made from 100% old vine Tempranillo sourced from a single, high-elevation vineyard in the village of Hormilla in Rioja Alta, the wine is fermented in stainless steel, with the inclusion of 15% whole clusters to enhance the fresh and youthful red fruit notes. Bursting with red plum and cherry, this vibrant Rioja is supported by subtle and well-integrated tobacco, dried oregano and woodsmoke. The wine is matured in used French and American oak barrels, which has helped to soften the tannins and round out the acidity. The result is a gorgeous, medium-bodied wine that perfectly balances still-youthful fruit and intriguing savory notes in the background – a wine that highlights the intensity and complexity of old vine Tempranillo, not new oak. Some might refer to this style of Rioja as “modern", but quite the opposite is true. This is a Rioja that marks a return to the oldest days of the region, where small family-owned parcels were fermented individually, with little to no overt oak. A fresh expression of a traditional style, this elegant Rioja clearly speaks to the place it comes from.

Price: $21.99

WE: 94

2023 Holocene "Codex" Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

By: John Downing | Review Date: 2/16/2026 | Send Email

I almost mistook this for an elegant red Burgundy. It's a delicate style Pinot with inviting aromas of tea, spice, dried florals and lifted red fruits and a medium-bodied palate that's fresh and delicious. A high quality, refined Pinot Noir for those looking for a lighter touch.

Price: Hidden

2024 Holocene "Pyxis" Eola-Amity Hills Chardonnay

By: John Downing | Review Date: 2/16/2026 | Send Email

This was a pleasant surprise. Since it's aged entirely in amphora (made from terracotta and sandstone) it has a slight nutty character that reminds me of the French Jura wines. It's an intriguing and uniquely satisfying Chardonnay that's a refreshing departure from the more common oaky/buttery style. Especially good with white meats and vegetable dishes.

Price: Hidden

Willett Family Estate 4 Year Old Small Batch Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 2/16/2026 | Send Email

This newly released small batch bourbon represents a completely new phase in the nearly half century project launched by Even Kulsveen and his wife Harriet Willett. The Willett family has been part of the bourbon distilling apparatus since at least the late 1800s, but the slow and methodical relaunch of the Willett distillery was achieved through passion, prescient determination, and undeniable grit. The defining theme across the last five decades has been a commitment to delivering exceptional quality no matter what. While their small operation has become the darling of collectors and connoisseurs, the Kulsveens clearly understand the importance of producing bourbon meant to be enjoyed. Not every bottle must be a unicorn, but every drop must be worthy of even the most discerning drinker. That is why this new small batch 'Purple Top' is so exciting, arriving more than a decade after the release of the WFE Green Top Rye small batch. This expression is a blend of the original 13 percent rye bourbon and the much higher 38 percent rye bourbon. The batch I am tasting clocks in at 61.8 percent ABV, and future batches will likely fall in that range, making comparison part of the fun. The color shows a classical burnished hue (1.2). The nose is sweet and expressive with cornbread, maple, vanilla, and spice, though it avoids the typical Willett cinnamon profile, which makes it especially approachable. On the palate it is juicy and remarkably drinkable, offering dark red fruits such as cherry and pomegranate alongside toasted vanilla, caramel candy, gentle cinnamon, and a rich clove-driven finish. This is a lovely bourbon, clearly selected with great care. Considering its handcrafted nature, it easily outperforms its specs and price, standing up well against many younger single casks I have tasted. In a broader sense, it is a fantastic bourbon to wet your whistle and an excellent gateway into the Willett pantheon.

Price: $69.99

2022 Matthiasson Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

By: John Downing | Review Date: 2/16/2026 | Send Email

This is certainly one of the more refined California Cabernets I've tasted in some time. Matthiasson has managed to craft a very elegant and juicy wine that's surprisingly generous considering it comes it at only 13 percent alcohol. The fruit is flavorful and polished on the palate and is certain to please those who appreciate a bit of restraint. It's biodynamically farmed and aged in mostly used oak barrels.

Price: $79.95

DC: 99

Rhys "Perpetual Reserve" California Sparkling Wine

By: John Downing | Review Date: 2/16/2026 | Send Email

This is certainly one of the finest California sparkling wines I've tasted. It's first-class in every way and delivers a very fresh and creamy palate of citrus and pear with a nice hint of toast. Considering how difficult it is to not only produce sparkling wines but also ones of this caliber, bubbly devotees with not want to miss out on this rare treat from one of California's top tier wineries.

Price: $59.95

2019 Langoa-Barton, St-Julien

By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 2/16/2026 | Send Email

One of the great under-the-radar wines in all of Bordeaux is Langoa Barton—a surprise, considering its location in the heart of St-Julien, its Third Growth classification, and the remarkable team leading the efforts in both vineyard and winery. Perhaps its Second Growth sibling receives the lion’s share of the acclaim, but that’s all the better for those in the know, as Langoa remains remarkably affordable for an ageworthy, site-driven Left Bank grand vin. The 2019 Langoa Barton takes full advantage of a very strong vintage in St-Julien, delivering a compelling mix of refinement and typicity. It is structured yet generous. Beautiful cassis and floral aromatics lead to a well-textured palate filled with dark red fruits, bright acidity, and a long, tannin-lined finish. Langoa seems to be growing more accessible in its youth these days, though it remains a wine that rewards patience. This 2019 hits that sweet spot and is surely one of their finest efforts of the past several years.

Price: $54.99

Dérot-Delugny "Retour en Avant" Brut

By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 2/16/2026 | Send Email

The Derot-Delugny estate has been producing their own Champagne for four generations in the tiny village of Croutes-sur-Marne in the western part of the region. Everything they do is estate, and this all Pinot Gris Champagne is their smallest production. It is the only time I have ever tasted a single variety Pinot Gris from Champagne, and it is fantastic as well as exotic! With both effusive and tropical notes, this is still grounded in the world of dry Champagne with a dry (7g/l) finish and plenty of minerality. A must try with asian cuisine!

Price: $49.99

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