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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
2024 Medici Ermete Concerto Reggiano Lambrusco
By: John Archuleta | Review Date: 4/4/2026 | Send Email
By: John Archuleta | Review Date: 4/4/2026 | Send Email
If you have never had the pleasure of trying the real deal Lambrusco, this is a MUST try.
Lambrusco gets a bad wrap - it was often common for US importers to only source lower quality wines that were fraught with over-sweetness - probably to cover up the wine faults.
But you will find none of this here - coming from Emiglia-Romagna, this is about as close as you can get without taking a flight to Italy. Super dry, almost austere, this sparkling red wine is an absolute gem from the region.
You will get notes of rich purple and red fruits - jammy plum, stewed cranberry, and notes of red flower petals. The acidity is nice and balanced, and has a delightful fizz that goes great with both hard and soft chesses - the richer and nuttier the better.
Do yourself a favor and give this wine a try for your next aperitivo!
2024 Inama "Vin Soave" Soave
By: John Archuleta | Review Date: 4/4/2026 | Send Email
By: John Archuleta | Review Date: 4/4/2026 | Send Email
Ah, Garganega, such a gem of a varietal - if you are looking to dip your toes in the world of Italian white wines, this is one of the best places to start.
The Soave is such an underappreciated region in my mind - producing some of my favorite white wines, they can range from really racey with high acid and austere minerality to medium or even full bodied with a bit more richness and roundness depending on the house style of the winemaker - but the throughline of the region truly lies in the terroir here.
Nestled in northeastern Italy here, Soave has access to both valley level and high elevation vineyard sites that produce wonderful fruit with deep character, and even with this entry level you get such a great sense of place when opening a bottle from Inama. 100% stainless steel, no malo/oak influence, pure aromatics and minerality.
On the nose I often get notes of white flowers, chamomile tea, and citrus peels - on the palate, you have notes of chalk and riverstone, with a mid-palate of fresh green apple and green pear. The acidity is still present, but definitely a bit more round, lending this wine to be super food friendly - I highly recommend this with some white fish in a lemon sauce, or you can go super classic with blanched peas or a green bean salad.
For the price, you can't go wrong here!
Heaven Hill 7 Year Old Bottled In Bond Straight Kentucky Bourbon (750ml)
By: Jonathan Goldstein | Review Date: 4/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Jonathan Goldstein | Review Date: 4/3/2026 | Send Email
This retro-style bourbon (meaning a straightforward approach) carries a very nice age-statement along with enough power to a sipper or a mixer. – In a nutshell, it’s super versatile.
On the nose it’s “classic bourbon.” Rich vanilla, caramel, and honey supported by toasted oak and a faint nuttiness. There’s spice—clove and white pepper in the background, but overall, it leans sweet and approachable. It’s inviting, if not particularly adventurous – this is a plus in my book. On the palate, this bourbon settles into a familiar groove. Caramel corn, toffee, and brown sugar are in good supply, followed by a wave of oak and a bit of rye spice. At 100 proof it carries enough weight to feel substantial without being aggressive (again versatile and crowd-pleasing). The finish is medium-length and warming. Oak, baking spice, and a lingering caramel sweetness permeate.
This is a bourbon that hits all the right notes—sweetness, spice, oak—without pushing boundaries. This is a solid bourbon well worth the price that punches through a crowd of flavor-of-the-moment type bottles. Makes a great cocktail – think Mint Juleps – hint hint.
2025 Heaven Hill "Grain To Glass - Beck's 6225" Limited Edition Specialty Barrel Series Chinquapin Oak Aged Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey (700ml)
By: Jonathan Goldstein | Review Date: 4/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Jonathan Goldstein | Review Date: 4/3/2026 | Send Email
The 2025 “Grain to Glass” Rye from Heaven Hill features a Chinquapin oak finish that adds a wonderful layer of complexity - emphasizing the vanilla. Built on a mashbill of 63% rye, 24% corn, and 13% malt, and featuring the Beck’s 6225 corn varietal, this adds transparency to both agricultural specificity and barrel experimentation. The nose opens with a burst of classic rye spice—cracked pepper, clove, and fresh herbs—followed by a wave of caramelized sugars and toasted oak. The Chinquapin oak influence is evident early, contributing a slightly sweeter, nuttier aromatic profile than traditional American oak, with hints of toasted coconut, baking spice, and a faint maple note.
This rye strikes a confident balance between intensity and refinement. The front end delivers rich toffee, dark honey, and brown sugar before segueing into a spice profile—cinnamon, nutmeg, and a minty herbal character.
The finish lingers with a mix of charred oak, sweet spice, and a slightly dry, tannic edge. Notes of toasted nuts, leather, and baking chocolate emerge late, giving it a contemplative, almost dessert-like conclusion without becoming overly sweet. The Beck’s 6225 corn lends sweetness, and the Chinquapin oak finishing provides a unique twist that distinguishes it from more traditional rye releases. This is a great addition to your collection especially if you are interested in experimentation – in a good way.
Price:
$139.99
2022 Chéreau Carré "Château l'Oiselinière de la Ramée" Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine Sur Lie
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 4/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 4/3/2026 | Send Email
From vines planted between 1940 and 1980 on orthogneiss soils, L’Oiselinière is a superb expression of classic sur lie Muscadet. Aged for six months on the lees in large concrete vats, the wine is fermented with indigenous yeasts and sourced from entirely hand-harvested fruit—a rarity in the region.
This is a serious wine for under $20, offering layered citrus and orchard fruit with a subtle saline edge and a vibrant, persistent finish. One of the strongest values on the shelf right now—and a perfect match for shellfish.
Price:
$17.99
2024 Seppeltsfield "Watervale" Riesling Clare Valley South Australia
By: John Archuleta | Review Date: 4/2/2026 | Send Email
By: John Archuleta | Review Date: 4/2/2026 | Send Email
Man oh man... What a zinger and banger of a white wine here.
This one was right up my alley - like many of the industry folks, at a certain point in my wine journey I started chasing high acid, mineral driven wines - and this hits all the notes I love from my Rieslings.
Incredibly austere, teeth numbing acid makes this wine the perfect pairing for the upcoming heat waves. On the palate you citrus, white nectarine, and peach pith, with the a long mineral driven finish of riverstone and white slate.
If you are looking for Riesling from a region a little less known to the world, give this a go - no regrets will be found.
2023 Olivier Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc "Les Sétilles"
By: Cary Herrman | Review Date: 4/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Cary Herrman | Review Date: 4/2/2026 | Send Email
This bottle is a reminder that Burgundy's "entry level" can still feel like a pretty luxurious place to start. The nose opens with bright lemon curd, crisp orchard apple, and a gentle whiff of white flowers.
On the palate, it's clean and energetic with notes of ripe pear, Meyer lemon, and just a touch of toasted almond. There is a subtle creaminess through the mid-palate, but the acidity keeps everything lifted and refreshing. It finishes with a light mineral snap that keeps you wanting more.
A Burgundy that punches comfortably above it's weight class, this is the kind of bottle that works just as well on a weeknight as it does when you're trying to impress someone who claims they "only drink Chablis". Crisp, charming, and dangerously easy to recommend.
2023 Cerbaiona Rosso di Montalcino
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 4/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 4/2/2026 | Send Email
Calling this a "Rosso" is honestly a disservice. In the hands of a legendary estate like Cerbaiona, this is essentially a baby Brunello that just happens to be accessible a few years earlier. It completely shatters the ceiling of the category and offers a brilliant, high-definition snapshot of their terroir.
The 2023 is all about vibrant, electric tension. The nose doesn't try to fake weight or hide behind oak; it explodes with pure, unmanipulated Sangiovese character. This is of the best deal in Sangiovese if not Italy, period.
2021 Cerbaiona Brunello di Montalcino (1.5L)
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 4/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 4/2/2026 | Send Email
Let’s talk about Cerbaiona. This estate is the absolute high temple of traditional Sangiovese. When you combine this mythical terroir with a vibrating, classically structured vintage like 2021, the result is nothing short of a masterpiece. If you want to understand the soul of Montalcino, this is the bottle, and this is the vintage you absolutely must secure.
The 2021 completely bypasses the heavy, baked notes that plague lesser estates in the region. The nose is a soaring, high-toned masterclass in precision. It delivers an intoxicating wave of crushed wild rose, sour cherry, and dried blood orange peel, all wrapped around a profound, cooling core of camphor and wet stone minerality.
On the palate, it drives forward with a vertical, electric spine. It possesses that "crunchy," nervous energy that keeps the immense concentration of the 2021 vintage feeling completely weightless. The tannins are ultra-fine, chalky, and demanding. What a wine
2021 Cerbaiona Brunello di Montalcino
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 4/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 4/2/2026 | Send Email
Let’s talk about Cerbaiona. This estate is the absolute high temple of traditional Sangiovese. When you combine this mythical terroir with a vibrating, classically structured vintage like 2021, the result is nothing short of a masterpiece. If you want to understand the soul of Montalcino, this is the bottle, and this is the vintage you absolutely must secure.
The 2021 completely bypasses the heavy, baked notes that plague lesser estates in the region. The nose is a soaring, high-toned masterclass in precision. It delivers an intoxicating wave of crushed wild rose, sour cherry, and dried blood orange peel, all wrapped around a profound, cooling core of camphor and wet stone minerality.
On the palate, it drives forward with a vertical, electric spine. It possesses that "crunchy," nervous energy that keeps the immense concentration of the 2021 vintage feeling completely weightless. The tannins are ultra-fine, chalky, and demanding. What a wine
Pascal Doquet Mesnil Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne (1998 Base)
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 4/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 4/2/2026 | Send Email
Once in a great while, something great turns up in the lost and found. Pascal Doquet lost this batch of pure Mesnil Blanc de Blancs in his cellars for over two decades... And now we have the exceptionally rare opportunity to experience the top terroir in for Chardonnay in Champagne aged for over 20 years on the lees for an unheard of value. This wine not only has the fine, warm brioche aromas one would expect from a nearly 30 year old champagne, but also fantastic texture from ultra fine bubbles, beautiful white fruit and a still very fresh and chalky finish. We have never had anything like this and might not ever again- so don't miss it!
Price:
$109.99
2025 Anonymous Wine Collective Contra Costa County Rosé of Mourvedre
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 4/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 4/2/2026 | Send Email
This marks our inaugural rosé under Anonymous—and it’s nothing short of phenomenal. Mediterranean in spirit and crafted from Mourvèdre, this dry rosé comes from ancient, own-rooted vines planted over 120 years ago in the deep, sandy soils of Contra Costa County. These venerable vines have endured for more than a century thanks to those remarkably sandy soils, which are inhospitable to phylloxera and allowed them to survive when so many others did not.
Naturally low-yielding, the old vines produce fruit of striking concentration, purity, and freshness. The grapes were gently pressed and fermented at cool temperatures in stainless steel, then aged for four months on fine lees in a combination of stainless steel and neutral oak to build texture and nuance without sacrificing vibrancy.
The result is a beautifully expressive rosé brimming with bright, juicy red fruit, hibiscus, alpine strawberry, and hints of spiced citrus peel, all underscored by a crystalline minerality. Dry and refreshingly precise, it balances crunchy fruit, tactile texture, and layered depth, finishing zesty and mouthwatering.
I’ll be drinking this all spring and summer long—it’s simply delicious.
Price:
$14.95
2024 Domaine de Reuilly "Les Pierres Plates" Reuilly Blanc
By: John Majeski | Review Date: 4/1/2026 | Send Email
By: John Majeski | Review Date: 4/1/2026 | Send Email
A Sauvignon Blanc from the eastern Loire that has always captivated my palate by its superb acidity and concentration, the 2024 Domaine de Reuilly “Les Pierres Plates” Reuilly Blanc $21.99, hand-harvested from vines averaging 23 years, fermented for 15 days on native yeasts with frequent pumpovers. A thoroughly satisfying wine awash in citrus, white flowers and saline minerality. Bring on the fresh oysters!
Price:
$22.99
A.D. Coutelas "Origin" Brut Champagne
By: Jonathan Parnell | Review Date: 4/1/2026 | Send Email
By: Jonathan Parnell | Review Date: 4/1/2026 | Send Email
Pale gold color. Nose gives crisp pear, almond biscotti and sourdough crust. A round palate of maraschino cherry cordial, marzipan and lime. Perfection!
2023 Olivier Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc "Les Sétilles"
By: Jonathan Parnell | Review Date: 4/1/2026 | Send Email
By: Jonathan Parnell | Review Date: 4/1/2026 | Send Email
Pale greenish-gold color. Deep, luxurious nose of forest floor and flint. Palate unfolds with layers of creamy fruit. Medium body, good structure. Built to age, but enjoyable now!
Faultline 10 Year Old Cask Strength Single Barrel "Cask 2" 115 Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey
By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 4/1/2026 | Send Email
By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 4/1/2026 | Send Email
This is a fascinating and enjoyable counterpoint to the first cask. Even though it was distilled and barreled on the same day from the same distillate batch, it came out a few degrees lower in proof with a markedly different profile. Carrying the second-lowest ABV of the bunch at 57.5%, it is a bit softer, but that in no way diminishes the bountiful aromas and flavors within.
Cinnamon graham crackers in a dusty barn open the nose, with peach cobbler, pineapple rind, and caramel macchiato dancing above damp oak. Pink peppercorns are introduced on the palate alongside spiced cider, tanned leather, spearmint, and cream soda. This leads the charge toward a rich, round, and spicy-sweet finish that brings a touch of rugged forest notes to the mix.
A little water brings out fresh pastry notes while mostly just softening the edges of the primary flavors. This is a beautiful example of how much a single barrel can deviate from its peers, even with the same DNA.
Price:
$59.99
Faultline 10 Year Old Cask Strength Single Barrel "Cask 1" 118.4 Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey
By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 4/1/2026 | Send Email
By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 4/1/2026 | Send Email
This first cask stood out as one of the highest-proof barrels of the lot, though that heat is surprisingly deceiving. While spice does the heavy lifting on the nose, a wonderful tart cherry sweetness sits prominently underneath, followed by burnt molasses, fresh eucalyptus, and cigar box.
The oak is present from the very first sip, but the tannins never once overpower. Instead, they provide an elevating platform for the black cherry jam and bold, earthy spices to shine alongside notes of leather and garden mulch. Cinnamon, pepper, sweet paprika, and clove lead the way to the finish, which lands softly with the aid of a little orange oil essence.
A touch of water assuredly sweetens the deal, releasing charred pineapple, cacao nibs, and even more burnt caramel. While it is certainly sippable neat, I recommend experimenting with a few drops to find the specific balance that works for you. It is well worth the effort.
Price:
$59.99
K&L's "Faultline" 100 Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)
By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 4/1/2026 | Send Email
By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 4/1/2026 | Send Email
What a fun batch this was to put together! From the original 10 barrels of 10 and 8-year-old bourbons, our team tasted through them all to pick our two favorite standouts for the single barrel cask strength bottling. We then meticulously combined, measured, proofed, and tested the rest to make sure we nailed the profile for this 100-proof banger.
The 10-year-old casks came from a mid-high rye 75/21/4 mash bill, while the 8-year-old barrels used an even higher rye 60/36/4 recipe. This overall high-rye blend carries the perfect balance of sweet and spice to be approachable, sippable, and crushable. It is truly worthy of carrying on the Faultline legacy during K&L’s 50th year.
So let’s dive in, shall we? A resonant burnt sienna color greets you, and the nose invites you in with warm clove, cinnamon, spent coffee grounds, chocolate-covered orange peel, and a touch of golden raisins. The palate introduces marmalade, peanut butter, and Mexican hot chocolate to the mix, with a wisp of extracted roots that hints at the aromatic bitters used in an Old Fashioned. It is exactly the kind of cocktail this bourbon begs to be used for. The finish is easy, almost demanding that you jump back in for another sip. This will shine in any whiskey concoction, but it is just as impressive standing alone. At a mere $40, it is worth every penny.
2018 Donnas 'Classico' Valle d'Aosta
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 4/1/2026 | Send Email
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 4/1/2026 | Send Email
The Donnas DOC was the very first appellation established in Valle d'Aosta back in 1971, and it is widely considered the "mountain sibling" of Barolo. Here, Nebbiolo is known locally as Picotendro, a clone perfectly adapted to the thin air and biting cold of the Alps.
The Caves Coopératives de Donnas is the beating heart of this tiny appellation. Formed by a dedicated group of local growers, this cooperative is the ultimate guardian of "heroic viticulture." The vineyards here are a breathtaking architectural marvel, clinging to impossibly steep cliffs on terraces supported by ancient dry-stone walls. The vines are trained on traditional wooden pergolas anchored by massive stone pillars that absorb the sun’s heat during the day and radiate it back to the grapes at night.
Because of this extreme terroir, this Nebbiolo behaves differently than its Piedmontese cousins. It sheds the heavy, gripping weight, favoring instead a lifted, nervous energy. It's a testament to human perseverance in the mountains, offering alpine freshness, dried rose, and wild mountain herbs.
2024 Frisino Verdeca Puglia
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 4/1/2026 | Send Email
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 4/1/2026 | Send Email
When we think of Puglia, the heel of the Italian boot, we usually picture massive, sun-baked red wines. But the true insider secret of the region lies in its indigenous whites. Verdeca is a grape that was historically misunderstood, often relegated to bulk wine or used as a base for Vermouth. Today, a new generation of winemakers is proving that this resilient local variety is capable of producing some of Southern Italy’s most thrilling and energetic white wines.
The Frisino estate, located in the Taranto province near the Ionian Sea, perfectly represents this modern Puglian renaissance. They farm their estate vineyards with a deep respect for the harsh, sun-drenched landscape, relying on the region’s calcareous clay soils and the constant, cooling maritime breezes to preserve the grape's natural acidity.
The resulting Verdeca is a masterclass in regional identity. Rather than a flabby, overripe white, this terroir yields a wine defined by its saline minerality, crisp citrus tension, and delicate notes of Mediterranean scrub. It is a brilliant, thirst-quenching reflection of the Puglian coast that beautifully champions a once-forgotten grape.
2020 Randi Burson 'Randi Selezione' Ravenna IGT
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 4/1/2026 | Send Email
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 4/1/2026 | Send Email
This is one of the most fascinating rescue stories in Italian viticulture. In the 1920s, a man named Antonio Longanesi discovered a single, unknown vine climbing the branches of an old oak tree in the swamplands of Emilia-Romagna. He propagated it, saving the grape from total extinction. Today, that grape is known as Uva Longanesi, and the wine made from it is trademarked as Bursôn—the historical nickname of the Longanesi family.
Tenuta Randi is one of the key pillars of the Consorzio Il Bagnacavallo, a small, fiercely dedicated group of Romagnolo producers protecting this ultra-rare variety. Grown in the alluvial plains of Ravenna, where the Adriatic Sea influences the climate, the Longanesi grape is notoriously thick-skinned and rustic, demanding immense patience both in the vineyard and the cellar.
To tame its massive structure, the "Selezione" tier often borrows techniques from Amarone, utilizing a partial drying of the grapes (appassimento) and extended aging in oak. It is dark, brooding, and powerfully structured.
Fallet-Dart "Clos du Mont" Brut Champagne (2006)
By: Jonathan Parnell | Review Date: 4/1/2026 | Send Email
By: Jonathan Parnell | Review Date: 4/1/2026 | Send Email
Pale straw color. Nose gives baguette, shortbread cookie, honey and a touch of spiced apple cider. Fine bubbles lead to a palate of baked brie, dried apricot, clove and allspice. This would be a lovely pairing with a cheese board, the aforementioned baked brie, lobster roll and saffron pasta with sea urchin.
Price:
$79.99
Elijah Craig 18 Year Old Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 4/1/2026 | Send Email
By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 4/1/2026 | Send Email
There is no profile in the Heaven Hill portfolio, and perhaps in all of Kentucky, more polarizing than the Elijah Craig 18 Year Old. For years, this was the "white whale" of the extra-aged bourbon world, and it remains the bottle everyone loves to debate. Is it too oaky? Is it too dry? For me, those questions totally miss the point. This isn’t a "crushable" Tuesday night pour. It is a high-wire act of maturation. When you leave a 78% corn mash bill in a rickhouse for eighteen years, the wood is going to talk. The genius here is in finding those specific barrels that can handle that conversation without being shouted down by the oak, and those folks in Bardstown know exactly where to stash these singular casks to get exactly what they want from them.
At 90 proof, this is intentionally proofed back to let those tertiary, "old whiskey" notes actually breathe. If this were bottled at hazmat strength, the tannins would likely strip the enamel off your teeth. Instead, it is a sophisticated, leather-bound, study-in-a-glass kind of dram. It is the quintessential "armchair whiskey" for when you have nowhere to be and all the time in the world to get there.
The nose is a deep dive into an antique humidor with polished mahogany, cherry pipe tobacco, and a heavy dose of charred toffee. There is a faint, minty herbaceousness underneath, almost like dried eucalyptus, that keeps the density in check. On the palate, the texture is surprisingly silky. It leads with dark chocolate-covered dried blueberries and old-fashioned licorice, followed by a mid-palate of burnt orange peel, vanilla bean, roasted peanuts, and toasted pumpernickel bread. The oak is absolutely there, showing up as a dry, spicy structure of clove and cinnamon, but it is buffered by a lingering sweetness of dark honey and molasses. The finish is incredibly long and drying in the best way possible, trailing off with a refined puff of cigar smoke and a touch of mint. This is a monumental bourbon for the seasoned palate, and coming in significantly under the $200 mark, it’s an absolute bargain compared to some of the other heavier aged bourbons you'll find out there.
2024 Dr. Loosen Erdener Prälat Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel Mosel
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/31/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/31/2026 | Send Email
Another just absolutely dreamy Riesling, but once more I feel like I'm having this way way too young, there's just so much depth there I want to know what this is like when it's fully integrated and just in a perfect place. That being said, I'm super glad I got to taste it, it has some of that white tea but with just so much fruit on the nose, and it really kind of smells noticeably sweet, the palate is quite sweet at first but as you sip more and the acidity comes more into place it feels a lot drier. This is another wine to be had with some cheese or spicy food or just something magical, because this itself is already so deep and incredibly tasty. I kind of want to have this with a really sharp cheddar mac & cheese. I might do that. Ask me how it went.
2022 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese Mosel
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/31/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/31/2026 | Send Email
Ho ho, so I guess I wasn't supposed to pull this one for the tasting this morning, but I am super glad that I did because it's amazing. Sorry if you wait for the end of the review to find out what I think but yeah, it was the best mistake I've made in a while. The nose has a great foundation of petrol, white flowers, pretty orchard fruit, and then you take a sip and everything there is just giving 110%, and I know there's at least one person out there who just thought "that's not how percentages work". You might be factually correct, but I am a writer and I get away with stuff like that. It's really just incredibly stellar, such a deep and yet still pretty palate with amazing fruit touches of petrol still and just lovely lovely jasmine. Again there's just so much acidity here that while you know it's sweet, your tongue knows it sweet, the whole thing keeps your mouth watering so long it feels like it's much drier than it is. Fantastic stuff, the kind of Riesling you love to love. I love it.
2024 Dr. Loosen Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Spätlese Mosel
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/31/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/31/2026 | Send Email
While I realize there are a number of people who turn up their nose at a sweeter Riesling, you are not on my Christmas Card list. These wines are beautiful and with some spicy foods they can be absolutely transformative. The nose on this is lush and super pretty, with this kind of tropical mango tea note, but also with super ripe and juicy peach, super juicy pear, lots of flowers. The palate is such a peach treat, really juicy and fresh with great vibrant acidity that really masks how sweet the wine actually is, it does not come across cloying in the least and the acidity pushes through and keeps the mouth watering until the sugar is gone. I love this so much, it's a great price for a great wine and have this with some spicy Asian food and say thanks later.
2020 Selbach-Oster "OMG" Riesling Trocken Mosel
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/31/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/31/2026 | Send Email
Alright folks, and you know who you are, this is the one for you. Yes, the people looking for something a little strange, a little different, something orange or skin contact or something like that. It's here, this is the one from Germany that we're carrying that's that way. That being said, it's also pretty good and very inoffensive for a very natural presenting wine. The nose has a little touch of sour beer, light little touch of petrol, really dense but ripe fruit, and a kind of light and inoffensive funk. The palate is very dry, reasonable acidity and with a slight tannic grip from the skin contact. There's a little bit of stewed fruit, a little bit of that sour beer on the palate and then a little bit more funk. Overall this is pretty clean and a great entry point for people who want to try an orange wine or a skin contact wine, but don't want anything too scary.
Price:
$21.99
2024 Wittmann "Estate" Riesling Trocken (dry) Rheinhessen
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/31/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/31/2026 | Send Email
I just really don't get tired of Riesling, even if I decide I don't want a dry one right now there's a few different levels to go up that will probably make me happy at some point. This has a really soft and pretty nose, lots of minerality and a little bit of fruit. The palate has much deeper pretty fruit, lots of peach and then a lot more minerality on the lingering and lengthy finish. These are so good, crazy enjoyable, and with such a great depth, it's always weird to me how well priced these wines are. It's fantastic all the way through, every day.
2024 Bründlmayer "Kamptaler Terrassen" Riesling Kamptal
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/31/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/31/2026 | Send Email
This was the wine that made me turn to my coworker next to me and whisper that I needed a few of these in a cooler on a hot day. No glasses needed, just right from the bottle, probably with a couple cubes still stuck to the glass. It's just so good and easy and clean, really great pretty fruit really high citrus and just such pushing acid really cleansing and pretty and just so approachable. I love this so much. It's really perfect as a super clean Austrian Riesling.
2023 Zind-Humbrecht Turckheim Gewürztraminer Alsace
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/31/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/31/2026 | Send Email
Well, here I am, drinking potpourri again. This time, though, I will admit I don't mind that I'm drinking potpourri, it's delicious but it definitely is what it is. A medley of rose, white flowers, jasmine, honeysuckle, and white tea, this is definitely for someone who wants a pretty and floral wine. The palate is also very floral, there's some fruit here but it's really kind of drowned out by the overall feeling of drinking a delightful dry white wine, with a phenolic slightly bitter finish, while a florist is violently but ineffectively attacking you with bouquets to the face, or more simply: It's a lot of fun, and I'd drink it again. This wine scratches a very particular itch and I really could see myself enjoying this with some cheese or the right schnitzel.
2023 Zind-Humbrecht Rangen de Thann "Clos St-Urbain" Riesling Grand Cru Alsace
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/31/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/31/2026 | Send Email
Some wines, you get this kind of aura from them and that's what I get as I take in the bouquet on this, it's just got this aura of something special. There's a depth and layering of the nose that is just fantastic, crazy alluring and really working for me right now. The palate has great breadth, really delightfully savory in the middle and then widening out with a long and deep acidity that pushes through the whole thing. This is crazy serious and it's honestly way too early to know how this will ultimately turn out, I just have this feeling it's going to be completely amazing with the right amount of time. I want to try this again in 20 years, can someone remind me when it's time?
2024 Schloss Gobelsburg "Schlosskellerei" Riesling Kamptal
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/31/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/31/2026 | Send Email
When you're talking about Austrian wine, you can safely assume it's going to be incredibly dry with some great acidity, and you'll almost never be wrong. You wouldn't be wrong here. Really lovely nose with this faint whisp of petrol dancing and winding its way through the whole thing, just something really faint around the edges with a lot of pure and clean fruit in the core. Peaches, apricots, nectarines, the whole kit and kaboodle of the lumpily pitted fruits and just a little touch of jasmine at the finish. This has a seductiveness to it, and sure okay I'll take a sip. The palate is pleasantly deep almost approaching mid-heavy with a really ripe peachpear and acidity that kind of builds as you continue to sip, really cleansing on the palate and something I could see helping me get through something heavy. I dig it big time.
2024 Carl Loewen Alte Reben Riesling Trocken (dry) Mosel
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/31/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/31/2026 | Send Email
Really clean and pure-fruited nose for a Riesling, no petrol to speak of yet probably something that will evolve as the wine ages under cork. Right now it's just really clean with this bright pear, ripe peach, yellow kiwi, and white flowers. The palate is incredibly crisp and super delicious with mouthwatering acidity and echoes of the nose in the fruit. This drinks so well and it great for people who want something a little bit more of a crowd pleaser, but still offering something of impeccable quality and craft. Fantastic stuff and a stand out in the tasting today.
2023 Zind-Humbrecht Turckheim Riesling Alsace
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/31/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/31/2026 | Send Email
I love when we do these all white wine tastings, they never seem to tire the palate the way a lot of heavy reds can do, though, also it's light and higher acid whites so maybe that's what's refreshing everything. Anyhow, this is great, it's just really pretty from the outset with a little touch of petrol and a little touch of honey, but then really pretty orchard fruit, the palate is quite dry but probably not completely dry there's a little bit of roundness on it despite the higher acidity. It's really delicious with this honeyed quality that pushes through the whole thing, and while it's not sweet at all it really makes the fruit pop just a bit more. This is absolutely delicious and well structured, with a little bit of a savory point in the mid palate that will help this pair even better than most Rieslings, which are already fairly easy to pair.
2023 Olivier Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc "Les Sétilles"
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/31/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/31/2026 | Send Email
So happy to have this back on our shelves once more! A long time favorite here at K&L, it's a bright spot to have back this absolute banger of a white Burgundy. It's got a little oak on the nose, just enough to make it feel a little classier and give it a little bit more panache, beyond that there's some bright red apple, a little bruised pear and some lemon flowers. The palate is has a surprisingly nice line of acidity pushing through, giving it a real crispness and making me all super summer excited for this bottle. Bright green and red apple, more lemon, really lovely stone minerality along with a lingering finish and just a touch of oak to round out the whole thing. This is delicious white Burgundy at a heck of a bargain. Love it. Buy it. Buy it again. Oops, we're sold out because you should have bought more the second time.
2016 Brane-Cantenac, Margaux
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 3/31/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 3/31/2026 | Send Email
We recently had the good fortune to revisit Brane-Cantenac’s 2016, and among a table of heavyweights priced many times higher, it emerged as a clear favorite. I was thrilled—but not surprised—to see this, as I’ve become increasingly infatuated with the estate, which seems to be producing one next-level vintage after another. Coincidentally, recent multi-decade verticals by both Jane Anson and Jeb Dunnuck place it at the pinnacle of the property’s achievements. Add in the exceptional quality of the vintage, and this could easily be a prohibitively expensive wine—but Brane-Cantenac somehow remains refreshingly grounded.
The magic lies in its ability to capture Margaux typicité with remarkable precision. The 2016 is at once concentrated and weightless, seamless in texture yet layered with depth—an extraordinary balancing act that reflects both the estate’s signature and the vintage’s quality. For me, it embodies the ethereal, elegant side of Margaux (à la Château Margaux) more than the bolder, richer expressions (such as Palmer). Yet in terms of quality, I have no hesitation in placing it alongside these names.
In every respect, the 2016 Brane-Cantenac is a masterpiece. For longtime admirers of the property, this is a must-have. And for those looking to reconnect with one of the region’s finest collectible values from a benchmark vintage, I cannot recommend it highly enough. Add in our Bordeaux-direct provenance and sharp pricing, and this stands as one of the great buys in collectible wine today.
2023 Olivier Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc "Les Sétilles"
By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 3/30/2026 | Send Email
By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 3/30/2026 | Send Email
This is an outstanding white Burgundy value—it truly doesn’t get much better than this at $35 a bottle. Sourced from vineyards in both Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault, and aged in 90% oak (just 10% new), the wine delivers a classically structured profile that evokes 1er Cru white Burgundy.
The nose is fresh, saline, and fruit-driven, while the palate is lively and complex, offering both energy and depth. It’s an absolute pleasure to drink and has quickly become our go-to daily white—reliably delivering quality without breaking the bank, and easily competing with wines two to three times its price.
Fallet-Dart "Cuvée de Réserve" Brut Champagne
By: Jonathan Parnell | Review Date: 3/28/2026 | Send Email
By: Jonathan Parnell | Review Date: 3/28/2026 | Send Email
Pale gold color. Crisp nose of pie crust and slight citrus. Coats the palate with cream of wheat and gives a slight smokiness. Dry finish.
Price:
$34.99
2024 Anonymous Wine Collective Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 3/28/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 3/28/2026 | Send Email
This is the second edition of Anonymous that we’ve produced in partnership with this incredible, world-renowned winery—a relationship that dates back to earlier editions of our emeritus house label, Kalinda. The last release was a single-vineyard, single-block wine. This time, working hand in hand with the winemaking team, we felt the synergy of multiple components created something even more compelling than any one individual element. The blend brings together estate-grown fruit with several barrels sourced from highly renowned, Grand Cru–level single vineyards. The wine is composed primarily of heritage clones—Hyde (Calera selection), Swan, and Pommard—with smaller portions of Dijon clones. The fruit was fermented in small, open-top tanks with native yeast and approximately 20% whole-cluster inclusion. After fermentation, the wine was aged for 15 months in French oak (30% new) before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. Working with this team is a true pleasure. With decades of winemaking pedigree and multiple 100-point wines to their credit, this partnership embodies everything the Anonymous Wine Project stands for. Under its own label, this wine typically retails for $80–$100. The value made possible through anonymity is simply sensational.
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2024 Anonymous Wine Collective Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 3/28/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 3/28/2026 | Send Email
This is the second edition of Anonymous that we’ve produced with this incredible, world-renowned winery, and it takes the quality to an entirely new level. I’m proud to say I worked hand in hand with the winemaking team to craft this custom blend from the crème de la crème of single-vineyard components sourced from some of the region’s most sought-after sites. At the core of the wine are three Grand Cru–caliber vineyards, including old Wente clone vines planted in 1974. Most of the fruit comes from the far western edge of the Russian River Valley, where the AVA meets the West Sonoma Coast. The ultra–cool climate, Goldridge soils, and meticulous viticulture ensure that only the finest fruit makes it through the doors of this esteemed estate. The fruit was gently pressed, and the juice was racked to top-quality French oak (30% new), where it fermented with native yeasts and aged on its lees for 15 months. The final blend is composed of 12 carefully selected barrels, chosen not only for their exceptional individual character but also for their seamless integration as a whole. I couldn’t be more proud of this wine. Working with this team is a true joy. With decades of winemaking pedigree and multiple 100-point wines to their credit, this partnership embodies everything the Anonymous Wine Project is about. Under its original label, this wine typically retails for $75–$90. The value delivered through anonymity is simply sensational.
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2025 Anonymous Wine Collective Oakville Sauvignon Blanc
By: Matthew Sibbert | Review Date: 3/26/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Sibbert | Review Date: 3/26/2026 | Send Email
Our very own Ryan Woodhouse has done it again! This wine is an absolute showstopper at both the quality and price point. Upon opening, you'll be greeted by aromatics that scream "DRINK ME!" With notes of honeydew melon, under-ripe pear, and Granny Smith apple, the balance between fruit and acidity is absolutely beautiful. I award this wine 9.9/10 Matts
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1989 The K&L Liquors' 36 Year Old "Enviable" (Balvenie) Batch #2 K&L Exclusive Single Vintage Speyside Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 3/26/2026 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 3/26/2026 | Send Email
The wild success of the Sideburns 35 Year has rattled the cage of more than one large company in Scotland. If you haven’t seen my review of that product, I highly recommend taking a look: https://shop.klwines.com/products/details/1918829
. The short version is this: we may be on the precipice of a new golden age of Scotch, and K&L is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the market asymmetry. While our marketing of the previous batch was met with side eyes and raised eyebrows from the original owners of the stocks and trademarks, other suppliers with similar inventories saw it as a signal. This was an opportunity. It would seem our prayers have been answered.
Another incredible value in old malt has landed in our lap, and this time the deal is even more impressive. There are, of course, differences in the stock. This distillate comes entirely from November 1989 and was matured in refill hogsheads, rather than the first-fill sherry hogsheads of Batch #1. The proof is slightly lower, but still a robust 47-48% for a whisky of such advanced age. Remember, Scotch typically loses up to 1% ABV per year and enters the cask around 63%.
So yes, older, slightly lower in proof, and without the fashionable sherry influence, yet 25% cheaper. If you ask me, old malt like this absolutely thrives in refill hogsheads. While I often insist on first or second fill for younger whisky, at this age the nuance of second or third fill can be profoundly beneficial.
In any case, if it’s not already clear, this malt is drawn almost entirely from one of Speyside’s most beloved distillers. Search “Burnside,” the Cadenhead/Springbank-owned blended malt, if you want clues to the source. We’re being intentionally careful about naming names, but suffice it to say this parcel comes from the cellars of one of the industry’s most powerful blending houses. Whether it was once destined as a top note for premium blends or simply forgotten stock, it now stands as perhaps the greatest value I’ve ever offered. Twice in six months. It really does feel like the start of something bigger.
Price:
$199.99
2023 Domaine de la Janasse "Chaupin" Châteauneuf-du-Pape
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 3/26/2026 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 3/26/2026 | Send Email
Janasse’s flagship cuvée, Vieilles Vignes, remains a benchmark expression of the appellation, drawing on old-vine Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, plus some of the other lesser known grapes, to deliver a classic, layered interpretation of the region. But for me, Chaupin stands apart. Also sourced from old vines, this cuvée is a pure expression of Grenache, drawn from three distinct lieux-dits planted on sandy soils. These soils lend the wine a lifted, cooling freshness, showcasing Grenache in its most pure and transparent form.
The aromatics are immediately expressive, with wild strawberry, black cherry, and currant notes unfolding alongside hints of tobacco and spice box that add nuance and complexity. Though still youthful, this Chaupin possesses the structure and pedigree to evolve gracefully over many years. It is a striking example of Grenache at its highest level—and yet another compelling achievement from Isabelle Sabon.
Michel Arnould Verzenay "Observation" Verzenay Grand Cru Brut Champagne Magnum 1.5L
By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 3/25/2026 | Send Email
By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 3/25/2026 | Send Email
Michel Arnould, based in the Grand Cru village of Verzenay, is some of my favorite grower-producer champagne. Arnould's sub-$40 champagnes, the Observation & Acuite, are easily two of the best champagne deals in the store. The elegance and finesse of the Arnould champagnes rivals those of the big houses. The Observation Grand Cru Verzenay Brut Champagne, 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay, is all from Verzenay, which sits at the top of the horseshoe that is the Montage de Reims where the vineyards face north - away from the sun. This produces crisp cool climate sparklers that are lean, mean, and beautiful. On the nose, it can only be champagne -- minerality, citrus, fresh bread, saline, smoke, and light red fruit. On the palate, precise, structured, with notes of hazelnut, lemon-lime, baked green apple, nectarine, fresh sourdough, and vanilla (barrel) with a surprisingly rich, creamy custard-like finish. Another fantastic expression from the 13th generation (starting in the 17th century) of Arnould growers, Michel and his son Patrick, along with son-in-law Thierry, and producers (bottling since the early 1900s, established as Champagne Michel Arnould & Fils in the 1960s). Finally, a reminder that magnums are the very best format for aging champagne. Drinking champagne from a magnum is almost cheating!
Price:
$84.99
Michel Arnould Verzenay "Observation" Verzenay Grand Cru Brut Champagne Magnum 1.5L
By: Jonathan Parnell | Review Date: 3/25/2026 | Send Email
By: Jonathan Parnell | Review Date: 3/25/2026 | Send Email
Pale peach color. Lively nose gives tartine, dinner rolls and pie crust. Piquant palate of brioche and tart lemon curd. Long finish with wisps of honeysuckle and jasmine. Very elegant! Perfect to welcome guests or as a host gift.
Price:
$84.99
Laurent-Perrier "Cuvée Rosé" Brut Rosé Champagne
By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 3/25/2026 | Send Email
By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 3/25/2026 | Send Email
Laurent-Perrier's Cuvee Rose Brut Rose Champagne is one of the top rose champagnes in the world, both with critics and consumers, and is made using the saignee method where the juice is macerated on the skins for 48-72 hours (depending on the vintage) and bled off. Most rose champagne is made by adding a small percentage of still red wine. LP first released their Cuvee Rose Brut Rose in 1968, helping create the rose champagne category with Grand Marque rival Billecart-Salmon, which is one of the top rose champagnes that uses still red wine. Made with 100% Grand Cru Pinot Noir grapes from 10 different villages, LP's current release is showing brilliantly. Layers of creamy velvety wild strawberry, raspberry, dark cherry, orange zest, roses, and little hints of flint. It's sooooooooooo gooooooooooood! This is one of those iconic wines that lives up to every bit of its hype!
Fallet-Dart "Grande Sélection" Brut Champagne
By: Jonathan Parnell | Review Date: 3/25/2026 | Send Email
By: Jonathan Parnell | Review Date: 3/25/2026 | Send Email
Pale gold color. Nose of baguette & toast. Palate gives citrus, slight honey, pineapple guava and Meyer lemon. Fine bubbles and a nice finish.
Price:
$37.99
2022 ALH Wines (Hobbs) Coombsville Cabernet Sauvignon
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/24/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/24/2026 | Send Email
This definitely smells like Napa, there's this pungency to the fruit and darkness to the overall product that just feels very Napa through and through, and that's not a bad thing at all. One of the best things a wine can be is typical to its place and terroir, it can tell you what it will be before you even open the bottle or take a taste, and I think people would be happy with what they're getting here. It's clear that a lot of hard work and effort was put in to making this distinctive and new release. There's lots of great bramble fruits, cherry, touches of leather, cigar box, and then a little touch of dried green herbs on the finish. The palate is velvety and rich with really great acidity pushing through and fighting the tannins back successfully, helping to balance and harmonize the wine. It ends with a long and lingering super enjoyable finish, the acid playing about and then finally pushing in a toasty barrel spice at the end with a little touch of cacao nib. Top tier.
2024 Hirsch "Bohan-Dillon" Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/24/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/24/2026 | Send Email
I really like Hirsch, it's a really interesting winery that feels like a purposeful accident in how it came about, lots of right place and right time and they've made it pay off so well. This wine is always a favorite around here, and not just because it has a cat on the label, but that doesn't hurt. This is that super pretty and elegant style that I really have come to love, there's cherry, raspberry, strawberry, with maybe a bit of frozen cranberry grated on top and it's got this really great line of mouthwatering acidity while having enough tannin to stay interesting. This is more approachable and immediately drinkable style and it shows in the best of ways, it's an easy bottle of Pinot Noir to love.
2024 Union Sacré Monterey County Pinot Noir
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/24/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 3/24/2026 | Send Email
Another perennial favorite, this is kind of the essence of the crunchy California Pinot Noir. Bright and full-fruited nose that's pushing towards pretty but has this little touch of something vaguely rustic on the edge, there's some floral notes around the outside. The palate is crunchy, lots of cranberry skin, underripe cherry, raspberry leaf, and some pomegranate seeds as well. It's easy and light and I could definitely see putting a little chill on this. It's just such an easy and friendly bottle, and a great wine to serve your friends who only drink European wines while still staying fairly local.