K&L Wine Merchants - Staff Favorites

By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 2/4/2026 | Send Email

Considered Extra Brut, Billecart-Salmon’s “Le Rosé” Champagne is composed of 45% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, and 20% Meunier. It luxuriated on its lees for 36 months. Its pale ballet-slipper pink makes my heart skip a beat. Drifting on bright notes of raspberry and fresh rose petals, lifted by finely grated lemon zest and fresh ginger, this is romance in a glass. Like an exquisite Mozart symphony, every note lands exactly where it should—as usual. You can never go wrong with Billecart-Salmon “Le Rosé.” For me, the answer is always oui.

Price: $89.99

2024 Domaine Pascal & Mireille Renaud Mâcon-Charnay

By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 2/4/2026 | Send Email

I always recommend the Mâcon-Charnay to customers seeking a richer, more yellow-fruited expression of White Burgundy. The 2024 Domaine Pascal & Mireille Renaud Mâcon-Charnay smartly harnesses the vintage’s racy acidity to frame generous orchard fruit and white flower notes. Richly textured and beautifully balanced, this is a tremendous value and an irresistible wine—especially at the price.

Price: $23.99

2019 Fallet-Dart "Pur Meunier" Champagne

By: Dulcinea Gonzalez | Review Date: 2/4/2026 | Send Email

The 2019 Fallet Dart Pur Meunier is a textbook example of why Meunier deserves attention, focused, expressive, and beautifully balanced. Fresh pear and orchard apple lead, with chalky minerality and a clean, energetic finish. The mousse is refined, the fruit precise, and the style quietly confident. At $69.99, it’s a smart buy if you want real grower Champagne without the hype.

Price: $69.99

Damien Hugot Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru

By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 2/4/2026 | Send Email

Lesser-focused and bright, this champagne is all about purity. Green apple, lemon peel, and crushed chalk lead the way, followed by a saline snap that keeps everything razor-sharp. Bone-dry, precise, and refreshing -- a Champagne for lovers of tension and clarity.

Price: $49.99

2023 Domaine Renaud Pouilly-Fuissé 1er Cru "Aux Chailloux"

By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 2/4/2026 | Send Email

I always love the "Aux Chailloux" vineyard because of its close proximity to St. Veran. The vineyard of "Aux Chailloux" is one of the first vineyards you come across leaving St. Veran and entering into Pouilly Fuisse. Always mineral-driven the 2023 Domaine Renaud Pouilly Fuisse 1er Cru "Aux Chailloux" is bright and zippy with citrus zest and flinty notes that give the wine great cut and drive. This is a fresh and lively white with excellent acidity and verve.

Price: $42.99

2022 Domaine Renaud Pouilly-Fuissé 1er Cru "Aux Bouthières"

By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 2/4/2026 | Send Email

This wine is truly a treat, I love the fact that we still have wines left from the stellar 2022 vintage and they are drinking wonderfully right now. The 2022 Domaine Renaud Pouilly Fuisse 1er Cru "Bouthieres" is no exception with excellent richness and structure that perfectly compliments the ample amount of Orchard fruits and zesty minerality. This wine has excellent complexity and the layers of flavors unfold to reveal an energetic, bright and bold Pouilly Fuisse.

Price: $39.99

Damien Hugot Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru

By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 2/4/2026 | Send Email

While all of Damien Hugot's wine are fantastic, the Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru is a clear favorite for me. Coming from two Grand Cru vineyards, this mineral-driven champagne is complex and crisp, with notes of brioche, citrus, and stone fruits on the palate and a long, dry finish. For $50, this wine represents some of the best value in Extra Brut champagne, a truly delicious champagne at a killer price.

Price: $49.99

2024 Domaine Pascal & Mireille Renaud Mâcon-Charnay

By: Jonathan Parnell | Review Date: 2/4/2026 | Send Email

Pale chartreuse color. Round nose of river rock opens to slight oak. Round creamy palate gives green apple skin with medium acidity. Very approachable fruit, yet dry. Tart finish. Emblematic of 2024 vintage. Buy now at this price.

Price: $23.99

2024 Donvitantonio Pecorino

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/4/2026 | Send Email

The 2024 Donvitantonio Pecorino is exactly what you want from this increasingly popular grape variety: it is fresh, vibrant, and packed with personality. Pecorino has rightly earned its place as one of the most exciting white wines coming out of Italy's Adriatic coast, and this bottling shows why. While many Italian whites are known for being light and simple, Pecorino stands out because it has genuine texture and weight. The 2024 Donvitantonio captures this perfectly. It doesn't just taste like "crisp white wine"; it offers a distinct character of place. The nose is a lovely mix of white flowers—think jasmine and acacia—layered with zesty lemon peel and a signature note of fresh herbs, particularly sage and thyme. On the palate, it has that classic "salty" kick that makes Pecorino so addictive. It’s medium-bodied with a rush of stone fruit flavors, balanced by a snappy, mineral-driven acidity that keeps the finish clean and energetic

Price: $13.99

JS: 91

2021 Gaja "Dagromis" Barolo

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/4/2026 | Send Email

A blend from La Morra and Serralunga, designed to be enjoyed earlier than the single vineyards, though the 2021 vintage gives it significant aging potential and grip.

Price: $129.99

2021 Donvitantonio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/4/2026 | Send Email

The Donvitantonio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is a fun expression of one of Italy's most beloved red grapes. Presenting bold flavors rustic charm and outstanding value. Coming from the rugged hills of Abruzzo this wine captures the spirit of the region where Montepulciano grows in clay, really fertile soil. This region benefits from coastal and mountain breezes. On the nose it opens with ripe black cherry, plum and blackberry. In really Italian style it has notes of tobacco, leather, and wild herbs. The smell is rich and intense. It has really smooth tannins, really easy to drink. I can find notes of dark chocolate, licorice and earthy spice that adds depth. What sets this wine apart is its beautiful balance between original flavor and drinkability. Winemaking methods focus on maintaining the purity of the grapes with stainless steel fermentation and minimal intervention. Montepulciano is incredibly food friendly. For those looking for a classic Italian red wine with unique flavor and character. The 2020 Donvitantonio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is a must-try. This is the ultimate relaxing wine. Suitable for a casual evening or large social gatherings. A true taste of Italy's rustic charm.

Price: $13.99

JS: 90

1926 Vaghi Vintage Armagnac

By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 2/4/2026 | Send Email

What a time capsule we have here. As you delicately open the bottle, you are immediately introduced to 100-year-old liquid that demands your full attention. When a century of history approaches, you listen, you pause, you reflect, you admire, and you savor. This is a true taste of history, and it is well worth your time. The nose greets you with elegant notes of espresso, rich cacao, caramelized brown sugar, and a subtle herbaceous lift that invites you into the journey. On the palate, those themes continue, with coffee and dark chocolate leading the way alongside sweet basil, charred orange oil, and musty, well-aged wood. The finish lasts nearly as long as this beautiful liquid rested, feeling like decades before the rich elegance slowly fades. It is a reminder that time itself is a journey worth taking.

Price: $599.99

2024 Domaine Pascal & Mireille Renaud Mâcon-Charnay

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 2/4/2026 | Send Email

Very pretty, as I find many wines, with a really lovely softly fruited nose, really pure with green and red apple, fresh lemon juice, and then a really lovely bit of minerality. The palate is much the same, much to my delight. There's this really clean and pure expression in there, the beauty of the 2024 vintage strikes again. There's this really great mouthfeel, really gorgeous line of acidity pushing through the whole palate, and then really clean apple and lemon along with a beautiful minerality on the finish. This is exactly the kind of budget friendly white Burgundy that you need more of in your life. Just a great bottle at a great price. Easy maths.

Price: $23.99

2022 Gemstone "Facets" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 2/4/2026 | Send Email

Here's a rare chance to get your hands on a beautifully crafted Napa Cabernet, made by one of the most famed winemakers of a generation, for a price that is almost too good to be true. We have a razor sharp, Insider's Advantage price on this 95-point stunner, made by Julien Fayard! At more than 40% off, this wine out performs anything else in this price point. Lush, rich, full-bodied Cab, with tons of blackberry, cassis, dark chocolate, new leather, sweet oak spice, and hints of pencil shavings. Very silky, polished tannins, easy drinking, but definitely mouth filling and powerful. Load up and enjoy for the next 5-8 years and beyond.

Price: Hidden

DC: 95

2022 Mount Edward Pinot Noir Central Otago

By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 2/4/2026 | Send Email

Mount Edward is a longstanding K&L customer favorite, crafting Pinot Noir with purity, intensity and elegance, vintage after vintage. They also happen to be one of our most longstanding direct import partnerships, so this consistency of quality is something we’ve been able to observe firsthand. Located in the heart of Central Otago on New Zealand’s South Island, Mount Edward is a pioneer of organic and biodynamic viticulture, founded in 1997 and led today by maverick winemaker Duncan Forsyth. The newest vintage of the winery's flagship estate Pinot Noir, the stunning 2022, is a masterclass in elegance, made with fruit from their organic-certified vineyards across the Gibbston, Bannockburn, and Lowburn sub-regions. It also is yet another vintage that truly overdelivers for its modest price. A year that was slightly warmer and longer than average, this Pinot Noir opens with vibrant black and red cherry notes, backed up by fresh red currant and layered with the region's signature notes of wild thyme and spice. While the fruit is forward and vibrant, the palate is seamless, balancing well-integrated tannins and a nimble mouthfeel. Very open and approachable now, with exuberant, youthful fruit, the wine is kept in check by snappy, bright acidity and crunchy red fruit on the palate – pomegranate, rhubarb – along with a delicate hibiscus note. On the palate, it balances power with finesse, featuring a fine-grained tannic structure and a mineral-driven finish, tied together with just a touch of French oak. Some wines require time in bottle or time in a decanter, but this is a bottle that is so lively right after opening. Simply put, it’s one of Central Otago’s most authentic and transparent examples of Pinot Noir.

Price: Hidden

SK: 95

RP: 93

Sipsmith Lemon Drizzle English Gin (750ml)

By: Lesley Jacobs Solmonson | Review Date: 2/3/2026 | Send Email

As a kid, I couldn't wait for the yearly bake sale at my school because invariably someone always brought a lemon bundt cake with sugar icing dripping down the sides. This memory flashed into my head when I got my first whiff of Sipsmith's Lemon Drizzle. This is a delicately finessed gin. While you might expect it to be sweet because of the name and the aroma, it retains its London Dry foundation and lightly kisses it with the bright zing of citrus. The bitterness of lemon peel comes through, while the addition of lemon verbena adds just a hint of sweetness. The reason this gin works is because it doesn't stray too far from its classic roots. For me personally, with the ABV on the lower at 40.4%, I would skip the martini and choose something that doesn't rely on such a boozy kick. It makes a lovely, light Gin & Tonic, and it would also work in any variation of a gin sour like a French 75. This is one spirit where you can have your cake ... and sip it too.

Price: Hidden

2022 Château de Beauregard Pouilly-Fuissé 1er Cru "Les Menetrieres"

By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 2/3/2026 | Send Email

If you're looking for a white burgundy to pair with poultry or fish, look no further than Chateau de Beauregard's Pouilly Fuisse "Les Menetrieres". Rich and complex, this wine has notes of orchard fruits (predominately apple and pear), lemon curd, and a hint of spice. The clay and limestone this wine is grown in give it a nice minerality that, balanced with a touch of oak, give this Burgundy impressive depth.

Price: $54.99

2022 Domaine Durieu "Lucile Avril" Châteauneuf-du-Pape

By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 2/3/2026 | Send Email

I find Domaine Durieu's 2022 "Lucile Avril" to be truly spectacular, even as someone who doesn't typically enjoy Rhone Valley wines. "Lucile Avril" is one of the most balanced, smooth wines I've ever had, medium to full bodied with notes of herbs, cherry, and raspberry on the palate. Velvety tannins and a long, clean finish really drive home this exceptional wine. If you're looking for an amazing Chateauneuf-du-Pape, look no further than the 2022 "Lucile Avril".

Price: $49.99

JS: 97

JD: 94

RP: 91

2021 Gaja Barbaresco 6-Pack in OWC

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/3/2026 | Send Email

The "Annata" is shaping up to be a modern classic. 2021 was a vintage of structure and tension. This wine is tight, focused, and built for the long haul—a true cellar candidate.

Price: $1,749.99

2021 Gaja Barbaresco

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/3/2026 | Send Email

The "Annata" is shaping up to be a modern classic. 2021 was a vintage of structure and tension. This wine is tight, focused, and built for the long haul—a true cellar candidate.

Price: $289.99

2024 Gaja "Rossj Bass" Langhe Bianco

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/3/2026 | Send Email

The perfect introduction to the Gaja white style. Elegant, vibrant, and impeccable, blending Chardonnay with a touch of Sauvignon Blanc.

Price: $120.03

2024 Gaja "Rossj Bass" Langhe Bianco

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/3/2026 | Send Email

The perfect introduction to the Gaja white style. Elegant, vibrant, and impeccable, blending Chardonnay with a touch of Sauvignon Blanc.

Price: $119.99

2024 Rendez-Vous Côtes-du-Rhône Villages by K&L Wine Merchants

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 2/3/2026 | Send Email

On the nose, there's a beautiful freshness that shows the relative youth of this wine. There's something hauntingly dark and brambley on the nose, which I don't normally expect this kind of depth at this price. Blackberry, a little bit of dried herbs, a touch of blue fruit, this is promising to be kind of a big guy. Alright, it's got big fruit that has a little bit of creaminess to it, but the tannins are really super well-integrated and subtle giving the whole wine a real juiciness and approachability. This is your every day easygoing bottle of wine that you open up when you get home, have a glass to wind down, another one while you cook and the rest with dinner. It's just so easy and friendly. Good job, Keith.

Price: $12.99

Billecart-Salmon "Le Rosé" Champagne

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 2/3/2026 | Send Email

I mean, yeah. This is the one for most people, including myself, that when they think about that indulgent bottle of Champagne that they splurge on now and then. Unless you're of a higher tax bracket than myself, in which case, it's the go to Champagne that you know you're going to enjoy. Either way, it's a great rosé and really the epitome of a light rosé Champagne for most people. The nose is a little more fruit-forward than I remember from the past, but nothing wrong with that for me. It's got bright and ripe strawberry along with a little bit of lemon curd behind that, the palate is delicious, with really bright raspberry twining with the lemon as it moves through your palate. Top notch acidity, of course, and just a really beautiful very slightly pithy finish. Me likey.

Price: $89.99

Laurent-Perrier "Cuvée Rosé" Brut Rosé Champagne

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 2/3/2026 | Send Email

While most Champagne houses make their rosé Champagne by adding red wine to white, Laurent Perrier makes it through the saignée method which is 100% Pinot Noir cold soaked to impart color from the skins. All that being said, this is pretty darn good, it's a slightly richer style of rosé than others but there's nothing wrong with that at all. The nose has a little bit of spice from being full Pinot, there's really pretty and precious fruit there with raspberry flowers and a seared strawberry on the nose, and then the palate is lovely and ripe with a mid-richness and touches of crunchier fruits, with a little bit of cranberry to accompany the raspberry and strawberry, and then a little lemon to tie the whole thing together. This is a great bottle of Champagne from one of the greatest Champagne Houses. Need I say more?

Price: $89.99

Fallet-Dart "Grande Sélection" Brut Champagne

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 2/3/2026 | Send Email

Of all the direct imports that we carry, Fallet Dart is one of the producers you can count on always leaving things on the lees long enough to bring out the brioche-y baguette characteristics that some people are really looking for. Even this, the Grand Selection, their entry point has lots of beautiful touch of baguette crumb in the nose that forms this foci that the fruit surround and kind of dance about as you let the nose evolve. While there's lovely apple, I also get a touch of quince, and lots of bright and sweeter lemon notes. The palate is fantastic, beautiful light and small bubbles a little bit of toasted brioche and then pretty crisp apple accompanied by lemon flowers, lemon candy, and lemon zest. It's just perfect and perfectly fresh while really embodying the more lees-forward style of Champagne. Delicious.

Price: $37.99

Damien Hugot "Hommage 1921" Extra Brut Champagne

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 2/3/2026 | Send Email

Dollar for dollar, this has historically been one of my favorite Champagnes that we carry. Now, I admit, I will say that about a large majority of our Champagnes, because they're mostly all my favorites, but that's not the point of this. The point is, that if you want a Champagne that's a little more fruit forward, but with a nice clean freshy finish on the back this is absolutely the one for you. This is an applepear delicious experience the whole way through, and a little bit more depth than some of the other offerings we have, definitely mid-rich with enough around that to justify it and enough acidity to make sure it still ends incredibly fresh. Aaron loves it.

Price: $49.99

2019 Fallet-Dart "Pur Meunier" Champagne

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 2/3/2026 | Send Email

I know I've mentioned before that Meunier is probably my favorite Champagne grape, it's always been what I've found to be most food friendly for my palate and it just pairs with everything in my experience. This is just amazing stuff, I've enjoyed Fallet-Dart in the past and definitely recommended it but the current lineup we have makes me feel like I've been missing out nonetheless. This Pur Meunier is just ridiculously good, there's this touch of dried pineapple on the nose that is so perfect and pretty it gives me pause. Behind that I smell more yellow fruit, and only then it goes a into citrus with a little touch of blood orange, but also there's a bright lemon shining through at the end. The palate is just everything that I could have dreamed it would be, there's a savory mid-point though there's a lot of fruit around it so it feels shorter, and then there's a slightly saline minerality on the finish that just lingers and holds on. Despite my wide vocabulary I lack the words to adequately explain to you exactly how much I love this particular bottle of Champagne. It's pretty darn tootin' good, y'all.

Price: $69.99

Damien Hugot Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 2/3/2026 | Send Email

An almost ephemeral nose on this, it's got little bits of jasmine, a little bit of leesy complexity and then it leans into a soft apple with bright lemon candy. The palate is incredibly fresh with layers of citrus and chalk that really bring everything together, this is absolutely top tier Champagne. We're so fortunate to have these direct imports that Gary has painstakingly sourced. Do I talk enough about how lucky we are to have Gary Westby as our Champagne buyer? He's a phenomenal person and some might say peerless in his particular bailiwick, he brings in these amazing Champagnes that make our jobs a lot easier, since they're all of such impeccable quality. Thanks Gary.

Price: $49.99

2023 Domaine Jean-Michel Giboulot Cote d'Or Bourgogne Rouge

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

This is an outstanding Bourgogne Rouge! I have always loved the wines of Domaine Jean-Michel Giboulot with their focus on Savigny-les-Beaune but lately the cool little secret is they make a serious kick-ass Bourgogne rouge! This baby is loaded with brilliant fruit notes that run the gamut from fresh cranberry all the way through to cassis and blackberry with subtle notes of spice and dried herbs. Wonderful acidity, excellent freshness and tension beautiful match the ample fruit notes all framed perfectly by hints of subtle oak and tannin. Such an easy-drinking and enjoyable red that any red Burgundy value enthusiast will undoubtedly enjoy!

Price: $27.99

2022 Gemstone "Facets" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 2/1/2026 | Send Email

Yummy, yummy, yummy! A seamless full-bodied fruit-forward Cabernet Sauvignon. The nose oozes with herbal notes (mint, cinnamon, thyme, and sweet vanilla), chocolate, fennel, dusted black cherries, and violets. On the palate, plushy and soft fruit, super fine tannins, and popping dark fruit that lingers on the tongue. When California gets it right, it's easy to remember why Napa Valley is considered one of the great premium wine regions in the world. This baby is ready to crack open tonight and add a dash of luxury and sophistication to your evening.

Price: Hidden

DC: 95

2022 Benjamin et David Duclaux "La Germine" Côte-Rôtie

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 2/1/2026 | Send Email

I am very excited to welcome the wines of Duclaux into our Direct Import program. On my most recent visit to the Northern Rhône, I had the opportunity to taste with the Duclaux brothers, and the wines were truly revelatory. La Germine comes from one of the notable lieux-dits near Tupin, where gneiss-driven soils produce wines of finesse and elegance. The wine is brimming with dark berry fruit and roasted plum, layered with hints of bay leaf and graphite that speak clearly to the region’s character. The tannins are supple and inviting, yet there is a core of fruit that recalls the more traditional expressions of the Northern Rhône—never overt, always balanced and poised. This is a tremendous new addition to our portfolio and fits beautifully alongside our other standout producers from the region, including Domaine Barge and Clos de la Bonnette.

Price: $64.99

JD: 93

Fallet-Dart "Clos du Mont" Brut Champagne (2006)

By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 1/30/2026 | Send Email

The 2006 Fallet Dart The 2006 Fallet Dart “Les Hauts des Clos du Mont” feels like a Champagne that has finally settled into itself. The mousse is soft and refined, more silk than sparkle, opening with aromas of toasted brioche, roasted almond, honeyed apple, and a subtle chalky depth that immediately signals age and complexity. On the palate it’s broad and layered, showing baked pear, lemon curd, hazelnut, and a touch of caramelized sugar, all carried by a quiet but persistent line of acidity that keeps everything balanced. The finish is long, savory, and mineral-driven, leaving behind notes of warm pastry and saline stone. This is not a loud or flashy Champagne — it’s mature, composed, and indulgent in a slow, luxurious way, made for dim lights, long conversations, and unhurried drinking.

Price: $79.99

Fallet-Dart "Clos du Mont" Brut Champagne (2006)

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 1/30/2026 | Send Email

After a few spins in the glass, the initial whiff of tart lemons mellows out with scents of baked golden apples and almond cake. It is a very nicely complex nose which made me anticipate what the palate would be like. It does not disappoint! The palate is also quite tart (upfront) with a softer touch of lemon and citrus. The upper palate exhibited some fresh ginger flavors, almonds and pine nuts, with white fruits (apple and pear) and rich baked caramel. The latter flavors come out more after some slight warming in the glass. The finish is very long and citrus evident. This one should age beautifully, even though it is already 20 years old! I have several bottles of the 2004 version of this and have opened those over the past few years. They were still fresh and tasty, with a very small bead. So, you can take your pick and either drink it today or put it into the cellar for further aging. Quite the wine for under $80.00!

Price: $79.99

2022 Domaine Benedetti Cotes-du-Rhone Rouge Vieilles Vignes

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 1/30/2026 | Send Email

This little Côtes du Rhône offers an impressive amount of wine for the price. Dark berry fruit leads the way, with notes of blackberry and currant jam, followed by a subtle spice element and that classic Grenache hint of tobacco. Old vines shine through here, bringing depth, warmth, and a satisfying sense of concentration.

Price: $14.99

2021 Casanova di Neri "Giovanni Neri" Brunello di Montalcino

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 1/30/2026 | Send Email

This is the newest jewel in the crown, a tribute to the founder of the estate. Sourced from a unique vineyard in the Sesta zone with vines that are over 50 years old, the "Giovanni Neri" offers a completely different expression than the Tenuta Nuova. If Tenuta Nuova is the power of the south, Giovanni Neri is the soul and history of the estate. It feels more "classic" in its profile, focusing on high-toned aromatics and finesse. The nose is soaring and complex, with notes of wild strawberry, blood orange, rose petal, and white pepper. On the palate, it is incredibly tense and vibrant, with a distinct, stony minerality that speaks to the old vines. The tannins are fine-grained and chalky, providing a vertical structure that drives the finish on and on. It is a profound, intellectual Brunello that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the region's absolute best. A rare and special wine.

Price: $329.99

JD: 98

JS: 98

VN: 96

2021 Casanova di Neri "White Label" Brunello di Montalcino

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 1/30/2026 | Send Email

The 2021 is sleek, defined, and incredibly pure. The nose offers a precise beam of dark cherry, black raspberry, and the estate’s signature balsamic note—a mix of wild mint and savory herbs. On the palate, it is medium-to-full-bodied with a texture that is pure silk. The tannins are polished to a high sheen, supporting a core of vibrant fruit that lingers on the finish. It’s a Brunello of immediate pleasure that will also age effortlessly for a decade. A smart, sophisticated buy.

Price: $69.99

JD: 95

VN: 95

2023 Domaine de l'Abbé Dîne Châteauneuf-du-Pape

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 1/30/2026 | Send Email

Our newest Direct Import from the Rhône has just hit our shores, and I’m pleased to introduce this exciting new arrival from L’Abbé Dîne. Vigneron Nathalie Raynaud took over her family’s holdings only a few years ago and has quickly begun to make a name for herself. The domaine’s vines are planted primarily on sandy soils, giving this Grenache-driven Châteauneuf-du-Pape the lifted, bright red–fruit profile that sand brings so beautifully to the wines of the region. There’s freshness and energy at the core, yet the finish remains fleshy and generous. Nathalie and L’Abbé Dîne are very much rising stars in Châteauneuf, and I believe her wines will continue to gain depth—and demand—as more people begin to take notice. Coming in well under $50, this is a must-buy in the category.

Price: Hidden

DC: 92

JD: 90 - 92

2020 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 1/30/2026 | Send Email

Vieux Donjon still ranks as one of my favorite QPR Châteauneuf-du-Pape producers. The winery has always focused on doing just two things well: crafting one great red and one great white. Year after year, this bottling lands firmly in my top 10 wines of the category. The 2020 shows a seamless texture and is just beginning to find its classic CDP voice. Wild raspberries, red licorice, and plums are rounded out by notes of garrigue and lead pencil. Excellent terroir expression throughout, and this should continue to gain nuance over the coming decade. An absolute star of the vintage.

Price: $59.99

Found North "Season 6 - Cherry Liqueur Finish #6138" Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Canadian Whisky (750ml)

By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 1/30/2026 | Send Email

If you want to see just how transformative a finishing barrel can be, look no further. The Found North team continues to uncover exceptional spirits and showcase blending skills that are rarely seen from our neighbors to the north. This particular release is a wild one. Finishing the blend in cherry liqueur casks might suggest an overly sweet result, but that is not the case here. The cherry is certainly present, yet it weaves seamlessly into the hearty grains and earthy notes that form the backbone of the whisky. Fruit still leads the charge, with the nose offering rich cherry preserves and baked Fuji apples, followed by cassia bark, kola nut, and cedar cigar box. On the palate, this is far from a cherry bomb. Spice does much of the heavy lifting, shaping the profile into something closer to a cherry-spiced compote with a savory edge. A peppery basil note appears briefly before fading behind cinnamon and clove, hinting at how beautifully this would pair with roasted duck or a creamy brie. The spices carry through the finish, which is rustic, comforting, and exactly what you would want while sitting beside a fire in an old Canadian log cabin on a snowy winter night. Another stellar expression from one of the most impressive blending houses working today, and further proof that properly constructed Canadian whisky can stand shoulder to shoulder with its southern counterpart.

Price: $119.99

Fallet-Dart "Clos du Mont" Brut Champagne (2006)

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 1/29/2026 | Send Email

There's Champagne that's aged a while on the lees and then there's the Fallet-Dart Clos Du Mont. This is all 2006 vintage, and was aged on the lees for over 15 years. The result is something complex, deep, and a little nutty on the finish. The nose is wide and round, with a back note of sourdough and then loads of lovely classic fruits buried underneath, golden apples and lemon with a little wisp of jasmine in the very back. The palate is similar, very citrus forward while there's some baked apples in the background along with all toasty lees and a little touch of honey on the finish. This is an incredibly structured and deep Champagne that I want to have with a roast chicken or a meatier fish with. -- Recently had a bottle of the newest drop and it's still everything you want it to be.

Price: $79.99

2024 Domaine d'Abrigeon "Coquelicot" Grenache Vin de France Rouge

By: Dulcinea Gonzalez | Review Date: 1/29/2026 | Send Email

This is exactly the kind of bottle I love to recommend from the shop floor. The 2024 Domaine d’Abrigéon “Coquelicot” Grenache is an organic, thoughtfully made Vin de France that truly overdelivers at $19.99. It’s pure, juicy Grenache, driven by fresh raspberry fruit and a soft cinnamon note that adds warmth and lift without distracting from the wine’s natural freshness. Bright, honest, and incredibly drinkable, it still shows real intention and care in the winemaking. A genuine smart buy, this wine is wonderfully versatile at the table and equally enjoyable for everyday drinkers and seasoned wine lovers alike.

Price: $19.99

2023 Domaine Cécile Chassagne Gigondas

By: Dulcinea Gonzalez | Review Date: 1/29/2026 | Send Email

Domaine Cécile Chassange Gigondas feels honest and true to place, offering classic southern Rhône character without excess. Aromas of fresh rosemary, garrigue, and ripe raspberry rise naturally from the glass, followed by a bright, energetic palate that balances juicy red fruit with savory herbal depth. There’s a sense of restraint and freshness here that keeps the wine lively and drinkable, while still delivering the structure expected from Gigondas. At $24.99, it’s a genuine, soulful bottle that reflects its terroir and offers remarkable value.

Price: $24.99

JD: 92

2023 Domaine Barge "La Ribaudy" Saint-Joseph Blanc

By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 1/28/2026 | Send Email

This is a beautifully pure, terroir-driven Marsanne that leans into freshness and texture rather than heaviness. Aromas of pear skin, white flowers, crushed stone, and subtle almond lead into a focused palate with clean orchard fruit, mineral tension, and gentle savory notes. The sandy granite soils bring lift and precision, while neutral barrel aging adds quiet structure without masking the fruit. Bright, elegant, and quietly complex — a standout Northern Rhône white for lovers of finesse over flash.

Price: $39.99

2010 Aultmore 12 Year Old "Old Malt Cask" Single Refill Butt Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 1/28/2026 | Send Email

Aultmore is one of those distilleries that kind of pisses me off. The owners do not seem interested in selling the product, even though they have gone out of their way to create a new, posh looking package. There is no visitor center or even a website dedicated to the distillery in any meaningful way. I really enjoy the little Aultmore that makes its way here, and I even really like the distillery bottlings, but they are simply impossible to find. So I am excited to taste this wonderful big butt of Aultmore, which yielded nearly 700 bottles, fewer than 80 of which made it to the US. Aultmore in old sherry barrels can be gorgeous, and I very much enjoy the character of this whisky, so I was glad to see one in this style, especially since the previous Aultmore we had was an absolute sherry monster. Here goes. The color is an inspiring old gold (0.6), and I think we will see more malt than wine here. The nose is soft and subtle, quite elegant, with gentle poached fruit and a bright malt base note. There is a third layer as well, almost like wet clay mixed with dry hay, but it is very subtle and does not protrude beyond the fragrant fruity nose. The palate offers a good medium bodied texture, with sweet malt up front and hints of sherry offering subtle spice and zesty citrus. Throughout, baked apples rather than fresh are clearly the star. With water, it becomes all apples and pear pomace, juicy and delicious. It might be a summer whisky, but it is sunny here so I am loving this. All in all, a very appealing and approachable whisky that will suit any lover of the softer Speyside style who is not after a big sherry note, yet still wants a bit more complexity.

Price: $79.99

2007 Craigellachie 16 Year Old "Old Malt Cask" Single Sherry Butt Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 1/28/2026 | Send Email

Not a lot can go wrong with a nicely aged Craigellachie in a good quality sherry butt. There was a period when many of these barrels showed strong sulfur character, so much so that certain Scotch lovers actively seek out that style, but modern bottlings rarely exhibit those intense flavors. This, however, is not one of the rarer lighter-style Craigellachies that could feel as if they were distilled anywhere. Instead, it is a very classical expression, showing the telltale aromatics of that heady old-school spirit. The label does not indicate that this is a refill barrel, yet the color is not particularly dark, suggesting a somewhat subtler wine influence compared to others we have seen over the years. That bodes well for a balanced, complex, and classical profile, which I typically love. Let me check. The color is amber (0.7). The nose is immediately expressive, with dense aromas of machine shop, cured meats, candied pineapple, and malty syrup. There is a tiny twinge of sulfur funk, but it is well within expected bounds and likely comes from the spirit rather than the cask. The palate is absolutely gorgeous, shedding that hint of funk and instead showing a powerful, oily texture. The sweetness on the front palate is undeniable, with nutty caramel sauce, citrus oils, and sweet fruit, pulled back by dark fudgy cocoa and a subtle salty, earthy finish. This is exceptionally pleasurable and well balanced. I should have tasted it with water, but it is perfectly lovely neat. It also loves oxygen, and the patient drinker will be rewarded as this malt continues to build in the glass. Fabulous value here.

Price: $99.99

2007 Auchroisk 16 Year Old "Old Malt Cask" Single Refill Hogshead Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 1/27/2026 | Send Email

This gorgeous barrel of Auchroisk is so classical and creamy it's a real drinker. I'm not sure what qualifies this to have been bottled for the inauguration of Ardnahoe, but if they were going for the most typical in style from this particular distillery, I'd believe it. Let's have a go. The color is white wine (0.1). The nose is big orchard fruit -tangy green apple, Bartlett pear, fresh malt, kiwi skins, graham cracker and creme anglais. On the palate it's equally juicy with big apple-y fruit and more pithy citrus. The creaminess of the nose is lost to some earthy malt character, but a dash of water bring is roaring back. It surely doesn't need the water and will drink nicely if you like the edge of full 100 proof. Perhaps not unusual or bold, but just damn good malty mid-aged Speysider for a wonderful price.

Price: $89.99

2019 Roccolo Grassi Amarone della Valpolicella

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 1/27/2026 | Send Email

The 2019 Roccolo Grassi Amarone is a phenomenal wine and a perfect example of why this estate is considered one of the absolute benchmarks for modern, elegant Amarone. Marco Sartori is a master of his craft, producing wines of incredible depth and precision that challenge the stereotype of Amarone as simply a big, heavy wine. This is what I love about Roccolo Grassi: their Amarone is powerful, yes, but it’s also incredibly lifted and energetic. They are meticulous about achieving perfect ripeness during the appassimento (grape drying) process, but they ferment the wine to be almost completely dry. The residual sugar here is super low (4gr), resulting in an Amarone that is defined by its aromatic complexity and structure, not by sweetness. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and concentrated: the tannins are powerful yet polished and a vibrant acidity provides a backbone of energy that carries the deep, savory fruit to an exceptionally long finish. If you thought, you didn’t like Amarone this is the wine that will make you change opinion. Perfect holidays wine, everyone at the table will be in love this this!

Price: $89.99

VN: 98

2020 Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Centenario

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 1/27/2026 | Send Email

This is a historic bottling, marking a century of the Visconti Fuligni family's stewardship of this incredible land (1923-2023). To celebrate this milestone, the estate has released a Riserva from the warm and generous 2020 vintage that captures the sheer joy and generosity of Montalcino. Where the 2019 is stern and classic, the 2020 "Centenario" is opulent and welcoming. The warmth of the vintage has given this wine a luscious, velvety texture that is simply irresistible. The nose is explosive, bursting with ripe black cherry, blackberry jam, exotic spices, and a hint of chocolate. On the palate, it is full-bodied and enveloping, with tannins that are round, ripe, and polished to perfection. It offers immediate gratification without sacrificing complexity. A fitting tribute to 100 years of excellence, and a wine that drinks beautifully right out of the gate.

Price: $179.99

2019 Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 1/27/2026 | Send Email

If the 2021 is about ethereal elegance, the 2019 Riserva is about profound depth and classic structure. Coming from a vintage that critics have universally hailed as perfect, this Riserva is built for the long haul. Selected from the estate's oldest vines and aged longer in traditional oak, this is a brooding, serious wine. The nose is darker and more introspection than the annata, showing black plum, truffle, leather, and distinct balsamic notes. On the palate, it is powerful and firmly structured, with the noble, grippy tannins that demand patience. There is a density here that sets it apart, a core of savory fruit that is tightly coiled and ready to unfurl over the next 20+ years. This is a "Grand Cru" level wine for the serious collector.

Price: $169.99

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