K&L Wine Merchants - Staff Favorites

By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 4/30/2026 | Send Email

More bitter than sweet, this is a true aperitivo-style spritz with a real edge and refreshment. Bright orange peel and herbal notes lead the way, balanced by crisp bubbles and a clean dry finish. It's lighter, more refreshing and less sugary than most ready-to-drink spritzes, making it perfect for people who want something more adult and balanced. Chill it down and it's an instant, no-effort aperitivo that actually tastes like one.

Price: $13.99

2025 La Bargemone Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence Rosé

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 4/30/2026 | Send Email

Super lush and ripe nose, there's a lot of white peach, pear drops, with a tropical touch of Gros Michel. This is pool wine through and through, definitely for someone who wants something more fruit forward and inviting. The palate is where the wild strawberry starts to really pop out, underripe raspberry, bruised pear, and vibrant lemon candy all are carried with enough acid to give it a little bite of that thirst quenching rosé vibe, but there's still gobs of fruit through the palate as well. This is so friendly and inviting, it's got a little bit of weight but still drinks super light and fresh but with those tropical touches that kind make a rosé just a touch more fun. Yummers! Yes, I say yummers sometimes, it's fine.

Price: $18.99

JD: 91

2025 Domaine de Fondrèche Ventoux Rosé

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 4/30/2026 | Send Email

There's this kind of raspberry candy on the nose that's really interesting, it unlocked some kind of memory for me, there's that with some white peach, wild strawberry, a little touch of some tropical. It's really an enjoyable nose that's drawing me in, and then the palate is a little wacky in the most enjoyable of ways. It's got this kind of fruit crescendo that at first sip, it's got some light fruit and more mineral and then it just gets more and more juicy with a pushing salinity that just emphasizes everything and then just a light little touch of tannin at the end that makes it have the slightest grip, it's crazy good and for this price might be one of my biggest go-to bottles this season.

Price: $18.99

VN: 90

2015 Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix Chablis 1er Cru "Vaillons"

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 4/30/2026 | Send Email

This is a rarity! A Chablis with 10 plus years under its belt! Of the two offering from this vintage and this producer, the "Vaillons" is of a richer style. Nicely rounded yellow apple fruit with an ample texture and mouthfeel. Of course, there is also a lovely citrus, which in this case is more lemon than lime and of a creamy style. Underneath it all is a classic Chablis minerality and wet stone character. A top quality Chablis with just the right amount of age!

Price: $64.99

2024 Samuel Louis Smith "Baytree Lane Vineyard" Sonoma Valley Gamay Noir

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 4/29/2026 | Send Email

We don't get a lot of Gamay Noir but, when we get ones like this, it's time to jump up and take notice. I find this type of wine to be absolutely perfect when I need something a little lighter than Pinot Noir. Particularly to match with certain food for certain friends who do not drink white wine. You know who you are. This is one pretty baby that smells floral and crunchy. Raspberry flavors dominate with bright minerals and crunchy, crunchy cherry flavors. Jolly Rancher cherry flavors! The tiniest bit of spice on the upper palate brings joy and the finish is pure and lingering. I don't know why but, fish and chips came to mind when I tasted this.

Price: Hidden

JD: 97

WE: 94

2025 Red Car Sonoma Coast Rosé of Pinot Noir

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 4/29/2026 | Send Email

Yes, it is only Spring but, this wine screams "hellooooo Summer!". So darn clean and crisp and inviting! It's even less expensive this year than last year. Wonderfully juicy with bright raspberry and tart strawberry flavors. Minerals and a very light chalk appear along with the mid-palate watermelon goodness. The is going to be THE Rose for your 4th of July!

Price: Hidden

WE: 93

VN: 91

2023 Domaine Roche Cairanne

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 4/29/2026 | Send Email

Romaine Roche will always be one of my favorite people to visit in the Rhône. His generosity and warm, welcoming spirit make every encounter a pleasure. I recently caught up with him at a large trade tasting, where we had the chance to taste through his latest releases—and the 2023s are outstanding. Across the range, the wines capture the beauty of the vintage: expressive fruit, clear terroir definition, all with a sense of finesse. Romaine’s style does not lean toward overstatement. Years ago, he moved away from oak in favor of concrete and stainless steel, a shift that emphasizes freshness and purity of fruit. I’m especially drawn to his traditional Cairanne. A benchmark producer in this now-Cru appellation, the vines for this cuvée are rooted in sandy red clay with limestone bedrock beneath. The wine shows classic notes of blackberry and tobacco, underscored by a mineral edge that reflects the iron-rich soils. Think of it as a Côtes-du-Rhône turned up a notch—or two. A compelling reminder of why Cairanne earned Cru status, and why Romaine Roche remains one of its prominent voices.

Price: $17.99

JGD: 93

JD: 89 - 91

2025 Domaine les Pins "L'Instant" Bourgueil Rosé

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 4/29/2026 | Send Email

I’m always delighted when Domaine les Pins' outlier rosé hits the shelves. Made from 100% Cabernet Franc by one of our favorite Direct Import producers, it comes from sandy, gravelly soils that lend both lift and character. Aromatically, it stands apart: fresh strawberry and watermelon lead the way, followed by a subtle thread of rosemary and a hint of rose petal. It’s a distinctive alternative to the sea of Provençal rosé—more savory but just as refreshing. An easy addition to any weeknight lineup, and another standout value from our Direct Import portfolio.

Price: $13.99

2025 Domaine du Vieil Orme Touraine Blanc Sauvignon Blanc

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 4/29/2026 | Send Email

We often refer to Touraine Sauvignon Blancs as “baby Sancerres.” There’s real overlap in the terroir, with soils rich in clay and limestone, and the moderating influence of the Loire and its tributaries keeping the wines fresh, lifted, and vibrant. The key distinction—beyond the far more accessible price point—is the fruit profile, which tends to show a bit more flesh and ripeness. Vieil Orme has been a longtime staff and client favorite, and the new 2025 release is an absolute delight. There’s a subtle mineral backbone, but the wine leans into generous notes of candied lemon peel, pineapple, and a touch of passion fruit. Bright, expressive, and downright crushable, this easily qualifies as one of the best values for Sauvignon Blanc on the shelf—regardless of category. Another triumph from one of our favorite Direct Import producers.

Price: $14.99

2021 Kobler "Bacigalupi Vineyard" Russian River Valley Zinfandel

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 4/28/2026 | Send Email

Pretty nose with really nice and ripe fruits, but there's like something holding back it's not going full tilt, but it's giving me all the fruit that I really need even if it's not all the fruit I might want out of a Zinfandel. Blackberry, bright blueberry, some dark stewed cherries, and some dark flowers in the background. The palate is juicy but still has structure, and really nice acidity. It's just lovely and easy and for the price, it's really compelling and quite an easy drink.

Price: Hidden

WE: 93

JD: 91

JS: 91

2024 Samuel Louis Smith "Baytree Lane Vineyard" Sonoma Valley Gamay Noir

By: Michael Benoit | Review Date: 4/28/2026 | Send Email

This wine has a beautiful, intriguing nose of raspberry and cherry, with subtle aromas of wet stone. On the palate, it balances juicy red fruit flavors with bracing acidity. Overall, this is a wine of incredible freshness and precision that's a great call when it's too hot for heavier reds, and pairs well with chicken or pork hot off the grill!

Price: Hidden

JD: 97

WE: 94

2022 Château Malherbe Côtes de Provence Blanc

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 4/28/2026 | Send Email

This is a slightly unusual blend, Rolle which is French for Vermentino and Semillon and I really feel people should be doing some more of this. There's more than a touch of oak, but the fruit still shines through really lovely citrus and tree fruits, maybe a peach thrown in for good measure. The mouthfeel is just fantastic, really luxurious and waxy from the Semillon, but then more fruit and great acid come through followed by the barrel and barrel spice. I really was surprised by how much I enjoyed this, it's really a great example of a kind of abstract Bordeaux blanc and more successful than some I've had. Top tier.

Price: $44.99

JS: 90

2023 I. Brand & Family "Escolle Vineyard" Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 4/28/2026 | Send Email

This is probably the third vintage of this that I remember trying, and they've all followed the same stylistic profile as I can recall, it's that kind of purposefully reductive yet seductive style of Chardonnay. There's some matchstick and flint from the reduction, and then behind that just this super pretty and pristine apples and lemons hanging out just being cool fruits, chilling with the barrel spice. The palate is creamy from the oak, kind of opulent and this is where the seduction comes, between the mouthfeel and the lingering barrel-forward finish there's just something about this that pulls me back in for another sip, even when I've fully written my note. The finish is like, almost ridiculously long and it's so ridiculously good as well, I really really like this wine and wish seven generations of blessings upon the Brand family for this bounty they have offered us.

Price: Hidden

2024 Assiduous "Basor Vineyard" Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Gris

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 4/28/2026 | Send Email

Assiduous are, as I have mentioned before, one of our constant staff favorites. It's because the wine is so legit and the pricing is always more than fair. This has touches of apricot, white flowers, pretty lemon, and just this super light yellow cherry note in the far back along with this super light dried grass note. The palate has green apple, crushed rocks, some flowers, and just this fantastic acidity that makes it super fresh and juicy. I just love this, it's interesting and fresh, and feels like something I want to bring to a dinner just to share this winery with other people. This is a wine that makes me happy. Maybe it'll make you happy too.

Price: $19.95

Wine Club

$14.99

JD: 93

2023 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia "Ornellaia" Toscana

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 4/28/2026 | Send Email

This vintage completely redefines the estate's profile, trading in sheer mass for breathtaking electric tension and strict, unyielding structure. The 2023 vintage completely bypasses the jammy, baked traps of the Maremma coast. It leaves the sweet cassis behind to deliver a brooding, cooling wave of crushed graphite, cedar box, and dark, macerated blackberry, all tightly wound with a profound hit of wild Bolgheri macchia—roasted rosemary, eucalyptus, and wild mint. The Cabernet and Merlot here are framed by a rigorous grid of chalky tannins. They are ultra-fine but incredibly demanding, clamping down hard on a bone-dry, fiercely savory finish. This is a tense, uncompromising masterpiece that demands absolute patience. Lock this away in the darkest corner of your cellar for at least a decade.

Price: $289.99

2025 La Marea "Kristy Vineyard" Monterey County Albariño

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 4/28/2026 | Send Email

Such a pretty little nose on this guy, there's such a casual elegance to it, unmistakably Albariño, with this gorgeous and perfectly ripe peach in a field of white flowers. The palate is still super peachy, but I get some yellow plum, and of course more white flowers. There's a kind of slightly stony minerality on the lingering finish, and there's gorgeous acidity pushing through the whole palate. This is definitely a porch wine for me, that sure you could pop the cork and just crush it, but with a couple finger foods or some cheese this would absolutely rule. I love it, summer fun all bottle long.

Price: $19.95

VN: 93

DC: 92

2023 Antech "Emotion" Extra Brut Rosé Crémant de Limoux

By: John Downing | Review Date: 4/28/2026 | Send Email

Sparkling Rose is normally on the pricey side which makes this one truly rare. It's nearly impossible to fine a Rose of this quality under $20. It delivers subtle red fruits, a low dosage and an unmatched complexity and value at the price. Great with or without food.

Price: $18.99

JD: 90

2024 Alzinger "Ried Loibenberg" Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Wachau

By: John Downing | Review Date: 4/28/2026 | Send Email

Alzinger is one of my favorite Austrian wine producers and this one reminded me why. It's an incredibly complex and complete Gruner that combines bright, lifted aromas and flavors with a textural palate. Ample underlying acidity keeps it fresh and lively. Truly outstanding Gruner.

Price: $59.99

VN: 95 - 97

2023 Domaine de Fondrèche Ventoux Rouge

By: Noah Schwartz | Review Date: 4/28/2026 | Send Email

A delightful young wine that, without a doubt, will only get better in the next few years. On the nose, you get blackberry, plum, and a pleasant hint of charcuterie. The palate is dominated by berries and high tannins. It has a medium-to-full body and a long finish. This wine can provide immediate satisfaction or, if you'd prefer a more velvety mouthfeel, be a great wine to lay down for a couple years.

Price: $17.99

JD: 94

JS: 92

RP: 91

2025 La Bargemone Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence Rosé

By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 4/28/2026 | Send Email

Composed of certified organic Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah, the 2025 La Bargemone Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence Rosé is no porch pounder. For goodness’ sake, please give it some space and time to be admired for its vivid flavors and impossibly juicy splendor. It generously offers up a cornucopia of ripe red berries, red-fleshed plum, white nectarine, rose petals, and a hint of Meyer lemon zest. I’m sad my tasting glass is empty right now, and I’m daydreaming about when and where I’ll drink it again, and with whom.

Price: $18.99

JD: 91

2023 Antech "Cuvée Eugenie" Extra Brut Crémant de Limoux

By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 4/28/2026 | Send Email

Composed of 70% Chardonnay, 20% Chenin Blanc, and 10% Mauzac, the 2023 Antech "Cuvée Eugénie" Extra Brut Crémant de Limoux aged 18 months on its lees and was finished with a 5 g/L dosage. It’s another fine example from Antech, offering delightful bubbles for times when you don't want to feel like you're on a tight budget. You can suspend your disbelief with this one, thinking that you paid much more for it than you actually did. Notes of crunchy pear, ripe green apple, and sourdough toast carry a touch of honeyed flavor without the sweetness. Dry, crisp, thirst-quenching and civilized, it would be equally at home at a garden party, a family gathering, or a relaxed Wednesday night with a cat or two and a good movie.

Price: $17.99

JD: 94

2023 Domaine de Fondrèche Ventoux Rouge

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 4/27/2026 | Send Email

I’ve had the chance to visit Fondrèche several times over the years, and sitting in the shadow of Mont Ventoux, it remains one of the most impressive estates in this otherwise humble appellation. A diverse mix of alluvial soils, schist, and clay-limestone gives the domaine a broad palette of terroirs to work with, creating wines of real depth and character. Ventoux still flies a bit under the radar, which keeps prices refreshingly accessible for the level of quality in the glass. Fondrèche’s Ventoux Rouge has been a touchstone for us since we began working directly with the estate nearly a decade ago. Built primarily on Grenache, with support from Syrah and Mourvèdre, it’s packed with lush raspberry fruit that unfolds into layers of bramble, spice, and a subtle mineral edge. This is serious wine for under $20—easily one of the Rhône’s standout values. Another beautiful release from our friends at Fondrèche.

Price: $17.99

JD: 94

JS: 92

RP: 91

New Era 9 Year Old "K&L's Tesseract" K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/26/2026 | Send Email

The wonderful people at New Era have done what nearly every lover of bourbon has always dreamed of—turned their love of this golden elixir into a full time occupation. For Zane Brammell it started with simply sharing his love of the spirit with hundreds of other people and eventually developed into this wonderful new brand. Along the way he enlisted some industry veterans to help his cause, and that's how we connected through an old friend, Kris Comstock of Buffalo Trace fame. Kris was integral to our success in the early days of K&L's KY Barrel program. Our selection was to take place in a little restaurant in the tiny, historic town of Midway, and my colleague Stephanie Manning joined for the festivities. We enjoyed a hearty lunch before cracking into their samples and, despite my insisting we wanted anything except more Wilderness Trail, this barrel stood out among the eight samples we tried. The classic Black Label Wilderness Trail recipe, but aged MUCH longer than we've seen from the distillery's single barrels, which never even crack into the 6 year range. Anyway, it was such a revelation we knew we couldn't let it slip from our grasp. New Era's fun newsprint labels were the perfect canvas to utilize the beautiful art designed by Stephanie's own grandmother, Dorelle Heisel. Her exquisite, mind-bending design represents perfectly the dimensional enigma that this barrel represents. Anyway, let's have a taste! The color is a vibrant mahogany (1.6). The nose is so tight and tied up after opening it needs plenty of AIR! Don't make the mistake of guzzling this right out of the bottle. No, no, it's got so much there, but needs time and air. If you let it wait out, you'll notice an incredible array of sweet confectionary flavors, but the baked apple, cherry compote, and dark chocolate notes dominate. On the palate, some very unusual combinations here with big cinnamon and leather coming in after roasted oak, sweet baked orchard fruit, and jammy red fruit. It's not quite like anything else out there to be honest, and it's hard to pinpoint another distillate in the same flavor range, but that doesn't stop it from being completely delectable. Occasionally, different and delicious are one and the same, and this is a perfect example of that. New combinations of classic flavors, but it will especially reward the most patient drinkers.

Price: $129.99

2023 Antech "Emotion" Extra Brut Rosé Crémant de Limoux

By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 4/25/2026 | Send Email

This is the kind of rose that instantly makes everything feel like summer! Bright strawberry, watermelon, and a touch of citrus zest glide across the palate, backed by a crisp, refreshing finish that keeps you coming back for another sip. It's light and energetic, and effortlessly drinkable, but still has just enough texture to feel polished rather than simple. A perfect grab for warm evenings, casual dinners, or anyone who wants a Proviçal-style rosé feel with a little extra charm.

Price: $18.99

JD: 90

2025 La Bargemone Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence Rosé

By: Cary Herrman | Review Date: 4/25/2026 | Send Email

A more expressive take on Provence than the usual pale and quiet style. The nose is immediately aromatic, leaning tropical with notes of peach and melon, plus a subtle hint of banana that adds a slightly exotic edge without overwhelming things. On the palate, it shows a bit more depth than expected. The fruit carries through, balanced by enough freshness to keep it focused. There's a nice texture here, giving it some presence, and the finish is notably long, with those tropical notes lingering in a clean and composed way. A well put-together rose that stands out for it's aromatics and length while still keeping everything in check. Easy to enjoy, but with enough character to hold your attention.

Price: $18.99

JD: 91

2015 Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix Chablis 1er Cru "Vaillons"

By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 4/25/2026 | Send Email

This Chablis with patience, and it shows. Nearly a decade of aging brings deeper, more layered expression of Chardonnay, with notes of lemon curd, baked apple, and chamomile unfolding over a core of classic oyster shell minerality. The texture is broader and more generous than typical young Chablis, yet still driven by a vibrant, saline backbone that keeps everything lifted and precise. A rare opportunity to experience Premier Cru Chablis with real bottle age-complex, refined, and quietly powerful.

Price: $64.99

2024 Laberinto "Cenizas" Pinot Noir Valle de Maule

By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 4/25/2026 | Send Email

Bright and lifted, this Pinot Noir opens with aromas of red cherry, cranberry, and rose petal, accented by subtle smoky and mineral nose. The palate is fresh and energetic, vibrant red fruit, fine tannins, and a touch of earthy complexity. A gentle savory edge and underlying volcanic character add intrigue, leading to a clean, balanced finish. A distinctive, cool-climate Pinot Noir that overdelivers with freshness, character, and value.

Price: $21.99

2022 North Valley "Compass" Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 4/25/2026 | Send Email

Willamette Valley Pinot Noir for only $19.95? Well, yes and no. Yes, it's $19.95 at K&L, but it's higher everywhere else - if you can find it. The 2022 North Valley Compass is a blend from five biodynamically farmed vineyards in the Willamette Valley and is pure organic Oregon Pinot Noir that punches way above its price point. Aged for ten months if French oak, 25% new, the Compass has notes of black tea, blackberry, dark strawberry, cranberry, pomegranate, rose petals, and baking spices

Price: $19.95

Wine Club

$15.99

2024 Seghesio Sonoma County Zinfandel

By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 4/25/2026 | Send Email

$18.95 for this California classic? Are you kidding me!? Seghesio Family Vineyards has been in Healdsburg since 1895 and is the oldest continuous family owned and operated winery in California. That's 125 vintages over 5 generations! Seghesio is only 1 of 100 California wineries that operated during the tragic scourge that was Prohibition. And you can't get more California classic than Zinfandel! USA! USA! USA! The Seghesio Sonoma County Zinfandel is an institution and the 2024 delivers in spades. On the nose and palate, blueberry, dark chocolate, espresso, spice, fennel, blackberry, soy sauce, and fresh herbs. An excellent new chapter in the storied history of Seghesio. Love it!

Price: $18.95

WS: 92

2023 Antech "Cuvée Eugenie" Extra Brut Crémant de Limoux

By: Cary Herrman | Review Date: 4/25/2026 | Send Email

This is the kind of bottle that makes a strong case for skipping Champagne without feeling like a compromise. The nose leans properly yeasty, think fresh bread and a touch of brioche, with a pop of citrus zest that keeps it lifted. On the palate, it snaps into focus. There is a strong mineral background here, stony and almost saline, pushing everything forward. Citrus and green apple keep it bright, the mousse is tight and energetic, and the extra brut finish lands bone dry and clean. It all feels intentional. No fluff. The value is the kicker. This drinks with more structure and character than the price suggests. Mineral, a little savory, and easy to keep going back without overthinking it.

Price: $17.99

JD: 94

2025 La Bargemone Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence Rosé

By: Jonathan Parnell | Review Date: 4/24/2026 | Send Email

Delightful nose of candied grapefruit. Kiwi and strawberry on the palate. Invite your friends, put in on ice and watch the afternoon melt into the sunset, with smiling faces all around.

Price: $18.99

JD: 91

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

By: Jonathan Parnell | Review Date: 4/24/2026 | Send Email

Complex, elegant nose gives cassis, seasoned wood and stewed red fruit. Palate shows beautifully, expressing red stone fruit. Nice lingering finish. Wonderful for the price.

Price: Hidden

JD: 94

2024 E. Pira Chiara Boschis Barolo Chinato

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 4/24/2026 | Send Email

The ultimate conclusion to an Italian dinner. Chiara’s Chinato is a labor of love—a fortified Barolo aromatized with a secret recipe of herbs, spices, and barks (including Cinchona). It is rich, bitter-sweet, and profoundly complex. In an era where many houses have moved to commercial styles, Chiara maintains the traditional depth that makes this one of the world's great digestifs.

Price: $49.99

2024 E. Pira Chiara Boschis Langhe Nebbiolo

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 4/24/2026 | Send Email

Don't call this an "entry-level" wine; it is a serious Nebbiolo sourced from prime parcels in La Morra. The 2024 is incredibly fresh and expressive, dominated by a bouquet of cherry, raspberry, and dried rose. It is vibrant and "nervous" in the best way, making it the perfect bottle to open while you wait for the Barolos to cellar.

Price: $39.99

2022 E. Pira Chiara Boschis "Cannubi" Barolo

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 4/24/2026 | Send Email

The 2022 Cannubi is a triumph of finesse over heat. It is deep and restrained, showing a sleek elegance that is hard to find in a warm year. Expect a myriad of sweet perfumes—red fruit, spice, and the signature balsamic notes of mint and eucalyptus that only this hill can provide. Suckling calls it "profound in its depths" with plush tannins you can really sink your teeth into.

Price: $149.99

JS: 97

VN: 91

2022 E. Pira Chiara Boschis "Mosconi" Barolo

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 4/24/2026 | Send Email

A total powerhouse. This is one of the most refined expressions of Mosconi we’ve seen, managing to maintain its structural presence while layering in stunning floral overtones. It is austere, complex, and driven by a massive mineral core. Notes of bright cherries, cedar, and sliced mushrooms lead into a driving, persistent finish.

Price: $99.99

JS: 98

VN: 93

2022 E. Pira Chiara Boschis "Via Nuova" Barolo

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 4/24/2026 | Send Email

The "New Road" is outstanding for its pure savoriness in 2022. It is a vibrant, mid-weight Barolo that perfectly balances the characteristics of its six constituent vineyards. Expect earthy strawberries, peonies, and restrained blood orange on the nose, with a silky, dainty palate and tannins that add a surprising, chocolatey touch.

Price: $89.99

JS: 95

VN: 94

2013 Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix Chablis 1er Cru "Cote de Lechet"

By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 4/24/2026 | Send Email

What a steal, 5 dollars per year of age on Premier Cru Chablis! This wine is worth every penny, a crisp, complex expression of a prized appellation. On the palate, this wine is bursting with minerality, with notes of apple, pear, and lemon zest, complemented with salinity and a touch of honey. 2013 Chablis is drinking beautifully right now, and this is certainly among the best options on the market.

Price: $64.99

2015 Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix Chablis 1er Cru "Vaillons"

By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 4/24/2026 | Send Email

The 2015 Vaillons opens with an intensely flinty nose that gives way to aromas of lemon chiffon and dried herbs. The palate is richly textured, with abundant orchard fruit balanced by a surge of acidity and energy. The mid- to back-palate is particularly impressive, revealing layers of fruit and complexity that carry seamlessly through to a finish marked by classic Chablisienne character.

Price: $64.99

2013 Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix Chablis 1er Cru "Cote de Lechet"

By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 4/24/2026 | Send Email

A beautiful nose of Red Delicious apple and pear mingles with notes of straw and lemon. The palate shows wonderful drive and verve, with racy acidity that carries orchard fruit, wet stone, and flinty mineral tones across the palate, building complexity from start to the long, satisfying finish. A truly delicious Chablis, it feels remarkably vibrant and exuberant for a wine at 13 years of age.

Price: $64.99

2024 Ridge Vineyards Paso Robles Grenache Blanc

By: Noah Schwartz | Review Date: 4/24/2026 | Send Email

While the winemaker behind this delicious Grenache Blanc is being playful, this bottle doesn't play around. You can really tell how much effort went into making it- from the precise combination of varieties (85% Grenache Blanc, 12% Picpoul, and 3% Roussanne), to the meticulous fermentation process that involves stainless steel, barrels both old and new, as well as amphora and concrete tanks mixed in. The result? A vividly aromatic wine, that’s complex and serious but still fresh and vibrant. The bright acidity balances the smoky flint notes, and the savory minerality ties the whole thing together beautifully.

Price: $29.95

DC: 94

JS: 94

VN: 92

2024 Matteo Ascheri Langhe Nebbiolo

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 4/24/2026 | Send Email

If the brilliant 2021 Barolo is the benchmark for value and precise terroir expression, the 2024 Langhe Nebbiolo is the ultimate everyday proof of Matteo Ascheri's no-nonsense approach. This is exactly what entry-level Nebbiolo should be: pure, unmanipulated, and completely stripped of any commercial makeup. The nose is incredibly open and fragrant, immediately mirroring the ethereal qualities of his Barolo. . It is undeniably one of the smartest, most expressive everyday Nebbiolos on the market.

Price: $24.99

2024 Raen "Royal St. Robert Cuvée" Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 4/24/2026 | Send Email

A truly benchmark expression of the ultra-cool, western edge of the Sonoma Coast. This wine is sourced from a handful of vineyards, all within a few miles of the frigid Pacific. Fruit comes from Occidental, Bodega, and Fort Ross, where temperatures tend to hover in the upper 60s and low 70s even in mid-summer. This long, moderate growing season allows for incredible flavor development while preserving the fruit’s natural acidity. Clones include Calera, Swan, and Dijon selections 667, 115, and 777. The wine is made with 100% whole-cluster native fermentation and aged in neutral French oak to preserve a pure expression of the coast. The nose soars from the glass with dried rose petals, alpine strawberry, bramble leaf, torn herbs, camphor, subtle leather, and earthy spice. The fruit profile mirrors the aromatics beautifully, with wild red berries, black raspberry, lifted floral tones, and deeper earthy notes. Woodsy spice, coastal chaparral, and brambly tones are always present, interwoven with the bright red fruit. Long and silky on the palate, this is beautifully resolved even as a young wine, though it will surely become even more striking and gain additional mid-palate breadth with a few years in bottle. A singular, distinctive, and truly compelling expression of Pinot Noir that deserves a place on anyone’s dinner table.

Price: $73.95

JS: 99

VN: 94

WS: 92

2024 Aniello Blanco de Pinot Noir Rio Negro Patagonia

By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 4/23/2026 | Send Email

So fresh, flavorful and fun, this is my pick for the wine of the summer. The 2024 Aniello Blanco de Pinot Noir from Patagonia is a refreshing white wine vinified from 100% Pinot Noir, however, it is actually the palest shade of pink possible, more akin to a vin gris style of rosé from France. This tiny amount of pigmentation is extracted during the pressing of the fruit – the bunches of Pinot Noir are put directly into the press, and during this process itself, a subtle amount of color is extracted from the grape skins as the juice is extracted from the berries. Aniello is located in the heart of Patagonia, in southern Argentina, where long sunlight hours combined with cold nights help to create wines with great intensity and an electric, refreshing feel on the palate. This is evident in the Aniello, where a high level of fruit concentration is contrasted by bright acidity and lingering minerality. Also, an interesting characteristic about white wine made from red grapes is that many typical red fruit aromatics remain: in this wine, fresh strawberries and cream, juicy red plum and a slightly tarter red currant note. Aging in concrete and neutral barrels on the fine lees adds white almond and yeasty brioche to the mix, all backed up by a bracing, lingering finish. At this price, there’s a lot to like here: top-notch winemaking from a premium (and very up-and-coming) wine region, leading to a highly unique style of wine that would be very fun to serve to guests – after all, how many people have tried a white Pinot Noir from Patagonia? This is one to buy by the case while still available.

Price: $14.99

JS: 91

VN: 90

Domaine Hubert "K&L Exclusive" Pays d'Auge Vieux Calvados (750ml)

By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/22/2026 | Send Email

Its absolutely nuts that we're still able to get this stupendous product on the shelf for $35. The simple fact is that apple brandy production is extremely slow and difficult. It requires years and years of waiting for the trees to produce enough fruit for them to be commercially viable. But the Huberts are nonetheless putting exceptionally high quality brandy into great old would and doing it at a very reasonable price. Let's taste it! The first nosing is fragrant and round with soft ripe apple, hints of sweet spices and bake pears. The palate is very zesty and bright, moving more toward your granny smith than the baked pear on the nose. Medium bodied with a super round soft finish. There's tons of character here, so into the cocktails is where this will suit most people, but if you've ever been to Normandy this is as good as anything you'll ever try. It is the perfect thing to put on the table for the "trou" in your holiday dinner. An incredible digestif by any measure.

Price: $34.99

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

By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 4/22/2026 | Send Email

Deep and Mediterranean in character, this blend opens with aromas of blackberry, black cherry, and plum layered with note of licorice and subtle spice. The palate is rich and full-bodied, with ripe dark fruit supported by firm, well-structured tannins and a warm, savory core. Hints of vanilla and dried herbs add complexity, leading to a long, smooth finish. A classic southern French blend that delivers power, rustic charm, and excellent value.

Price: Hidden

JD: 94

2021 Red Car Sonoma Coast Syrah

By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 4/22/2026 | Send Email

Sourced from Red Car's Estate and Romondo vineyards, the 2021 Red Car Sonoma Coast is classic cool climate Syrah - savory with bright acidity and polished tannins. It is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, 18% new. Savory aromas of black olive, lavender, dark plum, mint, black pepper, with bright, vibrant acidity, and a weightlessness on the palate common to Sonoma Coast wines.

Price: Hidden

JS: 94

WE: 92

WS: 92

2023 Monte Rio "Old Vines" Lodi Zinfandel

By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 4/22/2026 | Send Email

What a great yummy old vine Zin! I can't believe it's only $15 because it sells for $25 on the Monte Rio website! A blend from four organically farmed Lodi vineyards with 95-year-old Zinfandel vines, the 2023 Old Vine Lodi is pressed and fermented whole cluster in stainless steel followed by 10 months is neutral barrels. Low intervention in the cellar and no sulfur added. Bottled unfiltered. This is the opposite of a big jammy high alcohol Zin, which is say it's better. Medium bodied with flavors of blackberry, blueberry, red and black cherry, black pepper, tobacco leaf, and dried herbs.

Price: Hidden

WE: 94

2025 Domaine de Triennes Mediteranée Rosé

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 4/21/2026 | Send Email

Easy and approachable this is such a friendly and fun bottle of pool wine. A little bit of tropical, but then more raspberry and bright strawberry than anything else, with a really pleasant but not too pushing acidity that goes through the whole palate. For people looking for a nice Provencal style rosé. The lingering finish has a little touch of something floral at the very end, really ending on a pretty and lingering note. This is new to us, and what a nice surprise!

Price: $17.99

2022 Domaine Vico "Cantinone" Corse Rouge

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 4/21/2026 | Send Email

Having these less common varietals is always such a treat, and I've found the Corsican wine I've had so far to all be really good. I realize that Keith is just trying to bring in the best ones, but still, hey, thumbs up Corsica keep up the good work. Obviously this wine is no exception, and gosh, I really enjoyed it when we opened it this morning but it's so much better now. The nose is a study in delicacy and elegance, all these angels balancing on the head of a pin, there's raspberry, red cherry, strawberry, a bouquet of flowers, a sachet of dried herbs, and something intensely savory and umami. This is just marvelous, absolutely top notch. The palate is racy and beautiful, this super rush of fruit at the front with this deeply savory middle that both then twine and blend together for a finish that has fruit but pushes forward with barrel spice, roundness, and a lingering sort of fruit and leather on the very finish. This is one of my favorite new wines already, and there's a lot of people who enjoy a little pretty wine that are going to get this in their hands. If that ends up being you, you're welcome, happy to help!

Price: $59.99

JD: 96

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