K&L Wine Merchants - Staff Favorites

2024 Château Vitallis Pouilly-Fuissé Vieilles Vignes

By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 7/5/2026 | Send Email

The Vieilles Vignes always has a bit more depth, power and richly structured fruit with the first note of oak found in any of the Chateau Vitallis offeirngs. Stone and orchard fruit notes are ever-present here with spice notes buffered by racy acidity and vibrant fruit flavors.

Price: $32.99

DC: 91

2024 Château Vitallis Pouilly-Fuissé "Les Vignes du Château"

By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 7/5/2026 | Send Email

Sourced from vines surrounding the property, this is what great Pouilly Fuisse should be ! Perfectly delineated fruit, great spice notes and racy acidity and vibrant energy flow seamlessly thru this beautifully fruited wine. A great introduction to the fabulous quality of Puilly Fuisse from Chateau Vitallis.

Price: $29.99

DC: 90

2024 Château Vitallis St-Véran "A La Côte"

By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 7/5/2026 | Send Email

St. Veran as an appellation may soon garner 1er Cru vineyard status and it shows in the consistently high quality of wines emerging notes and spice notes abound. Pure fruit with gorgeous acidity and energy make this a great step up from the Macon Fuisse.

Price: $24.99

2023 Domaine Louis Jadot (Domaine des Heritiers) Beaune 1er Cru "Clos des Ursules"

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 7/3/2026 | Send Email

I think that I kind of have a soft spot for the wines of Louis Jadot. While in late high school/early college, my mom and stepfather would have their Pouilly-Fuisse in the house. I distinctly remember the angel on the label and that it was usually served with fresh caught abalone off the Pacifica pier (and garlic bread!). Those days of that abalone off of that pier are long gone! What remains are the fond memories of Louis Jadot wines. This Beaune is really a bump up on the complexity scale! Round cherry fruit, baking spices, light and fragrant) pipe tobacco and orange peel. Mouth-watering texture and some very nice tartness on the finish. Super elegant and really just a pleasure to taste.

Price: $109.99

2023 Domaine Rossignol-Fevrier Volnay Vieilles Vignes

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 7/3/2026 | Send Email

This has become one of my favorite go-to red Burgundies. Particularly with the price to quality ratio. You get a lot here! Medium to full mouthfeel and viscosity, with deeper red fruits, bordering on being black fruited. Very dark cherries and plum with a little blackberry and clean oak. The overall effect is both a depth of the fruit and balancing oak and very subtle earth. This one can hold up gracefully even to a steak!

Price: $79.99

VN: 89 - 91

2024 Château Vitallis Pouilly-Fuissé Vieilles Vignes

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 7/3/2026 | Send Email

Of the entire collection of the Vitallis Pouilly-Fuisse, I found this one to be the most rich and round. It is yellow orchard fruit dominant (apple and pear) with some light spice and juicy peach flavors. A very affordable alternative to Puligny-Montrachet or Chassagne-Montrachet!

Price: $32.99

DC: 91

Ariston Aspasie "Cépages d'Antan" Brut Champagne

By: Noah Schwartz | Review Date: 7/3/2026 | Send Email

This is not your typical Champagne, and the care behind the winemaking shows in every sip. Even the name hints at its story, loosely translating to “a blend of historic varieties.” While most classic Champagnes revolve around three main varieties, this cuvée takes a different path with approximately 40% Petit Meslier, 40% Arbanne, and 20% Pinot Blanc. The grapes are harvested later in the season and co-fermented, two choices that set it apart and give the wine its layered complexity. What comes through in the glass is something both bright and textured. There are fresh citrus notes, sweet apple, and a smooth creaminess that keeps everything balanced. The lees influence is present, adding depth and character without overpowering the palate. If you think you’ve already experienced everything Champagne has to offer, this bottle is a reminder that there’s still plenty left to discover. It feels fresh, distinctive, and thoughtfully made- exactly the kind of wine that grabs your attention and keeps it.

Price: $119.99

2024 Château Vitallis Pouilly-Fuissé "Les Vignes du Château"

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 7/3/2026 | Send Email

This moderately rich Pouilly-Fuisse has mid-palate minerality with fresh and clean stone fruit and citrus flavors. After this, it fills out a bit and poached white pear fruit comes to the forefront with a very nice caramel overlay. Delicious and a great deal, too!

Price: $29.99

DC: 90

2024 Château Vitallis St-Véran "A La Côte"

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 7/3/2026 | Send Email

This Burgundy gem starts out somewhat rich but, this quickly commits itself to flavors of golden and green apple. There are also some lighter stone fruit flavors with baking spices and buttery pastry background notes. There is a lingering finish of citrus. More balanced than the 2023.

Price: $24.99

2023 Domaine Marc Morey Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru "En Virondot"

By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email

The 2023 Domaine Marc Morey Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru "En Virondot" is an exquisite snapshot of Chassagne-Montrachet. The first sip immediately took me back to the good old days of sipping Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet with my father-in-law. He was particular and discerning when it came to Chardonnay. The nose is sensational, following the palate note for note. There's remarkable intensity without sacrificing finesse. Gorgeous apricot and baked apple notes are interwoven with a fine nectar-like thread, lifted by creamy lemon acidity and unfolding into a long finish of baking spices and the lacy caramel top of a crème brûlée.

Price: $139.99

VN: 93 - 95

BH: 91

2024 Château Vitallis Pouilly-Fuissé Vieilles Vignes

By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email

The 2024 Château Vitallis Pouilly-Fuissé Vieilles Vignes is sourced from the domaine’s oldest vines that are rooted in clay-limestone soils. Some vines are 85 years old! The wine fermented naturally with ambient yeasts and aged in barrel on its lees for a year. The wine vividly radiates peach, ripe pear, a hint of fresh ginger, crushed stones, and soft spice notes. Refreshing touches of peach and lemon linger on the palate. Lovely!

Price: $32.99

DC: 91

Jean-Jacques Lamoureux "Trilogie" Brut Champagne

By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email

After having the Trilogie by itself for the little video that I made, Cinnamon and I enjoyed it with some black truffle tapenade on crackers for our aperitif. For me, the bright, light color of this wine belied the time in oak and many years on the lees of this “secret” vintage Champagne. On the nose, it had the classic pain au levain aromas of yeast contact as well as subtle dried fruit notes. In the mouth, the tight, small bead gave the concentrated wine underneath the perfect lift and balance. Delicate white fruit flavors focused into the clean earth that reminded me of the best terre Chablisienne and the acid refreshed me. I loved the pairing with the truffle tapenade, but I must say that I also got a big kick out of the wine by itself!

Price: $49.99

Wine Club

$34.99

Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne

By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email

I am not allowed to have favorite Champagnes, but any survey of my recycling bin would reveal that this holds a very special place in my heart. This wine is single vineyard, from the very steep Gouttes d’Or site in Brouillet, and has a very different style than the Chardonnay from the Côtes de Blancs. This is creamy, decadent wine, and great on its own or with any shellfish. I love how this wine is always clean and refreshing, but has depth that makes me always come back for more!

Price: $44.99

2024 Château Vitallis Mâcon-Fuissé

By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email

The 2024 Château Vitallis Mâcon-Fuissé comes from vines averaging approximately 35 years of age. Fermented in stainless steel vats and aged on its fine lees for six months, it made an immediate impression. First sip: yum. Second sip: oh, yum! Third sip...HEY! Pay attention, you’re on the clock! On the palate, ripe green apple leads into pleasurable notions of honeydew melon, lively lemon, chamomile blossoms, and soft whispers of baking spice. There’s tremendous freshness, charm, and generosity in this wine. It's a *fantastic* value. Wow. Hat tip to K&L Burgundy Buyer Alex Pross for scoring this one for all of us to enjoy.

Price: $19.99

Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Gin (1L)

By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email

I can’t really say I am a “gin” person, but I know what I like when I taste it. This is it! This is what I like! I tried it ‘neat’ and really under-estimated what this bottle was capable of. Let’s start out with pretty flowers and juniper popping out of the glass! Another whiff and I was hit with jasmine blossom and orange peel! I didn’t have to take a sip to know that I was going to be taking some of this home. I took a little sip anyhow, and some of the loveliest spices, pepper, and juniper just washed over my tongue and filled my mouth. As I try to convey into words, what this gin tastes like, it is selling out from under us! Once you get the bottle home and into your glass, it’ll all make perfect sense.

Price: $79.99

Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Gin (375ml)

By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email

I can’t really say I am a “gin” person, but I know what I like when I taste it. This is it! This is what I like! I tried it ‘neat’ and really under-estimated what this little bottle was capable of. Let’s start out with pretty flowers and juniper popping out of the glass! Another whiff and I was hit with jasmine blossom and orange peel! I didn’t have to take a sip to know that I was going to be taking some of this home. I took a little sip anyhow, and some of the loveliest spices, pepper, and juniper just washed over my tongue and filled my mouth. As I try to convey into words, what this gin tastes like, it is selling out from under us! Yes, the bottle is a little expensive, but once you get the bottle home and into your glass, it’ll all make perfect sense.

Price: $39.99

Gilbert Jacquesson "Cuvée Prestige" Brut Champagne

By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email

This is an exciting Champagne that we are anticipating in the near (I hope) future! You're getting a lot of wine for the money! A brilliantly complex sparkler that has a really creamy mouthfeel. Hints of exotic spice and dried fruits play well with the mineral tone that permeates the entire experience. Bright acidity, and fresh apple fruits, bring your mouth a tantalizing, mouthwatering, lengthy experience.

Price: $39.99

Billecart-Salmon "Le Rosé" Champagne

By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email

The wine that Billecart is probably most well-known for is their rose and it's done very well! I usually choose blanc de blanc, or blanc de noir when I'm getting my bubbles on. Mostly because I tend to feel that rose' sparklers need a bit more time, after popping that top, to open up, and I just really don't have time to wait when I'm trying to celebrate! Get in my glass, and "get in mah belleh", to quote a favorite actor of mine. This needs no extra time to blow off the funk that can sit in the glass for a bit. It's pretty, fresh, and crisp, right from the start. High toned bright fruit really make this a fresh, lifted, wine to toast to any great occasion. Although it's quite dry, it still shines through with a nice measure of sweetness from the fruit. This is the sparkling rose to beat!

Price: $94.99

Baron-Fuenté "Grande Réserve" Brut Champagne

By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email

An impressive Champagne by any standard. At this price, it would be hard NOT to purchase it by the case! Bright, fresh, and floral. The wine has a nice mineral tone throughout, and a citrus tone on its lengthy finish! A seriously incredible value!

Price: $29.99

JS: 90

Gilbert Jacquesson "Cuvée Tradition" Blanc de Noirs Brut Champagne

By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email

An elegantly textured Champagne with good weight that's still bright and lifted in profile. This all-Pinot Meunier Champagne just shines! Bright, juicy red fruits, with a nice hint of baking spice in the background make this a versatile wine with food, or without. Refreshing? Check! Zesty? Check! Complex? Check! Inexpensive? CHECK! You're going to want to put this on your list of bubbles to try.

Price: $29.99

Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne

By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email

When people call in asking for something delicious, fresh and easy to drink, and not a lot of money, this is the first thing I look for inventory on. I can always get behind this and know it will be a huge hit. This recent bottling comes across as a little more complex, with a little more richness than the last bottling. Don't get me wrong, it's still fresh, and bright, but there's a real mineral backbone to it. The mouth-feel is more substantial this time around and I can't help but think that it's growing into an even more serious version of itself. Incredible value!

Price: $37.99

Billecart-Salmon "Le Réserve" Champagne

By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email

If it has to sparkle, have superb quality and a big-house name, this is the wine to grab! I don't always drink name-brand champagnes, but when I do, this is the one for me. In my opinion, the Brut Reserve checks all of the bubbly boxes. Fresh, bright, crisp fruit, juicy acidity, lifted aromatics. Like many of my favorite styles of sparkling wines, it also has a beautiful nerve of mineral, but a counter-balance of sweetness of fruit to keep everything right where it should be. No national brand offers more for the money at, or near this price!

Price: $64.99

Bollinger "Special Cuvée" Brut Champagne

By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email

You don't get this fine of a wine without putting in a lot of effort. If I had to give a gift and it needed name recognition, and it had to be epic, and it had to be less than 100 dollars - This is it!! Intense, spicy musk, with a serious presence. Lots of weight and complexity to explore. Great minerality and plenty of apple flavors to enjoy. A perfect bottle of bubbly!

Price: $69.99

JD: 93

JS: 93

WS: 93

Fallet-Dart "Grande Sélection" Brut Champagne

By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email

Of all of the sub-50 dollar champagnes we have in stock right this moment, this is the one I'm taking home. Incredible vibrancy, amazing texture from it's seriously lengthy time on the lees, and some of the most elegant (fine) bubbles I've had in a long time. Although it's easy to consume, it's still a nicely complex Champagne that is filled with spice, and freshness in a lengthy finish. You can't go wrong with this as your party Champ!

Price: $37.99

Baron-Fuenté "7" Brut Champagne

By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email

My favorite Champagne in the Baron Fuente lineup. You get the value that you've come to expect from B.F., but in this instance, there's a lovely richness, with a nice round texture to it. Lots of mineral drive, and bright acidity to help the nicely textured wine go a very long way. Beautiful, long-lasting savory finish!

Price: $59.99

WE: 93

JS: 91

2021 La Rioja Alta "Viña Alberdi" Selección Especial Reserva Rioja

By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 7/1/2026 | Send Email

Bearing the designation Selección Especial, the 2021 La Rioja Alta “Viña Alberdi” Rioja might just be the finest vintage ever produced. This distinction, rather than the standard Reserva, is awarded for exceptional harvests and has been used only once before, in 2001, making the 2021 a particularly noteworthy release. In line with the classic La Rioja Alta style, this wine ages for two years in American oak barrels coopered on site – the first year is spent in new oak, and then the wine is transferred to seasoned American oak barrels to help the oak aromas integrate into the wine. After bottling, the wine ages for another two years in bottle, as is common for Reserva Rioja. The result is a traditionally-styled Rioja that weaves vibrant aromas of red plum, Bing cherry, blood orange, and dried rose petals with classic notes of vanilla, cedar, sweet tobacco, and baking spice. On the palate, the wine feels silky and supple, with bright acidity carrying layers of juicy raspberry, cranberry, and red plum across a finely textured frame. The oak is seamlessly integrated, contributing subtle hints of coconut, dried herbs, and saddle leather, all without ever overshadowing the purity of the red fruit. There is an effortless elegance here, with gorgeous savory notes emerge on the lingering finish. This is traditional Rioja from one of the greatest wineries in Rioja at its most charming. It is graceful, complex, and highly drinkable. Enjoy it now with everything from grilled lamb to roast chicken, or tuck a few bottles away, as this remarkable 2021 has the balance and structure to reward another decade or more in the cellar.

Price: $25.99

2024 Château Vitallis Pouilly-Fuissé "Les Vignes du Château"

By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 7/1/2026 | Send Email

Sourced from vines averaging of 35 years of age and planted on clay-limestone Jurassic soils, the 2024 Château Vitallis Pouilly-Fuissé "Les Vignes du Château" takes on a rounder and more subtle guise. Notes of fresh pear, honey, white blossoms, and sunny lemon in the finish. I can see this being dangerously easy to drink. Be sure to have plans to share with a friend or two. Ideally paired with seafood, a lightly dressed salad, or your favorite evening snacks.

Price: $29.99

DC: 90

2024 Château Vitallis St-Véran "A La Côte"

By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 7/1/2026 | Send Email

The 2024 Château Vitallis St-Véran "A La Côte" turns the complexity up a notch in the Vitallis lineup with delicious notes of baked apple, fresh-from-the-hive honeycomb, and soft touches of brioche and holiday baking spices. A crisp, juicy apple and lemon finish refreshes the palate for the next sip, and the next.

Price: $24.99

2024 Château Vitallis Mâcon-Fuissé

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 7/1/2026 | Send Email

Heads up! This is going to be your new go-to summer white from Burgundy! This brand-new release just arrived, and it is super tasty for very little $! Running towards a crispier style with tart green apple and lush stone fruit flavors. A nice bit of white peach with the addition of lemon cream and a finish of clean minerals. This one is going to be so versatile with pretty much any type of food that you want to serve it with. Everything from picnic foods to barbecue to elegant fish dishes.

Price: $19.99

2023 Cordant "Solomon Hills Vineyard" Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 7/1/2026 | Send Email

Solomon Hills is the sister property to Bien Nacido, also owned and farmed by the Miller family. This vineyard sits on the opposite side of the Santa Maria Valley from Bien Nacido and is significantly closer to the ocean. The vines grow on rolling hills of ancient sand dunes and are constantly impacted by cold winds and salty ocean fog. Wines from Solomon Hills are always distinctive and wildly aromatic, combining crunchy berry fruits with savory, amaro-like herbs and underbrush. This eye-opening release from Cordant is no different. The wine leaps from the glass with just-ripe dark cherry, pomegranate, sassafras, freshly turned earth, and alpine herbs. Lithe and fresh, with linear acidity and tension running through the somewhat briary fruit. Complex, layered, and a wine that draws you back to the glass time and time again.

Price: Hidden

WE: 96

2023 Cordant "Radian Vineyard" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 7/1/2026 | Send Email

Radian is undoubtedly one of the greatest vineyards planted on the Central Coast in the past few decades. Owned and farmed by The Hilt Estate, under the same ownership as Jonata and Screaming Eagle, this vineyard continues to raise the bar for quality in the entire region. A remote, hilltop site in the frigid southwestern portion of the Sta. Rita Hills, Radian flirts with being too cold to consistently ripen fruit. But as we all know, marginal sites that have winemakers biting their nails most vintages also tend to produce magical wines that are beyond comparison. The grapevine often does its best work when pushed to the limit of viability. Radian has soils composed of mixed diatomaceous earth, calcareous clay, and fractured chert or flint. The vineyard has many undulations and varied aspects, all contributing to the power, tension, and complexity of the wines grown here.

Price: Hidden

WE: 94

2023 Cordant "Escolle Vineyard" Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 7/1/2026 | Send Email

Escolle Vineyard is perhaps not quite as well known as the other vineyards in this formidable lineup, but it is not one to be overlooked. In the past five years or so, Escolle Vineyard has very quickly established itself as a premier Pinot Noir and Chardonnay site. Owned and farmed by the multigenerational Caraccioli family, much of the fruit grown at this very cool, windswept hillside vineyard goes into the production of traditional-method sparkling wines. The rocky, decomposed granite soils, constant winds off Monterey Bay, and northeastern-facing aspect of the vineyard mean that fruit here retains wonderful freshness and purity, with a complex underlying mineral component. Immaculate attention to detail in the farming of the vineyard means that grapes from Escolle are highly sought after. Several recent releases from Escolle have reached 98 points from esteemed wine critics, firmly establishing its place in the upper echelon of single-vineyard sites. Cordant’s expression is fragrant and pure, showing bright red fruits, lifted baking spices, floral notes, alpine herbs, crushed raspberry, clove, and wet clay. So silky and fine on the palate, with wonderful vibrancy and energy. An exciting wine from a vineyard quickly gaining a reputation for brilliance.

Price: Hidden

WE: 94

2023 Cordant "Bien Nacido Vineyard" Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 7/1/2026 | Send Email

I love Bien Nacido Vineyard. I have worked with fruit from this OG vineyard since my formative years in the California wine business at Bonny Doon nearly 20 years ago. Planted in 1973, this incredible vineyard on the northern bench of the Santa Maria Valley has long been held in high regard as one of California’s Grand Crus. Wines from Bien Nacido rose to fame with the likes of Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat, Adam Tolmach of Ojai, and Bob Lindquist of Qupé consistently producing exceptional, ageworthy wines from the site. Others, such as Manfred Krankl of Sine Qua Non, followed as the vineyard’s reputation grew in stature. Still family-owned by the Miller family after more than 50 vintages, the quality of fruit grown at Bien Nacido is beyond reproach. Cordant produced a stunning wine in 2023 that is a faithful representation of this historic vineyard. The vineyard’s signature wild, sauvage, bramble-like edge to the fruit is immediately apparent. Ripe dark red fruits, warming spices, blackcurrant leaf, truffle, and dried herbs mingle with the brooding dark berry fruit. Classic Bien Nacido in every regard. Delicious now with a nice 30- to 40-minute decant to allow the structure to relax, or enjoy it over the next decade as more complexity builds around the primary core of fruit.

Price: Hidden

WE: 93

Launois "Quartz" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

By: Kirk Walker | Review Date: 7/1/2026 | Send Email

This has always been my favorite bottling from Launois. All of them are good, but his just speaks to me differently. Superficially, it is the green on the label. But truly, it is the fruit, or the wine beneath the bubbles. There is a dazzling purity that makes me want more and more! Is it the softer pressure? Probably, there are not that many other Champagnes out there to compare it against. It tastes great. And if you are inclined, it is fun to taste this against the Reserve. But when is more Launois not fun?

Price: $49.99

Baron-Fuenté "7" Brut Champagne

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 6/30/2026 | Send Email

At first, I found this unique release to be chalky with spiced nuts (on the nose) and saline scents. Once the air hit it, yellow apple and guava came to the forefront and then, the chardonnay citrus definitely took over. Creamy, with lemon and spice flavors dominating on the palate until finish. To date, one of the most interesting releases that we have had from this venerable producer!

Price: $59.99

WE: 93

JS: 91

Baron-Fuenté "7" Brut Champagne

By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 6/30/2026 | Send Email

It has been a number of years since we were able to get some of this tete de cuvée Champagne from Baron Fuente, and I am thrilled to finally be able to offer it! This wine has concentration and focus that is up their with the best Champagne that we offer. It is the first time that they have introduced a proportion of barrel fermented Champagne in one of their wines, and just like the vintage offerings from houses like Billecart and Roederer, it only shows in texture- there is no wood flavor at all! This is vibrant, mineral driven Champagne that has the pin point streamers and fine texture that only a long seven years of ageing on the lees will bring. This is one of the great deals in top notch Champagne that we offer!

Price: $59.99

WE: 93

JS: 91

2024 Lagar de Costa Albarino Rias Baixas

By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/30/2026 | Send Email

Sourced from old vineyards close to the Atlantic Ocean, the 2024 Lagar de Costa Albariño delivers an electric sense of freshness, amplified by an extra layer of salty complexity. Aromas of Meyer lemon, white peach, lime blossom, and crushed oyster shell emerge from the glass, while the palate is taut, energetic, and wonderfully precise. On the palate, bright citrus and juicy orchard fruit give way to a distinctly saline finish reminiscent of a cool ocean breeze. There's an effortless balance here between vibrant acidity and subtle textural richness, making this as compelling on its own as it is alongside fresh shellfish, grilled fish, or just about anything that comes from the sea. Lagar de Costa has long been one of the benchmarks for coastal Albariño, and the 2024 vintage beautifully captures the purity and mineral drive that have made the estate such a favorite.

Price: $21.99

RP: 92

TA: 92

JD: 91

2022 Lagar de Costa "Calabobos" Albarino Rias Baixas

By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/30/2026 | Send Email

Drawn from the estate's oldest coastal vineyards and aged for an additional year in concrete eggs, the 2022 Lagar de Costa Calabobos Albariño is a richer, more nuanced expression than the estate bottling, offering up an additional layer of textural complexity. Notes of yellow plum, green apple, chamomile, and preserved lemon unfold slowly, underlined by a thread of wet stone and Atlantic salinity. The palate is broad and textured yet remains remarkably focused, with bright acidity carrying the wine through a long, savory finish marked by hints of sea spray. There's a Burgundian sense of weight and complexity here, but with the unmistakable character of Rías Baixas. For anyone who thinks Albariño is simply a light, easy-drinking summer wine, Calabobos offers a compelling—and delicious—argument to the contrary.

Price: $29.99

Launois "Quartz" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 6/30/2026 | Send Email

The NV Launois “Quartz” is a half-pressure (three atmospheres of pressure versus the typical six) bottling in the crémant style. It is at once delicate, mouth filling and zesty. Composed of 100% chardonnay from the world-renowned chardonnay producing area of Mesnil (and Aviz and Oger), it has flavors of green apples, brioche, creamy vanilla and lemon zest. Loads of cream and vanilla at the back of the palate make this a great way to start a meal with light appetizers.

Price: $49.99

Ariston Aspasie "Cépages d'Antan" Brut Champagne

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 6/30/2026 | Send Email

Wow! I can honestly say that I have never tried a Champagne like this before! I first had it at one of our Champagne Tent Events in Redwood City (early 2000's!). A very exotic blend of Pinot Blanc, Petit Meslier and Arbanne. These varietals were more common 150 years ago. It has white fruits such as pear, lychee and white nectarine. Add toasted pine nuts, almond, lime skin, green apples, some chalk and there you have it. One of the most interesting Champagnes in the company! After all these years, this beauty continues to hold my interest and admiration. If you are obsessed with Champagne and want to taste a historical bottle, here it is. So unique and sooooo delicious!

Price: $119.99

Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 6/30/2026 | Send Email

As is standard with this gem, it still has that bread dough, yeast and toast quality but, this latest version has a nice hint of zippy acidity, minerals, and lemon curd. Also, it still retains the caramel and vanilla bean background that we love so much. Buy some to drink and some to lay down for a year or so. The caramel comes out even more as it ages. The quality has increased quite a bit over the past several years, so it just keeps getting better and better! A staff favorite.

Price: $37.99

2025 Alpha Estate "Turtles Vineyard" Malagouzia Florina Greece

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 6/30/2026 | Send Email

For many people discovering the wines of Greece, Assyrtiko has been the gateway grape. But beyond its crisp, mineral-driven style lies a wealth of fascinating indigenous varieties waiting to be explored. One of my personal favorites has always been Malagouzia. A little softer and more floral than Assyrtiko, Malagouzia is wonderfully inviting and generous without sacrificing freshness. Alpha Estate's latest bottling captures everything I love about the variety: fresh pear and lemon verbena layered with delicate notes of lily blossom and a hint of jasmine tea on the finish. It is expressive without being overtly aromatic, balancing richness with remarkable lift. This is one of Greece's most versatile white wines at the table. It's a natural alongside a spread of mezze, but I also love it with grilled shrimp skewers or a bubbling plate of saganaki. If you're ready to venture beyond Assyrtiko, this is one of the most rewarding places to start.

Price: $19.99

DC: 93

RP: 92

2023 Alpha Estate "Hedgehog Vineyard" Xinomavro Amyndeon Greece

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 6/30/2026 | Send Email

I've been fortunate enough to visit Alpha Estate twice over the years, and it's one of those wineries that leaves a lasting impression. The estate sits high on the Amyndeon plateau, surrounded by mountain ranges that create dramatic day-to-night temperature swings. Those cool evenings slow ripening and preserve freshness, while the chalky clay soils lend remarkable precision and energy to the wines. The region produces some of Greece's most compelling wines. The whites combine generous fruit with incredible tension and minerality, while the reds—especially Xinomavro—show a level of finesse and elegance that is distinctive from the more powerful wines of Naoussa. During both of my visits, I made a point of asking to see the Hedgehog Vineyard, hoping to catch a glimpse of one of its namesake residents. Unfortunately, the hedgehogs remained elusive, though I was assured they do make the occasional appearance. Having purchased Greek wines for K&L for more than 15 years, Alpha Estate has always been a cornerstone of my selections. I've long admired how consistently the wines balance authenticity with approachability, making them some of the easiest recommendations for customers looking to explore Greece beyond the more familiar. Their Xinomavro has been a perennial favorite on our shelves, and I believe the 2023 release may be the finest version I've tasted. Xinomavro is often called the "Nebbiolo of Greece" because of its naturally high acidity and firm tannic structure. Yet the wines of Amyndeon remind me less of Barolo's muscular intensity and more of the graceful, lifted character of Valtellina. The 2023 captures that balance beautifully, offering savory spice, hints of sanguine meatiness, vibrant cherry and blackcurrant fruit, a touch of black olive and an underlying mineral freshness that keeps everything focused. What elevates this vintage is the texture. The tannins are certainly present, but they're polished and beautifully integrated, gently wrapping around the fruit rather than dominating it. They have an almost caressing quality that makes the wine remarkably inviting even in its youth. For me, this sets a new benchmark for Alpha Estate's Hedgehog Vineyard Xinomavro and is destined to become another customer favorite. If you've never experienced Xinomavro before, this is exactly where I'd begin. It captures everything that makes the variety so compelling while remaining irresistibly drinkable from the very first glass.

Price: $23.99

DC: 95

RP: 91

Launois "Quartz" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 6/30/2026 | Send Email

I have to say, not only do I love to drink the special wines from Launois, I'm legit proud that we're the only source for this incredible products. The quality-to-price ratio is unprecedented and it's easy to argue that Launois should be considered one of the region's top producers. The fact that we can get this gorgeous cuvée to our customers for this price is nothing less than a miracle. Vibrant, complex and so absolutely quaffable, the Quartz is a go-to for literally any occasion, but is especially fabulous with oysters. Just saying.

Price: $49.99

Ariston Aspasie Brut Rosé Champagne (375ml)

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 6/30/2026 | Send Email

A perennial favorite, the rosé does not disappoint on this go-round. Pretty raspberry and black cherry notes highlight the freshness and richness of the wine. Unbelievable quality at the price.

Price: $24.99

Ariston Aspasie Brut Rosé Champagne

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 6/30/2026 | Send Email

A perennial favorite, the rose does not disappoint on this go-round. Pretty raspberry and black cherry notes highlight the freshness and richness of the wine. Unbelievable quality at the price.

Price: $42.99

Ariston Aspasie "Cépages d'Antan" Brut Champagne

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 6/30/2026 | Send Email

It may seem like a geeks-only Champagne and it definitely fits that requirement with its blend of Arbanne, Meslier and Pinot Blanc but this is not made strictly for the sake of geeky. Full bodied with more stone fruit flavors, creamy notes. Long on finish, this a true Tête de Cuvée!

Price: $119.99

Launois "Quartz" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 6/30/2026 | Send Email

We can never get enough Launois Quartz at K&L. Unfortunately; the production is limited as Bernard Launois only has so many grapes each year in the great Mesnil plot of Les Chetillons. Having access to single vineyard, estate, grand cru Champagne from one of the best growers in the region at such a fair price makes me proud to be the Champagne guy at K&L. This wine has a fabulous white fruit quality that few Champagnes get at any price, and a chalky laser beam finish that is pure Mesnil. No Champagne we carry sells out faster!

Price: $49.99

Ariston Aspasie "Cépages d'Antan" Brut Champagne

By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 6/30/2026 | Send Email

I sometimes feel guilty for impacting the world supply of this tiny production Champagne with my greedy consumption... But never while I am drinking it. The Cepages D'Antan is made from one press load of the near-extinct champagne varietals Arbanne, Meslier and Pinot Blanc, and yields only about 3,000 bottles per harvest. Nothing is more electric, satisfying and complete than this exotic beauty. With more than eight years of ageing on the lees and the fantastic verve and acidity of Arbanne and Meslier, this is super complete champagne. This is the perfect gift for the Champagne lover who has "had it all"... If I leave any behind for them and you can resist drinking it yourself!

Price: $119.99

2013 Cosimo Taurino Salice Salentino Riserva

By: John Archuleta | Review Date: 6/29/2026 | Send Email

What an amazing value at 19.99 - per usual, Italy delivering great wines and great prices, and this one with some age! Negroamaro is one of those varietals that you discover and just dont look back - really deep blue and purple fruit, leather, jam, and great acidity all in one package - can't beat it. Here you get to the chance to see how it ages without spending an arm and a leg - in the glass you will still have that deep violet coloring, with amber/garnet rounding out the edges. On the nose it is a bit rustic - hay, earth, and a little leather - and on the palate you get notes of plums and overripe blueberry, balanced with a bit of almost dried citrus and cherry - with a nice underlying acidity and supple tannins even 10 years from its bottling in 2013. If you haven't had a chance to try older wines and explore how they develop over time, give this one a try!

Price: $19.99

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