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- Gary Westby (541)
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- Keith Mabry (433)
- Kerry Kennell (1)
- Kirk Walker (276)
- Lilia McIntosh (44)
- Matthew Landau Hassan (5)
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- Ryan Woodhouse (900)
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Staff Favorites
| If you’re going to have Robert Parker or Stephen Tanzer over for dinner, selecting a wine they’ve rated highly will be a nice choice. However, when you’re buying wines for yourself, we’d love to see you find wines that match up your unique palate and pocketbook. We have a large staff of friendly and knowledgeable wine professionals that taste hundreds of wines each week. They can put you in touch with bottles that you are likely to love, often at a much lower cost than the highly-rated gems that often see a run-up in price and frequent availability issues. Like any great group of opinionated professionals, our staff has varied tastes themselves. Often our customers will find a particular staff member with a style that corresponds to their own. That concept works extremely well in our retail stores, and this section is our effort to bring you the same online. Don’t get us wrong, we love the highly rated wines from the press and will continue to offer them, but we think you’re missing out if you’re not augmenting those selections with picks from our excellent staff. Here are their favorites. (Click on a name to see their other selections - or to drop them a line.) Cheers! |
Reviews
2023 Domaine Ferret Pouilly-Fuissé "Autour de la Roche"
By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 3/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 3/2/2026 | Send Email
I first discovered the wondrous wines of Domaine J.A. Ferret about 15 years ago, when I began a deep dive into Pouilly-Fuissé. At the time, they were the region’s standard-bearer, crafting serious, age-worthy wines capable of competing with—and often surpassing—their counterparts to the north in the Côte de Beaune. Their wines consistently showed remarkable elegance and purity, with subtle fruit expression, racy acidity, and impressive complexity and length.
The 2023 Domaine J.A. Ferret Pouilly-Fuissé is a beauty, opening with aromas of white flowers and sea breeze. The palate unfolds as a complex blend of citrus and stone fruits, layered with hints of iodine and wet stone. Racy and zesty yet still beautifully layered, it feels like a mythical meeting point between classic Chablis precision and a lightly styled Meursault richness. I love the wines of Domaine J.A. Ferret, and this bottle is an absolute delight.
Price:
$49.99
Hakushu 18 Year Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 3/2/2026 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 3/2/2026 | Send Email
For many years, Hakushu 18 Year was my golden goose of Japanese whisky. Believe it or not, back when I started in this industry over 20 years ago, the Yamazaki 12 year was the least expensive 12-year-old single malt in my store. I think we charged $37 and Glenlivet 12 Year was $40. When I wanted to treat myself the 18 year was only $100! When the Hak 18 Year launched in 2006, it was literally all I wanted, and it was damn hard to find. Difficult to sell yourself the one bottle allocated to your store, so I eventually paid retail elsewhere and coveted that bottle like it was my baby. Then, it became impossible to find and extremely expensive, yet my desire to have it in my possession diminished very little. Now, tasting the modern version, I actually think it's improved amazingly over the years; my desire to own the Hak 18 Year never really connected with my perception of its quality. Let's have a little bit together! The color is a beautiful, burnished color (1.1) Huh, this is much darker than I remember the old version being. HOLY MOLY, the nose is absolutely stunning, full of beautiful, tropical fruit, wild honey, antique wood, and the finest black teas. The smoke is so well-integrated and rich you'd be hard pressed to call it out as a peated malt on the nose. The ultra supple entry builds with deep, roasted fruit, deep vanilla, rancio, and baking spice that build toward a round, complete, and savory finish. Again, we're not at all in the overt peat world, and the depth and age feel well beyond 18 years. For all that is said about Suntory's consistency, this is wildly inconsistent with what I remember in that it's much, much better! A poor, little 92 point score from 13 years ago does not do the modern Hakushu 18 year any justice. It's very clear that they're putting beautiful old malt in this from a variety of extremely high- quality barrels. A beautiful whisky that should be considered for anyone looking for a luxurious experience.
Price:
$649.99
| Limit of 6 per customer |
Pierre Mineral Brut Rosé Champagne
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 3/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 3/2/2026 | Send Email
This elegant, delicate rosé champagne has the soul of the blanc de blancs. It is 90% chardonnay, and not just any chardonnay, but Mesnil grand cru and Montgueux, two of the best terroirs in the region for the variety. The pretty, subtle strawberry fruit that this wine delivers comes from 1er cru of Vertus pinot noir vinified red. The result is a clean, refreshing, dry rosé with a bright, mineral finish. If you like the rosé from Billecart-Salmon and Damien Hugot, this is a must try!
Price:
$49.99
Redbreast Moscatel Finished Irish Whiskey (750ml)
By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 2/27/2026 | Send Email
By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 2/27/2026 | Send Email
This is classic Redbreast, plussed up with an elegant sweetness and a touch of herbaceousness. The nose opens with dry vanilla, orange spice, and a wisp of clove underneath baked, honeyed pastry. That pastry note turns right into honeycomb on the palate, bringing out lovely orchard and stone fruits, toffee, and cedar. A light touch of thyme and sage settles on the finish, all while that signature oily Redbreast texture lingers for minutes on end. This is a beautiful new expression that lets the whiskey guide the cask, avoiding the heavy-handedness often found in other sweet wine finishes.
Price:
$104.99
2019 Plozza Rosso Di Valtellina
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/27/2026 | Send Email
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/27/2026 | Send Email
This wine takes us to one of the most dramatic wine regions on Earth: Valtellina. Located in Lombardy, tight against the Swiss border, this is the home of "heroic viticulture." Here, the Nebbiolo grape (locally known as Chiavennasca) clings to steep, terraced cliffs that have been carved out of the mountain by hand over centuries. If you drop a grape bunch here, it might roll a thousand feet down to the valley floor!
Plozza is a historic institution in this valley.. They are famous for their Sforzato (dried grape wines), but their Rosso di Valtellina is perhaps the purest expression of their philosophy.
In Valtellina, the Nebbiolo grape behaves differently than in the foggy hills of Barolo. The high altitude, the intense ultraviolet light, and the cool alpine breezes create a wine that is thinner-skinned, paler, and more aromatic. It is Nebbiolo stripped of its heaviness, revealing its "mountain soul." This bottle is a tribute to the farmers who maintain those dry-stone walls year after year, offering a taste of the Alps that is as rugged and beautiful as the landscape itself.
2023 Melville "Estate" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 2/27/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 2/27/2026 | Send Email
This year, Melville celebrates 30 years of grape growing in the Sta. Rita Hills, and over that time this family-run estate has firmly established itself in the upper echelon of producers in the region. Entirely dedicated to estate-grown, organically farmed fruit and classical, refined winemaking, Melville crafts wines that stand among the purest expressions of place you’ll find anywhere in California.
The estate sits on the northwestern edge of the AVA, just ten miles from the Pacific. Here, soils are dominated by windblown sands, underpinned in places by Monterey shale and pockets of clay loam. Mature vines—planted to a diverse array of clones—stretch across the estate’s rolling contours, divided into dozens of meticulously farmed blocks. After three decades, the Melville team knows this land intimately, and they weave those blocks together in their Estate Pinot Noir with remarkable precision and purity.
With 40% whole-cluster fermentation, the wine is an aromatic delight. The nose bursts with lifted florals, ripe berry fruit, exotic spice, star anise, clove, citrus peel, pomegranate, black raspberry, and dried alpine herbs. On the palate, it is incredibly vibrant and fresh, delivering generous yet crunchy, spice-laced red fruit alongside subtle notes of earth and amaro-like bitters.
This wine perfectly reflects the Sta. Rita Hills’ famed “refrigerated sunshine”—ample California ripeness balanced by the bracing freshness of an ultra-cool growing season. The result is Pinot Noir with both depth and electric energy.
With our extra-sharp Insider’s Advantage pricing, this becomes an absolute must-buy. Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir simply doesn’t get better at this price—it's not even close.
2019 K&L Discovery Series Bordeaux, Pomerol
By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email
By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email
The Discovery series continues in the world renown Right Bank (of the Gironde River) village of Pomerol, known for its rich, plush, Merlot based blends grown in gravel, iron rich clay, and sand. The 2019 K&L Discovery Series Pomerol is a traditional blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc from an epic vintage whose hot dry summer produced consistently excellent wines that are aging into classic old school Bordeaux that are round and luscious. On the nose, cigar box, olive tapenade, crushed stone, fennel, dark red berries. On the palate, coffee bean, sweet vanilla, red plum, chocolate, with subtle notes of bell pepper and herbs. This Pomerol continued to open up throughout the day, slowly revealing its historic pedigree and terroir. For a wine that is ready to drink, or can be cellared for another two decades, all for $29.99 this new K&L offering is a no-brainer!
Price:
$29.99
2019 K&L Discovery Series Bordeaux, Pomerol
By: Simon Li | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email
By: Simon Li | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email
The 2019 Discovery Series is a compelling expression of Pomerol from a stellar Vintage. The nose presents a vibrant bouquet of ripe plum and black cherry, with a distinct blackcurrant note. Subtle hints of mint and a floral lift of violet add layers of complexity. On the palate, the wine is powerfully fruit driven, showcasing a concentrated core of black fruit balanced by fresh acidity. The finish is supported by polished tannins, providing amazing structure for the wine to evolve beautifully over the next 5-10 years. Experiencing the character and prestige of Pomerol. one of France's most exclusive regions, for just 29.99 makes this a truly remarkable find!
Price:
$29.99
2019 K&L Discovery Series Bordeaux, Pomerol
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email
Our Discovery Series has arrived! At the heart of this program is a mission to showcase wines of impeccable quality, unmistakable regional typicité, and exceptional value. As I often say, we’re not simply putting a label on someone’s latest release—we’re curating standout selections from our deep and trusted network of producers. Each wine must distinguish itself from its peers, often outperforming bottles that sell for many times the price. Only those that meet this high bar earn a place in the lineup.
From one of the most treasured terroirs in the world of fine wine, it’s nothing short of a coup to bottle an exclusive Pomerol of this caliber and deliver it for under $30. This is land where bottles typically fetch $100 to $3,000, simply because production is so limited and quality so high. The plateau of Pomerol is defined by its unique gravel and iron-rich clay soils, which yield wines of remarkable complexity, richness, texture, luxury, and longevity.
I was captivated by this particular selection for its quintessential Pomerol character: gorgeous red fruits, striking density, and a textured palate that reflects the famed mosaic of soils beneath the vines. It is a wine that could come from nowhere else. We’ll count ourselves fortunate if we can continue to collaborate on future vintages. This is a delicious, complex, and thoroughly enjoyable Pomerol that easily merits double the price, and one that will be a standout on our shelves while it’s in stock.
Price:
$29.99
Pierre Mineral Brut Rosé Champagne
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email
Really full-fruited nose with red berries, red apple, lemon, and little touches of this really seductive creamy cherry. The palate has bright blood orange, green apple, a little bit of chalky raspberry and then a long and lingering finish that just pushes little touches of fruit and a long line of acidity through the whole palate. This is a really nice option with more fruit without getting too heavy or rich on the palate. It dances this line and really is just another great bottle of Champagne for the right person. Definitely will be picking a couple up, I think this would absolutely bang with breakfast.
Price:
$49.99
Pierre Mineral Brut Rosé Champagne
By: Graham Collis | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email
By: Graham Collis | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email
This is a fantastic example of Champagne rosé at an excellent price. The nose and palate are vibrant and full of energy, opening with aromas of slightly underripe strawberry and freshly baked, buttery croissant. On the palate, concentrated flavors of strawberry and wild raspberry take center stage. The finish is bright and precise, driven by razor-sharp acidity. This is a wine that begs to be enjoyed on a sunny day.
Price:
$49.99
2021 Talenti Brunello "Piero" di Montalcino
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email
The "Piero" is the cru dedicated to the founder of the estate, born from a strict parcel selection of their oldest and most magnificently exposed vines. This is a wine that does not seek immediate consensus or crowd-pleasing softness. It doesn’t pretend to be what is not.
The aromatic profile is darker and more introspective than the base bottling: wild blackberry, graphite, pressed violet, and an unmistakable ferrous stamp. It is the staple of this vineyard, after all. As it breathes in the glass, it reveals deep layers of licorice root and crushed rock.
An absolute masterpiece of terroir definition, destined to become one of the absolute heavyweights of this legendary vintage. If you like bolder, darker style of Brunello. This is it for sure,
2021 Talenti Brunello di Montalcino
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email
It is a common mistake to associate the southern sector of Montalcino (Sant'Angelo in Colle) exclusively with solar power and heavy extraction. In a perfectly balanced vintage like 2021, Talenti dismantles this preconception, giving us a Brunello that vibrates.
The nose has an immediate balsamic drive. You won't find sweet or overripe fruit here, but rather a core of "crunchy" cherry and blood orange, wrapped in notes of Mediterranean scrub (macchia), wild mint, and a distinct earthy minerality.
On the palate, it is straight, tense, and vertical. It completely bypasses that mid-palate heaviness that sometimes afflicts the southern quadrant; instead, it drives forward with an enviable saline tension and nerve.
2021 Fattoria dei Barbi Brunello di Montalcino
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email
When we talk about the history and soul of Montalcino, Fattoria dei Barbi is foundational. In a classic, perfectly balanced vintage like 2021, this estate is exactly where you want to look for traditional, unmanipulated brilliance. This is the benchmark annata, and it makes no apologies for being distinctly old-school.
This isn't a wine trying to be a modern fruit bomb. The nose is incredibly savory and deeply rooted in the earth. On the palate, it is all about tension and "crunchy" red fruit. It bypasses the sweet, fleshy mid-palate of the modernists and instead offers a firm, vertical spine of acidity. The tannins are traditional, and grippy, driving a mouthwatering, saline finish that begs for a roasted boar ragù, yum. It’s consistently the best value of the region.
2023 Schiopetto Sauvignon Blanc Collio
By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email
By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email
Sauvignon Blancs from Northern Italy is a category I've been exploring lately. Often more expressive and distinctive, offering a fresh take on the famous varietal. Aromas of plump stone fruits, fresh lemons, yellow pear, slices of ginger, a touch of dried herbs. On the palate, crisp, clean, lively, with a nice, slight viscosity on the finish. Delicious!
Pierre Mineral Brut Rosé Champagne
By: Lilia McIntosh | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email
By: Lilia McIntosh | Review Date: 2/26/2026 | Send Email
This Champagne represents elegance in its purity! It's delicate but yet persistent and dry on the palate with distinctive light strawberry, hint of raspberry and white peach notes with pronounced minerality. Bright and ethereal beauty!
Price:
$49.99
2022 Tread "Sierra Madre Vineyard" Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 2/25/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 2/25/2026 | Send Email
Focused and mineral driven, this chardonnay opens with aromas of lemon peel, green apple, and subtle wet stone, accented by restrained oak influence. The palate is bright and precise, with vibrant acidity supporting citrus and orchard fruit flavors layered with light savory complexity. the texture is clean and structured, with excellent balance between freshness and depth. A precise, site-driven Chardonnay emphasizing tension, minerality, and restrained elegance.
2021 Teusner "The Gentleman" Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley South Australia
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 2/25/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 2/25/2026 | Send Email
Deep and concentrated, this Cabernet opens with aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, and dark plum, layered with notes of cedar, baking spice, and subtle eucalyptus. The palate is full-bodied and structured, with firm tannins supporting dense dark fruit and savory undertones. Oak is well integrated, adding depth without overwhelming the fruit. A bold yet balanced Barossa Cabernet emphasizing structure, richness, and classic varietal character.
2015 Bodegas Ontañon Reserva Rioja
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 2/25/2026 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 2/25/2026 | Send Email
Savory, woodsy and very delicious, this is a classic textbook example of a traditional Reserva Rioja. In recent years, there’s been a growing divide between the traditionalists and the modernists in this storied region. The split often lies within the decision to participate in the aging classification of Rioja, with the appellation required a minimum amount of time in oak barrels followed by additional time in bottle (in the case of Reserva, three years total). While many wineries are choosing to abandon this system of aging, in favor of labelling as generic Rioja, just as many are steadfastly dedicated to the classic manner of aging Rioja. This isn’t to say that one is better than the other – rather, there’s never been more choice and stylistic diversity in the region! The 2015 Ontañón Reserva Rioja is a wonderful option to explore the traditional style, at a very attractive price for a wine almost a decade old. Lovely vanilla and cocoa nib aromas surround earthy fallen leaves and dried red currant. Firmly medium-bodied, with smooth, supple tannins and bright, uplifting acidity, this wine is aged in both American and French oak barrels for two years, followed by several more in bottle, resulting in excellent balance and integration of flavors. It’s also still incredibly youthful for its age, and from an excellent vintage in Rioja, is a wine to stock up on.
2020 Celler Pardas "Hermós" Brut Nature Corpinnat (Cava)
By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 2/25/2026 | Send Email
By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 2/25/2026 | Send Email
I love honest sparkling wines that don’t try to be anything but themselves. While most others posture and preen, the 2020 Celler Pardas “Hermós” Brut Nature Corpinnat shows up to the dinner party in sexy black jeans, black boots, a tuxedo shirt, and a black leather jacket—looking like a million bucks. Soft, luxe, and creamy on the palate, it offers notes of quince, pear, lemon verbena, and amber honey—dry without being austere. It’s gorgeous and unusual in the most satisfying ways. ¡Viva la diferencia!
2021 Teusner "The Gentleman" Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley South Australia
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 2/25/2026 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 2/25/2026 | Send Email
Founded by former Torbreck winemaker Kym Teusner in 2001, Teusner Winery is winery to watch in the Barossa Valley. Kym was a student at the University of Adelaide studying business, but as he describes it, a chance encounter with a Barossa Valley Cabernet changed his trajectory and he quickly pivoted to study winemaking instead. Following his stint at Torbreck, he later worked with acclaimed Barossa winemaker Rolf Binder, so it’s accurate to say that Kym is an old vine Barossa expert in his own right now, crafting modern wines from ancient, dry-farmed vineyards. He believes in a light hand in the winery, including the use of manual pumpovers and well-seasoned French oak barrels to let the character of the ancient vines speak. The 2021 “The Gentleman” Cabernet Sauvignon is a great example of this approach. Inky and brooding at first approach, the wine has dense aromas of wild blackberry, plum and currant with a distinctive dried thyme streak running through the core of the wine. While the nose is quite powerful, the palate follows through with surprisingly refreshing acidity, and a lithe mouthfeel – the perfect balance between power and elegance. This wine is also immediately drinkable, offering up a lot of pleasure for an incredibly reasonable price. Try this one with a juicy steak or burger. It’s meaty, savory, concentrated, and really hard to stop at just one glass.
2021 Château Sainte-Eulalie "La Cantilene" Minervois La Liviniere
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 2/25/2026 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 2/25/2026 | Send Email
Minervois is a region on the rise. This humble yet dramatic corner of the Languedoc-Roussillon has several key elements working in its favor.
First, the Mediterranean climate provides ideal conditions for ripening Syrah and Grenache, delivering consistent phenolic maturity year after year. The growing seasons here strike that beautiful balance — ample sunshine tempered by cooling influences that preserve freshness.
The soils are another major asset, particularly in the hills of La Livinière, the cru appellation within Minervois. Limestone dominates the landscape, much of it fractured and rocky, ensuring excellent drainage and encouraging deep root systems that bring both structure and mineral tension to the wines.
Then there are the winds sweeping down from the Montagne Noire, providing vital airflow that keeps disease pressure low and makes organic and biodynamic farming not just possible, but prevalent. All of these terroir elements converge to produce some of the most compelling Syrah in the south of France.
Château Sainte-Eulalie crafts particularly striking examples, and their Syrah-dominant cuvée, La Cantilène, is a lush, full-bodied expression of the region. Saturated and generous, it layers deep blackberry fruit with roasted plum, toasted rosemary, and hints of smoked meat. While the fruit is expansive, savory undertones provide lift and complexity, keeping each glass compelling.
This is a terrific expression of Minervois — and a powerful reminder that some of France’s best values are still hiding in the hills somewhere off the beaten path.
2022 Matthiasson Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
By: Craig Morris | Review Date: 2/25/2026 | Send Email
By: Craig Morris | Review Date: 2/25/2026 | Send Email
New world fruit meets old world philosophy! This is California Cabernet, but picked on the less ripe side, with the overt tension of less alcohol and ripeness. The result is a restrained wine of elegance and purity. This is a less heavy wine than most California cab, providing a freshness and acidity to counter-balance the rich fruit. The tannins are polished and well integrated, resulting in a balanced, crunchy Cabernet you won't be able to put down.
2020 Domaine de Pallus "Le Clos de Pallus" Chinon
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 2/24/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 2/24/2026 | Send Email
Cabernet Franc was one of my first loves in wine, I worked for a winery that bottled one and it was one of my favorite wines we made, it just had this twist that made it a little bit different, a little bit more interesting, and to this day I have a big ol' soft spot in my heart for the grape. This is just such a very French expression, in the best of ways. There's fruit there on the nose some blackberry, a little raspberry, something slightly crunchy as well, but then there's this kind of thorny green bramble of aroma running through the whole thing, with hints of bay, thyme, some dense and rich earth, and a little bit of fresh tobacco leaf in the very back. The more it opens, there's this kind of wilted rose petal around the edges, very subtle but pretty. The tannin is mid+ with a little bit of a grip, but it just wants some food. A little bit of black and red fruit on the front, but then it goes back into the more savory components, there's black tea and green peppercorn, a little bit more bay leaf, and then a lengthy finish that has just a touch of fruit around the very outside, but more spice and dried green herbs as it moves along. This is just so good, and with a meal it would be absolutely perfect.
2021 Château Sainte-Eulalie "La Cantilene" Minervois La Liviniere
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 2/24/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 2/24/2026 | Send Email
When I first popped open this bottle, I did as usual and took a sniff right from the neck just to see if it was corked before I put it in my glass, and there was this strong blueberry yogurt thing going on that was super compelling, now that it's in the glass the yogurt part has blown off and it's this slightly creamy plummy blueberry nose with just a little bit of something floral in the back. The fruit on the palate is less creamy than the nose, but there's still something very pleasantly round about the overall fruit. Definitely more dusky and dark than the nose, with a bit of a toasted tobacco note in the mid-finish before it turns more spicy. The tannins aren't out of control, just barely mid+ and while it wants food, it doesn't outright demand it. This is a very pleasant little bottle of wine for the price and really approachable right from the open.
2021 Heitz Cellar Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 2/23/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 2/23/2026 | Send Email
For more than half a century, Heitz Napa Valley Cabernet has stood as a benchmark for the region. Few names are as synonymous with Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon; it unquestionably belongs among the valley’s handful of true icons and remains a standard-bearer for New World Cabernet as a whole.
What I’ve always admired about Heitz—both under its original ownership and now with Lawrence Wine Estates—is its unwavering commitment to its own vision. The wines have never chased fashion, nor bent to the fleeting preferences of critics. A steadfast dedication to estate farming, traditional winemaking, and a clearly defined house style has always set Heitz apart from the crowd. A visit to the old stone winery tucked into the hills east of St. Helena—still home to massive, antique (and very much in use) oak foudres—perfectly illustrates how deeply rooted in tradition these wines are.
Longtime winemaker Brittany Sherwood deserves tremendous credit for maintaining remarkable continuity through the 2018 change in ownership. Quality remains as high as ever, with the wines staying true to their historic style.
The 2021 vintage at Heitz is simply spectacular. A year that played directly into the hands of a producer with exceptional vineyard holdings and a philosophy centered on longevity. A small, deeply concentrated crop delivered power and structure in abundance. True to form, the wines underwent an extended élevage—more than two years in a combination of French oak barrels and large-format neutral foudre, followed by a minimum of another year in bottle before release. That patience in the winery's cellar means you don’t have to wait: the wine is already beautifully polished and primed for decades of graceful evolution in your cellar.
The 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet is a blend of estate and single-vineyard sources. As one of the largest landowners in the valley, with over 400 acres of organically farmed vineyards, Heitz has an extraordinary palette of sites from which to draw. The core of the wine comes from the famed Trailside Vineyard in Rutherford, with contributions from Howell Mountain, Oakville, St. Helena, Calistoga, and Oak Knoll.
In the glass, the wine is both classic and compelling. Aromas of lavender, briar patch, cedar, and tobacco lead into a dark, concentrated fruit profile of blackcurrant, mulberry coulis, and bittersweet baker’s chocolate, with subtle menthol notes lending lift and freshness to the black and blue fruits. Medium-plus in body with impressive concentration and flavor, it remains poised and never heavy—no overt oak sweetness, just pure, expressive Cabernet character.
If you were to look up “Classic Napa Cabernet” in the dictionary, this wine would be a fitting illustration. Proof, once again, that when something isn’t broken, there’s no need to fix it.
2020 Domaine de Pallus "Le Clos de Pallus" Chinon
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 2/23/2026 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 2/23/2026 | Send Email
I love the old-school vibe of this classic Chinon. Aromas of blackcurrant, olive tapenade, and roasted red pepper leap from the glass. As the wine opens, beautiful floral and herbal notes emerge — rosehip, freshly picked sage — adding lift and complexity. The palate shows lovely texture, with tannins that are just beginning to melt into the background.
This is my favorite OG Cabernet Franc on the shelf right now — savory, terroir driven, and perfectly suited to the table. It would shine alongside smoked duck, braised pork, or a classic tête de veau.
2021 Heitz Cellar Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
By: Noah Schwartz | Review Date: 2/21/2026 | Send Email
By: Noah Schwartz | Review Date: 2/21/2026 | Send Email
This Cabernet caught me by surprise. As someone who prefers old, round, and rich wines. I was impressed by how many of those qualities it already has at a relatively young age. The ripe black fruit and the leather notes stand out the most, but what really won me over was its balance - just the right amount of acidity, with soft tannins that aren't overwhelming. I would definitely have it again, and I can’t wait to see how it develops with a few more years on it.
2023 Castello Monaci "Pilùna" Primitivo Salento
By: Noah Schwartz | Review Date: 2/21/2026 | Send Email
By: Noah Schwartz | Review Date: 2/21/2026 | Send Email
This wine reminded me why I love the Italians- they know how to enjoy a simple glass of wine just as much as a complex one. It’s packed with red fruit, black cherry, a touch of vanilla, and warm spice. The tannins are ripe and smooth, balanced by a pleasant tartness and just a hint of sweetness on the finish. Medium-bodied and nicely textured, it coats your mouth with juicy, jammy flavors. This is the kind of wine you can open any day, with no special reason needed- easy, fun, and deeply colored. At this price point, it’s definitely becoming a regular at my house.
2023 Schiopetto Sauvignon Blanc Collio
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/20/2026 | Send Email
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/20/2026 | Send Email
Schiopetto’s Sauvignon is not like New Zealand or Sancerre. It is distinctly Friulian. It has the varietal "green" notes—tomato leaf, sage, and mint—but it also has a weight and density that you only find in the Collio. It is creamy, savory, and long, with a piercing mineral backbone.
2022 Schiopetto M Collio Friulano
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/20/2026 | Send Email
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/20/2026 | Send Email
This is not just a wine; it is a benchmark for Friulano. The 'M' stands for Mario, and it is created from the estate's oldest vines, planted in 1954. These 70-year-old roots dig deep into the marl, producing a wine of shocking complexity and depth.
Interestingly, there is a touch of Riesling in the blend here. This secret weapon lifts the aromatics and adds a vibrating nerve of acidity to the rich Friulano fruit. And crucially, there is no wood here. This is pure, unadulterated terroir. It is incredibly aromatic, bursting with notes of crushed sea shell, brine, white roses, and honey blossom. On the palate, it is racy and refined, with savory layers of dried mushrooms, schist, and ash. It has a medium body but an intensity that feels weightless. Suckling calls it "very aromatic... with a racy and refined texture that gives so much length and beauty." This is a white wine that will age effortlessly, but it is already singing right now. If you only buy one white wine from Friuli this year, make it this one.
2023 Berta Valgañón "Selección Maturana Tinta" Rioja
By: Vanessa Serrano | Review Date: 2/20/2026 | Send Email
By: Vanessa Serrano | Review Date: 2/20/2026 | Send Email
What a charming wine! On the nose you get blackberry and currant backed by a lightly herbal note. On the palate, the black fruit notes give way to a leathery and dark chocolate finish. There is a subtle gaminess that is so well integrated that the wine feels rustic, yet polished. If you're looking for more modern expressions of Rioja or you're looking to learn more about lesser known grapes from Spain, this is a great place to start.
Damien Hugot Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru
By: Vanessa Serrano | Review Date: 2/20/2026 | Send Email
By: Vanessa Serrano | Review Date: 2/20/2026 | Send Email
I'm always excited to see the Damein Hugot back on our shelves! The extra brut is my favorite in the line up, it's expressive, pretty, and sits at a great price point. The nose is inviting, with aromas of orchard fruit, lemon, and honey. On the palate you get notes of yellow apple and a lovely creamy texture balanced by punchy acidity. This is a great crowd pleaser, pick up a bottle or two for your next party!
Price:
$49.99
1997 Auchroisk 26 Year Old "Old Malt Cask 25th Anniversary" Single Bourbon Barrel Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 2/20/2026 | Send Email
By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 2/20/2026 | Send Email
In the hands of an independent bottler, Auchroisk really gets a chance to step out of the shadows of the big blends. While it’s naturally a delicate and polite spirit, the 100-proof treatment from Old Malt Cask gives it some much-needed backbone, highlighting a hidden spiciness and a creamy mouthfeel that usually gets lost. It’s the kind of whisky that doesn't try to overpower you with peat or heavy sherry; instead, it offers a balanced, crisp experience that showcases the pure, honeyed essence of Speyside malt. This one starts with a bright fresh orchard on the nose, surprising for its age, but emblematic of the stunning distillate and its ability to mature ever so patiently. Apples and pears, ensconced in orange blossom honey, encase the palate as it takes you on a journey through the Scottish countryside. Floral and elegant with a touch of winter spice, this is a beautiful release and one to savor and enjoy while it lasts.
Price:
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Damien Hugot Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Craig Morris | Review Date: 2/19/2026 | Send Email
By: Craig Morris | Review Date: 2/19/2026 | Send Email
This a lean, sharp Champagne! Though softer than his Extra Brut, this is still Hugot's high acid style. But there's more going on here! There's loads of crisp minerality, followed by a lovely fruit that shines through on the palate. It's got brioche and creaminess, as well. If you're on the hunt for high acid grower Champagne, this bottle is hard to beat!
Price:
$42.99
Damien Hugot Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru
By: Craig Morris | Review Date: 2/19/2026 | Send Email
By: Craig Morris | Review Date: 2/19/2026 | Send Email
Damien Hugot always impresses me with the acidity and precision of his wines, and this is no exception. Comprised of fruit from Grand Cru sites in Cramant and Chouilly, this wine has that trademark Hugot acidity, but also with lots of citrus and limoncello notes. And although it's an Extra Brut, it is rich and creamy so as not to be austere. It's a balanced, delicious bottle of Champagne at a great price!
Price:
$49.99
2018 Fallet-Dart Extra Brut Champagne
By: Graham Collis | Review Date: 2/19/2026 | Send Email
By: Graham Collis | Review Date: 2/19/2026 | Send Email
The nose bursts with perfectly ripe red apple while underlying toastiness and
minerality lends elegance. On the palate, the apple steps slightly back, allowing the
minerality, fine bubbles, and vibrant acidity to shine. The ripeness of the apple
character negates any need for a higher dosage. This checks every box I want from a vintage Champagne, and at fifty dollars, it can’t be beat.
Price:
$49.99
Dérot-Delugny "Retour en Avant" Brut
By: Graham Collis | Review Date: 2/19/2026 | Send Email
By: Graham Collis | Review Date: 2/19/2026 | Send Email
This wine truly surprised me. I was worried that Pinot Gris’ high aromatics would overpower the nuance and elegance that defines Champagne, but with one sniff these worries were put to rest. The nose is toasty and chalky, as champagne should be, but still expresses the aromatic profile of Pinot Gris. There is a ton of red apple, pear, and honey on the nose. The palate confirms the nose and is beautifully complemented by a firm streak of acidity. If you like the generous fruit of Prosecco and are interested in trying something more refined, I would give this a try!
Price:
$49.99
Knob Creek 10 Year Old "Cask Strength Single Barrel Select - Warehouse J Floor 5 Rick 20" K&L Exclusive Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)
By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 2/19/2026 | Send Email
By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 2/19/2026 | Send Email
We got ourselves yet another fantastic Knob Creek cask strength bourbon, and this one crosses over the decade line. Combining the classic Knob Creek flavors with another level of spicy nuttiness, this is a great one for the collection. The nose brings forward some charred peanut brittle, bold cinnamon and cardamom, sawdust and steel, and a touch of caramelized banana. The palate is big and robust, as the baking spices come forward even more, sharing space with the dense oaky char. Clove, licorice, and leather remain on the palate, and a touch of water settles the 125.1 proof liquid down a touch to pop out a little more of the roasted vanilla and stone fruit sweetness underneath.
Price:
$64.99
2021 Oddero Barolo
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email
I often say that to understand a vintage, you don't look at the single vineyards first; you look at the Classico. And in 2021, Oddero’s blending philosophy is a masterclass in tension.
This isn’t just "leftover" fruit. It is a strategic blend of La Morra (for perfume) and Castiglione Falletto/Monforte (for spine), and in 2021, the result is electric. The nose is high-toned and precise—wild rose, sour cherry, and a distinct ferrous minerality. On the palate, this is where the 2021 vintage really speaks: it is vertical, "crunchy," and vibrates with energy. It refuses to be heavy.. If you want to understand the "nervous" character of this vintage without waiting 20 years, start here.
2020 Celler Pardas "Hermós" Brut Nature Corpinnat (Cava)
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email
Precise and mineral driven, this Brut Nature opens with aromas of green apple, citrus peel, and subtle brioche from extended aging. The palate is bright and sharply defined, with fine mousse, vibrant acidity, and excellent tension throughout. Zero dosage highlights the wine's purity, allowing crisp orchard fruit and mineral notes of carry the finish. A focused terroir-driven Corpinnat emphasizing structure, precision, and long lees complexity.
2015 Bodegas Ontañon Reserva Rioja
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email
Showing clear maturity, this Reserva opens with aromas of dried red fruit, leather, and pronounced oak influence. The palate is structured and savory, with notes of dried cherry, spice, and integrated tannins supported by firm oak presence. The texture is smooth and developed, with secondary complexity emerging alongside lingering oak and earthy undertones. A classic aged Rioja emphasizing structure, oak character, and traditional Reserva depth.
Billecart-Salmon "Le Rosé" Champagne
By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email
By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email
Billecart's "Le Rose" is not only one of the best-selling and highly rated rose champagnes in the world, but its release in 1970 was an announcement that rose champagne was now a thing - a luxurious, premium sparkling category that had never existed in Champagne's long and storied history. Made in the "assemblage method" -- adding still red wine to the blend -- Le Rose is 43% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Noir, and 24% Meunier. The dosage was dropped from 9g/l to 5.1g/l, resulting in a much drier and more refined style of champagne. This is the reason for the name change from Brut Rose to Le Rose. The current release is Extra Brut. Next year, it may be brut again. Billecart will make that decision once each harvest is complete. Wines were fermented in stainless steel tanks and went through partial malolactic fermentation to preserve freshness. When Billecart-Salmon decided to make a rose champagne, they approached it with the idea that if tasted blind, you wouldn't know it was a rose because its elegance and finesse would match that of regular champagne. It's a historical fact that their approach worked like gangbusters, and Billecart's Le Rose has become THE iconic offering from this old Grand Marque. Just one of those champagnes that always lives up to its hype.
2023 Berta Valgañón "Selección Maturana Tinta" Rioja
By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email
By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email
My goth past has come back to haunt me. This is winsome nostalgia in a glass. The 2023 Berta Valgañón “Selección Maturana Tinta” Rioja is dark, inky, and hypnotic, with intriguing notes of cassis, smoldering clove cigarette, glossy black lipstick, Choward’s violet candies, incense, and leather, all wrapped in a plush, velvety mouthfeel. It’s lights-out lovely and highly recommended. Made from Maturana Tinta with a splash of Garnacha by a one-woman winery with an annual output of a mere 1,500 cases. Pay attention as Berta Valgañón is one to watch!
CVNE Brut Cava Penedès
By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email
By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email
CVNE Brut Cava Penedès is composed of 40% Xarel-lo, 30% Macabeo, and 30% Parellada, aged 9–12 months on its lees before disgorgement and finished with a 9 g/L dosage. It’s a sound choice for midweek bubbles, a quality base for sparkling cocktails, or as a festive aperitif for gatherings. In classic Brut style, it offers notes of poached pear, light honey, and flint, carried through by an easy-breezy touch of lemon squeezy finish.
Price:
$11.99
2022 Matthiasson Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email
By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email
The 2022 Napa Valley vintage was "legit tough" because of a terroir-turning heat wave that divided the wines into those made with grapes picked before the heat wave and those that were picked during and after. Before, resulted in bright, fresh, and crunchy reds that are easy on the palate, but lack some of the complexity that more time on the vine may have developed. After, are big, plush, wines pressed from grapes bursting with sugar. The 2002 Matthiasson Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon falls into the first category, and the result is a beautifully complex, classic, old-school, Napa Cab coming in at a delectable 13% ABV. Layered with dusty black fruit, bell pepper, eucalyptus, baking spices, herbs, and subtle notes of vanilla, clove, and cedar. Ready to drink and will evolve for years to come!
Rhys "Perpetual Reserve" California Sparkling Wine
By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email
By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email
The question I have when I see a domestic sparkling wine for $60, is, "What champagne can I get for $60 and is this as good?" The answer is almost always, "Plenty and 'no'." There are a few exceptions, and this Rhys Perpetual Reserve is one of them. The first thing to know about Rhys is that they have 9 estate vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains and Anderson Valley. The grapes (i.e. clones and rootstocks) Rhy's uses in their sparkling wine is planted specifically for that purpose, so they're coming from plots that will maximize acidity levels. The perpetual reserve is a solera style blend from 2016-2023, comprised of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir sourced from Bearhollow in Anderson Valley and Mt. Pajaro in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The seven-vintages-old-perpetual-blend is 30% of the cuvee, 70% is the harvest year, and it is then aged for 3 years on the lees with a dosage of 5.g/L after disgorgement. The result is a complex creamy sparkling wine with lemon custard, orchard fruit, zippy acidity, brioche, and zesty mineral laden finish. Add some chalk and it could be champagne!
Willett Family Estate 4 Year Old Small Batch Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email
By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email
Few whiskeys elicit more longing than the Willett 'Purple Tops'. This legendary Family Reserve line started about 20 years ago using highly sought-after sourced barrels, including some famous pre-fire Heaven Hill stocks that enthusiasts have hunted for decades. Since Willett began distilling their own spirit in 2012, the Family Reserve line has continued to showcase some of their finest liquid, all nonchillfiltered and bottled at cask strength. The only problem for most fans has been the limited supply and overwhelming cost, with many bottles fetching hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Thankfully, they have introduced a younger, more accessibly priced offering for the masses and connoisseurs alike. This is definitive Willett. Even at only four years old, the nose brings a warm, oaky mustiness characteristic of their older 7 to 14-year-old expressions. You are greeted by maple, banana skin, dried apricot, and brown sugar, along with a touch of tanned leather and a breath of effervescent cream soda.
On the palate, cinnamon and cocoa enter to complement the woody maple and torched Madagascar vanilla bean. The 123.6 proof is surprising because it drinks a little softer than the numbers suggest, though it remains bold and robust. The finish lands with a bit of apple pie crust and forest floor. A splash of water is welcome here, as it softens the heat and further opens up an oily maple sweetness that stays constant throughout the pour. This is a wonderful, affordable way to experience the Willett legend, and I am glad to see it become a permanent fixture in their lineup.
Price:
$69.99
2022 Schiopetto M Collio Friulano
By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email
By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email
Beautiful aromas and flavors of plump apricots, white nectarine, lemon curd, quality macadamia nuts, chamomile tea, white mushrooms, and a touch of tarragon. There's a lot happening here. Vibrant, yet lush, with a very long finish. Take your time with this. The wine keeps evolving and every sip equally delicious. One of the most complex Friulano I've tasted so far.
2023 Domaine Jean-Marc Pillot Bourgogne Rouge "Les Grandes Terres"
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 2/18/2026 | Send Email
This is a very pretty, black raspberry laden Bourgogne with just the right amount of earth and spice. A light and balanced touch of these. The is also a very nice minerality and firm acidity on the finish. It's just plain lovely and very, very drinkable!
Price:
$44.99