K&L Wine Merchants - Staff Favorites

2021 Petra Toscana Rosso

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 11/11/2025 | Send Email

To someone who is an Italian wine enthusiast, but perhaps not fully knowledgeable, this seems like a fairly standard Bordeaux styled Super Tuscan. Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc. What could go wrong? Well, historically I would tell you a lot, but here absolutely nothing has gone wrong. This wine is super inviting and lush, but it still feels Italian somehow, maybe it's this hint of tomato leaf on the nose. The rest of the nose is rich and full, there's a rich and ripe black cherry, some bramble-fruit, some gratings of cranberry skin, and then it goes into barrel spices and a bit of toast. The palate is a little bit lighter than the nose would imply, but it's still medium plus with really refined and integrated tannins, super fine on the palate, the intensity of the barrel coming through on the finish. There's really nice acidity that outweighs the tannins by a bit, and a little creamy note mid-palate. This is just a delicious and super approachable bottle of wine, and I feel that it outdrinks the price by more than just a little bit. If you're looking for something super approachable and super drinkable from Italy, and you're into Super Tuscans you shouldn't even hesitate. This is a great bottle to have on your table this season, and it probably makes a nice gift too. I like gifts.

Price: Hidden

JS: 95

2020 Ca' Del Bosco "Bosco Selva della Tesa" Chardonnay Lombardia

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 11/11/2025 | Send Email

When people hear Ca' del Bosco, they think of their legendary Franciacorta, but for me, the true insider's wine is this Chardonnay. The "Bosco Selva della Tesa" is their "Burgundian" expression—a profound, serious, and complex white that shatters expectations. The 2020 is a stunning example of their craft. Sourced from 35-year-old vines and aged in French oak, this is a wine of incredible structure and depth. The nose is a captivating mix of golden apple and toasted hazelnut, leading to a full-bodied and rich palate that the winery rightly compares to the structure of a red wine. It’s a sophisticated, gastronomic Chardonnay, perfect for roasted chicken or veal. An exceptional and powerful white from a master of the craft.

Price: $79.99

2023 Anonymous Wine Collective Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay

By: Cary Herrman | Review Date: 11/6/2025 | Send Email

This bottle feels like a secret worth sharing. It channels a Burgundian spirit with quiet confidence - cool minerals, poised structure, and a graceful sense of balance that never slips into excess. There's a gentle richness that stays composed rather than loud, framed by a coastal energy that keeps each sip lifted and refreshing. A subtle nuttiness and lemony elegance linger, making this a dream for French Chardonnay devotees who appreciate California with a clever disguise. Unique, expressive, and undeniably delicious.

Price: Hidden

Heidrun "Oregon Radish Blossom" Sparkling Mead, California (750ml)

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 11/6/2025 | Send Email

No, this does not taste like the usual radish that you find in a salad or eat raw. Though I do like radishes and their spiciness! This Mead is light and dry with very nice citrus fruits coming through. Like the rest of the Heidrun line, it has fine acidity and a very lovely floral smell and taste. Because it is bubbly, you also get an added dimension of interest and upper palate flavors. Like the orange blossom version, it is very Springlike and can be thoroughly enjoyed on its own or with picnic style foods or anything fried! Fried Calamari with French fries!

Price: $24.99

Heidrun "Hawaiian Christmas Berry" Sparkling Mead, California (750ml)

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 11/6/2025 | Send Email

While the Orange Blossom Mead from Heidrun reminds me of Spring and Summer, this upcoming release reminds me of Winter. In Sweden. Not that I actually like snow. It makes me go fetal. I see this with red potatoes in sour cream, herring, and my grams stuffed pancakes. This marvelous sparkling Mead is delicate and like the others in this line, has a very fine acidity and lingering finish. The flavors are lightly spicy with pretty berry flavors, blossoms and, of course, a background of fresh and pure honey. Whatever you think of Mead, throw it out the window. The Heidrun versions are head and shoulders above what most people think of Mead. Plus, they have bubbles! This will be present when we put out our straw Christmas goat for the holidays! Look for it in our holiday section at the SF store.

Price: $34.99

Heidrun "California Orange Blossom" Sparkling Mead, California (750ml)

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 11/6/2025 | Send Email

This line of Mead, for me, are up at the top tier of the best that I've ever had, including those I sampled in the UK. Unfortunately, my first tasting of Mead took place at a number of RenFaire's years ago. Those were really, really bad but, fit the bill at the time. We weren't too picky while dressed in velvet and high boots. Those times definitely changed for the better when I had Mead such as the ones produced by Heidrun. They key is the wonderful acidity and floral (and juicy) delicate orange flavors. The Mead begs to be enjoyed on a sunny afternoon with fresh crisp veggies, fried chicken or even a nice pork chop. Of course, it is perfectly fun and delicious on its own!

Price: $27.99

2023 Ridge Vineyards "Geyserville" Alexander Valley Zinfandel

By: Mariah Mier | Review Date: 11/6/2025 | Send Email

This wine is a bit tight at first when you pop the cork, but it opens up beautifully after decanting and swirling in the glass. Pomegranate on the nose with hints of cranberry and elderberry on the palate with a whiff of bouquet garni on the finish. Structured yet approachable. This one is a crowd pleaser!

Price: Hidden

2023 Ridge Vineyards "Lytton Springs" Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

By: Mariah Mier | Review Date: 11/6/2025 | Send Email

This structured and layered zinfandel is one of those gorgeous wines that manage to be harmonious while each type of grape contributes a recognizable individual character to the blend. The craftsmanship and expertise that is showcased here is unmistakable. This is an iconic wine for someone who wants a fruit-forward red that is not overdone.

Price: $49.95

JD: 98

DC: 96

WS: 95

2021 Groth "Oakcross" Oakville Proprietary Red

By: Mariah Mier | Review Date: 11/6/2025 | Send Email

Dark brooding fruit, lush and powerful balanced with restraint. Cedarwood and blackberries with firm yet fine-grained tannins. This is drinking well now and for years to come!

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2020 Ca' Del Bosco Maurizio Zanella Rosso del Sebino IGT

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 11/6/2025 | Send Email

Zanella’s original dream was also inspired by Bordeaux. This is his personal red wine, a "Super-Franciacorta" blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. It’s a rich, polished, and powerful still wine that proves the estate’s commitment to quality isn't limited to bubbles. With dark cassis fruit, graphite, and fine-grained tannins, it’s a cellar-worthy red that shows the "other side" of this remarkable terroir.

Price: Hidden

2015 Ca' del Bosco "AnnaMaria Clementi" Cuvée Franciacorta Riserva

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 11/6/2025 | Send Email

This is the pinnacle. Named for Maurizio Zanella’s mother, Annamaria Clementi is the "tête de cuvée," the estate's monumental, no-compromise wine. It’s sourced only from the oldest, finest estate vineyards and is fermented entirely in small oak casks. It then spends an incredible nine years aging on its lees, building unparalleled complexity. The 2015 is a powerhouse, a wine that transcends "sparkling" and enters the realm of "profound." Expect deep notes of toasted nuts, honey, spice, and a chalky, mineral core. The magnum is a true collector's piece.

Price: $109.99

JS: 95

WS: 94

Ca' Del Bosco "Cuvée Prestige" Franciacorta

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 11/6/2025 | Send Email

This is the wine that defines the house and, for many, the entire region. It's not a non-vintage, but a "multi-vintage" cuvée, a complex blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, and Pinot Bianco from over 130 different vineyard plots, blended with 20-30% of reserve wines. Aged for over two years on the lees, this is a masterclass in balance. It’s toasty, citrusy, and creamy, with a fine, persistent mousse. It’s the ultimate calling card for Franciacorta's polished style.

Price: $46.99

2020 La Rioja Alta "Viña Alberdi" Reserva Rioja

By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 11/6/2025 | Send Email

The 2020 Viña Alberdi Reserva from La Rioja Alta is a beautiful expression of traditional Rioja, made from 100% Tempranillo sourced from high-altitude, 40-plus-year-old vineyards in the Rioja Alta sub-region. This wine follows the La Rioja Alta’s classic and very well-known style, featuring two years of aging in American oak barrels manufactured in-house (the first year in new oak, and the second year in older oak), which imparts signature spice, round texture, and aromas of vanilla, toasted hazelnut and subtle coconut. This is an intensely aromatic wine that remains highly approachable, with vibrant notes of cherry and wild strawberry, beautifully intertwined with the more savory and oaky flavors. Fine, polished tannins leading to a long, elegant finish that's very open and enjoyable now but promises to develop further with age. The Alberdi is the perfect introduction to the world-class Riojas of La Rioja Alta and delivers the same level of quality in a youthful, vibrant expression.

Price: $23.99

2022 Valli "Bendigo" Pinot Noir Central Otago

By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 11/6/2025 | Send Email

Bendigo is the warmest site that Valli sources fruit from. West-facing, it collects the warm afternoon sun, leading to Pinot Noir grapes with thicker skins. It is darker than its siblings in the glass, with juicier red and black fruit notes. The Pinot Noir from Bendigo also has an intriguing floral component, with underlying lilac and faint wisteria. Very approachable, thanks in part to the warmth of the 2022 vintage, the wine is braced by refreshing acidity. The concentration of fruit here is impressive and like the other wines from Valli, is matured in 25% new French oak, which frames the wine well. The Bendigo, like the Bannockburn, is the most New World in spirit, but also showcases the same crystalline-like purity of fruit.

Price: $49.99

2023 Anonymous Wine Collective Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 11/6/2025 | Send Email

I'm beyond excited to bring these next Anonymous releases to you! I have huge ambitions for what we can achieve with this project, and this duo of Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay and Pinot Noir represent the next leap forward in the plan. I think these wines are probably the most exciting bottlings yet under Anonymous especially since I know the caliber of the producer that we partnered with! Again, we're sworn to secrecy here but what I can tell you is that this Chardonnay is entirely estate-grown and produced in the Santa Cruz Mountains by one of the most highly revered producers in the region. The vineyards are farmed according to organic and biodynamic protocols, with a big focus on heritage clonal material and high-density hillside plantings. The wine is fermented in French oak with native yeast. The barrels are mostly neutral with just 15% new oak. This is a stunningly focused, mineral driven Chardonnay with ethereal concentration of flavor and vibrancy. White meadow flowers soaked in morning dew. Bright, juicy citrus grove fruit, some hints of Golden Delicious apple, toasted almond, chalky minerals, resonating saline minerals are so long and salivating on the palate. The team behind this wine is focused on small-lot, artisanal winemaking. This wine is simply a barrel selection we put together with them specifically for the Anonymous Wine Collective project. I'm lucky enough to have a long, personal relationship with this producer, and I'm absolutely thrilled they chose to partner with us on these wines. At half the price of the regular bottling, for the exact same quality and pedigree the value here is simply astounding. Unbeatable QPR and a wine that I'd happily put into to a blind tasting with Chardonnay from anywhere in the world at 3-4 times the price and be confident that it would more than hold its own. Don't miss this stunner! Cheers!

Price: Hidden

2022 Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac

By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 11/5/2025 | Send Email

I’m not sure how to say this delicately, so I’ll just say it: Lafite is better than ever. It may seem strange to describe a hallowed estate like Lafite-Rothschild as being on an upward trajectory—after all, how much higher can one of the world’s most celebrated names climb? Yet the precision, transparency, and refinement emerging from this address just keep getting dialed in, bit by bit. Everything comes into focus with their 2022, a wine that’s been thrilling since En Primeur and has delivered on every promise since. Somehow, it’s managed to stay slightly under the radar—not the headline act of the vintage, but quietly speaking for itself while collecting one perfect score after another in what has become one of the region’s signature years. It’s increasingly clear that Lafite managed the growing season brilliantly, crafting one of the most generous and dynamic wines of their modern era. The 2022 Lafite takes the wine’s innate regal character and amplifies it—not in volume, but in harmony. What stands out is the texture: tannins so fine they’re almost invisible, layers of concentration wrapped in extraordinary elegance, and a seamless focus on the pure essence of Cabernet. This is what defines the greatest 2022s, and what makes Lafite so profound. It’s all here in this Grand Vin—a wine around which one could easily build a cellar. For a First Growth firing on all cylinders, don’t miss Lafite-Rothschild’s remarkable 2022.

Price: $774.99

2023 Anonymous Wine Collective Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 11/5/2025 | Send Email

This brand spanking new release from our Anonymous label is grown in the coolest AVA in the state and it the subtlety of the slow ripening fruit. A charming nose of fragrant honeysuckle, citrus, stone fruit and raw almond. In the mouth, it is quite mouth-coating, with perfectly ripened apple fruit, clean oak and mango. It finishes clean, with citrus and clean nut flavors. Quite outstanding!

Price: Hidden

2017 Señorio de Sarría Reserva Especial Navarra

By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 11/5/2025 | Send Email

The 2017 Señorío de Sarría Reserva Especial is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, blended with a small amount of Graciano, sourced from estate vineyards in the foothills of the Sierra de Lóquiz, on clay-limestone soils. This combination of varieties is not uncommon for Navarra, once an independent kingdom with historic close ties to France – in this part of Spain, Bordeaux varieties are common, as are French oak barrels. The overall impression of the wine however, is 100% Spanish, with dried mushroom notes and a savory dried green herb undercurrent. Full-bodied and very structured, the wine is really well-balanced by fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity that carry into a long, lingering finish. It is matured for 12 months in new French oak barrels followed by extended bottle maturation, offering up aromas of ripe blackberry and cassis, woven together with vanilla, cocoa, and toasted hazelnut. Now with several years of bottle age, this is a powerful yet polished Navarra wine, only just beginning to fully unveil its full character. It’s only made in what the winery deems as exceptional vintages, and this is clearly one of those vintages.

Price: Hidden

TA: 93

JS: 92

2019 Señorio de Sarría "Viñedo Uno" Garnacha Crianza Navarra

By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 11/5/2025 | Send Email

Grenache is a true chameleon of a variety — sometimes ethereal and pale in the glass and sometimes bold and richly concentrated. And while I love both styles, the 2019 Viñedo Uno from Navarra is a standout for its balance of both: old vine concentration, framed by French oak, and elegant, firm structure with a polished finish. This part of Spain is not far from Aragon, where Garnacha is thought to originate from, and yet unlike most Garnacha from Aragon, the usage of French oak barrels for maturation is true to the style of Navarra. In the glass, juicy red plum and berry notes mingle with savory toasted almond, vanilla bean and cocoa nib. Made from 100% Garnacha from 60+ year old bush vines and aged for 9 months in one-year-old French oak barrels, this wine delivers the charm and vibrancy of Garnacha from old vines, but with serious composure and a long finish.

Price: Hidden

JS: 93

2023 Domaine Delhome "Alt 330" Crozes-Hermitage Rouge

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 11/5/2025 | Send Email

From the winery's highest vineyards in the kaolin soils of Larnage, this is a lusty and compelling Syrah. Filled with rich blackberry and black cherry fruit, there is a crossover appeal that should delight fans of new world styles but the wine is firmly rooted in the old world. Those savory notes round out the edges and give this focus while that rich fruit brings the charm.

Price: Hidden

JD: 94

2024 Domaine Dominique & Janine Crochet "Le Grand Chemarin" Sancerre

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 11/5/2025 | Send Email

Grand Chemarin ranks among the top sites near the village of Bué. Composed entirely of the region’s pure limestone, known as Caillottes, it yields wines of vibrant acidity and striking minerality. The Crochets draw from select old-vine parcels for this cuvée, vinifying entirely in stainless steel to preserve the wine’s freshness and clarity. The nose shows grapefruit, apple blossom, and a touch of sea-spray salinity, while the palate’s lively acidity keeps each sip crisp and inviting. This is as pure an expression of Caillottes terroir as you could hope to find.

Price: $39.99

2022 Domaine de Verquière Rasteau

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 11/5/2025 | Send Email

I often think of Rasteau as the “poor man’s Châteauneuf.” With its clay soils strewn with large galet stones and sun-drenched slopes, it produces reds that are rich, powerful, and full of southern Rhône warmth. Originally known for its sweet fortified wines, Rasteau was first recognized as a cru for those styles before earning acclaim for its dry reds. Vigneron Thibaud Chamfort crafts one of the finest examples from his top Rasteau site. The wine brims with blue and black fruit—boysenberry, fig jam, and a hint of Asian spice. Full-bodied and deeply textured, it’s an ideal red for the cooler seasons and pairs beautifully with braised meats. My current favorite? Beef cheeks—their unctuous richness is a perfect match for the bold, savory depth of this wine.

Price: $17.99

WE: 93

2024 Domaine de Verquière Côtes-du-Rhône

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 11/5/2025 | Send Email

Verquière’s Côtes du Rhône remains one of the best values in the Rhône category. Bursting with juicy strawberry, cherry, and fig, it captures all the charm and flavor of southern France. Subtle notes of tobacco and pepper add complexity, while its medium-bodied frame makes it the perfect weeknight pour. Year after year, this wine is a customer favorite—and once it’s in your glass, it’s easy to see why.

Price: $13.99

WE: 91

2023 Domaine Dominique & Janine Crochet "Le Chêne Marchand" Sancerre

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 11/5/2025 | Send Email

The Crochets farm some of the finest vineyards around the village of Bué. La Chêne Marchand is a blend of limestone (the famed Caillottes) and clay, but the Crochets’ parcel includes a unique subset of softer chalk known as Griottes. This distinctive terroir yields wines of remarkable finesse and elegance. A touch of large-format oak aging (600L demi-muids) adds texture and depth, resulting in one of the most refined yet sumptuous Sancerres on our shelves. Expect notes of peach, lemon rind, and a pristine, chalky minerality on the nose. Always among the most sought-after wines from Crochet, it stands shoulder to shoulder with top producers like Pinard and Jolivet—yet remains a far greater value.

Price: $39.99

Jansz "Premium Rosé" Brut Tasmania

By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 11/4/2025 | Send Email

This is one of Australia’s most popular sparkling wines, and a favorite of mine, too! It’s such an incredibly lovely, lively wine, with an exuberant nose of fresh strawberry, apple blossom and Meyer lemon zest. On the palate, it’s focused and mineral-driven, however. Made from 94% Pinot Noir, 4% Chardonnay and 2% Pinot Meunier, all sourced from cool vineyard sites in Tasmania, including Pipers River and the Tamar Valley in the north of the island, and the Coal River Valley in the south, this pale salmon-colored sparkling wine is so easy to drink, yet has a serious side. It’s made in the traditional Champagne method and is aged in bottle on the lees for 24 months before disgorgement, which adds a creamy texture and subtle aromas of brioche and almond. Dosage is 7.4 g/L, placing it firmly in the Brut category, though the wine feels bone dry on the palate, thanks to the zippy line of acidity reflective of the marginal climate in this southerly region. This wine is a crowd pleaser that will pair well with so many foods – I can’t think of a good reason to not like this wine! It’s the perfect bubbly to have on hand for celebrations, and at just over $20, really overdelivers compared to many other regions in the world.

Price: $21.99

Jansz "Premium Rosé" Brut Tasmania

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 11/4/2025 | Send Email

Here's your bargain Rose bubbly for the rest of the year! I've been enjoying this sparkler for many years, and it has not ever varied away from an excellent quality to price ratio. The delicate nose is full of rose hip, orange, raspberry and tart strawberry. On the palate, a super creamy mousse with very fine bubbles. On the palate, fresh raspberry, juicy orange, vanilla almond and minerals. There is a wonderful "crunch" at the back of the throat. The finish is long and clean and invigorating. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Wednesday's, movie night, picnics....this bubble goes with all of them! It does the memory of Errol Flynn proud.

Price: $21.99

2023 Brick & Mortar Sonoma Coast Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 11/4/2025 | Send Email

Pretty little nose with some light and bright red notes, like pie cherry and underripe raspberry, with this little hint of Amarena cherry in the middle of the bouquet, then followed by a soft doughy note. The palate is bright and crisp, the Amarena in the background playing a bigger role overall, the finish is super clean and the acidity is incredibly refreshing. This is like the perfect bottle for when you want to take bubbles but you aren't sure if it's getting opened or not and you want to bring something you want a glass of, but you want it priced so if you just leave it that's fine too.

Price: Hidden

JS: 95

2023 Ridge Vineyards "Lytton Springs" Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 11/4/2025 | Send Email

So very interesting, I love having wines from the same winemaker, same grape back to back and have them be super different. It just shows me it's less about a house style and more about taking what the earth gives and making the best thing you can from it. The fruit here is a bit more high toned, with red cherry and cranberry skin, then slowly giving way to darker fruits, cherries, blackberry compote, and plum skin. The palate has a great density of fruit, stewed cherries, bramblefruit, and a little overripe strawberry, but then it goes into something a bit earthy and dusty before succumbing to a little bit of barrel spice on the very finish, mingling and twining with the fruit.

Price: $49.95

JD: 98

DC: 96

WS: 95

2023 Ridge Vineyards "Geyserville" Alexander Valley Zinfandel

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 11/4/2025 | Send Email

Who doesn't love Ridge? To many people, myself included, they're part of California Winery Royalty, and anything I'm able to try from them, I typically like it. This is no different, it's a slightly restrained nose, but undeniably Zinfandel with ripe berries, rich mid-notes, and a follow up kind of stewed/ripe fruit finish. The palate has a bright pop of fruit at the front, followed by drying tannins before the acidity then kicks in. This is quintessential California Zinfandel, it's got everything you want but also has some structure that will make this a great wine to pair with whatever you've got on the grill today. It's such an easy choice.

Price: Hidden

2021 Hendry "Estate" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 11/4/2025 | Send Email

We were fortunate enough to have a tour of the Hendry vineyard with Mike Hendry, and he even let us prune some of his vines. It was incredibly cool. They have everything broken down by blocks and have an idea of where those blocks are going to each year. There are 5 different blocks that go into this Cabernet Sauvignon, and if you go onto their site they have a map of the whole vineyard and you can see what each of those blocks grow and what year they were planted. It's just very nerdy cool. The wine? Oh yeah. The nose has a pretty kind of lushness on the nose, a lot of rich and slightly creamy fruit, along with just a touch of that barrel spice. It's all very dark with just little flecks of brighter red fruit showing through, the palate is no different with a heavy richness of fruit, but also a classic structured grip of tannin and fat line of acidity running through the whole thing. This is absolutely a fat potato and rich steak candidate, but it would stand up to BBQ as well, or a really hearty and rich mushroom ragout could be killer. This is a great bottle of Napa Cabernet made by incredibly nice people and it deserves your monetary vote.

Price: Hidden

WE: 93

2021 Far Mountain "Fission" Moon Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 11/4/2025 | Send Email

The nose on this is almost intoxicating, it's super dark and alluring with ripe blackberries, black cherry, plum skin, purple flowers, and then a firm hit of barrel spice towards the end. It's just tall got that whole tall, dark-haired and handsome vibe going on, and I think I felt it wink at me. There's a sweetness and generosity of fruit on the nose, and then the palate is much darker and more brooding, with the same fruits but they're all dustier and a little inky, with a reasonable acidity and a long finish that fades from fruit to toast and barrel spice. This is an absolutely delicious and polished bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon for someone who really does want something dense and chewy in the best of ways. There's an inky core of this that just slowly unfolds in the glass, it's really fun to drink.

Price: $49.99

DC: 94

JD: 94

2023 Farm Cottage "Bates Ranch" Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 11/4/2025 | Send Email

This wine is just slightly bonkers, but in the best of ways. During this morning's tasting someone said that this is what you get when you have a Pinot Noir winemaker make a Cabernet Sauvignon - and it totally fits, this is Cabernet with Pinot sensibilities. There's a lightness to the whole thing, and a crunchiness to the fruit that carries through the whole wine, and it's just outstanding. The nose is so pretty with bright red fruits, raspberries, a little stewed strawberry, bright cherry, rhubarb, and then a little barrel spice at the end along with a touch of creamy. The palate is bright and crunchy, with cranberry, pie cherry, and underripe raspberry standing out before it slowly transitions towards the cedary barrel spice at the finish, the whole time a fat line of acid runs through the whole wine. This is just outstanding and is absolutely going to be at my Thanksgiving table, and probably my Christmas table as well - super drinkable and approachable Cabernet Sauvignon is one of my most favorite things and this is just such a friendly weirdo of a wine, it's just perfect.

Price: $59.95

JS: 97

2018 Stonestreet "Estate" Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 11/4/2025 | Send Email

I love when we have a serious Cabernet Sauvignon for under $50, it's just something that I feel allows me to put the bottle into more people's hands. This has a super classic nose, there's some brambley fruit, dark cherry, and then a combination of creamy fruit and some barrel spice. There's little hints of black olive and a light mushroom in the very background. The palate is super polished and silky, the tannins already both fine and well-integrated. The fruit pops just a bit more than the nose, super delicious fresh and dried cherries, blackberry, and then leaning into some dried green herbs and the barrel spice coming around for the finish. This is just great, it's got enough acidity that you really want to have it with food, but enough elegance and polish that if you just want to pop the bottle you can go ahead and do that too. Definitely one of our better Cabernet Sauvignons at this price, and likely it won't last long.

Price: Hidden

RP: 94

WE: 94

JD: 92

2021 Petra Toscana Rosso

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 11/4/2025 | Send Email

I wish I could attach a picture to this review. Petra, with its jaw-dropping modern cellar designed by Mario Botta and carved directly into the rocky hills of Suvereto, is a true architectural marvel. I have never seen such an ambitious building. A Google search is worth your time. What we have here is their flagship Bordeaux-style blend, sourced from the iron-rich, stony soils of the Val di Cornia in Maremma. The nose here is powerful; classic dark cassis, blackberry, and plum, lifted with notes of graphite, cedar, and the signature macchia mediterranea (Mediterranean scrub) that defines the coast. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, dense, and concentrated, but it’s not just a fruit bomb. The finish is long and savory, echoing with notes of dark chocolate and herbs. A focused wine that will make Napa and Bordeaux aficionados happy. This is my type of Super Tuscan; powerful, yes, but really Italian. A true benchmark for the region.

Price: Hidden

JS: 95

2023 Domaine Delhome "Boreal" Crozes-Hermitage Rouge

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 11/3/2025 | Send Email

The Boreal comes from the granitic slopes. It has the meaty density that inspires Syrah drinkers around the world. Brambly black fruit, roasted cherries and meaty tones all lead to a rich and saturated red that superbly reflects the granite terroir of the Northern Rhone. One of my favorite new finds!

Price: Hidden

JD: 92

2023 Anonymous Wine Collective Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay

By: Simon Li | Review Date: 11/2/2025 | Send Email

This wine opens with a energetic nose of struck match, oyster shell, and sharp lemon zest, which only reluctantly reveals hints of white peach and toasted almond. The palate is defined by its tense, high-wire acidity, a hallmark of the cool vintage, creating a framework that is both linear and intensely focused. The finish is long and bracing, leaving a vibrant, mouthwatering echo of citrus oil and crushed stones.

Price: Hidden

Cambridge "Three Seasons" Gin (700ml)

By: Cary Herrman | Review Date: 11/1/2025 | Send Email

A gin that refuses to pick a favorite season. Cambridge's Three Seasons drifts effortlessly from spring bloom to autumn spice, capturing the best of each in a single pour. The nose is bright and floral, the palate smooth and layered - fresh herbs, gentle citrus, and just enough warmth to stick with you. It's elegant without being precious, complex without trying too hard. Perfect for a sunny G&T or a fireside martini.

Price: $99.99

Covalle Tomato Water Gin (750ml)

By: Cary Herrman | Review Date: 11/1/2025 | Send Email

Who knew tomato water could feel this elegant? Covalle's take turns a humble garden staple into something cool, crisp, and quietly luxurious. Even for those who steer clear of tomatoes, this gin surprises - bright, refreshing, and smooth. The subtle vegetal note adds depth rather than bite, giving the botanicals a breezy sophistication. It's the kind of drink that feels like summer in a linen shirt - fresh, effortless, and a little unexpected.

Price: $34.99

2023 Method California Cabernet Sauvignon

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 10/31/2025 | Send Email

Who doesn't love a bargain!? I most certainly LOVE finding wines that deliver amazing quality at modest price points. However, I also know that cheap (or should I say inexpensive) often doesn't correlate with great...and life is too short to drink bad wine. So I'm meticulous, demanding, even downright judgemental even on wines that are below $20. Because you can't give bad a wines a pass just because they're cheap. Well, here's a wine that needs no such pass. This wine absolutely explodes the QPR category and sets an extremely high bar for any of the competition. We have been working closely with the Precision Wine Co. Method Cab for a while now and weren't surprised at all when the 2023 Method California Cab was named as the *No.1 Best Buy Value of the Year* by Wine Enthusiast. Now think about, out of tens of thousands of wines reviewed in 2025, this Cab was deemed the Best Value of them all! When you pour a glass you'll understand why. This is serious juice for an extremely affordable price point. Classic varietal aromas and flavors of ripe blackcurrant, dark plum, cocoa powder, subtle vanilla oak tones. The palate is ripe and juicy with soft, supple dark fruit, hints of dried herbs, and dusty earth. Round, soft and approachable, but never feeling fake or manipulated like so many wines in this category. At it's typical $20 price point this wine is an amazing deal...at our Insider's Advantage pricing is a downright steal. A party wine extraordinaire, load up!

Price: Hidden

WE: 94

Suntory Kanade Yuzu Liqueur (700ml)

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 10/31/2025 | Send Email

Yummy. This smells like how I wanted it to smell, like it's a yuzu trifecta of juice and skin and spirit. I'll be honest, as a current Californian, yuzu reminds me a lot of bougie Meyer lemon, which is already the bougiest of lemons. There's a lot of pretty citrus notes, a floral lemony note, and then there's green herbaceousness in the background. This is fairly sweet, what you would typically expect from a liqueur, but there's a bright acidity and pure yuzu core in there, a little bit of pithy bitterness from the skins and more floral especially on the inhale after you take a sip. This is for people who want to maybe add a splash to a highball or who want something a little more unique in place of a number of orange-flavored liqueurs. Would this make a great margarita addition? Yep! Would I make the martini recipe they have on the back of the bottle? Yep! Will I end up buying this and adding it to a number of things before I find where I think it'll go best? Yep! It's just fun and makes me happy to sip, kind of like getting little little yuzu hugs.

Price: $29.95

Frey Ranch "Single Barrel #3112" K&L Exclusive Nevada Estate Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 10/31/2025 | Send Email

I didn't notice this before but the title of this barrel is "Only Bangers in the Building" and that's just straight hilarious. I've always liked Frey Ranch, they have a great story, they do everything on site from grow the grain to distill and age the Bourbon, and the husband and wife both seem equally involved. Not only that, they're doing a Four Grain mash that has both wheat and rye in the mix instead of one or the other. It's fun, it's a little different, and it's always been a bottle I know I can take and I'll enjoy it. It can come across a little youthful and spritely at times, but that's what an ice cube is for in my world. You see, in my world, people drink things however they want and they don't worry if someone else is going to judge the way they drink their own whiskey. There's some maple on the nose, peanut toffee, lemon oil, dusty grain, and like a little touch of vanilla in the back, all surrounded by barrel and baking spice. The proof on this is pretty outrageous, just a couple points away from Hazmat, it definitely drinks warm and a splash or water or that aforementioned ice cube will definitely be your friend here. I definitely recommend trying a sip before diluting in any way, but be careful, you only get one mouth. The palate is incredibly rich and almost thick, there's a lot going on with lots of barrel spice, but also layers of toffee and cream, with touches of burnt sugar, baked apples, and lingering toast. It's slightly more savory than some bourbons I've had today, but not too much, just a touch more restraint. A delicious bottle that will be joining me at home later.

Price: $89.99

Maker's Mark "The Lost Recipe Series: Edition 02" Kentucky Straight Bourbon (700ml)

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 10/31/2025 | Send Email

So the archived stave for this barrel that they used is the mocha stave. As it follows, quite unsurprisingly, it has a lot of mocha on the front, accompanied by some toffee, orange oil, and some peanut brittle. I'm searching for that Maker's Mark cherry, and it's not really popping out, though there's this really memory spiking scent that I think might be that red-box of chocolate covered cherries you can find most places. I used to get those for my Grandpa every year as part of his Christmas, he loved them. The palate is crazy soft for having as much proof as it does, the bit of peppery heat coming in at the very end, leaving the whole front of the palate just to be deliciously enjoyed. Still a lot of mocha, but there's brighter kind of cherry in the background, orange rind, brown sugar burnt toffee, heavily toasted pecans, and vanilla creme before it launches itself into all the barrel and pie spices, eventually ending with a lingering sweet and toasty finish. Maker's Mark has a soft spot in my heart, they were one of the first bourbons I ever tried and enjoyed long before I was a wine and spirits professional and was instead an eager amateur. This is taking their whole formula both back to when these staves were more available and up a notch overall.

Price: $69.99

Lehmann "Jamesse Prestige" Grand Champagne Mouth-Blown Wine Glass #45

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 10/31/2025 | Send Email

I had the chance to try these fantastic, mouth-blown glasses in Reims in April of 2014. They are fantastically light and concentrate the nose beautifully! They are also very visually pleasing and elegant. I have a set of much more expensive (over $100 a stem) glasses that are inferior to these. They are rarely used. I use these glasses for special occasions and also keep a set of the machine-made version for everyday use. Update: I eventually gave away my more expensive non-Lehmann Champagne glasses because these are infinitely better. The same set that I purchased 10 years ago is still around and intact! 31 October, 2025.

Price: $44.99

Suntory Toki "Black" Japanese Whisky (750ml)

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 10/31/2025 | Send Email

The original Toki has always been a go to recommendation for people who just want a whisky for highballs or a super light sipper that won't break the bank but gives you enough flavor to take the next sip. This is kind of the grown up version, more of the Hakushu distillery in here gives it more smoke, more depth, and overall provides a pretty great upgrade to the traditional Toki. The nose has pretty and soft peaty notes, little whisps of smoke coming off the bouquet, touches of honeyed green apple. The smoky peat comes out more on the palate, but it's never aggressive, it's like when your cat pats your face you with its claws just slightly out. It's incredibly smooth and an enjoyable sip all by itself, I would say this drinks more like a baby Hibiki than it does a grown up Toki all in all, but I still wouldn't hesitate to put it in a highball either. It's pretty delicious, especially for the price.

Price: $39.99

Brucato Mission Gin (700ml)

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 10/31/2025 | Send Email

Brucato does an amazing job of, in my view, being concise with their ingredients, they make delicious Amari that are a bit more focused and accessible than some of the more "classic" styles that have a super long ingredient list. This Mission gin is a continuation of that, while also offering flavors I feel will play so well with their Amari in cocktails. This is definitely a "New Western" style gin, where juniper is attending the party, but isn't the life of the party. The fennel plays a key role on the palate, while citrus and coriander dominate the nose for me. The fennel comes towards the end and then lingers becoming the focus of the lingering and lasting finish. This is super tasty gin, really easy and something I could see going incredibly well in a martini, a negroni, and even a G&T with the right tonic choice and maybe a slightly different garnish. This would also be great in a Bloody Mary. Stop putting vodka in your Blood Mary, you're really doing yourself dirty flavor-wise.

Price: $29.99

Covalle Tomato Water Gin (750ml)

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 10/31/2025 | Send Email

I really like reviewing wacky things, and this is a wacky thing. This is a gin that has been infused, through a complex process of grinding up, centrifuging and then macerating, with the flavors and aromas of the stems and leaves of the tomato plant. There's just a lot going on here. There's a gin in the background, fairly soft juniper and botanicals and then there's the tomato plant that's this incredible mix of very savory herbaceous and some brighter almost kind of fruity notes hiding the back. It's bizarre and compelling and I want more of this kind of thing. The palate is dense, red fruits and then tons of greenery that reminds me of my Grandma's garden, when the tomatoes were growing you could walk between them and it would smell like this, just without the gin part, Grandma wasn't like that. This like the ultimate addition to a Bloody Mary or Caesar, and I think could make some really compelling martinis with the right vermouth (Tomato by Veso) and might just inspire me to finally make the tomato bitters I've been daydreaming about for the past couple months.

Price: $34.99

BORED Vodka (750ml)

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 10/31/2025 | Send Email

NFT Vodka, sure why not? I'll be super honest right now, I'm not really sure what an NFT is, like gun to the head I'd just say like "online pictures people liked a few years ago" or something like that. Ignorance is bliss, however, and I am actually happy about this vodka. It's good, it's just a really solidly tasty corn based vodka. Even at room temperature it's pretty smooth, it has a kind of roundness in the mouth and gives off some slight hints about the grain behind the spirit, the impression of sweetness on the front and there's something in the nose that just has a slightly corn smell to me, but I could just be imagining it since I know what it's made out of. That's the problem with tasting notes sometimes. All in all, it's worth picking up if you're looking for a nice bottle of American made vodka, made with American grain. It's also, quite legitimately, a decent gift or purchase for people who do know what an NFT is and will explain it to you. In detail. For a while.

Price: $24.99

2023 Anonymous Wine Collective Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 10/30/2025 | Send Email

I find myself sitting here, typing things and then backspacing them into oblivion since I just can't quite find the words. It's just such a pretty wine, and I'm so happy we have this to sell to you. I'm a bit entranced by the nose, I just opened it and it seems like it wants some air but it's just really got this lovely backbone of lemon flowers and lemon curd with some apple flesh coming into the picture and then goes into this roundness that feels like oak to me. I let the wine sit to warm up a bit, totally on purpose not because I got called away, and and now I'm getting even more apple, touches of white flowers, a little hint of honey, and just the lightest touch of dried pineapple. The palate is gorgeous, lots of fruit with honeyed apple, lemon curd, a little more dried pineapple, and then a touch of river stones and a little bit of forest in the very far back. This is just magnificent and super full without being too rich, the acidity is a straight line through and there's barrel roundness but not really barrel spice. It's just a super well put together Chardonnay that is everything I wanted it to be and maybe a little bit more.

Price: Hidden

2023 Anonymous Wine Collective "Pagani Ranch - Ancient Vine" Sonoma Valley Zinfandel

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 10/30/2025 | Send Email

What a wonderful new addition to the AWC lineup, it's a shame that we won't ever be able to disclose who made this Pagani Ranch Zinfandel, and it will forever be shrouded in a haze of mystery and intrigue. Ultimately, the beauty is that it doesn't matter who makes these wines, they're fantastic bottles for the price and at first sniff, I see how this one made the cut. There's just lots of fruit on here, lots of blackberry, dried cherry, really ripe raspberry, but then in the back there's a bit of laurel leaf and some dustier tones along with just a little hint of maybe some creamy fruit in there as well. The palate is definitely more structured, with a nice firm tannin grip and there's just gobs of acidity as well, pushing through and giving this wine a lot of structure. The fruit is a little more tart than the nose would lead you to believe, but it's just super well balanced and it's made for food. This is like the perfect BBQ wine, maybe pizza if you're feeling it, burgers would be a breeze, it's just a really great bottle of food-friendly Zinfandel made by mysterious and wonderful Anonymous strangers.

Price: Hidden

2022 PROJECT M "Bednarik Vineyard" Tualatin Hills Pinot Noir

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 10/29/2025 | Send Email

We have just a small parcel of these tiny production wines from Project M winery in Oregon. The Bednarik Vineyard Pinot Noir comes from a very interesting site in the little known, but historic sub-region of Tualatin Hills. This area is home to several older plantings of Pinot Noir, Bednarik Vineyard being one of the jewels. Planted over 40 years ago, these own-rooted, dry-farmed, Pommard selection vines produces wines of incredible depth and character. There's a deep, brooding, brambly resonance to the wine. Quite dark fruited, blackberry, forest fruits, dusty earth, moss, warming spices, and hints of leather, too. Medium plus bodied, great fruit density in the attack, but long, persistent acidity really draws out the palate nicely with some of the more savory, earthy tones. We have a limited amount of wine at a really great price, so if this one appeals to you, get what you can before it's too late.

Price: Hidden

JD: 93

VN: 93

WE: 91

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