K&L Wine Merchants - Staff Favorites

2023 K&L Discovery Series Rhône, Gigondas "Tank 11 by Moulin de la Gardette"

By: John Downing | Review Date: 12/2/2025 | Send Email

Tasting this wine has only reinforced my confidence in our Discovery Series of imported wines. For me, it's remarkable that we can offer a world-class Gigondas at a Cotes-du-Rhone price point. It captures the essence of Southern Rhone as it combines expressive red fruit flavors with classic Mediterranean accents. This is a classic that comes with our highest endorsement!

Price: $19.99

2023 K&L Discovery Series Rhône, Gigondas "Tank 11 by Moulin de la Gardette"

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 12/2/2025 | Send Email

When I was in the Rhône this past March and April, I visited dozens of producers and spent several days at a traveling wine fair, tasting with dozens more. But it would have been criminal of me not to carve out time for Jean-Baptiste Meunier of Moulin de la Gardette, one of my favorite producers in one of my favorite crus—Gigondas. We’ve worked with JB for decades now, and I consider his wines among the truest, most terroir-driven expressions in the region. Part of this buying trip was reconnecting with our longtime partners, scouting new talent, and hunting for opportunities for our Discovery Series label. Naturally, JB was my first stop in Gigondas. His wines have always felt like pure Gigondas—capturing the essence of the marl and limestone soils and layered with the perfume of the surrounding garrigue. That coastal scrub, rich with natural oils from thyme, bay, and lavender, subtly inflects the wines with the unmistakable character of the place. During our visit, I noticed a tank off to one side and asked about its contents. This was the wine JB uses to top off barrels, round out his cuvées, and eventually sell the remainder to a négociant for blending. The vessel was simply marked Tank 11. Out of curiosity, I asked to taste it—and was immediately surprised. The wine was vibrant and fruit-filled, bursting with black raspberry, lavender, strawberries, and that classic hint of bay leaf. It was fleshy yet lifted, expressive yet effortlessly drinkable. JB’s Tradition and Ventabren bottlings tend to be deeper, more savory, and more structured—beautiful wines that reward time in bottle. What struck me about Tank 11 was its accessibility: supple, open-knit, and welcoming, yet still unmistakably Gardette and unmistakably Gigondas. It captured the region’s personality with a truly user-friendly attitude—exactly what we look for in a Discovery wine. As an aside, the wine has just landed in our warehouse, and I opened my first bottles upon arrival. There’s always a moment of suspense—tank samples can shift as they settle into bottle. But tasting it again, I was transported right back to the cellar several months ago. All of its generosity, brightness, and openness are intact. This is one of the most delightful Gigondas I’ve tasted in years and exactly what the Discovery Series is meant to highlight: wines of place, character, and value. I think you’ll agree—this is one of the best-drinking Rhône wines on our shelves right now.

Price: $19.99

2021 Raineri "Perno" Barolo

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 12/1/2025 | Send Email

Perno is a fascinating cru in Monforte. It sits on a ridge that catches the wind, often producing wines that are more austere and “intellectual” than their neighbors. Raineri’s take is stunning. It opens with notes of wild mint, iron, and crushed rose petals. On the palate, it is tense and vertical, with fine-grained tannins that grip but don’t punish. This is Barolo for purists—elegant, savory, and precise. A wine that will evolve beautifully for decades.

Price: $49.99

DC: 94

JS: 93

2022 Domaine Courbis "Les Eygats" Cornas

By: John Downing | Review Date: 12/1/2025 | Send Email

In comparison to the "Champelrose" I found this Cornas to be a bit more compact with a more subtle and less spicy nose. It packs a lot of flavor and punch on the palate as well as serious depth and complexity. Although delicious now, it's certain to evolve nicely with a bit of cellaring.

Price: Hidden

JD: 93 - 95

JS: 93

2021 Cascina Alberta "Giacone" Barbaresco

By: John Downing | Review Date: 12/1/2025 | Send Email

This is a very special Barbaresco that is made from a seldom planted clone of Nebbiolo (Rose) that only a handful of producers work with. It's a bit less tannic than most yet boasts wonderful aromatics. Considering its modest price, this is a rare treat and an incredible value that can be enjoyed today or cellared.

Price: $34.99

WE: 91

Green River "Owensboro's Aqueous Ore" K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Non-Chillfiltered Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)

By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 11/28/2025 | Send Email

With a history dating back to 1885, Green River has recently surged back into the spotlight, earning multiple awards for its whiskey lineup. Their bourbons showcase exactly why the 10th-oldest license in Kentucky still matters. This K&L Private Barrel pick, affectionately named “Owensboro’s Aqueous Ore,” is a beautiful example of the character that makes their bourbon so compelling. It strikes a seamless balance of sweet and savory, fruity and herbal, woodsy and spicy, all wrapped into one generous pour. The nose opens with orange peel, caramel popcorn, caraway, roasted peanuts, and a subtle hint of soy sauce. The palate follows with touches of cacao, charred oak, cloves, anise, spearmint, and a whisper of forest floor. It all comes together in a finish that marries rye spice and vanilla with impressive poise. At 121.6 proof, it carries some heat, so a splash of water helps settle the structure and reveals even more kettle corn, spicy sweetness, and a lingering herbal lift. A confident, layered bourbon from a revitalized classic well worth savoring.

Price: Hidden

Pierre Sparr Brut Rosé Crémant d'Alsace

By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 11/28/2025 | Send Email

Love everything about Rose Champagne except the price? I have the perfect solution for you, drink Pierre Sparr Cremant d'Alsace Brut Rose which at more than 50% off most Roses from Champagne gives you an almost identical experience. Sour cherry, spice, red licorice and subtle red flower aromas greet you on the nose while the palate is fresh and bright with cherry, red licorice and spice notes all intertwined perfectly against a brisk backdrop of acidity and verve. Surprisingly complex and full-bodied this a wonderful Rose that you can afford to drink more often.

Price: $19.99

WE: 93

Pierre Sparr "Réserve" Crémant d'Alsace Brut

By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 11/28/2025 | Send Email

This wine is an exceptional value!! It easily stands toe-to-toe with any sparkling wine from around the world in a similar price point. A rich, creamy mousse is followed up by white flower and zesty citrus notes with an underlining note of limestone that echoes throughout this wonderful sparkler. A great everyday or special celebration wine I cannot believe the quality here for such a low price, if you have been buying Prosecco, Cava or sparkling wines from other regions of the world you owe it to your self to check out the Pierre Sparr Cremant d'Alsace Brut.

Price: $19.99

DC: 95

WE: 92

Maison 76 Côte des Blancs Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne

By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 11/25/2025 | Send Email

What a bottle! The lavish use of reserve wines in this bottling really set it apart from anything else that we have in stock; this wine has a texture, a drinkability, and a hidden complexity that is rare to find in any bottle, let alone one that is under $50. The value that our large volume buy has delivered is top notch. Grand Cru, especially Côte des Blancs Chardonnay Grand Cru is hardly ever spoken about as a bargain, but this is an exception. It has always been my dream to supply the champagne drinker, the champagne lover top notch wines that can be purchased by the case and consumed, and for me, this is one of bottlings that has made my dream come true. All I wanted in it was everything- classy baguette toast, subtle white flowers, a creamy texture, and a fresh finish with chalky minerality for days. And, as usual, the Bonville family delivered!

Price: $44.99

2023 Wayfarer "Wayfarer Vineyard" Fort Ross-Seaview Pinot Noir

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 11/25/2025 | Send Email

A little tobacco and leather vies with the bright cherry notes that shine through the nose, there's also some white flowers, a little bit of candied cranberry skin, and then a long touch of spice. The palate is fairly rich, but there's a really good push of acidity through the whole thing, that carries through bringing the fruit with it, where it meets a little bit of creamy barrel and then finishes a little spicy. This is such a tasty and friendly bottle of Pinot Noir, it might be a little high acid for some people who are used to a richer flabbier style of Pinot Noir, but to me it absolutely delivers what you want in a super approachable high end Pinot Noir that will impress and delight.

Price: $99.95

2021 Cristom "Meredith Mitchell Vineyard" McMinnville Pinot Noir

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 11/25/2025 | Send Email

Fairly bold and expressive on the nose, this opens up strong with dusky cherry, raspberry, just a touch of something lightly creamy, and then a couple kinds of spice on the finish. The palate is very similar, with a kind of friendly boldness, the fruit is super juicy, both due to it coming across super fresh and also the great line of acidity that pushes through the whole palate, shoving tannin aside as the fruit and acid mix on the lingering finish, a little bit of barrel spice coming through as well but outmatched in the end. This is definitely a bit more friendly to pop and pour with how expressive the fruit is, but I would absolutely put this on my holiday table as well or just whenever I wanted a little bit more assertive of a Pinot Noir that still has great acidity and a good structural depth overall. This is fantastic.

Price: Hidden

Bruichladdich "The Laddie Rye" Single Grain Scotch Whisky (750ml)

By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 11/24/2025 | Send Email

Leave it to Bruichladdich to stretch the boundaries of what makes a good scotch whisky yet again with an experiment so wild it is almost baffling that no one tried it sooner. But here we are with something new, exciting, affordable, and most importantly, delicious. Rye grain has long been used to replenish soil with essential nutrients during crop rotation, a vital practice in sustainable and regenerative farming. Yet for whatever reason, Scotland never thought to use that rye for whisky. There are plenty of explanations for this, mostly the traditional reliance on barley and the challenges of distilling rye in pot stills, where its foamy nature complicates both distillation and cleanup. The Laddie team decided to give it a go, creating a whisky made exclusively from Islay rye (45 percent) and Islay malted barley (55 percent) aged in both first-fill bourbon barrels and toasted virgin American oak for at least 7 years. It is one thing to do something novel, and another to make it genuinely enjoyable. They managed both. The nose is dry and buttery, grassy and nutty, with loads of winter spice and herbaceous notes that round out with baked pear and fresh pastries. The palate brings the baked goods to center stage with spicy gingerbread and coconut macaroons, followed by a woody fruitiness that finishes with peppery rye spice and honeyed coconut. This is a great sipper, priced well enough for a highball or cocktail, and hopefully a sign of a future permanent addition to the Bruichladdich lineup.

Price: $59.99

Kilchoman "Sanaig" Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

By: Stephanie Manning | Review Date: 11/24/2025 | Send Email

There are some whiskies that feel like old friends, and for me, Sanaig is one of them; it was the very first whisky I drank on my very first trip to Scotland. One sniff, and I’m back on Islay’s ragged coast at sunset, waves crashing. It has since become one of my favorite daily drams, an absolute go-to when the weather begins to turn crisp. It opens with a captivating blend of peat smoke and fruit (I taste ripe blackberry), interwoven with rich chocolate and a touch of maritime salinity. Aged in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-oloroso barrels, the dried fruit from the sherry tones down the 50 ppm peat level, creating an expertly balanced slow sipper. Upon visiting Kilchoman, I was struck by its remoteness; one can walk miles without seeing another soul. A 25-minute stroll leads to the pristine sand beaches of Machir Bay (the namesake of their other signature release). Family-owned, the distillery gets close to being entirely farm-to-table; they own their own peat bogs and barley fields, but must source a portion of their grains from the mainland to meet demand. Whisky nerds should know that Kilchoman is one of the few distilleries that still practice floor malting, giving them more control over their finished product. For those who want to explore a range of flavors in a single glass, who like a touch of peat and sweet without the heat— this is the dram for you.

Price: $69.99

2023 Ridge Vineyards "Lytton Springs" Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 11/24/2025 | Send Email

Before Ridge’s 2023 Lytton Springs was awarded Wine Spectator’s #3 Wine of the Year in 2025, it had already picked up a casual 98-point score from Jeb Dunnuck! As one of the most historic vineyards and wineries in the state, the team at Ridge never take their status and success for granted. They’re always looking for ways to improve their farming and winemaking, and take their role as stewards of these 100+ year-old vineyards very seriously. The 2023 Lytton is truly magical. The very cool growing season and late harvest in 2023 really played to the strengths of these historic, heritage vineyards. The wine possesses a natural old vine concentration, great depth and layered complexity from the field blend, but also wonderful purity and freshness from the pristine fruit. A legend in the making here.

Price: $49.95

JD: 98

DC: 96

WS: 95

Ca' Del Bosco "Cuvée Prestige" Franciacorta

By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 11/21/2025 | Send Email

Ca' Del Bosco "Cuvée Prestige" Franciacorta blends 75% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Bianco, and 15% Pinot Nero, all made with remarkable attention to detail. This sleeping beauty rested 25 months on its lees. The final assemblage includes 20–30% reserve wines from top vintages, adding depth and complexity. Subtle notes of pear, quince, and zesty Meyer lemon curd mingle with hints of lightly toasted bread, while a smoky, flinty minerality brings elegance and a serious personality. This is unmistakably not Champagne—and that’s precisely what makes it so intriguing. Consider me a fan!

Price: $46.99

2022 Raúl Pérez "Ultreia St-Jacques" Mencía Bierzo

By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 11/21/2025 | Send Email

Often cited as one of the Spain’s most visionary winemakers, Raúl Pérez pioneered the "New Spain" movement and played a crucial role in highlighting the cool-climate Bierzo region in Northwestern Spain and its signature Mencía grape. The Ultreia St. Jacques is his signature entry-level red, made from a Mencía-dominant field blend that also includes Bastardo (Trousseau), Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet), Palomino, and Doña Blanca, all from old vines planted between the 1890s and the 1940s across Bierzo. The grapes are fermented in very large open top wooden casks (13000L) and 50-60% whole clusters are included to add floral and spicy notes. Perez also includes a 60-day post-fermentation maceration, followed by aging in neutral oak barrels and puncheons. Perez’s winemaking philosophy is centered on minimal intervention, allowing each vineyard's unique character to express itself with transparency and elegance. The resulting wine is brilliantly fuchsia in color, and juicy, vibrant, and expressive on the palate with crunchy pomegranate and wild blackberry notes, subtle licorice spice, faint lilac, and distinctive minerality. A subtle underlying current of forest floor, fallen leaves and wild herbs ties everything together. This is a wild that perfectly balances wild – almost sauvage – forest notes with elegance, finesse and restraint. Gently reminiscent of a Cru Beaujolais or a Northern Rhône Syrah, this is a wine that showcases another side of Spain – one that is centered around elegance, terroir and quiet power.

Price: $24.99

JG: 93

JS: 93

RP: 93

2007 Bruichladdich 18 Year Old "Old Particular" K&L Exclusive Single Cask Strength Refill Hogshead Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 11/20/2025 | Send Email

Bruichladdich is one of those rare distilleries that has consistently pushed the boundaries of expression and innovation in Scotch whisky. As a historic non-peated whisky from Islay, a true outlier in its region, its return to prominence in the early 2000s and its expansion into peated lines like Port Charlotte and the ever-evolving Octomore has given us some of the most fun and unique scotches in the world. The distillery often draws heavily from its cask program, experimenting with nearly every type of barrel imaginable. They even show you online exactly which casks went into any particular batch, making the entire process transparent and easy to explore. One of my favorite things about Bruichladdich is that no matter the expression, there is always something in the foundational spirit that reveals its identity. Shortbread and a touch of paper mâché seem to hide under the dominant flavors of the first-fill casks, and I love it. Getting our own expression that rested for eighteen years in a refill hogshead, a cask that offers less influence from any prior liquid and more from the oak’s natural maturation, is a wonderful way to get closer to what makes this distillery so special. The shortbread shows itself immediately, like Nilla wafers tossed into an orchard fruit salad coated in honey. The palate dances between dry and sweet, offering raw vanilla bean, dried apricot, hard caramel candies, and a hint of ginger. The ginger carries through the finish, merging with the pastry notes and leaving a lingering wave of spicy fruit. A touch of water tames the 57.6 percent ABV and reveals even more caramel, butterscotch, and soft baking spice. This is a stellar expression from a stellar house and worth enjoying during the holidays or any time of year.

Price: $225.00

2013 Billecart-Salmon "Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon" Extra Brut Rosé Champagne

By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 11/20/2025 | Send Email

This spectacular rosé has been my favorite release all year for this category. The masters of pink bubbles at Billecart pulled out all the stops for this 2013, and I think this might be the best Elisabeth I have ever tasted. With an incredible subtle brioche and maraschino like pinot nose and a texture that only over 9 years of ageing on the lees can provide, the best part about this wine is the finish. The ultra long finale has pure clean pinot, deep white chalk in a peacock tail like display carried on a wave of fresh acidity. Don't miss this one- it is for the ages!

Price: $229.99

VN: 97

JS: 96

2025 Georges Duboeuf "Orange Nouveau" Vin de France (Orange Wine)

By: Jacques Moreira | Review Date: 11/19/2025 | Send Email

An Orange Nouveau? Pourquoi pas? I believe this is a new endeavor chez Duboeuf, and they are nailing it this year! It's as fresh as it gets, with beautiful aromatics, and definitely "orange". A blend of 50% Grenache Blanc, 20% Viognier, 10% Muscat, along with other white grapes, that will please our orange-wines afficionados but also can be offered as a gentle introduction to these geeky wines. And since it's Thanksgiving season, I would suggest serving this with the pumpkin pie! Go on, give it a try...

Price: $16.99

2025 Georges Duboeuf "Orange Nouveau" Vin de France (Orange Wine)

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 11/19/2025 | Send Email

Orange wine often has this kind of tea-like quality in the nose, and this one is not an exception to that. I am having this at room temperature, so if it chill it, your mileage may vary but this is better than I thought it would be by a mile. There's white-tea, potpourri, peaches, and pluots in here. It's very floral but it's absolutely clean, not pushing towards natty in any way, just kind of hanging out like a nice guy skin contact white wine, giving some people what they're looking for. The palate is very peaches and lemon, with potpourri still hanging around giving it a little zhuzh of something different. I like this a lot more than I was mentally prepared to, but that juts cannot be helped - this might be a nice one to try if you're on the fence or curious about orange wines since it's so clean. It's got a pretty decent line of acidity as well. This is really a quintessential porch wine, you don't need to have food with it, but it will improve the whole experience.

Price: $16.99

2025 Georges Duboeuf "Orange Nouveau" Vin de France (Orange Wine)

By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 11/19/2025 | Send Email

Now this is a super fun wine for fans of Orange wine: an Orange Nouveau!!! Salty aromas mix with notes of citrus and orange marmalade. The palate is zesty with hints of Rainer cherry along with orange and citrus flavors. One the finish the Orange wine personality shines thru with hints of mushroom and earth. A very cool orange wine for the Beaujolais Nouveau fan.

Price: $16.99

2019 Charles Baur Pinot Gris Grand Cru Brand Alsace

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 11/18/2025 | Send Email

Really lovely expressive nose, there's some white rose petals, white peach, maybe a touch of jasmine, a touch of honeycomb, a little bit of apple in the background, and then some minerality showing. It doesn't feel like it's showing its age really yet. The palate is very fruit-forward, probably just very slightly off-dry as some Alsatian wines can be. There's definitely a little something there, and the fruit is transported and elevated due to that, there's juicy white peach, some Cosmic Crisp apple, lemon candy, and more white flowers. It's just really nice and that just very slight pop of off-dry will help it pair better with things with just a touch of heat to them, like a butternut squash soup that you put a healthy fling of red pepper flakes into, or some spicy fried chicken, whatever you want to do. Despite my own personal thoughts on the matter, it does finish dry on the palate without any lingering sweetness. Palate doesn't really give away the age either, it's just really well done all around. You should buy it.

Price: $26.99

VN: 93

2023 El Enemigo Chardonnay Mendoza

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 11/18/2025 | Send Email

Nice and fairly complex nose, there's some apples and lemon, but also dried herbs and a roundness of barrel and barrel spices wrapping around everything, like a big hug. The palate is nice and mid-rich but with some still fairly fresh fruit in the whole thing, there's definitely a good amount of oak but nothing that dips more than a toe over the line. There's a reasonable amount of acidity, but for people who are acid shy this might be worth putting on your radar as well, it's not flabby by any means but the focus is more on the fruit and barrel working together, while the acidity kind of does its own thing off on the side. The leaves the finish lingering, with that battle of fruit and oak, the Froakish War, raging and ultimately, I think you win. Especially if you're looking for something to replace that R-wine but just a single little pat of butter on top.

Price: $24.99

2013 Billecart-Salmon "Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon" Extra Brut Rosé Champagne

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 11/18/2025 | Send Email

My goodness, what an absolute treat. I'm not typically someone who likes surprises, but if more surprises were like this, I would probably be much more amenable. This is the latest vintage release the Cuvee Elizabeth, and why oh my this is just all kinds of wonderful. The nose is just shining with these really pretty hints of rose, and this super pure Alpine Strawberry note, then there's a little bit of red apple skin, and this little touch of lemon oil on the finish all with this kind of slightly toasted brioche note wafting through the whole bouquet. The palate is so crisp and refreshing, with this kind of hidden juiciness that pops in on the mid palate and works through the finish. There's a touch of blood orange, lemon peel, green apple, more brioche, and a lingering mineral finish really pushes it over the edge. This is one of the best Champagnes I've tasted this year, absolutely outstanding and worth every penny. I might have this one for my birthday that's coming up, it really tickled a lot of the right places for me.

Price: $229.99

VN: 97

JS: 96

2023 Marisa Cuomo "Fiorduva" Costa d'Amalfi

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 11/18/2025 | Send Email

The crown jewel. Justifiably considered one of Italy’s greatest and most iconic white wines, Fiorduva is a complex blend of ancient grapes—Fenile, Ginestra, and Ripoli. It is a luminous, profound wine with notes of apricot, honey, tropical flowers, and a powerful saline minerality that speaks directly of its coastal home. A transportive wine, and a true taste of a place unlike any other on earth.

Price: $99.99

WE: 94

2022 De Conciliis "Bacioilcielo" Paestum Rosso IGP Campania Aglianico

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 11/18/2025 | Send Email

De Conciliis “Bacio al Cielo” is a juicy and delicious Aglianico wine. This showcases the grape’s more approachable side, although Aglianico is often known for its outstanding structure and potency. But this wine has a softer, fruitier character. This makes it the perfect match for casual gatherings and barbecues. On the nose, “Bacio al Cielo” greets you with aromas of ripe red and black fruits. Think blackberries, cherries and plums, with subtle herbal and spice notes. The taste of the wine is fresh and lively, with juicy fruit flavors and balanced acidity that make the wine bright and easy to pour. Although they have the tight tannins typical of Aglianico, they are softened by the wine’s natural juiciness. This makes the wine incredibly versatile and food-friendly… Located in the Cilento region of Campania, De Conciliis is known for their commitment to organic viticulture and producing wines that reflect the warmth and vibrancy of their terroir. “Bacio al Cielo” is a perfect example of this. It offers a more relaxed and approachable Aglianico style. than the variety but still retains its signature sophistication. This wine is the ideal choice for barbecues, grilled meats or even pizza nights. Due to its juicy nature and being liked by people. It is also a good introduction to Aglianico for those who might find its more powerful expressions too harsh. For anyone looking for a fun, juicy, deep and unique red, De Conciliis “Bacio al Cielo” is a great choice that will elevate any casual meal.

Price: $16.99

2020 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien

By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 11/18/2025 | Send Email

Léoville-Barton's 2020 has all the components to be one of its all-time greats, which speaks volumes, considering the property's reputation. The vintage itself works perfectly with everything that makes the wine so distinctive, providing terrific concentration, structure, and remarkable depth. It wouldn't be a surprise to see this one going strong for decades. Aromatically, the wine delivers a traditional St-Julien profile, with Cabernet-driven notes of cassis, tobacco, and florals. On the palate, it is pure class—concentrated, layered, yet refined—offering that sense of old-school claret with structure. The tannins are extremely well-managed, and the texture gives it a luxurious edge. Léoville-Barton is one of the greats, a wine that always retains its character and could be from nowhere else. Trends come and go, but they are as dependable as it gets. Add the 2020 vintage, however, and it's on another level altogether. To be able to get it direct from Bordeaux at this kind of pricing makes it, once again, one of the best collectible values in the region.

Price: $109.99

2019 Terroir al Limit Terroir Históric Negre Priorat

By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 11/17/2025 | Send Email

Priorat has been undergoing something of a renaissance in recent years. For several decades, the wines of Priorat turned up the dial regarding alcohol, extraction and oak, often including international varieties in the mix, too. As a result, the wines were often big and rich but lacking in regional character. The 2019 Terroir Històric Priorat Negre, however, is a fresh and modern take on Priorat, crafted by up-and-coming producer Terroir al Límit, a wine project founded by Dominik Huber (with early input from Eben Sadie) that seeks to revive small family-owned vineyards across Priorat’s nine historic villages. Unlike the Terroir al Limit single vineyard wines, the Terroir Historic wines are sourced from multiple small, family-owned plots in a quest to express the overall terroir and character of the region. This wine is a traditional blend of 75% Garnatxa Negra and 25% Carinyena, fermented in tank with partial whole clusters. The wine is then aged for six months in large, neutral concrete tanks — no oak, no additional extraction — allowing for a pure and mineral-driven expression. Now with 6 years of age, the wine balances ripe red and black fruit notes (pomegranate, black plum) with classic Priorat wild herbs and slate minerality on the palate. The wine is generous yet precise, following up with a hint of black pepper on the finish, and nicely integrated tannins. Despite its firm structure, the wine feels elegant and fresh, with a core of savory, earthy notes. This is a wine that beautifully expresses both the spirit of its makers — minimalist, terroir-focused, community-oriented — and the rugged, rocky landscape of Priorat.

Price: $34.99

JS: 93

RP: 92

2019 Terroir al Limit Terroir Históric Negre Priorat

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 11/17/2025 | Send Email

I've always been a huge Rioja fan but, Priorat is a super close second. Especially affordable priced ones! The nose of this Terroir Al Limit is a bit more traditional with bright cherry fruit (with a light chalk note), dried orange peel and savory herbs. In the mouth, there are very fresh clean tannins, tongue coating riper cherries, minerals, and a light touch of sage. While the mid-palate coats, the finish zips and tingles the palate with brightness and length. A nice representation of different styles all rolled up into one wine that has an excellent price.

Price: $34.99

JS: 93

RP: 92

2019 Charles Baur Pinot Gris Grand Cru Brand Alsace

By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 11/17/2025 | Send Email

Jura-like oxidation on the nose with subtle hints of stone and petrol. On the palate there is amazing richness and great textural feel with complex and layered Orchard fruit notes and spice. This feel old-world in style and already has wonderful tertiary notes.

Price: $26.99

VN: 93

2022 Giscours, Margaux 6-Pack in OWC

By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 11/14/2025 | Send Email

One of the most deserving properties in Bordeaux just received Wine Spectator's #1 Wine of the Year: 2022 Giscours. A long-time K&L favorite, the team there has always produced one of the most classic and rewarding wines of Margaux, but recent vintages have taken it to another level. The 2022 is the perfect example of that ideal balance you find at this estate; from a rich vintage they were able to craft a wine that's full of Margaux character, retains a modest 13.5% abv, and delivers a classically proportioned wine that shows both the property's terroir and the transparency of traditional Bordeaux. Its ability to occupy both worlds is one of Giscours' many charms. It is also a wine that is remarkably well priced for what it delivers on the scale of classified growths. And while it's not the flashiest wine (perhaps all the better for it), it is one of those bottles that always leaves us marveling when tasting, inspiring that "why don't we buy more Giscours?!" energy. With this new Wine of the Year acclaim, that may soon be a thing of the past. I can imagine the 2022 Giscours becoming an all-time best seller for us, and I think the wine deserves all the acclaim it's getting now, and will continue to receive in the future. Congratulations to Alexander van Beek and the remarkable team at Giscours on their landmark 2022.

Price: $595.00

2022 Giscours, Margaux

By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 11/14/2025 | Send Email

One of the most deserving properties in Bordeaux just received Wine Spectator's #1 Wine of the Year: 2022 Giscours. A long-time K&L favorite, the team there has always produced one of the most classic and rewarding wines of Margaux, but recent vintages have taken it to another level. The 2022 is the perfect example of that ideal balance you find at this estate; from a rich vintage they were able to craft a wine that's full of Margaux character, retains a modest 13.5% abv, and delivers a classically proportioned wine that shows both the property's terroir and the transparency of traditional Bordeaux. Its ability to occupy both worlds is one of Giscours' many charms. It is also a wine that is remarkably well priced for what it delivers on the scale of classified growths. And while it's not the flashiest wine (perhaps all the better for it), it is one of those bottles that always leaves us marveling when tasting, inspiring that "why don't we buy more Giscours?!" energy. With this new Wine of the Year acclaim, that may soon be a thing of the past. I can imagine the 2022 Giscours becoming an all-time best seller for us, and I think the wine deserves all the acclaim it's getting now, and will continue to receive in the future. Congratulations to Alexander van Beek and the remarkable team at Giscours on their landmark 2022.

Price: $99.99

2024 Cullen "Dancing in the Sun" Sauvignon Blanc Blend Margaret River Western Australia

By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 11/13/2025 | Send Email

The 2024 Cullne “Dancing in the Sun” is a lively, youthful blend of 53% Sauvignon Blanc, 28% Semillon, 14% Chenin Blanc, 4% Chardonnay and 1% Verdelho. The 2024 season was the hottest, driest and earliest harvest on record for Cullen, with minimal rainfall from September through to May, resulting in small yields and concentrated fruit. As a result, the fruit for this wine was harvested early (between January 11 and February 11) to maintain freshness. The resulting wine is crisp and inviting, bursting with notes of freshly cut grass, grapefruit zest and Granny Smith apple. There is a subtle waxy texture on the palate, and the finish is persistent, with lingering citrus pith and faint salinity. This is a bright, modern take on a Sauvignon/Semillon blend imbued with surprising structure and concentration from the warm 2024 vintage.

Price: $17.99

JS: 93

JH: 92

2019 Gulfi "NeroBufaleffj" Nero d'Avola Sicilia

By: Mariah Mier | Review Date: 11/13/2025 | Send Email

I cannot get over how much this wine reminds me of freshly picked wild blackberries. Tart, aromatic, with finely knit tannins that draw you inter another sip... and another, and another. Brings back memories of gorging myself with the fruit when I discovered a hidden patch of them at the park in late summer. Thankfully, I don't have to watch out for any thorns to enjoy this!

Price: $44.99

VN: 96

JS: 93

2022 Nga Waka Pinot Noir Martinborough

By: Mariah Mier | Review Date: 11/13/2025 | Send Email

This earthy, savory Pinot Noir is a perfect match for anyone looking to explore the unique terroir of Martinborough. There's an oxidized dry-aged meat quality to it, almost gamey, with notes of dry herbs that reminds me of Pu'er tea.

Price: Hidden

SK: 94

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

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 11/13/2025 | Send Email

An absolute classic rendition of Zinfandel this legendary, historic site. There tons of rich, brambly fruit from the old vine Zin, but also real substance and complexity from the inclusion of Alicante Bouchet and a Primitivo clone brought here by Italian immigrants over a century ago. The wine shows a real sense of place with a crushed rock and ferrous mineral tone from red iron-rich loam and volcanic cobblestones that define the soils of the site. The picture perfect growing season in 2023 gave this wine lots of vibrancy and focus to balance all that old vine concentration and potency. The subtle use of both French and American oak is a well known signature when combined with this beautiful fruit. The value here, as with all the Anonymous wines is simply outstanding! Enjoy!

Price: Hidden

2024 Bodega Chacra "Barda" Pinot Noir Rio Negro Patagonia

By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 11/13/2025 | Send Email

The 2024 Bodega Chacra “Barda” Pinot Noir is an approachable, food-friendly expression of Patagonian Pinot. Bright notes of cranberry, wild strawberry, and hibiscus weave together with subtle undertones of baking spices and a freshly rolled cigar. The palate is supple yet energetic, carrying its fruit with effortless grace and a whisper of savoriness. It’s a versatile Pinot that would elevate a quiet dinner at home with a roast chicken or serve alongside a more refined meal. It's unpretentious, elegant, and simply delicious.

Price: $34.99

Mars Shinshu Iwai Rye Style Blended Japanese Whisky (750ml)

By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 11/12/2025 | Send Email

“Hey, can I get some of that Japanese scotch?” they’d often ask, sitting down at my bar. Hiding my deep-seated instinct to snark them into oblivion, I’d choose the hospitality route, which was one of information delivered through kindness. “Scotch,” I’d reply, “is simply whisky made in Scotland. This is Japanese whisky, which just means it was made in Japan, though it does emulate the Scottish style in many ways.” Since its inception more than a century ago, Japanese whisky has been directly associated with and compared to Scotch for understandable reasons. Malt whisky and grain whisky made in the style Masataka Taketsuru first learned in Scotland in the early 1900s resemble the Scotch we know and love in countless ways, even with some wonderful Japanese innovations and variations. And while they’ve experimented with other grains like rice, one thing the Japanese have done extremely well is blend whiskies from around the world in their own elegant style. Rye whiskey, on the other hand, has never really been thought of as elegant in the traditional sense. It’s the rugged, pre-Prohibition, spicy northern style of whiskey that early American settlers first made. But now our friends at Mars have decided to create a fun new counterpart to their bourbon-forward Iwai 45, blending their own classic 70% corn and 30% pot-stilled unmalted barley whisky aged in ex-bourbon barrels with some 95/5 rye aged in new charred oak and imported from Tennessee. The result brings lovely grain and spice, cherry and cocoa, nutty and herbal notes, plus berries and tea to the glass in a style that’s ready for your favorite cocktail or highball. And the price is perfect for mixing. But to be clear, this is not a rye whisky made in Japan, in the same way traditional Japanese whiskies aren’t Scotches. It’s an easy-drinking, supremely mixable rye-style whisky from blenders who’ve made a name for themselves combining liquid gold from around the world into a final product as unique and inviting as Japan itself.

Price: Hidden

Dérot-Delugny "Retour en Avant" Brut

By: Craig Morris | Review Date: 11/12/2025 | Send Email

"Retour en avant" literally translates to "return forward," as in, going back to your roots. What roots, you say? Well, this Champagne is made from 100% Pinot Gris. Yes, they are allowed to grow Pinot Gris in Champagne, but it is uncommon nowadays and near-extinct in the region. The founding family of Derot-Delugny were big fans of Alsatian wine, particularly Pinot Gris, so over 30 years ago they planted a small plot and that's where this comes from. So, yes, it is an oddity, but it is also delicious! I was genuinely impressed. Full of brioche with great acidity, and just a touch more fruit than a blanc de blanc, but still elegant. Also, full of minerality! Pinot Gris is tricky to grow in Champagne, and so they do not make this bottling every year, so pick it up while you have the chance. I could not stop revisiting this bottle all evening!

Price: $49.99

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

2016 Ca' del Bosco "AnnaMaria Clementi" Cuvée Franciacorta Rose Riserva

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

Everything that makes the Annamaria Clementi legendary, but in Rosé form. This is 100% Pinot Nero from three specific old-vine parcels, with the color coming from a brief skin maceration. It, too, spends years on the lees, developing a stunning spectrum of wild strawberry, pomegranate, blood orange, and smoky, savory spice. It’s one of the most serious, structured, and gastronomic sparkling rosés made anywhere in the world.

Price: $119.99

JS: 97

VN: 94

2019 Poggiarellino Brunello di Montalcino

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

This is a purist's Brunello from a legendary vintage. The 2019 Poggiarellino is a wine that perfectly captures the magic of this small, old-school estate. As I've said before, this is a tiny, 3-hectare farm in the northern part of Montalcino that does things the traditional way: native yeast in cement and long, slow aging in giant Slavonian oak casks. The 2019 vintage, with its perfect balance, classic structure, and brilliant acidity, was tailor-made for this style. This is not a fruit-forward, modern wine; it's a beautifully aromatic and structured expression of Sangiovese. The nose is all about precision: wild cherry, dried rose petals, leather, and savory herbs. The palate is firm and linear, with the noble, dusty tannins and vibrant energy that define a great, cellar-worthy Brunello. This is a true "rough diamond" and a fantastic example of the 2019 vintage's greatness. It’s a wine built for the long haul. It demands patience and a hearty meal, and it will reward those who cellar it for another 10-15 years. A must-buy for any lover of classic, soulful Brunello.

Price: $34.99

Wine Club

$31.99

JS: 91

WE: 91

2016 Poggiarellino Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

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

This is a wine for the purists. The 2016 Poggiarellino Riserva is a throwback to a style of Brunello that is becoming harder and harder to find, and it comes from one of the greatest vintages of our lifetime. This is not a flashy, modern wine; it's a profound, soulful, and uncompromisingly traditional expression of Sangiovese from a tiny, family-run estate. Poggiarellino is a small, 3-hectare farm in the northern part of Montalcino, and they do things the old-school way: sustainable farming, native yeast fermentation in cement tanks, and incredibly long, slow aging in large Slavonian oak casks. For this Riserva, the wine rested for a full 4.5 years in barrel, allowing it to develop incredible complexity and a noble, tertiary character. The 2016 vintage was a dream for producers like this, blessing the wines with perfect balance, electric acidity, and a firm, tannic structure built for the ages. The result is a wine of immense depth and character. The nose is a captivating display of dried cherry, forest floor, walnut skin, and leather, with underlying notes of truffle and dried herbs. On the palate, it is firm and savory, with a core of pure, rustic fruit framed by powerful, dusty tannins and that signature 2016 freshness. A true, authentic Brunello for those who love the classic style.

Price: $49.99

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: Hidden

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

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

Reviewers

K&L Email Alerts

Staff Favorites

Reviews

Wine Club