K&L Wine Merchants - Staff Favorites

2023 Ramey Russian River Valley Chardonnay

By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 1/3/2026 | Send Email

When I think of the best examples of California-styled Chardonnay, Ramey immediately comes to mind—they’re simply that reliable. Measured and structured, the 2023 Ramey Russian River Valley Chardonnay is redolent with caramel apple, golden flaky pastry, and baking spices, finishing with a subtle touch of jasmine blossom. It’s a lush and satisfying mouthful of deliciousness. I adore it, and that’s all there is to it.

Price: $44.95

2023 Anonymous Wine Collective Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay

By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 1/3/2026 | Send Email

Given its evocative complexity, it makes total sense that this wine is built by a fabled "Anonymous" producer from estate-grown Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay. Sunny and feminine, it’s effortlessly drinkable, radiating golden hour in late summer—crisp, juicy Gravenstein apple, candied Meyer lemon, and soft wisps of orange blossom. Dry and flavorful, yet light on its feet, it feels carefree—a smile from an enchanting stranger on the beach at sundown—windswept and charming.

Price: Hidden

Duménil 1er Cru "Réserve #26" Brut Champagne

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 1/3/2026 | Send Email

Well, we are starting the New Year off on a high point! I tried this on 2 January and what a very happy surprise this was. There is a lot going on. Bright citrus with soft lemon cream and curd flavors, shortbread, granny smith apples, and a little bit of orange creamsicle. Speaking of creamy, the mousse on this bottling is excellent! The Reserve 26 finishes clean and very crisp. I imagine that pretty much any lover of champagne should fully enjoy this new release from Dumenil.

Price: $39.99

2022 Le "C" des Carmes Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan

By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 1/2/2026 | Send Email

Le “C” des Carmes Haut-Brion is quickly becoming one of the greatest second wines in the region. For me, the perfect recipe is a mix of pedigree, house character, and a rewarding price—something this 2022 delivers in spades. The Grand Vin for this vintage notched three 100-point scores, making it clear that the team made the most of the growing season, but even this wine benefits from grand-vin-quality press, for what it’s worth. I also believe the secret lies in the estate’s boutique scale and relatively limited production, which lends a hand-crafted quality that shines through in “C” des Carmes. It’s this no-compromise approach that makes Guillaume Pouthier’s wines feel so genuine and distinctive across the board. While most of the Cabernet Franc goes into the Grand Vin, Cabernet Sauvignon steals the show in “C” des Carmes, though the fresh, lively character of the estate still provides an unmistakable signature. For those looking to experience the magic happening at this property, I can’t recommend the 2022 “C” des Carmes Haut-Brion enough—a remarkable buy already, and one that I suspect will reward those with bottles in their cellar for many years to come.

Price: $49.99

2019 Clif Family "Cold Springs Vineyard" Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

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

It's not everyday that we get 95-point, single vineyard, estate-grown and bottled Howell Mountain Cab for 50% off! But that is exactly what were offering today! The Clif Family (yep the folks behind those delicious granola bars) have quietly been acquiring great vineyards around Napa Valley for a decade. With sustainability being a core focus for the family, their vineyards are certified CCOF organic and the company is certified BCorp. After graduating from UC Davis and learning her craft at the renowned Fisher Vineyards, winemaker Laura Barrett has now been at the helm of Clif Family for 12 years. Cold Spring Vineyard is located on the southern side of Howell Mountain (the opposite orientation to Croquet Vineyard) at 1,660ft elevation. The soils here are dominated by compressed volcanic ash or tuff. This wine screams Howell Mountain to me with an impenetrable color in the glass, a dark, smoky, almost black fruit profile, graphite, cigar box, crushed rocks. The saturated fruit is draped over muscular, mountain-fruit tannins. Mountain chapparal and briar patch notes add complexity to the heart of darkness core. Wow, this wine is very impressive, and our pricing is just incredible for the quality. Only 300 cases total production. Act fast, this is a truly incredible deal at our very special, 50% off Insider's Advantage pricing!

Price: Hidden

WE: 95

JD: 92

JS: 91

2019 Clif Family "Croquet Vineyard" Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

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

It's not everyday that we get 95-point, single vineyard, estate-grown and bottled Howell Mountain Cab for 50% off! But that is exactly what were offering today! The Clif Family (yep the folks behind those delicious granola bars) have quietly been acquiring great vineyards around Napa Valley for a decade. With sustainability being a core focus for the family, their vineyards are certified CCOF organic and the company is certified BCorp. After graduating from UC Davis and learning her craft at the renowned Fisher Vineyards, winemaker Laura Barrett has now been at the helm of Clif Family for 12 years. The Croquet Vineyard Cab comes from just 3 acres of Clone 337 Cabernet planted on a steep hillside on the northeastern slope of Howell Mountain at 1,800 ft elevation. The soils here are iron rich, red, volcanic clay loam. This site produces a concentrated but lush style of Cabernet with rich cassis fruit, ollaberry, hints of vanilla and exotic oak spice. The palate has plenty of structure and tannin to measure up to the bold fruit profile. The wine is full-bodied with a big, decadent mouthfeel. This is classic Howell Mountain with a nice polished fruit profile allowing enjoyment from a relatively young stage. However, as their top wines from the very best estate selections and barrels, these wines are also designed to go the distance and will no doubt age 15-20 years in the cellar.

Price: Hidden

Duménil 1er Cru "Réserve #26" Brut Champagne

By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 12/31/2025 | Send Email

This champagne hails from Chigny-les-Roses, the village made famous by Jay Z’s Armand de Brignac brand and the grower J. Lassalle. This champagne is composed of one third each Chardonnay, Meunier and Pinot Noir that is all tank fermented. While half of the wine comes from the 2021 harvest, the other half is from a massive solera that was started all the way back in 1996. This bottle has at least a little bit of 25 different vintages in it, and the effortless complexity that this incredible solera ageing has given it makes it one of the standout values this year. I love the wine for the creamy, baguette framed aromatics, the round texture in the mouth, the fine bead and the fresh, dry finish. Take your time with this one- it is very easy to drink as an aperitif, but the depth is off the charts if you take a moment to look for it.

Price: $39.99

Duménil 1er Cru "Réserve #26" Brut Champagne

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 12/31/2025 | Send Email

Really pretty nose with a lot of white flowers, lemon peel, lemon candy, and a kind of high toned apple/pear compote with lemon curd on the side. This really has a lot of promise, I typically like Dumenil and this is already presenting so prettily. The palate is just a touch richer than I expected, verging on cocktail Champagne, and there's nothing wrong with that it's a style of Champagne I enjoy quite a lot, along with a really soft pear and a bright crisp apple there's several types of lemon again, there's lemon flowers, lemon card, lemon peel, and a little more lemon curd. Not that it's overly citrus, it's just that the citrus is so complex and multidimensional, it's just kind of impressive. The palate finishes off with more white flowers, and this dense chalky touch right near where the finish ends, it's just really enjoyable. Definitely highly recommended.

Price: $39.99

2022 Domaine des Sénéchaux Châteauneuf-du-Pape

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 12/31/2025 | Send Email

When the Cazes family of Château Lynch-Bages took over this historic property in 2006, little changed in terms of winemaking philosophy or vineyard selection. The estate has long been famous for producing just two wines—one white and one red—and that focused tradition continues to this day. Veteran winemaker Bernard Tranchecoste, who was already overseeing the cellar prior to the Cazes family’s arrival, remains at the helm. The resources brought by the Cazes family have been directed primarily toward vineyard improvements, including thoughtful replanting and new parcels that are now coming beautifully into production. Surrounded by the Bois des Sénéchaux (the “Sheriff’s Woods”), the property itself dates back to the 14th century, grounding these refined, modern wines in deep historical roots. Aging is carried out in larger-format wood, not to impart overt oak character, but to add elegance and refinement to the wines. The 2022—an excellent vintage—shows beautiful notes of wild strawberry, redcurrant, Asian spicebox, and pipe tobacco. It is a beautifully structured wine that drinks effortlessly in its youth while possessing the depth and balance to age gracefully for a decade or more.

Price: $49.99

JS: 95

JD: 93

VN: 92

2006 Bodegas Urbina Reserva Especial Rioja

By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 12/30/2025 | Send Email

One thing that continues to set Rioja apart from the rest of the wine world is its tradition of releasing perfectly matured wines at incredibly reasonable prices. Often decades old, these bottles offer a fascinating glimpse into how wine evolves over time, and the 2006 Bodegas Urbina Reserva Especial Rioja is a great example. Garnet-tinged in color, the wine requires a moment to open in the glass—it has been resting peacefully, after all, for nearly twenty years. Once it opens, a huge array of savory aromas unfurls: dried cherry, orange rind, and tobacco leaf mingle with notes of cigar box. Earthy scents of crunchy leaves and soft moss quickly follow, alongside hints of faint campfire and roasted meats. Everything is presented in a lithe, medium-bodied profile, supported by gently gripping tannins and surprisingly vibrant acidity. Aged in American oak, the wine possesses a mild rustic edge, but in the best way, reminiscent of paging through old books in a library. Its elegant structure carries the dense, compact flavors effortlessly toward a lingering finish. While this wine displays its maturity, it also retains a remarkable freshness; it could easily age for another decade, though it is so delicious now that waiting may be difficult.

Price: $37.99

TA: 94

VN: 92

JS: 91

2006 Bodegas Urbina Reserva Especial Rioja

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 12/30/2025 | Send Email

This awesomely priced 2006 puts out a lot of scents once you leave it in your glass for a few minutes to open up. Fire-roasted cherries with a background of honeyed wood, cinnamon, sage and fresh minerals. On the palate, medium to deep red fruits, roof of the mouth dry tannins and fresh wood. The fruit is deeper and darker on the palate than on the nose and it also has more minerality and a nice crunchy finish. The dark cherries dial their presence back up on the tip of tongue while the oak is on the upper palate. A very, very satisfying Rioja that is almost 20 years into its age. It will go even longer, if so desired.

Price: $37.99

TA: 94

VN: 92

JS: 91

2022 Haut-Peyrat, Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux

By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 12/28/2025 | Send Email

This is a fun one. The review certainly got our attention—a legitimate 95-point score from Decanter (not a World Wine Awards rating, but a detailed and thoughtful assessment from their lead Bordeaux critic). The modest Cadillac appellation, however, keeps this gem under $20. What really makes it irresistible is what’s in the bottle: brilliant deep red-to-black fruit, generous without being heavy, and beautifully balanced from lively acidity to well-managed tannins. The hard-to-resist character of the 2022 vintage is on full display, and I wouldn’t be surprised if most of the corks are pulled long before it has a chance to strut its stuff over the next decade. For a delicious Bordeaux with real character and charm, this is easily one of the best buys on our shelves right now.

Price: $17.99

DC: 95

2020 Celler Pardas "Hermós" Brut Nature Corpinnat (Cava)

By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 12/26/2025 | Send Email

Celler Pardas’ “Hermos” is the epitome of modern sparkling wine production in Spain – intensely mineral-driven, austere and elegantly compact in structure. For anyone who doesn’t think they like Cava, this is also the wine that will almost definitely change their mind. Pardas belongs to the Corpinnat group of producers who broke off from DO Cava in recent years as a protest centered around quality and terroir. The two main arguments of the group were that the best sparkling wine in Spain comes from Penedes, in Catalunya just south of Barcelona (DO Cava permits winemaking in several regions spread across Spain, not just Penedes), and that the vinfication and aging requirements of DO Cava were not stringent enough to compete with the best sparkling wines in the world. In short, these splinter Cava producers believed in the quality and potential of top-shelf Cava and so they came together to form a new label reflective of their commitment to quality. Cellar Pardas is a newer member of the Corpinnat organization, but their contribution to the category undeniably reflects the standards to which the group is committed. I hate to make comparisons to Champagne, but the “Hermos” could easily be mistaken for a Brut Nature Champagne – similarly lean and fresh on the palate, the dominant notes are of Granny Smith apple, lemon zest and button mushroom, all framed by intense minerality and a subtle turned earth note. This is an eye-opening wine that showcases the potential of Penedes and highlights exactly why Corpinnat exists.

Price: $44.98

RP: 95

2024 Fontanavecchia "Bjondore" Falanghina del Sannio

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 12/26/2025 | Send Email

Who says white wine is just for summer? The Fontanavecchia Falanghina is here to crash your holiday seafood feast and prove that "winter whites" are a serious thing! Hailing from the steep hills of the Sannio district in Campania, this wine comes from the Rillo family, who have been guardians of the local viticulture for generations. Fontanavecchia is a benchmark producer in the region, known for crafting wines that showcase the incredible minerality and longevity of the Falanghina grape. In the glass, it shines a brilliant straw-yellow, looking like liquid gold. The nose is a lovely, complex mix of winter citrus, white peach, and pineapple, backed by distinct floral notes of flowers and a hint of crushed stones that speaks to the region's ancient soils. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and super zesty, but with a weight and texture that stands up to hearty food. There’s a wonderful savory quality to this wine—a mineral, almost salty edge that balances the ripe orchard fruit flavors perfectly. It finishes clean, dry, and with a refreshing kick that cleanses the palate. This is the absolute perfect pairing for your Feast of the Seven Fishes, fried calamari, clam linguine, or simply as a refreshing aperitivo.

Price: $22.99

Wine Club

$17.99

2024 Lornano "Helena" Toscana IGT

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 12/26/2025 | Send Email

From the historic Fattoria Lornano in Castellina in Chianti, "Helena" is a bold, modern yet rustic expression that breaks the rules of classic Chianti Classico to deliver something richer and deeper for the winter season. The Nicololai family has owned this estate since 1904, and while they are masters of traditional Sangiovese, this IGT label allows them to flex their winemaking muscles. "Helena" is typically a powerful blend of 80% Sangiovese with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot , selected from the estate’s best vineyard plots. In the glass, expect a deep, impenetrable ruby color. The nose is decadent and warm, offering layers of ripe blackberry, dark plum, and black cherry preserves. These fruit notes are wrapped in luxurious aromas of sweet tobacco, vanilla bean, cedar, and a touch of dark chocolate derived from aging in used French oak barriques. On the palate, this is a true "fireplace wine"—full-bodied, velvety, and smooth. The tannins are polished and soft, coating the mouth without being aggressive. While it retains a signature Tuscan dusting of earth, the finish is long, plush, and satisfyingly modern. This is the bottle you open for the main event of your holiday meal: it screams for prime rib or stew.

Price: $22.99

Wine Club

$19.99

2023 Antonio Camillo Ciliegiolo

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 12/26/2025 | Send Email

Antonio Camillo is widely considered the "Ciliegiolo Whisperer" of the Tuscan coast, and his "Principio" is the perfect introduction to his masterful touch. For decades, Ciliegiolo (named after ciliegia, the Italian word for cherry) was relegated to a blending partner for Sangiovese. Antonio, however, championed this variety as a solo star, scouring the Maremma for old vines that capture the wild, herbal beauty of the Mediterranean scrub. "Principio" marks the beginning of this journey, crafted from organically farmed vineyards that benefit from warm days and cooling sea breezes. In the glass, the wine pours a bright, translucent ruby that glows with energy. True to its name, the nose is a festive explosion of fresh red cherries, wild raspberries, and pomegranate, woven together with distinct notes of Mediterranean herbs like rosemary, myrtle, and a touch of white pepper. On the palate, this is the ultimate "glou-glou" wine—fresh, energetic, and bursting with crunchy red fruit flavors. Offers a juicy texture with just enough rustic tannin to keep it interesting. It is the ultimate holiday crowd-pleaser because of its versatility; it pairs effortlessly with everything from a traditional roast turkey and cranberry sauce to a casual Tuesday night pizza. Serve it with a slight chill to really make those bright fruit flavors pop!

Price: $29.99

Wine Club

$24.99

DC: 94

2023 Antech "Cuvée Eugenie" Extra Brut Crémant de Limoux

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 12/23/2025 | Send Email

Long one of my favorite daily drinkers, Antech has recently begun receiving the critical acclaim it has long deserved. The wines of Françoise and Baptiste Antech-Gazeau have been a staple at K&L for nearly two decades, and they have consistently over-delivered for their price point. A perennial favorite is the Eugénie, which was recently reclassified as Extra Brut—a change that, for me, marked a major turning point. As ripeness levels in the region continue to climb with climate change, lowering the dosage has kept the wines balanced, focused, and—if anything—even more elevated in character. Spiced apple and pear lead the profile, accented by a hint of ginger. It is an effortlessly charming wine, and still sub-$20—making it one of the most difficult bottles to beat in the category.

Price: $17.99

JD: 94

2023 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 12/23/2025 | Send Email

Any visit to Beaucastel is a highlight of my travels through the Rhône. After several years of major renovation, the estate now stands as one of the most efficiently run and fully carbon-neutral wineries in the region. I was fortunate to see the project at various stages of construction, though I have yet to walk through the finished cellar itself. Why does that matter for the 2023 vintage? Because it offers one more clear demonstration of the care, foresight, and long-term stewardship the Perrin family brings to these vineyards year after year. A cold cellar with a deep library is a luxury; a cellar naturally cooled by a cistern, powered in large part by the mistral winds that sweep across the plateau, is emblematic of a philosophy that places sustainability and precision at the heart of this estate' ethos. The 2023 growing season was dry and warm. I remember the heat clearly when I was there in June, with a splash of rain arriving only after I had returned home. In some years, such conditions can create excessive hydric stress, but Beaucastel’s old vines—rooted deeply into the galets roulés—proved their resilience once again, delivering fruit of remarkable balance and depth. The resulting wine is stupendous. Ripe cherry and strawberry confiture lead the way, followed by crushed herbs, licorice root, and savory tobacco, all carried through on a long, resonant finish. This is another classic Beaucastel—one that may strike the intense tone of 2007 with the length and structure of 2010. It is already a great Beaucastel today, and it should be a great one for decades to come.

Price: $99.99

2023 La Chablisienne Collaboration Estate Chablis "Cuvee Centenaire"

By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 12/23/2025 | Send Email

Great Chablis doesn’t have to break the bank, and the 2023 La Chablisienne Collaboration Estate Chablis Cuvée Centenaire is a stunning value! Pithy notes of orchard fruits, citrus accents, flint, and crushed seashells leap from the glass, while the palate unfolds with vibrant iodine, citrus, and orchard fruit flavors on a sleek, layered texture. This wine is smooth and vibrant, with excellent acidity and balance. It’s so good, it feels more like a 1er Cru than a village-level offering. Enjoyability here is off the charts—definitely a solid 10 out of 10.

Price: $24.99

2023 La Chablisiènne Collaboration Petit Chablis "Cuvee Centenaire"

By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 12/23/2025 | Send Email

Thank God for Petit Chablis! It’s the source of delicious, under-$20 Chablis that consistently flows from Burgundy’s northernmost appellation. The 2023 La Chablisienne K&L Collaboration Petit Chablis is absolutely brilliant, with beautiful notes of sea breeze, flint, citrus zest, and white flowers. On the palate, it’s bright and zippy, with flavors of lime, pear, and other citrus notes, all perfectly balanced against the crisp acidity. This gives the wine great length, complexity, and persistence—remarkable for a humble Petit Chablis. It’s a stellar offering and a wonderful introduction to Chablis at an incredibly affordable price.

Price: $19.99

2022 Antinori "Tignanello" Toscana

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 12/22/2025 | Send Email

Tasting the 2022 vintage of Tignanello was a powerful reminder of why this wine remains the undisputed benchmark for the Super Tuscan category. If the 2021 was a celebration of balance, the 2022 is a triumph of terroir over the elements. In a vintage characterized by intense heat, Tignanello didn’t just survive; it thrived, proving once again that Marchesi Antinori understands this hillside better than anyone else. From the moment it hit the glass, the wine displayed a darker, more brooding personality than its predecessor. The color is an intense ruby, almost purple at the rim. The nose is incredibly expressive and surprisingly fresh given the warm year—bursting with ripe black cherries, bramble fruit, and blood orange, layered with complex notes of violet and a distinct graphite minerality that speaks to the limestone soils of the Tignanello vineyard. The tannins are velvety and satiny, wrapping around a core of savory fruit and sweet spice. The finish is exceptionally long, polished, and precise.

Price: $184.99

2021 Mt. Brave Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 12/22/2025 | Send Email

We have the best price in the country on this stunning 99-point mountain-grown Cabernet from winemaking legend Chris Carpenter. 2021 Mount Brave Mt Veeder Cab for well under $100! This wine combines the power and concentration of rich Napa fruit with the savory complexity and a structural prowess that Mount Veeder delivers time and time again. During his long tenure at Mt Brave, Lokoya, La Jota, and Cardinale, Chris Carpenter has cemented his reputation as the king of mountain-grown Cab in the region. He has almost super-natural abilities to produce wines of incredible intensity and power but at the same time, somehow refined the tannin structure that often makes wines like this need decades in the cellar before they can be enjoyed. Not so with this beauty - it's already drinking beautifully with lush, dark, exotic fruit, laced with wild chaparral, leather, singed cedar, oak spice and dark chocolate. Mouthcoating and saturated, but not overly tannic or grippy. It's a big, muscular wine, but it's polished and pure with great balance and length on the palate. When you consider the Lokoya wines sell for over $500, this is an absolute bargain as your getting the same winemaking expertise and quality for a fraction of the price. Drink now or anytime over the next decade or more. This is a lot of wine for the money!

Price: Hidden

2014 Freemark Abbey Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Winery Direct Library Release)

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 12/19/2025 | Send Email

We have a very special offering today: an absolutely delicious, beautifully aged Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from one of the valley’s most iconic and historic estates, Freemark Abbey. I recently secured a small parcel of 2014 Cabernet directly from the winery’s library, and with nearly a decade in bottle, this wine is squarely in its sweet spot. The 2014 vintage continues to impress me. Initially overshadowed by the acclaim surrounding 2013, it has proven to be a true sleeper, delivering wines that have aged with remarkable grace. This Cabernet shows lush dark fruit and cocoa powder, layered with the compelling secondary aromas and flavors that only time can bring. The nose is expressive and beautifully balanced, offering notes of mulberry and plum alongside dusty earth, hints of cedar, unsmoked cigar, and subtle barrel spice. On the palate, the wine is velvety and refined, with excellent concentration at its core as those secondary nuances begin to weave seamlessly around the fruit. The tannins have softened nicely, yet still provide structure and definition across the palate. This is an exceptional opportunity to enjoy a perfectly mature Napa Cabernet—nearly 12 years old—sourced directly from the winery’s cellar. I secured every bottle available, and quantities are extremely limited. I recommend acting quickly, as this is truly a one-time offering. Cheers!

Price: $59.95

DC: 95

JS: 93

RP: 92

2020 Paringa Estate "Peninsula" Shiraz Mornington Peninsula Victoria

By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 12/18/2025 | Send Email

I'll be the first to admit as the K&L Burgundy Buyer I don't drink a lot of Shiraz, but this is definitely a great value in Shiraz. It comes from an extremely cool climate and feels very Northern Rhonish in style and aromas. There's tons of baking spice, fresh herbs and hints of pepper with a palate flush with red and black fruits and more notes of pepper make this an ideal food wine thanks to its racy acidity and freshness. At under $20 there are few if any Syrah based wines that I would rather have.

Price: $19.99

WE: 94

2020 Paringa Estate "Peninsula" Shiraz Mornington Peninsula Victoria

By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 12/18/2025 | Send Email

This is a delicious, highly drinkable expression of cool-climate Shiraz that is likely to change a few minds about what Australian Shiraz can be. Located on the Mornington Peninsula, just south of Melbourne, Paringa Estate produces lean, elegant wines marked by finesse and precision, shaped by the region’s marginal climate. The Mornington Peninsula is one of Australia’s coolest wine-growing regions—cooler even than the Yarra Valley or Adelaide Hills. Surrounded by water on three sides, strong onshore winds moderate temperatures, reduce vine vigor, and prevent fruit from over-ripening, leading to bright wines with moderate body and alcohol. While the region is best known for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Shiraz here is similarly refined, offering tension and elegance reminiscent of the Northern Rhône. Paringa’s 2020 “Peninsula” Shiraz is a compelling expression of the unique geography and maritime influence of the region. Notes of wild blackberry and blueberry compote weave together with classic black pepper, hints of smoke, and olive tapenade, while subtle florals of lilac and wisteria linger in the background. Forest floor and bramble notes add a touch of wildness, beautifully balanced by the vibrant fruit. The structure is impeccably polished, with refreshing acidity evocative of cool ocean breezes. Medium-bodied and taut on the palate, the wine is driven by bright natural acidity and fine, savory tannins rather than weight or sweetness. A Shiraz of finesse and tension that seriously overdelivers for the price, I highly recommend picking up a bottle or two.

Price: $19.99

WE: 94

Mars Komagatake 7 Year Old "K&L Exclusive 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel #3740" Japanese Single Malt Whisky (700ml)

By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 12/17/2025 | Send Email

Mars Shuzo is the quiet giant of Japanese whisky. The best kept secret in the whisky world are the two exceptional distilleries, Komagatake and Tsunuki. While both have been available on occasion in single malt form, they are almost never seen in the US as single casks, and typically a single barrel of either commands a significant premium. The company can trace its roots to the origins of Japanese whisky through their founder, Kiichiro Iwai. Just like Suntory, Hombo Shuzo was there from the start. It was in fact Iwai who enlisted Masataka Taketsuru to travel to Scotland in order to learn the age old techniques for making the world’s most complex whisky. Upon his return, Hombo was not able to construct the distillery, so Taketsuru-san took the plans to Suntory. But in 1949, Kiichiro Iwai would complete his dream of building pot stills and distilling Hombo’s own malt whisky. And while Iwai-san represents one of the three pillars of Japanese whisky, their modern commitment to the category rests squarely on the shoulders of one great man, Kazuto Hombo. Hombo-san is a true lover of the finer things, and his love of whisky kept the wonderful old stills running. His belief that Japanese whisky would one day be a worldwide success is singularly connected to the construction of the Nagano plant where the original stills were moved, and while Hombo-san was ahead of his time, the plant would see very little production over the next 30 years. He was ready when the whisky boom began and production restarted in 2014. Now Komagatake is making some of the world’s best whisky. Stylistically, the distillery offers an elegant and refined malt, but this single cask is truly superb. Peated to 20 ppm, you might expect something very smoky and forward, but instead you have an elegant, ultra complex expression of malt that is on par with the very finest available anywhere. Let’s dive in! One of the old single casks out there. The color is a shimmering yellow gold (0.5). The nose is an explosive mixture of maritime flavors and sweet orchard fruit: oyster shell, yuzu peel, galangal, creosote, white ash, pear preserves, licorice root, salted grilled lemons, and lanolin. The palate is razor sharp and chiseled, with a big citrus note and a strong saline character up front, followed by similar white ashy smoke, which does not dominate whatsoever the fresh, juicy fruit: greengage, apricot, green grapes. It absolutely adores water, softening the smoke and reminding me of a well matured, less tarry style Caol Ila. An absolute winner by any measure that feels like a rapturous eye opener to the potential of this wonderful little mountain distillery.

Price: $179.99

Limit of 6 per customer

2025 Clos Henri "Estate" Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 12/17/2025 | Send Email

This brand spanking new arrival is the perfect Sauvignon Blanc for those of you who don't like grassy and sour Sauvignon Blancs. It has what you expect from NZ in the form of zingy acidity and minerality. What is not expected is the very pretty white flower and fresh key lime nose. On the palate, green fruits, green melon, kiwi and more lime. Slightly tropical edge. It finishes very clean with very nice acidity. This one is sure to convert fans of domestic Sauvignon Blanc over to those from New Zealand!

Price: $19.99

JS: 94

BC: 93

2021 La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 12/17/2025 | Send Email

The 2021 La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino is the quintessential example of balance and one of the most consistently delicious wines in the appellation. While the single-vineyard bottlings explore specific terroirs, this normale bottling is the perfect synthesis of the estate's two distinct souls: the cool, aromatic elegance of Canalicchio (north) and the ripe, structured power of Castelnuovo dell’Abate (south). For those who don't know the history, the heart of La Gerla is the Colombaio podere, which originally belonged to the Biondi Santi family. This pedigree shines through in every glass.

Price: $69.99

KO: 96

2021 La Gerla "La Pieve" Brunello di Montalcino

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 12/17/2025 | Send Email

While most collectors know La Gerla for their elegant "Vigna gli Angeli" from the northern slopes, the "La Pieve" is the insider’s secret weapon—a single-vineyard Cru that showcases the powerful, brooding side of the estate. Sourced exclusively from their holding in Castelnuovo dell’Abate in the warm southern sector of Montalcino, this wine offers a striking counterpoint to the ethereal style of the north. The 2021 vintage is nothing short of majestic here. The vines, planted in 1997, have reached a level of maturity that translates into incredible depth and complexity. The nose is intense and captivating, offering layers of dark wild cherry, black plum, and blood orange, all framed by the signature savory herbs and balsamic notes that define the Castelnuovo terroir.

Price: $89.99

KO: 100

The Hearach 7 Year Old "Single Cask" K&L Exclusive First Fill ex-Buffalo Trace Bourbon Barrel #1281 Cask Strength Isle of Harris Single Malt Whisky (750ml)

By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 12/17/2025 | Send Email

The wonderful little distillery on Harris consistently over delivers ultra high quality products at surprisingly reasonable prices. This barrel, the 2nd we've had from the lovely lightly peated Island, is takes the ocean-y house style up and turns it up to 11. There aren't many new distillers able to offer such exciting juice at a youthful age, but if you like anything off the western coast you'll surely love this beautiful barrel. It has some of the brackish notes of Skye, the elegance and serenity of Oban, the subtle oily character of Ben Nevis and the vibrant intensity of Caol Ila all wrapped up into one, not so peaty package. I'm a huge fan of this special distillery with many unique idiosyncrasies, yet unprecedented approachability, its certain to be one of the whisky world's favorites in the coming years.

Price: Hidden

The Hearach 7 Year Old "Single Cask" K&L Exclusive First Fill ex-Buffalo Trace Bourbon Barrel #1281 Cask Strength Isle of Harris Single Malt Whisky (750ml)

By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 12/16/2025 | Send Email

What a lovely expression we have from the Island of Tweed itself. That’s right, the famous Harris Tweed of dapper suit fame originates on this very island, and this whisky comes from the first legal distillery ever built here. Appropriately enough, this is a sharply dressed dram. Aged for seven years in a first-fill Buffalo Trace barrel, this lightly peated whisky shines with a pale golden hue, immediately noticeable as you open the stunning, thoughtfully layered packaging. Inside, you’ll find detailed information on the whisky alongside a charming booklet celebrating the Isle of Harris and its history. On the nose, the dram bursts with green apples, honeysuckle, caramel candies, and a touch of wet granite. The first sip leans into its maritime roots, with a focused minerality wrapping around orchard fruits, tart cherries, mascarpone, smoked vanilla beans, and warm winter spices. Salty smoke carries the finish, with toffee-covered apples riding ocean waves until the next sip begins the journey all over again. This is a beautifully composed and impeccably dressed expression of both barrel and place, balanced in true island harmony.

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2023 Bruno Giacosa "Valmaggiore" Nebbiolo d'Alba

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 12/16/2025 | Send Email

The 2023 Bruno Giacosa "Valmaggiore" Nebbiolo d'Alba is, year in and year out, one of the most distinguished and sought-after bottlings of the variety produced outside of Barolo and Barbaresco. If there were a classification system for the Roero region, the steep, sandy amphitheater of Valmaggiore would undoubtedly be a Grand Cru, and the Giacosa family has long been its unrivaled interpreter. This is a wine that consistently outperforms its appellation. In the 2023 vintage, which offered generous fruit and wonderful balance, this wine is simply singing. The Valmaggiore vineyard is famous for its steep slopes and almost pure sandy soils, a unique terroir that imparts a level of perfume and silkiness that the clay-heavy soils of the Langhe simply cannot replicate. The nose is an ethereal masterpiece of high-toned aromatics: crushed wild strawberries, raspberries, and white pepper are enveloped in a cloud of rose petals and violet pastille. It is incredibly fragrant and inviting. On the palate, the wine is defined by its elegance and finesse. It is medium-bodied with tannins that are remarkably fine and sandy, providing structure without any aggressive bite. This is Nebbiolo at its most graceful and transparent. It offers the complexity of a serious Barbaresco with the immediate drinkability and charm of the Roero. While it will certainly age beautifully for a decade, its primary appeal lies in its stunning perfume and silken texture right now. A benchmark wine that proves you don't need a heavy DOCG label to find greatness in Piedmont.

Price: $69.99

2023 Dusty Nabor "Bentrock Vineyard" Sta Rita Hills Chardonnay

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 12/15/2025 | Send Email

The very name of this vineyard in the western Sta. Rita Hills is entirely fitting for the wines that this radical terroir expresses. The soils here are made up of huge chunks of flint or chert. This dense, hard rock was created as the diatomaceous parent material was bent, compressed and heated in the earth's crust by the unimaginable forces of the tectonic plates. The hills that skirt the south western edge of the appellation are formed from an uplift of this ancient seabed rock. The wines coming from here have a distinctive liquid rock, stony, salty mineral quality that is captured perfectly in this complex Chardonnay from Dusty Nabor. A young, up and coming winemaker, producing some of the most exciting wines from the region, Dusty's wines are not to be missed by folks of love more savory, mineral driven styles with tension, focus and precision. If you've enjoyed wines from Tyler, Domaine de la Cote, The Hilt, Sandi, and Ojai etc, you have to check these wines out. Really distinctive, compelling wines. And, of course, we have amazing pricing!

Price: Hidden

WE: 95

Cesar Florido Moscatel Especial Chipiona (375ml)

By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 12/12/2025 | Send Email

What a fun style of sweet Sherry! Medium brown in the glass, with enticing aromas of roasted figs, brown sugar, golden raisins and spiced Christmas cake, this wine is sweet but not tooth-achingly so. Lighter on its feet than a PX, but still rich and unctuous on the palate, this would be a great pairing for dark chocolate or a crème Catalan, though to be honest it’s pretty delicious on its own, too.

Price: $21.99

2025 Clos Henri "Estate" Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough

By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 12/12/2025 | Send Email

If on first sip you think this wine is Sancerre, you might be forgiven – Clos Henri is, after all, owned by Domaine Henri Bourgeois of the Loire Valley. They are Sauvignon Blanc specialists, producing both Sancerre and Pouilly Fume, but when they wanted to expand their holdings, they settled on the cool climate Wairau Valley of Marlborough, New Zealand. The newly released 2025 Clos Henri Estate Sauvignon Blanc fully represents the best of both countries – stunning minerality, racy acidity and French winemaking sensibility, balanced perfectly with the impeccable fruit purity of New Zealand. The estate draws organically-grown, dry-farmed fruit from three distinct soil types — glacial stones, wind-blown clay, and greywacke river gravels — which contribute structure and textural complexity. The palate is bursting with zesty grapefruit and pithy lime zest, but the palate is pure stony minerality, making you guess where exactly in the world this wine comes from. So restrained and elegant, this is a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc that defies expectations of what the country can produce and blurring the lines between the Old and New Worlds. Most importantly, it’s simply delicious – a refreshing, stony and citrus-driven style of Sauvignon Blanc that will have you reaching to pour a second glass.

Price: $19.99

JS: 94

BC: 93

2021 TerraNoble "Azara" Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua

By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 12/12/2025 | Send Email

Founded in 1993, TerraNoble has built its reputation on producing high-quality Chilean wines that express the country’s diverse terroirs. Originally established in the Maule Valley, the winery now farms more than 360 hectares across Maule, Colchagua, and Casablanca, allowing it to highlight the distinct character of each region. TerraNoble’s winemaking philosophy emphasizes purity and balance: fermentations typically begin in stainless-steel tanks to preserve freshness, while carefully managed aging—often with neutral French oak—adds depth and complexity without overpowering the fruit. The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from the Colchagua Valley, one of Chile’s premier red-wine regions, known for its warm days, cool nights, and strong influences from both the Andes and the Pacific coast. TerraNoble draws fruit from two contrasting sites: the Los Lingues vineyard (located in the Andes foothills) and the Los Cactus vineyard in Marchigüe (a coastal zone). The Andean vineyards feature deeper soils and a cooler climate, leading to later ripening, greater elegance, and round, polished tannins. In contrast, the coastal vineyards have thinner, sandier soils that produce firmer structure, fine-grained tannins, and vibrant tension on the palate. After destemming, the berries underwent a 3–4-day cold maceration, followed by 8–12 days of fermentation at 25–26°C with manual punch-downs for gentle extraction. The final blend—90% Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by 10% Syrah—was aged in a combination of stainless steel and neutral French oak, resulting in a full-bodied wine with expressive red fruit notes, a distinct herbal undertone, smooth and supple tannins, and a clear sense of place.

Price: $17.99

Wine Club

$9.99

DS: 92

JS: 90

2024 Casa d'Ambra "Frassitelli" Ischia Biancolella

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

If Ischia has a "Grand Cru," this is it. Frassitelli is a single, four-hectare vineyard perched a breathtaking 600 meters above sea level. Viticulture here is defined as "heroic" for a reason: the slopes are so steep that harvest is often done with the aid of a monorail system. This extreme elevation and exposure produce a Biancolella of piercing intensity. The 2024 is electric. It opens with aromas of broom flowers, wild fennel, and crushed stone, followed by a palate that is tense, saline, and vibrating with volcanic energy. It’s not just a white wine; it’s a distillation of the Mediterranean landscape. A true masterpiece of island winemaking.

Price: $29.99

Maison 76 Côte des Blancs Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 12/11/2025 | Send Email

Olivier Bonville is one of the greatest winemakers in Champagne, not just in the Cotes du Blanc. I have more bottles created by him in my Champagne collection than from any other winemaker. This brand-new Maison 76, handpicked by Gary is a delicious addition of Olivier's other bottlings. There is a very fine bead and mousse with a creamy texture. The flavors are a delicious mix of tart (not overly so) citrus and crisp orchard fruits. Lemon cream and pear tartlets come to mind with the additional notes of shortbread and vanilla. The price is just as spectacular as the bubbles are. Don't wait!

Price: $44.99

Maison 76 Côte des Blancs Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne

By: Lilia McIntosh | Review Date: 12/10/2025 | Send Email

I love everything about this Champagne! It's creamy, it has freshly baked brioche and croissant like notes, its acidity is in perfect balance with lovely citrus fruit and it has lingering lemon curd note on the finish. This is perfect Champagne for large gatherings and any celebrations, stock up by the case!

Price: $44.99

2022 Palacio del Burgo Crianza Rioja

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 12/9/2025 | Send Email

The fruit is fairly bright and fresh and it twines with the fairly liberal use of American oak there's still a juiciness to the nose and a little touch of something floral around the edges. The palate has the brightness and kind of lighter overall body that you would expect from a Crianza, with a really great line of acidity and a light grip of tannin overall. There's some cedary kind of cigarbox notes that work with and blend with the lingering very slightly toasty but mostly fruity finish. This is a wine that overdelivers from start to finish, be it the rich touch of oak on the nose or the elegance of the whole drinking experience. For this price, it deserves a little more attention.

Price: $17.99

DC: 95

JS: 90

2020 Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino

By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 12/6/2025 | Send Email

Graceful and elegant yet tightly corseted, the 2020 Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino is a study in Tuscan finesse. Cherries, plum compote, nutmeg, sandalwood, and black tea lead into a brown sugar-tinged finish--not sweet but beautifully layered, heartwarming, and utterly satisfying.

Price: $89.99

2019 Malgiacca 'Malgiacca' Super Tuscan

By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 12/6/2025 | Send Email

The 2019 Malgiacca “Malgiacca” Super Tuscan is a fun, jump-in-and-let’s-go kind of wine—dare I say, downright gulpable. It’s inviting and approachable, offering ripe plum, black raspberry, Earl Grey tea with its signature bergamot, with hints of dried leaves and rose petals. The finish lingers beautifully, carrying notes of plum and gently steeped black tea.

Price: $24.99

Wine Club

$19.99

2018 San Lorenzo "Solleone" Marche Rosso (Montepulciano)

By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 12/6/2025 | Send Email

The 2018 San Lorenzo “Solleone” Marche Rosso is alluringly inky. It flows across the palate with an undertow of deep dark fruit--black currant, blackberry, licorice, leather, and a faint hint of game--lifted by delicate notes of lilac. This is a Bordeaux-lover’s Montepulciano: rich in flavor and mouthfeel, yet balanced enough to pair beautifully with roasted pork or lamb, beef brisket, or a juicy burger.

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2021 Produttori del Barbaresco "Rio Sordo" Barbaresco Riserva