K&L Wine Merchants - Staff Favorites

2016 K&L Discovery Series Bordeaux, St-Estephe

By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 10/1/2025 | Send Email

St-Estèphe is renowned for wines of richness and muscular structure, and this 2016 from our Bordeaux Discovery Series lives up to that reputation. Aromas of blackcurrant, cherry, and blueberry mingle with mineral notes of graphite. The palate is broad and mouthfilling, carrying the fruit seamlessly into a long, persistent finish. The tannins are thick and enveloping, yet the excellent concentration of the 2016 vintage renders them sweeter and more pliant. There’s still youthful vigor here, so a little air—or a brief decant—will be well rewarded. However you enjoy it, this is a lot of wine from a great vintage, and at an incredible price.

Price: $24.99

2016 K&L Discovery Series Bordeaux, St-Estephe

By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 10/1/2025 | Send Email

What a great nose and incredible concentration on the palate—dark and alluring cassis envelops the senses, followed by sweet tobacco. A lick of graphite is tempered by notions of vanilla bean, soft cedar, porcini mushroom and fine leather. A juicy blackberry finish bookends it all. This proper Claret is totally my speed—an absolute must buy for Bordeaux lovers of all stripes.

Price: $24.99

2016 K&L Discovery Series Bordeaux, St-Estephe

By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 10/1/2025 | Send Email

Deep garnet in the glass, this wine immediately shows the classic power and structure of St-Estèphe. Aromas of blackcurrant, graphite, cedar, and dried tobacco lead the way, with a subtle lift of violets and a touch of earth. On the palate, it delivers firm tannins and dark fruit intensity—think blackberry, cassis, and black plum—layered with hints of leather, crushed stone, and savory spice. The finish is long and structured, marked by the appellation’s trademark minerality and freshness. This bottling captures the balance between power and elegance, offering a taste of Bordeaux’s Médoc pedigree at a very approachable everyday price.

Price: $24.99

2016 K&L Discovery Series Bordeaux, St-Estephe

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 10/1/2025 | Send Email

The first thing that strikes me on the nose of this latest Discovery Series Bordeaux release are the clean and pure scents. Minerals and light chalk. Followed quickly by deep, dark red fruits, cherry and deep red currant. There is also a light hint of tart cranberry. In the mouth, it has that distinct 2016 vintage clean and bright tannin that is present but, also kind of delicate. The red fruits expand and deepen to coat the tongue. After that, it finishes clean and lingers with back of the throat tart red fruits and pleasantly mellow spice. I think that this just might be my favorite wine of the Discovery Series Bordeaux. It is very flexible per food pairings and also just fine and dandy on its own.

Price: $24.99

2012 Le Brun de Neuville "Grand Vintage" Brut Champagne

By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 10/1/2025 | Send Email

I can't believe we were able to get our hands on more of this delectable 2012 from champagne collective Le Brun de Neuville! 2012 is one of the top champagne vintages of the 21st century and they are becoming more difficult to find. If you're searching for a superlative aged vintage Champagne, the 2012 "Grand Vintage" Brut Champagne may be for you. The moment you pop the cork on the 2012 Le Brun "Grand Vintage" Brut you can see and smell its age and pedigree. It has a golden amber color with a perlage so fine and racy the bubbles explode out of the glass. You must wait until the mousse settles before you can go in for a whiff, and when you do, sweet, nutty, tart fruit aromas tickle your nose. On the palate, this is a full-bodied, rich, mature sparkling wine of roasted chestnuts, honey, baked apple, dried fig, and toast. Yet, there is an enduring acidity that makes drinking the "Grand Vintage" a smooth and effortless experience. Suddenly it was gone (who, me?)! This is a great example of what a collective like Le Brun de Neuville can achieve in a benchmark year.

Price: $69.99

Launois "Cuvée Réservée" Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

By: Philip Roufail | Review Date: 10/1/2025 | Send Email

The Launois "Cuvée Réserve" Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne is the all-time undisputed champion of K&L's Direct Import Champagne portfolio and our largest grower-producer. Founded in 1872, Launois is headquartered in a remarkable chateau in the village of Villers-aux-Bois and is currently helmed by eighth generation vignerons Severine and Caroline Launois. The estate’s Grand Cru vineyards are in Mesnil-sur-Oger and Cramant in the heart of the Cote de Blancs. The Launois Cuvée Réserve Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs is the flagship NV champagne and their other Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay) are variations of this unbelievably affordable sparkling masterpiece. The “Quartz” is bottled under 5 atmospheres of pressure instead of six and is secretly a single vineyard -- "Les Chetillons" in the Grand Cru village of Mesnil. The “Clemence” has an extra year of aging on the lees, 4 years total, which gives it a leesy profile; and the “Maxime” is a vintage Grand Cru bottling, currently 2018 (a great "solar" vintage with balance ripe fruit). The NV “Dorine” is sourced from a chalky patch in the Cote de Sezanne and is barrel fermented. The NV “Vinum Dei” (“Wine of God”) is the only blend - 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir; and the “Valentine” is a 100% Pinot Noir Brut Rosé, also sourced from Sézanne. At the top of the Launois pyramid are the prestige "Helia" bottlings - both vintage - the 2017 "Helia" Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs and the 2018 "Helia" Grand Cru Rosé. The base for the Helia rosé is entirely grand cru Chardonnay from Mesnil and Cramant with just under 10% of red wine added from the family's Sézanne Pinot Noir plots.

Price: $39.99

Launois "Cuvée Réservée" Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 10/1/2025 | Send Email

The benchmark wine from this wonderful producer makes big-house Champagne look silly. Sure there are some fabulous offerings from the great names in Champagne, but none come close to this magical bottle even at a $20 premium. This has everything you want in a Blanc de Blancs. Exquisite structure and vibrant creamy texture. Gorgeous aromatics filled with nuanced mineral, citrus and stone fruit flavors. There's no wonder this is one of our best-selling wines of any kind, but I'm still shocked we still are able to get this at such an incredible price. Also, these do amazingly in the cellar if you want to put a few years on there.

Price: $39.99

2023 Domaine Parent Bourgogne Côte d'Or Rouge "Sélection Pomone"

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 9/30/2025 | Send Email

Such a pretty cherry on cherry nose, I really love it when this is one of the earlier notes I get when I stick my beak into the glass. There's bright red cherry and also a little touch of dried cherry in the back, along with some lightly dried green herbs, and then raspberry and stewed strawberry. The only tasting note I wrote down is "Wowie Zowie" so, I definitely liked this one the first time through and here I am again liking it all over again. The palate is fruit up front, and then a savory kind of core, with creamy barrel-spiced fruit coming back on the end, lots of cherry, raspberry, cranberry, and then the creamy fruit and vanilla all mingling together on the lingering finish. This is just such a drinkable and lovely bottle of Pinot Noir, I think that this is such a compelling bottle at this price, it's delivering everything you want and then just a little bit more I feel like. Just so good, do yourself a favor and get one.

Price: Hidden

2014 Aberfeldy 10 Year "Single Cask Nation" 2nd fill Bourbon Barrel #193020 Single Barrel Cask Strength Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

By: Will Blakely | Review Date: 9/30/2025 | Send Email

Such a delightful dram! Bursting with honey, nougat, biscotti and gingerbread, it should appeal to just about any whisk(e)y fan. Strong aromas of warm vanilla and apricot compote compliment the hearty malt structure. Shortbread biscuits and walnuts round out the bass tones, and counter the sweetness upfront. A gorgeous example of highland malt, and shockingly drinkable even at full proof, this will appeal to experienced collectors as well as those just starting to sample single barrel Scotches.

Price: Hidden

2022 Domaine Pierrick Bouley Volnay

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 9/30/2025 | Send Email

This is just an absolutely phenomenal bottle of wine, I don't care who you are, this is just straight up good. The nose is this really amazing mélange of fruit and spice, there's a lot of really pretty red fruit, a little bit of stewed strawberry, but fresh raspberry, pie cherry, and then a little bit of cranberry-pomegranate-rosehip compote towards the end, all with just little touches of barrel spice throughout. The palate is fairly dense, albeit still solidly towards the light side of things, there's super pretty raspberry, red cherry, and cranberry skin on the palate. This is just so good and I really had a tough time spitting this one out, both during the tasting and even more so now a few hours later once it's had a really nice time to open up. Have this with anything you want, because if you're drinking this you already should know what you're pairing it with, but if you're just winging it all the usual suspects would be great. Roast chicken could be great, salmon, some pork dishes. Just go for it.

Price: Hidden

DC: 93

JM: 87 - 90

2022 Domaine Pierrick Bouley Bourgogne Rouge Côte d'Or

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 9/30/2025 | Send Email

While this might be a little light for people seeking to transition from California Pinot Noir to Burgundy, this is absolutely perfect for people who have already found their stride within the region. This is just absolutely gorgeous and really delivers on the QPR that people are looking for in the region. This is a bottle I'd happily hand to anyone who is looking for a bottle that is drinking well already, but is still going to deliver all the elegance that you want from a great Burgundy. The nose is bright with pie cherry, raspberry, cranberry skin, a little bit of red floral in the very background. The palate has great acidity and slightly higher toned fruit, underripe raspberry, pie cherry, and cranberry flesh. This is so good for the price, it's crazy that we haven't already sold out. Don't worry though, we will soon enough, these great Burgundy deals never last long.

Price: $49.99

2023 Domaine Gerard Mugneret Vosne Romanee "Cuvee Quatrain"

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 9/30/2025 | Send Email

Wow, smelling through all these different Burgundies and some stand out more than others, this one is definitely one that stands out a bit further from the pack than others, and for the better in my opinion. I love all wine that isn't gross, and there isn't a gross Burgundy to be had in our store, but I mean, it's still nice when something a little atypical. Same with people, really. There's just a lot of hibiscus coming off of this, just tons of really floral forward red, along with a little bit of purple fruit behind that after it's had all this time to open up. The palate is surprisingly savory, but wow it's just really got this amazing depth and a little bit of bitterness towards the very end. This is absolutely going to be such a banger with some food, just give me the duck and leave, I will not be requiring assistance. There's this really beautiful fruit in the very finish bringing it all around, that coupled with the acidity tells me that maybe lay this down a couple years but after that just go for it. This is just outstanding.

Price: $139.99

JM: 91 - 94

RP: 89 - 91

BH: 88 - 91

2019 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Brunello di Montalcino

By: John Downing | Review Date: 9/30/2025 | Send Email

One of the hallmarks of our Italian Discovery series is the authenticity of the wines and their unmistakable character. Each is a true representation of their zone and this Brunello is no exception. It captures the essence of Sangiovese from a warmer section of Montalcino and offers both immediate pleasure and aging potential. Whether you already love Brunello and are looking for an excellent offering or are unfamiliar and interested in exploring the category, look no further.

Price: $59.99

Launois "Cuvée Réservée" Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 9/30/2025 | Send Email

Yikes! I just found that after working here since 4 B.C., I have never written a review for this Champagne. It's very strange because I love it so! In any case, this one of my perennial favorites. It exudes classic Mesnil citrus (lemon/lime) and also has the additional "house style" cream and cantaloupe scents. On the palate, oranges, green melons and (you guessed it!) vanilla cream. The small bubbles give away its Launois origins, as they are renowned for this (and the familiar "bomb" bottle). This particular cuvée should please almost anyone and I suggest buying a magnum and having a dinner party! Update-09/2025: These bottlings are still super consistent 7 years later! Fresh citrus, juicy oranges and that distinct Launois creamy bead and flavors. I'm still buying magnums of it!

Price: $39.99

Launois "Cuvée Réservée" Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 9/30/2025 | Send Email

We are very fortunate to be the importer for this great cult producer of blanc de blancs in the famous village of Mesnil. Launois is the only Champagne that I have sold to someone from Champagne to bring back to Champagne with them! It is that sought after. All grand cru, estate grown Champagne doesn't get better than this, but it is almost always more expensive. This is a wine of depth, finesse and intrigue and yet is about as easy as it gets to drink without engaging the grey matter at all. When we get it, it is always snapped up in a hurry... Don't wait and get disappointed!

Price: $39.99

2018 Stony Hill Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 9/30/2025 | Send Email

This wine from Stony Hill is truly a piece of Napa history in a bottle. Firstly, the property itself is one of the most historic and storied estates in the region. Founded in the 1940s, this is a property from another era altogether. Described as ten individual clos, tiny parcels of vines scattered across the slopes of Spring Mountain, this property has produced wines of immense and singular character for decades. Considered by many as the original cult wine of Napa Valley, the wines have long been recognized by collectors as some of the most age worthy wines in the country. The 2018 vintage specifically marks another landmark turning point in the history of the property as it was the last wine made by the late Mike Chelini who made the wines here from 1972 until 2018 as the longest tenured winemaker in all of Napa Valley. This is the culmination of 46 years of experience making wine from this very special vineyard. This is truly old-school Napa Cabernet at it's finest. Wines crafted in the style of a bygone era when elegance, balance, and refinement were prized over sheer power and decadence. This is still a powerful, concentrated, structured wine, but everything is beautifully proportioned and finely honed. Classic aromas and flavors of briary red and blackcurrants, Bay Laurel, cigar box, subtle mint, manzanita and rocky minerality. A 30+minute decant really allows the wine to expand hinting that it still has plenty of upside for positive development and probably another 15-20 years of drinking ahead of it. A note on pricing - After being founded by Fred and Eleanor McCrea in 1943, Stony Hill remained in the family until 2018. For many years the wines were beloved, especially by folks in the wine business. They were long considered as one of the very best values in the valley remaining modestly priced as other prices of modern Napa Cabernet started to skyrocket. In 2018, and again in 2020 the property was sold to different owners. Looking at neighbors, peers, and similar estates around the valley, the decision was made to dramatically raise the prices of the wines. Some could argue that the quality and pedigree of the wine warrants a lofty price tag. I have certainly tasted my fair share of more even more expensive wines without half of the charm and character that Stony Hill has in spades. However, I would be lying if I said I wasn't happy to be able to offer this superb wine at what I consider to be a much more compelling price. This wine is certainly not inexpensive, but at this incredible Insider's price I think it's right back in the category of representing an excellent value for top-notch, iconic, mountain grown Napa Cabernet. We're really not sure how long this pricing opportunity will exist, but we're stocking up while we can and suggest you do the same!

Price: Hidden

RP: 94

VN: 94

WS: 93

2016 K&L Discovery Series Bordeaux, St-Estephe

By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 9/29/2025 | Send Email

Our Discovery Series has arrived! At the core of this program is a mission to showcase wines of impeccable quality, unmistakable regional typicité, and exceptional value. As I often say, we’re not just placing a label on someone’s latest release—we’re curating standout selections from our deep, trusted network of sources. Each wine must rise above its peers, often outperforming bottles at multiples of the price. Only those that meet this high bar make it into the lineup. For many, including myself, 2016 is the “Goldilocks” vintage in Bordeaux—everything in just the right proportions. It will long be remembered as one of the great reference-point vintages for the region, but perhaps even more distinctly in the Northern Médoc, where nearly every top château produced an epic bottling. That is one of the many reasons I fell so deeply for this wine. The other is its source: a producer we’ve long admired, making a wine I would happily feature at full price. As part of our Discovery Series, it stands out as an extraordinary value. Now, at nearly ten years past the vintage, the wine is in full voice. Aromatically, it shows a floral and mineral lift surrounding layers of dark red fruit. On the palate, it is textured and generous, with enough structure to express the typicité of St-Estèphe, while remaining open and approachable. With striking precision, impressive depth of flavor, and a vivid expressiveness right from the first sip, this is a brilliant expression of Bordeaux—and still a bargain at twice the price. I couldn’t be more excited to share it with you.

Price: $24.99

2023 Ridge Vineyards "Geyserville" Alexander Valley Zinfandel

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 9/29/2025 | Send Email

The 2023 Geyserville is a picture-perfect rendition of a classic old vine California field blend. The Zin providing fantastic fruit ranging from deep ripe blackberry to maraschino cherry, peppery spice and loamy earth. Then Carignane adds lovely crunch and freshness with some more purple fruit and linear tension. Splashes of Petite Sirah and Alicante Bouchet give a little inky depth and richer base to the more lifted primary fruit components. Such a complete wine. One of the best editions of this legendary wine and one that can be enjoyed anytime over the next two decades, a probably beyond.

Price: Hidden

2022 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Super Tuscan

By: John Downing | Review Date: 9/29/2025 | Send Email

This is a truly impressive Cabernet based blend from Italy's Bolgheri region. Here the soils and Mediterranean climate create the ideal conditions to grow a wide range of varietals (including Cabernet and Sangiovese). I was surprised by the balance and overall depth of this wine. It's packed with concentrated black fruit, a fine tannic frame and a lengthy finish. Seamless! It's a uniquely Tuscan expression of Bordeaux varietals that's not to be missed.

Price: $39.99

2020 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

By: John Downing | Review Date: 9/29/2025 | Send Email

In recent years Vino Nobile has often taken a back seat to Chianti. It's not only lesser known but also has tended to be a bit pricier than Chianti on average. As it's produced from grapes cultivated along the hillsides of the town of Montepulciano, it's often mistaken for Montepulciano d'Abruzzo which is made from another grape varietal and hails from a completely different zone outside of Tuscany. This is a classic expression of Vino Nobile and the ideal introduction to this uniquely Tuscan wine. Soft, juicy and packed with delicious red fruit flavors, this very affordable red drinks nicely now.

Price: $17.99

2022 Léoville-Poyferré, St-Julien

By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 9/28/2025 | Send Email

The 2022 vintage of Léoville Poyferré is plush and powerful yet retains its signature refinement. The nose opens with layers of blackcurrant, ripe blackberry, and dark cherry, accented by cedar, violets, and a touch of cocoa. On the palate, it's full-bodied and concentrated, showing ripe fruit richness balanced by fresh acidity and polished, fine-grained tannins. There's a depth of cassis, graphite, and dark chocolate with hints of spice and tobacco emerging as it unfolds. The finish is long and structured, suggesting superb aging potential while still offering immediate charm in its youthful fruit. It strikes the perfect balance between power and finesse, showing why Saint-Julien remains one of Bordeaux's most consistent appellations.

Price: $134.99

2020 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 9/28/2025 | Send Email

This Vino Nobile shows a balance of rustic charm and Tuscan elegance. Aromas of sour cherry, dried herbs, and leather mingle with hints of earth and spice. On the palate, it leans medium-bodied with bright red fruit, lively acidity, and firm but approachable tannins. The finish is savory, with notes of tobacco and dried flowers that linger pleasantly. A classic example of Sangiovese from Montepulciano — versatile with food and offering great value for a traditional Tuscan red.

Price: $17.99

2021 Domaine des Carlines "Tremoulettes" Chardonnay Côtes du Jura Blanc

By: Vanessa Serrano | Review Date: 9/26/2025 | Send Email

This is my kind of wine! Lush and creamy with the kind of long finish that both invites you to savor the moment and go back for another sip. There is a bright undercurrent of orange and meyer lemon that helps cut through the roundness and adds a lovely citrusy lift to the finish. Made with chardonnay and aged in 3-5 year old barrels, this can hold its own with white burgundy twice the price. Last little note for those who may have been burned by Jura before, this is not a vin de juane, which is to say it's not aged under a layer of flor and it won't taste oxidated the way sherry does :)

Price: $29.99

2019 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Brunello di Montalcino

By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 9/26/2025 | Send Email

This Brunello is rich and structured, with dark cherry and plum notes layered with dried herbs and a touch of spice. The tannins are firm but smooth, balanced by bright acidity that keeps the wine lively. The subtle earthiness and hint of leather add depth without being heavy. This Brunello is drinking well now with some air, but it has the structure to age beautifully.

Price: $59.99

2022 La Tour Léognan, Pessac-Léognan

By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 9/25/2025 | Send Email

Pessac-Léognan is one of my favorite appellations in Bordeaux. These wines showcase distinctive notes of terracotta and minerality. This bottling from the famous Château Carbonnieux encapsulates that Pessac character at a stunning value, along with juicy red fruits and an earthy finish.

Price: $19.99

2023 Agnes Gleizes Chablis Grand Cru "Vaudesir"

By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 9/24/2025 | Send Email

I always love Chablis from the Vaudesir Grand Cru vineyard and the 2023 Agnes Gleizes Chablis Grand Cru Vaudesir is no different. This is a terrific wine with brilliant citrus and orchard fruit notes, flint and oyster shell aromas and lively acidity. A complex and layered Chablis that fans out across the palate and drapes you with perfectly delineated fruit flavors. A stunning Grand Cru that delivers on the reputation of the vineyard.

Price: $79.99

TA: 94

JM: 90 - 93

2023 Agnes Gleizes Chablis Grand Cru "Valmur"

By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 9/24/2025 | Send Email

Valmur is always one of the deeper and richly-textured of the Chablis Grand Cru vineyards and the 2023 Agnes Gleizes Chablis Grand Cru Valmur does not disappoint. The wine is loaded with sexy orchard fruit flavors veering towards pear and nectarine notes as well as a splash of sea spray. Classic in structure this is a top-notch offering that does justice to the regality of Valmur!

Price: $79.99

TA: 94

JM: 92 - 94

2022 Mitchell Masotti Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

By: Lacie Schwarz | Review Date: 9/23/2025 | Send Email

If you like a fruit-forward, full-bodied wine with rich acidity and smooth tannins, this Napa Cab will knock your socks off. Ripe blackberries, blueberries and currants jump out of the glass. The complementary spice notes of sweet vanilla, cedar and cocoa are well-integrated. This is a rich, smooth, and fruit-forward wine, ready for drinking now!

Price: Hidden

2018 Stony Hill Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon

By: John Downing | Review Date: 9/22/2025 | Send Email

I hadn't tasted Stony Hill Cabernet in many years so it was a rare treat to sample their outstanding 2018. It's a true classic that took me back several decades as few remain that produce such "old world," low intervention style California Cabernets like this one. It's medium weight and seamless from start to finish. Although it can be enjoyed now with a good decant, I'd cellar this one and allow it to reach its full potential.

Price: Hidden

RP: 94

VN: 94

WS: 93

2019 Filomena "Griffin's Lair Vineyard" Sonoma Coast Syrah

By: John Downing | Review Date: 9/22/2025 | Send Email

I have been wanting to try this wine for some time and I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised how good it was. It exudes a complex aromatic mix of bacon, subtle smoke, charcoal and black fruit. Smooth, flavor-packed and aged entirely in neutral oak (which allows the fruit to shine). Syrah lovers will not want to miss this one, especially at this price.

Price: Hidden

2023 Matthiasson "Linda Vista Vineyard" Napa Valley Chardonnay

By: John Downing | Review Date: 9/22/2025 | Send Email

We had the good pleasure of tasting the latest releases from Matthiasson at our recent staff gathering and I'm still thinking about this wine. It's certainly one of the best California Chardonnays I've come across in some time. Slightly creamy in texture yet fresh and vibrant with great acidity and and length. It's not the least bit oaky and normally sells for $40. Outstanding.

Price: $29.95

DC: 96

JS: 93

2023 Birichino "Besson Vineyard - Old Vine" Central Coast Grenache

By: Jonathan Parnell | Review Date: 9/19/2025 | Send Email

Planted in 1910, dry-farmed. 5% of their Amarone-style Grenache added for complexity and substance. Garnet color. Nose offers soft earth and currant. Piquant palate notes of preserved plum and cranberry. Soft mouthfeel with acidity on the edges. Pleasant astringency to the finish.

Price: $29.95

RP: 95

2023 San Lorenzo "Vigna di Gino" Marche Rosso

By: Vanessa Serrano | Review Date: 9/19/2025 | Send Email

If you're looking for your next sub 20 red, this is it! This chillable red is on the lighter side, with notes of crunchy red fruit and an earthy, almost peppery finish. This is the kind of wine you're going to want to take everywhere: picnics, parties, or just catching up with friends. This blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano is juicy and chillable, what's not to love?!

Price: Hidden

2021 Fèlsina "Maestro Raro" Toscana IGT Cabernet Sauvignon

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 9/19/2025 | Send Email

This is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, but it is a world away from the opulent style of Bolgheri. This is Cabernet Sauvignon with a Chianti Classico soul—a powerful, savory, and profoundly terroir-driven wine from the heart of Castelnuovo Berardenga. First produced in 1987, "Maestro Raro" is one of the original Super Tuscans, a testament to Fèlsina's vision and the versatility of their incredible land. This isn't just a great Tuscan Cabernet; it's a great Cabernet, period. The nose is a captivating blend of dark, savory fruit and classic Chianti terroir. Blackcurrant, dark plum, and blackberry are woven with notes of cedar, graphite, fresh tobacco leaf, and the signature wild herbs of the Berardenga hills. Aged for 18-20 months in French oak, this is a wine built for the long haul. The best wine to bring to dinner. Drink it next to Napa’s Cab and you will be impressed.

Price: $49.99

2021 Fèlsina "Rancia" Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 9/19/2025 | Send Email

This is one of Tuscany's most iconic single-vineyard wines, a true "Grand Cru" of Chianti Classico, and in a vintage as brilliant and classic as 2021, it has reached an absolutely monumental level of quality. For collectors, this is one of the most essential Italian wines of the year. The Rancia vineyard, a historic, high-altitude site in Castelnuovo Berardenga, is known for its limestone-rich alberese and galestro soils. This unique terroir imparts a signature combination of power, austerity, and aromatic finesse that is the hallmark of Fèlsina's greatest wines. The nose is a soaring, almost breathtaking display of dark cherry, blood orange, and crushed raspberry, layered with profound notes of crushed stone, iron, licorice, and savory wild herbs. The wine is powerful and deeply structured. A true legend from a historic vintage. Drink now, buy it for the holiday’s time or cellar It for 10/20 years. Doesn’t really matter. At this price point, this is a must buy.

Price: $49.99

2022 Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 9/19/2025 | Send Email

The 2022 Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico is the quintessential benchmark for the appellation. Hailing from the southern, warmer zone of Castelnuovo Berardenga, Fèlsina's normale bottling is anything but normal; it’s a profound and authentic expression of terroir from one of Tuscany’s most iconic estates. This isn't a simple, fruity Chianti; it’s a serious, age-worthy wine that consistently outperforms its classification. The nose is a classic expression of Berardenga: ripe red and black cherries, dried herbs, leather, and a touch of sweet spice are framed by an underlying earthy, almost dusty minerality. The finish is long and persistent, echoing with notes of tobacco and spice. Aged in traditional large Slavonian oak casks, this is a wine that speaks more of the soil than of the cellar. A classic.

Price: $19.99

2023 Fèlsina Chianti Colli Senesi

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 9/19/2025 | Send Email

The 2023 Fèlsina Chianti Colli Senesi is, without a doubt, one of the greatest values in all of Tuscany. When a benchmark estate like Fèlsina, whose iconic Chianti Classicos are some of the best Chianti out there, releases a wine from the neighboring Colli Senesi appellation, you pay attention. This is your chance to drink the Fèlsina pedigree at an everyday price. This wine is sourced from the estate's vineyards that lie just outside the Chianti Classico border, but it's farmed and vinified with the same meticulous care as their top bottlings like Rancia and Fontalloro. Primary Sangiovese character: bright red cherry, fresh raspberry, and floral notes of violet and rose petal fill the glass. On the palate, it's medium-bodied, juicy, and incredibly refreshing, with soft tannins and a lively acidity that makes it endlessly drinkable. This is the ultimate "by-the-case" red for any occasion. It’s a perfect match for anything. Stock up now for the fall and winter seasons.

Price: $14.99

JS: 91

JR: 17

2016 Montrose, St-Estèphe

By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 9/19/2025 | Send Email

This is an all-timer from Montrose. They crafted nothing less than a masterpiece in 2016, one that took an already incredible vintage and transformed it into a First Growth–quality experience, without a doubt. Everything that makes Montrose so cherished is amplified in the 2016—there is beautiful, weightless concentration, structure built on extremely fine tannins, unmistakable typicité, seamless texture, and a Cabernet-driven palate that’s at once bright, deep, and endlessly complex. Each element feels dialed up with precision, creating a wine that manages to be both powerful and graceful at the same time. What I adore about Montrose is the way it has retained its identity across the years. While many estates chase the next stylistic trend, Montrose continues to uphold its indelible character and classic voice. That consistency is on full display in the superlative 2016, which radiates transparency and a sense of place. It is a wine that reminds you not just of the quality of the vintage, but of the estate’s ability to interpret it with singular vision. I don’t think any cellar can ever have enough of this wine. When you compare the going rate to its top-tier collectible peers, it becomes clear that Montrose also delivers tremendous value alongside its greatness. A joy to drink now with a long, generous decant, it is also certain to be a marvel for decades to come. The 2016 Montrose is a celebration in itself, and truly, a wine to build a collection around.

Price: $269.99

El Tesoro "K&L Liquors Single Barrel #B105-L352 Reposado Tequila (750ml)

By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 9/18/2025 | Send Email

Few family names resonate with tequila drinkers quite like “Camarena.” Descendants of the man who helped bring blue weber agave to Jalisco, the family continues to craft some of the most traditional and sought-after tequilas on the market. El Tesoro, run by siblings Carlos and Jenny Camarena, is one of them. Highland agave is grown to full maturity, slow-cooked in traditional horno ovens, crushed by a volcanic tahona stone, fermented with bagasse in open wooden vats using wild yeast, and distilled in small copper pot stills. The result is a tequila as traditional and old-school as they come. This private K&L-selected barrel was then aged eight months in ex-bourbon casks before landing on our shelves. Sweet, grassy agave aromas greet you on the nose, joined by green apple, pink peppercorn, and a touch of citrus oil. On the palate, vegetal flavors and earthy spice mingle with the rich minerality of the highlands. The bourbon oak rounds out the finish with warm creaminess, vanilla bean, and caramelized peppers. This is a stunning barrel pick from a classic tequila house. If you love tequila made the old-fashioned way, this one belongs in your glass.

Price: $74.99

2018 San Lorenzo "Solleone" Marche Rosso

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 9/18/2025 | Send Email

The estate’s top red, "Solleone" ("Scorching Sun") is a powerful and structured wine built for the long haul. The 2018 is just beginning to enter its drinking window, showing complex notes of dried plum, leather, tobacco, and that classic Marche earthiness. It’s a deep, contemplative red that showcases Natalino’s incredible talent with red grapes as well.

Price: Hidden

2023 San Lorenzo "Vigna di Gino" Marche Rosso

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 9/18/2025 | Send Email

The red counterpart to the Gino Verdicchio, this is a rustic and soulful blend of Montepulciano and Sangiovese. It’s full of savory dark cherry, wild herbs, and earthy notes, all framed by honest, grainy tannins. This is the kind of authentic, delicious red wine you want on your table every night.

Price: Hidden

2024 San Lorenzo "Vigna di Gino" Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 9/18/2025 | Send Email

Named for Natalino’s father, Gino, this is the freshest expression of the estate, but it’s far from simple. It carries the signature San Lorenzo texture, with vibrant notes of green almond, citrus pith, and a sharp, saline kick on the finish. It’s a stunning introduction to the house style and one of the best value whites we carry.

Price: $14.99

2020 Lunaria "Coste di Moro" Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 9/18/2025 | Send Email

The Lunaria Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a great example of what this beloved Italian varietal can offer—powerful yet approachable, full of character, and deeply rooted in its Abruzzo terroir. Lunaria, a winery known for its commitment to organic and biodynamic farming, crafts a Montepulciano d’Abruzzo that’s both rich and expressive. The wine greets you with ripe dark fruit aromas—plum, black cherry, and blackberry—layered with hints of spice, earth, and a touch of cocoa. On the palate, it’s full-bodied and generous, with smooth tannins and just the right amount of acidity to keep everything in balance. This Montepulciano is versatile at the table, pairing beautifully with hearty dishes like grilled meats, rustic pastas, or even pizza. It’s a wine that speaks to the heart of Italian tradition, offering a genuine, unpretentious drinking experience. This wine is perfect for those looking for an accessible, yet expressive, red to enjoy with food or on its own.

Price: $17.99

2021 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Barolo Mosconi

By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 9/18/2025 | Send Email

I think our 'Discovery Series' really nailed it with this excellent bottle of Barolo. Single vineyard, great vintage, value driven, and it is absolutely delicious. Pretty flavors of dark cherries, savory dried herbs, aged leather, with a touch of menthol on the long spicy finish. Cheers!

Price: $37.99

2022 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Super Tuscan

By: Kirk Walker | Review Date: 9/18/2025 | Send Email

Now this is a super Tuscan. I do not know what the exact blend is, but it is obvious that it is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. It is also obvious that this wine is Tuscan. There is that sottobosco, and a Mediterranean Coastal scrub, this is not Bordeaux, this is not Napa, this is Tuscany! The nose is dark, rich, and intense. Cassis, Black Cherry, plums, and blackberries. The fruit is framed by restrained oak, there is just a hint of spice, all interwoven with those Tuscan notes. I would assume that this is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, but what shines for me on the palate is the Cabernet Franc. There is a depth and texture to this wine that speaks to the presence of the varietal. The way that this wine tastes and feels, you can tell that the inspiration was great Bordeaux. The fruit is vibrant; it shades a little more towards red fruits on the palate. You can feel the oak, but it is not intrusive, and there is a good amount of fine tannins. This is a substantial wine, but there is a liveliness to it. The fruit pops, then the flavors transition towards the oak and then to the earth, and the finish settles into a fine minerality that I associate with the limestone soils of Tuscany. I think that this wine definitely lives up to the “super” in SuperTuscan. Drink now or stash this for a few years.

Price: $39.99

2021 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Barolo

By: Kirk Walker | Review Date: 9/18/2025 | Send Email

Here is a gateway Barolo, even if you get no further than the nose. For me, that is one of the most important features of wines from this appellation. The almost dried fruit is integrated with the dried floral and a savory mix of aromas that is hard to pin down. Nothing stands out, and it all works together, making you want to keep on smelling it to tease it apart. On the palate, this is young Barolo. It is vibrant and well-structured. The fruit tones are fresher than the nose, the tannins are very present, and the savory tones have receded to the background on the mineral-driven finish. This is a wine that requires a meal, and would definitely benefit from a little time in the cellar. However, after about an hour decanting, it was delicious.

Price: $27.99

2021 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Barolo

By: Vanessa Serrano | Review Date: 9/17/2025 | Send Email

This is the kind of Barolo where the fruit takes a backseat to more savory notes, which just so happens to be my favorite kind of Barolo! You'll be met with notes of olive, earth, and a touch of tobacco that gently give way to notes of black cherry, whole pomegranate arils, and a finish of dried flowers. This wine is aged in Botti, large oak casks that impart very little oak flavor, resulting in a wine that expresses the pure character of Nebbiolo. This is pretty young for a Barolo and it's still a little moody, but give it a quick decant and or lay it down for a few years and you'll be in for a treat!

Price: $27.99

2021 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Barolo Mosconi

By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 9/17/2025 | Send Email

The nose on this is the veritable iron fist in a velvet glove, there's something pretty about this but it's undeniably a bit rugged in a handsome sort of way. The fruit is dark and dusky cherries and bramble fruit with just a little bit of floral yum yums in the very back, as well as a sense of roundness from what feels like neutral oak. The palate has a really lovely density, with a medium grip of very fine and well integrated tannins. The fruit is dark with a little bit of cocoa on it, but it's dark bramble-fruit and a black cherry along with something that feels like barrel spice in the back of the palate. This is really pretty and a great price for something that's already this drinkable, lay this down for another 5-15 years and just watch this perfect itself over time.

Price: $37.99

2015 Nikolaihof "Baumpresse" Riesling Wachau

By: Cary Herrman | Review Date: 9/17/2025 | Send Email

This wine is wild - in the best way. Bubblegum notes hit right up front, playful and unexpected, then it settles into this gorgeous layer of honeysuckle and soft florals. The texture is seamless, carrying all that character with ease. It has this almost meditative quality, like every sip slows things down and makes you pay attention. With a decade of age, it's showing incredible grace and depth. Complex, quirky, and totally captivating - just an amazing bottle of wine.

Price: $119.99

JS: 96

VN: 95

Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne

By: Cindy Westby | Review Date: 9/17/2025 | Send Email

Food friendly, hard day friendly, wallet friendly and top top class! The Aspasie Reserve is substantial enough to enjoy by itself and has plenty of acidity to be food friendly. You deserve it!

Price: $37.99

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