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- Keith Mabry (433)
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Staff Favorites
| If you’re going to have Robert Parker or Stephen Tanzer over for dinner, selecting a wine they’ve rated highly will be a nice choice. However, when you’re buying wines for yourself, we’d love to see you find wines that match up your unique palate and pocketbook. We have a large staff of friendly and knowledgeable wine professionals that taste hundreds of wines each week. They can put you in touch with bottles that you are likely to love, often at a much lower cost than the highly-rated gems that often see a run-up in price and frequent availability issues. Like any great group of opinionated professionals, our staff has varied tastes themselves. Often our customers will find a particular staff member with a style that corresponds to their own. That concept works extremely well in our retail stores, and this section is our effort to bring you the same online. Don’t get us wrong, we love the highly rated wines from the press and will continue to offer them, but we think you’re missing out if you’re not augmenting those selections with picks from our excellent staff. Here are their favorites. (Click on a name to see their other selections - or to drop them a line.) Cheers! |
Reviews
2021 Boroli "Villero" Barolo
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/19/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/19/2026 | Send Email
This is just so joyously pretty and elegant, and just a little touch shy, when you really get in there it just unravels so gloriously. There's this whole alluring thing going on with raspberry flower, alpine strawberry, crushed rose petals, dark cherry, and just a little cranberry skin. The palate has more cherry, tart raspberry, bruised strawberry, and this gloriously long and silky finish, the tannins are soft and very integrated and even just a 5 years old I think that with the right food this would be so incredibly ready right now. Braised short rib. I kept saying this the whole tasting, half as a joke because I'm very funny but also because that just works with so many things. Fantastic, A+/10.
2023 Charles Père et Fille Volnay Clos de la Cave"
By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 5/18/2026 | Send Email
By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 5/18/2026 | Send Email
This is my new favorite under-$50 Red Burgundy value! The Clos de la Cave vineyard in Volnay sits just above three Premier Cru Volnay sites and has long been known for producing wines with 1er Cru-level quality. That pedigree is clearly evident in the 2023 Charles Père et Fille Volnay “Clos de la Cave.”
The nose bursts with dynamic aromas of red fruits and delicate floral notes, while the palate unfolds with beautifully defined layers of fresh red berries, spice and subtle hints of darker fruit. Wonderfully balanced and impressively complex, this is a striking Red Burgundy that easily drinks at two to three times its modest price. If you’re searching for a high-quality Red Burgundy that won’t break the bank, grab a few bottles of this outstanding value before they disappear.
Price:
$49.99
2023 Domaine des Aubuisieres "Cuvee Gerald" Vouvray (Demi-Sec)
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 5/18/2026 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 5/18/2026 | Send Email
We don’t see nearly enough demi-sec Chenin Blanc these days, which is part of what makes this new arrival from Domaine des Aubuisières such a pleasure. One of my favorite rising stars in Vouvray, the domaine has the ability to balance richness and freshness beautifully.
Here, a touch of sweetness adds weight and texture to Chenin Blanc’s naturally bright acidity, giving the wine a rounder, more supple feel on the palate. Notes of crisp apple, fresh honey, and jasmine tea unfold effortlessly, with enough lift and energy to keep everything vibrant and refreshing.
This little star shines brightly at the table and feels tailor-made for spicy, savory, and salty dishes. Sounds like I may be ordering Thai curry alongside this one.
2023 Domaine des Aubuisieres "Cuvee de Silex" Vouvray (Sec)
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 5/18/2026 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 5/18/2026 | Send Email
Vouvray remains one of the great sources for value-driven Chenin Blanc, and Domaine des Aubuisières continues to be one of the appellation’s rising stars. The “Cuvée de Silex” comes from clay and flint-rich soils, giving the wine the tension and crackling acidity that I love in this style of Chenin.
Vibrant notes of lime zest, quince, and a touch of kiwi lend the wine a bright, energetic edge, while the palate stays dry—but not overly so—retaining just enough texture to make it incredibly food-friendly. This is the kind of white that feels equally at home on its own or at the dinner table.
2024 Domaine des Remizières "Origine" Crozes-Hermitage
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 5/18/2026 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 5/18/2026 | Send Email
The soft-spoken yet deeply thoughtful vigneronne Emilie Desmeures crafts some of my favorite wines from Crozes-Hermitage. “Origine” is the new name for the estate’s traditional cuvée, and since we first began working with these wines nearly a decade ago, it has remained one of my go-to bottles for sheer value from the Northern Rhône.
There has always been a generosity to Emilie’s wines. She fully destems and isn’t afraid to let the fruit speak clearly and confidently. Sweet black cherry and raspberry notes lead the way, followed by classic Rhône accents of tobacco, olive, and bay leaf. Firmly Northern Rhône in character, it still carries the lushness and approachability that many New World Syrah drinkers will immediately connect with.
2024 Domaine Tabordet Pouilly-Fumé
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 5/18/2026 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 5/18/2026 | Send Email
It’s a pleasure working with the wines of Tabordet. Since we began importing them nearly a decade ago, they’ve filled a great niche in our portfolio—top-tier vineyard holdings in Pouilly-Fumé producing wines that consistently overdeliver. Over the years, the estate has undergone both organic and biodynamic conversion, further elevating the quality and precision of the wines, while also earning increasing critical attention along the way.
This bottling remains the workhorse of the range, and thanks to our direct relationship with the domaine, we’re able to offer it at nearly 20% below the rest of the market. At a time when most bottlings from Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé have climbed comfortably above the $30 mark—a reflection of both rising costs and worldwide demand—these direct partnerships allow us to keep prices sharp while continuing to offer benchmark producers from the regions you love.
The new 2024 release is a delight. A touch more elegant than the 2023, it shows a refined expression of Sauvignon Blanc and all the hallmark qualities of this great appellation. The profile is intensely mineral and citrus-driven, with that classic strike of flint on the finish. Compared to its predecessor, the finish feels smoother and slightly more rounded, giving the wine an added sense of polish without sacrificing tension or energy.
I love this new release, and to me it’s pure proof of concept for what we aim to do—finding outstanding producers abroad and bringing them to you at prices that still make everyday enjoyment possible.
Price:
$23.99
2023 Charles Père et Fille Volnay Clos de la Cave"
By: Jonathan Parnell | Review Date: 5/15/2026 | Send Email
By: Jonathan Parnell | Review Date: 5/15/2026 | Send Email
Deep garnet color. Big, illustrious nose with slight clove & allspice. Smooth and approachable palate gives delicious cherry and violet. Long finish. I would drink this any day. Superb!
Price:
$49.99
2023 Domaine Guillaume Curveux Pouilly Fuisse 1er Cru "Les Menestrières"
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 5/15/2026 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 5/15/2026 | Send Email
If you, or a friend/relative are enamored of Chardonnay, do not overlook this bottling! Not only is it priced extremely well, but it is also simply just delicious. My palate was trained, early on, to be an acid lover. Imagine lemon juice with an aspirin ground up into it. I love sour flavors. That being said, this beauty goes in a completely different direction, and I appreciate and enjoy it so much! There is a richness and fullness that is very, very pleasing with very balanced background acidity to keep it from being over the top. Golden apples, juicy pear pulp, mild citrus and clean oak. Not too much oak, that is. Really, the perfect amount. This is a great alternative to CA Chardonnay that is just a pleasure to drink!
Price:
$32.99
2022 La Chablisienne Chablis 1er Cru "Les Lys"
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 5/15/2026 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 5/15/2026 | Send Email
This enticing medium-rich Chablis has fleshy yellow orchard fruit flavors with a finish of refreshing acidity and bright citrus. Yellow pear fruit, soft lemon cream, minerals. It begins with mouth-coating fruit and zips along the palate cleanly. Very appealing for those who like some weight to their Chardonnay as well as those who like the traditional acidity of classic Chablis. Lastly, the fruit from "Les Lys" is a sub-section of the famed "Vaillons" vineyards. So, you just know how high the quality is of this bottling.
2023 Domaine des Remizières "Cuvée Christophe" Crozes-Hermitage
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 5/15/2026 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 5/15/2026 | Send Email
Our story with Domaine des Remizières begins nearly a decade ago. They had parted company with their national importer, and I was on the hunt for a serious but not overly serious producer from the Northern Rhône. When I first tasted the wines, I knew they fit a great niche in our Direct Import portfolio — showing the generosity and density you might expect from Hermitage, but in their regular Crozes-Hermitage bottlings.
I eventually met Émilie Desmeures, the winemaker who, along with her brother Christophe, was beginning to take over the day-to-day responsibilities from their father, Philippe — though he is still very actively involved today. Émilie really believes in the purity and vibrancy of the fruit, choosing to destem all of their Syrah before fermentation. There’s a range of barrel sizes and oak usage depending on the cuvée, but the winemaking always feels thoughtful and balanced rather than overly worked.
The Christophe bottling is 100% Syrah, mostly from the hillside slopes around Larnage, just north of the hill of Hermitage. Some of the vines are planted over kaolin, a powdery white clay, while the rest comes from parcels with more classic clay-limestone soils. Fermentation takes place in large oak vats, and the wine is aged in a mix of new and used barrels.
This has always been a showstopper of a red for us, going all the way back to the first vintage we brought in — the 2014. The wine consistently delivers deep blackberry fruit along with notes of cassis, fig jam, smoked meats, and spice. Rich on the palate, it drinks great now with a quick decant, but it will also evolve beautifully over the next five to ten years.
I love it with smoky barbecue or grilled sausages over creamy garlicky beans — the kind of hearty food that just makes Syrah from the Northern Rhône shine.
2018 Billecart-Salmon 250th Anniversary Vintage Champagne
By: Noah Schwartz | Review Date: 5/15/2026 | Send Email
By: Noah Schwartz | Review Date: 5/15/2026 | Send Email
2018 was an especially beautiful year, with ripe fruit and relatively low acidity. As the aromas revealed themselves, the first thing that came to mind was toasted bread spread with warm butter and honey. Then it developed into fresh apple, blooming flowers, and bright citrus notes that gradually came into focus. I love how seamlessly the palate follows the nose and intensifies those exact profiles. Though only a small portion saw oak, the wine carries a gentle roundness layered with a lees character and a mineral finish that keeps it refreshing. Elegant and comforting, this is the kind of Champagne that disappears from the glass far too quickly.
Price:
$119.99
2023 Disznoko Dry Furmint Tokaji Hungary
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 5/15/2026 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 5/15/2026 | Send Email
Tokaj is one of the oldest classified wine regions in the world. In another era, its legendary sweet wines — known as Tokaji Aszú — were the drink of aristocracy and royal courts across Europe. These were profoundly age-worthy wines, balancing intense sweetness with piercing acidity, and at their best they remain among the world’s great dessert wines.
Of course, the Communist era created disastrous incentives for a region built on craftsmanship and terroir. Many of the great vineyards were absorbed by the state, quality was sacrificed for production, and some vineyard land was even converted into vegetable farms — not exactly a dignified chapter for one of the world’s historic wine regions.
After the fall of Communism, however, a remarkable renaissance began. Producers reclaimed historic sites, quality rapidly improved, and collectors — along with plenty of wine nerds — started revisiting Tokaj with fresh curiosity. Interest in the classic sweet wines returned, but there was also a growing realization that the global market for dessert wine had limits.
That’s where the story becomes even more interesting. Many producers shifted their focus toward dry wines — and even sparkling wines — made from the region’s signature grape, Furmint. Furmint is a fascinating variety: steely and nervy with electric acidity, yet capable of real texture and glycerol weight. It’s also highly susceptible to botrytis, which made those historic sweet wines possible in the first place, and it blends beautifully with indigenous grapes like Hárslevelű and Orange Muscat.
Think about Grüner Veltliner 15 or 20 years ago. Almost no one could pronounce it, few consumers were familiar with it, and yet once people discovered its versatility and personality, it became a staple in serious wine shops around the world. Furmint feels poised for a similar evolution.
Disznókő was one of the producers quick out of the gate in the early 1990s to help reestablish Tokaj’s reputation. They made some extraordinary Aszú wines — many of which are drinking beautifully right now — but they’ve also become one of the benchmark producers of dry Furmint.
This bottling is a perfect introduction to the grape, or, if you’re already familiar, a strong reminder that something genuinely exciting is happening in Tokaj today. Look for notes of green apple, peach preserves, and lemon curd. The palate is racy and energetic, but there’s enough mid-palate weight to carry the acidity beautifully.
Chicken paprikash would be a classic pairing, but this is an incredibly versatile wine. It works wonderfully with richer fish dishes, braised pork shoulder, or even a simple summer salad with citrus and nectarine slices. Just make sure there’s some creamy goat cheese nearby to balance that vibrant acidity.
2024 Anonymous Wine Collective "Envy Block" Ballard Canyon Syrah
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 5/15/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 5/15/2026 | Send Email
Another first for the Anonymous Wine Collective: a Syrah under our house label. And what an absolute beauty to kick things off. Sourced from one single hillside block of vines, that we've named "Envy Block" due to it's reputation as the sweet spot on this estate for producing the most potent and explosive Syrah. This very block is coveted by some of the most famed cult producers on the Central Coast and has produced multiple 100-point wines.
Most wines sourced from this exact parcel retail between $80 and $160, many of them exclusive mailing-list offerings. Most wines sourced from this exact parcel retail between $80 and $160, many of them exclusive mailing-list offerings.
Farmed with certified organic and biodynamic methods. The nose is wonderfully expressive with wild blackberry, black raspberry, dark cherry, dried herbs, violets, and hints of dusty earth. Beneath the exuberant fruit lies a compelling savory streak of cracked peppercorn, charred meat, and toasted exotic spice. Medium-plus in body, the wine carries a mouth-filling texture layered with fine tannins that provide impressive structure and length. The whole-cluster inclusion lifts the aromatics beautifully and keeps the wine fresh, energetic, and linear through the finish.
This is a remarkably classy bottle of Syrah and, at this price point, an almost unbelievable value. I think it will resonate equally with lovers of savory Northern Rhône Syrah and fans of rich yet refined California Rhône-style wines. I couldn’t be happier with how this wine turned out - I only hope we made enough once people discover just how good it is for the money.
Price:
Hidden
2022 La Chablisienne Chablis 1er Cru "Les Lys"
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 5/14/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 5/14/2026 | Send Email
A beautifully polished Chablis that leans more sensual that severe. The nose opens with lemon curd, crushed oyster shell, white flowers, and a cool chalky minerality that feels unmistakably Chablisien. On the palate, there's a gorgeous tension between ripe orchard fruit and razor-sharp acidity, with a silky texture that gives the wine extra depth and presence. "Les Lys" always seems to bring a slightly more generous, elegant side of Chablis, and the 2022 vintage adds just enough richness without losing that icy limestone precision. Clean, electric, and quietly luxurious.
2024 Anne de Joyeuse "VERY" Chardonnay Haute Valle de l'Aude
By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 5/14/2026 | Send Email
By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 5/14/2026 | Send Email
A Decanter World Wine Award winner for well under $20—move over! I want to try this! I wasn't only one in the store who felt this way. When our buyer mentioned the 2024 Anne de Joyeuse "VERY" Chardonnay was going to be tasted, I paid $8.50 in bridge toll to drive over to give it a spin. The verdict: it deserves all the buzz, the toll, and your attention—if you like Chardonnay. "VERY" delivers the varietal goods—white peach-pear notions followed by apple tarte tatin with golden, flaky pastry notes. You could drink this on its own but oddly enough, it paired beautifully with a tomato, beef sauce with mushrooms and zucchini (my lunch). Yes! You could pair this with beef. Go bold! Give it a try.
2023 Domaine de l'Amandine Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages Séguret
By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 5/14/2026 | Send Email
By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 5/14/2026 | Send Email
The 2023 Domaine de l'Amandine Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages Séguret is more than half Syrah with Grenache in the balance, all destemmed for pure fruit expression. It's plush and fruity with notes of ripe plum, black cherry, and soft hints cocoa with a touch bouquet garni. It would go great with burgers, BBQ, or your favorite savory snacks. Pretty bottle too!
2023 Domaine de l'Amandine Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages Séguret
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 5/14/2026 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 5/14/2026 | Send Email
I met Alex Suter of Domaine de l'Amandine, years ago at a wine expo in Paris. I had lost my luggage a few days earlier and was still waiting for it to turn up, yet somehow still had an entire trade fair to work through. I was feeling rumpled, tired, and more than a little out of sorts. Worse yet, I had tasted plenty of wines that day that were perfectly fine, but very few that felt memorable.
Then I stopped at Alex’s table. His warm demeanor and welcoming energy were an immediate antidote to my grumpy mood — and the wines were every bit as uplifting.
The estate’s vineyards straddle two of the most compelling villages in the Southern Rhône: Séguret and Vaison-la-Romaine. Séguret is famous for its hillside village, protected by ancient stone walls originally built to spot invaders from miles away. Vaison-la-Romaine, meanwhile, is best known for its Roman ruins and the picturesque village built along one of the Rhône’s tributaries. While history draws most visitors there, the area is also home to some wonderfully characterful wines — l’Amandine’s included.
Alex and I immediately hit it off, and later that year I visited the estate. I was greeted by his daughter, Mathilde and a rather sassy Jack Russell terrier mix who seemed deeply suspicious of me getting out of the car. At the time, Mathilde was home from school, where she was studying oenology. She walked me through the vineyards before taking me into the cellar, proudly showing off the large concrete tanks her grandfather, Jean-Pierre, had installed by hand.
I fell in love with the spirit of the place: three generations actively involved in the winery, crafting wines that are every bit as charming as the family behind them.
Fast forward to today, and I often run into Mathilde at wine fairs around the world. She now plays a major role in both the winemaking and day-to-day operation of the estate, supported by her father Alex and even her grandfather, who still spends plenty of time managing the vineyards.
Mathilde and I recently caught up at Wine Paris this past February, where I tasted the newest bottling of the 2023 Séguret. One of the things I always love about this cuvée is how prominently the Syrah shows itself. Made up of more than half Syrah, it brings savory spice and warm blackberry tones that beautifully complement Grenache’s lifted red fruit and subtle tobacco notes. The palate feels harmonious and complete, with ripe yet balanced fruit and supple tannins.
When we talk about terroir, the conversation usually centers around soils, drainage, or exposure. But one of the most important elements is the people themselves. This is one of those wines where you can genuinely taste the passion and care of the family behind it — and that spirit shines clearly through the glass. Santé!
Russian River Brewing Co. "Stivo" Keller-Style Pils, California (510ml) *NO SHIPPING/TRANSFERS OUTSIDE BAY AREA*
By: Michael Pires | Review Date: 5/14/2026 | Send Email
By: Michael Pires | Review Date: 5/14/2026 | Send Email
A knockout limited-release collab between RRBC and Firestone Walker that never gets old! Stivo Pils is a mash-up of RRBC's STS Pils and Firestone-Walker's Pivo Pils, and it works so well! We typically carry STS Pils here at K&L, and this is basically a delicious variant of that. The malt bill is the same here, but RRBC swaps their Oregon sourced Mittelfruh for Germany's Saphir hop giving the beer a light lemon verbena undertone I do not notice in STS. Crisp, clean, and world-class!
Price:
$6.99
| Limit of 12 per customer |
2023 Charles Père et Fille Volnay Clos de la Cave"
By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 5/13/2026 | Send Email
By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 5/13/2026 | Send Email
The 2023 Charles Père et Fille Volnay "La Cave" is sourced from 40-year-old vines perched on a hill above 1er Cru vineyards. Neatly structured, deeply expressive, and light on its feet — it's utterly charming. Red cherry, waves of alpine strawberry, dewy violets, and fresh hints of forest floor after a rain. Hello, gorgeous!
Price:
$49.99
2024 Anne de Joyeuse "VERY" Chardonnay Haute Valle de l'Aude
By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 5/13/2026 | Send Email
By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 5/13/2026 | Send Email
Quite pretty on the nose, with fresh aromas and flavors of quince, honeydew, crunchy pear slices, fennel, almond slices, some chalkiness on the thirst quenching finish. A delicious, well made, easy to drink, value driven Chardonnay.
Perfect for the summer.
2023 Domaine de l'Amandine Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages Séguret
By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 5/13/2026 | Send Email
By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 5/13/2026 | Send Email
Quality strawberry jam, cherry cola, kirsch, a touch of peppercorn, and leather. Refreshing and expressive on the palate, would pair well with a variety of roasted meats. Bring this to a party or a pic-nic!
2018 Billecart-Salmon 250th Anniversary Vintage Champagne
By: Devin Elting | Review Date: 5/13/2026 | Send Email
By: Devin Elting | Review Date: 5/13/2026 | Send Email
A commemorative release celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States, this 2018 vintage from Billecart-Salmon is composed of 65% Pinot Noir and 35% Chardonnay. It opens with bright lemon zest and ripe Honeycrisp apple, rounded out by lightly toasted brioche and a persistent mineral crispness. The mousse is delicate and fine. A refreshing splash of salinity makes for a truly delightful sip.
Price:
$119.99
2024 Anne de Joyeuse "VERY" Chardonnay Haute Valle de l'Aude
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 5/13/2026 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 5/13/2026 | Send Email
Anne de Joyeuse is based in the region of Limoux, one of my favorite corners of the Languedoc. Nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees, Limoux benefits from limestone-rich soils and higher elevations that make it an ideal growing region for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and even Chenin Blanc. The area is perhaps best known for its outstanding sparkling wines, which consistently deliver remarkable quality for the price.
I’ve had the chance to visit the town and walk these hills on several occasions, and this is easily one of the most memorable still wines I’ve tasted from the region in quite some time. I usually focus my attention on Limoux’s sparkling wines because they can be incredibly special, but this little Chardonnay caught me off guard and I was immediately smitten.
Stylistically, this lands somewhere between a Mâcon-level Burgundy and a Central Coast California Chardonnay. It jumps from the glass with aromas of ripe peach, Golden Delicious apple, and a hint of passion fruit, while touches of toasted brioche and sweet spice round out the profile beautifully. The Joyeuse strikes a lovely balance between freshness and texture, showcasing vibrant orchard fruit, a touch of tropicality, and subtle mineral notes. There’s just enough richness here to give the wine depth, yet it never feels heavy.
More sips, please! It’s rare to find a Chardonnay with this much energy and character at such an inviting price. Another stellar find to add to your weeknight rotation.
2023 Charles Père et Fille Volnay Clos de la Cave"
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/12/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/12/2026 | Send Email
Really beautiful and compelling aromatics, there's a lot of purple flowers and this really lovely deep-fruited core with ripe raspberry, dark cherry, and a little bit of bruised strawberry. There was some reduction when it was first opened, but it's totally blown off by now so a healthy decant would do it well unless you're into that kind of thing. The palate is mid-weight with a really nice tension and complexity, there's a delicate balance between the acidity and the tannin and they're warring over the fruit and yet again it's us that's winning. The palate has a rich and dark cherry, ripe raspberry, underripe strawberry, and some pretty aromatics and some barrel spice rounding it all out. This is really an impressive bottle for the price, super well done and definitely going home with me a few times.
Price:
$49.99
2024 Nicole Chanrion Côte-de-Brouilly "Domaine de la Voûte des Crozes"
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/12/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/12/2026 | Send Email
Really lovely nose on this, it might be my favorite of the tasting, it's just so fresh and lovely and inviting and there's almost this innocence to it, it doesn't even know I'm about to drink it. I feel bad, but it's the job. I think that "innocence" is just this kind of powdery floral note that surrounds the fruit almost giving it kind of this fuzzy glow. The palate is crunchier than the nose lead me to believe, and I feel slightly lied to, but it's fine. It's bright and crunchy and has really great acidity pushing through the whole thing, cranberry, underripe raspberry, white tea, pie cherry, and some light white flowers.
2024 Château Thivin Côte de Brouilly
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/12/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/12/2026 | Send Email
Bright crunchy red fruit on the nose, with some dried herbs, bay leaf, and then a little blackberry. The palate is bright with a really nice acidity, some underripe cherry, pomegranate seeds, and a little bit of ripe cherry on the finish, along with just this little touch of barrel spice and roundness. Easy and friendly, this is a go to bottle year and year from this fantastic producer and of course one of our favorite importers, Kermit Lynch. Just great stuff through and through.
2024 Château Thivin Brouilly "Reverdon"
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/12/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/12/2026 | Send Email
Slightly herbal nose with some bright red and black fruits, the herbal notes become more bay leaf the longer it sits in the glass. There's a pretty roundness to the fruit, not quite fully ripe but not quite crunchy to the nose. The palate has some juiciness, very slightly crunchy with some pie cherry, cranberry skin, and barely ripe raspberry. This is easy and friendly, a reasonable amount of tannin but nothing crazy and it could take a chill but I wouldn't really throw it into the category of unequivocal chillable. There's a great acidity here pushing through the whole palate, and it works with the tannin balancing itself out. I'm thinking about some braised short ribs with this maybe, both with this in the glass and in the dish. I know you often want something deeper or bigger, but this acidity and pretty fruit might just work. I'll let you know if it doesn't.
Price:
$25.99
2024 Domaine Marcel Lapierre Morgon (Non-Sulfur)
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/12/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/12/2026 | Send Email
Really fantastic nose, little bit of cinnamon hiding in there, but raspberry and then cherry come out towards the end. There's something comforting about the nose that kind of reminds me of a candle I smelled once and really really enjoyed, but I can't really place it beyond that. Either way, this nose pops. There's such a clean purity of the fruit itself. The palate has a juiciness, but also some black tea tannins, definitely more spices mingling with the fruit, there's some clove and mace, I think, working in as well with really crunchy fruit, pie cherries, cranberry skin, pomegranate, and underripe raspberry, with some white flowers in the mix as you crunch that fruit. This is really phenomenal stuff, and one of my top picks from today's tasting.
2025 Domaine Marcel Lapierre "Raisins Gaulois" Vin de France
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/12/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/12/2026 | Send Email
Crushable and chillable red alert! Alert! Oh good, you heard the alert. We've got another great contender for best chillable wine for the summer with this little number. The nose is bright strawberries, crazy bright florals like a bouquet in the glass, stewed rhubarb, bubblegum, and black pepper. The palate is light and bright, super crunchy red fruits, not a lot of tannin, and a little touch of those carbonic bubblegum notes, but it has enough acidity it really finishes cleanly. I really like this and it's definitely going in a bunch of hands for people who want that next chillable red.
Price:
$23.99
2023 Domaine Guillaume Curveux Pouilly Fuisse 1er Cru "Les Menestrières"
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/12/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/12/2026 | Send Email
Very pretty and floral on the nose, this has opened up so really nicely with this really kind of winding nose that goes down into this fruit baskets that's surrounded by flowers, lemons, apples, pears, and white peaches all nestled together being all seductive and stuff. Like, palate seductive. Anyhow, so on the palate there's a really lovely line of fruit and acid pushing through the whole palate, there's touches of barrel spice and roundness. This is really easy to drink, and easy to love, with enough fruit for people who think that's a requirement like me, but nothing overdone, it's really a lovely bottle of wine.
Price:
$32.99
2023 Domaine Ferret Pouilly-Fuissé "Autour de la Roche"
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/12/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/12/2026 | Send Email
There's an almost waxy quality to the nose, and it's really compelling in all the best of ways, I feel like it's a promise of texture and weight on the palate, but first let's work on this bouquet. Underneath the light waxy note, there's golden apple, lemon zest and lemon juice, this super light umami touch in the middle of the nose, white flowers around the edges, and dry stones. The palate has a nice little pop at the front, green apple with lemon, then wet river rocks, lingering sort of white peach and roundness. It is as hoped really lovely and textural, with a serious and lingering denseness that sticks with you, maybe not on your palate but in your mind between sips. It's very fun to drink, and what else could you want from a wine?
Price:
$49.99
2022 La Chablisienne Chablis 1er Cru "Les Fourneaux"
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/12/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/12/2026 | Send Email
Light, almost ethereal on the nose even after several hours to open up, I don't think it's shy I think it's just this style of much more elegant wine than we're sometimes used to, not you though K&L customer - you know elegant that's why you're with us. It's very apple and lemon, with some white flowers when it shows itself, and there's this lithe gracefulness that really is appreciated. By me at least. The palate has just really great acidity pushing through the whole thing, and there's some savoriness mid-palate with a touch of pithiness on the end, this is a trifecta of super tasty pairings. I really like how the fruit on this one pops just a bit on the finish, there's this bruised apple and lemon candy note that comes back around and it really lingers beautifully, a really great finish to an incredibly enjoyable wine.
Price:
$49.99
2022 La Chablisienne Chablis 1er Cru "Les Lys"
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/12/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/12/2026 | Send Email
Incredibly classic and incredibly alluring nose, there's a ripeness to the lemon that kind of coats that bruised golden delicious apple, it's a little sweeter and more welcoming lemon, a friendly lemon. Around the edges of the nose, I get a little bit of ocean spray, and there's some roundness. The palate has this really amazing texture, and some mid-palate phenolics that give this a more serious and savory tension. The fruit is on the front and on the end, a dense lemon twist with apple and a little hint of floral pear. This is serious and intense Chablis, definitely heavier than some, it's really delicious and that savory note will make this such a fun and easy wine to pair with.
2022 Lynch-Bages, Pauillac
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 5/11/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 5/11/2026 | Send Email
Is there a more custom-fit vintage for Lynch-Bages than 2022? This wine takes full advantage of a landmark Left Bank vintage, delivering loads of Pauillac character while showcasing the irresistibly delicious yet remarkably complex style that has defined the estate’s reputation over the past few decades. Aromatically compelling and striking in its balance of richness without excess weight, this is a long, extremely fine, and undeniable Lynch-Bages. I see a bit of the 2010 in this one, but with an added level of elegance and precision, thanks to tireless work in the vineyard and the revolutionary new winemaking facility. Combining the accessibility of the 2022 vintage with the depth and density that promise a long, graceful evolution, I expect we’ll be talking about this 2022 as a reference point for the estate for years to come.
2021 Ernest "Alder Springs Vineyard" Mendocino County Chardonnay
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 5/11/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 5/11/2026 | Send Email
One of the most magical bottles of Chardonnay I’ve tasted in 2026. That might seem like a bold statement given the number of wines I get to taste, but this wine just really resonates with my palate and delivers everything I want in this style of Chardonnay.
It starts with a wonderful riff of matchstick and struck-flint reduction - not overpowering, but definitely a significant aromatic component that sets the tone. Beneath that, there’s beautifully ripe golden fruit: baked peach, nectarine, then sharper notes of preserved lemon and salted key lime. Richly textured, yet long, precise, and laser-focused through the finish, with mouthwatering acidity and reverberating flavor intensity.
Richness and restraint done to perfection. I love this wine.
2022 Croix de Labrie, St-Emilion
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 5/10/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 5/10/2026 | Send Email
This is Saint-Émilion turned all the way up—opulent, hedonistic, and impossible to ignore. Waves of black cherry, crème de cassis, espresso, and dark chocolate explode from the glass, wrapped in a velvety texture that feels almost decadent. Beneath all the richness is a polished mineral spine that keeps the wine focused and dangerously drinkable. The 2022 vintage gives this bottle enormous presence, but there’s still a seductive elegance underneath the power. A dramatic, modern Right Bank wine that feels built for candlelight, long dinners, and serious Bordeaux lovers.
2022 Réserve de la Comtesse de Lalande, Pauillac
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 5/10/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 5/10/2026 | Send Email
This is everything people love about Pauillac in a more seductive, earlier-drinking style. Layers of cassis, blackberry, graphite, and cigar box unfold slowly from the glass, carried by a classic Left Bank structure that feels both powerful and polished. There’s real depth and pedigree here—the kind of wine that immediately signals “serious Bordeaux”—yet the texture is seamless and remarkably inviting for such a young vintage. A stunning introduction to the Pichon Comtesse style for anyone craving the dark, aristocratic soul of Pauillac without stepping all the way into Grand Vin pricing.
Mantensei Kinoko Junmai Ginjo Sake (720ml)
By: Noah Schwartz | Review Date: 5/9/2026 | Send Email
By: Noah Schwartz | Review Date: 5/9/2026 | Send Email
I had a feeling this sake would be special just from the label- a playful bouquet of mushrooms in all shapes and colors, hinting at what’s to come. And it delivers! This Junmai Ginjo opens bright and lifted, yet surprisingly full, gradually developing into something richer and more layered. I especially like its complexity, balancing savory and sweet- earth and toasted nuts alongside notes of honey and sweet miso. The finish leans into umami, with a mouthwatering mushroom note that ties everything together. It made me think of a steaming-hot pan of juicy foraged mushrooms, deglazed with a splash of this sake to make the flavors burst even more. While I often serve lighter, more delicate styles chilled, this is one I’d gently warm so it can open up and show its depth.
Price:
$36.99
2012 Bunnahabhain 13 Year Old "Signatory" K&L Exclusive 1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt #19 Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 5/8/2026 | Send Email
By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 5/8/2026 | Send Email
Bunnahabhain is one of those distilleries that’s as hard to singularly identify as it is to pronounce or spell from memory (BOO-nuh-ha-bin, if you were wondering). An outlier Islay house known more for its rich, oily texture than the unctuous, medicinal peat of its island brethren, it shows best in bolder casks that allow the dense distillate a sturdy canvas for expression. Unafraid to be simultaneously rugged and elegant, the liquid from this specially selected cask walks the line as if hiking through the Scottish brush, overlooking a windswept cove surrounded by bristling marsh and grazing cattle.
It is sherry-forward without being a one-note sherry bomb; it reminds you where it was born without overloading you with the island's signature smoke. It carries its 128 proof points delicately, reminding you of its strength with the quiet intensity of a Jedi master (our modern-day Obi-Wan is a Scotsman, after all).
With that, we taste. The nose immediately displays signature sherry notes, with antique leather, espresso beans, toasted walnuts, and dense fig jam arriving first. The palate explodes with dark chocolate, charred orange oil, Cavendish pipe tobacco, and stewed dates, followed by a wisp of island peat that takes more from the bog itself than the malt-drying process more common in Islay Scotch. The fruit leads the finish, with a mix of marmalade and caramelized artichoke hearts careening toward a final touch of mahogany bookshelf. Bold and welcoming, this is another stellar private selection from our friends at Signatory, bottled exclusively for the K&L family.
Price:
$99.99
2025 Anonymous Wine Collective Oakville Sauvignon Blanc
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 5/8/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 5/8/2026 | Send Email
This is a seriously classy bottle of Sauvignon Blanc that combines purity of fruit and sheer quaffability with next-level complexity and depth. The source of this wine is a parcel of old-vine Sauvignon Blanc in the heart of Oakville, a subregion of Napa where precious little Sauvignon Blanc is grown anymore, simply because folks can replant the land to Cabernet and get two to four times the price for the fruit or wine. However, some growers realize it’s better to keep world-class Sauvignon Blanc in the ground than plant a few more acres of average Cabernet if the soils aren’t right. We partnered with one such estate to make this wine.
That old-vine fruit was then fermented and aged in a variety of different vessels to build texture and tension in the wine. Some was aged in 500L seasoned French oak. Some rested in concrete tank. Another portion aged in a handmade Italian terracotta amphora. I worked with the winemaker to combine these fascinating individual components into one cohesive blend, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with the results.
As a young wine, the vivacious tropical and ripe citrus fruits are at the forefront, but there’s also a wonderful mineral tension and crystalline quality to the wine. The portion that spent time in relatively neutral oak boosts the texture just a touch, giving the wine wonderful length and presence on the palate. Despite its relatively inexpensive price point, this is not your typical, simple, stainless-steel, straightforward Sauvignon Blanc. There’s real sophistication and nuance here. I can’t wait to see how this wine settles in; I think it will continue to improve over the coming weeks, months, and probably years. Cheers!
Price:
Hidden
2022 Le "C" des Carmes Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan
By: John Archuleta | Review Date: 5/7/2026 | Send Email
By: John Archuleta | Review Date: 5/7/2026 | Send Email
What an incredible hidden gem in the sea of fantastic wines that hail from Pessac-Léognan.
The nose is elegant and refined, with notes of sour cherries, rose hip, and fresh berry bramble. On the palate, I was immediately blown away by the acidity of the wine - almost felt at first as biting into an underripe bing cherry.
Amazingly layered here, the initial red and blue fruit notes give way to a mid-palate of rosemary, thyme, a hint of gravel and pencil lead.
The finish was superb with even more back palate notes of bright red fruit and currant. If you're looking for something incredibly flirtatious, refined but still playful and fun, you should definitely reach right for this bottle here.
Scarlet K&L Exclusive "Fernet Cask Marriage Peated Cask #21" Japanese Amaro (700ml)
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 5/7/2026 | Send Email
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 5/7/2026 | Send Email
Make no mistake, Scarlet's standard Fernet is fantastic, but this barrel selection is on a whole different level. This K&L Exclusive Amaro immediately hits you on the palate with notes of fresh mint, sugar, vanilla, herbs, and licorice, tied up with a salty, slightly bitter finish. The Laphroaig cask adds the aforementioned salty note along with a subtle smoky note that balances this smooth amaro perfectly. Only a small quantity made, buy while you have the chance!
Price:
$109.99
| Limit of 2 per customer |
2022 Eyrie "Estate - Sisters Vineyard" Dundee Hills Pinot Noir
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/7/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/7/2026 | Send Email
There's this very slight matchsticky reduction on the nose, and just incredibly pretty and perfect where it is, which is confusing since I don't normally care for it but here, I'm totally into it. This is so lovely and elegant, the fruit seeps in around the edges and then is front and foremost, almost as if I could lean into it and touch the fruit itself with the tip of my nose. Underripe raspberry, bright cherry, and slightly bruised strawberry, the fruit runs the entire gambit back and forth and then there's a dark earthiness around the edges, almost in my nasal peripherals, which are a real thing. Don't look it up, though. The palate brings us back to a light and pure elegance once more, the fruit has a little crunch, but the texture and the gentle and integrated tannin structure is just really enjoyable with each and every sip. This is the kind of Pinot Noir that I really get into, something with grace that feels like it's dancing across my palate. It's just great all the way through.
2018 Billecart-Salmon 250th Anniversary Vintage Champagne
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/7/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/7/2026 | Send Email
Yet another crazy delicious Champagne from the House of Billecart Salmon. I feel like there's this intense roundness on the nose that is starting to define Billecart for me more and more, but maybe I'm also deluding myself, it's entirely possible. Either way, I've had the opportunity to try this a couple times, and it's just been outstanding for both of them. The first time, we just opened and shared the bottle as a staff and remarked on how good it was, definitely thought that it wouldn't hurt to lay down and kind of just get a little more of that savory character developed. The second time, it was after Gary had opened the bottle earlier in the day and put a cap on it so it wouldn't go flat, and gosh, it opened up so incredibly nicely, I would definitely suggest laying it down for a few years all that development from it opening really helped encircle and showcase the fruit so prettily, making a little basket for it to delicately rest on. Just phenomenal.
Price:
$119.99
2023 Eyrie "Estate" Dundee Hills Trousseau Noir
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/7/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 5/7/2026 | Send Email
We here at K&L love us some Trousseau Noir, but it's not super often we see one on the domestic side of things, but of course it's our friends at The Eyrie Vineyards that brings us this beautiful little creature here. The nose is so ephemeral and lovely, soft and highly nuanced there's a dozen different directions it comes from, with light and lovely red fruit undertones and overtones, white and red flowers, a lingering savory umami note in the midst of the bouquet and then a long dusty red-fruited note as I find myself at the bottom. The palate is bright and lovely, amazing acidity with this savory note in the middle again, bright crunchy fruits fleet across the palate, and there's a little bit of a light grip in the back and this would be perfect with a little bit of food, I can easily enjoy it by itself and definitely with a little chill it would be even that much better and pair that much easier. Just fantastic, thank you guys for making such a lovely wine.
Price:
$29.95
2018 Billecart-Salmon 250th Anniversary Vintage Champagne
By: Lilia McIntosh | Review Date: 5/7/2026 | Send Email
By: Lilia McIntosh | Review Date: 5/7/2026 | Send Email
What a lovely Anniversary cuvee from Billecart-Salmon! It offers great depth of flavor with slightly toasty and brioche driven texture, sea breeze notes, lovely citrus fruit nuances and floral aromatics. It's dry with vibrant mineral touch but also has incredibly supple finish. As with all Champagne from Billecart, this Cuvee seems to change and evolve once in the glass, revealing new layers of flavors and showing impressive level of complexity.
Price:
$119.99
2018 Billecart-Salmon 250th Anniversary Vintage Champagne
By: Graham Collis | Review Date: 5/7/2026 | Send Email
By: Graham Collis | Review Date: 5/7/2026 | Send Email
This is a great bottle to be Billecart-Salmon’s anniversary champagne, as it represents the house so well. This champagne is defined by its elegance and minerality, despite the record-breaking heat in the 2018 vintage. The nose leads with crushed rock, and toasted sourdough, while crisp red apple notes give depth. The palate is consistent with the nose, and the warmth of the 2018 vintage lends lovely roundness and concentration of flavor. The finish is long and crisp. I have tasted this bottle twice within a week now and am already looking forward to the next time I get to enjoy it.
Price:
$119.99
2024 Williams Selyem Sonoma County Pinot Noir
By: Michael Benoit | Review Date: 5/7/2026 | Send Email
By: Michael Benoit | Review Date: 5/7/2026 | Send Email
A great entry-level introduction to the wines of Williams-Selyem, this 2024 Sonoma County bottling offers a taste of some of the outstanding vineyards around the Russian River Valley that go into the winery's higher end wines. On the nose, brambly red raspberry and ripe red cherry aromas are underpinned by whiffs of caramel and Darjeeling tea. The palate features ripe red cherry and raspberry compote flavors, with a bright line of acidity, fine-grained tannins, and a delicate but lingering finish that's both floral and citrusy. The winemaking here is unmistakably Williams-Selyem, but this bottle presents a lighter, more lifted version of their more full-throated Russian River AVA wines.
Price:
$59.95
2018 Billecart-Salmon 250th Anniversary Vintage Champagne
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 5/6/2026 | Send Email
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 5/6/2026 | Send Email
I love this- what a great combination of the elegance of Billecart-Salmon vintage champagne inside the bottle, and celebratory fun on the label! This celebrates not only the 200th anniversary of this house, but also 250 years of the USA. I love how the frame of baguette toast and dark cherry Pinot Noir power coalesce on the generous nose of this wine. It has great richness in the mouth without being heavy and features lovely white flowers as well as super salinity. This is a great 2018 from Billecart!
Price:
$119.99
2024 Samuel Louis Smith "Baytree Lane Vineyard" Sonoma Valley Gamay Noir
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 5/6/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 5/6/2026 | Send Email
There are few young winemakers in the business with more raw talent than Sam Smith. His wines have that magical balance of edgy, electric vibrancy, elegant refinement, and quiet repose all at the same time. They show incredible purity and a vivid sense of place. Made using very non-interventionist techniques, they remain polished and sophisticated nonetheless. The Baytree Lane Gamay is a new wine in his lineup, and it is immediately one of my favorites. Coming from a small vineyard above the town of Sonoma, this Gamay Noir is grown on red volcanic soils. Pouring it for our sales staff last week garnered the same reaction time and time again: “Ooohhh, now that’s just delicious!”
The wine has the perfect combination of upfront, bright red fruit - think ripe raspberry, pomegranate, and alpine strawberry, along with baking spices, a hint of black pepper, dried rose petal, hot volcanic stone, and bramble leaf. Elegant, light-medium-bodied, and translucent in the glass, yet packed with flavor, it has a refined, silky texture on the palate. Just an eminently quaffable wine. I absolutely loved it. The value here is also stunning given the quality in the bottle.