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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
2024 Swinney Mourvedre Rosé Frankland River Western Australia
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
Our former Australian buyer, Thomas, fell in love with the previous vintage of the Swinney Rosé and ranked it with his top rosés of the world, Domaine Tempier included. After reading his glowing review of the 2023 Rosé, I must admit I was more than a bit intrigued. Two rosés, both based upon Mourvedre, but from completely opposite continents and hemispheres? Now that the 2024 vintage has arrived, I’m happy to report that it is indeed a singular and expressive wine of place – and perhaps the best rosé in Australia. Made from dry-farmed, bush vine Mourvedre, co-fermented with small amounts of Vermentino and Cinsault, all from the Swinney Estate, this wine has an incredible aromatic profile. Far from being a simple summer quaffer, the 2024 Swinney Rosé is a seriously complex style of bone-dry rosé loaded with fresh strawberry and watermelon rind notes, as well as more savory wild thyme and oregano. Pale salmon color in the glass, the wine also has a slight phenolic grip on the palate – likely the result of the fermentation and maturation in old oak barrels – that make it the perfect rosé to have with a meal. This is simply a rosé that transcends most others, both in complexity and energy. With a vibrant, lingering finish, this is an ideal wine to pair with chilled shellfish, soft cheeses or even duck confit, as well as good company and conversation.
2023 Birichino "Besson Vineyard - Old Vine" Central Coast Grenache
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
There's a handful of more local wineries that I think always absolutely knock it out of the park, they got that Bacchus touch, and Birichino is absolutely one of those wineries. It's got everything down, it's got great vineyard sources, great winemaking, great owners, and thus they always have great wines. This is no exception, there's a lot of kind of fun baking spices buried in the fruit, the fruit is really pretty and ripe with lots of bramble-fruit of all colors, pretty purple flowers, and a little bit of some dried green herbs. The palate is super juicy,with more bramble-fruits and absolutely delicious, there's a nice grip of tannin but nothing that will slow down the dedicated. There's great acidity that definitely is fighting with the tannin and it feels like the acidity is winning overall. While it's not required by law, I do think that this would benefit from being had with a meal, but it really feels flexible, I could see having anything from fajitas to cassoulet to one of those fancy hamburgers with this and I'd be happy with all three. Maybe at once. This is a reason to drink more grenache, and a really good reason at that.
2014 López de Heredia "Viña Bosconia" Reserva Rioja
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
The Viña Bosconia wines are always distinctive for their Burgundy-shaped bottle, which references the wines original composition, which once included a high percentage of Pinot Noir as an homage to the wines of Burgundy. Today, the wine is mostly Tempranillo, balanced with Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo, but the bottle shape remains. The fruit is sourced from the family’s El Bosque vineyard which is located about one kilometer away from the winery. Vines here are planted on the south-facing foothills of the Sierra Cantabria range, providing them with the ideal conditions for ripening. As a result, the fruit profile tends to include darker fruit notes, and the 2014 Viña Bosconia clearly shows this unique character. Wild blackberries and black and red plum skin mingle on the nose, along with savory graphite, anise and porcini mushroom. This is such an elegant and nuanced example of Reserva Rioja, with still a lot of primary fruit freshness despite its over ten years of age, five of which are in barrel. The finish is so long, too. This is simply a great wine at a great price to secure while it’s still available.
2017 López de Heredia "Viña Cubillo" Crianza Rioja
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
Don’t let this wine’s Crianza label fool you! While most Crianza Rioja on the market is a youthful and often simple style of wine aged for a minimum of one year in barrel, the Viña Cubillo far exceeds both the legal aging requirements and the expected quality level. This wine is comprised of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 5% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo, all from 50+ year-old vines. The wine ages in used older American oak barrels for at least three years, followed by several more in bottle. Despite being a Crianza, the Cubillo surpasses the aging of most other wineries’ Gran Reserva wines. Compared to its siblings, however, the Cubillo is noticeably brighter and more exuberant on the nose, bursting with Bing cherry, crunchy pomegranate and plum, all swaddled in subtle American oak flavors of vanilla and tobacco. Electric acidity streaks through the core of the wine and despite the juicy initial approach, grippy tannins follow quickly on the palate. This wine sets the benchmark for “entry-level” Rioja.
Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
I can't think of a single bottle of Champagne at K&L that has brought me such consistent pleasure as the Ariston Aspasie "Réserve." The Ariston family has worked very hard to deliver this great bottle to the Champagne lovers of the world. Most producers age their Champagne for less than three years in the bottle before shipping, but the "Réserve" gets five years. It is entirely estate-grown by one of the most careful growers in the business. On top of all that, it is made in one of the most modern facilities of any small producer that I have visited. The pressing is done in a €250,000 Coquard Diagonal press, and the fermentation is all done in computer-regulated, temperature-controlled tanks. The result is one of the best apéritif bottles that we sell, toasty and full, yet refreshing and crisp, a perfect balance between aged complexity and youthful vigor. And then there is the price; so fair that Cinnamon and I have had the opportunity to impact the world supply with our consumption! Don't miss it!
Price:
$37.99
2016 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Barolo (Vintage Release)
By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
By: Carlo Delgado | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
I love a good Barolo that leans towards the savory, earthy side, and that is exactly what this wine showcases. Delicious flavors of soft plums, dark cherries, with developed, intriguing notes of laurel, tobacco leaf, tajin, and a touch of paprika. An excellent bottle of wine, and it's ready now!
Price:
$34.99
2024 Château Vitallis Mâcon-Fuissé
By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
White Burgundy Value Alert!!! This is easily one of the bets values we currently carry at K&L and easily one of my favorite White Burgundies under $20. Bright, zesty and fresh with brilliant orchard fruit and spice notes this easy drinking, impossible not enjoy white is the perfect daily drinker as well as a great value that brings endless versatility to your weekly drinking. All White Burgundy does not have to break the bank and the 2024 Chateau Vitallis Macon Fuisse drinks way above its price-point.
Price:
$19.99
2021 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Barolo Mosconi
By: John Downing | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
By: John Downing | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
When I heard we were receiving a 2021 Barolo from the Mosconi vineyard, I was more than excited. This is a Cru vineyard within the Monforte zone of Barolo and having been there and tasted several wines produced from this fruit, I can attest to the quality and rarity this wine offers. It's a very classic Nebbiolo with vibrant fruit and structured tannins that will be at its best with some extended cellaring. That's not to say it can't be enjoyed at the dinner table now, but a bit of aging will allow the tannins to soften and integrate. Outstanding. Especially at his price!
Price:
$37.99
2021 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Barolo
By: John Downing | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
By: John Downing | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
I expect to have to spend a lot more for a 2021 Barolo of this pedigree and quality. It's a textbook example with fragrant aromas of red fruit, tar, florals and mineral. There's plenty of stuffing here with delicious fruit anchored by a layer of fine tannins and ample acidity. Although it can be enjoyed now with some aeration, it's certain to improve with cellaring.
Price:
$27.99
2022 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Super Tuscan
By: Lacie Schwarz | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
By: Lacie Schwarz | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
This Super-Tuscan lets all three of the grapes in this blend sing. The Cabernet Sauvignon, making up the majority of this wine brings dark, black fruits of blackberry, black cherry and cassis. Petit Verdot gives a punch of dried violet and plummy purple fruits. The Cabernet Franc gives way to dust, white pepper and ripe pyrazines. The palate brings some intense structure - rich, but integrated tannin and powerful acidity. This wine could pair with a rare ribeye if the intention is drinking now but will absolutely benefit from some time in the cellar.
Price:
$39.99
2016 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Barolo (Vintage Release)
By: John Downing | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
By: John Downing | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
It's highly unlikely and probably near impossible to find a perfectly aged Barolo from a great vintage at this price. It's a classic Nebbiolo with textbook aromas of cherry, tar and cedar and a soft palate with fully evolved tannins and wonderful acidity. If you've never previously tried Barolo this is the perfect introduction. And for those who enjoy Nebbiolo and are looking for a rare treat, I highly recommend purchasing this outstanding new arrival.
Price:
$34.99
2020 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
By: Lacie Schwarz | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
By: Lacie Schwarz | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
Beautiful rustic red-fruit notes of dried cranberry and tart cherry in the foreground. The background brings leather and pepper spice with earthy notes of truffle and dried herbs. The silky texture and integrated tannin make this wine incredibly drinkable now. The acidity, though on the high-side, is not searing, so this wine works as a perfect solo-sipper or could easily pair with something like spaghetti or pizza.
Price:
$17.99
2021 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Barolo Mosconi
By: Jonathan Parnell | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
By: Jonathan Parnell | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
Nose has leather, polish and a whiff of smoke.
Palate gives bramble and tart blackberry & cranberry.
Good astringent finish leaves you wanting another glass. Enjoy!
Price:
$37.99
2021 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Barolo
By: Jonathan Parnell | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
By: Jonathan Parnell | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
Nose gives more oak than the 2016 Discovery Barolo.
Palate has bright red fruit, tanginess suggestive of cream cheese. The herb notes of tarragon & sage are brighter here, as well.
Delightful astringency and finish, Wonderful to try with the 2016 side-by-side and see it age, as well.
Price:
$27.99
2016 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Barolo (Vintage Release)
By: Jonathan Parnell | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
By: Jonathan Parnell | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
Gorgeous nose with pine, slate, petrichor and mahogany.
Perfectly sumptuous palate of mellowed sage & tarragon, cranberry, ripe plum and allspice.
Nice astringency and delightful finish. Drink now!
Price:
$34.99
2016 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Barolo (Vintage Release)
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 9/16/2025 | Send Email
There is so much to love about this wine. It bursts from the glass with aromas and flavors of plum, strawberry, blood orange, and burnished leather. The tannins are seamless, perfectly integrated, and give the wine its remarkable balance. It’s a rare treat to find a Barolo that is so ready to drink right now yet still has the potential to evolve beautifully for several more years. Even more impressive is the price—comparable quality and depth haven’t been seen in nearly two decades. Quite simply, one of the best buys in the store—full stop!
Price:
$34.99
2020 Collines de l'If, St-Emilion
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 9/15/2025 | Send Email
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 9/15/2025 | Send Email
One of the world’s most collectible wines is the elusive and singular Le Pin, a rare Pomerol that reaches the heights of any given vintage and often trades for $3,000+ per bottle. The mastermind behind that property, Jacques Thienpont, has also been crafting a distinctly inspired Saint-Émilion since 2010: Château L’If. This wine sells for a few hundred dollars and has quickly become an ascendant property, consistently hitting the mark in recent vintages. For those who want to experience a genius at work at a more approachable price, L’If’s second wine, Collines de L’If, delivers in a big way.
I love the balance here: it shows the concentration of the 2020 vintage without ever feeling heavy or dense. It shifts beautifully between complexity, structure, and minerality, with a vibrant core of red-to-black fruit, a thread of acidity, and fine, well-managed tannins. A decant is recommended, but this is also a wine to linger over—the way it evolves in the glass is part of its charm. A gorgeous expression of a remarkable winemaker and site, offered for a song, this is a discovery I highly recommend seeking out while it’s available.
Price:
Hidden
2016 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Barolo (Vintage Release)
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 9/15/2025 | Send Email
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 9/15/2025 | Send Email
"This is a very special library release. The 2016 vintage is one of the greatest of our lifetime. A forward-thinking family estate, known for their impeccably balanced and polished Barolos, agreed to release a small parcel of their classic 2016 from their cellars for us. Now with years of perfect cellaring, this wine is entering its prime. The tannins have resolved into silk, revealing complex notes of dried cherry, tar, leather, and cocoa. It is a harmonious, complete, and utterly classic Barolo that is ready to drink tonight. A rare chance to enjoy a perfectly aged wine without having to wait."
Price:
$34.99
2015 Nikolaihof "Baumpresse" Riesling Wachau
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 9/14/2025 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 9/14/2025 | Send Email
This classically styled Riesling has become my new favorite. There are scents and flavors of yellow peaches, apricot, honey and lemon cream. Classic oiliness on the palate that coats the tongue without shutting down any of the fantastic flavors. Orange marmalade on the very long and lingering finish. Just wonderful!
2017 Trimbach "Cuvée Frédéric Émile" Riesling Alsace
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 9/14/2025 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 9/14/2025 | Send Email
This is the Rolls Royce of Alsatian Rieslings! Nice and salty with lemon zest, key lime, orange, white peach. There are also flavors of Granny Smith apples and fresh, pure honey. Slightly oxidative in the very best way! Long and lingering finish with marvelous complexity and generous mouthfeel. It will keep extremely well for many years to come!
2022 Trimbach Riesling Alsace
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 9/14/2025 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 9/14/2025 | Send Email
Who says that delicious Riesling can't be affordable? Not Trimbach! This excellent little bargain has a very pretty nose with some tropical and stone fruit scents and a light touch of classic Riesling petrol. Bright on the palate with fine acidity, crunchy citrus, nectarine and peach. Simply delicious.
Sawahime Junmai Gold Sake (720ml)
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 9/13/2025 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 9/13/2025 | Send Email
This sake is super unusual and extremely unique. I find it to be something that would work best as a finishing sake, after a meal with nuts and chocolate or something similar. It is super savory (check that colour!) with a nose of soy sauce, mushrooms, fino sherry, marcona almonds. On the palate, smokey and savory with roasted nuts, brown butter, milk chocolate and caramel apple. So very unusual and tasty! Sake enthusiasts and sake geeks should really check this one out. It stands apart from the pack!
Price:
Hidden
Seven Junmai Ginjo (60%) Sake (720ml)
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 9/13/2025 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 9/13/2025 | Send Email
This is (most likely) my favorite sake of 2025, so far. It has an exciting nose of green melon, plantain banana and savory spice. Sooooo interesting! On the palate, medium-bodied, cantaloupe, additional green melon, fresh ginger and light honey. Like the "50", it also retains a long finish of fresh and crisp minerality. I tasted it before hearing of the price and expected it to be well over $100.00. So, the price was a very happy surprise. Very well done!
Price:
$86.99
Seven Junmai Daiginjo (50%) Sake (720ml)
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 9/13/2025 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 9/13/2025 | Send Email
This elegant and rich sake has a white flower nose with scents of ripe watermelon and vanilla cream. In the mouth, a wonderfully rich texture with flavors of ripe yellow apples, anise and spices. All finished with a lingering, clean and crisp finish. This is sashimi grade sake to pair with only the best cuts of fish and shellfish.
Price:
$109.99
2021 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Barolo Mosconi
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 9/13/2025 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 9/13/2025 | Send Email
This single-vineyard bottling captures all the hallmark texture and structure expected from a prestige site like Mosconi. The nose is explosive, with lifted aromas of shaved pencil, black plum, Maraska cherry, and new saddle leather. The palate is full-bodied, with tannins that are firm yet refined—classic for young Barolo—never overwhelming, but instead caressing and finishing in perfect harmony. A stunner, it offers plenty of immediate appeal while clearly signaling even greater promise with a touch of patience. Bravissimo!
Price:
$37.99
2021 Cobb "Doc's Ranch Vineyard" Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
By: Mariah Mier | Review Date: 9/12/2025 | Send Email
By: Mariah Mier | Review Date: 9/12/2025 | Send Email
A gorgeous nose of raspberries and potpourri and tremendous lift on the palate. The acid is bright and focused while the tannins bring a gentle warmth with notes of tea and allspice. if you are looking for a quality pinot noir for a gift or special occasion, this memorable bottling is a fantastic choice.
2022 Domaine Durieu "Lucile Avril" Châteauneuf-du-Pape
By: Jonathan Parnell | Review Date: 9/12/2025 | Send Email
By: Jonathan Parnell | Review Date: 9/12/2025 | Send Email
This subtle wine brings a mellow, smoky presence. Notes of charcoal, cherry and finishes with a delightful astringence. Superb!
2021 Cobb "Doc's Ranch Vineyard" Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 9/11/2025 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 9/11/2025 | Send Email
One of the best experiences I've had here while working at K&L is getting (piling, stepping) into a van with a bunch of my coworkers to drive up to see visionary winemaker Ross Cobb, and listen to him talk about why he loves what he does. His passion, drive, and pride in his life's work just beams out of every single sentence he puts forth. He's more than happy to illustrate some of his past successes at previous wineries, but now he's home at his own place. Doc's Vineyard is a site he's been farming and producing wine from since 2017, and it carries all of the same sensibilities that you find in his Coastlands wines, but the fruit is slightly more elevated and has a touch more intensity. We tasted through all of his wines on our excursion, and this was consistently amongst the top picks of everyone I spoke with. This is a pure and sophisticated style of Pinot Noir that is truly about delivering the most elegant and pretty expression of the grape, while maintaining the racy acidity that true Pinot Noir lovers are looking for and with enough spice to keep you interested, a little gift brought to you by Ross Cobb, who is officially a super cool dude.
2020 Evans & Tate "Redbrook Estate" Bordeaux Blend Margaret River Western Australia
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 9/11/2025 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 9/11/2025 | Send Email
Comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the 2020 Evans & Tate Redbrook Estate is a fantastic example of a juicy yet firmly structed Bordeaux blend from the Margaret River area of Western Australia. Subtle classy French oak notes lend a spicy undertone, and a distinctive green herbal note (mint, tarragon) streaks through the core of the wine. Bottled under screwcap, this is such a fresh and ready-to-drink style of wine that would be the perfect pairing for a casual weeknight dinner. Both this wine and its sibling, the Redbrook Estate Chardonnay, perfectly showcase the Mediterranean climate of this corner of the world and the refined winemaking style of the estate that balances ample ripe fruit with great structure and acidity. These wines are firmly New World, yet made with a distinct nod towards the Old, both deftly avoiding becoming overripe or cloying on the palate.
2022 Hamilton Russell Chardonnay Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 9/11/2025 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 9/11/2025 | Send Email
Hemel-en-Aarde (Afrikaans for “Heaven and Earth”) is a tiny subregion of the Walker Bay district, located in South Africa’s Cape South Coast. Close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and a southerly latitude makes this scenic region a premier cool climate growing area for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and Hamilton Russell is perhaps the benchmark producer here. Since 1976 they have been consistently delivering wines with incredible structure and finesse that rival the best in both the New and Old Worlds. The 2022 Hamilton Russell Chardonnay especially is a gorgeous example of a lean, finely structured Chardonnay, with pithy lemon zest notes and incredibly well-integrated oak. In this part of the world, the Benguela current (much like the Humboldt current in Northern California) cools the ocean which in turn cools the onshore winds that fan across the vineyards. As a result, the wines are incredibly racy, with fantastic tension on the palate. In a blind tasting, you might be forgiven for calling this wine Burgundy! The palate feel is so lean and nimble, with very fine, almost laser like acidity that calls to mind the best of Puligny Montrachet. If you haven’t yet tried a wine from Hamilton Russell, I highly encourage you to pick this one up, especially if you enjoy more mineral-driven styles of Chardonnay. This wine is so sophisticated and classy, it will likely reshape opinions of the potential of South African Chardonnay!
2020 Evans & Tate "Redbrook Estate" Chardonnay Margaret River Western Australia
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 9/11/2025 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 9/11/2025 | Send Email
Margaret River is quickly becoming one of the premier regions in all of Australia for producing world-class Chardonnay, and the Evans and Tate “Redbrook Estate” is another stunning example of the huge potential of this remote region. Margaret River juts out into the Indian Ocean and is surrounded by water to the north, west and south, which helps to moderate the Mediterranean climate with cool evening winds. The warm days are ideal for achieving optimal fruit ripeness, which is evident in this wine, with highly concentrated golden apple, quince and greengage plum notes on the nose. Zesty, citrus-driven acidity immediately follows on the palate, however, lifting the dense core of fruit into a very refreshing finish. In many ways, Chardonnays from Margaret River, this one very much included, balance the best of the New World – high density of pure, ripe fruit – with a distinctly Old World approach to structure. And while this is an oaked style of Chardonnay, with noticeable but well-integrated notes of vanilla and nutmeg, they mostly serve to give the wine serious backbone and depth. Some of the most iconic Chardonnays from Australia now hail from Margaret River, with the price tags to match, but the Evans and Tate delivers serious value, punching above its weight class.
2022 Domaine Durieu "Lucile Avril" Châteauneuf-du-Pape
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 9/11/2025 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 9/11/2025 | Send Email
Our first vintage with Durieu was 2016—a benchmark year in Châteauneuf, and the wine reflected that quality. It was an instant success, wowing both our team and our clients. What has impressed me most since then is the continuity. Every release since that first vintage has been stellar, and their commitment to elevating Lucile Avril shows in the fact that they even divested other Châteauneuf holdings to focus on making this cuvée truly brilliant.
The 2022 is another triumph. A pristinely ripe vintage, it delivers deeply complex fruit—black cherry, currants, red licorice—layered with violet and savory spice. The structure is powerful yet inviting, with meltingly luxurious tannins that give the wine an almost ethereal weight. Stylish without excess, it has that rare balance that makes each sip call for another.
This is exactly what I want in Châteauneuf, and few producers deliver it as consistently as Durieu. The 2022 Lucile Avril is a superstar of the category, once again reaching remarkable heights.
2021 Cobb "Doc's Ranch Vineyard" Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 9/11/2025 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 9/11/2025 | Send Email
Doc's Ranch is a vineyard immediately adjacent to Cobb's Coastlands estate. Originally planted in 1999, Ross Cobb leased the property in 2017 and has farmed the vineyard ever since, so it can essentially be considered an extension of the same estate. However, what is quite interesting is that despite it's proximity to Coastlands, there are a number of significant differences that make the wines quite distinct from one another. Coastlands has a westerly facing aspect looking directly out over Bodega Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Doc's Ranch faces southeast, just on the other side of a the ridgeline from Coastlands, facing away from the the ocean and is thus more sheltered from the frigid coastal winds and fog. Despite being sheltered from the wind, the vines also fall into shadow in the afternoons when the sun is sinking into the ocean, and the fruit is allowed to develop very slowly and gradually without direct afternoon sun. The soils at Doc's Ranch is made of the same ancient marine sedimentary rock as those at Coastlands, but tend to be more decomposed and sandy. The 2021 Doc's is absolutely stunning. To be honest the entire 2021 lineup from Cobb is world-class through and through. I found the Doc's to be one of the more accessible and refined wines in this youthful line up. Pristine red berries, Coastal Redwood grove, bramble, winter spice, subtle truffle hints, alpine herbs. So fine and elegant, but also with lots of coiled power and ageing potential for decades of enjoyment. I can't think of any producer in the country making better wines in this style than Cobb right now. They're at the top of their game and the wines are truly not to be missed. Put some in your cellar and thank me later.
2022 Canon, St-Emilion
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 9/10/2025 | Send Email
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 9/10/2025 | Send Email
Few estates in Bordeaux can claim a success story as remarkable as Canon. Since the benchmark 2015, each release has seemed to set a new standard of excellence. While naming a single “best-ever” vintage feels like a fool’s errand, the 2022 is unquestionably special—and has the potential to become a true reference point for the region.
Here’s the astonishing part: despite Canon’s meteoric rise and its position among the world’s top-tier collectibles, it remains an outright bargain compared to peers that garner the same best-in-class acclaim. That combination of pedigree, consistency, and relative value is exceedingly rare.
The 2022 marries the generosity of the vintage with remarkable density and complexity, offering both immediate appeal and the promise of effortless aging. Lifted, floral aromatics lead to layers of red fruit and cedar, each nuance unfolding with precision. On the palate, bright plum and perfectly ripe cherry give way to an opulent texture, super-fine tannins, and impeccable balance. The limestone terroir asserts itself in a long, mineral-driven finish. Weightless, graceful, and dynamic, every element is present—perfectly tuned and seamlessly integrated.
I’m excited to get the chance to follow this wine over the years. In a world where so many collectible wines seem ever more out of reach, it is bottles like this that remind me luxury in fine wine is still attainable—and keep me coming back to Bordeaux, and to Canon, again and again.
2025 Little Book "Chapter 9 - None for Granted" Blended Straight Whiskey
By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 9/10/2025 | Send Email
By: Josh Gelfand | Review Date: 9/10/2025 | Send Email
Noe knows. This latest stellar blend from Freddie Noe, the 8th-generation master distiller at Jim Beam and grandson of Booker Noe, to whom the Little Book line is a tribute, showcases his blending artistry at the highest level. Each Little Book release draws from the deepest stocks to craft a singular blend that tells another chapter in the Beam story, and this ninth edition honors the “founding flavors” of American whiskey, spotlighting the caramel, oak, vanilla, and char that have come to define the style.
Five whiskies make up the blend: four bourbons ranging from seven to eleven years old, joined by an eight-year-old rye that lifts the profile with a lively spark of spice. The dark cherry note I so often find in Jim Beam whiskies is here as well, though it plays a supporting role to the rich oaky char and velvety butterscotch.
The nose draws you in with layers of burnt vanilla, spiced oak, dark chocolate, and apricot jam, all draped over a foundation of dense caramel. On the palate, the rye makes itself known, with cinnamon and clove striking first before yielding to waves of butterscotch and ripe black cherries that flow into a long, luscious, and woody finish.
Beautifully balanced and full of character, this whiskey fulfills its promise: a celebration of the timeless flavors that have made American whiskey cherished for generations.
Price:
$149.99
2020 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 9/10/2025 | Send Email
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 9/10/2025 | Send Email
This wine comes from one of the benchmark estates in Montepulciano, a pioneer of biodynamic farming with a reputation for producing elegant, pure, and age-worthy Sangiovese. For this bottling, we were able to secure a few barrels from the generous 2020 vintage. The nose is a stunning expression of Prugnolo Gentile: ripe red cherry, plum, and violet, with the sweet spice and vibrant energy that is a hallmark of this iconic producer. The palate is polished and seamless, with silky tannins and a long, mineral-driven finish. It’s a sophisticated and deeply authentic Vino Nobile.
Price:
$17.99
2022 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Super Tuscan
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 9/10/2025 | Send Email
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 9/10/2025 | Send Email
I’ve long admired a particular estate in the heart of Bolgheri, known for its powerful and structured Bordeaux blends. In the hot 2022 vintage, their meticulous vineyard work resulted in fruit of incredible concentration and balance. We worked with them to create this special cuvée, which has all the hallmarks of a top-tier Bolgheri red. It’s rich with notes of blackcurrant, cassis, cedar, and Mediterranean herbs. The palate is full-bodied and intense, with powerful but polished tannins and a freshness that defies the vintage. A true taste of Bolgheri's "magic mile" at a fraction of the price.
Price:
$39.99
2019 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Brunello di Montalcino
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 9/10/2025 | Send Email
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 9/10/2025 | Send Email
The legendary 2019 vintage demanded a truly special Brunello for our series. I found it on the warmer, southern slopes of Montalcino, from a family estate renowned for its powerful, savory, and terroir-driven wines. This is a classic expression of the Castelnuovo dell'Abate subzone: deep aromas of black cherry, licorice, and balsamic herbs dominate the nose. The palate is structured and full-bodied, with firm, noble tannins and a long, savory finish that speaks to its warm terroir. This is a powerful, old-school Brunello built for the cellar, from a producer who truly captures the soul of southern Montalcino.
Price:
$59.99
2021 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Barolo Mosconi
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 9/10/2025 | Send Email
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 9/10/2025 | Send Email
The Mosconi cru in Monforte d'Alba is famous for its powerful, structured, and long-lived Barolos. In a phenomenal vintage like 2021, the wines are electric. A producer I work with, known for their modern-classic style, usually blends their small parcel of Mosconi into their main Barolo. The quality was so exceptional this year that I convinced them to bottle it separately for us. The result is a powerhouse: dark cherry, plum, crushed rock, and balsamic notes are supported by massive but noble tannins. This is a profound, site-specific Barolo that demands time in the cellar and will reward the patient collector handsomely.
Price:
$37.99
2021 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Barolo
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 9/10/2025 | Send Email
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 9/10/2025 | Send Email
For our classic Barolo, I turned to a rising-star estate whose meticulous vineyard work in the stunning 2021 vintage produced a wine of incredible purity and elegance. This is the definition of a "discovery." The wine offers soaring aromatics of pure red fruits—crushed raspberry, cherry, and rose petal—with a vibrant, energetic palate supported by fine, silky tannins. It’s a beautifully transparent and fragrant Barolo that captures the finesse of the vintage. It’s a chance to get in on the ground floor with a future star of the region.
Price:
$27.99
2021 l'Esprit de Chevalier Blanc, Pessac-Léognan
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 9/9/2025 | Send Email
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 9/9/2025 | Send Email
There are few wines that receive as much quiet acclaim among wine lovers as Domaine de Chevalier Blanc. The Bernard family has found a way to blend Pessac typicité with remarkable purity of fruit, while remaining irresistibly delicious. Some of my most memorable wine experiences over the last decade have included at least a bottle or two of DDC Blanc. That said, it is a rare treat—certainly not an everyday indulgence.
That’s where l’Esprit comes in. The elusive yet remarkable second wine from the estate carries much of the character that has made this address so famous for Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon—light yet rich, with pure stone fruit and citrus, dancing minerality, and a luxurious texture. The superb 2021 vintage adds yet another layer to this gem.
For an affordable yet dynamic taste inspired by one of the world’s greatest white wines, the 2021 l’Esprit de Chevalier delivers remarkable character and charm. It captures the spirit of its legendary sibling while remaining approachable and distinct in its own right. Don’t miss it.
2012 Michel Arnould "Causalité" Verzenay Grand Cru Champagne
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 9/9/2025 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 9/9/2025 | Send Email
We've had a lot of great 2012 Champagnes come through here thanks to Gary Westby, who I have personally voted as Champagne Buyer of the Year for the last five years I've worked here. It's only an award in my head, which also means he's won five years in a row and all of you that have interacted with him already know that I have voted with your interests in mind. This Champagne is absolutely delicious, the nose has some sourdough baguette notes at the forefront and then pretty white flowers, a little red apple skin, and then the chalky minerality. The palate is just amazing, more sourdough notes, but also a lot more fruit with red apples, a little hint of underripe rapsberry, and blood orange. The acidity is outstanding, and the depth and complexity are off the charts. This is probably one of the best bottles of Champagne under $100 that we have in the store right now, and that's saying a lot.
Price:
$99.99
2015 Nikolaihof "Baumpresse" Riesling Wachau
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 9/9/2025 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 9/9/2025 | Send Email
This is already starting to do the thing. We all love it when a wine does the thing. What's the thing? Oh, right. It's when a wine is just approaching this perfect drinking window in which it's giving you so much more than you thought you deserved. The nose is integrating itself perfectly where everything is stepping forward at once, it's not petrol then honey then fruit, it's this beautiful mélange of highly expressive slightly honeyed fruit and petrol at once, with little touches of nuttiness. The palate is fairly deep and rich, really long finish with a touch of sultanas and just a lot of really ripe and pretty stone fruit, it's hard to express in just letters and potentially numbers how enjoyable this is at every sniff and sip. This is just such a great example of a wine that's already been aged to greatness, and you get to just walk in and buy it. Outstanding.
2017 Trimbach "Cuvée Frédéric Émile" Riesling Alsace
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 9/9/2025 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 9/9/2025 | Send Email
I really like wine, if you've read my reviews you've probably clued into the fact that I'm kinda into wines of all kinds. Riesling is a stereotypical favorite of Sommeliers, and I'm no exception. Not that but it's an even nerdier Alsatian Riesling. The nose is everything you want Riesling to be. It's got a rich petrol, really pretty stone-fruit and citrus, some white flowers buried deep, and it's just rich and a little luxurious on the nose alone. The dry palate has really pretty honeyed sort of fruit, along with underripe peach, more petrol, and then at the end there's some really great lingering minerality playing around with the gas and little flicks of fruit. This is eight years old and probably wants another eight or so before you really dig into it, but if you want to enjoy it now it's a really fantastic sip.
2024 Bründlmayer "Kamptaler Terrassen" Grüner Veltliner Kamptal
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 9/9/2025 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 9/9/2025 | Send Email
Sometimes down the middle is the best place to be, and this is just an absolutely down the middle bottle of Austrian Gruner Veltliner in the very best of ways. The nose has some lemon citrus, a little bit of green, and just this really super light stone fruit in the very back part of the nosebleed seats. The palate is has a really nice and pleasant heft/mouthfeel, there's a really nice line of acidity through the whole thing, and towards the end there's just a little tiny hint of bitterness that's going to help this pair so nicely. Honestly, this is just a straight up quaffer, a bottle that needs no introduction except to be introduced to my wine glass. If you wanted to have it with food, by all means, I could see fresh cheese, roast chicken, and also a nice piece of salmon working well with this.
Price:
$24.99
2024 Allram Riesling Kamptal
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 9/9/2025 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 9/9/2025 | Send Email
Our Austrian wine buyer Alex Pross was talking about how great the 2024 vintage was in Austria and from what I've tasted so far, I totally believe it. This has a kind of exotic nose, there's some lemon zest, soft and fleshy honeyed stone-fruit, but also some lychee and white tea residing somewhere in there. The palate is dry but really pleasantly expressive, I get more of that kind of peach and white tea vibe with a little bit of a phenolic something on the palate tripping me out slightly, but this is just so delicious. This is honestly a crazy good Riesling at this price, it's not going to give you the petrol you're looking for, at least not yet, but it's got everything else in spades. The peach and the white tea note melds with the lemony citrus and the really pretty acidity and it's just this driving palate pleaser. This is going to be the bottles I start putting into people's hands when they're looking for a new dry Riesling to try, it's just that good.
Price:
$17.99
2025 Little Book "Chapter 9 - None for Granted" Blended Straight Whiskey
By: Will Blakely | Review Date: 9/9/2025 | Send Email
By: Will Blakely | Review Date: 9/9/2025 | Send Email
The Booker's lineup remains one of the most famous in the bourbon world, and the highly coveted Little Book releases continue to spark fervor among enthusiasts. This latest edition is no exception and expertly showcases the quality of Beam's whiskey stocks and their blending prowess. This mix of 7-11 year bourbons and a cheeky 8 year rye starts with gooey caramel, toasted vanilla, charred wood, cinnamon and clove. The first pour feels a bit primary with the ethanol making itself apparent, but with enough air in the glass (and maybe a drop of water), the whiskey reveals a more suave and sophisticated nature. Glazed and grilled peach, praline, dusty rickhouse, and a more rye-focused spice start to draw attention from the bold oak, resulting in a long and complex finish worthy of the name. Don't take the fact that we got a decent allocation for granted; these won't last much longer.
Price:
$149.99
2022 Simon di Brezzan Friulano
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 9/9/2025 | Send Email
By: Orazio Campoli | Review Date: 9/9/2025 | Send Email
This 2022 Friulano from Simon di Brezzan is a classic expression of one of Friuli's most important white grape varieties. Located in the heart of the Collio Goriziano, a region renowned for its mineral-rich "ponca" soils.
Their Friulano is a benchmark for the style, showcasing the grape's unique balance of subtle fruit, savory notes, and signature almond finish.
The wine pours a pale straw-yellow with greenish reflections. On the nose, it is delicate and complex, offering aromas of green apple, pear, and white peach, intertwined with notes of wildflowers, chamomile, and a distinct hint of bitter almond.
On the palate, it is medium-bodied with a refreshing, crisp acidity and a slightly oily texture that adds depth. The flavors mirror the nose, with a core of orchard fruit balanced by a savory, almost saline minerality. The finish is clean, dry, and persistent, leaving that classic, pleasant almond note. Classic paired with Prosciutto Crudo (Parma or San Daniele).
Price:
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2009 K&L Discovery Series Bordeaux, St-Emilion
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 9/9/2025 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 9/9/2025 | Send Email
Yet another wine whose pricing I find to be wicked bonkers, but hey I'm just a salesperson and wine review writer guy and it's good to know your role. This wine costs you, valued reader, less than a dollar per year that it has existed in this world. That's insane. I mean maybe it would make sense, if this wasn't impeccably aged and really delicious Bordeaux. This and it's older brother, the 2005, are both just really wonderful examples of what I like about Bordeaux and also different enough you can get a feel for the vintages and what aging does as well. This has a really charming nose, especially having had a few hours to develop. There's a little bit of creaminess to the fruit, more red than black, with a lot of cherry and even some sweet cranberries. There's also a lot of more savory notes, with dried and fresh tobacco, worn leather, a little touch of oil cured olives, and a dense sort of loamy note in the back holding hands with the barrel spice. The palate is just a little chewy, both from a firm but super integrated tannin profile, but also the leathery tobacco in the back palate. The fruit is very ripe but not quite stewed, with just a little bit of dried notes mixed in. There's a bit of a phenolic note on the finish too, a little bitterness that is going to help ensure that this pairs well with whatever you choose to eat it with. This is such a crazy nexus of great deal and great wine that I'm not sure if I'm able to express strongly enough how much you need to try this wine, but please know that I care about you and I want you to be happy and that's why I want you to try this wine.
Price:
$14.99
Compass Box "Hedonism - 2025 Limited Edition" Grain Scotch Whisky (700ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 9/9/2025 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 9/9/2025 | Send Email
This stupendous whisky is truly a benchmark within the history of Scotch whisky. Taking a bold stand before anyone else is the Compass Box style, and Hedonism has been exactly that for the last 25 years. It is proof that blended grain whisky is a legitimate category able to stand on its own two feet and even expand the conversation considerably. It turns out that if you take good grain whisky and put it into great barrels, it tastes pretty damn good! Here a beautiful 20-year-aged Cameronbridge in first-fill bourbon is nearly 50% of the blend, followed by nearly 30% from old vattings of Hedonism from 2022 and 2023. It has an intriguing base. Finally, younger versions of Cameronbridge and Girvan with a little hit of first-fill Marsala barrique add richness and depth. Let's see how good it gets! A vibrant deep copper color (1.0) is surprisingly dark considering the component whiskies. The nose is immediately full of gorgeous confectionary character: sweet buttercream frosting, powdered chocolate, cooked peaches, and exotic honey. There is plenty of depth, not just perceived sweetness. Imagine strolling through a wildflower meadow in the spring, with fresh floral and herbal notes and a slight whiff of earthy underbrush. Very appealing! On the palate it is downright glamorous with butter-drenched brioche French toast, café au lait, sugar cookies, angel food cake, and chocolate-covered nougat. It is a beautiful whisky that is maybe more overtly pleasurable than most on the shelf today. It may lean on the sweet side for some hardcore peat heads, but normal Scotch drinkers and almost any bourbon lover should be in heaven here.
Price:
$139.99