By: Clyde Beffa Jr. | Review Date: 7/15/2021 | Send Email

Barde Haut is one of K&L's go to wines for value. Helene Garcin Leveque and her husband Patrice have done an amazing job in the last 15 years. The 2015 vintage was exceptional in St Emilion and Barde Haut hit it out of the park. Tons of black fruit aromas that follow to the palate. Sweet and ripe and delicious right now. Can cellar ten more years.

By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 7/13/2021 | Send Email

The Egrot Extra Brut is made for Champagne lovers who are looking for something extra crisp as an aperitif or to pair with oysters or other shellfish. This Champagne is composed of two-thirds Pinot Noir and one-third Chardonnay, entirely from the 2010 harvest. It is dosed at just 2 grams per liter, but with over six years of aging on the lees, it does not come across as overly austere. It actually shows more creamy notes on the nose than the brut, perhaps because of the addition of softer wines from Mutigny from the sunny 2010 harvest. The cherry fruit has a slight hint of exoticism, but it snaps back into laser focus on the finish, which is as dry as Champagne can be without having a mean spirit. I love this with the Kumamoto oysters that we get from Hog Island Oyster Co. up in Tomales Bay this time of year—this Extra Brut richens up with the shellfish, and gets me shucking the next one!

By: Clyde Beffa Jr. | Review Date: 7/8/2021 | Send Email

With a special label honoring the Cathiard’s Thirty years of winemaking.at Smith. This wine has huge scores from the writers with three or four possible 100 pts. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, plus PV and Cab Franc. This wine is like a lazer beam-very precise and focused. I think 2020 is their best wine in the thirty years of winemaking-Fabian is a great winemaker. Sexy and ripe-will age well.

By: Kate Soto | Review Date: 7/7/2021 | Send Email

Mathieu Billecart calls this their "Princess of Rosé," as it comes from their younger vineyards, and the young lively vines impart a nice freshness. 40% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, and 30% Pinot Meunier. An ethereal pink color, with a nose of fresh strawberries and white blossom. It shows juicy berry fruit on the palate. Delicious! It's one of our most popular rosé Champagnes for good reason: it's incredibly easy to drink.

By: Kate Soto | Review Date: 7/7/2021 | Send Email

A Pinot Noir made in the signature creamy, elegant style that has made Launois beloved by customers and staff alike. A wine of great finesse, with floral and raspberry notes and delicate bubbles. It is perfection with a summer nectarine caprese salad.

By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 6/27/2021 | Send Email

This wine is delicious, interesting and different. The nose is very expressive and pronounced. It jumps out of the glass offering pleasure with savory undertones. In the mouth it is dry and savory, unique and tasty. It will go well with chicken and seafood.

By: Blake Conklin | Review Date: 6/22/2021 | Send Email

Greek orange wine tends to be in a league of it's own. I've had several bottlings in the past, and while they are fantastic and refreshing, there's a note in there that clearly gives it away to me that it's greek skin contact. This bottling is no exception/ Mellow acidity and a nice pine flavor profile makes this wine quenchable and delightful. If you want to try a truly unique orange wine and under the 20 dollar price point, the Troupis may be for you.

By: Steve Bearden | Review Date: 6/22/2021 | Send Email

This family owned and independent House still makes one of the best and most reliable oak aged Champagnes on the market. Three to four years aging on the lees has filled this with notes of caramel, toast, ripe apricot, and touches of oak in a bold and chalky style. This is big, full-bodied bubbly that is filled with richness and tension.

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 6/22/2021 | Send Email

Beyond the fact that this is Agent 007's preferred glass of fizz, I must admit I love Bollinger. It is unashamedly a rich style, barrel fermented, round, toasty, packed full of Pinot Noir's red fruited richness. The wine contains 50% older reserve wines, and it shows in the wine's depth and persistence on the palate. Four years on the lees gives a lovely autolytic presence to the wine along with a lick of oak barrel spice that lingers long in the finish. I can see why Mr. Bond is partial to this...it's powerful and sophisticated.

By: Alex Schroeder | Review Date: 6/22/2021 | Send Email

This is magically rich champagne (about 30% spends time in barrel) made from 50% reserve wines that are actually painstakingly aged in magnum sized bottles. The result is a plush, complex profile of dried apricots, pears, peaches, and honeyed almonds that are balanced wonderfully by vibrant acidity. The long, arduous production method means that it requires the relatively low dosage of 9g to balance out the rich profile. ​

By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 6/22/2021 | Send Email

Bollinger’s classic release, the "Special Cuvée", is one of my first choices when looking for a grande marque, since it offers both the prestige name and relative value—the quality feels higher than many fancy brands at a similar price point. On any given day, the wine has a quicksilver character about it: nimble and bright enough to cut through fried foods, yet lush when complementing more classic pairings such as seafood. Founded in 1829, Bollinger clearly cares about luxury and detail at every level. Yet the house itself is set among its own vineyards in the unassuming village of Aÿ. For the "Special Cuvée", 80,000 magnums are disgorged by hand! Wines are aged at least three but often five years (more than the appellation’s required fifteen months). Bollinger only seems expensive if you haven’t seen the care that goes in to making it.

By: Kate Soto | Review Date: 6/21/2021 | Send Email

This is the first year that the wines were made in their brand-new, state-of-the-art winery. It's a wine for the long haul. Tannins need time but the palate is already explosively delicious, and the wine is long and supple. Black fruit, coffee, spice, and graphite. Concentrated and rich. A sumptuous wine.

By: Mike Parres | Review Date: 6/5/2021 | Send Email

Italian bubbles for Eleven bucks, what did we just step back in time? Nope just another Great bargain wine from K & L! This is the perfect wine for all your parties all year long, for there is nothing better than Prosecco, for crowd pleasing and value. This has a light straw yellow hue and has a fine mousse and delicate, with a long-lasting bead. On the nose you will find generous fruit, releasing hints of pear and nectarines. The palate has wonderful balance and elegance, dry & crisp, but admirable fullness and length, closely mirroring the nose. The perfect party wine all year long. Don't forget to grab a bottle of Aperol Aperitivo for your Spritz's.

By: Greg St. Clair | Review Date: 6/5/2021 | Send Email

With the explosion of Prosecco on the market at ever escalating prices you can't find a better Extra Dry Prosecco at this price point, clean, richly textured, fresh, crisp so easy to drink with a wonderfully balanced mousse! This is the perfect afternoon refresher, just as you finished gardening or if you love Aperol Spritz this will be your companion mixer! Friends coming over before dinner aperitif, everyone loves a little Prosecchino!

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 6/5/2021 | Send Email

Glenfarclas is unmatched in many ways, but the dedication to quality and value is my favorite point to highlight. Price increases from this special distillery are nearly as rare as hen's teeth. Even as the Scotch world continues to boom and every multinational drinks company seems to raise their prices weekly and without reason or merit, Glenfarclas and the Grant family hold the line. Sure costs go up over time, but any time we've ever seen the prices increase on these special malts, it's been super reasonable, incremental increases. Housekeeping aside, let's taste the 25 - a banner for 'Farclas that flies high. This is some of Scotland's finest whisky. It's refined and genial. The nose is loaded with stone fruit but balanced with an equal measure of barley forward cereal notes. The barrel regime utilizes sherry casks heavily, but this is no sherry bomb. A combination of many types of casks allows a finesse and balance that is so rare in today's single cask, over the top, cask strength bottlings. The palate has a lot of chewiness and is never heavy. It's rounded out by a really pretty vanilla and cream note and brings in a fair amount of tropical fruit flavors like pineapple and coconut. The finish is long and clean. This is the type of Scotch that will make you fall in love with the category all over again. It's a stone cold classic. If you were introduced to Scotch recently, there's a good chance you've never tasted this and nothing will put it on your radar. It's not a trophy, it's not a bottle people scour the country looking for. It's just damn good Scotch at a great price from a family run distillery.

By: Neal Fischer | Review Date: 6/2/2021 | Send Email

This isn't quite the same as the Germain-Robin XO you might remember from 10 or 15 years ago, but it's some dang good brandy. Fig and damson plum come out of the glass--sticky but not cloying. The oak asserts itself, but then richer fruits come back to the foreground accented by cigar box, citrus zest, and burnt sugar. The palate reminds me of cherry-stuffed crepes I used to get at my favorite Colorado breakfast spot with an orange flambé flare. Assertive oak shows the brandy's boldness and age without undermining its grace.​

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 6/2/2021 | Send Email

It would be a singular feat to make brandy that has a legitimate claim to rivalling Cognac in quality. To be able to argue that your bigger contribution is providing an augmentation to (and perhaps an improvement upon) a centuries old tradition is another thing altogether. While Cognac will always hold a special place in my heart and my liquor cabinet, so too will Germain-Robin. Unbound by tradition and appellation law, the willingness to take Cognac techniques and tweak them to the finest wines California has to offer has resulted in a phenomenal brandy unlike anything available in any other region of the world. One nosing of the XO and it's hard to argue with the results. Deeply intense cherry and apple play perfectly with fresh Madagascar vanilla bean. A dusting of cocoa powder adds both savor and sweetness. Tobacco leaf and Moroccan mint provide an herbal complexity that entices me to taste the elixir but also could happily freeze me in the nosing stage for an hour. Once you actually taste it, you are trapped in an endless cycle of pouring, nosing, tasting, and savoring until you've reached your limit or the bottle is empty. Harmony comes to mind. It's powerful, mouth-coating, and assertive. But it's also delicate, lively, fresh, lithe, and zippy. It does not overpower. It's basically the perfect ending to an evening as it's robust enough to enjoy on its own but won't leave you feeling heavy and bogged down like some sweeter tipples. It's difficult to taste this and not realize you're consuming a part of California history, inextricably linked to a place and time when great creators and serendipity worked together in unprecedented ways.

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 6/2/2021 | Send Email

A perfectly exquisite nose starts things off right. Pour me this blind and I'm definitely going to think it's high-end Cognac (I might be thrown by the lack of boise and caramel; all the better). It's extremely rich in fruit and jumps between peaches, nectarines, apples, even some red berries and a lovely, toasted oak and vanilla. Be sure to explore the nose for some time before taking your first sip—once you do, your senses will latch onto more wood notes in the nose for a time. Come back to the glass and things will have shifted again into flaky pastry, croissant, apple pie crust, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a complex touch of varnish, a very developed character that is a surprise if you're thinking about the 7-year age statement. Then again, most of the brandy in the bottle hovers around the 20-year mark, so this makes more sense. The palate itself is sweet yet very lively, never cloying. There is more to discover as you taste over time. Green apples morph into green and then roasted nuts, baking spices double down, refined tannin gives a persistent and silky mouthfeel. The finish lingers for a very long time, a pleasant reminder of what was in your glass when it was full. I'll admit, I was terrified when Gallo purchased this California classic. Not that they don't have a reputation for quality (they make a phenomenal number of great wines), it's just that they also have a reputation for big ol' bulk wine too (not to mention huge quantities of inexpensive brandy). To my immense relief, the impeccable quality on which Germain Robin built their reputation remains firmly intact now that we're 3-4 years into the Gallo ownership. It is my hope and belief that this will continue and the resources of Gallo will allow the Germain Robin brand to continue to flourish and forever push the boundaries of what is the very best California Brandy has to offer. Certainly, they have done that here in their flagship bottling. Bravo!

By: Clyde Beffa Jr. | Review Date: 5/29/2021 | Send Email

Great vintage and a superb value property. Tons of blackberry aromas and flavors. Very ripe. Still drinking well. The ripe style of the vintage blends well with the rustic style of the property. We have sold over 7500 bottles to date.

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 5/28/2021 | Send Email

The Corryvreckan will take over a room. It's a massive powerhouse of a whisky. Scorched earth, sea spray, and roasted nuts mesh with fruit compote, dark roast coffee, lovely oak spice and sweet vanilla. It's one of the most distinct noses in all of Scotch and something that you likely love or hate. If you haven't had this staple in a long time, it's worth a revisit. If you've never had it before, caveat emptor, it is not for the faint of heart. If you don't love smoky whisky - this isn't your dram. If you do, nothing else will likely suffice when the craving strikes. Ardbeg is one of the few major Scotch distilleries that hasn't skyrocketed their prices in recent years and arguably with its ravenous cult following and exceptional quality it has one of the best excuses to if they wanted to. Fortunately for now it remains one of the best deals available in any core brand lineup.

By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 5/26/2021 | Send Email

To say this is the end of an era is an understatement. Highwest Campfire has long stood as a symbol of the risks that the special Utah distiller was willing to take as well as their prowess as blenders. It is indeed their ability to acquire and expertly blend whiskies that made High West the exceptional property that it is today. But the shear boldness of mixing high quality American whisky with heavily peated Scotch to create a new category of whisky truly put these guys on the map. Many were skeptical at first, writing off their efforts as a gimmick or a novelty, but ultimately this product has been embraced by so many in the whisky community who appreciate it's balance and versatility. Now, with word that they'll be transitioning this product to a distillery only release, there's been a renewed sense of urgency from many of those who have come to rely on this bottle when they found themselves craving something shall we say "in between" categories. Still now, years after its initial release, the campfire offers something few else can. The nose is a luxurious amalgam of sweet new oak, tangy rye spice and deep sooty smoke. On the palate the wood does a lot of the talking and falling distinctly in the texture range of a good straight bourbon or rye. The sweetness is tempered perfectly by the top note of clean Islay peat, twinges of ash and iodine don't distract at all from the gorgeous caramel and spice. Altogether an idiosyncratic expression that won't necessarily make everyone happy all the time, but when you're in the mood there's nothing else that can quite scratch that itch and since you'll have to head to Utah to get this one in the future, it's probably a good move to grab one or two just in case.

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 5/26/2021 | Send Email

Word on the street is that High West is transitioning Campfire to be a Utah only product. They're not going so far as to yank product from other markets, but to just naturally let it run dry and no longer replenish it after March 2021. This means unless you've got a post pandemic trip to Park City in the works you've gotta stock the bar now. It's what we did. There's no telling when it'll be sold out in CA for good, but the end is near. It's a tragedy for whisk(e)y lovers without ties to Utah as Campfire has been one of the more creative and interesting whiskies available for quite some time. It's a beautiful mélange of bourbon's classic highlights of sweet corn, vanilla, caramel, and butterscotch mixed with an impossibly complex rye profile. Cracked pepper, sweet cinnamon and nutmeg, spicy black pepper and cut grass all work harmoniously with the bourbon. The kicker though - is the peated Scotch. This component really ties it all together in an unexpected way that just works. The slightly salty and robustly smoky elixir makes its presence known from nosing through to finish, but it never overwhelms. The Campfire name really is perfect. If you're dying to get outside and have a drink around the fire with friends, this is a great place to start.

By: Clyde Beffa Jr. | Review Date: 5/16/2021 | Send Email

WOW ! What a treat here. Raspberry aromas abound. Very feminine and elegant on the palate. Rich, ripe, and sweet black fruit flavors. Round tnnins-elegant finish. Delicious wine.

By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 5/12/2021 | Send Email

These are more than just cute half bottles, this is the benchmark in rose Champagne, and it deserves every bit of its fame. I find it elegant and balanced every time that I have it, and the blushing pink color is always perfect. If you are looking for a famous producer that delivers the goods, the Billecart Salmon Brut Rose Champagne is a great choice. I like the wine best as an aperitif, the only thing it need to pair with is a good glass.

By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 5/12/2021 | Send Email

Nothing is better than Champagne from magnum, and this is the benchmark in rose Champagne, and it deserves every bit of its fame. I find it elegant and balanced every time that I have it, and the blushing pink color is always perfect. If you are looking for a famous producer that delivers the goods, the Billecart Salmon Brut Rose Champagne is a great choice. I like the wine best as an aperitif, the only thing it need to pair with is a good glass.

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 5/6/2021 | Send Email

I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Elijah Craig Rye since it was first released to limited markets in the U.S. in early 2020. Over a year and many prominent awards and critical reviews later, it feels like I've waited a lifetime. Fortunately, now that it is actually in my glass, it has actually lived up to my expectations and the hype. It has fully delivered on the value proposition that is the Elijah Craig brand, a move that makes Heaven Hill one of the greatest in the business. The whiskey is bursting with flavor; rye obviously takes center stage, but it is so well supported by the high corn and malted barley content that it never overshadows its co-conspirators. Sweet spice (i.e. not peppery spice) envelops the palate. Generous toasted oak leans towards coconut. The caramels and vanillas are also there; I want to say prominent, but it isn't the right word, because while it's robust, there are no hard edges. It's a rounded rye in style and texture. At 94 proof (the same as EC's small batch Bourbon) it has the easy drinkability I associate with the brand without missing the punch so many modern whiskey fans love and expect. A modern classic, no doubt, and one that has managed to stay true to everything I expect from Elijah Craig. No easy feat considering the very high bar I hold for the mark.

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 5/5/2021 | Send Email

Perhaps the most underappreciated distillery in Scotland. It's tiny, beautiful, and makes an incredible whisky. It's also the spiritual home of Signatory - the famed independent bottler and owner of the distillery. I recently revisited the standard 10 year and realized just how much I personally also underappreciated the malt. It's darker than I remember, a rich amber hue. It's flavors are golden and peachy. There is a faint peat component, like those peaches have been grilled. The sherry influence is unmistakable, but not overpowering. It's a phenomenal every day drinker, especially for a sherry lover who misses the days when Mac 12 wasn't trying to be 100+ bucks.

By: Heather Vander Wall | Review Date: 3/26/2021 | Send Email

I recently got to revisit this lovely Champagne, and I'm sorry to say it had been a couple of years since I tasted it last. It is more stunning than I remember. A champagne on the richer side, with great depth of nutty, lees-y character, complementing the fresh red berry fruit and bright crisp acidity. If you are a fan of classic, balanced brut Champagne that tends towards the nuttier, richer style, this is the wine for you.

By: Stephanie Vidales | Review Date: 3/24/2021 | Send Email

Drappier's Carte d'Or is a Champagne for any occasion. Pinot Noir makes up a majority of the blend which lends a lovely red fruit character on the palate. Stone fruit and brioche notes are also expressed with minerality throughout. It's beautifully balanced and makes a great aperitif. It's a bargain for the quality and not to be missed!

By: Lilia McIntosh | Review Date: 3/23/2021 | Send Email

Dry, mineral driven Champagne with lovely fresh brioche aromas and flavors along with bright citrus notes and hint of meadow flowers. It lingers on the palate with crunchy acidity and touch of red apple flavor. Delicious Champagne that can be enjoyed every day at this price!

By: Steve Bearden | Review Date: 3/3/2021 | Send Email

Here is a delicious value filled with jammy raspberries and earthy black cherries. The wine is lively and sweet with a juicy middle of cherry syrup and a finish of herbs and flowers. Very ripe tannin suggests some ageing potential.

By: Jennifer Lee | Review Date: 2/9/2021 | Send Email

This champagne is perfect for a New Year's Eve celebration bubbly as it's liveliness shines through and tantalizes your palate with crisp, juicy and refreshing notes. Aged 60 months on the lees, the Ariston Aspasie Reserve will not disappoint and this greal deal it's a steal. Chill, sip and enjoy.

By: Muriel Sarik | Review Date: 2/9/2021 | Send Email

This Champagne is TRUE value and TRUE pleasure! I am always in awe of how well made this champagne is. This time I found the aromas to be more floral with a subtle musky perfume. The work and time spent on making this alone is worth more than $34.99. It shows aromas of sourdough yeast and crisp green apple on the palate. The price allows one to buy a case for all the celebrating to be done from now until next year.

By: Jordan Stone | Review Date: 2/8/2021 | Send Email

The "Carte Blanche" Ariston Aspasie bottling allows you to buy well crafted Champagne that is made within the strict rules of the Champagne region at a very reasonable price. This Champagne has richness but is very light in feel. Nice green apple flavors, brioche and vanilla bean, chalky with a mousse texture. Just lovely.

By: Tim Telli | Review Date: 12/30/2020 | Send Email

A lovely Rose. Bright and yeasty with some toasted brioche. There are a good amount of bubbles with a nice sweetly fruited chalky finish. This wine is very well balanced and drinks extremely well. It is a classy refined Rose that I really enjoy. Perfect for any occasion.

By: Alex Schroeder | Review Date: 12/27/2020 | Send Email

50% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Meunier from Merfy on the Montagne de Reims. Wonderful fruit-forward nose of gala apples and bing cherries with intermingling toastiness and minerals. The rich flavors are perfectly integrated and buoyed effortlessly by a creamy acidity and a crisp, fine bead.

By: Giovanni Bueno | Review Date: 12/20/2020 | Send Email

My wife and I drink a bottle of Champagne every Friday, we call it Champagne Friday. It’s been running strong for almost a year now and I am amazed that we haven’t gotten around to Ariston Aspasie Réserve. The price wrongly directed me to think that this wine would ride the middle of the road in terms of quality and taste and I’m always happy to admit I’m wrong when the reward is this good. In the bright and sultry nose it’s all lemon peel, pretty orange flowers, toasted almonds, flaky croissant and a hint of orchard fruit demonstrating the power of this 40/30/30 ratio of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. You can really taste the zippy, zingy and punchy flavor of the exceptionally well grown cool climate grapes and world class wine making facilities. We enjoyed our bottle with a succulent and fatty pork chop--not too intensely flavored but rich in flavor and the biting acid of this wine really helped to make the flavors sing---but aperitif and after dinner cheese would also make this sing.

By: Heather Vander Wall | Review Date: 12/18/2020 | Send Email

If you ask any K&L staff member for a champagne recommendation, this is most likely the bottle they will instinctively reach for. Why? Because this is the wine that time and again has graced our own tables, marked our celebrations, and found its way, more often than not, into our weekly wine diet. This is undeniably one of the best values for true champagne that we offer. The wine is both approachable and layered, with distinctive toast and brioche notes complementing the orchard fruit on the palate. Whether you need some bubbles for your dinner tonight, you want to gift a friend with something special, or you're celebrating with your family, you really can't go wrong with this wine.

By: Chris DePaoli | Review Date: 12/18/2020 | Send Email

Warm candied oranges and fresh herbal notes make this an incredibly delicious wine that keeps you coming back for another taste. I've always loved how the greatest champagnes are process driven, and in the Aspasie Reserve you can taste the level of effort five years on the lees gets you. Yet another overachieving bottle of champagne we're directly importing; and while I love the high end bubbles of the world as much as the next person, it's so easy to forget how good these bottle can be when you look at their crazy low prices.

By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 12/17/2020 | Send Email

A great mousse, clean apple, subtle cherry. Lovely freshness with a distinct bready top note. Rare to find a better value than this in Champagne, the Ariston's commitment to quality is second to none and thanks to our DI relationship, we're selling this at crement prices!

By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 12/17/2020 | Send Email

David's review: We were absolutely astonished when our friends at Golden Devil phoned up to say they'd found a few barrels of really old Hampden. Now there's new issues with the trademark so this can't be sold with that special distillery's name on the bottle, but I'm certain beyond a shadow of a doubt that this was distilled at the special distillery in Trelawny parish almost 30 years ago. To appreciate the rarity and uniqueness of this special cask, one must first understand why Hampden is regarded by many to be one of the best rum distillers in the world. Hampden has changed little since its creation several hundred years ago. For centuries it was more or less traded as a commodity. Its ability to produce high quality high ester spirits was prized by blenders, perfumers, confectioners etc. These high ester rums maybe never were intended to be consumed on their own, their intensity making them perfect as a tiny part of a larger flavor profile. But just like the big smoky Islays, which were once seen by the industry more as a tool of the blender than as a style to be marketed outright, these rums have developed a following among the few who have had the chance to experience them. And to further the analogy to single malt, while there are many excellent distilleries on the island where this is distilled, nothing is more highly prized than old versions of the most traditional distillers—Bowmore, Ardbeg, Laphroaig. Except all of those distilleries have updated their technology more or less to join the modern era. Hampden is still creating spirits as they might have a century ago and they were doing just that in 1993 when this special cask of rum was distilled. Back then, there was likely no market for this as a standalone cask and the fact that it has survived this long is as incredible in and of itself. And of course, the price reflects the great rarity here, but in the grand scheme of things, there will be a moment when someone realizes what an inexplicably reasonable price this ultimately was. After nearly 30 years this ultra-high ester rum has achieved a level of complexity that few drinkers will ever experience. It won't suit every palate—like Islay Scotch, you're either in the ester club or out, but for those in the club, this will likely go down as a legend. Let's taste! The color is old gold. Immediately on the massive nose fresh paint, shellac, and varnish stun the senses. Once the initial ester wave numbs the brain slightly, we begin to pick up a stunning bouquet of aromas: midrace F1 pit stop, salted lemons, green & black olives and their brine, bananas in all stages of ripeness and putrefaction. An absolutely impossible mix of intensity and near sensory overload on the palate. Simultaneously wildly rich, sour, salty and sweet. The heat is numbing and helps to temper the initial shock. Vibrant with a freshness that's undeniable but coupled with a near heart stopping power. Now this spirit is full strength and adding water is obligatory. Just a few drops and the varnish relinquishes its hold and the whole thing is taken over by the tropical fruit and the salty olives. The smoke is there still, but it's clean and linear. If you could get limestone to ignite, I'd imagine that's close to what you might smell. The texture is now downright thick—mostly on the lemons and the salt, but with a bevy of exotic herbs and botanicals added. Ardbeg lovers rejoice. Absolutely in love. I'm desperately afraid because all I want to do with my life is sit here and drink this. Very dangerous stuff.

By: Alex Schroeder | Review Date: 12/17/2020 | Send Email

Olivier Bonville carries on the tradition of his grandfather, Franck, producing wines of incredible finesse and complexity with his own prized vines in the Grand Cru villages of Avize and Mesnil on the Cote de Blancs. It has rich flavors of Anjou pear, Meyer lemon, white apricots and a touch of delicate spice with the lovely chalky minerality and zippy acidity that the Cote de Blancs is famous for. When you consider that similar offerings from the Big Houses cost three to four times more, this becomes a must-buy for anyone who dabbles in Champagne.

By: Shaun Green | Review Date: 12/17/2020 | Send Email

Ever since I had this wine at my wedding in 2008, it has been getting more and more impressive, the name has changed from 'Carte Blanch' to Reserve but it's the same wonderful Champagne. This current cuvee is the most amazing value yet in a truly first class Champagne. You owe it to yourself to try one if you haven't yet. My number one pick of Champagne values in the store!

By: Greg St. Clair | Review Date: 12/17/2020 | Send Email

I've always been a fan of this wine since we started bringing it in way back in 2001. It's always been the top price performer for the price point, but when I tasted the latest batch I did a double take. I had to ask Gary Westby if he had poured me the right wine, and he nodded at me and said ya, you figured it out, this batch is out of this world! There isn't a Champagne around that can compete at this price point with the Carte Blanche, layers of complex brioche, wonderful aromatics...wow!

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 12/15/2020 | Send Email

Several miracles had to happen for this spirit to exist. The first is the miracle that is Hampden - the world’s highest ester rums come out of Hampden and their ancient process. It’s insane that it’s still done the same way there today as it was in the 1800’s. It’s frankly a miracle that modern practices have not condemned this incredible place to the annals of history. The second is that no blender snatched this up years ago. These rums are impossibly complex and just a few drops will enhance lessor distillates. It’s liquid gold to a rum house and unfathomable that with 27 years in the books it survived for so long. The third miracle is that it wound up in our hands. Thanks to our long standing relationships and desire to offer the world’s best spirits at the best prices - this gem is starkly underpriced. Through the traditional channels, this would easily be a $500 half bottle. We choose to bottle in 375ml instead of our usual 750 simply to spread this joy to as many people as possible. 262 bottles were produced and it’s unlikely we will ever see the likes of such a spirit again. I’ve had a pour on my desk for the last 4 hours and haven’t yet tasted it. Even from a small Glencairn tasting glass, the bouquet skips about the room. Fusal oils, sesame seeds, pineapples, cigars and tar fill the space. It’s overwhelming. You could spend 3 days sniffing the glass and not repeat yourself, it is an amalgamation of flavor unlike anything available on earth. Upon actually sipping the rum - your brain explodes. That would be it, except this rum could wake the dead. As your heart jolts into hyperdrive you feel almost as if your tongue has been struck by lightning - or at least dipped into an electrical socket. A wild array of berries, vinegar, exotic spices, and yes alcohol rip across your palate. At 64.8% I suppose this is to be expected, but this is different than just some high proof hooch. It is power with purpose. It carries so much flavor that all that heat is forgiven. Wild grasses and fruits compete for your attention. As you exhale it seems you pass an oil refinery on the side of the highway with your windows down. This sounds gross, but it’s oddly pleasant. Like the smell of a marina on a lake and an old two stroke motor zipping by. It’s yet another inexplicable wonder of Hampden - flavors that you might recognize as something undesirable when you put words to it actually captivate you because they’re bolstered by everything else. It’s no wonder these spirits are so prized by blenders. A minuscule amount goes a long, long way. No matter what you do with it, you’ll be happy - sip it straight, kick back a few cocktails, or just look at a piece of history on your liquor shelf. Don’t kick yourself later for missing this one of a kind experience.

By: Jennifer Lee | Review Date: 12/13/2020 | Send Email

This Franck Bonville blanc de blanc is a grand cru that is often sold by the case. It is a trendy champagne that delivers 8.33 g/L dosage and will leave notes of lemon, white apricots and hints of pear on the palate. If you love minerality and crisp acidity with brioche, pear, pineapple, fuji and green apple flavors and a hint of brioche and umami at the finish, then this Cote de Blanc is a champagne for you.

By: Steve Bearden | Review Date: 12/9/2020 | Send Email

When it comes to Champagne this is probably our all time staff favorite. The fact that it is a direct import and sells for less than half what it would if it went through the same distribution system as the big name brands doesn't hurt either. Fresh and ripe Chardonnay flavors, intense mineral notes and hints of earth leap from this vibrant and full-textured bubbly. Classy and delicious.

By: Muriel Sarik | Review Date: 12/8/2020 | Send Email

Another great Grand Cru bottle at such a reasonable price, especially with 50% reserve wines which is almost never heard of. This is fresh and tart like grapefruit but has a roundness that softens that acidity to give it a tropical feel to the fruit. There is lots of minerals swirling in this bottle too. This champagne will hook you right at the very 1st sip! This is a can't miss out bottle!

By: Miles Philippe | Review Date: 12/8/2020 | Send Email

I couldn’t ask for anything more from this champagne…I always have a few bottles tucked away somewhere in my stash! On the nose it’s clean and elegant with a slight white-floral aspect; on the palate the fruits are pure, lean, and beautiful, with the classic chalky texture that you find in all of the best champagnes; on the finish, it’s like an old friend that leaves 45 minutes after the first “Good-bye!” is said.

By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 12/8/2020 | Send Email

This is basically the non-vintage champagne that everybody wants, everybody needs, and everybody can have! It checks every box. It suits any occasion. It fits nearly any budget. It delivers in every single way. Perfect blanc de blancs nose, vibrant soft white fruit, fresh crisp apples and citrus, slight saline, and that grand cru chalkiness that you can't miss. Lively, pointed and open - it slips from the glass like a slithering snake, just disappears. Where did it go? I don't know. Buy another. Buy a case. Don't think just drink.