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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
Baron-Fuenté "Grande Réserve" Brut Champagne
By: Stephanie Vidales | Review Date: 2/12/2020 | Send Email
By: Stephanie Vidales | Review Date: 2/12/2020 | Send Email
Baron Fuente's Grand Reserve is a K&L staple that you should have in your fridge all the time. It's full-bodied with stone fruit, apple, a hint of toast and finishes dry. It's aged 3 years on the lees, double the aging required for Brut Champagne bumping the quality up even more. This is by far one of our best Champagne deals in the store, and makes the best party wine for any occasion.
Franck Bonville Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Chris DePaoli | Review Date: 2/11/2020 | Send Email
By: Chris DePaoli | Review Date: 2/11/2020 | Send Email
One of the K&L staff's all-time favorite producers earned its place for a reason, and the non-vintage Franck Bonville Grand Cru is another phenomenal example of classic blanc de blanc champagne. Floral, and bright, this wine fills the glass with Asian pear notes and subtle cream and chalk that, when matched with bracing acid, make for an awesome drink by itself or with many foods....Fried Chicken anyone?
Baron-Fuenté "Grande Réserve" Brut Champagne
By: Chris DePaoli | Review Date: 2/11/2020 | Send Email
By: Chris DePaoli | Review Date: 2/11/2020 | Send Email
Putting the grand in "Grande Reserve," this is dollar for dollar one of the best value bottles we carry, not just within champagne, but K&L as a whole. The low price doesn't do justice to how good this stuff is, with broadening orchard fruit and limestone backed with Scarborough fair notes and a touch of Sandalwood. As appealing a party bubble as it is at the cost, don't avoid sitting with it for a while, as it opens up more and more as you look for more complexity.
Campari Bitter Liqueur (375ml)
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 2/8/2020 | Send Email
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 2/8/2020 | Send Email
This is a home bar essential. Campari is fantastic with just soda, in a Negroni, or in my favorite Champagne cocktail, the Negroni Sbagliato. If you are interested in seeing the recipe, search "Negroni Sbagliato" on the blog (blog.klwines.com) to find it, complete with video. If you don’t mind waiting, you can also send me an email with the button above, and I’ll send you the link.
Pierre Mineral Brut Rosé Champagne
By: Stephanie Vidales | Review Date: 2/5/2020 | Send Email
By: Stephanie Vidales | Review Date: 2/5/2020 | Send Email
This is one of my favorite rose Champagnes that we direct import. It's made from almost all Grand Cru Mesnil Chardonnay with 10% Pinot Noir added to give it a gorgeous salmon-pink color. It's super dry with subtle strawberry fruit notes and prominent minerality. It's versatile enough to enjoy with all kinds of dishes, or enjoy it alone. A perfect pick for Valentine's Day!
Price:
$49.99
Filipa Pato "3B" Rosé Extra Bruto Bairrada
By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 1/30/2020 | Send Email
By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 1/30/2020 | Send Email
This sparkling wine is unique and delicious. There is a beautiful deep rust color that is very inviting. In the mouth it is very dry with structure of a red wine. It is lively and tasty and,while good alone, will go particularly well with foods like mushrooms and lite cheeses.
Lloyd Distillery Bixby Gin (750ml)
By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 1/30/2020 | Send Email
By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 1/30/2020 | Send Email
A splendid gin made as an homage to California's coastal mountains and to Lloyd, the distiller's grandfather. Distilled in Gonzales, CA this gin is true to its roots, both in its geographical sense, and a London Dry sense. It does not lack for a juniper backbone - a fault in so many contemporary gins. It also does not shy away from incorporating its natural surroundings and expressing what it means to walk amongst the trees in Big Sur - it's inspiration. In particular, the sage and California bay stand out, yet blend in perfectly. This gin is equally at home in a G&T or Martini and certainly feels right sitting on your bar.
Price:
$39.99
Knob Creek 12 Year Old Small Batch 100 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
By: Andrew Tobin | Review Date: 1/6/2020 | Send Email
By: Andrew Tobin | Review Date: 1/6/2020 | Send Email
Knob Creek has always been a great choice if you're at a bar with a moderate whiskey selection, spicy, nutty, easy-going, what's not to love? Never anything to blow you away, but a perfect little sipper...until this powerhouse was released. I picked up a bottle out of pure curiosity as it had a hefty age statement for bourbon at this price point and I think I finally understand Knob Creek. Dripping in rich spice and caramel, the mouth is round and luscious, there is a note of cherry wrapped up in the middle right between the spice and the nutty finish. I'm amazed that more people haven't jumped on this bottle!
Mas Codina Brut Rosé Reserva Cava Penedès
By: Tim Telli | Review Date: 1/3/2020 | Send Email
By: Tim Telli | Review Date: 1/3/2020 | Send Email
This Cava rose is just so easy to drink. You will be hard pressed to find a better rose bubbly in the store at this price of under $15. Crisp fruit and acid show that Pinot Noir grown on chalky soils in the hot climate of Spain can still make an outstanding bottle of wine that is just plain fun to drink and will be empty before you know it. Perfect party wine.
Price:
$14.99
Orval Trappist Ale, Belgium (11.2 oz bottle)
By: Sean Reilly | Review Date: 12/29/2019 | Send Email
By: Sean Reilly | Review Date: 12/29/2019 | Send Email
This is one of my favorite beers in the world. The fermentation process is rather unique. Wild yeast is introduced and fermentation takes place in the bottle. This beer is evolving with each passing day. It's full of spice notes with a tiny bit of funk. It will pickup sour nuances as it ages.
Brasserie Trappistes Rochefort "6" Strong Ale, Belgium (11.2oz)
By: Sean Reilly | Review Date: 12/29/2019 | Send Email
By: Sean Reilly | Review Date: 12/29/2019 | Send Email
An absolute classic if you're a beer geek or just getting into beer. Brewed by monks, it will make you feel closer to your higher power with each sip. Rich and sultry with hints of molasses and caramel. This pairs just as well with your favorite savory dish as any glass of red wine.
Price:
Hidden
Egrot Brut Champagne
By: Stephanie Vidales | Review Date: 12/3/2019 | Send Email
By: Stephanie Vidales | Review Date: 12/3/2019 | Send Email
What a deal! This Pinot Noir dominant Champagne from Egrot is simply delicious and a great choice for your holiday festivities. It packs a punch with flavors of red cherry and grapefruit along with chalky texture and bright acidity. It has fantastic balance and can be enjoyed as an aperitif or with food.
Price:
$37.99
Egrot Brut Champagne
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 12/3/2019 | Send Email
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 12/3/2019 | Send Email
Don't let the new label fool you! This release was formerly called Elisabeth Goutorbe, named for the pedigreed winemaker who has charmed guests at many a Champagne Tent Event. She's ventured out on her own and while the name and packaging underwent a makeover, what's inside the bottle is as impressive as ever. Crisp with red cherry Pinot fruit, this is both chalky with elegant mousse, and shows complex leesiness tempered by bright acid and structure. This nonvintage release is drinking beautifully now, and the price - especially for Aÿ - is nearly impossible to beat.
Price:
$37.99
Damien Hugot Rosé Extra Brut Champagne
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 11/29/2019 | Send Email
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 11/29/2019 | Send Email
I’m excited to welcome another stellar Côte des Blancs winemaker into our Direct Import family! Damien Hugot is a producer who grows Chardonnay on 50 year-old vines in the villages of Chouilly and Cramant, with vineyards that include the coveted Mont-Aigu area. This rosé is almost completely Chardonnay (93%) with a tiny amount of red wine from Monthelon blended in. (That 7% Pinot Meunier, by the way, comes from the same village as another favorite DI producer whose name you might recognize: Alexandre Le Brun.) The wine features super concentrated fruit and a tight focus – you know this is Chardonnay from the laser-like acidity, but it’s wrapped in a thoroughly gulpable package of red berry notes. This release was one of my favorites from our annual staff Champagne Summit, and is sure to please anyone looking for a bright yet easygoing option that packs a punch.
Price:
$44.99
Four Roses "Small Batch Select" Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)
By: Alex Schroeder | Review Date: 11/27/2019 | Send Email
By: Alex Schroeder | Review Date: 11/27/2019 | Send Email
Four Roses combined six of their popular mash bills to create a whiskey that is greater than the sum of the parts, as indicated by its Whisky Advocate recognition as Third Best Whiskey in the World. Supremely sippable at 104 proof, but packing a punch of flavor nonetheless. A perfect combination of baking spice, creamy pear and apricot richness, rye spice, and a touch of mint. At this price, it's the perfect sipping/mixing/nosing bourbon to keep at the home bar, and it's a permanent fixture at the distillery, so supply should be no problem on this one.
Four Roses "Small Batch Select" Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)
By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 11/27/2019 | Send Email
By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 11/27/2019 | Send Email
We've been quietly cranking through this incredible Four Roses offering since it launched earlier this year. It's become a staple on the bar of nearly ever staff member in our Redwood City store, and with good reason. Now with the major accolades bestowed upon it by Whisky Advocate, I'm guessing it will be on nearly every whiskey lover's bar by the end of the year. It is perfect holiday drinking. Loaded with insane amounts of cinnamon, it would sit next to any dessert splendidly at Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Cigar box and cherry fruit notes blend together in a hedonistic concoction worthy of any bourbon lover's adoration. The oak vanillins carry sweetness to every corner of your mouth. The finish hints at the fresh mint and other herbal notes found in Four Roses F yeast strain. It goes on and on and then keep on going thanks to the 104 proof which is absolutely the best decision Four Roses could have made for a blend of this caliber. Huzzah to Brent Elliot — Master Distiller since 2015 and the "Master Mind" behind this great new offering.
Opicio Fred Jerbis 'Gin 43' Italian Gin (700ml)
By: Dejah Overby | Review Date: 11/26/2019 | Send Email
By: Dejah Overby | Review Date: 11/26/2019 | Send Email
This is by far one of my favorite gins. Fred Jerbis has not only created a stunningly aromatic gin, it is also has a profound mouthfeel that's not like any other I've ever tried. You absolutely get orange blossoms, saffron, mint, thyme, then lingering juniper berries and rowan berries. This finishes with a tad bit of sweetness that is natural. This is a perfect sipping gin. But if you must, a tonic or soda water is also a great complement to round out the flavors.
Price:
$59.99
Egrot Brut Champagne
By: Cindy Westby | Review Date: 11/26/2019 | Send Email
By: Cindy Westby | Review Date: 11/26/2019 | Send Email
Medium body, loads of dark red cherry Pinot Noir fruit. Satisfying and delicious alone - or paired with something on the earthy, savory side.
Price:
$37.99
Egrot Brut Champagne
By: Chris DePaoli | Review Date: 11/26/2019 | Send Email
By: Chris DePaoli | Review Date: 11/26/2019 | Send Email
I'm a big fan of this producer, mostly for making classic champagne with just a touch of novelty. Much in the vein of Bollinger, this is a Pinot Noir heavy cuvee and shows it in a bing cherry nose and muted raspberry. The fun part is that oft-mentioned chalkiness though, uncharacteristic for Pinot vineyards in Champagne, shows up in a big way midway through the palate and doesn't leave through the long complex finish. Solid Juice.
Price:
$37.99
Egrot Brut Champagne
By: Stefanie Juelsgaard | Review Date: 11/24/2019 | Send Email
By: Stefanie Juelsgaard | Review Date: 11/24/2019 | Send Email
This bottle of Champagne defines balance for me. I think it is the perfect blend of fruit and acidity, while still showing depth and richness from the Pinot Noir. I think this is an incredible value and is the absolute perfect choice for an occasion, not only because of the great price-point, but because it exhibits qualities that could please even the most discerning palate. This is my new house sparkling for sure.
Price:
$37.99
Egrot Extra Brut Champagne
By: Shaun Green | Review Date: 11/24/2019 | Send Email
By: Shaun Green | Review Date: 11/24/2019 | Send Email
I loved the Champagnes as E. Goutorbe and still love them as Egrot! 2/3 Pinot Noir and 1/3 Chard. Extra Brut throws a lot of us off, but it really is just the dry end of Brut. The wine itself has nice angularity and crispness in a very dry style. The grams/liter really only can be understood in relation to the acidity and fruit ripeness - this bottling has a wonderful balance here and just begs for a plate of oysters
Price:
$39.99
Littlemill "Old Malt Cask" 29 Year Old K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 11/22/2019 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 11/22/2019 | Send Email
This one is a bit unfair. Littlemill falls into two categories. Gross and great. Those two categories exist under one umbrella, impossible to find. But what we don't see is great Littlemill at a seemingly sane price. Even if this weren't a closed distillery that's impossible to find I don't think this would be an absurd price to ask for a great old nearly 30 year old malt whisky, but when the owners of the brand are selling their 25 year old version for upwards of $4000, I think we can consider a 29 year old version at less than 1/10th the price a legendary deal. Also, this one TASTES great. The nose starts with tons of toasty oak, but that doesn't overwhelm the wild tropical fruit, mango, exotic spices, hints of fancy tea, savory herbs, a slight briny quality and the tiniest whiff of almond oil. The palate is zesty, totally alive, big fruit and big spice, not at all tannic or over oaked. This one only needs the tiniest drop of water, if that, to tame the toasty oak and bring out the freshness and wild fruit. An obvious choice, but also soon to be ghost.
Price:
$399.99
Littlemill "Old Malt Cask" 29 Year Old K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky
By: Neal Fischer | Review Date: 11/18/2019 | Send Email
By: Neal Fischer | Review Date: 11/18/2019 | Send Email
Littlemill was Scotland's oldest licensed distillery, so expertise and quality can be guaranteed in their output. Sadly decommissioned in the 1990s and then lost to fire in 2004, bottles from this distillery are now treasures and time-capsules of a forgotten era in Lowland whisky-making. Leather and honey melts into toffee brittle. There's a light orchard fruit component to the nose that gets bolstered by beautiful sharp spice of cayenne, white pepper, and mace. Spice, wood, and vanilla hover in the air above the glass. The palate is zippy and tongue-tingling with bold spice and bright citrus freshness. The body is light, but there's still a rounded soft texture that's fun to roll around the mouth. The flavors stay bright and get more tropical into a medium-long finish.
Price:
$399.99
Littlemill "Old Malt Cask" 29 Year Old K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky
By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 11/18/2019 | Send Email
By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 11/18/2019 | Send Email
A treat from a closed distillery. This is a chance to taste the excellent single malt that Littlemill was able to produce. The nose is sweet, complex and pretty. In the mouth it is complex with rich honey flavors. This single malt is light bodied and there are no smoke flavors. With a touch of water it really opens up and is fuller bodied.
Price:
$399.99
2016 Siaurac, Lalande de Pomerol
By: Jacques Moreira | Review Date: 11/11/2019 | Send Email
By: Jacques Moreira | Review Date: 11/11/2019 | Send Email
A great offering from Lalande-de-Pomerol, showing a robust core of ripe fruit but never heavy-handed. Beautiful aromatics of plums, berries, and coffee beans. They follow on the elegant palatealong with very polished tannins now. Very much a wine to enjoy now as it is already delicious and a great bargain for its quality.
Montechiara Prosecco
By: John Majeski | Review Date: 11/10/2019 | Send Email
By: John Majeski | Review Date: 11/10/2019 | Send Email
Prosecco is the Italian sparkler universally admired for its appeal as both aperitif and cocktail 'fizzer upper,' but Glera, the primary grape variety from which it is made, may have actually originated in Croatia or Slovenia. One legend reported by Ian D'Agata (Native Wine Grapes of Italy) has Glera as the source grape for 'pucinum', the famous wine adored by the Empress Livia Drusilla, wife of Emperor Octavian Augustus. Ok, enough long-winded history, the best way to enjoy Prosecco is not with your head buried in a dense though excellent wine book, but with wonderful friends and loved ones during the holidays or any day that calls for a festive, crisply delicious citrus, pear and apple inflected sparkler!
Price:
$10.99
K&L Logo 6-Bottle Tote (2979)
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 11/1/2019 | Send Email
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 11/1/2019 | Send Email
There was brief period when these were out of stock, followed by a time when they were just plain Burgundy variety, but now they're back in full force, and with the K&L logo to boot! These are environmentally friendly and handy for carrying 6+ bottles. Thanks to the supportive plastic insert on the bottom, and cloth dividers, it is possible to carry a varying number of bottles with success. These totes are better than your average wine carrier, and will save you the ten cent bag fee. What's not to love?
Price:
$4.99
Pierre Péters "Cuvée de Réserve" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 10/29/2019 | Send Email
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 10/29/2019 | Send Email
Finally, we have enough of this in stock to stack! A classic grower-producer based in the esteemed Grand Cru village Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Pierre Peters really exemplifies the style of Côte des Blancs Champagne. This elegant Cuvée de Reserve Brut is 100% Chardonnay, aged 24 months of the lees. It is sleek and racy, with vivid acidity, chalky minerality through the palate, and a super long finish.
Small Hand Foods Passion Fruit Syrup (8.5oz)
By: Adam Winkel | Review Date: 10/29/2019 | Send Email
By: Adam Winkel | Review Date: 10/29/2019 | Send Email
I've made passion fruit syrup from fresh fruit for my Sidewinder's Fang, and it's an enormous amount of work to simmer, extract, and strain all of those little arils. I was stunned by the quality and concentration of this artisanally bottled product. It's tropically fresh and delicious and my previous tedium informs me of the piles of fruit that are generously reduced into this little bottle. It only seems like a splurge if you don't know what's in here. This little bottle goes a long way.
Price:
$14.99
Tears of Llorona Extra Añejo Tequila (1L) (Local Delivery Only)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 10/22/2019 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 10/22/2019 | Send Email
German Gonzalez has become one of the most respected and important distillers in Mexico. His work at Chinaco and his other projects have solidified him as one of the categories very best. Here he's partnered with our dear friend Enrique Fuenteseca to create the masterful product unlike anything else on the market. If German could improve his reputation anymore this was the product to do it. Originally created for his private drinking stock, ultra limited amounts of this wild elixir are now available to the public. They begin with agave at peak ripeness, hand selected by the master himself. After roasting in stone ovens and maceration, the aguamiel is fermented using German's proprietary yeast. This ultra slow fermentation allows for the deepest possible flavor. Double distillation on small copper pot stills before being put into American oak barrels for at least 3 years. After this stage, the exact aging regiment isn't totally clear, but we do know that after the initial maturation, the tequila is transferred for at least another year into the following types of wood: ex-Cognac french oak, ex-Single malt scotch barrels, ex-Sherry Butts. The final blend is a selection of those and maybe other types of wood all around 5 years bottled at 96 proof. The added proof provides richness and texture, but no additional heat. A stupendous example of what a skilled artisan can do when cost is of no object. And while it's not inexpensive, it represents a great value among the super elite and ultra premium tequila category.
Price:
$275.00
Laurent-Perrier Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature Champagne
By: Elsa Baez | Review Date: 10/17/2019 | Send Email
By: Elsa Baez | Review Date: 10/17/2019 | Send Email
This Brut Nature Blanc de Blanc is intended for an apertif, but I think it would pair so well with food (think sushi!) and it delivers! The beautiful aromatic nose with hints of candied almonds pairs so well with the balanced acid, minerality and salinity on the palate. It's the linear finish that really got me. From start to finish, each note represented the fresh, clean and elegant champagne Laurent Perrier is known for. We don't have much in stock so get yours before we run out!
Baron-Fuenté "Grande Réserve" Brut Champagne
By: Elsa Baez | Review Date: 10/14/2019 | Send Email
By: Elsa Baez | Review Date: 10/14/2019 | Send Email
With 3 year aging on the lees and 1/3 reserves used to make this bottle, the Baron Fuente Grande Reserve is by far the great value champagne anyone will enjoy! On the nose there's good amount of lees-y and toasty notes and subtle bright pear undertones. Bright acid, ripe green apples mid-palate and mineral undertones finishes off this delicious bottle of bubbles. It is seriously a steal for a great quality of bubbles!
New Riff Bottled In Bond Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml)
By: Jackson Lee | Review Date: 10/4/2019 | Send Email
By: Jackson Lee | Review Date: 10/4/2019 | Send Email
I was surprised with how mellow the rye is, sitting at 100 proof with its bottled-in-bond designation. The nose is herbaceous and spicy with notes of anise seed and liquorice but balanced with sweeter notes of dark brown sugar, vanilla, and cola nut. The palate was soft for a rye, with light liquorice notes showing back up mingling with Whoppers and allspice; I could see this going down way too easily. The finish doesn’t help that, alluring me back to the glass with sweet oak spice and warm cinnamon flavors rounding things out. A no-brainer for any rye lover.
New Riff Bottled In Bond Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 9/26/2019 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 9/26/2019 | Send Email
While everyone is talking about the New Riff bourbons, I think it's the rye that's secretly their most exciting product. New Riff bourbons are high rye already, but they follow sort of the standard Kentucky process. With the rye, New Riff is actually riffing a bit on the classic Larry Ebersold Seagram's mashbill that's made the rye from the distillery down river so famous. This is 100% rye with 5% of that being malted rye. The resulting whisky is earthy and complex. It doesn't have the obvious mint qualities of some other 100% ryes, instead replacing those with a dark underbrush aroma that's really appealing. Still, an evergreen quality and some sweet oak give this an obvious forest essence that I think will become a hallmark of New Riff's wonderful ryes. The palate is very forgiving without relinquishing the savoriness, but offering tons of flambeed citrus, roasting herbs, Manuka honey and a round creamy texture. This one loves a bit of water.
Paul Bara "Réserve" Brut Grand Cru Champagne
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 9/24/2019 | Send Email
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 9/24/2019 | Send Email
An exceptional value for fans of Bouzy Pinot Noir, Paul Bara’s Réserve Brut Champagne exemplifies the rich, powerful style for which this Grand Cru village is best known. In fact, Paul Bara himself wrote the history of Bouzy, and his tiny production (10,000 cases) is all top quality fruit. His daughter Chantal is making the wines now, and her deft winemaking style stays true to Paul’s vision. This release is 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay, and shows bright berry fruit on the nose with a tight, racy core of acidity. This is a food-pairing dream, with enough body to stand up to heavier, less traditional choices and a brightness that keeps it light enough on its feet to be served as an aperitif. Stunning.
2015 Branaire-Ducru, St-Julien
By: Jacques Moreira | Review Date: 9/23/2019 | Send Email
By: Jacques Moreira | Review Date: 9/23/2019 | Send Email
The 2015 Branaire Ducru is a textbook perfect example of a magnificent Saint-Julien. The ripe fruit nose and palate profile is full of cassis, plums, pencil lead and cola. The fruit is framed by its perfectly ripe tannins. It is a very pleasant experience to drink this now, but make no mistake, this wine will easily last another 20 years or more. So, a couple of cases in the cellars, and some bottles on the wine fridge are in order...
Launois "Veuve Clemence" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: John Majeski | Review Date: 9/22/2019 | Send Email
By: John Majeski | Review Date: 9/22/2019 | Send Email
"I serve Champagne to my real friends and real pain to my sham friends." Attributed to Irish-born artist Francis Bacon who, when he wasn't nocturnally torturing the canvas with his brush, held court at the Colony Room Club, a louche drinking establishment fashionable for writers like William Burroughs, royalty (Princess Margaret), and later rock stars (David Bowie). But my own preference of course is 'Champagne for all, friend or foe!', for what better way to generate goodwill than the sound of popping corks? And what better choice than this coveted Grand Cru from Launois, a stylishly dry rendition that rested a full four years on the lees before its release, promising notes of lemon curd, apples, chalk, wildflowers and brioche, brilliant and pure and seductive enough to charm your own coterie of sophisticates, aesthetes and artists.
Price:
$44.99
Damien Hugot Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Elsa Baez | Review Date: 9/18/2019 | Send Email
By: Elsa Baez | Review Date: 9/18/2019 | Send Email
To offer another Grand Cru direct import is very exciting and Damien Hugot does not disappoint in quality and flavor profile! The nose is rich with brioche and golden apple aromas, and finishes with a balance of weight and a nice zing of lemon zest on the chalky finish.
Price:
$42.99
Damien Hugot Rosé Extra Brut Champagne
By: Elsa Baez | Review Date: 9/18/2019 | Send Email
By: Elsa Baez | Review Date: 9/18/2019 | Send Email
To offer another Grand Cru direct import is very exciting and Damien Hugot does not disappoint in quality and flavor profile! Concentrated strawberry aromas, beautiful weight, and a nice long finish. If you're looking for a refreshing champagne with restrained richness, this is it!
Price:
$44.99
Mulholland Vodka (750ml)
By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 9/15/2019 | Send Email
By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 9/15/2019 | Send Email
This is a bright and easy Vodka. It is made with corn and is slightly sweeter than most vodka. This makes it perfect for cocktails. I think that a vodka and soda with a wedge of citrus would be a very refreshing cocktail with Mulholland Vodka.
Price:
$19.99
Mulholland New World Gin (750ml)
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 9/13/2019 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 9/13/2019 | Send Email
This floral smelling gin has a light nose with (light) herbal spices and clean clay scents. Starts out slightly weighty in the palate and brightens quickly with spice, juniper and cream. The juniper is nicely integrated, as it is more in the background and not one of those slap you in the face monsters that make you think you just ate a juniper branch. I tried it "neat" and it was very nice just like that. With the delicacy of this style, I would imagine that it would be just wonderful with the Fever Tree Indian tonic. Gluten free, peeps!
Price:
$27.99
Mulholland Vodka (750ml)
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 9/13/2019 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 9/13/2019 | Send Email
OK, bear with me here...I am not really used to describing spirits aromas and flavors, so here goes. This vodka from Mulholland has a vanilla bean, anise, and clean linen nose. On the palate, very round and rich, with (you guessed it) vanilla and cream. Not at all "hot" or um, rubbing alcohol-esque, which is good, yes? I tried it "neat" and it was delicious without a mixer. However, I would imagine that it would make an excellent mixed drink due to the overall creamy character. There it is. I did my best!
P.S. It's also gluten-free!
Price:
$19.99
Fallet-Dart "Cuvée de Réserve" Brut Champagne
By: Stefanie Juelsgaard | Review Date: 9/5/2019 | Send Email
By: Stefanie Juelsgaard | Review Date: 9/5/2019 | Send Email
The Fallet-Dart house has a mind blowing history with 17 generations behind the line to perfect their Champagne and perfect it they have. With majority Pinot Meunier and four years of aging sur lees this bottle shows a richer, toastier style while still showcasing brightness and freshness hard to achieve with this blend. I love that Fallet-Dart is not afraid to experiment with a Pinot Meunier heavy blend, though it is not by chance it turned out phenomenally with the clear dedication and hard work in the craft they put in year after year.
Price:
$34.99
Fallet-Dart "Grande Sélection" Brut Champagne
By: Shaun Green | Review Date: 9/5/2019 | Send Email
By: Shaun Green | Review Date: 9/5/2019 | Send Email
The Fallet-Dart Champagnes all represent fantastic values, and there are a number to choose from depending on your preference and budget. Each on shows a lovely toasty note from their preference for long lees contact.The Grande Selection adds 15% Chardonnay to the cuvee but still has the Pinot Noir/Pinot Meunier dominant. It shows a bit more of a creamy refined character with lovely plump white fruits and a tangerine hint on the edges. It shows a nice bold mouthfeel and a long finish.
Fallet-Dart "Cuvée de Réserve" Brut Champagne
By: Shaun Green | Review Date: 9/5/2019 | Send Email
By: Shaun Green | Review Date: 9/5/2019 | Send Email
The Fallet-Dart Champagnes all represent fantastic values, and there are a number to choose from depending on your preference and budget. Each on shows a lovely toasty note from their preference for long lees contact. The Grand reserve is rich but has a lovely crunchy crispness of fresh citrus over red apple fruit. It finishes up with a very refreshing clean snap
Price:
$34.99
Fallet-Dart "Cuvée de Réserve" Brut Champagne
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 9/5/2019 | Send Email
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 9/5/2019 | Send Email
Champagne Fallet-Dart's Reserve is one of our top values in Champagne. It is a rich, toasty style which earned its brioche aromas and flavors the old fashioned way, with time on the lees. It is aged for four years and has the additional benefit of 1/3 reserve wines to make this a smooth customer with a perfect bead. This round, full bodied Champagne is generous in every way, and does not have an austere bone in its body. The finish is dry, long and makes me want to come back for more!
Price:
$34.99
Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Gin (375ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 8/26/2019 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 8/26/2019 | Send Email
The first time I saw it we were in Scotland. I full on freaked out at a small spirits shop in Edinburgh when I noticed this quirky bottle of gin sitting on the shelf. For years, the Monkey 47 had been unobtanium, a regrettable situation for the knowledgeable and gin soaked. None of us had experienced this legendary gin yet, but thanks to the UK's lax wine shop regulations -the old "taste whatever you like" rule was in full effect. We were soon dunking our noses in a few splashes of its magnificence. I think tasting this after several other gins really put into perspective how special it really is. Created through the confluence of British aesthetics, Indian flavors, and the distinctly Teutonic natural treasure that is the Schwarzwald, The Monkey packs an enormous amount of complexity into that little bottle. It's the sort of gin that will save that cocktail you're about to ruin. You could have just as well served it straight because it sips beautifully even at room temperature. It’s quite a departure from your standard recipe gin, although some familiar elements are layered throughout. There is a strong yet soothing evergreen presence. A keynote if you will, but by no means the only focus. On the nose a dried floral aroma is accented by a twinge of spicy ginger. At the front, what seems like a citrus or chamomile quickly morphs into tea tree and sweet herbs, lemon verbena -now cucumber peel and pepper, it just keeps on going. No point in continuing to describe its flavor, its not working. It has a glorious tendency to be completely different with each sip, a true roller-coaster of flavors. Every single one of its 47 botanicals is tuned to the same perfect frequency. It's wild and utterly fabulous, but not in an awkward way. Instead, it seems to be all very deliberate, even stoic. I gladly forked over the £s the shop was asking, as did my colleagues. We nearly cried when we heard it would finally be arriving stateside.
Price:
$39.99
Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Gin (1L)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 8/26/2019 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 8/26/2019 | Send Email
The first time I saw it we were in Scotland. I full on freaked out at a small spirits shop in Edinburgh when I noticed this quirky bottle of gin sitting on the shelf. For years, the Monkey 47 had been unobtanium, a regrettable situation for the knowledgeable and gin soaked. None of us had experienced this legendary gin yet, but thanks to the UK's lax wine shop regulations -the old "taste whatever you like" rule was in full effect. We were soon dunking our noses in a few splashes of its magnificence. I think tasting this after several other gins really put into perspective how special it really is. Created through the confluence of British aesthetics, Indian flavors, and the distinctly Teutonic natural treasure that is the Schwarzwald, The Monkey packs an enormous amount of complexity into that little bottle. It's the sort of gin that will save that cocktail you're about to ruin. You could have just as well served it straight because it sips beautifully even at room temperature. It’s quite a departure from your standard recipe gin, although some familiar elements are layered throughout. There is a strong yet soothing evergreen presence. A keynote if you will, but by no means the only focus. On the nose a dried floral aroma is accented by a twinge of spicy ginger. At the front, what seems like a citrus or chamomile quickly morphs into tea tree and sweet herbs, lemon verbena -now cucumber peel and pepper, it just keeps on going. No point in continuing to describe its flavor, its not working. It has a glorious tendency to be completely different with each sip, a true roller-coaster of flavors. Every single one of its 47 botanicals is tuned to the same perfect frequency. It's wild and utterly fabulous, but not in an awkward way. Instead, it seems to be all very deliberate, even stoic. I gladly forked over the £s the shop was asking, as did my colleagues. We nearly cried when we heard it would finally be arriving stateside.
Price:
$79.99
New Riff Bottled In Bond Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml)
By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 8/25/2019 | Send Email
By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 8/25/2019 | Send Email
This is a very easy to drink rye. It is soft and smooth with a hint of spice. The thing that comes through are the sweet notes that help wrap the whole package together. This will be wonderful to drink alone and will go great in cocktails.
New Riff Bottled In Bond Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml)
By: Neal Fischer | Review Date: 8/20/2019 | Send Email
By: Neal Fischer | Review Date: 8/20/2019 | Send Email
This bottled-in-bond no chill-filtered Kentucky Rye has a gorgeous and incredibly aromatic nose. It's so floral at the start, but not without spicy and fruity notes. This is a bit of a slow-burner rye, where you almost expect it to be a softy push-over, but rest assured that this grows bolder the more you sniff. After the fresh-cut flowers, apple and cinnamon come out strong. But for me, it's not like a friendly baked apple pie - no, this is fresh ground cinnamon powder dashed onto just-cut green apples. This is intense. There's more spice on the palate that lights you up without blowing your head off. Charred oak meets fresh cut wood with incense before getting spicy again with a dose of cooling mint to spare your tongue from the burn. This is a fun little trip of a rye.