Locations
Login
Reviewers
- - Operations Culver City (1)
- Aaron Hughes (10)
- Alex Leonardini (54)
- Andrew Nunes (1)
- Cary Herrman (3)
- David Othenin-Girard (339)
- Dejah Overby (147)
- Eric Goldstein (1)
- Gary Westby (541)
- Jacques Moreira (703)
- Jason Marwedel (73)
- Joel Nicholas (29)
- John Majeski (296)
- John Downing (80)
- John Flanigan (1)
- Jonathan Parnell (3)
- Kai Pedreno (3)
- Kate Soto (11)
- Keith Mabry (433)
- Kerry Kennell (1)
- Kirk Walker (276)
- Lilia McIntosh (44)
- Matthew Landau Hassan (5)
- Michael Benoit (7)
- Michael Pires (14)
- Michael Hulihan (1)
- Orazio Campoli (5)
- Rachael Ryan (2)
- Ralph Sands (222)
- Ryan Woodhouse (899)
- Ryan Moses (628)
- Scott Beckerley (306)
- Scott Turnbull (61)
- Simon Li (3)
- Stephanie Manning (2)
- Tom Martinez (1)
- Will Blakely (27)
K&L Email Alerts
Sign up to receive custom alerts, new arrivals and the latest happenings from K&L Wines
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
Longmorn 18 year old Speyside Single Malt Whisky (750ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 7/8/2026 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 7/8/2026 | Send Email
I am completely in love with Longmorn, but the distillery has been sadly absent from our shelves for many years. We used to do exceptionally well with the well-priced 16-year, which was creamy, delicious, and easy to recommend. Eventually, though, the price went wild, and then the whisky was discontinued altogether. When the owners relaunched the brand, they got so much right: a limited-release 18-year-old, non-chill filtered, cask strength, small batch whisky from one of Speyside’s great underappreciated distilleries. There was only one problem: the price was absolutely insane. Nearly $300! Now, at more than half off, we are getting serious about this one. Apparently, this is the last discount they will be offering on the product, but who cares? If the price keeps going down, we will keep reloading. Let’s have a go.
The color is burnished gold (1.1). The nose is absolutely classic Longmorn: rich roasted vanilla, a huge pan of roasted fruits, persimmon, pear, and pineapple, and dense, zingy barrel spice with galangal, cinnamon, more vanilla, and clove. With water, it opens toward Seville orange peel and fresh-baked biscuits, though the core remains firmly centered on roasted fruits and earthy spice.
The texture is full-bodied and almost thick, with wildflower honey, wax fruit, roasted malt, dark chocolate, and buttercream. It absolutely loves a splash of water, softening and broadening in a wonderful way without losing its depth. This is still a special luxury whisky, but at this price it feels extremely fair rather than sort of silly and over the top. If you love Longmorn or Speyside whisky in general, this is an easy choice.
Price:
$140.00
2025 Domaine Fournier Pére et Fils "Les Belles Vignes" Sancerre
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 7/8/2026 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 7/8/2026 | Send Email
Domaine Fournier, known for its signature site-specific and soil-driven Sancerres, has afforded us the opportunity to feature its flagship cuvée, Les Belles Vignes, in this month's club. Like all white Sancerre, it is 100% Sauvignon Blanc, but what makes this wine special is that it represents an alliance of the appellation's three great soil types: Terres Blanches (Kimmeridgian marl), Caillottes (Oxfordian limestone), and Silex (flint).
Each terroir contributes something unique. Terres Blanches provides weight and structure, Caillottes brings freshness and vibrant fruit, while Silex adds minerality and a subtle savory character. When these three elements come together, the result is often greater than the sum of its parts—a wine that captures the complete expression of Sancerre rather than the personality of a single site.
The result is a wonderfully balanced Sauvignon Blanc with bright aromas of grapefruit, lemon zest, white peach, and fresh herbs layered over a chalky, flinty backbone that keeps the wine focused and energetic. There is both precision and depth here, with each soil lending its own distinctive voice to the final blend.
This is the style that has made Sancerre one of the world's great white wines. Whether paired with freshly shucked oysters, grilled sea bass, roast chicken, or a classic Loire goat cheese, this wine will shine at the table.
2025 Château Les Valentines "Le Grande Huit" Côtes de Provence la Londe Rosé
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 7/8/2026 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 7/8/2026 | Send Email
Le Grand Huit is a blend of Cinsault and Mourvèdre sourced from some of the estate's oldest vineyards, with vines averaging around 60 years of age. Cinsault contributes freshness, lift, and bright red fruit, while Mourvèdre adds structure and depth. It's no coincidence that Mourvèdre is the backbone of the great rosés of Bandol—it's a variety that gives rosé the ability to gain complexity with a little bottle age.
The wine opens with notes of white peach, dried strawberry, and pamplemousse, followed by a gentle kiss of sea salt and a hint of bay leaf. It has the concentration to enjoy on its own, but it really comes alive at the table. A spread of Mediterranean mezze would be hard to beat, though grilled seafood or herb-roasted chicken would be equally at home alongside this beautifully balanced rosé.
2024 Julien Pilon "Le Bruit des Vagues" Collines Rhodannienes Blanc
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 7/8/2026 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 7/8/2026 | Send Email
Julien Pilon began his wine career working alongside some of the Northern Rhône's greats, including Yves Cuilleron and Pierre-Jean Villa, where he learned the nuances of each of the region's celebrated crus. When he launched his own domaine, he started modestly—purchasing fruit from trusted growers and making wine in his parents' garage. More than fifteen years later, he now farms many of his own vineyards, continues to work with longtime grower partners, and has built an impressive winery just outside the village of Condrieu.
Each of Julien's cuvées carries a personal story, drawing inspiration from meaningful moments and the people who have shaped his life. One of my favorites, Mon Grand-Père était Limonadier, pays tribute to his grandfather, who sold soft drinks. Le Bruit des Vagues—"The Sound of the Waves"—looks back on Julien's years living in the seaside village of Collioure. The name perfectly captures the quiet, coastal inspiration behind the wine.
A blend of 70% Marsanne and 30% Roussanne, Le Bruit des Vagues showcases just how well these two varieties complement one another. Layers of ripe peach and nectarine are framed by a subtle touch of marzipan from aging in large oak barrels, while a wet stone minerality keeps the wine focused and fresh. It has the richness to stand up to comforting dishes like blanquette de veau, but I might be even more tempted to pour it alongside crispy fried chicken and a bright, vinegary slaw. Sometimes the simplest pairings are the most satisfying.
2024 Domaine Fournier Pére et Fils "Côtes de Morogues" Menetou-Salon
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 7/8/2026 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 7/8/2026 | Send Email
For those who read my regular articles, you probably know I'm a fan of Sancerre's satellite appellations. What exactly are the satellites? These neighboring regions share many of the same geological foundations as Sancerre and are planted predominantly to the same noble grape—Sauvignon Blanc. The most famous is Pouilly-Fumé, directly across the Loire River, but appellations like Quincy, Reuilly, Coteaux du Giennois, and today's featured region, Menetou-Salon, have become some of the Loire's best sources for exceptional value. In fact, Menetou-Salon is the only satellite appellation that directly borders Sancerre—you could almost imagine the appellation continuing seamlessly across the boundary.
Much of Menetou-Salon is planted on Terres Blanches, the same calcareous marl rich in fossilized oyster shells that forms one of Sancerre's three great soil types, alongside Caillottes (limestone) and Silex (flint). While Terres Blanches accounts for only about a third of Sancerre's vineyards, it consistently produces some of the region's most structured and age-worthy wines. It's no surprise that the same soils give Menetou-Salon wines their signature depth and texture.
Domaine Fournier is best known for its outstanding collection of single-terroir Sancerres, but the family also farms one of Menetou-Salon's finest vineyards, the Côte des Morogues, where Terres Blanches and clay dominate the landscape. The result is a Sauvignon Blanc with impressive concentration and weight, offering layers of ripe grapefruit, passion fruit, and wild thyme, all wrapped around a beautifully mineral core. Clean, precise, and remarkably expressive, it's another reminder that some of the Loire's best values are often found just beyond Sancerre's borders.
2025 Terra Santa Île de Beauté Rosé Corsica
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 7/8/2026 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 7/8/2026 | Send Email
Corsica still feels like one of France's last undiscovered destinations. While many travelers flock to Provence or the Riviera, the island remains refreshingly untouched by mass tourism. Towering mountains plunge into the Mediterranean, creating some of the most spectacular scenery in France—and an equally compelling place to enjoy the local wines and cuisine.
Corsica's two signature red grapes are Sciaccarellu and Niellucciu, descendants of the Italian varieties Mammolo and Sangiovese, respectively. While both are capable of producing complex, age-worthy reds, they also make wonderfully distinctive rosés with a character that's unmistakably Corsican.
Terra Santa has been one of our favorite value rosés since we first introduced it several years ago. A blend of 50% Sciaccarellu, 25% Niellucciu, and 25% Grenache, it is fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel to preserve its freshness and purity. Bright aromas of wild strawberry mingle with hints of Mediterranean herbs and a gentle touch of sea spray. It's the kind of rosé that disappears effortlessly on a sunny afternoon, but it has more than enough character to accompany a steaming pot of fresh mussels and a side of crispy fries.
K&L's "Faultline" 100 Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 7/8/2026 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 7/8/2026 | Send Email
The secret history behind K&L Faultline Indiana Bourbon is one of my most prized memories as a buyer at K&L. Nearly two decades ago, when we first began to deploy a larger-scale strategy for K&L's spirits department, my colleague David Driscoll and I were determined to launch a store label. For years, K&L had sold wine under several private brands, but we had never done the same with spirits. We did not want to simply repackage other people's goods as our own. We would seek out the very best products we could find and bottle them under a label that exemplified our commitment to doing things better. We were drawing a line in the sand, making clear that nothing less would ever go into this special new label. If we couldn't get the quality and price we wanted from our suppliers, we'd create our own products that met the highest standards possible. And thus, Faultline was born. It was a seismic shift in how spirits retailers operated at the time. The name was a tip of the hat to the very real fault lines running beneath our California stores, connecting them in both geological and metaphysical terms.
After the success of our first batches of Cognac, gin, single malt, and rum, we knew we had to put a bourbon together. It was not so easy to buy barrels in bulk in those days. While there are old stories of fine MGP rye stocks being offered at ridiculously low prices, the bourbons had already become dear. So when my friend John Little sent us a huge set of samples of great 10- and 7-year-old MGP for Smooth Ambler's single barrel program, I asked how many we could have. He said there were no real limits. After tasting through the set and liking several barrels, but loving none of them, I dumped my samples into a glass to see what would happen. A sort of magic spell was cast at that moment. The beauty of blending revealed itself to me right before my eyes, or more accurately, my nose. Together, the two whiskies simply sang, without any effort or real work. It was an epiphany.
With a world of possibilities now open, we began tinkering and blending the lot, selecting certain 10- and 7-year-old barrels and carefully bringing them down to 100 proof. The resulting blend would become a staple on our shelves for the next half decade. But with the sale of Smooth Ambler to Pernod Ricard in 2017, our source dried up. That, in conjunction with the unprecedented bourbon explosion, tabled Faultline Bourbon for many years to come. Now, nearly 10 years later, the cycle begins again: amazing bourbon, available at incredible prices, blended to the flavor profile we have always loved. This rich and complex bourbon does what mature high-rye bourbon can do so well. It melds the sweetness of corn and oak sugars perfectly with the deep, satisfying spice of the barrel. The whole thing is tied up neatly with a bow of beautiful rye character, while the slow proofing we employ adds texture and depth throughout. You might argue about the nuances of this batch or that, but nothing can dethrone Faultline Bourbon as the king of K&L's bourbon shelves.
2022 Larcis Ducasse, St-Emilion
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 7/8/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 7/8/2026 | Send Email
There’s something special about this 11‑hectare property in the heart of St‑Emilion. Its proximity to Pavie may once have been its claim to fame, but these days the truth might run the other way. Over the past two decades, David Suire has worked real magic here, and the 2022 is arguably his finest achievement. Jeb Dunnuck certainly agrees, awarding it a 100‑point score and naming it Wine of the Year.
For me, it’s the combination of remarkable terroir—pure limestone that echoes the greatest sites of the Right Bank—paired with incredible depth of fruit delivered without weight, and a price that feels almost too rewarding. As one of the true stars of the benchmark 2022 vintage in Bordeaux, this level of acclaim would justify a much higher tariff, which is just one more reason Larcis Ducasse holds such a cherished place among collectors.
2024 Rendez-Vous Sauvignon Blanc Touraine by K&L Wine Merchants
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 7/8/2026 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 7/8/2026 | Send Email
Welcome to the newest addition to our Rendez-Vous collection: Touraine Sauvignon Blanc.
Why did we choose Touraine? Simply put, it offers one of the greatest values for Sauvignon Blanc anywhere in the world. The region's clay-limestone and calcareous soils share many similarities with those of its far more famous neighbor a couple of hours to the east—Sancerre. As prices in Sancerre have continued to climb, many of its top producers have turned to Touraine to craft their value-focused wines. We realized we could do the same.
So we reached out to one of our longtime partners with a simple proposition: let's take one of our favorite everyday Touraine bottlings and create the next Rendez-Vous. If you've been a fan of Roches Touraine over the years, here's a little secret—you've found it. This wine is the foundation for the project.
I've been buying and tasting these wines for well over a decade, and they've never disappointed. The 2024 is everything I look for in Touraine: sleek, vibrant, and mineral-driven, with notes of lemon oil, fresh verbena, and a lightly chalky finish. There's also a subtle tropical lift that I always love in Touraine Sauvignon Blanc. It gives the wine an open, inviting personality that's equally at home on a Tuesday night or at a weekend gathering.
That's exactly what Rendez-Vous is meant to be: exceptional quality at an everyday price. One of our goals with this label is to redefine what a daily-drinking wine can be by leveraging the long-standing relationships we've built with outstanding growers to deliver remarkable value without compromise.
We hope this new Rendez-Vous earns a permanent place at your table. Santé—we have a feeling we'll be seeing you again soon.
Price:
$12.99
2024 Pencarrow Sauvignon Blanc Martinborough
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 7/7/2026 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 7/7/2026 | Send Email
I taste a lot of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, so it's always exciting when I come across a winery that immediately earns a spot among my favorites. The 2024 Pencarrow Sauvignon Blanc, made by esteemed Martinborough winery Palliser, delivers everything I want in a young Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand: zesty citrus flavors, racy acidity, underlying minerality and a clean-as-a-whistle finish. Unlike Marlborough to the south, the climate in Martinborough is slightly warmer and the growing season shorter, leading to more restrained aromatics and a more textural mouthfeel. While the Pencarrow is unmistakably New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, it doesn't overwhelm with pungent flavors. Instead, it offers finesse and balance. Freshly cut green herbs like tarragon, Thai basil and lemon verbena mingle with grapefruit and lime peel notes. The finish is clean and crisp but also lingering, making it a wine that's just as enjoyable with food as it is on its own. Add this one to your summer wine list – it would be perfect well-chilled, either poolside or on the patio!
2022 Overshine "Chalone Vineyard" Chalone Pinot Noir
By: Will Blakely | Review Date: 7/7/2026 | Send Email
By: Will Blakely | Review Date: 7/7/2026 | Send Email
Another addition to our array of top tier Pinot at yesteryear's prices. This carries all the beautiful characteristics of Chalone vineyard fruit, including vibrant acidity, breadth of fruit, and a refreshing mineral quality. Black cherry, preserved strawberry, and pomegranate mingle with dried herbs and a savory, mineral-laden finish. The sort of wine that has you coming back for more until you realize you need another bottle. Get a few now, because inventory is unlikely to last long.
Price:
Hidden
2022 Clos Puy Arnaud, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 7/7/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Moses | Review Date: 7/7/2026 | Send Email
I’ve been excited to share this gem from one of Bordeaux’s up‑and‑coming producers, a domaine that’s making undeniably great wines these days—especially in the amplified 2022 vintage. Run by Thierry Valette, who previously worked at both Pavie and Troplong Mondot, Clos Puy Arnaud’s 2022 is the result of years spent building a world‑class operation in the Côtes de Castillon.
Focused on the more finessed, precise style now defining the Right Bank, and shaped by the limestone character of the appellation’s best sites, this is a genuine, age‑worthy, and deeply characterful wine. Once again, the 2022 vintage shows its quality, delivering an impressive balance of accessibility, structure, and irresistible charm.
It’s no surprise Jane Anson named it her top value buy of last year, especially given its modest retail price. This is one to load up on and enjoy anytime over the next decade or two—just don’t miss it while it’s available, as it stands tall among the best buys in Bordeaux.
2022 Newton "Unfiltered" Napa Valley Chardonnay
By: Devin Elting | Review Date: 7/7/2026 | Send Email
By: Devin Elting | Review Date: 7/7/2026 | Send Email
Our team found another outstanding value! This Napa Chardonnay offers ripe tropical fruit, a touch of creaminess, and a beautiful flinty character. Vibrant and well-balanced, it captures the warmth of Napa while remaining fresh and never heavy-handed.
Price:
Hidden
2006 Kathryn Kennedy "Estate" Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon (Winery Direct Library Release)
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 7/6/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 7/6/2026 | Send Email
This wine is absolute magic in a bottle - a simply stunning, perfectly aged, world-class Cabernet Sauvignon that can stand toe-to-toe with any challenger. Its local competition would be neighboring Ridge Monte Bello or Mount Eden, and I would happily put this wine side-by-side with an aged Monte Bello without hesitation. It would have no problem rising to the challenge. Run it against the most famous names from Napa Valley, too. Trust me, this is as good as aged California Cabernet gets, period.
This is a truly unprecedented opportunity to offer a 20-year-old library release with incredible historical pedigree from one of the most unique and singular vineyards in the country. The price we’re offering is almost too good to be true - $150 less per bottle than the wine is currently selling for elsewhere.
I recently drank a bottle of this wine with my family and was floored by the quality, and by the absolutely perfect stage of development it has reached. After 20 years in bottle, the wine still has beautifully rich, pure Cabernet fruit, but it also shows the suave and sophisticated complexity that can only come from graceful aging. The once-formidable mountain tannins are now silky, elegant, and perfectly resolved.
Since the 1970s, Kathryn Kennedy’s postage-stamp vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains has been renowned for powerful, age-worthy, Bordeaux-inspired Cabernet Sauvignon. Since 1981, Kathryn’s son Marty has been crafting the wines, and after Kathryn’s passing in 2009, he continued the legacy of producing exceptional wines from this small but mighty terroir.
K&L has long carried these wines. A quick check of our database shows SKUs going all the way back to the 1970s and 1980s. I have known Marty personally since 2010 and have always admired the way he continues to honor his mother’s legacy, producing wines of integrity and quality above all else. Recently, Marty and I struck a deal to sell some parcels of library wine at extra-sharp pricing. I asked him which vintages he thought were particularly compelling right now, and he immediately suggested 2006 as one of the favorite wines of his long career. The bottle he sent me confirmed what I already knew would be a heartfelt recommendation, and here we are with today’s offer.
If you enjoy beautifully aged Cabernet, be it from Napa, Bordeaux, or anywhere else, you have to try this wine. If you already know the wines of Kathryn Kennedy and saw the price, you’ve likely already filled your cart. Do not miss this opportunity: perfect provenance, a 20-year library release, and once-in-a-lifetime pricing. Enjoy!
2024 Château Vitallis Pouilly-Fuissé Vieilles Vignes
By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 7/5/2026 | Send Email
By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 7/5/2026 | Send Email
The Vieilles Vignes always has a bit more depth, power and richly structured fruit with the first note of oak found in any of the Chateau Vitallis offeirngs. Stone and orchard fruit notes are ever-present here with spice notes buffered by racy acidity and vibrant fruit flavors.
2024 Château Vitallis Pouilly-Fuissé "Les Vignes du Château"
By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 7/5/2026 | Send Email
By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 7/5/2026 | Send Email
Sourced from vines surrounding the property, this is what great Pouilly Fuisse should be ! Perfectly delineated fruit, great spice notes and racy acidity and vibrant energy flow seamlessly thru this beautifully fruited wine. A great introduction to the fabulous quality of Puilly Fuisse from Chateau Vitallis.
2024 Château Vitallis St-Véran "A La Côte"
By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 7/5/2026 | Send Email
By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 7/5/2026 | Send Email
St. Veran as an appellation may soon garner 1er Cru vineyard status and it shows in the consistently high quality of wines emerging notes and spice notes abound. Pure fruit with gorgeous acidity and energy make this a great step up from the Macon Fuisse.
Price:
$24.99
2023 Domaine Louis Jadot (Domaine des Heritiers) Beaune 1er Cru "Clos des Ursules"
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 7/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 7/3/2026 | Send Email
I think that I kind of have a soft spot for the wines of Louis Jadot. While in late high school/early college, my mom and stepfather would have their Pouilly-Fuisse in the house. I distinctly remember the angel on the label and that it was usually served with fresh caught abalone off the Pacifica pier (and garlic bread!). Those days of that abalone off of that pier are long gone! What remains are the fond memories of Louis Jadot wines. This Beaune is really a bump up on the complexity scale! Round cherry fruit, baking spices, light and fragrant) pipe tobacco and orange peel. Mouth-watering texture and some very nice tartness on the finish. Super elegant and really just a pleasure to taste.
2023 Domaine Rossignol-Fevrier Volnay Vieilles Vignes
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 7/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 7/3/2026 | Send Email
This has become one of my favorite go-to red Burgundies. Particularly with the price to quality ratio. You get a lot here! Medium to full mouthfeel and viscosity, with deeper red fruits, bordering on being black fruited. Very dark cherries and plum with a little blackberry and clean oak. The overall effect is both a depth of the fruit and balancing oak and very subtle earth. This one can hold up gracefully even to a steak!
2024 Château Vitallis Pouilly-Fuissé Vieilles Vignes
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 7/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 7/3/2026 | Send Email
Of the entire collection of the Vitallis Pouilly-Fuisse, I found this one to be the most rich and round. It is yellow orchard fruit dominant (apple and pear) with some light spice and juicy peach flavors. A very affordable alternative to Puligny-Montrachet or Chassagne-Montrachet!
Ariston Aspasie "Cépages d'Antan" Brut Champagne
By: Noah Schwartz | Review Date: 7/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Noah Schwartz | Review Date: 7/3/2026 | Send Email
This is not your typical Champagne, and the care behind the winemaking shows in every sip. Even the name hints at its story, loosely translating to “a blend of historic varieties.” While most classic Champagnes revolve around three main varieties, this cuvée takes a different path with approximately 40% Petit Meslier, 40% Arbanne, and 20% Pinot Blanc. The grapes are harvested later in the season and co-fermented, two choices that set it apart and give the wine its layered complexity. What comes through in the glass is something both bright and textured. There are fresh citrus notes, sweet apple, and a smooth creaminess that keeps everything balanced. The lees influence is present, adding depth and character without overpowering the palate. If you think you’ve already experienced everything Champagne has to offer, this bottle is a reminder that there’s still plenty left to discover. It feels fresh, distinctive, and thoughtfully made- exactly the kind of wine that grabs your attention and keeps it.
Price:
$119.99
2024 Château Vitallis Pouilly-Fuissé "Les Vignes du Château"
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 7/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 7/3/2026 | Send Email
This moderately rich Pouilly-Fuisse has mid-palate minerality with fresh and clean stone fruit and citrus flavors. After this, it fills out a bit and poached white pear fruit comes to the forefront with a very nice caramel overlay. Delicious and a great deal, too!
2024 Château Vitallis St-Véran "A La Côte"
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 7/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 7/3/2026 | Send Email
This Burgundy gem starts out somewhat rich but, this quickly commits itself to flavors of golden and green apple. There are also some lighter stone fruit flavors with baking spices and buttery pastry background notes. There is a lingering finish of citrus. More balanced than the 2023.
Price:
$24.99
2023 Domaine Marc Morey Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru "En Virondot"
By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
The 2023 Domaine Marc Morey Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru "En Virondot" is an exquisite snapshot of Chassagne-Montrachet. The first sip immediately took me back to the good old days of sipping Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet with my father-in-law. He was particular and discerning when it came to Chardonnay. The nose is sensational, following the palate note for note. There's remarkable intensity without sacrificing finesse. Gorgeous apricot and baked apple notes are interwoven with a fine nectar-like thread, lifted by creamy lemon acidity and unfolding into a long finish of baking spices and the lacy caramel top of a crème brûlée.
2024 Château Vitallis Pouilly-Fuissé Vieilles Vignes
By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
The 2024 Château Vitallis Pouilly-Fuissé Vieilles Vignes is sourced from the domaine’s oldest vines that are rooted in clay-limestone soils. Some vines are 85 years old! The wine fermented naturally with ambient yeasts and aged in barrel on its lees for a year. The wine vividly radiates peach, ripe pear, a hint of fresh ginger, crushed stones, and soft spice notes. Refreshing touches of peach and lemon linger on the palate. Lovely!
Jean-Jacques Lamoureux "Trilogie" Brut Champagne
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
After having the Trilogie by itself for the little video that I made, Cinnamon and I enjoyed it with some black truffle tapenade on crackers for our aperitif. For me, the bright, light color of this wine belied the time in oak and many years on the lees of this “secret” vintage Champagne. On the nose, it had the classic pain au levain aromas of yeast contact as well as subtle dried fruit notes. In the mouth, the tight, small bead gave the concentrated wine underneath the perfect lift
and balance. Delicate white fruit flavors focused into the clean earth that reminded me of the best terre Chablisienne and the acid refreshed me. I loved the pairing with the truffle tapenade, but I must say that I also got a big kick out of the wine by itself!
Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
I am not allowed to have favorite Champagnes, but any survey of my recycling bin would reveal that this holds a very special place in my heart. This wine is single vineyard, from the very steep Gouttes d’Or site in Brouillet, and has a very different style than the Chardonnay from the Côtes de Blancs. This is creamy, decadent wine, and great on its own or with any shellfish. I love how this wine is always clean and refreshing, but has depth that makes me always come back for more!
Price:
$44.99
2024 Château Vitallis Mâcon-Fuissé
By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
The 2024 Château Vitallis Mâcon-Fuissé comes from vines averaging approximately 35 years of age. Fermented in stainless steel vats and aged on its fine lees for six months, it made an immediate impression. First sip: yum. Second sip: oh, yum! Third sip...HEY! Pay attention, you’re on the clock! On the palate, ripe green apple leads into pleasurable notions of honeydew melon, lively lemon, chamomile blossoms, and soft whispers of baking spice. There’s tremendous freshness, charm, and generosity in this wine. It's a *fantastic* value. Wow. Hat tip to K&L Burgundy Buyer Alex Pross for scoring this one for all of us to enjoy.
Price:
$19.99
Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Gin (1L)
By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
I can’t really say I am a “gin” person, but I know what I like when I taste it. This is it! This is what I like! I tried it ‘neat’ and really under-estimated what this bottle was capable of. Let’s start out with pretty flowers and juniper popping out of the glass! Another whiff and I was hit with jasmine blossom and orange peel! I didn’t have to take a sip to know that I was going to be taking some of this home. I took a little sip anyhow, and some of the loveliest spices, pepper, and juniper just washed over my tongue and filled my mouth. As I try to convey into words, what this gin tastes like, it is selling out from under us! Once you get the bottle home and into your glass, it’ll all make perfect sense.
Price:
$79.99
Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Gin (375ml)
By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
I can’t really say I am a “gin” person, but I know what I like when I taste it. This is it! This is what I like! I tried it ‘neat’ and really under-estimated what this little bottle was capable of. Let’s start out with pretty flowers and juniper popping out of the glass! Another whiff and I was hit with jasmine blossom and orange peel! I didn’t have to take a sip to know that I was going to be taking some of this home. I took a little sip anyhow, and some of the loveliest spices, pepper, and juniper just washed over my tongue and filled my mouth. As I try to convey into words, what this gin tastes like, it is selling out from under us! Yes, the bottle is a little expensive, but once you get the bottle home and into your glass, it’ll all make perfect sense.
Price:
$39.99
Gilbert Jacquesson "Cuvée Prestige" Brut Champagne
By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
This is an exciting Champagne that we are anticipating in the near (I hope) future! You're getting a lot of wine for the money! A brilliantly complex sparkler that has a really creamy mouthfeel. Hints of exotic spice and dried fruits play well with the mineral tone that permeates the entire experience. Bright acidity, and fresh apple fruits, bring your mouth a tantalizing, mouthwatering, lengthy experience.
Price:
$39.99
Billecart-Salmon "Le Rosé" Champagne
By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
The wine that Billecart is probably most well-known for is their rose and it's done very well! I usually choose blanc de blanc, or blanc de noir when I'm getting my bubbles on. Mostly because I tend to feel that rose' sparklers need a bit more time, after popping that top, to open up, and I just really don't have time to wait when I'm trying to celebrate! Get in my glass, and "get in mah belleh", to quote a favorite actor of mine. This needs no extra time to blow off the funk that can sit in the glass for a bit. It's pretty, fresh, and crisp, right from the start. High toned bright fruit really make this a fresh, lifted, wine to toast to any great occasion. Although it's quite dry, it still shines through with a nice measure of sweetness from the fruit. This is the sparkling rose to beat!
Baron-Fuenté "Grande Réserve" Brut Champagne
By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
An impressive Champagne by any standard. At this price, it would be hard NOT to purchase it by the case! Bright, fresh, and floral. The wine has a nice mineral tone throughout, and a citrus tone on its lengthy finish! A seriously incredible value!
Gilbert Jacquesson "Cuvée Tradition" Blanc de Noirs Brut Champagne
By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
An elegantly textured Champagne with good weight that's still bright and lifted in profile. This all-Pinot Meunier Champagne just shines! Bright, juicy red fruits, with a nice hint of baking spice in the background make this a versatile wine with food, or without. Refreshing? Check! Zesty? Check! Complex? Check! Inexpensive? CHECK! You're going to want to put this on your list of bubbles to try.
Price:
$29.99
Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne
By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
When people call in asking for something delicious, fresh and easy to drink, and not a lot of money, this is the first thing I look for inventory on. I can always get behind this and know it will be a huge hit. This recent bottling comes across as a little more complex, with a little more richness than the last bottling. Don't get me wrong, it's still fresh, and bright, but there's a real mineral backbone to it. The mouth-feel is more substantial this time around and I can't help but think that it's growing into an even more serious version of itself. Incredible value!
Price:
$37.99
Billecart-Salmon "Le Réserve" Champagne
By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
If it has to sparkle, have superb quality and a big-house name, this is the wine to grab! I don't always drink name-brand champagnes, but when I do, this is the one for me. In my opinion, the Brut Reserve checks all of the bubbly boxes. Fresh, bright, crisp fruit, juicy acidity, lifted aromatics. Like many of my favorite styles of sparkling wines, it also has a beautiful nerve of mineral, but a counter-balance of sweetness of fruit to keep everything right where it should be. No national brand offers more for the money at, or near this price!
Bollinger "Special Cuvée" Brut Champagne
By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
You don't get this fine of a wine without putting in a lot of effort. If I had to give a gift and it needed name recognition, and it had to be epic, and it had to be less than 100 dollars - This is it!! Intense, spicy musk, with a serious presence. Lots of weight and complexity to explore. Great minerality and plenty of apple flavors to enjoy. A perfect bottle of bubbly!
Fallet-Dart "Grande Sélection" Brut Champagne
By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
Of all of the sub-50 dollar champagnes we have in stock right this moment, this is the one I'm taking home. Incredible vibrancy, amazing texture from it's seriously lengthy time on the lees, and some of the most elegant (fine) bubbles I've had in a long time. Although it's easy to consume, it's still a nicely complex Champagne that is filled with spice, and freshness in a lengthy finish. You can't go wrong with this as your party Champ!
Price:
$37.99
Baron-Fuenté "7" Brut Champagne
By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Sal Rodriguez | Review Date: 7/2/2026 | Send Email
My favorite Champagne in the Baron Fuente lineup. You get the value that you've come to expect from B.F., but in this instance, there's a lovely richness, with a nice round texture to it. Lots of mineral drive, and bright acidity to help the nicely textured wine go a very long way. Beautiful, long-lasting savory finish!
2021 La Rioja Alta "Viña Alberdi" Selección Especial Reserva Rioja
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 7/1/2026 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 7/1/2026 | Send Email
Bearing the designation Selección Especial, the 2021 La Rioja Alta “Viña Alberdi” Rioja might just be the finest vintage ever produced. This distinction, rather than the standard Reserva, is awarded for exceptional harvests and has been used only once before, in 2001, making the 2021 a particularly noteworthy release. In line with the classic La Rioja Alta style, this wine ages for two years in American oak barrels coopered on site – the first year is spent in new oak, and then the wine is transferred to seasoned American oak barrels to help the oak aromas integrate into the wine. After bottling, the wine ages for another two years in bottle, as is common for Reserva Rioja. The result is a traditionally-styled Rioja that weaves vibrant aromas of red plum, Bing cherry, blood orange, and dried rose petals with classic notes of vanilla, cedar, sweet tobacco, and baking spice. On the palate, the wine feels silky and supple, with bright acidity carrying layers of juicy raspberry, cranberry, and red plum across a finely textured frame. The oak is seamlessly integrated, contributing subtle hints of coconut, dried herbs, and saddle leather, all without ever overshadowing the purity of the red fruit. There is an effortless elegance here, with gorgeous savory notes emerge on the lingering finish. This is traditional Rioja from one of the greatest wineries in Rioja at its most charming. It is graceful, complex, and highly drinkable. Enjoy it now with everything from grilled lamb to roast chicken, or tuck a few bottles away, as this remarkable 2021 has the balance and structure to reward another decade or more in the cellar.
2024 Château Vitallis Pouilly-Fuissé "Les Vignes du Château"
By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 7/1/2026 | Send Email
By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 7/1/2026 | Send Email
Sourced from vines averaging of 35 years of age and planted on clay-limestone Jurassic soils, the 2024 Château Vitallis Pouilly-Fuissé "Les Vignes du Château" takes on a rounder and more subtle guise. Notes of fresh pear, honey, white blossoms, and sunny lemon in the finish. I can see this being dangerously easy to drink. Be sure to have plans to share with a friend or two. Ideally paired with seafood, a lightly dressed salad, or your favorite evening snacks.
2024 Château Vitallis St-Véran "A La Côte"
By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 7/1/2026 | Send Email
By: Kerry Kennell | Review Date: 7/1/2026 | Send Email
The 2024 Château Vitallis St-Véran "A La Côte" turns the complexity up a notch in the Vitallis lineup with delicious notes of baked apple, fresh-from-the-hive honeycomb, and soft touches of brioche and holiday baking spices. A crisp, juicy apple and lemon finish refreshes the palate for the next sip, and the next.
Price:
$24.99
2024 Château Vitallis Mâcon-Fuissé
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 7/1/2026 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 7/1/2026 | Send Email
Heads up! This is going to be your new go-to summer white from Burgundy! This brand-new release just arrived, and it is super tasty for very little $! Running towards a crispier style with tart green apple and lush stone fruit flavors. A nice bit of white peach with the addition of lemon cream and a finish of clean minerals. This one is going to be so versatile with pretty much any type of food that you want to serve it with. Everything from picnic foods to barbecue to elegant fish dishes.
Price:
$19.99
2023 Cordant "Solomon Hills Vineyard" Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 7/1/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 7/1/2026 | Send Email
Solomon Hills is the sister property to Bien Nacido, also owned and farmed by the Miller family. This vineyard sits on the opposite side of the Santa Maria Valley from Bien Nacido and is significantly closer to the ocean. The vines grow on rolling hills of ancient sand dunes and are constantly impacted by cold winds and salty ocean fog. Wines from Solomon Hills are always distinctive and wildly aromatic, combining crunchy berry fruits with savory, amaro-like herbs and underbrush.
This eye-opening release from Cordant is no different. The wine leaps from the glass with just-ripe dark cherry, pomegranate, sassafras, freshly turned earth, and alpine herbs. Lithe and fresh, with linear acidity and tension running through the somewhat briary fruit. Complex, layered, and a wine that draws you back to the glass time and time again.
2023 Cordant "Radian Vineyard" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 7/1/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 7/1/2026 | Send Email
Radian is undoubtedly one of the greatest vineyards planted on the Central Coast in the past few decades. Owned and farmed by The Hilt Estate, under the same ownership as Jonata and Screaming Eagle, this vineyard continues to raise the bar for quality in the entire region. A remote, hilltop site in the frigid southwestern portion of the Sta. Rita Hills, Radian flirts with being too cold to consistently ripen fruit. But as we all know, marginal sites that have winemakers biting their nails most vintages also tend to produce magical wines that are beyond comparison. The grapevine often does its best work when pushed to the limit of viability. Radian has soils composed of mixed diatomaceous earth, calcareous clay, and fractured chert or flint. The vineyard has many undulations and varied aspects, all contributing to the power, tension, and complexity of the wines grown here.
2023 Cordant "Escolle Vineyard" Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 7/1/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 7/1/2026 | Send Email
Escolle Vineyard is perhaps not quite as well known as the other vineyards in this formidable lineup, but it is not one to be overlooked. In the past five years or so, Escolle Vineyard has very quickly established itself as a premier Pinot Noir and Chardonnay site. Owned and farmed by the multigenerational Caraccioli family, much of the fruit grown at this very cool, windswept hillside vineyard goes into the production of traditional-method sparkling wines. The rocky, decomposed granite soils, constant winds off Monterey Bay, and northeastern-facing aspect of the vineyard mean that fruit here retains wonderful freshness and purity, with a complex underlying mineral component.
Immaculate attention to detail in the farming of the vineyard means that grapes from Escolle are highly sought after. Several recent releases from Escolle have reached 98 points from esteemed wine critics, firmly establishing its place in the upper echelon of single-vineyard sites. Cordant’s expression is fragrant and pure, showing bright red fruits, lifted baking spices, floral notes, alpine herbs, crushed raspberry, clove, and wet clay. So silky and fine on the palate, with wonderful vibrancy and energy. An exciting wine from a vineyard quickly gaining a reputation for brilliance.
2023 Cordant "Bien Nacido Vineyard" Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 7/1/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 7/1/2026 | Send Email
I love Bien Nacido Vineyard. I have worked with fruit from this OG vineyard since my formative years in the California wine business at Bonny Doon nearly 20 years ago. Planted in 1973, this incredible vineyard on the northern bench of the Santa Maria Valley has long been held in high regard as one of California’s Grand Crus. Wines from Bien Nacido rose to fame with the likes of Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat, Adam Tolmach of Ojai, and Bob Lindquist of Qupé consistently producing exceptional, ageworthy wines from the site. Others, such as Manfred Krankl of Sine Qua Non, followed as the vineyard’s reputation grew in stature. Still family-owned by the Miller family after more than 50 vintages, the quality of fruit grown at Bien Nacido is beyond reproach.
Cordant produced a stunning wine in 2023 that is a faithful representation of this historic vineyard. The vineyard’s signature wild, sauvage, bramble-like edge to the fruit is immediately apparent. Ripe dark red fruits, warming spices, blackcurrant leaf, truffle, and dried herbs mingle with the brooding dark berry fruit. Classic Bien Nacido in every regard. Delicious now with a nice 30- to 40-minute decant to allow the structure to relax, or enjoy it over the next decade as more complexity builds around the primary core of fruit.
Launois "Quartz" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Kirk Walker | Review Date: 7/1/2026 | Send Email
By: Kirk Walker | Review Date: 7/1/2026 | Send Email
This has always been my favorite bottling from Launois. All of them are good, but his just speaks to me differently. Superficially, it is the green on the label. But truly, it is the fruit, or the wine beneath the bubbles. There is a dazzling purity that makes me want more and more! Is it the softer pressure? Probably, there are not that many other Champagnes out there to compare it against. It tastes great. And if you are inclined, it is fun to taste this against the Reserve. But when is more Launois not fun?
Price:
$49.99
Baron-Fuenté "7" Brut Champagne
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 6/30/2026 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 6/30/2026 | Send Email
At first, I found this unique release to be chalky with spiced nuts (on the nose) and saline scents. Once the air hit it, yellow apple and guava came to the forefront and then, the chardonnay citrus definitely took over. Creamy, with lemon and spice flavors dominating on the palate until finish. To date, one of the most interesting releases that we have had from this venerable producer!
Baron-Fuenté "7" Brut Champagne
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 6/30/2026 | Send Email
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 6/30/2026 | Send Email
It has been a number of years since we were able to get some of this tete de cuvée Champagne from Baron Fuente, and I am thrilled to finally be able to offer it! This wine has concentration and focus that is up their with the best Champagne that we offer. It is the first time that they have introduced a proportion of barrel fermented Champagne in one of their wines, and just like the vintage offerings from houses like Billecart and Roederer, it only shows in texture- there is no wood flavor at all! This is vibrant, mineral driven Champagne that has the pin point streamers and fine texture that only a long seven years of ageing on the lees will bring. This is one of the great deals in top notch Champagne that we offer!