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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
Russell's Reserve 10 Year Old Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/18/2017 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/18/2017 | Send Email
What can I say about Wild Turkey except that Jimmy and Eddie Russell are two of the industry's finest stewards. On their watch, across multiple owners, they've worked to been able to keep quality levels at Wild Turkey extremely high. They've never compromised what they've knew to be important for quality production in the name of making an extra buck and the result speaks for itself. Their namesake product, the Russell's Reserve 10 Year is probably older than Jimmy likes his bourbon, but for me it's perfect. Only bested by the Single Barrels in their portfolio, the 10 year is just a silly price for great aged bourbon of the highest quality. Tons of complexity on the nose, with that high rye component coming through. The big bold herbal spices is tempered with a sweet nougat and toffee. Big and rich on the palate with subtle licorice, old bourbon spice, sweet vanilla and dark fruit to finish. Very few things get this good under $30.
Old Forester "Signature" 100 Proof Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/18/2017 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/18/2017 | Send Email
This is probably the best regularly release whiskey produced by Brown Forman USA. The OF 100 proof has so much going on, yet it remains totally under the radar. For as good as Brown Forman are at making whisky (they skip the e on OF for some historical bizarre reason), they've yet to create serious cache around this brand. New releases like the OF Prohibition are changing that trend, but we sell 10 times as much Buffalo Trace as we do Old Forester. I think that a huge part of that has to do with their ground game in Kentucky. People go to BT (partly because of VW) and see the beautiful old brick warehouses and fall in love. Equally so at Woodford, but OF doesn't have a place to call its own. The distillery experience on Whiskey Row in Downtown Louisville was severly damage in a 2015 fire. Hopefully that will open soon and give Old Forester a place to showcase their exceptional wares. Maybe they'll finally do some cask strength single barrels? In the mean time, I'll keep reminding my customers that this is one of the best bourbons they're not drinking.
Willett Pot Still Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/18/2017 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/18/2017 | Send Email
Willett's flagship product is their Pot Still Reserve in the wonderfully weird pot still bottle. This super easy going small batch blend represents 30 years of grit and determination in one little bottle. Now that the Willett's have finally got their still up and running, this will likely become a showcase of their older own distilled bourbons in the future. For now it's still a blend of some wonderful sourced whiskies of excellent quality. Easy drinking, but not simple by any means, expect a strong bouquet of candied citrus and sweet dark caramel. The sweet nose and front palate belies a building peppery note and a drier finish driven by oaky spice. Production remains very limited on these, so don't expect it to always be around. The awesome bottle makes for a great gift all year round.
Price:
$54.99
Four Roses "Single Barrel" Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/18/2017 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/18/2017 | Send Email
This whiskey sets Four Roses apart from its competitors in nearly every category. It checks ALL the boxes. A 10 year old high rye recipe bourbon bottled as a single barrel at 100 proof and sold for only $40! What the hell is everyone else doing? Four Roses makes your whiskey look stupid! You go to Four Roses, see what they're doing. Takes some notes. No one sells better whiskey for less. This is always the special OBSV recipe. Since these are single barrels, every bottle you open is a new and wonderful experience. If you don't have a bottle in your bar already, you're making a terrible mistake.
Noah's Mill Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/18/2017 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/18/2017 | Send Email
Noah's Mill is a legend. It's been one of Willett's flag ship brands for decades. This whiskey includes some of their oldest stocks, which means some of the barrels in the blend are 20+ years old. Expect an average age around 15 years. This elegant whiskey is complex and heady, but not overpowering. Its soft yet distinctive aromatics range from candied citrus, floral honey and stone fruit to forest, leather and smokey oak. A sweet front palate of caramel and toffee is followed by a pepper and spice finish owing to a significant amount of rye in the mashbill. For an over-proof (114.3-degree) bourbon, it is not at all hot. It's absolutely incredible that we're able to sell this whiskey for $55 when every distillery out their is trying to get you to pay $100 for some 6 year old. Thank you to the good people at Willett for having the gumption to keep it real after all these years.
Price:
$69.99
Maker's Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/18/2017 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/18/2017 | Send Email
Maker's Mark is easily the most consistent bourbon on the market today. Not many people realize that it's a wheater (i.e. same recipe as Weller) the coveted base for the Van Winkle bourbons. There's not a whole lot that separates what Maker's does from what happens at Buffalo Trace. The yeast strains are different. The Maker's stills are tall and skinny which makes a difference, but for what it's worth Maker's have become masters at replicating that special recipe, which Julian Van Winkle helped develop all those decades ago. He was making the best whiskey at the time in an "old fashioned" way (i.e. No chemists allowed! was the distillery motto) so why wouldn't you seek his advice when starting a distillery? Indeed, it was in Stitzle-Weller's image that Bill Samuels molded what would become one of the Country's most popular whiskey brands. After around six years, with a unique system of barrel management to encourage consistent aging, we get this ubiquitous and delicious whiskey marked with that special red top.
Four Roses Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/18/2017 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/18/2017 | Send Email
I can't tell you the number of times we've had some older timer walk in off the street and beckon me over to point out the Four Roses Yellow Label, "now why does a nice store like yours carry this CRAP!" Wait a second there Sir. You may remember the old Yellow Label blend that Four Roses used to sell back in the bad old Seagram days and indeed that was a dog, but this is by no means that! The labels are nearly identical, but this one is filled only with Straight Bourbons from one of Kentucky's best. The blend of their ten recipes is one of the easiest Bourbons to get behind in the store and represents a stupendous value. Four Roses is high rye Bourbon, even their low rye recipe is high rye compared to some of their competitors. That wonderful grainy spice is tempered by the various yeast strains and the ultimate result is a wonderful easy drinking bourbon for a VERY reasonable price. Expect a nose of sweet barrel spice, caramelized sugars, and delicate floral notes. The palate has a bit more savory spice, but is still dominated by the sweet flavors of honey, ripe apples and more vanilla. Easy drinking and easy on the pocket book.
2016 Branaire-Ducru, St-Julien
By: Jason Marwedel | Review Date: 4/17/2017 | Send Email
By: Jason Marwedel | Review Date: 4/17/2017 | Send Email
This wine typifies the best of the 2016 vintage: purity, precision and elegance. This wine jumps from the glass with loads of black cherry, cola and flowers - while the palate displays layers of sweet supple fruit. Maintaining focus throughout, the tannins are soft and fine leaving you with a delightful spice note at the conclusion. So well constructed, it is an absolute classic!
Barbancourt Estate Reserve 15 Year Old Haitian Rum (750ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/11/2017 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/11/2017 | Send Email
Barbancourt Estate is Haiti's top rum producer and makes a very unique style that blends technique from both the Cognac and Armagnac. Like most French protectorates, Barbancourt uses only fresh cane juice for fermentation rather than a mix of molasses and water. This is then distilled to 70% on a column still before being rectified on an alembic pot still to 90%. This high proof spirit is then cut to 100 proof and aged in large vats and small barrels. The result is some where in between a Spanish and a French style rhum. It's ultra clean and fruity, but without the sweet syrupy notes of aged Spanish rums. By 15 years, there's plenty of concentration and density of wood, heavy on the butterscotch, toffee and baking spices. It retains some of the fruitiness of the younger expressions on the palate, but the bold spice and sweet caramelized sugar aromas are definitely in charge here. It's really unlike any other agricole on the market, as it's made quite differently, but nonetheless offer a lot deliciousness for the price.
English Harbour 5 Year Old Antigua Rum (750ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/11/2017 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/11/2017 | Send Email
English Harbour is a stupendous offering that represents some of the old school style rum, without the over the top esters of a Jamaican. Fermented with a mixture of baking yeast and wild yeast, the distillery uses open top fermentation to encourage some of the funky wild yeast to interact with the wash. This is then distilled on an old copper column still for a light bodied rum that's full of character. It's kind of an in between style, not quite light and sweet like the Spanish, not quite heavy and funky like the English. Altogether a wonderful expressive and delicious Caribbean rum.
Johnny Drum "Private Stock" 101 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/11/2017 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/11/2017 | Send Email
Johnny Drum has long been a go to for our staff and customers are starting to catch on. For years this special Bourbon held the 15 year designation right on the neck and while they're not able to use it any longer, there remains incredible old bourbon in the blend. While we don't have precise information about the contents here, there's no doubt that Willett is including some nicely aged bourbon in the blend. It remains a go to Bourbon that nearly anyone can appreciate. Dense nose of deep maple, oak spice, and sweet candied fruit. The palate is structured and not overtly sweet thanks to the higher proof. This one is really fun to mix with and stands up to anything in the price range without even flinching. Plus the old school wax top looks so COOL!!!!
Price:
$49.99
The Botanist Islay Dry Gin (750ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/11/2017 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/11/2017 | Send Email
Jim McEwan's ginny babe is a baby no more. Remy has taken the Botanist out of it's crib and it's quickly becoming one of the hottest gins in the world. That hasn't changed anything about how delicious it is. Still using those same 22 Islay botanicals, the key to the Botanist's complexity is actually the ultra slow distillation at Bruichladdich on the banks of Loch Indaal. 17 long hours to produce one batch on the odd Lomond Still nicked named "Ugle Betty". The resulting spirit is one of the most unctuous and deeply complex gins on the market. Each distinct local botanical infused with the breath of the Queen of the Hebrides.
Price:
$34.99
Cadenhead's Old Raj Gin 110 Proof (700ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/11/2017 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/11/2017 | Send Email
Cadenhead's Old Raj is a true Classic. That light yellow hue, imparted from the rare and expensive saffron flower, hints at the exceptional quality and complexity. The stiff 110 proof reminds us that this is Campbeltown's own Gin - the pride of Kintyre. It's racy, it's powerful, it makes no excuses, but it will hold you tight and kiss you goodnight.
Price:
$49.99
Gin Mare Mediterranean Gin (750ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/11/2017 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/11/2017 | Send Email
Oh Gin Mare, you've always been here for me. When I'm bored of the same old gin, there you are waiting for me, all savory and oily. It's that Olive thing that gets you first, but then you notice the other unusual flavors. And you fall in love. Don't mess this up by trying to mix it too heavily. This stuff begs for good tonic and some anchovies. Nothing more needed.
Price:
$36.99
Ventura Spirits "Wilder" Gin (750ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/11/2017 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/11/2017 | Send Email
Ventura Spirits is one of SoCal's most exciting new distilleries. These guys are really in it for the right reasons. They do crazy shit like try to distill seaweed and make wild weird brandies from local strawberry, quince and other wonderful treats. Their Wilder Gin exemplifies everything that their all about. They're pulling these botanicals from the hills around the distillery and fruit from local farms, the result is something utterly unique and truly Californian. This is a beautiful base to build complex cocktails around or use it to give a fresh twist on an old classic. No doubt this should be considered one of SoCal's premier micro gins.
Price:
$29.99
The 86 Co. Ford's Gin (750ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/11/2017 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/11/2017 | Send Email
The wonderful Ford's Gin has become a go to for many bartenders and no surprise thanks to it's loveable creator Simon Ford. It's pretty simple really. First, get one of London's great old gin houses to produce an ultra high quality gin for you. Make sure it's distinctive, but versatile. Maybe add a hint of Grapefruit - nobody is doing that. Next, ship the ultra high-proof bulk spirit to the states for proofing and bottling at Charbay in Ukiah. Kick it with Marko, drink a lot. Finally, sell it for an incredibly fair price. It's that easy. Now you know how to start your own Spirits Company. Or just buy 86 Co.'s Ford's Gin and relax.
Price:
$24.99
Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin (750ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/11/2017 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/11/2017 | Send Email
My things have really come full circle when the Australians are surpassing the British in the Gin game. No doubt there are some cranky brits over this one, but the quality of the Four Pillars gins cannot be denied or ignored. This is a citrus driven style, but with plenty of botanical oomph to keep it serious. I love to use this in citrus based cocktails. In Rickeys, Corpse Revivers, Last Words it just sings, but has enough to standard up to a really nice tonic syrup and some descent soda.
Darroze Les Grand Assemblages "20 Year Old" Bas-Armagnac (750ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/11/2017 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/11/2017 | Send Email
The exceptional Darroze 20 year is a tribute not only to the incredibly high quality stocks that Marc Darroze has in the chais, but also to his exceptional skill as a blender. The resulting Armagnac is one of the most elegant and well put together products of any kind. Expect bold notes of dense tropical fruit (mango and guava), soft supple tannins and rich, but not syrupy mouth feel. This is a great age for Armagnac as you have the freshness and intensity on display, but all the edges are starting to round out. This is something that should always be open in the back of the bar, just to keep you steady.
Marie Duffau Napoleon Bas Armagnac (750ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/11/2017 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 4/11/2017 | Send Email
The easy drinking Marie Duffau Armagnacs have brought more people into this category than almost any other product. This is the country's best selling Armagnac and with good reason. If you're looking for round soft and supple this is about as good at anything at this price.
Lagavulin 8 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 4/6/2017 | Send Email
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 4/6/2017 | Send Email
This 8 year version of Lagavulin is even more quintessentially Islay than the 16. It's fresher, livelier, peatier, and simply more dynamic on the palate. I also love that Lagavulin paid homage to the classic whisky travel book "The Whisky Distilleries of Scotland" by Alfred Barnard, a writer who visited all 150 active distilleries in the UK back in the late 19th century. He specifically mentions an "exceptionally fine" Lagavulin 8 year expression, and it's clear from tasting the modern rendition why he felt so strongly. It's a lovely whisky and it very much speaks to the strength of what may be Scotland's top producer.
Glenlivet 12 Year Old "Double Oak" Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 3/29/2017 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 3/29/2017 | Send Email
Glenlivet 12 is the ubiquitous favorite of so many, there's just nothing wrong with it. It's a benchmark whisky and responsible for defining an entire style and introducing an entire generation of drinkers to single malt. It remains a wonderful value and one of best-selling whiskies in the store.
Aberlour 12 Year Old "Double Cask" Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 3/29/2017 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 3/29/2017 | Send Email
Aberlour 12 year is a fine little whisky from the tiny distillery in the town of the same name. At this price it's hard to argue with their Double Cask Matured entry level. It's a great alternative to Balvenie Doublewood or even the 'Farclas 12 year each at $10 more than the Aberlour. Expect a good malty base note, subtle fruit framed around easy sherry influences, dried fruit, dark chocolate, and baking spice spice. Solid stuff.
Lagavulin 8 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 3/28/2017 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 3/28/2017 | Send Email
Absolute magic! I've always been a bigger fan of the out of control cask strength 12 year old over the (still wonderful) standard 16 year. To be able to get an affordable, if slightly tame version of that is an exceptional score! There's just SO much going on here. This is real deal stinky briny, sooty oily Lagavulin. I'm not even going to bother attempting to describe this further, but this is without a doubt one of the best peaty whiskies on the shelf at any price. Forget the age and focus on the flavor. $60? Laphroaig Cask Strength and Ardbeg Uiggy have another for contender here for best bang for your buck peater in the store and I'm leaning toward the man in the middle. Good old laggy, lag, we don't deserve you.
Clear Creek "McCarthy's" Oregon Single Malt Whiskey
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 3/28/2017 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 3/28/2017 | Send Email
The lovely McCarthy Whiskey is our friend Steve's real legacy and it was bitter sweet to try this new batch now that he's passed the reins on to new owners. Steve is just a fabulous distiller and since the distillery acquired the Clear Creek Brand at the beginning of 2014 and McCarthy's is always aged 3 years in Oregon Oak, this is likely the last of his personal distillate. The small scale has always meant subtle difference in each bottling, so batch variations is to be expected here. While the aging and blended would have been completed by the new owners at Hood River, the heart of this spirit is still Steve's. It remains a wonderful and unique offering, that's equal parts clean peat and woodsy oak. One the palate the campfire and pine notes really turn up. Many years ago, Steve had a great idea to buy peaty Scottish barley from Islay, distill it on a pot and age it in Oregon Oak and hopefully his legacy will continue for many years to come, but right now this whiskey remains a classic as it always has been, delicious!
Price:
$59.99
Balvenie 12 Year Old Single Barrel Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 3/28/2017 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 3/28/2017 | Send Email
The very special Balvenie 12 Year Single Barrel is really where real connoisseur of this Speyside gem should start their journey. This is true NAKED obfuscated Balvenie. Indeed, it is equally unchilltered and has much more body and richness than the standard 12 year. You don't get the tinge of Sherry that the Doublewood provides, but this is easily twice the whisky only a slight premium over the standard offering. The nose is chalked full of the most subtle aromatics and picking them out is difficult due to the complexity. Tons of fresh malt, ripe green and yellow fruits, wild herbal undertones. On palate, plenty of those stones fruits taking front and center. Great texture, great freshness and a wonderful minty malty finish. These are of course single barrels so subtle differences exist, but I haven't had a stinker yet. Grab them while you can.
Jean-Jacques Lamoureux "Réserve" Brut Champagne
By: John Majeski | Review Date: 3/4/2017 | Send Email
By: John Majeski | Review Date: 3/4/2017 | Send Email
In trying to get my head around the physics behind all those tiny bubbles in a bottle of Champagne l discovered a wonderfully fascinating little book called Uncorked, by Gérard Liger-Belair. Apparently gravity drives the velocity of the bubbles in a flute of Champagne, so the best spot in the solar system to achieve the absolute tiniest bubbles would be on… you guessed it— Jupiter, with about 100 times the gravity of our own sparkling blue orb. Pack your bags, but before you go flying off into space, try a bottle or two of this incredible direct import. Created from superb Pinot Noir cultivated in the renowned Le Riceys terroir near Aube, the “Reserve” harbors a panoply of rich flavors ranging from citrus fruits to fleshy pears, apples, nectarines and beyond, embodying an elegant, creamy mousse and miniscule, dare I suggest, ‘out of this world’ bubbles. Now prepare for takeoff!
Price:
$34.99
Jacopo Poli Sarpa di Poli Con Tubo Grappa (700ml) (Local Delivery Only - cannot ship)
By: Alex Schroeder | Review Date: 2/23/2017 | Send Email
By: Alex Schroeder | Review Date: 2/23/2017 | Send Email
When I started working in the wine industry, I managed a store owned by a Greek family in Texas. Every year they would visit the mother country and bring back a true cornucopia of artisanal Greek paraphernalia: Kalamata olives, feta cheese, dried figs and wild oregano, olive oil and candied fruits. What I most looked forward to, though, was the grappa that an uncle made that came to me in a big plastic soda bottle. This stuff was the elixir of the gods. When I quickly and inevitably ran out I could never find a commercially available substitute…until I tried Jacopo Poli’s Sarpa di Poli. See, this grappa is made with as much care and in equally small batches in Schiavon, Italy as the Greek grappa that came in the soda bottle. It’s made from the pomace of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and has deep penetrating aromas of jasmine, sweet pear, green fruits, coriander and anise. It’s bone dry and super clean on the palate but maintains that rich flavor profile for over a minute on the finish. I love all the spirits of the world, from rich Highland Single Malts to funky agricole Rhums, but when all is said and done, nothing is as exciting and satisfying for me as an artisanal grappa like this.
Billecart-Salmon "Le Réserve" Champagne (375ml)
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 2/14/2017 | Send Email
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 2/14/2017 | Send Email
Aged 36 months on the lees, the Brut Reserve is clean and vivacious, with rich stone fruit and honey, plus that classic chalky finish. Billecart-Salmon is my go-to Champagne when looking for a crowd-pleasing yet sophisticated sparkler. It has just the right amount of house name recognition while staying true to quality, and the brighter house style is both refreshing and elegant. An easygoing, impressive favorite that never disappoints, plus it's an incredibly reasonable price, especially for a half bottle.
ArteNOM "Seleccion 1579" Blanco Tequila (750ml)
By: Stefanie Juelsgaard | Review Date: 2/14/2017 | Send Email
By: Stefanie Juelsgaard | Review Date: 2/14/2017 | Send Email
The sweetness derived from the higher altitude this agave is grown at really shines through and makes this an amazingly easy sipping tequila. The incredibly smooth texture accentuated with great fruit flavor and slight spice makes this blanco one to treasure. A wonderful expression of how high-end tequila could taste from an respected, established, individual producer.
Price:
$54.99
Jean-Jacques Lamoureux "Trilogie" Brut Champagne
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 2/7/2017 | Send Email
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 2/7/2017 | Send Email
Wow, Trilogie overdelivers! Stonefruit up front with a buttery richness through the creamy palate, this higher-end Lamoureux still shines with bright acid and a super delicate bead, plus a coating mouthfeel. I paired this with less-than-elegant queso and salty chips while in Austin, TX, and the combination of lift and toastiness (thanks to five years on the lees) struck a lively, lovely balance.
1983 Palmer, Margaux 12-pack in OWC
By: Clyde Beffa Jr. | Review Date: 2/7/2017 | Send Email
By: Clyde Beffa Jr. | Review Date: 2/7/2017 | Send Email
1983 in margaux region was better than 1982. Palmer and margaux are the two best 1983s from Bordeaux. This one is much better value than the 1983 Ch Margaux. And being from the Mahler-Besse cellar, the provenanc is perfect.
Old Forester "1920 Prohibition Style" Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky
By: Julio Santos | Review Date: 2/4/2017 | Send Email
By: Julio Santos | Review Date: 2/4/2017 | Send Email
This is an amazing bottle of bourbon. On the nose a powerful aroma of oak, red fruits and spice. The rich palate is even better; it starts off with baking spices, some nuttiness and continues with maple syrup and baked cinnamon apples. It slowly fades to a spicy, oak and caramel finish. Because of the intense characteristics I found it easy to enjoy this 115 proof bourbon neat, or you can add an ice cube or two and still taste every part of this great juice. I am amazed by this bottle – this bourbon has it all!
Old Forester "1920 Prohibition Style" Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 2/3/2017 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 2/3/2017 | Send Email
The Old Forester 1920 is as fabulous as it is frustrating. Yes, it's no age statement! Some of the marketing has alluded to it being an old expression, but nothing concrete can be found. The mashbill remains a mystery, though we can assume it's the modern Old Forester recipe (72%, 18% Rye, 10% Malt), Brown-Foreman isn't above experimenting. All we know about this stuff is that it's high proof, it's got something to do with Prohibition and it's absolutely delicious. Big powerful nose of pepper and rye spice unfolds into caramelized apples and dark exotic spice. The spice takes front and center on entry, but brings in some red fruits and burnt sugar as it lingers toward a long soft finish of nutmeg, cloves and green apples. The only other fact we know for sure is that we'll all be kicking ourselves when we finish our bottle and realize we should have bought more.
Old Forester "1920 Prohibition Style" Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 2/3/2017 | Send Email
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 2/3/2017 | Send Email
This was my favorite single Bourbon release of 2016 and I'm thrilled we were able to get another large allocation of it. Regardless of whether you want to get wrapped up in the story about how this was based on the Prohibition era recipe, there's no doubt about it: this is a delicious bottle of American whiskey and it easily stands out from the crowd of currently available options. There's a weight and a richness that coats the palate and the 115 proof brings plenty of punch with a flurry of baking spices. I love the graham crackery goodness as well. I don't taste a lot of Bourbons these days that really have a deeply concentrated flavor of dark grains. This has it in spades. Add this to your short list of new and exciting Bourbons right now.
Mas Codina Brut Reserva Cava Penedès
By: Ivan Diaz | Review Date: 2/2/2017 | Send Email
By: Ivan Diaz | Review Date: 2/2/2017 | Send Email
For my money, Cava like Mas Codina stands head-and-shoulders above more popular, expensive, but less polished sparkling wines. The bubbles are finer, creating a mousse-y texture on the palate, while the flavors of nectarine, baked apple, and subtle flowers are balanced and restrained in a way that avoids any cloyingness. At only $12.99, this is an incredible value with truly romantic expression perfect for any intimate occasion.
Price:
$13.99
Billecart-Salmon "Le Réserve" Champagne
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 1/24/2017 | Send Email
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 1/24/2017 | Send Email
Aged 36 months on the lees, the Brut Reserve is clean and vivacious, with rich stone fruit and honey, plus that classic chalky finish. Billecart-Salmon is my go-to Champagne when looking for a crowd-pleasing yet sophisticated sparkler. It has just the right amount of house name recognition while staying true to quality, and the brighter house style is both refreshing and elegant, at an incredibly reasonable price. A favorite that continues to impress!
Billecart-Salmon "Le Rosé" Champagne (375ml)
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 1/24/2017 | Send Email
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 1/24/2017 | Send Email
This sets the bar for spectacular brut rosé! Gorgeous rose petal and delicate white peach on the nose, followed by pure strawberry fruit gleaming on the palate, this showcases the bright house style while adding the sophistication of mousse texture and a minerally finish. There’s freshness throughout, plus substance – this would be a great wine to pair with heartier meals, although its elegance makes a glass equally at home with caviar. Tiny creamy bubbles and lovely color only enhance the drinking experience. And while Billecart-Salmon uses all three big Champagne varietals, they have traditionally championed Pinot Meunier and the result is a delicate, nuanced wine with depth. And not that it's necessarily indicative of quality, but the 375ml bottling is especially adorable, using the same bulbous shape as the full 750. It's a consistently special treat, just the right size for a tiny victory.
Billecart-Salmon "(RED) Cuvée Brut Reserve" Champagne
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 1/17/2017 | Send Email
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 1/17/2017 | Send Email
Billecart-Salmon doesn’t stop at killer rosé! They also have heart, recently collaborating with charity (RED) on a limited edition of their focused, crowd-friendly NV Brut Reserve. This bottling initially confused customers and staff alike, but while the label reads red, inside, the wine is the exact cuvée we know and love! Aged 36 months on the lees, this is clean and vivacious, rich with stone fruit and honey, plus that classic chalky finish. The only difference is that an extra $5 will go to the Global Fund to fight AIDS. Billecart-Salmon is (RED)’s only Champagne partner, with the goal of raising $100,000. And with Champagne this good, that should be easy.
Price:
$69.99
Billecart-Salmon "Le Rosé" Champagne
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 1/17/2017 | Send Email
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 1/17/2017 | Send Email
This sets the bar for spectacular brut rosé! It’s hard to gush about Billecart-Salmon without feeling like you’re piggybacking on critical accolades or following popular opinion, but this best-selling Champagne is worth the hype. Gorgeous rose petal and delicate white peach on the nose, followed by pure strawberry fruit gleaming through the palate, this showcases Billecart-Salmon’s bright style while adding the sophistication of mousse texture and a minerally finish. There’s freshness throughout, plus substance – this would be a great wine to pair with heartier meals like fried chicken, although its elegance makes a glass equally at home with caviar. Tiny creamy bubbles and lovely color only enhance the drinking experience, and cooler, longer fermentation in stainless steel (3-5 weeks!) keeps everything crisp. Billecart-Salmon uses all three big Champagne varietals: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and curiously, more Pinot Meunier than most houses. They have traditionally championed Meunier and the result is a delicate, nuanced wine with depth. Perfect for any occasion, even if that occasion is a weeknight spent on an apartment balcony, Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé Champagne is reliably special.
Luxardo Bianco Bitter Liqueur (750ml)
By: Jeff Garneau | Review Date: 1/6/2017 | Send Email
By: Jeff Garneau | Review Date: 1/6/2017 | Send Email
Like many cocktail aficionados and lovers of all things Italian, our staff members here at K&L just can’t get enough of the amazing selection of Amaros that David Driscoll has been stocking our shelves with. One of the most exciting recent arrivals is this Bitter Bianco from Luxardo. This is the perfect Campari substitute for making a Negroni Bianco. We have been playing around with different recipes, but my current favorite is equal parts Luxardo Bitter Bianco, Bordiga White Vermouth, and Berry Bros & Rudd "No. 3" London Dry Gin. Shake with ice and serve up in a martini glass with a twist of orange.
Price:
$27.99
Angeleno Amaro (750ml)
By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 1/5/2017 | Send Email
By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 1/5/2017 | Send Email
This is a wonderful and lively amaro. It will be great before dinner or as a nice pick up me in the afternoon. The Amaro Angeleno has bright and inviting orange and lemon aromas and flavors.It finishes with a hint of bitter that helps make this product so refreshing.
Price:
$32.99
Casa Dragones Blanco Tequila (750ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 1/3/2017 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 1/3/2017 | Send Email
Ultra smooth blanco component from the wildly successful Casa Dragones Sipping Tequila Joven. The spicy black pepper and dark mineral notes are softened by a third distillation. Usually, I would avoid triple distilled Tequila because they tend to lack character, but this Blanco is definitely the exception to that rule of thumb. The result is a fruity, whimsical blanco, that provides good depth and structure thanks to the ultra high quality lowland fruit that's being used. Drinking Blanco is becoming cool again and this is one of the best options to get you away from the oaky extra anejos or the ultra intensely flavored old school blancos.
Franck Bonville Brut Rosé Champagne
By: Alex Schroeder | Review Date: 12/7/2016 | Send Email
By: Alex Schroeder | Review Date: 12/7/2016 | Send Email
Every year, the K&L staff finishes each incredibly busy day of December over a bottle of champagne. We kicked it off this year with this gem, and it was a sight to behold. Every member of the team took a quiet moment to contemplate and appreciate the beauty and elegance of this rosé with closed eyes and furrowed brows, followed by a “whoa…” Rich, creamy red fruit flavors…black cherry, strawberry, raspberry…a soft and rounded texture and just a tiny hint of toast. At this price, I’m tempted to finish all my busy days with Bonville Rosé.
Price:
$59.99
Franck Bonville Brut Rosé Champagne
By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 11/21/2016 | Send Email
By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 11/21/2016 | Send Email
With so many amazing DI Champagne to choose from it is often fard for me to pick a favorite, fortunately in the Rose category there is almost no competition. Because Olivier Bonville only grows Chardonnay he trades some of his amazing Grand Cru fruit for a little Pinot Noir to blend in. The result is an amazing tart, bright Rose wine that has the length and drive of a Brut but with a beautiful cherry note added. Black and red cherry flavors against a dry blanc de blanc? Yes please, this is a must have for almost any type of Champagne lover.
Price:
$59.99
La Petite Marquise Crémant de Loire Brut
By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 11/1/2016 | Send Email
By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 11/1/2016 | Send Email
This is one of our most popular sparkling wines throughout the year because it is delicious and super affordable. Now with the prospect of holiday parties, get-togethers, and long evenings, this is the perfect everyday bubbly. Stone fruit, citrus notes, a creamy mouthfeel, and lots of tiny bubbles mean this wine can be the start of any evening.
Price:
$14.99
Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne (375ml)
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 10/30/2016 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 10/30/2016 | Send Email
The Ariston family are some of my favorite winemakers who produce some of the best small-estate champagnes that we carry. This blanc de blancs is no exception. It carries their reputation for excellent quality at an affordable price. This is a creamy, rich style of blanc de blancs with a rich mousse and lemon meringue flavors. Fleshy, without being heavy, it has a long, subtle finish of apple and pear fruit. A great way to start a party or meal!
Price:
$24.99
Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne (375ml)
By: Dave Genevro | Review Date: 10/30/2016 | Send Email
By: Dave Genevro | Review Date: 10/30/2016 | Send Email
A great wine from Champagne under $40?! I was shocked not only at the price, but the wine inside the bottle is really great stuff. It is a perfect sparkling wine for entertaining or at your dinner table. The apples/pear fruits on the nose and palate and the expressive nature of this wine makes it appeal to palates almost all the way across the board.
Price:
$24.99
Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne (375ml)
By: Alex Schroeder | Review Date: 10/30/2016 | Send Email
By: Alex Schroeder | Review Date: 10/30/2016 | Send Email
I recently enjoyed this while relaxing in a hot tub on a nice summer evening in California; it was perfect! Fresh and pronounced flavors of pear and apricot combine with a crisp acidity and lush creaminess for a wine fresh and approachable in style. The perfect accompaniment to any moment of leisure, at a price far below its value!
Price:
$24.99
Ariston Aspasie Brut Rosé Champagne (375ml)
By: Olivia Ragni | Review Date: 10/30/2016 | Send Email
By: Olivia Ragni | Review Date: 10/30/2016 | Send Email
We have been working with Aspasie for years, as they were our first direct import Champagne producer. Their wine continues to be of the highest quality, making it the best value Champagne in the store. Year after year, the rosé is my favorite rosé in the store. With flavors of black cherry, ripe cranberry, rosemary and an earthier backbone, this rose is beautiful both as an aperitif and especially fantastic with food. Try it with a roast duck or heavier fish like salmon or tuna steak.
Price:
$24.99
Ariston Aspasie Brut Rosé Champagne (375ml)
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 10/30/2016 | Send Email
By: Diana Turk | Review Date: 10/30/2016 | Send Email
An electric rosé! Composed of 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Meunier, this expensively-made wine goes through carbonic maceration and the saignée method, with a little still red wine added in. The result is stunning: gorgeous wild berry fruit with delicate bead, bracing acidity and a clean, minerally finish.
Price:
$24.99