Staff Favorites

Westland Flagship American Oak Single Malt American Whiskey (700ml)

By: Gary Norton | Review Date: 8/5/2016 | Send Email

Westland's American Single Malt is truly a show stopper. It houses very pure single malt Scotch-like characteristics (reminiscent of a classic Speyside) while adding some additional notes of vanilla extract, espresso bean and dried Medjool dates. This could be a game changer for you, come scoop a bottle and you'll understand what I'm talking about.

Price: $49.99

Weihenstephaner "1516" Kellerbier (Unfiltered), Germany (330ml)

By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 7/20/2016 | Send Email

Thank you Weihenstephaner- in one magnificent beer you have celebrated one of the best beverage laws of all time and delivered a magical drink that I cannot get enough of. In 1516, Reinheitsgebot, the Bavarian beer purity law was put into effect, providing legal recourse against fraudsters who would adulterate their beer with anything other than water, malt and hops. When drinking the 1516 I can imagine stiff, medieval punishments for today's hipsters and their cold brew coffee and peanut butter stout! Weihenstephaner has not tried to "innovate" with this excellent lager- they just crafted something as close to perfection as you can get. This is graceful. refreshing beer, and the only thing wrong with it is the all to small 330ml size. By two- you will want the second one!

Price: $2.69

Orval Trappist Ale, Belgium (11.2 oz bottle)

By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 7/20/2016 | Send Email

As a young wine professional I often yearned for a complex drink when I didn't have the money to afford it. At times like that, I always turned to Orval, a beer that provides an experience akin to 1er Cru Burgundy, but at a price that I could easily afford even when rent was due. Somehow the monks manage to combine great lift, refreshment and ease of drinking with serious layers of savory complexity. The look of the stuff in the glass is worth the price of admission on its own... The Belgian lace this ale throws always takes longer than I want to wait to come down in the glass low enough for me to have a sip!

Price: $7.79

WE: 96

San Venanzio Fortunato Brut Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore

By: Sarah Covey | Review Date: 7/12/2016 | Send Email

This Prosecco never fails to impress me. Pretty citrus, pear, spice and golden delicious apple nose, lovely minerality. A clean and refreshing Prosecco for your summer entertaining! Try it with fresh black figs wrapped in proscuitto, tiny goat cheese & fontina grilled cheese sandwiches, or simply to toast a fun night with friends.

Price: $15.99

Don Amado Pechuga Mezcal (750ml)

By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 7/10/2016 | Send Email

Another beautiful offering from the Don Amado brand, primarily dealing with Espadin agave. This Mezcal shows off a little vanilla in the nose with a more muted fruit characteristic. A touch of oak adds a creamy texture with soft white fruits and a layer of vanilla. A nicely soft and light finish means this Mezcal is a great choice for sipping neat.

Price: $69.99

Don Amado Arroqueño Mezcal (750ml)

By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 7/10/2016 | Send Email

This was my absolute favorite of the three Don Amado Mezcals that came in recently. Utilizing wild Agave, this Mezcal shows off how complex (and delicious) this spirit can be. An almost sweet-tart candied fruit nose leads to a clean and complex body of fruit with notes of chili and pepper. There is a lot going on in this Mezcal and it leaves the palate with a long, lingering finish. Although there is heat at the end, it is the pleasant warmth of a drink that begs for another sip.

Price: $89.99

WE: 90

Don Amado Arroqueño Mezcal (750ml)

By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 7/8/2016 | Send Email

The smoke aromas in this Mezcal are a pleasure to smell because they do not dominate but are pretty and balanced. In the mouth this exceptional Mezcal is round with citrus, mineral and herbal nuances. It is very complex, soft and a unique Mezcal.

Price: $89.99

WE: 90

Don Amado Pechuga Mezcal (750ml)

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 7/7/2016 | Send Email

The only thing missing from this Pechuga is the meat. And that's not a bad thing. The fruits, nuts, and spices added instead of turkey breast make for one of the best Mezcal's I've ever tasted. The bouquet shows off the fruit, specifically the extra sweet and tender bit right near the pit. The earthiness that is present on the Largo Mezcal is definitely present here too, but with the marked addition of nuttiness and clove. The finish is tantalizingly sweet and clean. Absolutely fabulous!

Price: $69.99

Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin (750ml)

By: Sarah Covey | Review Date: 6/23/2016 | Send Email

I LOVE THIS GIN! Coming from a person who at present has 21 different open bottles of Gin on her bar (and, no I am not exaggerating), this is the Gin I am going through at the most rapid clip right now. It's killer. When I met the hilarious and entertaining man who made it- Stuart- he put a tiny slice of orange in my G&T. I thought he was nuts. Then I tried it. I refuse to drink my G&Ts any other way now- the brightness of a fresh piece of orange (or a twist) beautifully enhances the orange notes in this fun Gin. Looking for a really fun new Gin for summer? This is it!!!

Price: $27.99

Four Pillars Navy Strength Gin (750ml)

By: Olivia Ragni | Review Date: 6/23/2016 | Send Email

The Navy Strength compared to the Rare Dry has more zesty notes of orange and lemon rind, lemon grass, sea salt and anise. At 118 proof, this is serious stuff that should be stocked in every cocktail enthusiast's bar.

Price: $39.99

Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin (750ml)

By: Olivia Ragni | Review Date: 6/23/2016 | Send Email

Beautiful and bright, the Rare Dry has notes of fresh squeezed blood oranges, sweet herbs, sage, juniper and a hint of basil. It's the perfect gin for tonic or citrus heavy gin cocktails.

Price: $27.99

2010 Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan

By: Clyde Beffa Jr. | Review Date: 6/21/2016 | Send Email

One of their best-ever wines. Tons of fruit, tannin, acid, terroir, etc. I know I am favorably biased, but I absolutely love the wines from this property. They have really improved since the early ’90s, and they were quite good before.

Price: $274.99

Charles Baur "Emotion" Cremant d'Alsace Brut

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 6/20/2016 | Send Email

The color is a beautiful pale straw. The bubbles are lively. There is a generous toasty nose to make the champagne lover blush. The Chardonnay dominates with green and golden apples, a touch of pear on the palate and a satisfying autolytic character. The bracing acidity gives a lemon lime zest and leaves this bubbly extremely refreshing. A great party-time sparkler.

Price: $19.99

Fallet-Dart "Grande Sélection" Brut Champagne

By: Heather Vander Wall | Review Date: 6/20/2016 | Send Email

For those of you excited about varietal character in your Champagne, this is a great wine! Showing plenty of red fruit from the Pinot Noir dominance, this wine is richer, with nutty texture and excellent follow-through on the palate. I generally lean towards Chardonnay-based Champagnes, but this wine might be changing my mind. The elegant Pinot Noir character shows through with such purity and finesse, it easily rivals the elegance of a blanc de blancs. I will definitely be stocking up on these!

Price: $37.99

Suntory Toki Japanese Whisky (750ml)

By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 6/19/2016 | Send Email

I, like so many others, really like a lot of what Suntory has to offer. There are so many wonderful whiskeys they put out, unfortunately many of these have gotten super expensive and rare. Fortunately, they are trying to fill in the gap with a more everyday whiskey, and the Toki is just the product to do that. A lightly fruited nose reminiscent of caramel apple and vanilla leads to a smooth and somewhat fruity whiskey. Baked apple and stone fruit notes are rounded with touches of vanilla and a somewhat creamy mouthfeel. Low heat finish rounds out the delightful little whiskey.

Price: $29.99

2013 Moulin de la Gardette "Cuvée Ventabren" Gigondas (Library Release)

By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 6/19/2016 | Send Email

Excellent wine from the Gigondas region,the wine exhibits complex layers of red fruit, herbs, spices and acid. Bright red fruit and acid keeps the wine lifted and long and the herb notes make this an wonderful wine to pair with dishes like lamb or baked chicken. Perfect for dinner during the warmer months when some red wines may be too big, this wine plays very well with food and long evenings.

Price: $85.00

RP: 90

Charles Baur "Emotion" Cremant d'Alsace Brut

By: Mahon McGrath | Review Date: 6/17/2016 | Send Email

The golden apple and lemon tart nose pick up a prominent dried ginger spiciness. The evocation of softer flavors like pastry crust on the palate are firmed up by a greater degree of acidity than one typically finds in a Cremant, which creates the impression of the wine leaning in more of a Champagne-esque direction. Even if it doesn’t muster quite that degree of verve, layering, or richness, it is one of the best alternatives we've got!

Price: $19.99

Charles Baur "Emotion" Cremant d'Alsace Brut

By: Olivia Ragni | Review Date: 6/16/2016 | Send Email

Sometimes sparkling wines with no dosage are piercingly acidic but the Emotion manages to be completely dry while still maintaining balance. The nose has a touch of toasty aromas without being overpowering, while yellow apples, pears, toasted walnuts and honeysuckle round out the nose. There is great mid-palate weight and texture with some brioche, apple and quince characteristics and frothy, clean bubbles with a long, lovely dry finish. The perfect accompaniment to tapas and charcuterie.

Price: $19.99

Charles Baur "Emotion" Cremant d'Alsace Brut

By: Eric Story | Review Date: 6/15/2016 | Send Email

I really could have used this wine in my life a few parties ago - could have served the same quality of wine for a fraction of the price. The fruit characters in here are fantastic and has an appeal which nobody can deny.

Price: $19.99

Four Pillars Navy Strength Gin (750ml)

By: Kyle Kurani | Review Date: 6/10/2016 | Send Email

I love when a navy strength gin is elegant and beautiful despite its high proof. The Four Pillars Gin is at the same time powerful and graceful, bursting with lime zest and exotic spices, the main flavors shine through beautifully. They are supported by hints of anise and coriander, and delivered with a supply textured and warm mouthfeel that comes from the higher proof. Incredibly well balanced, and supremely delicious!

Price: $39.99

Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin (750ml)

By: Kyle Kurani | Review Date: 6/10/2016 | Send Email

Gin of the year. It's only June, and I feel very safe saying that because this is the best gin I have tried since Monkey 47 hit American shores. Incredible flavor profile, ultimate mouth feel, put it on the short lists of gins that will always be on my home bar. The palate and nose are just chock-full of floral and spice notes, fresh nutmeg, anise, violets, with the power of juniper held in the perfect balance.

Price: $27.99

Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin (750ml)

By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 6/6/2016 | Send Email

This a classic style gin. There are juniper and citrus aromas with a floral hint. In the mouth it is dry with balanced savory and citrus flavors.

Price: $27.99

Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin (750ml)

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 6/2/2016 | Send Email

The number one thing that impresses me about these Four Pillars gins is the textural richness they have. As gin is typically an un-aged spirit it can often be bursting with bright flavors but lacking any real softness or texture on the palate. Four Pillars has serious flavor and mouthfeel. The use of small copper pot stills instead of larger column stills has allowed this spirit to retain a rich round texture and the use of "whole" botanicals, right in the still means the flavors and super vibrant too. The last gin that got me this fired up was the Monkey 47...that gin was more than twice the price of this bottling...I'm loading up for summer!

Price: $27.99

Four Pillars Navy Strength Gin (750ml)

By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 6/2/2016 | Send Email

The big boy of the two Gins we have right now from Four Pillars is this "navy strength" number. As it says on the label: "stronger gin requires stronger flavors" and this certainly delivers on that! A huge burst of citrus flavor, eucalyptus hints, a sage(ish) savory element and big robust texture. I love that this gin not only has the flavor but also the textural mouth feel to balance the high 118 proof. Serious stuff that is taking our spirits world by storm.

Price: $39.99

Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin (750ml)

By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 5/28/2016 | Send Email

Some people want to reinvent Gin while others simply want to perfect it, at Four PIllars they go for the latter. This has all the elements that make gin so good, citrus, juniper, spices and balances them. Fresh and clean with a dry finish this is the kind of gin you can just keep as the standard, always on hand. Mix it, sip it, prepare it any way you like Gin, just enjoy it.

Price: $27.99

Four Pillars Navy Strength Gin (750ml)

By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 5/28/2016 | Send Email

Complexity and balance is always what I am most excited about in a Gin and this delivers these two attributes. The citrus notes from the limes off just the right amount of snappy citrus to overlay the backbone of juniper. This gin is surprisingly smooth for its proof offering up its power in complexity and flavor as opposed to burn on the finish.

Price: $39.99

Four Pillars Navy Strength Gin (750ml)

By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 5/28/2016 | Send Email

The Navy Strength gin is not simply a higher proofed version of the Rare Dry from Four Pillars, but rather an entirely different formula. This one uses finger limes for a different citrus tone, but the balance of spice and botanicals is what ties both gins together. This is a bolder, brighter, more intense experience, but it's obviously made by the same team because the same attention to detail is prevalent. This is a world class gin of the highest quality, pure and simple.

Price: $39.99

Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin (750ml)

By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 5/28/2016 | Send Email

Bow down to the new king of gin: Four Pillars. A group of gin crazy Aussies put together one of the most focused and high-quality gin distilleries in the world in the Yarra Yarra Valley and now we're fortunate to get a taste of that goodness here in the U.S. The Rare Dry gin simply explodes with citrus, a burst of fresh orange, but it still packs a lovely balance of juniper and spice with the most delicate and graceful of mouthfeels. This is high quality gin, pure and simple. It tastes like it was fussed over, formulated and retooled until it was perfect. I can't stop talking about it nor drinking it. I'm just so happy we have it.

Price: $27.99

Four Pillars Navy Strength Gin (750ml)

By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 5/28/2016 | Send Email

This has all the great attributes of the Rare Dry from Four Pillars- just more of them! If you love citrus lift and a strong juniper foundation and sneaky power, this is for you. I love the way that Navy Strength Gin leads me down the wrong path, and I can't wait to get a bottle of this home.

Price: $39.99

Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin (750ml)

By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 5/28/2016 | Send Email

The colonies know their gin. This fragrant, balanced bottle does not try and reinvent the gin wheel, it just tastes better than most drinks. I love the high citrus notes and the low juniper base in the Four Pillars Rare. I think you will find it as at home in tonic as in a Martini. I am buying mine now!

Price: $27.99

Ariston Aspasie Brut Rosé Champagne

By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 5/27/2016 | Send Email

Just astonishing how delicious this is for the price. It hits every note you want from a rose champagne, both power and elegance, round and rich with great long structure, aromatic pinot fruit with a hint of savory spice. You could decant it and serve it with a filet mignon as easily as you'd serve it with your aper'eau. A triumph of wine making fit for the most frugal lover of bubbles and the most opulent spender alike.

Price: $42.99

Ariston Aspasie Brut Rosé Champagne

By: Olivia Ragni | Review Date: 5/25/2016 | 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: $42.99

St. George Bruto Americano Bitter Aperitivo Liqueur (750ml)

By: Andrew Stevens | Review Date: 5/24/2016 | Send Email

I am a big fan of pretty much everything St. George Distillery does and one of my favorite things about them is all of their liqueurs and brandies. Seriously, the people over there are never satisfied with just sticking to gin, vodka, or whiskey (although they do all of those things well) and now they have added an Americano! I bought a bottle immediately and it is delicious, as is expected from them this is not an attempt to re-create Campari but rather it's own beast. Clove and cinnamon add a much spicier component to this spirit, with a lovely dry and herbaceous finish. This is delicious on its own or with soda water and a twist and I cannot wait to try making it into a Negroni.

Price: $29.99

Franck Bonville Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

By: Daniel Maas | Review Date: 5/24/2016 | Send Email

One of the following three statements is true, and the others are false! Let's see if you can pick the fact. 1: THE EARTH IS BIGGER THAN THE SUN 2: STANLEY KUBRICK WAS HIRED BY NASA TO FAKE THE MOON LANDING. 3. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET HIGH-END CHAMPAGNE FOR LESS THAN $35. Well? What do you think? I was on the fence between the moon landing and champagne, UNTIL I opened a bottle of this unbelievable Grand Cru offering from what has become a huge staff favorite here in Hollywood. Immensely refreshing with clean peach and citrus fruit, subtle vanilla, and a long finish, this amount of deliciousness is even more ridiculous than those two false facts! Think about it!

Price: $53.99

RP: 92

St. George Bruto Americano Bitter Aperitivo Liqueur (750ml)

By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 5/23/2016 | Send Email

A wonderful addition to the Aperitivo section. It has a natural dark red color which is nice to look at. But even better is how it tastes. There is a kiss of sweetness that is aided by spice ( clove and cinnamon ?) and a nice bitter finish. Great with soda.

Price: $29.99

Launois "Severine" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

By: Andrew Whiteley | Review Date: 5/22/2016 | Send Email

This is perhaps one of the greatest and most unique examples of terrior in Champagne I've ever personally come across. A careful picking of mid-slope Mesnil Chardonnay is vinified and aged in oak barrels made from 100% Mesnil oak harvested from the forest at the top of the hill. Talk about precision of place. The results are spectacular. The rich and oily texture is the perfect foil to the robust quality of the Grand Cru fruit. It is bursting with green and yellow apple, but also spice, both sweet and savory. There is a thread of nutty sherry like flavors that walks you through the deep complexity of the wine. While the Mesnil Oak is a strong presence, it doesn't overwhelm. Just provides the substance to make this an exceptional wine with heartier food dishes or to be immensely enjoyed as an aperitif.

Price: $59.99

Ariston Aspasie Brut Rosé Champagne

By: Daniel Maas | Review Date: 5/21/2016 | Send Email

Rose. It is possibly one of the most singularly used words in the lexicon of wine, and yet, it is so often mischaracterized. People think it's sweet. People think it is light. Well, listen up, folks, because PEOPLE ARE WRONG! This is clearly evidenced here with Ariston Aspasie's beautifully crafted Brut Rose. Neither sweet, nor particularly, light, what it absolutely is is REFRESHING! Given a supremely unique personality from the method of taking its color from completely vinified red wine as opposed to the more common method of including a degree of skin contact, this is one of the drier rose champagnes I've tasted lately. Cranberry, dried-cherry, and a hint of spice-box all work together to create a medley of wonderment that you won't soon forget!

Price: $42.99

Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne

By: Daniel Maas | Review Date: 5/21/2016 | Send Email

I'll be the first to admit it. I grew up somewhat spoiled. When it came to things that really mattered, like what movie to rent, I pretty much had CARTE BLANCHE. Unfortunately, that freedom and joy absolutely PALED IN COMPARISON to the delight that I encountered upon my first taste of this gorgeous bottling from one of our long-time favorite Champagne producers. Composed of almost-equal shares of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier,there's simply too much to love here: Bright traces of apple; the present-yet-balanced yeast; and the toastiness that I absolutely require in champagne. Simply remarkable, it is, to find a wine so complex and meticulously crafted for such a price!

Price: $37.99

Franck Bonville Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

By: Mari Keilman | Review Date: 5/18/2016 | Send Email

The Franck Bonville Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs is crisp, refreshing and vibrant with just the perfect balance of green apple and lime on the nose and palate. This cuvee sets itself apart from other Blanc de Blancs with how the Bonville family is able to create a creamy, full-bodied palate in conjunction with the bright and zesty flavor profile. They were able to achieve the harmonious balance between the acidity, the elegance, finesse and balance in this entry level cuvee.

Price: $53.99