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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
Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne
By: Kyle Kurani | Review Date: 3/4/2015 | Send Email
By: Kyle Kurani | Review Date: 3/4/2015 | Send Email
The Aspasie Blanc de Blancs is a bottle I reach for time and time again. Perfect for almost any occasion that I can think of, from parties to picnics there is something here for everyone. From the immediate aesthetics of the clear glass holding in the beautiful straw gold elixir, to the beautiful breadth and depth that comes from single vineyard Chardonnay. Sun ripe stone fruits greet you, followed by lemon curd and a hit of toasty baguette. The textures is opulent, a kiss of minerality, and a long beautiful finish.
Price:
$44.99
St. George Green Chile Vodka (750ml)
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 3/3/2015 | Send Email
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 3/3/2015 | Send Email
Love it. My Bloody Marys will never be the same. It smells like a big bowl of salsa and tastes like an explosion of Mexican cuisine. The applications are endless. It's basically gin made entirely with chiles.
Price:
$26.99
St. George All Purpose Vodka (750ml)
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 3/3/2015 | Send Email
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 3/3/2015 | Send Email
Again, don't let the vodka moniker fool you: this isn't some BS, grain neutral throwaway. This is an art that Lance and Dave have perfected over at St. George. The all-purpose is actually made from a large proportion of pear distillate to give it a creamy and soft texture. They're not just trying to make a flavorless spirit. They're trying for ethereal beauty. And they've done it. The great vodka from the U.S. is now here.
St. George California Citrus Vodka (750ml)
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 3/3/2015 | Send Email
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 3/3/2015 | Send Email
While you may think of this as flavored vodka, this is really just orange gin. At least, as far as the process is concerned. Lance and Dave made this incredibly beautiful spirit through multiple macerations of separate varietals of orange, along with individual distillations. The amount of skill and blending is paramount to the finest of ginmakers. It's just that they didn't use juniper. Don't let the vodka moniker make you think this isn't something great. It is.
Price:
$26.99
Thienot Brut Champagne
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 3/3/2015 | Send Email
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 3/3/2015 | Send Email
I was lucky enough to be invited by Garance Thienot to the Plumed Horse in Saratoga for an incredible Champagne dinner. I hadn't been to this restaurant in more than a decade and the story about it being the biggest fine dining remodel in all of Silicon Valley must be true- it was amazing inside. We started the dinner off with this rich, full bodied, toasty Champagne that still had the snap to make a great aperitif. What a tasty wine!
Franck Bonville Brut Rosé Champagne
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 3/3/2015 | Send Email
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 3/3/2015 | Send Email
This elegant, driven Champagne is my top rose for serving as the aperitif. A colleague of mine once bought a case of this for his wife, and half of it was consumed the first night at a quite small dinner party... The Franck Bonville Brut Rose is a little bit too easy to drink! If you want some of the intrigue of Pinot Noir but with the structure of a dry Blanc de Blancs, you have found it!
Price:
$59.99
Mas Codina Brut Reserva Cava Penedès
By: Mahon McGrath | Review Date: 3/2/2015 | Send Email
By: Mahon McGrath | Review Date: 3/2/2015 | Send Email
The Mas Codina cleaves more to the doughy-yeasty side of things, but has a light, delicate fruit character, in a citrus, tart apple vein. This definitely comes across on the dry side, and finishes clean, with a suggestion of green apple. Absolutely affordable, and well balanced, this is a great pick when you need good, inexpensive fizz!
Price:
$13.99
Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 2/24/2015 | Send Email
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 2/24/2015 | Send Email
This is the best selling Champagne in the USA.
Franck Bonville Brut Rosé Champagne
By: Kyle Kurani | Review Date: 2/19/2015 | Send Email
By: Kyle Kurani | Review Date: 2/19/2015 | Send Email
What do you do when you only grow Grand Cru Chardonnay but what to make Rose? Well you trade a little bit for Grand Cru Pinot of course. That is exactly what Mr. Bonville did to make a wine that puts together my two favorite things, Blanc de Blanc and Rose. This wine has all the drive and minerality you would expect from a top end Blanc do Blanc, but with the added complexity and downright deliciousness of a Rose. Wild cherry and raspberry provide perfect base notes, while the Chardonnay adds high tones of Fuji apple and zippy lemon zest.
Price:
$59.99
Franck Bonville Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Kyle Kurani | Review Date: 2/19/2015 | Send Email
By: Kyle Kurani | Review Date: 2/19/2015 | Send Email
Update 2014: The 2011 Vintage in Champagne was pretty terrible, turns out to be a blessing in disguise for one of my favorite bottles of Champagne in the store. Wanting to make sure he kept the quality up, Olivier Bonville declassified all of his high end and old vine vineyards into this little gem. The depth of fruit and minerality is what catches me off guard when I drink this wine, light and elegant, the chalk in the soils sing through the nose and offer a back bone that frames the entire wine. White flowers, golden apple, and a hint of spice cake. Vintage Champagne in disguise.
2011: The picture of elegance and class. Such pure and clean lines, a touch of citrus, a hit of minerality all delivered effortlessly on a find bead and sensuous mouth feel. One of my annual holliday favorites and sure to please any Champagne snob that might haunt your gatherings.
Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne
By: Kyle Kurani | Review Date: 2/19/2015 | Send Email
By: Kyle Kurani | Review Date: 2/19/2015 | Send Email
Update: This wine continues to amaze me year after year. Each time I open a bottle I marvel at the quality of the wine for the price tag. Re-reading my review from 2011, I have tasted hundreds of different bottles of Champagne, and this bottle of wine still makes me incredibly happy. With 6 years on the lees, the integration is wonderful, soft mouth feel, ripe orchard fruit, toasty at the back. Still good after all these years.
Wonderfully balanced bubbles for a wonderfully balanced price tag. The Carte Blanche is my most often used excuse to open bubbles just for the sake of having a glass of Champagne, there are always a couple of bottles stashed away around my house. Powerfully elegant, with toasted nutty notes and a length on the finish that reasserts why I love this wine.
Price:
$37.99
The Botanist Islay Dry Gin (750ml)
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 2/19/2015 | Send Email
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 2/19/2015 | Send Email
Fantastic gin from Bruichladdich distillery on the famous island of Islay. Potent and punchy flavor with an elegant mouthfeel. You can't go wrong.
Price:
$34.99
Eagle Rare 10 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 2/19/2015 | Send Email
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 2/19/2015 | Send Email
10 year old Bourbon for a hot price. Buffalo Trace's classic whiskey is still a steal of a deal.
Price:
$54.99
| Limit of 1 per customer |
Blanton's "The Original" Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey (1 bottle limit) (750ml)
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 2/19/2015 | Send Email
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 2/19/2015 | Send Email
Blanton's is always my first choice when someone asks me for a "nice" bottle of Bourbon. It's about as "nice" as Bourbon gets. Extra richness, a smooth and silky finish, and an elegant bottle. It's still the one great value in today's high-end Bourbon market.
Sazerac Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml)
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 2/19/2015 | Send Email
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 2/19/2015 | Send Email
The ultimate rye whiskey for the money. It doesn't get better.
Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 2/19/2015 | Send Email
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 2/19/2015 | Send Email
Still one of the best bang for your buck spirits of any kind on the market. Serious Bourbon that gets overlooked in the face of Pappy, even though this is the distillery's flagship product. There's a reason the distillery is called Buffalo Trace. This is the workhorse.
Piper-Heidsieck Brut Champagne
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 2/18/2015 | Send Email
By: Gary Westby | Review Date: 2/18/2015 | Send Email
If I were to pick one Grand Marque Champagne house as most improved over the last 10 years, it would certainly be Piper Heidsieck. This clean, refreshing Champagne is sourced from 100 different villages in Champagne and aged for two years on the lees.
Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne
By: Sarah Covey | Review Date: 2/15/2015 | Send Email
By: Sarah Covey | Review Date: 2/15/2015 | Send Email
I just threw our family's first baby shower for my brother and sister-in-law, and this was the Champagne of choice to celebrate the new little life on the way! I love this Champagne for its easy and yet elegant personality. Apple, cream, citrus, and mineral with the stunning golden wine visible through the clear glass. It looks gorgeous on ice at a party, and its accesibility make it a total win for Champagne neophytes and connoiseurs alike!
Price:
$44.99
Ariston Aspasie Brut Rosé Champagne
By: Heather Vander Wall | Review Date: 2/4/2015 | Send Email
By: Heather Vander Wall | Review Date: 2/4/2015 | Send Email
Lovely rose champagne from one of our favorite producers! With a pale coral color, this is a light bodied rose with hints of wild strawberry, vanilla, clove, and a gorgeous, creamy texture. Certainly one of my top rose champagne picks!
Price:
$42.99
Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne
By: Mari Keilman | Review Date: 2/3/2015 | Send Email
By: Mari Keilman | Review Date: 2/3/2015 | Send Email
Since their beginning in 1794, Ariston Pere et Fils has been the true epitome of a “grower-producer” Champagne house. The Ariston family has worked together for 5 generations to harvest and gently press the grapes in their own cellars to obtain the balance and finesse that represents their signature house style and terroir. What’s remarkable when tasting the Ariston Blanc de Blancs is that you can truly smell and taste the fossil rich soil. You can close your eyes and envision the steep hillsides drenched in sunlight as the grapes surrounding you ripen to a golden apple flavor.
Price:
$44.99
Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne
By: Mari Keilman | Review Date: 2/3/2015 | Send Email
By: Mari Keilman | Review Date: 2/3/2015 | Send Email
The rich, deep, golden yellow color of the Ariston Aspasie Carte Blanche is a tiny hint at the expressive, and explosive purity fruit that lies within this cuvee of 40% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 30% Meunier. Very few Champagnes have the amount of chalky minerality that is present in the Carte Blanche, let alone a cuvee that is priced less than $30! What’s even more impressive than the amount of minerality is the broad, rich texture that lets everyone know how perfectly this Champagne with pair with foods of all fairs.
Price:
$37.99
Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne
By: Heather Vander Wall | Review Date: 2/2/2015 | Send Email
By: Heather Vander Wall | Review Date: 2/2/2015 | Send Email
Elegance and complexity combine to make this an incredibly intriguing champagne. Delicate white flower and toasted almond/hazelnut on the nose give way to soft pear and a hint of vanilla on the palate. Gorgeous now, but I'm excited to see how this wine develops in the next few years!
Price:
$44.99
Franck Bonville Brut Rosé Champagne
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 1/31/2015 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 1/31/2015 | Send Email
Hello, cherry pie! It is amazing how a much a very small amount of pinot noir can change this (mostly) blanc de blanc into rose! Start with the nose, deep, ripe, bing cherries and tart raspberries. In the mouth, the same order...initially, fleshy cherries, cream and a hint of pomegranate. Then, the raspberries and minerality march in and demand your attention. Long, long finish. If you like "bright" Brut Rose and are seeking to expand your horizons, this is the one to buy. This gem, and the wonderful Ariston Aspasie Brut Rose, are my go-to picks for affordable rose sparklers that taste as if they are much more expensive. Olivier Bonville really is a fantastic winemaker!
Price:
$59.99
Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 1/26/2015 | Send Email
By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 1/26/2015 | 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 blanc is no exception. It carries their reputation for excellent quality at an affordable price. This is a creamy, rich style of blanc de blanc 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:
$44.99
Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. Bottled in Bond Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
By: Sarah Covey | Review Date: 1/8/2015 | Send Email
By: Sarah Covey | Review Date: 1/8/2015 | Send Email
Fans of soft, supple, easy-sipping bourbon should snap this puppy up immediately. Sweet corn, vanilla, spice and light caramel with a long, lingering finish. You will absolutely want to have this on your bar for sipping on the rocks, or as a killer component in any bourbon cocktail. It's awesome!
Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. Bottled in Bond Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 1/3/2015 | Send Email
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 1/3/2015 | Send Email
The E.H. Taylor series is an interesting side project from the Buffalo Trace distillery portfolio (Eagle Rare, Weller, Elmer T Lee, Pappy, etc) offering a drier, less sweet profile than what many of us expect from Bourbon. For me, the Taylor Small Batch 100 proof is the most intriguing of the series; truly a grainy and evocative Bourbon that goes from oak, to oil, to sweet corn, and then back to a dry grainy finish. For me personally, the whiskey is great on the rocks, but really shines in a Manhattan or Old Fashioned. The 50% helps bump up the flavor, allowing it to hold its own with the added sweetness, and the drier profile doesn't add too much extra sugar. The oak and corn flavors are really well balanced as well, creating a back and forth of sweet vanilla and baking spices that goes on forever even after you drink it down. It's a fun change of pace from the standard Bourbon fare and a chance to really delve deep into the complexity that Bourbon can offer. There's a lot going on in this whiskey; perhaps more than you're really looking for. Each time I taste it I find something I didn't taste the previous time. It's almost like the Boigneires Armagnac equivalent; that's a brandy that cuts out all the sweetness and gets right down to the core flavor. It's the Bourbon version of that.
Seikyo "Omachi" Junmai Ginjo Sake 720ml
By: Jeff Garneau | Review Date: 12/31/2014 | Send Email
By: Jeff Garneau | Review Date: 12/31/2014 | Send Email
A real treat for sake lovers - a chance to try a sake made from the historic "Omachi" rice rather than the dominant "Yamada Nishiki" variety. Fat and spicy with hints of melon and grapefruit.
Price:
$29.99
Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne
By: Jeff Garneau | Review Date: 12/31/2014 | Send Email
By: Jeff Garneau | Review Date: 12/31/2014 | Send Email
The current disgorgement of the Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne is perhaps a little firmer, a little less open knit than previous bottlings. But the tradeoff is more focus, more purity, and more length. Quite dry, but with remarkable sweetness of fruit and a light toast that adds depth and character. The ideal New Year's Eve companion - complex enough to be interesting but not so serious as to dominate the conversation.
Price:
$44.99
St. George Pear Brandy (750ml)
By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 12/29/2014 | Send Email
By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 12/29/2014 | Send Email
This eau de vie is packed full of happiness. If you like pears and booze, this is a wonderful combination. There are expressive pear aromas followed by nice clean and dry pear flavors. Great alone, but I bet some creative cocktails could be made with this product.
Ardbeg "Corryvreckan" Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
By: James Knight | Review Date: 12/5/2014 | Send Email
By: James Knight | Review Date: 12/5/2014 | Send Email
For sure, the next time I have enough spare change to be able to decide between purchasing a Talisker 18 or the Corry, I am likely to experience some cognitive dissonance--and I mean before I have had any whisky! UPDATE: After first sampling the Corryvreckan, I was able to purchase a bottle and am very happy with it. This whisky presents luxe aromas of vanilla, caramel, and a hint of chocolate liqueur, haunted by a roasted seaweed, smoked fish and bacon sort of peatiness. If you've tried the Ardbeg 10 but felt it was just somewhat too aggressively peaty for you, at least for now, check out this one. It's got all the soft, lovely smoky beauty of a Talisker Distiller's, say, but with a spicier, cinnamon mint finish--like a younger Islay, like our Kilchoman single barrels, for instance. If you don't mind a hot finish, and love a single malt that tantalizes your nose with seductive, smoky and sweet aromas, this is it.
Charles Baur Crémant d'Alsace Brut Rosé
By: Olivia Ragni | Review Date: 12/4/2014 | Send Email
By: Olivia Ragni | Review Date: 12/4/2014 | Send Email
The sparkling rose is for more than just parties, it can certainly hold up to heavier food and cuisine. Once popped you can smell bright cherries, melon and rose petals, with an underlying salinity. The palate has cranberry and black cherry, but also has an earthy, smoky minerality and intense acidity that can easily hold up to heavier cuisine. Enjoy now.
Price:
Hidden
Charles Baur Crémant d'Alsace Brut Rosé
By: Sarah Covey | Review Date: 12/4/2014 | Send Email
By: Sarah Covey | Review Date: 12/4/2014 | Send Email
Crunchy cranberry and juicy strawberry make this lovely sparkling wine an easy choice for elegant and fun holiday entertaining! Spice things up with this top value rose!
Price:
Hidden
Charles Baur "Emotion" Cremant d'Alsace Brut
By: Sarah Covey | Review Date: 12/4/2014 | Send Email
By: Sarah Covey | Review Date: 12/4/2014 | Send Email
Bright, fresh and elegant, the Chardonnay in this sparkling wine really shines with citrus, pear, apple and mineral. Looking for an affordable, classy wine for your holiday parties? Look no further!
Charles Baur Crémant d'Alsace Brut Rosé
By: Eric Story | Review Date: 12/4/2014 | Send Email
By: Eric Story | Review Date: 12/4/2014 | Send Email
How can you go wrong with a rosé sparkler — especially under $20? Made from 100% Pinot Noir, this is jam-packed with crunchy red fruits and spicy strawberry sweetness. Delightful on its own, as an aperitif, with a first course salad, or with a plate of cheese and a hearty loaf of fresh-baked bread. The label should say "A Happy Rosé"
Price:
Hidden
Chartreuse "V.E.P." Green (1L)
By: Adam Winkel | Review Date: 12/1/2014 | Send Email
By: Adam Winkel | Review Date: 12/1/2014 | Send Email
The most extraordinary digestif ever made. The most extraordinary anything ever made. My desert island one-and-only.
Ariston Aspasie Brut Rosé Champagne
By: Jeff Garneau | Review Date: 11/29/2014 | Send Email
By: Jeff Garneau | Review Date: 11/29/2014 | Send Email
Always my favorite rosé champagne here at K&L. Drank it with Thanksgiving dinner this year. Quite dry with a pronounced red fruit character - crisp red apple and tart cherry. For die hard Pinot fans - 50/50 Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
Price:
$42.99
Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne
By: Jim Barr | Review Date: 11/14/2014 | Send Email
By: Jim Barr | Review Date: 11/14/2014 | Send Email
It is remarkable to me, and to much of our wine staff, some of the unique, profoundly produced Champagnes from the small producers that Gary Westby, our Champagne Wine Buyer, has discovered over the last decade. Virtually all of these producers, including the Aristons, are making sparkling wine strictly from estate fruit from Grand Cru recognized vineyard sites, and in small lots. As with any small producer, these wines are “hands-on” creations that are given extensive individual attention and long term aging before being disgorged. The Ariston “Carte Blanche’s” exquisite, superb quality is at a mind boggling low price vis-à-vis its style and complexity. Rich and authoritative both on its nutty, doughy yeasty nose and in the mouth, the very fine mousse leads to an amazingly rich, full style brut, with a long, intense finish. Some of you will probably not enjoy this Gem, due to the fact that you have gotten use to flavorless, bulk productions from the international, well-known, simply made name “brands,” but for those of you that seek complexity and profoundness in your Champagne, you will not find one even close in quality to this Gem at this price. The Guys (Rusty, Eby, The Beaner, and Rizzo) have forcefully made this our house sparkling wine forever. Don't be afraid to age this wonderful Champagne; it will only keep getting better. ABV 12%
Price:
$37.99
Lustau "Los Arcos" Amontillado Jerez
By: Olivia Ragni | Review Date: 10/22/2014 | Send Email
By: Olivia Ragni | Review Date: 10/22/2014 | Send Email
This dry Amontillado is a perfect accompaniment to cured meats and other Spanish style snacks. With its beautiful amber color, this Amontillado has pungent aromas of roasted nuts, coffee and dried figs, while the palate includes candied orange peel, seawater, toffee and butterscotch. Its pronounced flavors open up your pairing possibilities to more than just snacks, it could even hold up to a full array of grilled meats.
Singani "63" Bolivian Muscat Brandy (750ml)
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 9/15/2014 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 9/15/2014 | Send Email
Seriously one of the coolest things I have tasted in a while. It's amazing how this retained so much of the pure Muscat flavor profile through distillation. Fantastically floral aromatics, very delicate and yet flavorful all at the same time. Like the finest Muscat-based wines this is not about sweetness but about perfume and delicacy on the palate. I can only imagine what people will think up to do with this intriguing little spirit but it is certainly something worth having on your bar.
Price:
$29.99
Singani "63" Bolivian Muscat Brandy (750ml)
By: Kyle Kurani | Review Date: 9/15/2014 | Send Email
By: Kyle Kurani | Review Date: 9/15/2014 | Send Email
Exactly what we love to drink. After a "serious day in the office" tasting as many as 40 different whiskies, the Singani is the type of spirit I want to come home to, delicious. Fresh, and lively, you get the essence of the Muscat grape, floral, with ripe peach and apricot, this is super clean and dangerously drinkable.
So much to do with it: Pisco sour stand-in, add some tonic, or lemon soda with a twist; I would even venture to say it would be killer in a Mojito.
Price:
$29.99
Singani "63" Bolivian Muscat Brandy (750ml)
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 9/15/2014 | Send Email
By: David Driscoll | Review Date: 9/15/2014 | Send Email
The is the do-it-all spirit for your liquor cabinet (and you don't even know what it is!). Fruity, floral, and clean, this can be substituted into a number of different cocktails in place of tequila, vodka, gin, and rum. I've made Singani Daiquiris, Singani Margaritas, Singani Negronis, Bloody Maries, Singani and Tonic, Singani Sangria--they're all fantastic. Bolivia's finest export may indeed be Singani. Now you just need to queue up "Che" on Netflix-instant, imagine you're Soderbergh drinking Singani on the set, and drink until your heart's content.
Price:
$29.99
Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne
By: Jeff Garneau | Review Date: 9/2/2014 | Send Email
By: Jeff Garneau | Review Date: 9/2/2014 | Send Email
I think the Ariston Aspasie Carte Blanche Brut was one of the first grower-producer Champagnes I ever purchased from K&L. It remains to this day our best value in Champagne, and a superb introduction to the grower producer (RM) Champagnes. If your usual Champagne experience is Veuve Clicquot or Moet & Chandon, you owe it to yourself to try the Carte Blanche from Paul-Vincent Ariston. With roughly equal parts of the three classic Champagne grapes, and a retail price comfortably south of $30, this is a no-brainer. Open a bottle for no reason in the middle of the week. You'll feel like royalty.
Price:
$37.99
La Cigarrera Manzanilla Sanlucar de Barrameda (375ml)
By: Olivia Ragni | Review Date: 8/27/2014 | Send Email
By: Olivia Ragni | Review Date: 8/27/2014 | Send Email
A true Manzanilla with a bouquet full of oysters, clams and salted toffee. A flavor intense palate of oceanic salt and seaweed, peanut butter, bitter almonds and squash. Impeccable quality, a crazy value. What a steal!!!
Price:
$18.99
El Maestro Sierra Fino Jerez de la Frontera (375ml)
By: Olivia Ragni | Review Date: 8/27/2014 | Send Email
By: Olivia Ragni | Review Date: 8/27/2014 | Send Email
At this stage, this delicate Fino has subtle notes of pecans, fresh apples, pie crust, and toasted pumpkin seeds with a mildly salty palate of butterscotch, almonds and bitter orange peel. Great companion to a tomato, basil salad!
Westland Flagship American Oak Single Malt American Whiskey (700ml)
By: Shaun Green | Review Date: 7/15/2014 | Send Email
By: Shaun Green | Review Date: 7/15/2014 | Send Email
I hardly need to second the choices of David, but wow this one is very cool! Its rich, deep color at first made me worry that this was going to be a little too woody and sweet, but the nose suddenly changed that. Very full and deep with a somewhat roasted nut nose, and on the palate it has nice, long walnut, vanilla, barley and subtle raisin and caramel notes. Delicious and mouth-filling, yet vibrant and zesty. It has just enough sweet notes and a fantastic finish. The closest I've seen to a single malt Scotch from the U.S.!
El Dorado 12 Year Old Demerara Guyana Rum
By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 7/14/2014 | Send Email
By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 7/14/2014 | Send Email
A great rum that is distilled from molasses. It is rich, round, sweet and delicious. While this rum is on the sweeter and richer side, it is not sugary and has complexity to balance it out.
Price:
$36.99
El Dorado 15 Year Old Demerara Guyana Rum (750ml)
By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 7/14/2014 | Send Email
By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 7/14/2014 | Send Email
This rum is both tasty and interesting. It has the winning sweetness that one would expect from a rum from Guyana. The El Dorado 15 is also very complex, with layers of flavors from sweet to an almost subtle earthiness.
Bigallet Viriana China China Amer Orange Liqueur (750ml)
By: Leah Greenstein | Review Date: 7/14/2014 | Send Email
By: Leah Greenstein | Review Date: 7/14/2014 | Send Email
This is a cane-based French bitter macerated with bitter oranges and distilled three times. The floral orange aromas are complemented by flavors of clove and anise, with added bitterness from China bark. Quite viscous and mouthwatering. Use in place of Aperol in a spritz!
Price:
$36.99
Nonino Quintessentia Amaro (750ml)
By: Leah Greenstein | Review Date: 7/14/2014 | Send Email
By: Leah Greenstein | Review Date: 7/14/2014 | Send Email
There's a reason this grape distillate-based Amaro from Friuli is one of our biggest sellers, it's the easiest-drinking Amaro I've every tried! Cocoa-dusted orange, cream, butterscotch, roasted nuts, lemon pitch and rosewater notes. Don't waste this in a cocktail, it sips smoothly on its own.
Amaro Montenegro Di Bologna (750ml)
By: Leah Greenstein | Review Date: 7/14/2014 | Send Email
By: Leah Greenstein | Review Date: 7/14/2014 | Send Email
This is one of the most popular Amari in Italy. Packed with notes of nutmeg and bitter orange, it's very pretty and soft on the palate. It has a creamy, not-too-bitter creamsicle character. Medium-sweet.