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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

El Dorado 15 Year Old Demerara Guyana Rum (750ml)

By: Mahon McGrath | Review Date: 7/1/2011 | Send Email

Demerara-rah; that’s the spirit! The El Dorado 15 year certainly shows the benefits of the time that the spirit spent in barrel in the initial intensity of the nose and palate. What is better still is it pulls back a bit towards the finish and finds a little reserve, avoiding the bombast of certain other “too much isn’t nearly enough” long-aged spirits. Toasted chestnuts, antique woodsy vanilla and candied pear, papaya and pineapple ornament a core of lush, sweet sugar cane that switches about between the continuum of sugar-brown sugar-molasses without ever settling on just one, a sort of olfactory iridescence. Pull up an evening and a chair and settle in; you’ll want to linger long—in the same way that the finish does—with this rum.

Price: $59.99

WE: 90 - 95

Franck Bonville Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

By: Jim Boyce | Review Date: 6/30/2011 | Send Email

This is another outstanding, easy to like champagne from Bonville. 100% estate chardonnay from three vintages, this bottle intertwines clean citrus and crisp apple with solid, chalky minerality to create some seriously great bubbles. Refreshing alone on a warm summer day or paired with some of your favorite seafood appetizers, this champagne is sure to please.

Price: $53.99

JS: 92

RP: 92

Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne

By: Mike Parres | Review Date: 6/18/2011 | Send Email

This is made of 40% chardonnay, 30% pinot noir and 30% meunier. Bone dry,with good complexity & GREAT price.

Price: $37.99

Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne

By: Steve Greer | Review Date: 6/7/2011 | Send Email

This is our best value Champagne in the store. Comprised of all three grapes this Champagne shows you can have both good value and great taste. Nutty, brioche and apple fill the nose and palate with a mouth filling mousse. Only $24.99 and I promise everyone you poured this for would enjoy it.

Price: $37.99

Launois "Cuvée Réservée" Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

By: Steve Greer | Review Date: 6/7/2011 | Send Email

Every year this is one of my favorite Champagnes. Green apple and mineral on the nose and palate and the 3 years on the lees provides a fantastic mouth feel with plenty of acidity keeping it very crisp and clean. 100% Grand Cru fruit for only $34.99. Crazy.

Price: $39.99

Franck Bonville Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

By: Mike Barber | Review Date: 5/31/2011 | Send Email

Always one of our best direct import champagne producers! Clean, crisp, bright - and the price is amazing!

Price: $53.99

JS: 92

RP: 92

La Cigarrera Manzanilla Sanlucar de Barrameda (375ml)

By: Mahon McGrath | Review Date: 5/30/2011 | Send Email

This manzanilla plays down the toasted almond dimension of sherry, and offers instead clean, vibrant, salty aromas coupled with golden apple and a little sprinkling of parsley, even. Take a sip, and you’ll find a smooth texture and a pleasantly plump middle palate, finishing with a citric pucker and a lingering evocation of wet stone. Well worth trying where you’d normally reach for muscadet, say.

Price: $18.99

La Petite Marquise Crémant de Loire Brut

By: Jeff Garneau | Review Date: 5/20/2011 | Send Email

The region of Saumur in the Loire Valley of France is the largest producer of sparkling wines outside of Champagne. This blend of Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc is an astonishing value at $11.99. Dry and crisp in style with a rich, creamy texture. Affordable by the case for a special event. Inexpensive enough to enjoy guilt-free any night of the week. Sante!

Price: $14.99

2010 Cos d'Estournel, St-Estèphe

By: Steve Greer | Review Date: 5/16/2011 | Send Email

Spice and currant with big, lush fruit and spice on the palate. Polished with balanced tannins.

Price: $299.99

2010 Cos d'Estournel, St-Estèphe

By: Ralph Sands | Review Date: 5/16/2011 | Send Email

Great concentration. Hints of orange peel on the strong finish.

Price: $299.99

2010 Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan

By: Mulan Chan-Randel | Review Date: 5/13/2011 | Send Email

Along with the beautiful fruit nuances that seem to be evident throughout this vintage, this wine displays more grounded notes of tobacco, damp earth and black tea. Full, ripe tannins place this Pessac clearly at the other end of the tasting spectrum from the more elegant 2010 Margaux (note: Angludet, Malescot) but I find it to be delicious.

Price: $224.99

2010 Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan

By: Steve Greer | Review Date: 5/13/2011 | Send Email

Minerals and pure red fruits. Balanced structure. Fantastic.

Price: $224.99

2010 Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan

By: Alex Pross | Review Date: 5/13/2011 | Send Email

A must buy! After the duo from Haut-Brion, Haut-Bailly may be the top performer in Pessac, producing wines with a very singular feel. Layers of supple red fruit intermingle with sandalwood accents from oak barrels.

Price: $224.99

St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur (750ml)

By: Jacques Moreira | Review Date: 5/4/2011 | Send Email

I love it to bits! A little drop of its magic will transform a simple bubbly into the most amazing Champagne cocktail. Thumbs up!

Price: $34.99

WE: 96 - 100

Leclerc Briant Reserve Brut Champagne

By: Adam Parry | Review Date: 4/29/2011 | Send Email

This is, hands down, one of my favorite Champagnes in the store. Do yourself a favor and try this wine.

Price: $59.99

Billecart-Salmon "Le Rosé" Champagne

By: Christie Brunick | Review Date: 4/16/2011 | Send Email

If I could pick any Champagne to drink on a daily basis regardless of price, it would be the Beautiful Billecart Salmon Rose! Without a doubt your last sip will still taste as good as the first. And your obsession will start at your first sip. This is a clean and elegant style that will impress just about any level Champagne drinker

Price: $94.99

Leclerc Briant Reserve Brut Champagne

By: Christie Brunick | Review Date: 4/16/2011 | Send Email

This is one of my favorite direct import Champagnes that no body knows about! Its the staffs best kept secret. Layers of flavors here...Starts with a slightly honeyed bouquet with crisp minreality and a just a touch of toast on the finish. Its a perfect balance that almost any Champagne connoisseur can appreciate.

Price: $59.99

Sorelle Bronca Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Extra Dry

By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 3/9/2011 | Send Email

A stupendous effort from one of our favorite producers of prosecco. The nose is intense blooming white flower with a touch of citrus peel. The palate brings out tropical fruit, candied citrus, passion fruit. Touch of ripe sweetness balances the raciness perfectly.

Price: $23.99

VN: 90

La Petite Marquise Crémant de Loire Brut

By: Christie Brunick | Review Date: 3/9/2011 | Send Email

Its a beautiful thing to have an exceptional sparkler for an amazing price! This is always one of my favorites to always keep on hand at home because it is so fresh, minerally, with crisp acidity, elegant zesty bubbles, what more could you ask for from the Loire Valley? Its perfect day and night!

Price: $14.99

Rare Wine Company "Historic Series - New York" Malmsey Madeira

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 3/7/2011 | Send Email

I had this Madeira at the same tasting that I had the Savannah from the same series and though different from the Savannah, it is just as intriguing. Where the Savannah tends towards the dry side, the New york tends towards the sweet. Where the Savannah is not bone dry, the New York is not super sweeet. It has a nose of candied oranges, coffee and candied bacon. Medium to full bodied. On the palate, toffee, date and hazelnuts. Like the Savannah, it is worth every cent!

Price: $59.99

Rare Wine Company "Historic Series - Savannah" Verdelho Madeira

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 3/7/2011 | Send Email

We recently had a staff tasting of the wines of Spain and Portugal and had the opportunity to taste this excellent Madeira. I absolutely loved it. A nose orange peel and roasted nuts. This one is quite dry,though not bone dry, with flavors of almonds, nectarines and citrus. Worth every penny.

Price: $55.99

La Petite Marquise Crémant de Loire Brut Rosé

By: Kyle Kurani | Review Date: 2/28/2011 | Send Email

Rose with dark fruit and a very fine bubble structure for less than 15 dollars if just fine in my book. A glass of this on a sunny day while on a deck with a view would make this wine sing.

Price: $14.99

Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne

By: Adam Parry | Review Date: 2/27/2011 | Send Email

The Aristons' vineyards are vastly different than those of the the other blanc de blancs producers that we carry in the store. This is a creamy style Chardonnay Champagne that is always a crowd pleaser. An excellent value.

Price: $44.99

Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne

By: Jim Boyce | Review Date: 2/27/2011 | Send Email

Crisp and clean with light fruit on the palate, this Ariston Blanc de Blanc is a real crowd pleaser! Apple nose and a creamy body balanced with a solid mineral mid palate makes for a slightly more complex blanc de blanc thats affordable. Grab a couple bottles for your next occcasion!

Price: $44.99

La Petite Marquise Crémant de Loire Brut Rosé

By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 2/19/2011 | Send Email

Bright,fresh, clean and juicy, this is the perfect sparkler for parties or just plain enjoyment at any time. The Deligeroy Cremant Rose has a beautiful dark pink color, nice subtle berry flavors and a dry finish. All of this for a great price.

Price: $14.99

Old Weller "Antique" 107 Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)

By: Gary Lai | Review Date: 2/12/2011 | Send Email

The Old Weller is becoming my everyday favorite. Sure there are pricier and more complex tasting bourbons, but for under twenty bucks, this is one smooth and easy drinking goodness! For something that is 107 proof, you won't even taste the alcohol. No burning sensations in the back of your throat! Such elegance!

Price: $69.99

Limit of 1 per customer

Leclerc Briant Reserve Brut Champagne

By: Steve Greer | Review Date: 2/9/2011 | Send Email

Sadly this is one of our grower producers in Champagne that passed away. Pascal Leclerc's Champagnes were always some of my favorites each year. This pinot noir dominate sparkler shows toasty notes on the nose along fig and pear. On the palate and throughout the finish is fig, spice, toffee with an earthy savory quality with a salty finish.The mouth feel is fantastic and good balance of mousse with good acidity.

Price: $59.99

Leclerc Briant Reserve Brut Champagne

By: Mike Parres | Review Date: 2/8/2011 | Send Email

This is a blend of 70% pinot noir and 30% chardonnay from Pascal Leclerc's estate. Big & rich of the palate, yeasty and toasty,a full bodied Champagne that finishes dry, but has great length.

Price: $59.99

J Vineyards Russian River Valley Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 2/7/2011 | Send Email

I love this Brut Rose and it is finally not being overlooked by the Cuvee 20. Bright cherry fruit and hazelnuts with cream. Strawberry and raspberries in the mouth with a nice, long dry finish. Yummy!

Price: $34.95

J Vineyards "Cuvée 20" Russian River Valley Brut Sparkling Wine

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 2/7/2011 | Send Email

One of my favorite domestic bubblies. A very pretty nose of white flowers and minerals. On the palate, green apples and grapefruit with a samll bubble and a creamy pear finish. All this at a very affordable price.

Price: $29.95

DC: 96

WE: 91

Leclerc Briant Reserve Brut Champagne

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 2/7/2011 | Send Email

An excellent new arrival and latest release from LeClerc Briant! Wonderful minerality and crisp acidity with pear/apple fruit and just a touch of menthol on the finish. Tasted 2/5/2011.

Price: $59.99

La Petite Marquise Crémant de Loire Brut Rosé

By: Illya Haase | Review Date: 2/3/2011 | Send Email

This is well-balanced in the mouth and enhanced by a fresh but subtle finish. It also has tiny little bubbles, which always makes me happy! I love Cabernet Franc for sparkling wine, it has some great body and lovely fruit. For the price, buy a case!

Price: $14.99

Sorelle Bronca Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Extra Dry

By: Christie Brunick | Review Date: 2/2/2011 | Send Email

This is K&L's best selling Prosecco by far! No matter who your entertaining, even yourself, you will revel in the masterpiece of sweet seduction! Perfectly balanced Italian style...Not too sweet, not too dry, but just right! Day time Brunch, or evening pre-dinner cocktail, this Prosecco is so pretty and elegant you just can't get enough!

Price: $23.99

VN: 90

Dudognon "Vieille Reserve" Grand Champagne Cognac (750ml)

By: Mahon McGrath | Review Date: 1/29/2011 | Send Email

The Dudognon Vieille Reserve puts me in mind of golden, late afternoon sunshine. It isn’t the spirit’s color, but rather the gentle, relaxed warmth this spirit seems to contain. If only we all had such refinement and grace in our twenties! The Vieille Reserve is a slight notch up in amplitude from its younger sibling, the Reserve, taking on a weightier texture and greater length while retaining an obvious stylistic kinship in its purity and delicacy. Powdery, dusty vanilla and warm spice joins light caramel, citron and dried apple notes, which then fades longer than the diminuendo on a seventies rock track outro. You'd have to be something of a curmudgeon not to feel this.

Price: $84.99

VN: 95

WE: 94

Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne

By: Christie Brunick | Review Date: 1/5/2011 | Send Email

Ariston has done it again! They have created a Blanc de Blanc Champagne that is so unique and special compared to all the typical blanc de blancs on the shelf. Right off the bat after the Champagne Pop you get a whiff of the aromas of fresh baked brie, ripe apple, and Gruyere fondue...followed by a mysterious mid-palate chalk full of minerals and body. This isn't your typical super racy and tight blanc de blanc. It is fully developed into a mature ready to drink state of mind. Finishes with caramelized fruit and nuts...Enjoy!!

Price: $44.99

La Petite Marquise Crémant de Loire Brut Rosé

By: Steve Greer | Review Date: 12/28/2010 | Send Email

This is a perfect New Year's Eve Rose. On the nose bright cherry and strawberry aromas that carry through on the palate. The bright fresh red fruit flavors are surrounded by a more refined mouth feel. The price makes it affordable for a party.

Price: $14.99

La Petite Marquise Crémant de Loire Brut Rosé

By: Kirk Walker | Review Date: 12/28/2010 | Send Email

Party bubbles. A touch darker than you'd expect. Dark fruits fine bubbles and a crisp finish.

Price: $14.99

Dudognon "Reserve" Grand Champagne Cognac (750ml)

By: John Majeski | Review Date: 11/30/2010 | Send Email

A voter santé! Raymond Dudognon first distilled his own cognac in 1946, following the venerable traditions laid down by his great grandfather in 1776. The heart of the Charente region, located about 100 miles northeast of Bordeaux, is called Grande Champagne, and consists of deep chalk-rich soils, perfect for creating fragrant, long-lived cognacs. Made from 100% natural Ugni Blanc, this singular spirit is blended and distilled in the traditional alambic Charentais pot and eventually aged in 350 liter barrels. The Dudognon homage to tradition stresses minimal intervention, using only pure water as an additive to create a stunning cognac that charms and caresses the palate, displaying a weightlessness and delicacy of fruit found less commonly in cognacs at twice the price. Highly recommended!

Price: $49.99

VN: 91

WE: 91

Tequila Fortaleza Reposado Tequila

By: Kyle Kurani | Review Date: 11/30/2010 | Send Email

With the tequila market being such a competitive place these days, it is rare that a Tequila can clearly put itself above the rest. The Fortaleza Reposado is a study in old world crafting traditions and the superior product that can come from them. This Tequila tastes like Tequila, spicy and rich with undertones of vanilla to round out the palate, the care that goes into every bottle really comes through. One of the best Tequila’s on our shelf.

Price: $79.99

Limit of 1 per customer

Ariston Aspasie "Brut Prestige" Champagne

By: Kirk Walker | Review Date: 11/26/2010 | Send Email

This is the best incarnation of this cuvee that I have tried. From the 2002 vintage, this old vine cuvee offer more power and length that you typically find in Champagne at this price point. Red Pinot fruit and toasty yeast play out on its great finish.

Price: $49.99

Wine Club

$44.99

Pommery "Brut Royal" Champagne

By: Scott Beckerley | Review Date: 11/6/2010 | Send Email

This release from Pommery is an excellent value. It has the signature creamy and soft style of Pommery and a very affordable price. Peach fruit, cream and a hint of citrus zest on the nose. On the palate, pears, vanilla and subtle acidity. For those of you who like an elegant style that is feminine and treads softly.

Price: $54.99

WS: 90

La Petite Marquise Crémant de Loire Brut

By: John Majeski | Review Date: 10/31/2010 | Send Email

A customer came in recently and asked for an elegant, delicate sparkling wine for a wedding celebration. Champagne was beyond his budget, so without hesitation I smiled and recommended this Cremant de Loire, arguably the greatest sparkling wine value in the world. Created with precise restrictions on everything from mandatory hand-harvesting of relatively older vines to aging regimens (a minimum of 12 months) to atmospheres of pressure (3.5 as opposed to 6 for Champagne), the Deligeroy is a finely-beaded beauty, discreetly aromatic, lacy and effervescent. The careful assemblage of Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc adds aromatic complexity, giving this wine an added degree of sophistication. Highly recommended!

Price: $14.99

Ariston Aspasie Brut Rosé Champagne

By: Steve Greer | Review Date: 10/27/2010 | Send Email

This could be one of the best deals in our Champagne section. If you like Billecart then you will like this as a alternative in price. Nice strawberry and cherry flavors and aromas with a nice rich texture and a long finish of strawberry. Great value and a great Champagne.

Price: $42.99

Franck Bonville Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

By: Jason Marwedel | Review Date: 10/26/2010 | Send Email

Made from all estate fruit from Bonville’s Grand Cru vineyards in Avize, this champagne displays ripe citrus and apple fruit on the nose, followed by a rich mid palate and a snappy mineral finish. The Bonville Prestige has everything I am looking for in a Blanc De Blancs at an extremely reasonable price!

Price: $53.99

JS: 92

RP: 92

Tempus Fugit Gran Classico Bitter Liqueur (700ml)

By: Mahon McGrath | Review Date: 10/18/2010 | Send Email

For long years, Campari was the only game in town for a bitter of this sort. It has fans both loyal and ardent and is indeed wonderful. Campari tastes to my palate mainly about the contrast of bitter and sweet. The Gran Classico seems a touch gentler compared to it, easing back a wee bit on the bitter and then fleshing out that bitter-sweet polarity with a plusher range of dry woodsy spice, citrus and herbal accents, without ever obscuring the basic character. I wouldn’t think of Gran Classico so much as a replacement for or an improvement on Campari but as a worthy addition to the genre. Some cocktails, like the Old Pal, really do come to life with the Gran Classico in a way they never did with Campari. On the whole it makes for a mellow, integrated cocktail. Whether this will be an improvement will depend on both the drink and your tastes. Gran Classico is pretty compelling just on it’s own with soda over ice: a little variety never hurt anyone, eh? This is well worth trying!

Price: $34.99

Sorelle Bronca Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Extra Dry

By: Mike Parres | Review Date: 10/15/2010 | Send Email

The Prosecco is Straw yellow and has a creamy mousse with a delicate, long-lasting bead on the nose you will find generous fruit, releasing hints of apples, peaches and tropical fruit, plus wisteria blossoms, wonderful balance and elegance complement a pleasurably spiciness. The Palate is crisp, and fruity, admirable fullness and length, closely mirroring the nose.This is a wine of great balance and elegance and an excellent aperitif for all social occasions.

Price: $23.99

VN: 90

Ruinart Brut Rosé "2nd Skin" Champagne 750ml bottle (ships as a 1.5L due to shape of bottle)

By: Kirk Walker | Review Date: 10/6/2010 | Send Email

This is no ordinary rose. Yes, it is beautifully colored, has a great mouse, and is just too easy to drink but there is something else going on here as well. In one word, complexity. This is like drinking beautiful sparkling Burgundy. Wonderful aromatics, multidimensional fruit, a round, generous mid-palate and great length, this is more than special occasion Champagne, this is indulgent, you deserve it, treat yourself (family and friends optional) Champagne!

Price: $109.99

JS: 93

WS: 93

Buffalo Trace White Dog Mash #1 (375ml)

By: Mahon McGrath | Review Date: 9/30/2010 | Send Email

This is a White Dog you’re going to want to adopt. Don’t let the ferocious ABV deter you. Add about 1 part water to 2 parts whiskey and voila; you’ve got a surprisingly smooth and flavorful tipple that will put to rest any notion that an un-aged whiskey might be long on heat and short on flavor. The flavors are, however, quite different from those of aged bourbon. There are notes of citrus pith, grain, banana and a fresh minty-herbaceous quality that picks up a floral dimension on the finish. What’s more, it “shows up” when mixed, unlike vodka. There’s lots of room for experimentation and discovery here. Intriguing stuff!

Price: $16.99

Ardbeg "Corryvreckan" Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

By: Jeffrey Jones | Review Date: 9/6/2010 | Send Email

Another great addition to the line of single malts from Ardbeg. The Corryvreckan has the famous Ardbeg smoke and peat but is a unique product in its own right. The mouth feel is rich and round with more weight than I had expected. This blends very nicely with the smoke and peat to make one great beverage.

Price: $109.99

WA: 95

Domaine Balivet "Methode Ancestrale" Bugey Cerdon (Natrual Wine)

By: Joe Manekin | Review Date: 8/31/2010 | Send Email

Wayne to one of the Doobie Brothers on an old "What's Happpenin'?" episode: "Which Doobie do you be?" Me to the Domaine Balivet Bugey Cerdon: "Which Bugey do you be?" Answer? The good kind! Fresh, semi-tart heirloom apples with some fizz. What's not to like?

Price: $23.99

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