Skip to page content

Reviewers

K&L Email Alerts

Home

Staff Favorites - Jacques Moreira

Jacques Moreira | Send Email | Subscribe to My Sommelier Service

Having been born in Rio de Janeiro into a very proud French/Portuguese family, and living in France and the USA for almost 25 years, gave me the best of all worlds, one very old, and another very new. I’ve always had three different perspectives on everything growing up, three different opportunities to understand the world around me and to try to make sense of it all. From Ipanema Beach, to the bluest of seas in the Côte d'Azur and Nice, to the wonderful Big Sur. Caipirinha and Feijoada, codfish and Vinho Verde, Daube and Bandol, and the always present Rosé, and…beer for those 110 degree summertime days in Rio! I always worked in the food business, in Paris, Nice and San Francisco. While working at Jules Verne in Paris, I decided to devote my career solely to wines and eventually got my Sommelier certification through the International Sommelier Guild.

Reviews

2024 Turley California Rosé of Zinfandel

Review Date: 05-15-2025

A very surprising and very limited rosé wine from Turley. Made 100% of Zinfandel that was picked early, to maintain freshness. Fermented with native yeast and not fined nor filtered. Let's just say this is not your 90's white Zinfandel... Rich on the palate and yet low in alcohol at 12.5%. The floral, strawberry notes are balanced with a vinous viscosity that reminded me of a Tavel from Provence. Pair this with spicy, garlicky foods for a match made in heaven.

Price: $23.95

2016 Barde-Haut, St-Emilion

Review Date: 04-24-2023

From our good friend Hélène Garcin-Lévêque. Barde-Haut always delivers, and the excellent 2016 is no different! Incredibly complex, with notes that go from lavender, kirsch, blueberries to graphite and spices, with an earthy minerality all throughout. It is opulent, it is beautiful, and a tremendous value for its quality. Check out also the other vintages of Barde-Haut we have available in our inventory. They are all singing!

Price: $39.99

Allimant Laugner Cremant d'Alsace Brut

Review Date: 10-24-2022

Allimant Laugner produces one of our most sought after rosé sparking wines ever outside of Champagne! Their blanc is just as delicious "inside secret" of ours, but I decided to let he word out. Perfect for an elegant aperitif, parties or anytime when a celebration is called for. Enjoy.

Price: $21.99

2018 Sansonnet, St-Emilion

Review Date: 12-20-2021

Whenever I seek a St-Émilion, I envision a wine that is rich, generous, almost opulent. I also expect to open my wallet bit wider for it. Not here! For a very reasonable price, this wine delivers a luscious, generous palate of kirsch, blueberry liquor, chocolate, fresh tobacco. Rich but not excessive. A perfect steak wine.

Price: $47.99

2016 d'Aiguilhe, Côtes de Castillon

Review Date: 02-17-2020

Very appealing smokey aromatics with an intense palate that is full of cherries, cocoa and oak spices. It is full body and definitely not shy. It is luscious and utterly mouthwatering. Enjoy!

Price: $34.99

2015 Branaire-Ducru, St-Julien

Review Date: 09-23-2019

The 2015 Branaire Ducru is a textbook perfect example of a magnificent Saint-Julien. The ripe fruit nose and palate profile is full of cassis, plums, pencil lead and cola. The fruit is framed by its perfectly ripe tannins. It is a very pleasant experience to drink this now, but make no mistake, this wine will easily last another 20 years or more. So, a couple of cases in the cellars, and some bottles on the wine fridge are in order...

Price: $89.99

Wine Club

$79.99

Patrick Bottex "La Cueille" Méthode Ancéstrale Bugey Cerdon Rosé

Review Date: 06-03-2019

Fun, fun and more fun! Here’s a wine bursting with raspberries and bright red apples. Very light in alcohol (8%) and full of bubbles. Rosé from gamay and the very indigenous "poulsard" . For me this wine is picture perfect for Thanksgiving— the last thing I would want is a heavy and cumbersome wine for this late afternoon dinner. Instead this is a light, refreshing, food-friendly wine, with just enough residual sugar to pair just about perfectly with turkey, cranberry and everything that goes with it. And it doesn’t give me a headache! I could give this wine nothing less than 5 stars for what it is!

Price: $21.99

RP: 90

W&S: 90

Paolucci Amaro CioCiaro Liqueur (750ml)

Review Date: 04-08-2019

Very interesting amaro, with delicious notes of cola, and loads of bitter orange followed by a soft sweetness that will make a perfect digestive for those new to the amaro world. Highly recommended.

Price: $34.99

WE: 90 - 95

Allimant Laugner Cremant d'Alsace Rosé (1.5L)

Review Date: 04-02-2018

I would say this is the very best Rosé sparkling we carry at this moment. Very elegant and delicate and yet it has raspberry and strawberry galore on the nose and on the palate. Very focused and quite dry. Beautiful!

Price: $47.99

Allimant Laugner Cremant d'Alsace Rosé

Review Date: 04-02-2018

Price: $21.99

JS: 91

Avuá "Prata" Cachaça Brasil (750ml)

Review Date: 04-02-2018

Very nice Cachaça. Very floral, soft and with a touch of honey. Great for tropical cocktails.

Price: $34.99

WE: 91

2014 Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge, Pessac-Léognan

Review Date: 02-20-2018

A very elegant nose of black currant, plums, brown sugar, coffee and graphite, which follows on the palate. It is all a bit restrained now, not surprising being such a young wine, but it is all there. The body is medium to full, and the acidity gives it a nice freshness throughout It will blossom into an incredible wine. I liked very much. 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot

Price: $139.99

Egrot Brut Champagne

Review Date: 07-03-2012

This is a new Champagne for me that thanks to our buyer Gary Westby, I had the chance to taste and love it. With a fascinating nose of caramel toffee, some cocoa powder and a surprising wiff of pain-au-chocolat and cherries that brought back memories of a breakfast on a back street cafe around the Champs-Elisees. A great wine for a very elegant apperitif.

Price: $37.99

2005 Verdignan, Haut-Médoc

Review Date: 12-17-2011

Great example of the fantastic 2005 vintage. The Verdignan it is showing those classic notes of black currants, cedar, touch of cigar box and even some floral notes. Old school yet approachable. It needs a bit of debating to bring its magic out. Very good value and very good wine.

Price: $29.99

WS: 90

La Petite Marquise Crémant de Loire Brut Rosé

Review Date: 11-05-2011

Without a doubt one of my favorites sparkling rosé wines. Full of citron, wild strawberries, cherries and FUN! I recommend it for an aperitif on Valentine's day, or with the heart shaped box of chocolate! What?! It is not Valentines just yet? Just pretend, your significant other will love it!

Price: $14.99

St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur (750ml)

Review Date: 05-04-2011

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

Ariston Aspasie Brut Rosé Champagne

Review Date: 08-09-2010

Profound and fun at the same time. Deliciously rich but still delicate, with an explosion of berry fruit. My first choice for a Lobster Bisque, hors d'oeuvre, sushi or to accompany a romantic sunset...

Price: $42.99

Ledaig 10 Year Old Isle of Mull Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

Review Date: 12-27-2009

I was a Scotch drinker in my 20s, but for some reason that I can't remember, I stopped drinking them. After being around David Girard for awhile, he became sort of a "mentor" to me, and I am having a lot of fun being reintroduced to the world of Scotch. The Ledaig has been, so far, one my my favorites, with a very balanced amount of peat (which I love), and a quite intriguing whiff of white flowers, leather and lots of spices. I will keep you posted about this exciting journey with other reviews.

Price: $69.99

Franck Bonville Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

Review Date: 10-20-2009

If there is such a thing as a Champagne for everyday use, well this has to be it. Not because of the price, but for its quality and poise. Very crispy, citrousy end elegant. Perfect for hors d'oeuvres, seafood, egg dishes, guacamole, goat cheeses, and "fantastic" with caviar!

Price: $53.99

JS: 92

RP: 92

More Favorites

Jacques Moreira is also a fan of the following items. To become a fan of Jacques Moreira, click here to join Jacques Moreira's Personal Sommelier Service.

Eric Bordelet "Tendre" Sidre (Apple) Cider ($9.99)

Eric Bordelet "Poiré l’Authentique" Sidre (Pear) Cider (750ml) ($17.49)

Velho Barreiro Cachaça (1L) ($15.99)

L.N. Mattei Cap Corse Blanc Quinquina Aperitif Wine (750ml) ($24.99)

Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey ($24.99)

Siembra Valles Blanco Tequila (750ml) ($69.99)

St. George "Botanivore" Gin (750ml) ($29.99)

2014 Tronquoy-Lalande, St-Estèphe ($39.99)

Bollinger "Special Cuvée" Brut Champagne 375ml ($39.99)

Fallet-Dart "Grande Selection" Brut Champagne (375ml) ($19.99)

Fallet-Dart "Grande Sélection" Brut Champagne ($39.99)

Carpano Antica Formula Sweet Vermouth (1L) ($34.99)

Billecart-Salmon "Le Reserve" Champagne (1.5L) ($139.99)

Billecart-Salmon "Le Réserve" Champagne (375ml) ($39.99)

Billecart-Salmon "Le Rosé" Champagne (375ml) ($59.99)

Bollinger "Special Cuvée" Brut Champagne ($69.99)

Taittinger "La Française" Brut Champagne ($54.99)

Ruinart Brut Rosé "2nd Skin" Champagne 750ml bottle (ships as a 1.5L due to shape of bottle) ($109.99)

Lazzaroni Amaretto (750ml) ($34.99)

Cimarron Reposado Tequila (1L) ($29.99)

Cimarron Blanco Tequila (1L) ($26.99)

Tequila Fortaleza Añejo Tequila ($109.99)

Tequila Fortaleza Reposado Tequila ($79.99)

2009 Les Tourelles de Longueville, Pauillac ($69.99)

Billecart-Salmon "Le Rosé" Champagne ($94.99)

Launois "Cuvée Réservée" Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne ($39.99)

Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne ($37.99)

Lillet Blanc Aperitif Wine (750ml) ($23.99)

Pommery "Brut Royal" Champagne ($54.99)

Lustau "East India Solera" Cream Sherry Jerez ($29.99)

Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur (750ml) ($39.99)

Luxardo Maraschino Cherries (400g) ($19.99)

Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne ($44.99)

Ariston Aspasie "Brut Prestige" Champagne ($49.99)

Launois "Quartz" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne ($49.99)

Domaine de Canton Ginger & Cognac Liqueur (750ml) ($34.99)