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Staff Favorites - Keith Mabry
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Reviews
2025 Domaine Yann Chave Crozes Hermitage Blanc
Review Date: 08-17-2026
Finding inspiration in Burgundy—where Daphné Chave spent time studying winemaking—this is a lovely expression of Marsanne and Roussanne. Oily and mineral-driven, it unfolds with layered notes of nectarine, wet stone and marzipan. There is a wonderful subtlety and nuance here that becomes even more expressive at the table, particularly alongside richer white meats and fish dishes.
Price:
$39.99
2023 Domaine Yann Chave Hermitage Rouge
Review Date: 08-17-2026
The 2022 was one of my WOW! wines of last year. It was packed with explosive Syrah fruit and a savory, floral edge, with tremendous length on the palate. It just kept delivering with every sip.
The 2023 follows a similar profile but with a little more elegance and lift. The fruit comes from two parcels, Beaume and Pelléat, on the eastern side of the hill, where the vines catch more of the morning sun. Like me, it’s an early riser, but one that will deliver even more as the day grows long—or with just a few more years in bottle. This is a beautifully balanced expression with plenty to offer now and even more to come with time.
2023 Domaine Yann Chave "Le Rouvre" Crozes-Hermitage Rouge
Review Date: 08-17-2026
I adore this wine. This is a much deeper and more profound expression of Crozes-Hermitage, with floral and herbal notes layered over deep, savory fruit. There is so much terroir on display here. It is never heavy or hedonistic, but it has tremendous presence and depth. I first tasted this from barrel in 2025 and again from bottle in 2026, and it has continued to impress me at every stage. This is a magnificent expression of Syrah that encapsulates just how good a great Crozes-Hermitage can be.
2023 Domaine Yann Chave St-Joseph
Review Date: 08-17-2026
The inaugural release of this wine. This is all fruit from Tournon, the heart and soul of deeper flavored St-Joseph wine where they are in good company with Jean-Louis Chave and Pierre Gonon. Sweet loamy fruit with savory spice. The classic bacon fat character looms in the background but should emerge more forward in a few years. Gorgeous potential!
2024 Domaine Yann Chave Crozes-Hermitage Rouge
Review Date: 08-17-2026
Perfumed and elegant. This is consummate Crozes. Great purity of Syrah fruit character showcasing the vibrant raspberry and and spice filled character of the region. Fine tannins and easily accessible in its youth.
2024 Domaine la Clef du Récit (Anthony Girard) Menetou-Salon
Review Date: 08-11-2026
Talking about Sancerre vigneron Anthony Girard of Clef du Récit is one of my favorite pastimes. We have been working directly with Anthony for nearly a decade now, and I have had the opportunity to visit him several times over the years. Every visit comes with a sense of adventure and usually a hint of mischief. We have taken off-the-beaten-path journeys through the forest to pick flowers for his daughter’s school project and visited his brother’s goat farm to watch the goats being prepared for chèvre season. I sometimes refer to Anthony as the king of the side quest.
That same curiosity has led him beyond Sancerre to explore some of the Loire’s neighboring appellations, including Quincy and nearby Menetou-Salon. His Menetou-Salon is 100% Sauvignon Blanc and is handled much like his regular Sancerre, fermented and raised entirely in tank to preserve freshness and purity.
The difference is in the terroir. The fruit comes primarily from Terres Blanches, the clay-limestone soils that tend to give Sauvignon Blanc more weight, texture and richness. You can see that character on full display here. Candied lemon peel and white peach are layered with wild thyme and a streak of salinity. It is inviting and fresh, but with a little more depth and richness than you might expect.
Every journey with Anthony seems to turn into a new adventure, and his Menetou-Salon is definitely a side quest worth taking.
2025 Domaine Vacheron Sancerre
Review Date: 08-10-2026
Vacheron remains one of Sancerre's benchmark producers, and the 2025 vintage is a clear reminder why. Bright grapefruit and Mandarin orange peel lead the charge, grounded by fresh pea shoots and Meyer lemon for that unmistakable Sancerre profile. A wisp of smoky flint adds nuance to the wine's texture, while taut acidity keeps everything precise and focused. Always limited—and always a treat.
Price:
$47.99
| Limit of 6 per customer |
2022 Château du Perry Malbec Cahors
Review Date: 08-10-2026
It has been a couple of years since we first offered the 2022 Château du Perry, and it proved every bit as popular as the 2020 that preceded it. We sold through our original allocation, but recently had the opportunity to secure another small parcel of the 2022 vintage—and we were more than happy to bring it back.
One look in the glass and you understand why Cahors was historically known for its “black wine.” Deep, dark and nearly opaque, it stains the glass and immediately hints at the concentration to come. The 2022 is a touch bigger than the 2020, with sumptuous flavors of black raspberry and currant layered with grilled meat and savory spices. It practically erupts from the glass.
What we loved about this wine the first time around remains true today. It captures the depth and character that make Cahors distinctive, but in a style that is accessible, generous and ready to drink. This is a LOT of wine for under $15 and an easy recommendation for fans of Cabernet, Bordeaux and, of course, Argentine Malbec.
We were thrilled to get another shot at the 2022, especially at this price. Quantities are limited, and this may well be our last opportunity to feature this vintage.
2025 Domaine de Terrebrune Bandol Rosé
Review Date: 08-10-2026
There is rosé, and then there is Bandol Rosé. Among the great estates of the appellation—a group that includes Tempier and Pibarnon—Terrebrune keeps the very best company. Mourvèdre dominates here, setting Bandol apart from greater Provence, where Grenache and Cinsault tend to drive the blends. It is what makes these wines so distinctive. Mourvèdre can produce rich, full-bodied and deeply structured reds, but as a rosé, it takes on an almost ephemeral quality. It is elegant yet textured, intense yet nuanced and graceful.
The new vintage of Terrebrune is one of the best rosés of the season. That may sound like hyperbole, especially when you’ve heard me talk about favorites like Pradeaux and Domaine du Bagnol Cassis Rosé, but this ranks right alongside them.
It captures everything I look for in great Bandol Rosé. Expressive notes of ruby red grapefruit and wild strawberry are accented by more subtle tones of wet stone, anise and bay leaf. Fuller-bodied but never heavy, it carries remarkable freshness and a bright, vibrant finish.
Bandol Rosé as a category transcends what we typically think of as Provence rosé, and Terrebrune is proof in the glass. This is superb to drink now, but it has the structure and depth to continue developing beautifully for several years to come.
2025 Domaine Jacourette Côtes de Provence Cru Sainte-Victoire Rosé
Review Date: 07-27-2026
The Jacourette vineyards sit beneath the shadow of the Montagne Sainte-Victoire, the limestone massif that has watched over this corner of Provence since long before Cézanne made it famous on canvas. Over millennia, the mountain's limestone has eroded, forming the surrounding clay soils, laying down the calcareous foundation that gives these wines their signature minerality.
We've been working with vigneronne Hélène Dragon since her 2013 vintage, and in that time her style has only sharpened — each vintage leaning further into purity and precision. Her base cuvée has always been a great success for us, a bright and reliable expression of Provençal rosé. But this year, with Sainte-Victoire's elevation to Cru status, we've decided to shift our focus entirely to her top cuvée: select parcels within the Sainte-Victoire Cru, carved out from the lower-yielding vineyards directly beneath the mountain.
We couldn't be more thrilled with this decision. For just a few dollars more, this wine offers so much more — riper fruit and a richer, more layered palate: white strawberry, raspberry, grapefruit, and herbes de Provence, with a light fennel note that adds real dimension and sets it apart from lesser bottlings in the appellation. Depth, length, and gorgeous minerality make this a genuinely harmonious glass.
This is Provençal rosé built for the table — think roasted vegetables in olive oil, tuna niçoise, brandade on toasted bread, grilled sardines, even lamb chops. Jacourette remains one of our favorite producers working in the region today.
Price:
$19.99
2022 Alpha Estate "Ecosystem - Barba Yannis" Xinomavro Reserve Amyndeon Greece
Review Date: 07-24-2026
If Hedgehog Vineyard is Alpha Estate's most approachable expression of Xinomavro, "Barba Yannis" is the other end of the spectrum — the estate's most serious, structured, and age-worthy bottling of the grape. The difference starts in the vineyard: these vines were planted in 1919, making them over a century old, and that age shows in every aspect of the wine. Old vines like these naturally yield less fruit, but what they do produce carries a depth and concentration that younger plantings simply can't replicate.
Where Hedgehog shows Xinomavro's lifted, Valtellina-like grace, Barba Yannis leans into something denser and more brooding — dried cherry and dried rose give way to tobacco leaf, dried fig, and a savory, almost meaty undertone. The tannins here are firmer and more assertive than in Hedgehog, built for extended aging rather than immediate pleasure, though they never feel harsh or unresolved. There's a real sense of gravity to this wine that speaks to both the vine age and the reserve-level attention it receives in the cellar.
This is a wine to set aside for a few years, or to open now alongside something equally substantial — braised short rib, aged sheep's milk cheese, or a rich lamb stew. If Hedgehog is where I'd send someone new to Xinomavro, Barba Yannis is where I'd send them once they're ready to see how far the grape can go.
2025 Hatzidakis "Familia" Assyrtiko Santorini Greece
Review Date: 07-24-2026
"Familia" draws from a selection of the estate's own family-owned parcels, some of the oldest and most prized sites they farm, planted in the classic kouloura basket-trained vines that protect the fruit from Santorini's relentless wind and sun. The result is a wine of extraordinary precision showing white peach, preserved lemon, crushed oyster shell, a whisper of fennel. This is all wrapped around that signature volcanic minerality that just seems to keep going on the finish.
This is a serious, cellar-worthy Assyrtiko, and one of the most complete expressions of the grape I've tasted this year. Drink it now alongside grilled octopus or a rich seafood risotto, or tuck a bottle away — it has the structure to reward five, even ten years in the cellar.
Price:
$94.99
2016 Domaine Economou Assyrtiko Crete Greece
Review Date: 07-24-2026
The 2016 Assyrtiko, aged semi-oxidatively like the Odyssey, carries real tension — underlying acidity and minerality that unfurl as it opens. Lime peel, toasted almonds, and pineapple rind emerge with air. This is not a wine to rush.
Price:
$74.99
2024 Domaine Pauline Pabiot "Le Coteau" Pouilly-Fume
Review Date: 07-21-2026
I had the chance to visit Pauline Pabiot a few years ago at her property in Tracy-sur-Loire, one of the villages in the Pouilly-Fumé appellation. I'd already tasted the wines beforehand, so I pretty much knew we'd end up working together — but it was her charm and the direction she was taking the winery that really sealed the deal.
Young and determined, she took over the estate from her grandfather, Roger Pabiot. She's now the fifth generation running the place, and she's converted it to organic farming, even keeping the old Chasselas vines around to make a tiny, very limited batch of Pouilly-sur-Loire.
We wandered through her vines together, exploring the appellation. Back at the winery, she pulled out all these fossils that had turned up in the vineyards over the years — pretty cool stuff. The soils around Pouilly-Fumé are known for lots of silex (flint), but the "Coteau" is actually planted over sandy-clay and clay-limestone, which gives those wines a brighter, more lifted freshness.
One of my tasting notes for the 2024 just said, "YUM!" And honestly, that about sums it up. It's packed with lemon verbena, fresh nectarine, and honeydew melon, with a light chalky minerality that balances the fruit and that signature refreshing acidity. It's just a really pleasing wine — full of all the charm I've come to expect from Pauline.
Price:
$24.99
2024 Alpha Estate "Ecosystem - Aghia Kiriaki" Assyrtiko Florina Greece
Review Date: 07-16-2026
Another great example of mainland Assyrtiko comes from another great modern producer – Alpha Estate. Located in the highlands of Amyndeon, they are most famous for their Xinomavro and Malagouzia wines. But they are making great Assyrtiko as well. Here you have the grape planted in high altitude soils but over sandy-clay and limestone. There is a more unctuous character here that recalls the wines of Santorini with its body but the fruit profile leans more into the tropical. Pineapple, lemon curd and note of passion fruit and a lovely wet stone quality that makes this a comfortable pairing with cheeses, poultry and grilled pork.
2025 Skouras "Wild Ferment" Assyrtiko Péloponnèse Greece
Review Date: 07-16-2026
Skouras, one of the great producers in the Peloponnese, began experimenting with the grape nearly two decades ago. Planting it in the region of Nemea, known for its high altitude vineyards and iron-rich red clay soils, their version has really taken off.
The new 2025 Skouras Assyrtiko begins with that crunchy mineral character not dissimilar to the ones you find on Santorini, but there is a lifted brighter quality here. Where the ones from Santorini are more glycerol, this has a vibrancy that makes me lean into green apples, fresh squeezed lemons and light nectarine notes. The sensation of minerality finishes though and a plate of oysters is one of the first things that springs to mind. There is much to love with this aperitif style, great as a starter of course or with any grilled fish or shellfish plucked from the nearby Mediterranean.
2023 Oenos Mittas Xinomavro Naoussa Greece
Review Date: 07-16-2026
I've visited Oenos Mittas a couple of times over the years. Naoussa is famous above all for its limestone soils, but this particular parcel is actually planted on schist — a distinction that sets it apart from much of its neighboring vineyard land, and one that shows in the wine's precision and lift. It's also hard not to love the origin story here: Yianni (Johnny) Mittas converted his family's old bicycle shop into a makeshift winery to get this project off the ground, a scrappy, hands-on beginning for what's become one of the region's most exciting young labels.
The wine itself shows the grape in a youthful, vibrant state — bright red fruit, dried oregano, and that telltale savory, almost balsamic edge that makes Xinomavro so distinctive. The tannins are firm but not aggressive, and there's real energy running through the wine from start to finish, likely no small thanks to that schist soil underneath. A great entry point if you're new to Naoussa Xinomavro, and an excellent pairing for grilled sausages, moussaka, or anything with a good char on it.
Price:
$29.99
2021 Domaine Tatsis "Xiropotamos" Xinomavro Blanc de Noir Macedonia Greece (Natural Wine)
Review Date: 07-16-2026
This one is a bit of an oddity, and that's exactly why it's worth including. Tatsis, one of Macedonia's most respected natural winemakers, takes Xinomavro — the great red grape of the north — and vinifies it as a white, pressing the grapes off their skins immediately to avoid any color extraction.
The result is a fascinating, slightly savory white with red berry undertones, wild herbs, and a chalky, textured finish that hints at its red-grape origins without ever tasting like a red. Made with native yeasts and minimal sulfur, it's a wine for the curious drinker — try it with charcuterie, mushroom dishes, or anything with a bit of umami depth.
Price:
$19.99
2024 Moinoterra Moscato Spinas Archanes Crete Greece
Review Date: 07-16-2026
I visited Moinoterra and met Nikos Stathoglou, whose story is one of the more remarkable ones I've come across in Greek wine. Nikos founded the winery in 2022 at the age of 52, with no meaningful background in the industry — a second career built entirely from passion and conviction. It's the kind of leap that makes you root for a producer before you've even tasted the wine.
Fortunately, the wine backs it up. Moscato Spinas is a genuine rarity — this indigenous Cretan variant of Muscat is planted almost nowhere else. Don't mistake this for the sweet Moscatos you may be picturing: it's bone dry, aromatic, and intensely floral, with notes of orange blossom, ripe apricot, and a touch of candied ginger, finishing crisp and long. A fantastic conversation-starter bottle, and a beautiful match for spiced dishes or anything with a bit of citrus zest.
Price:
$22.99
2024 Douloufakis "Aspros Lagos" Vidiano Crete Greece
Review Date: 07-16-2026
Douloufakis is one of the standard-bearers for quality winemaking on Crete, and Vidiano is a grape I think more people should know. I visited the estate years ago and had the chance to do a vertical tasting of his regular Vidiano bottling — half a dozen vintages side by side — and the evolution of the grape in bottle was astounding. It's another one of my top picks for varieties to watch.
"Aspros Lagos" — White Hare — is the bigger, barrel-aged expression, and it shows. Sourced from vineyards in the Dafnes region at elevation, where cooler nights help preserve the grape's natural acidity, this version is succulent and full, with real weight and a lovely waxy texture that never loses its freshness — apricot, honeysuckle, and a faint nuttiness that gives it real complexity for the price. A wine built for the table: think roast pork, creamy risottos, or aged Cretan cheeses.
2024 Sclavos "Vino di Sasso" Robola of Cephalonia Greece
Review Date: 07-16-2026
I visited Sclavos this past year and it was one of the highlights of my trip to Greece. The island of Cephalonia is a monstrous limestone monolith emerging from the Ionian sea. The fractured limestone that makes up the slopes of the vineyards is dramatic, and you always wonder why anyone would go to the trouble to try to grow anything on these treacherous hills. Thankfully they do, and it is this limestone soil that informs all of the wines of the region — but particularly the Vino di Sasso, which translates to "wine from stone."
Made from Robola, it is a vibrant, mineral-driven white. Succulent, racy and dry, this is definitely one of the grapes that will challenge Assyrtiko for top dog once more wine drinkers become aware of it. Sclavos is one of the best producers on the island, so it's nice to drink something so special for such a reasonable price.
Price:
$25.99
2024 Iliana Malihin "Young Vines" Vidiano Rethymno Crete Greece
Review Date: 07-16-2026
Iliana Malihin is a name worth remembering — a young, meticulous producer working in Rethymno who's quickly building a reputation for precision and restraint.
Though these are young vines, there is nothing that is not great about this version of Vidiano. Succulent mineral notes with an oily but lifted texture. Vidiano is highest on my list of grapes to watch.
Sourced from parcels on Crete's rocky, mineral-rich soils, this bottling shows exactly why the grape is drawing so much attention right now — a wine that walks the line between richness and freshness with real precision. Pour it with grilled octopus, a simple plate of fried cheese, or anything off the grill with a squeeze of lemon.
Price:
$34.99
2024 Skouras "Salto" Moscofilero Péloponnèse Greece
Review Date: 07-16-2026
I have long been a fan of the wines of Skouras. One of my most iconic wine pairings was a bottle of Skouras Moscofilero and grilled fish plucked fresh from the Mediterranean. Of course it was on a sandy beach in Greece, with a warm breeze coming in off the harbor and gentle waves splashing at the sand. That was almost a decade ago, and I remember it like it was yesterday.
Since then, Skouras has pushed the Salto forward — also Moscofilero, but fermented entirely with native yeasts and sourced from a darker, more powerful clone called Mavrofilero. The beauty is definitely present, with notes of jasmine, makrut lime leaf, Meyer lemon and peach blossoms. The Salto is aromatically bold but also racy and dry on the palate. You may not need a beach setting to enjoy what this wine has to offer, but some grilled fish with a hearty squeeze of lemon and a glug of olive oil will at least split the difference. This is still one of my most transportive wines.
2025 Domaine Sigalas Assyrtiko Santorini Greece
Review Date: 07-15-2026
Like Helen of Troy, Sigalas is the wine that launched a thousand ships — mostly ships headed to Santorini. Sigalas remains one of the benchmark producers on the island, and the quality has always been superb. The 2025 vintage saw devastatingly low yields, but we were fortunate to secure a healthy allocation thanks to our long-standing relationship with the importer.
I recently featured Sigalas at a staff training, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. It's always been a favorite, but the 2025 showed impressively well. One note a colleague shared really resonated with me — the wine's texture was unlike anything he'd tasted before, with nothing quite to reference it against. I kept going back to it myself, and it caught my eye — or should I say palate — too. It has a glycerol texture that's somehow sharp and round all at once. Hard to put into words, but the sensation was incredible - like a distillation of the terroir.
This is a young Sigalas that will only benefit from time in bottle, but right now that gorgeous density is accompanied by flavors of roasted peach, watermelon rind, wet rock, watercress, apple jelly. So much happening already, and so much more still to come from this classic.
2024 Akra Chryssos Santorini Greece
Review Date: 07-15-2026
I had the great fortune to visit Santorini last year, and one of my favorite stops was with Spyros Chryssos. Spyros comes from one of the island's great grower families, supplying fruit for years to top producers including Hatzidakis. Only in the last few years has he begun vinifying his own grapes, and it's a revelation. I tasted a lineup that included one of his first vintages, 2018, and was blown away by how much the wine had gained in bottle — but all of his new releases showed real proof of concept. Spyros is someone to watch, and this is a producer worth seeking out.
His regular Santorini bottling comes only from his privately owned vineyards — many producers on the island rely on long-term contracts with other growers — and everything is farmed organically, with no chemical inputs. Handled entirely in stainless steel and aged on fine lees, this is a wine of real tension and nuance: citrus rind, roasted apple, crushed rock. It's everything I want from a Santorini white. Given its ageability, this is a keeper — stunning now, and it should be a true showstopper in just a few more years.
Price:
$85.00
2023 Akra Chryssos "Nykteri" Assyrtiko Santorini Greece
Review Date: 07-15-2026
Santorini produces a style of white called Nykteri, and its rules are looser than people assume — a minimum alcohol level and a later harvest, which nearly all Santorini wines meet anyway. The one rule with real teeth is a minimum three months in barrel. Traditionally that's led producers to over-age their Nykteris into nutty, oxidative territory.
Akra Chryssos goes the other way. This is as vibrant and lush as the category gets — sourced entirely from 100+ year old vines on one of the island's top sites, it delivers a real symphony: passion fruit, pineapple, dried pear, crème brûlée, lime leaf. Santorini's signature minerality carries the finish and melts seamlessly into toasty oak.
It may not show the typicity people expect from Assyrtiko, but this is next-level work — and worth holding a few more years before drinking with real pleasure.
Price:
$89.99
2023 Antech "Emotion" Extra Brut Rosé Crémant de Limoux
Review Date: 07-15-2026
Antech makes several exceptional cuvées, and while Eugénie remains one of our top sellers, Emotion is personally the one closest to my heart.
The Antech family has always been welcoming. We were working with them even before I took over buying their category, and they were one of the first producers to host me at their winery in Limoux. The region has actually been producing sparkling wine longer than Champagne—though Limoux didn't adopt secondary fermentation until much later. Before that, winemakers there used the Méthode Ancestrale, where fermentation finishes in the bottle, and the region became known for sweeter, brighter styles.
By the time we started working with Antech over twenty years ago, they had honed in on their bubbles and were huge champions of this rosé. For me, it went with everything—food-friendly, great on its own, and always appreciated at every party or event I brought it to for its expressive, classy profile.
This character-driven rosé still transcends its price point, delivering some of the best quality-to-price ratio of any sparkling wine—across all categories, not just rosé. White cherry, Red Delicious apple, and a touch of raspberry unfold on a slightly fuller-bodied frame, carrying through with delicious brioche notes and surprising length and presence on the palate. Since the winery lowered their dosage over the last couple of years, shifting toward Extra Brut styles, the wines have developed better tension while expressing more of the autolytic qualities I love in a great sparkling wine.
Simply put: there is no other non-Champagne rosé that offers this level of character at this price point.
2025 Château Les Valentines "Le Caprice de Clementine" Côtes de Provence Rosé
Review Date: 07-13-2026
I've been fortunate to know Gilles and Pascale Pons, the proprietors of Château les Valentines, for well over a decade. From the very beginning, I was drawn to the purity and restraint of their wines. Their estate lies in La Londe-les-Maures, on the Mediterranean side of the Côtes de Provence, where schist soils produce rosés with remarkable tension and minerality. Just a few miles from the sea, the vineyards benefit from cooling maritime breezes that impart a subtle saline edge, while the family's commitment to certified organic farming allows this exceptional terroir to speak with even greater clarity.
The first wine they ever poured for me was Caprice des Clémentines. Named after their then-young daughter—now in her mid-twenties—it was conceived as an introduction to the estate's style, blending fruit from their own vineyards with carefully selected partner growers' parcels. It was an instant favorite with both our staff and customers. Over the past few vintages, however, the wine has become entirely estate grown, and the added precision and character are unmistakable.
When Gilles and Pascale parted ways with their national importer, I asked if they would consider joining our Direct Import program. Fortunately, they said yes, and for the past several years Château les Valentines has become a new cornerstone of our Provence portfolio. They embody exactly what we look for: a family-owned estate farming responsibly, producing wines that clearly express their place, and delivering exceptional value vintage after vintage.
The new Caprice is an even blend of Grenache and Cinsault, bursting with notes of wild strawberry, papaya, nectarine, and wet stone. The balance is what keeps me coming back. Bright acidity, a gentle mineral streak, and an effortless freshness make it a wine that shines at the table. During my recent visit to the estate, I enjoyed it with several meals, but my favorite moment came before dinner at Gilles and Pascale's home. A simple platter of crudités, a few friends gathered on the patio, and a chilled bottle of Caprice were all it took to remind me why this wine has remained one of my perennial Provence favorites.
Price:
$18.99
2025 Domaine la Chapelle Saint Victor Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Rosé
Review Date: 07-13-2026
Colombe and La Chapelle Saint Victor often arrive in tandem and Chapelle has always been the more terroir-driven sibling. Where La Colombe emphasizes fruit, Chapelle leans into precision and minerality. Crisp Red Delicious apple, citrus zest, and subtle wild herbs are framed by a streak of limestone-driven freshness that carries through the finish. There's an understated complexity here that makes it equally enjoyable on its own or alongside food. Pair it with grilled seafood, Niçoise salad, or simply a warm evening outdoors, and it's easy to understand why this has become one of the defining wines of our Provence program.
Price:
$14.99
2025 Domaine la Colombe Coteaux Varois en Provence Rosé
Review Date: 07-13-2026
Rosé season never quite feels official until La Colombe hits our shelves. Bright, expressive, and endlessly drinkable, the 2025 delivers everything we've come to expect from one of our most popular Direct Imports. Juicy white peach, ripe strawberry, and fresh watermelon lead the way, while a burst of citrus keeps everything lively and refreshing. There's a beautiful balance between generous fruit and crisp acidity that makes often makes this the first bottle to disappear from the table a little too quickly. Whether you're headed to the beach, firing up the grill, or simply looking for the perfect porch wine, La Colombe continues to set the standard for everyday Provence rosé.
Price:
$13.99
2023 Domaine Fournier Pére et Fils "Les Belles Vignes" Sancerre
Review Date: 07-13-2026
Domaine Fournier has built its reputation on producing some of Sancerre's finest site-specific, soil-driven wines, with Les Belles Vignes serving as the flagship expression of the appellation. Like all white Sancerre, it is 100% Sauvignon Blanc, but what makes this bottling so compelling is that it blends fruit from Sancerre's three great soil types: Terres Blanches (Kimmeridgian marl), Caillottes (Oxfordian limestone), and Silex (flint). The domaine has earned consistent critical acclaim over the years, and the 2023 vintage was recognized as one of the top Sauvignon Blancs at the Decanter World Wine Awards.
The 2023 is a beautiful introduction to Fournier's style, capturing the character of each terroir in a seamless whole. The Terres Blanches contributes richness, texture, and structure, with flavors of ruby red grapefruit and kumquat. The Caillottes lifts the wine with freshness and vibrant acidity, adding hints of passion fruit and a subtle tropical edge. Finally, the Silex delivers the signature flinty minerality and a delicate smoky note reminiscent of struck flint. Individually, each soil brings something distinctive, but together they create a Sancerre that is wonderfully balanced, layered, and complete.
As the importer prepares to transition to the new vintage, they offered us an exceptional opportunity on the remaining 2023 vintage. Normally retailing around $40, we're able to offer this outstanding Sancerre at a throwback price of just $29.99. Finding this level of quality at under $30 has become increasingly rare, especially in today's Sancerre market. Whether you're already a fan of the appellation or simply looking for one of the best Sauvignon Blanc values of the summer, this is a bottle worth stocking up on before it disappears.
2025 Domaine Fournier Pére et Fils "Les Belles Vignes" Sancerre
Review Date: 07-08-2026
Domaine Fournier, known for its signature site-specific and soil-driven Sancerres, has afforded us the opportunity to feature its flagship cuvée, Les Belles Vignes, in this month's club. Like all white Sancerre, it is 100% Sauvignon Blanc, but what makes this wine special is that it represents an alliance of the appellation's three great soil types: Terres Blanches (Kimmeridgian marl), Caillottes (Oxfordian limestone), and Silex (flint).
Each terroir contributes something unique. Terres Blanches provides weight and structure, Caillottes brings freshness and vibrant fruit, while Silex adds minerality and a subtle savory character. When these three elements come together, the result is often greater than the sum of its parts—a wine that captures the complete expression of Sancerre rather than the personality of a single site.
The result is a wonderfully balanced Sauvignon Blanc with bright aromas of grapefruit, lemon zest, white peach, and fresh herbs layered over a chalky, flinty backbone that keeps the wine focused and energetic. There is both precision and depth here, with each soil lending its own distinctive voice to the final blend.
This is the style that has made Sancerre one of the world's great white wines. Whether paired with freshly shucked oysters, grilled sea bass, roast chicken, or a classic Loire goat cheese, this wine will shine at the table.
2025 Château Les Valentines "Le Grande Huit" Côtes de Provence la Londe Rosé
Review Date: 07-08-2026
Le Grand Huit is a blend of Cinsault and Mourvèdre sourced from some of the estate's oldest vineyards, with vines averaging around 60 years of age. Cinsault contributes freshness, lift, and bright red fruit, while Mourvèdre adds structure and depth. It's no coincidence that Mourvèdre is the backbone of the great rosés of Bandol—it's a variety that gives rosé the ability to gain complexity with a little bottle age.
The wine opens with notes of white peach, dried strawberry, and pamplemousse, followed by a gentle kiss of sea salt and a hint of bay leaf. It has the concentration to enjoy on its own, but it really comes alive at the table. A spread of Mediterranean mezze would be hard to beat, though grilled seafood or herb-roasted chicken would be equally at home alongside this beautifully balanced rosé.
2024 Julien Pilon "Le Bruit des Vagues" Collines Rhodannienes Blanc
Review Date: 07-08-2026
Julien Pilon began his wine career working alongside some of the Northern Rhône's greats, including Yves Cuilleron and Pierre-Jean Villa, where he learned the nuances of each of the region's celebrated crus. When he launched his own domaine, he started modestly—purchasing fruit from trusted growers and making wine in his parents' garage. More than fifteen years later, he now farms many of his own vineyards, continues to work with longtime grower partners, and has built an impressive winery just outside the village of Condrieu.
Each of Julien's cuvées carries a personal story, drawing inspiration from meaningful moments and the people who have shaped his life. One of my favorites, Mon Grand-Père était Limonadier, pays tribute to his grandfather, who sold soft drinks. Le Bruit des Vagues—"The Sound of the Waves"—looks back on Julien's years living in the seaside village of Collioure. The name perfectly captures the quiet, coastal inspiration behind the wine.
A blend of 70% Marsanne and 30% Roussanne, Le Bruit des Vagues showcases just how well these two varieties complement one another. Layers of ripe peach and nectarine are framed by a subtle touch of marzipan from aging in large oak barrels, while a wet stone minerality keeps the wine focused and fresh. It has the richness to stand up to comforting dishes like blanquette de veau, but I might be even more tempted to pour it alongside crispy fried chicken and a bright, vinegary slaw. Sometimes the simplest pairings are the most satisfying.
2024 Domaine Fournier Pére et Fils "Côtes de Morogues" Menetou-Salon
Review Date: 07-08-2026
For those who read my regular articles, you probably know I'm a fan of Sancerre's satellite appellations. What exactly are the satellites? These neighboring regions share many of the same geological foundations as Sancerre and are planted predominantly to the same noble grape—Sauvignon Blanc. The most famous is Pouilly-Fumé, directly across the Loire River, but appellations like Quincy, Reuilly, Coteaux du Giennois, and today's featured region, Menetou-Salon, have become some of the Loire's best sources for exceptional value. In fact, Menetou-Salon is the only satellite appellation that directly borders Sancerre—you could almost imagine the appellation continuing seamlessly across the boundary.
Much of Menetou-Salon is planted on Terres Blanches, the same calcareous marl rich in fossilized oyster shells that forms one of Sancerre's three great soil types, alongside Caillottes (limestone) and Silex (flint). While Terres Blanches accounts for only about a third of Sancerre's vineyards, it consistently produces some of the region's most structured and age-worthy wines. It's no surprise that the same soils give Menetou-Salon wines their signature depth and texture.
Domaine Fournier is best known for its outstanding collection of single-terroir Sancerres, but the family also farms one of Menetou-Salon's finest vineyards, the Côte des Morogues, where Terres Blanches and clay dominate the landscape. The result is a Sauvignon Blanc with impressive concentration and weight, offering layers of ripe grapefruit, passion fruit, and wild thyme, all wrapped around a beautifully mineral core. Clean, precise, and remarkably expressive, it's another reminder that some of the Loire's best values are often found just beyond Sancerre's borders.
2025 Terra Santa Île de Beauté Rosé Corsica
Review Date: 07-08-2026
Corsica still feels like one of France's last undiscovered destinations. While many travelers flock to Provence or the Riviera, the island remains refreshingly untouched by mass tourism. Towering mountains plunge into the Mediterranean, creating some of the most spectacular scenery in France—and an equally compelling place to enjoy the local wines and cuisine.
Corsica's two signature red grapes are Sciaccarellu and Niellucciu, descendants of the Italian varieties Mammolo and Sangiovese, respectively. While both are capable of producing complex, age-worthy reds, they also make wonderfully distinctive rosés with a character that's unmistakably Corsican.
Terra Santa has been one of our favorite value rosés since we first introduced it several years ago. A blend of 50% Sciaccarellu, 25% Niellucciu, and 25% Grenache, it is fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel to preserve its freshness and purity. Bright aromas of wild strawberry mingle with hints of Mediterranean herbs and a gentle touch of sea spray. It's the kind of rosé that disappears effortlessly on a sunny afternoon, but it has more than enough character to accompany a steaming pot of fresh mussels and a side of crispy fries.
2024 Rendez-Vous Sauvignon Blanc Touraine by K&L Wine Merchants
Review Date: 07-08-2026
Welcome to the newest addition to our Rendez-Vous collection: Touraine Sauvignon Blanc.
Why did we choose Touraine? Simply put, it offers one of the greatest values for Sauvignon Blanc anywhere in the world. The region's clay-limestone and calcareous soils share many similarities with those of its far more famous neighbor a couple of hours to the east—Sancerre. As prices in Sancerre have continued to climb, many of its top producers have turned to Touraine to craft their value-focused wines. We realized we could do the same.
So we reached out to one of our longtime partners with a simple proposition: let's take one of our favorite everyday Touraine bottlings and create the next Rendez-Vous. If you've been a fan of Roches Touraine over the years, here's a little secret—you've found it. This wine is the foundation for the project.
I've been buying and tasting these wines for well over a decade, and they've never disappointed. The 2024 is everything I look for in Touraine: sleek, vibrant, and mineral-driven, with notes of lemon oil, fresh verbena, and a lightly chalky finish. There's also a subtle tropical lift that I always love in Touraine Sauvignon Blanc. It gives the wine an open, inviting personality that's equally at home on a Tuesday night or at a weekend gathering.
That's exactly what Rendez-Vous is meant to be: exceptional quality at an everyday price. One of our goals with this label is to redefine what a daily-drinking wine can be by leveraging the long-standing relationships we've built with outstanding growers to deliver remarkable value without compromise.
We hope this new Rendez-Vous earns a permanent place at your table. Santé—we have a feeling we'll be seeing you again soon.
Price:
$12.99
2025 Alpha Estate "Turtles Vineyard" Malagouzia Florina Greece
Review Date: 06-30-2026
For many people discovering the wines of Greece, Assyrtiko has been the gateway grape. But beyond its crisp, mineral-driven style lies a wealth of fascinating indigenous varieties waiting to be explored. One of my personal favorites has always been Malagouzia.
A little softer and more floral than Assyrtiko, Malagouzia is wonderfully inviting and generous without sacrificing freshness. Alpha Estate's latest bottling captures everything I love about the variety: fresh pear and lemon verbena layered with delicate notes of lily blossom and a hint of jasmine tea on the finish. It is expressive without being overtly aromatic, balancing richness with remarkable lift.
This is one of Greece's most versatile white wines at the table. It's a natural alongside a spread of mezze, but I also love it with grilled shrimp skewers or a bubbling plate of saganaki. If you're ready to venture beyond Assyrtiko, this is one of the most rewarding places to start.
2023 Alpha Estate "Hedgehog Vineyard" Xinomavro Amyndeon Greece
Review Date: 06-30-2026
I've been fortunate enough to visit Alpha Estate twice over the years, and it's one of those wineries that leaves a lasting impression. The estate sits high on the Amyndeon plateau, surrounded by mountain ranges that create dramatic day-to-night temperature swings. Those cool evenings slow ripening and preserve freshness, while the chalky clay soils lend remarkable precision and energy to the wines.
The region produces some of Greece's most compelling wines. The whites combine generous fruit with incredible tension and minerality, while the reds—especially Xinomavro—show a level of finesse and elegance that is distinctive from the more powerful wines of Naoussa. During both of my visits, I made a point of asking to see the Hedgehog Vineyard, hoping to catch a glimpse of one of its namesake residents. Unfortunately, the hedgehogs remained elusive, though I was assured they do make the occasional appearance.
Having purchased Greek wines for K&L for more than 15 years, Alpha Estate has always been a cornerstone of my selections. I've long admired how consistently the wines balance authenticity with approachability, making them some of the easiest recommendations for customers looking to explore Greece beyond the more familiar. Their Xinomavro has been a perennial favorite on our shelves, and I believe the 2023 release may be the finest version I've tasted.
Xinomavro is often called the "Nebbiolo of Greece" because of its naturally high acidity and firm tannic structure. Yet the wines of Amyndeon remind me less of Barolo's muscular intensity and more of the graceful, lifted character of Valtellina. The 2023 captures that balance beautifully, offering savory spice, hints of sanguine meatiness, vibrant cherry and blackcurrant fruit, a touch of black olive and an underlying mineral freshness that keeps everything focused.
What elevates this vintage is the texture. The tannins are certainly present, but they're polished and beautifully integrated, gently wrapping around the fruit rather than dominating it. They have an almost caressing quality that makes the wine remarkably inviting even in its youth.
For me, this sets a new benchmark for Alpha Estate's Hedgehog Vineyard Xinomavro and is destined to become another customer favorite. If you've never experienced Xinomavro before, this is exactly where I'd begin. It captures everything that makes the variety so compelling while remaining irresistibly drinkable from the very first glass.
Ariston Aspasie Brut Rosé Champagne (375ml)
Review Date: 06-30-2026
A perennial favorite, the rosé does not disappoint on this go-round. Pretty raspberry and black cherry notes highlight the freshness and richness of the wine. Unbelievable quality at the price.
Price:
$24.99
Ariston Aspasie Brut Rosé Champagne
Review Date: 06-30-2026
A perennial favorite, the rose does not disappoint on this go-round. Pretty raspberry and black cherry notes highlight the freshness and richness of the wine. Unbelievable quality at the price.
Price:
$42.99
Ariston Aspasie "Cépages d'Antan" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 06-30-2026
It may seem like a geeks-only Champagne and it definitely fits that requirement with its blend of Arbanne, Meslier and Pinot Blanc but this is not made strictly for the sake of geeky. Full bodied with more stone fruit flavors, creamy notes. Long on finish, this a true Tête de Cuvée!
Price:
$119.99
2024 J. de Villebois Sauvignon Blanc Touraine
Review Date: 06-29-2026
Touraine has long been one of the Loire Valley's best sources of value for Sauvignon Blanc. Located about two hours west of Sancerre, the region shares many of the same clay and limestone soils that give its more famous neighbor such a distinctive mineral character. The difference is that land prices and production costs are significantly lower, allowing producers to deliver exceptional quality at far more approachable prices.
The region is also one of the Loire Valley's most picturesque destinations, famous for the magnificent châteaux that line the Loire River and its tributaries. In recent years, several communes within Touraine have earned recognition for producing particularly distinctive expressions of Sauvignon Blanc, further elevating the appellation's reputation.
In the glass, Touraine Sauvignon Blanc tends to be generous and immediately appealing. The Villebois is an excellent example, offering vibrant flavors of pineapple, kiwi, and lemon curd. It recalls the exuberant fruit profile of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc but without many of the sharper grassy or herbal notes. Instead, those bright tropical flavors are framed by a subtle chalky minerality that gives the wine balance and a distinctly Loire identity.
Touraine has long been one of the Loire Valley's greatest sources of value, and the Villebois is an outstanding introduction to everything the appellation has to offer.
2025 Domaine Petroni Corse Rosé
Review Date: 06-25-2026
For over a decade now, I have received more emails about the Petroni rosé than any other wine in the category. "When does the new vintage arrive?" Well, it's finally here, and once again, it does not disappoint.
The 2025 release is generous and expressive, showcasing notes of nectarine, passion fruit, and wild strawberry. A kiss of salinity and vibrant acidity provide balance and freshness. While unmistakably character-driven, it remains effortlessly approachable, always inviting another return to the glass.
The only time I've visited Corsica, a stop at Petroni's vineyards was high on my list. Perched above the nearby lagoon, the vineyards overlooked the water on a damp, cool day just after harvest. Everything was still green and lush, and the beauty of the site left a lasting impression.
That trip remains one of my favorite sourcing experiences, and Petroni continues to stand among my most rewarding discoveries. Year after year, this rosé reminds me exactly why.
Price:
$14.99
2022 Clotilde Legrand "L'Ecart" Saumur Blanc
Review Date: 06-19-2026
Some of the finest dry Chenins in France are coming out of Saumur. The region's limestone-rich soils produce wines with remarkable tension, minerality, and structure—wines that, when handled well, can develop and evolve in a fashion reminiscent of great white Burgundy.
Legrand's L'Écart is a perfect example. A lightly reductive style lends subtle nutty and smoky nuances that frame generous flavors of apple, quince, and citrus. Beneath the fruit lies a firm mineral backbone that keeps the wine focused and energetic from start to finish.
Saumur remains one of my favorite sources for Burgundy-adjacent flavors and complexity, delivering a similar sense of place and age-worthy character at a fraction of the price.
2017 Clotilde Legrand "Les Chaintrée" Saumur-Champigny
Review Date: 06-19-2026
We're definitely crossing a new threshold here with this magnificent Saumur. Layers of black cherry, currant jam, tapenade, and dried rose petals create an inviting and wonderfully complex aromatic profile.
The additional bottle age has worked its magic, transforming what was once a powerful, structured wine into something far more harmonious. Time has allowed the tannins to melt into the background, while the fruit, savory notes, and floral nuances have seamlessly integrated. The result is a wine of impressive depth and concentration that remains remarkably elegant and approachable today.
This is the kind of wine that calls for a grilled picanha steak and a generous side of chimichurri. The wine's savory complexity and polished structure are a perfect match for the richness of the beef and the bright herbal character of the sauce. This is my new weekend favorite.
2023 Clotilde Legrand "Les Lizieres" Saumur-Champigny
Review Date: 06-19-2026
This is an accessible and delightful young-drinking Cabernet Franc. It's everything I want in a youthful Saumur-Champigny. Generous red cherry fruit is complemented by notes of crushed rosemary and thyme. Aging entirely in stainless steel preserves the wine's freshness and juicy character.
It's perfect with one of my favorite pairings: a market rotisserie chicken. Add some herb-roasted potatoes and a glass of this Cabernet Franc, and your weeknight dinner just leveled up!
2023 Domaine Mardon "Cuvée Très Vieilles Vignes" Quincy Blanc
Review Date: 06-18-2026
I often find myself championing the satellite appellations of Sancerre. While they may lack the name recognition of their famous neighbor, they offer incredible expressions of Sauvignon Blanc, each shaped by distinct terroirs and often at far more approachable prices.
Just across the Loire River sits Pouilly-Fumé, home to the prized silex soils that lend the wines their signature smoky minerality. Nearby, Coteaux du Giennois is emerging as one of the Loire's great value regions, with its own abundance of flint-rich soils producing vibrant, mineral-driven wines. To the west lies Menetou-Salon, practically a suburb of Sancerre, where the famed terres blanches soils create Sauvignon Blancs with added depth, texture, and richness.
Further afield are Reuilly and Quincy, neighboring appellations situated along the Cher River, a tributary of the Loire. Here the soils shift toward sand and gravel, producing distinctly different expressions of Sauvignon Blanc. Reuilly often leans into tropical fruit notes, while Quincy tends toward a more restrained profile, emphasizing green apple, white flowers, and subtle citrus. The wines are elegant, refined, and endlessly inviting.
Domaine Mardon is one of Quincy's benchmark producers and a perfect example of why these lesser-known appellations deserve more attention. The wine bursts with juicy green apple, white flowers, and succulent lime notes, carried by bright acidity and a graceful texture. Fresh and invigorating, it drinks like a cool breeze on a summer afternoon while delivering the kind of character and value that have become increasingly difficult to find in Sancerre itself.
Price:
$23.99
2023 Domaine Cailbourdin "Les Cris" Pouilly-Fumé
Review Date: 06-18-2026
Though just across the river from its more famous neighbor Sancerre,
Pouilly-Fumé has never enjoyed quite the same market prestige. Yet the two appellations share remarkably similar foundations: calcareous limestone, clay, and the prized silex (flint) soils that give Pouilly-Fumé its smoky, “fume” character. Because Sancerre remains the more recognizable name, prices in Pouilly-Fumé have often stayed comparatively sharp, making it one of the Loire's best value propositions for Sauvignon Blanc.
Domaine Alain Cailbourdin was a recent discovery for me that stands comfortably alongside some of the finest Sancerre producers. This bottling comes primarily from limestone soils and delivers racy acidity layered with grapefruit, green apple, white flowers, and a subtle note of wet hay. What lingered most was the striking chalky finish, a vivid expression of the vineyard's limestone terroir. For fans of Sancerre and its Loire Valley neighbors, it is a compelling new option that overdelivers for the price.
2025 Château Pradeaux Bandol Rosé
Review Date: 06-04-2026
Bandol Rosé is surely one of the elite expressions of pink wine. These are rosés with depth, intensity, and substance—wines that can age well beyond the lifespan of most easy-drinking Provençal bottlings. While Tempier remains the benchmark for many, Pradeaux has always belonged in the same conversation, often at nearly half the price.
The 2025 vintage is a bit more powerful than your average summer rosé. The deeper color hints at what's to come, but don't mistake that for heaviness. Bright and inviting from the start, it bursts with notes of white peach, passion fruit, and red currant. The palate carries Pradeaux's signature silky texture, followed by a long, satisfying finish that immediately encourages another sip.
It's already drinking beautifully, but Pradeaux's rosés continue to evolve with time. That's why it's always worth buying multiple bottles—or even a case or two—to follow its progression over the next year and beyond. Equally at home on the dinner table or enjoyed on its own, this is the kind of wine that always brings people back for more.