Skip to page content

Reviewers

K&L Email Alerts

Home

Staff Favorites - Dejah Overby

Dejah Overby | Send Email | Subscribe to My Sommelier Service

Reviews

Launois Brut Rosé "Valentine" Champagne

Review Date: 11-20-2024

Yum! Launois Rose "Valentine" impressive and inviting nose. It shows a wide variety of tree fruits, wild berries and spices in the aromatics. Fuji apple, raspberry, black currant and a spice rack of pink peppercorn and dried hibiscus. Small delicate beads and lingering flavor, this is a delicious rose champagne. Get some before it sells out.

Price: $44.99

Fallet-Dart "Clos du Mont" Brut Champagne (2006)

Review Date: 11-17-2024

2006 Fallet Clos Du Mont has an expressive nose. There is a luscious presence of brioche, almond paste, and an orchard fruit tart. The taste is just as concentrated as the nose—adding substantial texture, weightiness, and filling length on all edges of the mouth. There is a slightly sweet flavor of apricot and almond scones, but the acidity is right behind with remarkable and endless flavor. The beads are small and graceful. This is pleasurable champagne to enjoy with savory dishes or a cheese course.

Price: $79.99

Maison Laudacius "Laudacius" Brut Nature Montlouis Methode Traditionnelle

Review Date: 09-13-2024

Laudacius Brut Nature is my kind of "sans soufre," sparkling wine. All Chenin Blanc no added sulfur and spent a year on the lees, gaining a lusciously, tropical, fleshy stone fruited character on the nose. The balance of textures combined with chalky minerality brings this up the ladder to being my new favorite. This sparkler will not be around for long so grab 2 or more and enjoy this wonderfully priced and pleasure filled Montlouis sparkling Chenin Blanc.

Price: $18.99

DC: 97

WE: 92

Fallet-Dart "Cuvée de Réserve" Brut Champagne

Review Date: 06-15-2024

I have always been a huge fan of Pinot Meunier heavy Champagnes, this one has a delightful nose of sweet pastry dough caramelized peaches the Pinot Noir aromas come in with wild strawberry and blood orange. The yeasty nose stands out as being aged on the lees for a lengthy four years. This is a food champagne paired with roasted bone in pork chop and herbed farro with lemon zest.

Price: $34.99

Moncuit-Delos Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne

Review Date: 06-06-2024

This is a great treat for us to have on our shelves and hands down one of my favorite grower Champagne houses. Since 1977, Nicole Moncuit, mostly involved in the vitculture and vinification side, while her brother Yves runs the commercial side of the business. Today, they are joined by Nicole's daughter Valerie. This all estate bottled-estate grown chardonnay from Grand Cru vineyards in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, smells of granny-smith apples, D'Anjou pears, ginger and yellow tea. The mouthfeel is delightful adding a racy minerality and very fine bubbles in its long and lengthy finish.

Price: $59.99

Damien Hugot Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

Review Date: 02-10-2024

This is fresh bright fruit and slightly salted grower Champagne. It is always a crowd pleaser especially with devoted Champagne drinkers. Candied ginger, spiced apple and pear brioche, finishing dry, extensive and over delivering at this price point.

Price: $42.99

2021 Alessandro di Camporeale "Benede" Cataratto

Review Date: 07-05-2023

The Benede Catarratto has a vibrant nose. The freshness of youthfulness comes across in a lemon and passionfruit, with some wet stones and saline. This is a classic styled Catarratto finishing with bright acidity, citrus notes and saline finish. Super delightful to drink.

Price: $21.99

Louis Roederer "Collection 242" Brut Champagne

Review Date: 09-30-2022

Louis Roederer Collection 242 is a gorgeous Champagne. The aromatics on this is more than one could expect but would not be surprised at. So many layers of orchard fruit and tropical fruit. Combined with petite bubbles, this drinks like a fine wine. Finishes dry and with some much dimension, an absolute reliable champagne that is sure to please any connoisseur.

Price: $54.99

Laurent-Perrier "La Cuvée" Brut Champagne

Review Date: 09-30-2022

Laurent Perrier La Cuvee is a timeless Champagne that delivers wonderful flavors thru and thru. Crisp green apple, D ’Anjou pear, baked into a buttery tart garnished with candied ginger bits. There is a charming texture and flintiness that makes this a unique Champagne that is consistent and genuine.

Price: $59.99

Billecart-Salmon "Le Réserve" Champagne

Review Date: 09-28-2022

The Brut reserve is such an enjoyable Champagne for everyday drinking. Full of bright, fresh flavors and satisfying textures makes this just a mouthful of deliciousness. The tastes of yellow apple, flint, black peppercorn is all so enjoyable. Drink, enjoy, repeat.

Price: $64.99

Billecart-Salmon "Le Rosé" Champagne

Review Date: 09-28-2022

This is as delicious as I have always remembered. Wild strawberry tartness, juicy peach, hibiscus petals florals, and finishing with a soft mousse of red berries. There is a reason this is our top-selling rose Champagne it is just so delightful to drink.

Price: $94.99

Baron-Fuenté "Grande Réserve" Brut Champagne

Review Date: 09-28-2022

This has a lovely freshness to it that blends flavors of citrus, under-ripe tropical fruit, and dried ginger in the finish. This is mostly Pinot Meunier has enticing florals and for me this is a special cuvee that lends a cherry note that is delightfully playful on the palate. Finishing dry overall, and a great aperitive for the beginning of a meal or a toast.

Price: $29.99

JS: 90

Fortuna Sour Mash Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)

Review Date: 09-23-2022

Fortuna Sour Mash Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey aromas are reminiscent of spirits enjoyable in the autumn and fall seasons. An upfront nose of maple, praline, candied apricot, and apples in a buttery tart lightly dusted with fennel pollen. Displays roundness in the fore front and along the cheek then on the backend and finish there are hints of pink peppercorns giving this a lovely spice element. There is certainly a mouthful of flavors that fit together equally, and you can unquestionably taste quality and precision that the Rare Character’s team intended in this bottling. Enjoy as a sipper preferably on the couch watching your favorite fall movie, mine would be Knives Out. Cheers!

Price: $84.99

Gin Mare Mediterranean Gin (750ml)

Review Date: 06-12-2022

A distinct nose of green olives, dried herbs, and savory spices. White pepper comes into the picture on the back end of the aromatics. The palate carries a surprising sweetness of candied citrus in addition to a nice round oiliness in the finish. Two simple cocktails I can imagine this with, one is a topping of the fever tree Mediterranean tonic and a slice of lime or a classic gin martini with three Castelvetrano olives for the garnish, absolutely delightful enjoyment!

Price: $36.99

Pierre Mineral Brut Rosé Champagne

Review Date: 05-04-2022

Light in body and light is red fruit this is still complex rose champagne. Mouthwatering acidity and subtle tropical flavors. Delectable with a dry and savory finish.

Price: $49.99

The Botanist Islay Dry Gin (750ml)

Review Date: 04-02-2022

This is by far my favorite Gin for martinis. The botanicals are well measured so that one does not overpower any of the others. Bright lemon, a touch of seaweed, and a whisper of moss. The finish is clean and perfect for enjoying stirred and garnished with a lemon twist.

Price: $34.99

Laurent-Perrier Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature Champagne

Review Date: 11-20-2021

This Laurent Perrier bottling is of my favorites in the Blanc de Blanc realm. A crisp and clean Champagne that leads towards lemon, fresh ginger, honeycomb, white peach and fragrant white flowers on the nose and palate. The finish is full, present and lengthy. This is a perfect Champagne for a lover of bright lifted flavors with med plus acidity. Enjoy this with escolar nigiri.

Price: $89.99

WE: 93

WS: 93

San Venanzio Fortunato Brut Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore

Review Date: 10-23-2021

When enjoying this Prosecco recognize that is made with such familiarity and experience for this family as ties in the Valdobbiadene that go as far back to the sixth century AD. Their expectations when harvesting quality Glera combined with consistency in flavor from bottling to consumer is why K&L's relationship has lasted so long, they're just about part of our family. The suppleness of granny smith apples, ginger-pear sorbet, dried apricots in this version finishing with almond paste and the subtle brininess is lengthy and truly delightful on the finish. Feel free to apply your fruit puree of choice, this can be a great partner to passion fruit or prickly pear for bellini cocktails.

Price: $15.99

Billecart-Salmon "Le Rendez-Vous" Pinot Meunier Extra Brut #1 Champagne

Review Date: 11-28-2020

Billecart's first rendition of 100% Pinot Meunier from 3 grand cru sites, Leuvrigny, Festigny and Venteuil in the Marne Valley is a show stopper. The florals alone is enough to draw in ones curiosity and intrigue. There is a familiar fragrance of proofing yeast, shaved ginger and Indian spices. The delicate flavors of citron, pomelo, D'Anjou pear, mineral salt and sweet/fruity olive oil leaves a fascinating finish in the mouthfeel. Fine bubbles dance on the palate and a low dosage of 4.5 g/l is my kind of Champagne. This can age for 5 years but I endorse to enjoy this now, there is not much out there.

Price: $139.99

VN: 93

DC: 92

Pierre Sparr Brut Rosé Crémant d'Alsace

Review Date: 10-16-2020

Another fantastic Alsatian sparkler of 100% Pinot Noir. Bright raspberry, red plums and cherry blossoms spring forward from the glass. An abundance of candied cherry and ripe watermelon with a touch of lychee encompass the palate finishing dry and lingering. This is a perfect paring for charcutier of the spicy kind and cremont cheese with dried figs.

Price: $19.99

WE: 93

Pierre Sparr "Réserve" Crémant d'Alsace Brut

Review Date: 10-16-2020

This is an absolute superb Alsatian sparkling made up of 80% Pinot blanc and 20% Pinot Auxerrois. Lined with an abundance of spiced pear, baked apple and a sprinkling of cinnamon on the nose, then leaning into a more tropical taste on the palate of pineapple, agave and honey. Finishing dry, bright and yeasty. Great mouthfeel and a perfect aperitif if paired with light snacks or just mid day enjoyment.

Price: $19.99

DC: 95

WE: 92

Lini "Labrusca" Lambrusco Emilia Bianco

Review Date: 09-26-2020

My first time tasting a white Lambrusco and this one is quite the yummy little charmant-method sparkler. Honey dew melon, brown pear, rainier cherry, pink lady apples. Overfilled with great acidity together with a light mineral essence, perfect to drink on its own and no vital need of food. Cheers!

Price: $15.99

Moussé Fils "Eugène" Extra Brut Blanc de Noirs Champagne

Review Date: 09-02-2020

Cedric Mousse Champagnes are one of my top favorites, mostly because of their use of Meunier, stainless steel and malolactic. This is a great value with a ton of work put behind the making of these Champagnes. This bottling is 80% Meunier, 20% Pinot with a blending of 50% 2015 vintage juice and 50% 2003-2014 juice somewhat of a solera style but fresher. There's tons of layers and texture, a light lemon curd along with a fresh fruit bowl complexity. Some ginger spiciness shows in the mid but this is a quaffable Champagne, so easy to drink on its own. If you had to have a snack, I'd recommend a simple pate with toasted almonds and dried apricots keep it short and simple with this one.

Price: $64.99

More Favorites

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

Billecart-Salmon "Sous Bois" Brut Champagne ($99.99)

Mezcal Vago (Hijos de Aquilino Garcia) "Elote" Mezcal (750ml) ($49.99)

Elijah Craig "Small Batch" Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey ($22.99)

Redwood Empire "Pipe Dream" Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($29.99)

Redwood Empire "Emerald Giant" Rye Whiskey (750ml) ($29.99)

Redwood Empire "Lost Monarch" Whiskey (750ml) ($29.99)

Launois "Vinum Dei" Brut Champagne ($44.99)

Ariston Aspasie "Brut Prestige" Champagne ($49.99)

Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne ($37.99)