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Staff Favorites - Simon Li
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Reviews
2008 Louis Roederer Cristal Late Release Brut Champagne (direct from Roederer 2026)
Review Date: 08-18-2026
Truly profound. Spending a full 14 years on the lees has given this late-release Cristal an off-the-charts level of tension and a razor-sharp mineral spine. It’s wonderfully layered, showing off bright candied citrus and warm toasted almond notes on the palate. The way it wraps up with an incredibly long, saline finish is just unforgettable. An absolute benchmark.
Baron-Fuenté "Grande Réserve" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 06-24-2026
This is a really easy-drinking, approachable Champagne that’s all about freshness and charm. It’s mostly Pinot Meunier, with some Chardonnay and Pinot Noir rounding it out, and it shows right away with bright green apple, white pear, and just a little floral lift on the nose. There’s a light biscuit note from the lees aging, but nothing too yeasty or rich—it stays clean and fruit-forward. On the palate, it’s crisp and refreshing, with tight bubbles and a quick, citrusy finish. It’s not the most complex bottle in the lineup, but that’s part of its appeal—it’s fun, reliable, and incredibly easy to enjoy.
2019 K&L Discovery Series Bordeaux, Pomerol
Review Date: 02-26-2026
The 2019 Discovery Series is a compelling expression of Pomerol from a stellar Vintage. The nose presents a vibrant bouquet of ripe plum and black cherry, with a distinct blackcurrant note. Subtle hints of mint and a floral lift of violet add layers of complexity. On the palate, the wine is powerfully fruit driven, showcasing a concentrated core of black fruit balanced by fresh acidity. The finish is supported by polished tannins, providing amazing structure for the wine to evolve beautifully over the next 5-10 years. Experiencing the character and prestige of Pomerol. one of France's most exclusive regions, for just 29.99 makes this a truly remarkable find!
Price:
$29.99
2022 Hamilton Russell Chardonnay Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Review Date: 10-26-2025
The 2022 Hamilton Russell Chardonnay is a distinctive white wine from the cool, maritime Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. On the palate, this wine comes across as very clean, with prominent notes of crisp green apple. It is structurally defined by a notable medium-plus acidity, giving it a vibrant and refreshing backbone. This acidity balances the winemaking influences, resulting in a focused and expressive Chardonnay.
2019 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Brunello di Montalcino
Review Date: 10-13-2025
This 2019 Brunello di Montalcino from discovery series is a serious wine! It opens with a complex and alluring nose of sour cherry, new leather, and a hint of dried herbs. The first sip reveals a powerful core of red plum and black cherry fruit, framed by assertive, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity. Possessing significant aging potential, this wine is built for the cellar and will reward patience as it evolves over the next 15 to 20 years but surprisingly shows good even you have it now. Its immense structure is beautifully balanced, keeping the concentrated power in check. The finish is exceptionally long and persistent, echoing notes of dried earth and sweet tobacco.
Price:
$59.99
2022 Clos la-Gaffelière, St-Émilion
Review Date: 10-13-2025
The 2022 Clos la Gaffelière bursts from the glass with an intense, youthful bouquet of blackberry liqueur, crushed violets, and sweet spice. Its palate is remarkably concentrated and plush, delivering waves of opulent black plum and cassis fruit with a modern, polished feel. A surprising line of freshness cuts through the richness, suggesting a balanced evolution and significant aging potential. The finish is long and dominated by dark fruit, leaving a lasting impression of a powerful yet impeccably crafted wine that will need time to fully unwind.
2016 K&L Discovery Series Bordeaux, St-Estephe
Review Date: 10-02-2025
St-Estephe is always my favorite appellation in Bordeaux and this 2016 Discovery Series from St-Etephe captures the essence of its renowned vintage, opening with an inviting bouquet of dark cherry and fresh blueberry. On the palate, these concentrated fruit flavors are seamlessly woven with savory undertones of dried herbs and a distinct mineral streak. A bright acidity lends balance and energy, keeping the profile both substance and aging potential.
Price:
$24.99
2019 Latour-Martillac, Pessac-Léognan
Review Date: 09-01-2025
From a benchmark vintage, this Pessac-Léognan is a true standout. It reveals a complex bouquet of ripe blackberry, dark cherry, and the region's signature smoky, gravelly minerality. The palate is both rich and impeccably balanced, showcasing concentrated fruit flavors supported by polished tannins and fresh acidity. Hints of dark chocolate and spice emerge on the long, impressive finish. This is a serious, age-worthy wine that represents fantastic value.
2019 K&L Discovery Series Bordeaux, Pauillac
Review Date: 08-15-2025
This 2019 Pauillac from our discovery series is something else entirely. The first thing I got was this wave of ripe of black plum and black cherry, giving it a really rich and inviting feel right away. But underneath, that classic cassis and a cool, earthy vibe remind you that it's still a serious Pauillac. What really gets me is the texture; its got this great structure and firm tannins that give it powerful backbone, but it's not aggressive at all. It feels both plush and powerful at the same time. This is one of those bottles that's impressive enough to lay down for few years, but also really good to enjoy it as its young as well. And for this pricing is unbeatable!
Price:
$29.99
Fallet-Dart "Clos du Mont" Brut Champagne (2006)
Review Date: 07-14-2025
If you want something with real age and complexity, this is the one. A single-vineyard Champagne aged over 15 years on the lees and made with a good amount of Chardonnay, it pours deep gold and smells like baked pear, dried flowers, toasted nuts, and even a bit of spice. It’s rich and layered, with caramelized apple and nutty, earthy tones coming through. But what makes it special is that it’s still fresh—there’s acidity, tension, and a kind of quiet power to it.
Price:
$79.99
Fallet-Dart "Cuvée de Réserve" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 07-14-2025
This is a bigger, more generous style of Champagne made mostly from Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir, and you really feel that weight and warmth. On the nose, it’s like walking into a bakery—baked apple, toasted brioche, and hazelnuts. The palate is broad and full, but not heavy—it’s lifted by a bright core of citrus and fine bubbles. There’s a little edge of bitterness and minerality that keeps everything in check and gives the finish some grip. It’s a great example of a rounder, more savory Champagne that still feels fresh.
Price:
$34.99
Gilbert Jacquesson "Cuvée Eugénie" Brut Rosé Champagne
Review Date: 07-14-2025
This is such a pretty and expressive rosé Champagne. It’s made with mostly Pinot Noir and a little Meunier, and it pours a delicate pink that just makes you want to sit back and enjoy. The nose is full of red berries such as strawberry, cranberry, and soft floral notes like rose petal and citrus blossom. The fruit is fresh, not sweet, and the texture is light and silky. You get a little creaminess mid-palate from the lees, but the finish is clean and floral, with great acidity. It’s charming, graceful, and just flat-out delicious.
Price:
$34.99
Baron-Fuenté "Quinconce" Brut Nature Champagne (formerly Esprit)
Review Date: 07-14-2025
This is Champagne stripped down to its essentials—no sugar added, just pure fruit and chalk. It’s a blend of Chardonnay, Meunier, and Pinot Noir, and while it’s made in the same style as the regular Quinconce, this one is much more about structure and tension. The nose is all oyster shell, citrus peel, and raw almond, with just a little yeasty background note. On the palate, it’s lean, electric, and bone-dry—green apple, lemon pith, and a bracing mineral finish. There’s no softness here, but that’s exactly the point.
Price:
$39.99
Baron-Fuenté "Quinconce" Brut Champagne (formerly Esprit)
Review Date: 07-14-2025
This is a fuller expression of the Baron-Fuenté style—more rounded than the Blanc de Blancs but still very refined. It’s a classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Noir, aged seven years on lees, and the result is a Champagne that feels both plush and focused. You get baked apple and soft brioche on the nose, with a bit of toasted nut and creamy lees complexity underneath. The bubbles are super fine, and the palate has great balance—there’s richness, but it’s never heavy. It’s the kind of bottle that feels special but doesn’t demand too much attention.
Price:
$39.99
Baron-Fuenté "Quinconce" Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne (formerly Esprit)
Review Date: 07-14-2025
If you’re into Chardonnay-based Champagne with a serious mineral core, this Blanc de Blancs from Baron-Fuenté is a great pick. It’s aged for a long time on the lees—seven years—and that gives it complex texture, but the wine stays sharp and focused. You get lemon peel, green apple, and crushed chalk on the nose. The palate is zesty and bright, but there’s also a smooth layer underneath from all that aging—think lemon curd without the sweetness. It finishes clean and mineral, with a nice snap of salinity.
Price:
$39.99
2014 Tronquoy-Lalande, St-Estèphe
Review Date: 07-07-2025
The 2014 Lalande reveals a structured, expressive profile with a savory, meaty core. Aromas of black pepper and a hint of tobacco spice lend energy and complexity to a nose layered with blackcurrant, mint, and smoky undertones. On the palate, ripe black cherry and dark berry fruit are framed by firm yet well-integrated tannins. A subtle smokiness lingers through the finish, adding depth and dimension. This is a confident, character-driven Bordeaux that balances spice, fruit, and earth with finesse, and it continues to evolve beautifully in the glass. What makes this bottle truly stand out is its serious structure and traditional St-Estèphe character, all at a price under $30. For those looking for a Bordeaux with classic typicity, terroir expression, and aging potential, this is arguably one of the best values available. A sleeper vintage that punches well above its class.
2023 Peay West Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
Review Date: 06-09-2025
The 2023 Peay Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir captures the elegance of Burgundy while embracing the purity and energy of the West Sonoma Coast. Aromatically, it opens with a lifted mix of forest floor, lavender, and mint, followed by raspberry, and red plum. There’s a gentle but confident use of oak, adding spice and texture without overwhelming the fruit. The palate is precise and vibrant, with a long, graceful finish driven by fresh acidity and well-integrated tannins.
Much of this character is shaped by winemaker Vanessa Wong, a Chinese American vintner whose résumé includes Château Lafite-Rothschild, Domaine Jean Gros in Burgundy, and Peter Michael Winery. Since joining Peay in 2001, she has quietly built a reputation for wines of restraint and site expression—always letting the vineyard speak louder than the winemaking.
2022 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay
Review Date: 06-09-2025
Produced by one of the Napa Valley's most iconic and historically significant wineries, this Chardonnay reflects the exceptional quality of the 2022vintage-an outstanding year for white wines in the region. The wine's purity, depth, and finesse make it a benchmark expression of Napa Valley Chardonnay. This wine opens with an expressive and elegant nose, showcasing floral aromas intertwined with notes of apricot and white peach. On the palate, it delivers vibrant layers of ripe citrus and crips green apple, balanced by subtle nuances of warm baking spice, toasted oak, and a hint of nuttiness.
2020 Léoville-Poyferré, St-Julien
Review Date: 05-26-2025
As a devoted Bordeaux lover, I typically enjoy letting great vintages mature over time—but the 2020 Château Léoville Poyferré is a reminder that some wines can deliver immense pleasure even in their youth. This vintage is bold and expressive right out of the glass, with rich aromas of blackberry, black plum, and a touch of dark chocolate, wrapped in savory layers of tobacco leaf and cigar box. The wine is full-bodied, with excellent structure and a beautiful sense of balance—ripe fruit framed by polished tannins and just the right amount of acidity.
It’s generous and powerful, yet nothing feels overdone. There’s an earthy depth and a touch of spice that adds complexity as it opens up in the glass. While it’s drinking impressively well now with a bit of air, it clearly has the structure and concentration to evolve for another 10 to 15 years in the cellar. This is exactly the kind of wine that reminds me why I love the Left Bank—classic, confident, and full of character.