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Staff Favorites - Cary Herrman
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Reviews
2023 Vigneti Repetto "Quadro" Timorasso Derthona DOC
Review Date: 06-20-2026
This is a refreshing reminder of why Timorasso has become one of Italy's most compelling white grapes. Light on it's feet and almost Burgundian in character, it balances bright acidity with a stony mineral backbone. Notes of citrus zest lead the way, giving the wine a clean, refreshing character, while the palate remains balanced and easy to enjoy from first sip to last. There's a lovely interplay between freshness and texture, making it equally at home as an aperitif or alongside seafood and lighter fare.
2025 La Bargemone Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence Rosé
Review Date: 04-25-2026
A more expressive take on Provence than the usual pale and quiet style. The nose is immediately aromatic, leaning tropical with notes of peach and melon, plus a subtle hint of banana that adds a slightly exotic edge without overwhelming things.
On the palate, it shows a bit more depth than expected. The fruit carries through, balanced by enough freshness to keep it focused. There's a nice texture here, giving it some presence, and the finish is notably long, with those tropical notes lingering in a clean and composed way.
A well put-together rose that stands out for it's aromatics and length while still keeping everything in check. Easy to enjoy, but with enough character to hold your attention.
2023 Antech "Cuvée Eugenie" Extra Brut Crémant de Limoux
Review Date: 04-25-2026
This is the kind of bottle that makes a strong case for skipping Champagne without feeling like a compromise. The nose leans properly yeasty, think fresh bread and a touch of brioche, with a pop of citrus zest that keeps it lifted.
On the palate, it snaps into focus. There is a strong mineral background here, stony and almost saline, pushing everything forward. Citrus and green apple keep it bright, the mousse is tight and energetic, and the extra brut finish lands bone dry and clean. It all feels intentional. No fluff.
The value is the kicker. This drinks with more structure and character than the price suggests. Mineral, a little savory, and easy to keep going back without overthinking it.
2023 Olivier Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc "Les Sétilles"
Review Date: 04-02-2026
This bottle is a reminder that Burgundy's "entry level" can still feel like a pretty luxurious place to start. The nose opens with bright lemon curd, crisp orchard apple, and a gentle whiff of white flowers.
On the palate, it's clean and energetic with notes of ripe pear, Meyer lemon, and just a touch of toasted almond. There is a subtle creaminess through the mid-palate, but the acidity keeps everything lifted and refreshing. It finishes with a light mineral snap that keeps you wanting more.
A Burgundy that punches comfortably above it's weight class, this is the kind of bottle that works just as well on a weeknight as it does when you're trying to impress someone who claims they "only drink Chablis". Crisp, charming, and dangerously easy to recommend.
High West "Double Rye" K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Moscatel Finished Cask Strength Rye Whiskey (750ml)
Review Date: 03-20-2026
High West's Double Rye already carries a reputation for lively spice and attitude, but this exclusive single barrel, finished in Moscatel cask, shows a softer, more charming side of the whiskey. The nose hints at gentle sweetness and light confectionery notes, setting the stage for a palate that opens with subtle brown sugar and mellow baking spice. The Moscatel finish seems to round the corners just enough, lending a touch of sweetness and polish without burying the rye's natural character. Bottled at cask strength, you might expect the usual blast of heat, but instead the whiskey arrives quite composed. The texture is light, controlled, and pleasantly clean. All told, this single barrel manages a neat trick. It keeps the personality and spice that make "Double Rye" such a crowd favorite while adding just enough Moscatel sweetness to make it feel a bit more dressed up. This is a playful but polished rye that drinks far easier than its proof may suggest.
Price:
$74.99
K&L Liquors' 7 Year Old Every Drop "Living Legend" Batch No. KY-03-25 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)
Review Date: 03-08-2026
The caramel hits first - bold and buttery, like sunshine melting over an old porch swing. It's the flavor of a Midwest afternoon. As it settles, a touch of oak and spice steps in, rounding the edges with a quiet confidence. "Living Legend" fits: familiar, comforting, and just a little golden around the edges.
Price:
$49.99
2000 Domaine de Jean-Bon 25 Year Old K&L Exclusive Bas Armagnac (750ml)
Review Date: 02-15-2026
This 2000 vintage immediately shows why it's one of the standouts from Jean-Bon's small, carefully tended stock. With about a quarter century in barrel, it delivers depth and clarity in a way that feels both refined and satisfying.
On the nose, there's an intriguing combination of savory complexity and subtle sweetness. Notes of driftwood and forest floor sit alongside baking spices and brown sugar - a profile that's engaging without feeling heavy or overworked. As you sip, the character opens up into brighter tones, with a hint of citrus lifting the richer elements and a touch of crushed mint adding freshness.
The palate is balanced and full-bodied, showing a buttery smoothness that speaks to its long time in oak. There's excellent depth here and enough complexity to reward repeated tastings. The finish skews toward dry and gently lasting, leaving a pleasant impression without becoming muddled or ponderous.
What really sets the 2000 apart is the way it manages richness with brightness. It's a mix of weighty barrel influence and vivid fruit presence that keeps the experience lively and fun.
Price:
$129.99
1999 Domaine de Jean-Bon 26 Year Old K&L Exclusive Bas Armagnac (750ml)
Review Date: 02-08-2026
This Armagnac greets you with a calm, measured presence, inviting you to take your time with the glass. Lively and approachable, it carries a gentle warmth that makes every sip easy and satisfying.
On the palate, there's a subtle mix of orchard fruit, soft honey, and a touch of spice. The flavors unfold naturally, revealing nuance without ever feeling forced. The finish is clean, smooth, and lingering, leaving just enough behind to draw you in for another taste.
What makes this Armagnac particularly enjoyable is its balance: mature and polished, yet never heavy or overbearing. It's a bottle you can enjoy on a quiet evening alone or share with friends who appreciate subtlety. At 26 years old, it's easy to enjoy and even easier to come back to.
Price:
$139.99
2002 Domaine de Jean-Bon 23 Year Old K&L Exclusive Bas Armagnac (750ml)
Review Date: 02-08-2026
This is a seriously composed bottle of Armagnac. The 2002 vintage doesn't try to impress with flash or excess. Instead, it just quietly delivers depth, balance, and character that only real time in cask can provide. Everything here feels intentional, settled, and comfortably mature.
The nose is immediately inviting, with dried stone fruit, caramelized sugar, and warm baking spices, followed by a gentle, well-integrated oak presence. On the palate, it's smooth but far from simple: layers of toffee, stewed fruit, vanilla, and a subtle earthy note unfold gradually, giving it that unmistakable Armagnac personality.
The finish is long, warming, and unhurried, lingering with soft spice and oak rather than heat. For a 23-year-old spirit, the balance here is impressive, and the value is hard to ignore. This is an ideal post-dinner pour, a great bridge for whiskey drinkers curious about Armagnac, and a reminder that some of the best bottles are still flying under the radar.
Price:
$119.99
Laurent-Perrier "Cuvée Rosé" Brut Rosé Champagne
Review Date: 02-07-2026
This is a Rose Champagne that leans into pleasure and personality. The nose shows a touch of yeast and warmth, hinting at a mildly sweeter profile without ever being heavy. On the palate, it's tasty and immediately engaging, with a gentle residual sugar that rounds things out and a subtle hint of funk that keeps it interesting.
There's a easygoing charm to this bottle that makes it incredibly versatile - equally at home on a beach, a porch, or poured as the centerpiece of a celebration.
It's approachable, crowd-pleasing, and quietly distinctive, this is the kind of rose that disappears faster than you'd expect.
Billecart-Salmon "Le Rosé" Champagne
Review Date: 02-07-2026
This is a rose Champagne defined by finesse, consistency, and restraint. The nose is light and delicate, offering subtle red berry and floral notes that stay firmly in the background rather than taking center stage. The palate follows suit- silky, airy, and very light on it's feet, prioritizing elegance over intensity.
Billecart-Salmon's precision is evident here, with dosage carefully adjusted year to year to maintain the house's unmistakable style. The result is a Rose' that feels polished and reliable, delivering balance and approachability.
Le Rose Remains a masterclass in controlled elegance. It's refined, dependable, and unmistakably Billecart.
Fallet-Dart "Clos du Mont" Brut Champagne (2006)
Review Date: 02-07-2026
An intriguing and quietly compelling Champagne, Clos Du Mont leans more intellectual than flashy, and I am a big fan! It immediately calls to mind a Sancerre-like profile, but without the sharp edges or overt salinity. Instead, everything feels rounded, composed, and thoughtfully restrained.
The palate is clean and focused, driven by freshness rather than aggression, with a sense of clarity that keeps each sip engaging. This is the kind of Champagne that rewards curiosity: neat, distinctive, and refreshingly different.
Price:
$79.99
2019 Fallet-Dart "Pur Meunier" Champagne
Review Date: 02-07-2026
From the first pour, this Pur Meunier sets itself apart, offering a level of charm and depth that few wines at this price point would ever achieve. Made from 100% Meunier-Champagne's truly indigenous grape-this bottling shows just how expressive and compelling the varietal can be in the right hands. The nose is immediately captivating, opening with tropical dragonfruit, ripe melon, and a lush, creamy note that feels refined rather than overt.
On the palate, it delivers exactly what the aromatics promise: a beautifully creamy texture layered with tropical fruit and a subtle, perfectly judged sweetness that adds richness without tipping into excess. Everything feels harmonious and assured, with Meunier showing it's most generous, confident side.
This is the kind of bottle that quietly steals the show and lingers in your memory long after the glass is empty.
Price:
$69.99
Fallet-Dart "Grande Sélection" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 02-06-2026
A Champagne that sneaks up on you-in the best way. The nose is light and refined, but the palate delivers far more than expected, with real presence and momentum once it hits. Bright citrus and stone fruit give way to a subtle savory edge that adds serious intrigue.
There's a quietly mesmerizing note here. Think sea salt ice cream, where freshness, creaminess, and salinity all intersect. It's polished without being stiff, expressive without being showy, and incredibly easy to recommend across the board.
This is a crowd pleasing Brut with depth, charm, and just enough personality to keep you coming back for more.
Price:
$37.99
Damien Hugot "Hommage 1921" Extra Brut Champagne
Review Date: 02-05-2026
Damien Hugot's "Hommage" 1921 stands out immediately, offering the most compelling nose in their line-up. It's cool, composed, and effortlessly inviting. There's a sense of clarity and poise here that feels intentional rather than showy, drawing you in without needing to raise it's voice.
On the palate, it delivers exactly what you hope for: balance, freshness, and an ease that makes it endlessly drinkable. Polished but never precious, this is a true go-to Champagne. Reliable, refined, and impressive, it's the kind of wine you reach for when you want some you KNOW will deliver.
Price:
$49.99
Damien Hugot Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru
Review Date: 02-05-2026
Damien Hugot's Extra Brut Blanc De Blanc Grand Cru walks the tightrope between classic Champagne seriousness and bright, modern energy-and nails the landing. The nose opens up with fresh brioche and bakery warmth, quickly followed by crisp pear and green apple that keeps things lively and precise.
On the palate, it's cool, clean, and sharply focused, with a finish that leans almost Sauvignon Blanc-esque in it's freshness and mineral snap. Chalky tension and racy acidity keep everything humming, while the low dosage lets the Grand Cru fruit speak clearly without makeup or distraction. The result is a Champagne that feels intentional, energetic, and refreshingly honest. A bottle for purists who still like a little swagger. It's equally at home with oysters, salty snacks, or a "just one more glass" mentality.
Price:
$49.99
2024 Domaine Paul Pernot Puligny-Montrachet
Review Date: 01-14-2026
Focused and refined, this Puligny-Montrachet captures the village's tension and clarity. Notes of lemon oil, ripe orchard fruit, and white blossom unfold alongside a distinct chalky minerality. The palate is poised and precise, with bright acidity framing a subtle, savory richness through the mid-palate. The finish is long, clean, and unmistakably Puligny. A classic expression that manages to be both serious and dangerously drinkable.
Price:
$99.99
2024 Domaine Paul Pernot Beaune "Clos des Teurons"
Review Date: 01-14-2026
Graceful and expressive, this Beaune strikes a beautiful balance between charm and structure. Red cherry and raspberry lead, joined by hints of rose petal, subtle spice, and a touch of earth. The palate is silky and well-defined, with fine tannins and bright acidity giving the wine lift and clarity. Savory notes emerge on the finish, adding depth without weight. A classic Beaune that's immediately appealing, yet thoughtfully composed for those paying attention.
Price:
Hidden
2023 Anonymous Wine Collective Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay
Review Date: 11-06-2025
This bottle feels like a secret worth sharing. It channels a Burgundian spirit with quiet confidence - cool minerals, poised structure, and a graceful sense of balance that never slips into excess.
There's a gentle richness that stays composed rather than loud, framed by a coastal energy that keeps each sip lifted and refreshing. A subtle nuttiness and lemony elegance linger, making this a dream for French Chardonnay devotees who appreciate California with a clever disguise. Unique, expressive, and undeniably delicious.
Price:
Hidden
Cambridge "Three Seasons" Gin (700ml)
Review Date: 11-01-2025
A gin that refuses to pick a favorite season. Cambridge's Three Seasons drifts effortlessly from spring bloom to autumn spice, capturing the best of each in a single pour. The nose is bright and floral, the palate smooth and layered - fresh herbs, gentle citrus, and just enough warmth to stick with you. It's elegant without being precious, complex without trying too hard. Perfect for a sunny G&T or a fireside martini.
Price:
$99.99
2021 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Barolo Mosconi
Review Date: 10-09-2025
The Mosconi bottling turns the charm up a notch - deep, polished, and quietly confident. Plush red fruit glides through layers of fine tannin, all balanced by that classic Barolo backbone. There's power here, but it moves with grace - more runway strut than gym flex. Give it a little air and it starts to purr showing just how smooth it can be. Elegant now, it promises even more intrigue as it slowly opens over the next few years.
Price:
$37.99
2021 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Barolo
Review Date: 10-09-2025
It's all about the texture here for me - that firm, almost towel-like grip that dries your palate just enough to make the fruit pop. Then, in comes this wave of soft, red fruit that feels both lush and refined. It's classic Barolo structure with a modern wink - serious bones, but it knows how to have a little fun. Give it a swirl and a minute to stretch, and it turns downright charming.
Price:
$27.99
2019 K&L Discovery Series Italy, Brunello di Montalcino
Review Date: 10-09-2025
That burnished, almost orange hue instantly catches the eye in glass - a sign that this Brunello has a rebellious side. On the palate it's elegant and finely tuned, with bright acidity giving lift to it's delicate frame. What it lacks in weight it makes up for in precision and poise, showing a graceful side of Montalcino that's often overlooked. A quietly confident Brunello that proves power isn't everything.
Price:
$59.99
2015 Nikolaihof "Baumpresse" Riesling Wachau
Review Date: 09-17-2025
This wine is wild - in the best way. Bubblegum notes hit right up front, playful and unexpected, then it settles into this gorgeous layer of honeysuckle and soft florals. The texture is seamless, carrying all that character with ease. It has this almost meditative quality, like every sip slows things down and makes you pay attention. With a decade of age, it's showing incredible grace and depth. Complex, quirky, and totally captivating - just an amazing bottle of wine.
2020 Trimbach Gewürztraminer Alsace
Review Date: 09-17-2025
Surprisingly light for a Gewurz, almost airy on the palate. It shows off this sweet-tart candy character that instantly made me think of Smarties, playful and a little nostalgic. There's a soft floral note in the background, but it never turns perfumy or heavy. The balance keeps it refreshing sip after sip, making it a bottle that disappears quicker than you'd think.
2016 Tahbilk "1927 Vines" Marsanne Nagambie Lakes Victoria
Review Date: 09-02-2025
The 2016 Tahbilk "1927 Vines" Marsanne is a wild ride. Right out of the glass it hits with a strong diesel note that carries onto the palate, wrapped up in plenty of funky character. Beneath the funk there's a waxy, textural weight and a salty edge that keeps it lively. Not your typical Marsanne - this one leans hard into the savory, evolved side, with an intensity that fans of bold, unconventional whites will appreciate.
2022 Nga Waka Pinot Noir Martinborough
Review Date: 08-08-2025
A playful rebel in Pinot's clothing - bright red fruit and earthy spice wrapped in an easy, almost careless charm. There's a subtle funk that keeps it interesting, and a surprising weight from it's generous alcohol content, adding warmth without sacrificing freshness. Effortless to drink, dangerously easy to finish, and just the right amount of wild.
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