Locations
Login
Reviewers
- All Staff Reviews
- - Operations Culver City (1)
- Aaron Hughes (10)
- Adam Winkel (96)
- Alex Pross (794)
- Alex Leonardini (54)
- Andrew Nunes (1)
- Cary Herrman (3)
- David Othenin-Girard (338)
- Dejah Overby (147)
- Gary Westby (541)
- Jacques Moreira (703)
- Jason Marwedel (73)
- Joel Nicholas (29)
- John Majeski (296)
- John Downing (80)
- John Flanigan (1)
- Jonathan Parnell (3)
- Kai Pedreno (3)
- Kate Soto (11)
- Keith Mabry (433)
- Kerry Kennell (1)
- Kirk Walker (276)
- Lilia McIntosh (44)
- Matthew Landau Hassan (4)
- Michael Benoit (7)
- Michael Pires (14)
- Michael Hulihan (1)
- Orazio Campoli (5)
- Rachael Ryan (2)
- Ralph Sands (222)
- Ryan Woodhouse (899)
- Ryan Moses (616)
- Sal Rodriguez (32)
- Scott Beckerley (306)
- Scott Turnbull (61)
- Simon Li (3)
- Tom Martinez (1)
- Will Blakely (27)
K&L Email Alerts
Sign up to receive custom alerts, new arrivals and the latest happenings from K&L Wines
Staff Favorites - Matthew Landau Hassan
|
Reviews
2021 Marqués de Murrieta Reserva Rioja
Review Date: 07-15-2026
A modern classic from one of Rioja’s most storied houses, making wine since 1852. This Reserva—Tempranillo-led with the traditional supporting cast—splits the difference beautifully between old-school Rioja and a fresher, more polished style. Ripe red and black cherry lead, layered with vanilla, sweet spice, cedar, and a savory hint of leather and dried herb from time in oak. The palate is medium- to full-bodied and smooth, with fine-grained tannins and bright acidity keeping it balanced and lively. Approachable now with a short decant, but with the structure to develop over the next 5 to 10 years. Elegant, food-friendly, and a benchmark Reserva—pour it with lamb, roast pork, or a good jamón.
2018 Launois "Helia" Rosé Champagne
Review Date: 07-15-2026
A gorgeous grower rosé with charm and precision in equal measure. Fresh strawberry and red cherry lead, accented by citrus, white flowers, and a touch of brioche. The palate is bright and delicate, with fine bubbles, crisp acidity, and a clean, mineral finish. Elegant and food-friendly—a rosé for sipping and for the table alike.
Price:
$74.99
2017 Launois "Helia" Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Review Date: 07-15-2026
A single-vintage Grand Cru statement from a strong Chardonnay year. Ripe orchard fruit and citrus mingle with brioche, hazelnut, and deep chalky minerality. The palate is juicy and generous yet chiseled, with vibrant acidity and a long, saline finish. A concentrated, age-worthy Blanc de Blancs that shows just how good Le Mesnil Chardonnay can be.
Price:
$79.99
Launois "Veuve Clemence" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Review Date: 07-15-2026
A refined all-Chardonnay cuvée with a touch more richness and depth. Aromas of poached pear, lemon curd, brioche, and toasted almond unfold gracefully. The palate is creamy yet taut, its chalky backbone keeping everything fresh and focused through a long finish. Elegant and vinous—Blanc de Blancs with real presence.
Price:
$44.99
Launois "Cuvée Réservée" Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Review Date: 07-15-2026
Grand Cru Chardonnay from an esteemed Le Mesnil grower, and a steal at this price. Lemon, green apple, and white flowers lead into a chalky, saline palate with real Côte des Blancs character. Fine bubbles and crisp acidity carry a clean, mineral finish. Precise, elegant, and a benchmark entry point into grower Blanc de Blancs.
Price:
$39.99
Ariston Aspasie "Cépages d'Antan" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 07-15-2026
The prestige bottling, and a fascinating one—a co-planted, co-pressed, co-fermented field blend from a single vineyard. The result is a wine of striking energy: intense citrus, orchard fruit, toasted grain, and a deep, savory minerality. The palate is high-toned and bright, tightly structured, with laser-cut acidity and remarkable length. Ambitious, distinctive grower Champagne for the serious collector.
Price:
$119.99
2014 Ariston Aspasie Brut Champagne
Review Date: 07-15-2026
A vintage grower Champagne with an airy, refined style and lovely complexity. An even blend of the three grapes shows baked apple, citrus, toasted brioche, and a deep wet-stone minerality. The palate is elegant and precise, with fine bubbles and a long, chalky finish. Poised and characterful—a beautiful expression of the house style with great mineral drive.
Price:
$49.99
Ariston Aspasie Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne
Review Date: 07-15-2026
All-Chardonnay elegance from a top small grower. Lemon zest, white peach, and white flowers lead into a taut, chalk-driven palate with a creamy mid-palate for balance. Fine bubbles and crisp acidity carry a long, mineral finish. Precise, refreshing, and deeply satisfying—a delicious Blanc de Blancs that keeps you coming back.
Price:
$44.99
Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 07-15-2026
A grower gem that overdelivers at this price. A Chardonnay-led blend rounded out with Pinot and Meunier gives aromas of pear, lemon, and fresh-baked bread with a nutty undertone. The palate is round and generous, balanced by bright acidity and a clean, dry finish. Charming, versatile, and a genuine value in grower Champagne.
Price:
$37.99
Baron-Fuenté "7" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 07-15-2026
The house’s ambitious cuvée, built on a blend of all three grapes and extended lees aging for real depth. Layers of baked apple, toasted brioche, roasted nuts, and candied citrus unfold slowly. The palate is rich and vinous but kept lively by firm acidity, finishing long and savory. A serious Champagne that rewards a proper glass and a little attention.
2018 Baron-Fuenté "Rebelle" Brut Nature Champagne
Review Date: 07-15-2026
Zero dosage done right—clean, precise, and nothing to hide behind. An equal Chardonnay-Meunier split gives it both cut and flesh: green apple, white flowers, and citrus zest over a chalky, saline core. The palate is bone-dry and taut, all bright fruit and mineral tension through a crisp finish. A transparent, characterful bottle for drinkers who want purity over polish.
Price:
$49.99
Baron-Fuenté "Quinconce" Brut Champagne (formerly Esprit)
Review Date: 07-15-2026
A step up in polish and complexity, this three-grape blend brings real balance to the glass. Orchard fruit and lemon curd mingle with brioche, almond, and a hint of honey from time on the lees. The palate is generous yet fresh, with a creamy texture and a lively, mineral finish. A crowd-pleasing, food-friendly Champagne that’s easy to love.
Price:
$39.99
Baron-Fuenté "Grande Réserve" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 07-15-2026
An honest, characterful grower Champagne and a benchmark house-pour value. Fresh apple, pear, and citrus lead into a toasty, bread-dough note that adds depth. The palate is round and approachable with a fine bead and a clean, dry finish. Easygoing and versatile—perfect for a party or an everyday pour that punches above its price.
2024 Pencarrow Sauvignon Blanc Martinborough
Review Date: 07-10-2026
A dry Sauvignon Blanc from Martinborough at the southern tip of New Zealand’s North Island, the second label of Palliser Estate. Cooler, more maritime than Marlborough, the region gives a slightly more restrained, textural take on the grape. Expect passionfruit, fresh-cut grass, and grapefruit with a green herbal lift, crisp acidity, and a clean, zesty finish. Vibrant, easy-drinking, and a steal at $19.99.
2019 Frankland Estate "Poison Hill" Riesling Frankland River Western Australia
Review Date: 06-26-2026
A dry, single-vineyard Riesling from Frankland River in Western Australia. Grown on gravelly soils, hand-picked, made bone-dry with no oak, under screwcap. Lots of line and lemon zest, green apple, white flowers, and a wet-stone mineral kick, with bright, zippy acidity that keeps it lively. Family-run, certified organic and biodynamic. Its crisp, dry, citrus-forward style also makes it a great bridge for Sauvignon Blanc drinkers looking to get into Riesling.
This could be the wine of the summer!
2019 Duhart-Milon, Pauillac
Review Date: 06-20-2026
The only Fourth Growth in Pauillac, sitting on the Milon hillside right next to Lafite and sharing its winemaking team since 1962—pedigree you can taste. The 2019 is classic Pauillac: a powerful core of black currant and dark cherry framed by graphite, cedar, and a savory tobacco-leaf edge. The palate is deep and structured, built on gravel-grown Cabernet (67%) with Merlot for flesh, carried by firm, finely grained tannins and a long, mineral finish. Drinking well with a decant now but built for the cellar—give it 8 to 15 years and it will reward you. A genuine taste of Lafite’s neighborhood at a relative bargain.
2014 l'Evangile, Pomerol
Review Date: 06-20-2026
A Rothschild-owned Pomerol jewel sitting in rarefied company—bordered by Pétrus and a stone’s throw from Cheval Blanc. From the estate’s privileged gravel-over-clay terroir comes a wine of real opulence and precision. Plush black cherry, plum, and crème de cassis lead, deepening into truffle, cocoa, violets, and a savory earthiness that only great Pomerol delivers. The Merlot-led palate is velvety and seamless, with polished tannins and a long, perfumed finish. At a decade old it’s drinking beautifully but has years left to give. Decant an hour and savor it with something special.
2016 Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac
Review Date: 06-20-2026
One of only five First Growths, and a benchmark by which all of Bordeaux is measured—in the Rothschild family for over 150 years. 2016 is widely hailed as one of the greatest recent left-bank vintages, and Lafite captured it perfectly: classic Pauillac structure married to extraordinary aromatic precision. Layers of cassis, graphite, cedar, violets, and crushed rock unfold with seamless intensity, while the palate is profound yet weightless—powerful tannins wrapped in silk, with a finish that goes on and on. A wine for the long haul; cellar it 15 to 30 years. Profound, ageless, and utterly complete.
2010 Carruades de Lafite, Pauillac
Review Date: 06-20-2026
The second wine of Lafite, drawn from plots adjacent to the First Growth’s hilltop vines and from one of the greatest Bordeaux vintages of the modern era. The 2010 carries unmistakable Lafite breeding: aromas of black currant, pencil shavings, cedar, and crushed stone with a floral lift. The palate is refined and tightly woven—a Cabernet-led blend with Merlot for generosity—showing firm tannins, vibrant acidity, and remarkable length. Still young for a 2010; decant a full hour now or, better, cellar it another 5 to 10 years. Lafite’s elegance at a fraction of the First Growth price.
2021 Quinta de Saes Tinto Dão
Review Date: 06-17-2026
The 2021 Quinta de Saes Tinto Dão is one of Portugal’s great under-the-radar values, made by the Quinta da Pellada team—one of the region’s most respected producers—this is a field blend of native grapes, and it shows real character for the price. Bright red and black berry fruit lead, accented by violets, dried herbs, and a smoky, mineral edge that comes straight from the granite soils. The palate is medium-bodied and fresh, with firm but fine-grained tannins and a lively acidity that keeps it food-friendly. Earthy, elegant, and distinctly Portuguese.
Fallet-Dart "Clos du Mont" Brut Champagne (2006)
Review Date: 06-12-2026
The 2006 Fallet Dart “Les Hauts des Clos du Mont” feels like a Champagne that has finally settled into itself. The mousse is soft and refined, more silk than sparkle, opening with aromas of toasted brioche, roasted almond, honeyed apple, and a subtle chalky depth that immediately signals age and complexity. On the palate it’s broad and layered, showing baked pear, lemon curd, hazelnut, and a touch of caramelized sugar, all carried by a quiet but persistent line of acidity that keeps everything balanced. The finish is long, savory, and mineral-driven, leaving behind notes of warm pastry and saline stone. This is not a loud or flashy Champagne — it’s mature, composed, and indulgent in a slow, luxurious way, made for dim lights, long conversations, and unhurried drinking.
Price:
$79.99
2023 Chateau de Pizay Regnie
Review Date: 06-06-2026
Cru Beaujolais at its most charming, and an absolute steal. From organically farmed parcels in Régnié—one of the smallest crus—with whole-cluster fruit and traditional carbonic maceration. The 2023 delivers everything you want from the appellation: juicy red cherry and raspberry, a floral lift, and a sleek mineral edge that keeps it fresh. Plush and fruit-forward but never heavy, with silky tannins and bright acidity. Serve it with a slight chill and pour it with anything from charcuterie to roast chicken.
2023 Laberinto "Arcillas de Laberinto" Riesling Valle de Maule
Review Date: 06-06-2026
A thrilling, off-the-beaten-path Riesling from one of Chile’s most influential winemakers. Sourced from a 1995-planted vineyard at 1,800 feet on volcanic soils, hand-harvested, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and given skin contact and time in clay amphora and concrete. The result is textural and electric—lime zest, white peach, wet stone, and a savory, almost briny edge. Bone-dry and laser-focused, with a long, mineral finish. Distinctive, ambitious, and a screaming value for anyone who wants Riesling with real character.
2023 Method Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Review Date: 06-06-2026
Classic Napa Cabernet with the polish you’d expect and a price that doesn’t scare you off. The 2023 leads with ripe black currant, blackberry, and dark cherry, layered with notes of cocoa, sweet cedar, vanilla, and a whisper of crushed herb. The palate is rich and full-bodied, with plush, well-integrated tannins and just enough acidity to keep all that dark fruit lively. Oak is present but tasteful, framing the wine rather than dominating it, and the finish is long, smooth, and gently spiced. Approachable now with a short decant, but with the structure to develop over the next several years. A confident, crowd-pleasing Napa Cab—pour it with a ribeye and watch it disappear.
2015 Famiglia Cottarella Sodale Merlot
Review Date: 06-06-2026
Proof that Lazio can do serious Merlot—and that some of the best values come from the regions nobody’s watching. Made by celebrated winemaker Riccardo Cotarella on his home turf outside Rome, this is grown in volcanic soils and given the kind of attention usually reserved for far flashier addresses. With a decade of bottle age behind it, the 2015 has landed right in its sweet spot.
Ripe black cherry and plum lead on the nose, then slowly unfurl into cocoa, sweet pipe tobacco, dried herbs, and a savory note of forest floor that only comes with age. The palate is plush and velvety with mature, silky tannins and a mocha-tinged depth from the volcanic terroir, all kept balanced and lifted by a line of fresh acidity. The finish is long, savory, and gently spiced.
Drinking beautifully now—give it a 30-minute decant and pour it with braised short ribs, mushroom risotto, or anything off the grill. A sophisticated, mature Merlot from an unexpected corner of Italy.
Price:
$9.99
2022 Dominio de Atauta Ribera del Duero
Review Date: 06-06-2026
The flagship, and the most serious wine in the whole lineup—all about texture, not power. Sourced from microscopic plots of ancient 120- to 140-year-old pre-phylloxera vines rooted in limestone bedrock, it shows a chalky minerality and a striking note of powdered stone that comes straight from the rock. Dense, structured, and super precise, with dark fruit framed by firm tannins and savory depth. Decant a full hour or cellar it 8 to 12 years. A top pick.
2019 Miguel Merino Reserva Rioja
Review Date: 06-06-2026
This is Rioja with depth, patience, and real class. Layers of dried cherry, plum skin, tobacco, and warm baking spice unfold slowly from the glass, giving a wine beautifully mature and composed despite its youthful energy. The palate is silky and deeply savory, with finely integrated oak framing the fruit rather than overpowering it. There’s a quiet intensity here—nothing flashy, just confident winemaking and exceptional balance. The finish lingers with notes of leather, crushed herbs, and earthy minerality, making this a Reserva that feels both timeless and remarkably polished.
2019 Miguel Merino Gran Reserva Rioja
Review Date: 06-06-2026
This is Rioja with real gravitas. The nose opens with dried cherry, tobacco leaf, cedar, worn leather, and sweet baking spice, but there’s still a vibrant core of red fruit keeping everything alive and lifted. The palate is silky and layered, unfolding slowly with notes of black tea, balsamic, dusty earth, and finely integrated oak. What makes this especially compelling is the balance between maturity and energy—it carries the soul of traditional Rioja, but with remarkable precision and freshness underneath the depth. Long, elegant, and quietly dramatic, this feels like a wine made to linger over for hours rather than simply drink.
2019 Recaredo "Terrers" Brut Nature Corpinnat (Cava)
Review Date: 06-06-2026
A true cult sparkler from one of the world’s great traditional-method houses. Hand-riddled, aged under natural cork, and disgorged by hand at cellar temperature—this is craftsmanship taken to the extreme. A remarkable 52 months on the lees and zero dosage give it a nutty, intense, bone-dry profile with aromas of toasted hazelnut, baked apple, and crushed stone. Layered, age-worthy, and uncompromising—a sparkling wine for serious drinkers who want substance over polish.
2021 Gramona "Aliances La Cuvee" Brut Corpinnat (Cava)
Review Date: 06-06-2026
Proof that Spain’s traditional-method sparklers belong in the conversation with Champagne. Gramona left Cava behind to help found Corpinnat, and the extra ambition shows—24 to 34 months on the lees give this real depth. Toasty brioche, almond, and ripe orchard fruit lead into a bone-dry, finely beaded palate built on Xarel·lo, Macabeu, and a touch of Parellada. Long, savory, and impeccably balanced—a staff favorite and an absolute steal that’s brilliant with oysters.
2018 Billecart-Salmon 250th Anniversary Vintage Champagne
Review Date: 06-03-2026
One of the best recent vintages, similar in spirit to 2002, and a fitting tribute for the house’s 250th. Lovely from the first pour—always a crowd-pleaser—with a beautiful balance of subtle oak and crisp acidity. Layers of white fruit, toasted brioche, and citrus zest carry through a long, refined finish. A polished, celebratory Champagne that delivers elegance and crowd appeal in equal measure.
Price:
$119.99
2019 Fallet-Dart "Pur Meunier" Champagne
Review Date: 06-03-2026
A pure and expressive take on Meunier that really shows why the grape matters in Champagne. Ripe red apple, pear, and gentle baking spice lead the way, followed by subtle notes of stone fruit and a faint earthy edge that adds complexity. The palate is rounder and more generous than the house’s blends, with a soft, cushioning texture balanced by lively acidity that keeps everything fresh and energetic. There’s a quiet confidence to this wine — characterful without being heavy, expressive without losing precision. Distinctive, food-friendly, and deeply satisfying, this is Meunier in its most honest and compelling form.
Price:
$69.99
2018 Fallet-Dart Extra Brut Champagne
Review Date: 06-03-2026
A warm-vintage cuvée—70% chardonnay, 15% meunier, 15% pinot noir—finished with a low dosage that lets the fruit speak. Ripe pear, citrus, and toasty notes are framed by a dry, focused structure. The warmth of the vintage gives generosity, while the extra-brut finish keeps it tight and refreshing. A versatile, food-friendly bottle that bridges richness and precision.
Price:
$49.99
Fallet-Dart "Heres" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 06-03-2026
From a family farming the far western edge of Champagne, now in its 13th generation. A 2018 base of roughly 70% pinot meunier and 15% chardonnay gives this an inviting, easygoing nose and palate. Ripe orchard fruit, fresh-baked bread, and a touch of spice make it immediately likable. Honest, generous, easy-drinking Champagne with real heritage behind it.
2017 Boulard-Bauquaire "Les Fervins" Verzenay Grand Cru Brut Champagne
Review Date: 06-03-2026
A Verzenay Grand Cru that splits the difference—half chardonnay, half pinot noir—and gets the best of both. A lovely round palate is lifted by bright acid that keeps everything balanced and lively. Layers of stone fruit, citrus, toasted nuts, and chalk build toward a long, mineral finish. A complete, age-worthy Champagne that shows just how good Verzenay can be.
Price:
$119.99
Boulard-Bauquaire "Carte Noire" Brut Blanc de Noirs Champagne
Review Date: 06-03-2026
Lovely and toasty, round, and big-bodied—everything you want from a Blanc de Noirs. Red apple, brioche, and a hint of strawberry lead into a generous, full palate with real weight and presence. The richness is balanced by enough freshness to keep it lively through the finish. A crowd-pleasing, food-loving Champagne and one of the best values in the case.
Boulard-Bauquaire "Trepail" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Vieilles Vignes
Review Date: 06-03-2026
From 75-year-old vines on selected high-quality fruit, this is old-vine chardonnay with depth to spare. Lemon, white peach, and toasted grain on the nose; a round, concentrated palate carried by vibrant acidity. There’s real intensity and old-vine texture here for the money. A serious, savory Blanc de Blancs that punches well above its price.
Price:
$44.99
Jean-Jacques Lamoureux "Les Amoureux" Pinot Blanc Champagne
Review Date: 06-03-2026
A rare all-Pinot-Blanc Champagne and a genuine conversation piece. Apricot and orchard fruit lead on the nose, with a toasty edge and a slight floral note adding intrigue. The palate is fresh and lively with nice acidity holding everything in line, finishing dry with surprising length. Distinctive, food-friendly, and unlike anything else on the shelf—seek it out.
Price:
$49.99
Jean-Jacques Lamoureux "Cuvée Gabin" Brut Zero Champagne
Review Date: 06-03-2026
Zero dosage done right—nothing to hide behind and nothing it needs to. The nose is toasty and nutty with a slight almond lift and a lovely round opening on the palate. Apple-skin notes and a beautiful, expansive mid-palate give it shape, while the bone-dry finish stays clean and focused. A transparent, characterful aperitif Champagne for drinkers who want purity over polish.
Price:
$44.99
2017 Franck Bonville "Belles Voyes" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Review Date: 06-03-2026
A single-vineyard statement wine and worth every penny of the splurge. Aromas of baked apple, candied citrus, almond, and a deep wet-stone minerality unfold slowly and keep coming. The palate is concentrated and chiseled, with a creamy texture wrapped around laser-cut acidity. This is grower Champagne at its most ambitious—structured for the cellar but already mesmerizing for anyone who pulls the cork early.
Franck Bonville Unisson Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Review Date: 06-03-2026
Built on a 2018 base from older vines, this is Avize chardonnay with real presence. Fine, persistent bubbles carry aromas of poached pear, hazelnut, and lemon oil. The mouthfeel is rounder and more generous than most Blanc de Blancs, but a firm chalky backbone keeps it honest. Vinous, layered, and serious—a Grand Cru that rewards a proper glass and a little patience in the bottle.
Maison 76 Côte des Blancs Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Review Date: 06-03-2026
A Côte des Blancs overachiever at this price. Lemon curd, white flowers, and crushed chalk lead, with four years on the lees adding a layer of toasted brioche and roasted nuts. The palate is taut and saline, all bright orchard fruit pulled tight over that signature Grand Cru minerality. Precise, energetic, and genuinely elegant—a benchmark grower Blanc de Blancs that drinks well above its sticker.
Price:
$44.99
2021 Boroli "Villero" Barolo
Review Date: 05-31-2026
This is a Barolo that already shows remarkable class, even in its youth. Aromas of rose petals, wild cherry, blood orange, and crushed herbs rise from the glass, followed by hints of tar, anise, and earthy complexity. The palate is beautifully structured, with firm but polished tannins framing layers of red fruit, savory spice, and mineral depth. What makes this wine so compelling is the tension between power and elegance—it feels tightly wound today, yet every sip hints at the complexity waiting to emerge with time. Long, perfumed, and endlessly nuanced, this is the kind of Barolo that reminds you why Villero is considered one of the great vineyards of the appellation.
2024 Lamothe-Bergeron Bordeaux Blanc
Review Date: 05-31-2026
A really polished Bordeaux Blanc that leans into freshness without sacrificing texture. Bright aromas of grapefruit, lemon curd, white peach, and fresh-cut herbs jump from the glass, while the palate delivers vibrant citrus and orchard fruit wrapped around a sleek mineral core. There’s a lovely tension here—crisp and energetic up front, then broadening into subtle notes of honeysuckle and wet stone on the finish. The balance between richness and acidity is impressive, giving the wine both immediate appeal and surprising sophistication. A beautifully crafted white that overdelivers in both elegance and drinkability.
Price:
$21.99
2022 Mary Taylor Wines "Filipe Ferreira" Tinto Douro
Review Date: 05-29-2026
This is exactly why I love good Douro reds. The nose is packed with blackberries, plum, violets, and crushed rock, but there is a freshness underneath that keeps it from feeling heavy. The palate is dense and dark-fruited, layered with cocoa, licorice, and warm spice, yet the wine maintains remarkable energy and structure. What stands out most is the balance between richness and restraint—there’s plenty of power here, but it’s delivered with elegance rather than force. The finish lingers with notes of dark fruit, mineral tension, and a subtle savory edge that keeps drawing you back for another sip. A beautifully complete expression of the Douro.
2022 Dominio de Atauta "Parada de Atauta" Ribero del Duero
Review Date: 05-29-2026
This is Ribera del Duero with a beautiful sense of restraint. The nose offers dark cherry, blackberry, crushed violets, and a touch of graphite, while the palate balances ripe fruit with savory earth and subtle spice. There’s plenty of concentration here, but what stands out most is the freshness and precision—nothing feels heavy or overworked. Fine-grained tannins frame the wine nicely, carrying notes of black plum, dried herbs, and mineral-driven complexity through a long, polished finish. A serious and expressive Tempranillo that delivers both power and elegance in equal measure.
Mas Codina Brut Nature Gran Reserva Cava Penedès
Review Date: 05-27-2026
For the price, this is wildly impressive. Bone-dry and sharply focused, with crisp green apple, lemon peel, toasted almond, and that classic salty minerality that makes great Brut Nature Cava so addictive. The mousse is fine and energetic, giving the wine a clean, refreshing lift without ever feeling thin. There’s real depth beneath the brightness too—subtle brioche and leesy complexity start to emerge as it opens. This drinks far above its price point and feels more serious and gastronomic than most sparkling wines anywhere near this range.
Price:
$16.99
2022 Miguel Merino "Viñas Jóvenes" Rioja
Review Date: 05-27-2026
A beautifully modern Rioja that still respects its roots. Bright red cherry, crushed raspberry, dried herbs, and subtle baking spice lead the way, while the palate stays energetic and precise rather than overly oaked or heavy. There’s a purity to the fruit here that makes the wine feel incredibly alive, backed by silky tannins and a streak of earthy minerality that adds depth. The “Viñas Jóvenes” bottling showcases the freshness and vibrancy of younger vines without sacrificing complexity. Elegant, soulful, and dangerously easy to keep drinking.
2021 Halcon Estate Yorkville Highlands Syrah
Review Date: 05-22-2026
A wildly expressive Syrah that feels more Northern Rhône than California sunshine bomb. The aromatics leap from the glass with cracked pepper, smoked meat, black olive, and dark blue fruit, backed by a lifted floral edge that keeps everything vibrant. On the palate, the wine is intense but beautifully controlled, balancing savory depth with piercing acidity and rocky minerality from the rugged Yorkville Highlands site. There’s a feral, windswept quality here that makes the wine feel alive and constantly evolving in the glass. Serious Syrah with real character and far more complexity than the price suggests.
2020 Ferrero Brunello di Montalcino
Review Date: 05-21-2026
A Brunello that overdelivers in the best possible way. The nose is classic Montalcino—dried cherry, wild herbs, cedar, and worn leather—but there’s a freshness here that keeps everything lifted and vibrant. On the palate, the wine balances ripe red fruit with savory earth, tobacco leaf, and a subtle balsamic note that adds real complexity. The tannins are firm but polished, giving structure without overwhelming the fruit. For a young Brunello, it already shows impressive harmony, with enough depth and tension to satisfy serious Sangiovese lovers while still being incredibly approachable now.
More Favorites
Matthew Landau Hassan is also a fan of the following items.
To become a fan of Matthew Landau Hassan, click here to join
Matthew Landau Hassan's Personal Sommelier Service.