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Staff Favorites
| If you’re going to have Robert Parker or Stephen Tanzer over for dinner, selecting a wine they’ve rated highly will be a nice choice. However, when you’re buying wines for yourself, we’d love to see you find wines that match up your unique palate and pocketbook. We have a large staff of friendly and knowledgeable wine professionals that taste hundreds of wines each week. They can put you in touch with bottles that you are likely to love, often at a much lower cost than the highly-rated gems that often see a run-up in price and frequent availability issues. Like any great group of opinionated professionals, our staff has varied tastes themselves. Often our customers will find a particular staff member with a style that corresponds to their own. That concept works extremely well in our retail stores, and this section is our effort to bring you the same online. Don’t get us wrong, we love the highly rated wines from the press and will continue to offer them, but we think you’re missing out if you’re not augmenting those selections with picks from our excellent staff. Here are their favorites. (Click on a name to see their other selections - or to drop them a line.) Cheers! |
Reviews
2019 Miguel Merino Reserva Rioja (1.5L)
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
Miguel Merino is somewhat unusual in that he chooses to release the same vintage of Reserva and Gran Reserva side by side, rather than a younger vintage of Reserva next to an older vintage of Gran Reserva. This makes for a fascinating comparison, with the main differences being time spent in barrel and the type of oak used for aging. The 2019 Reserva is made from mostly Tempranillo, with just a dash of Graciano, aged for two years in an interesting hybrid barrel of sorts: the staves are made from American oak and the heads are made from French oak, allowing the two flavor profiles to meld from the earliest stages of maturation. The barrels are 70% new, imparting a clear savory and dried herb component to the wine, along with dried tobacco, leather and toasted hazelnut. Now with over four years of bottle age, this Rioja is absolutely singing, with seamlessly integrated supple tannins and lovely, refreshing acidity. For me, this Rioja sits perfectly in the middle of a traditionally styled Rioja and one with more modern sensibilities – it seems to have one foot in the past honoring Miguel Sr. and one foot firmly in the present, showcasing the forward-thinking style of Miguel Jr. It’s clearly of the region, but it is a wonderfully elegant, light-footed version of a Rioja Reserva.
2019 Miguel Merino Gran Reserva Rioja (1.5L)
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
Released alongside the same vintage of the Reserva Rioja, the Miguel Merino Gran Reserva Rioja ages for three years (as opposed to two for the Reserva) in barrel. Made from mostly Tempranillo with a touch of Graciano, the wine spends its first two years in 100% new French oak barrels, and then it is racked into used French oak barrels for its third year, to allow for seamless integration of the toasty oak aromas. This sort of attention to detail is just what sets the Miguel Merino Riojas apart, this one included. The wine is both elegant and powerful, achieving a harmonious balance between its firm, well-built structure and the densely woven red and black fruit notes. As the minutes pass in the glass, the wine just seems to gain in complexity, further unveiling woodsy forest floor and moss aromas, along with subtle licorice and dried thyme. There is a fine balance between freshness and maturity, with vibrant acidity carrying the wine into a long, lingering finish. Muscular and delicate at the same time, this Gran Reserva is such a wonderful example of the finesse and understated beauty Rioja can achieve.
2023 Miguel Merino Blanco Rioja
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
Miguel Merino’s Blanco Rioja is made from 60% Viura and 40% Garnacha Blanca sourced from three distinct vineyards. It ferments and ages for 10 months in 500L neutral casks, avoiding any significant impression of new oak. The focus here is on freshness, fruit-purity and a racy, refreshing mouthfeel driven by acidity and dense minerality. A delicate floral note lingers in the background, along with fresh lemon thyme. This is such a delicious, clean and thoroughly modern style of white Rioja, with just enough creaminess on the palate to make it an excellent food wine.
2019 Miguel Merino Gran Reserva Rioja
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
Released alongside the same vintage of the Reserva Rioja, the Miguel Merino Gran Reserva Rioja ages for three years (as opposed to two for the Reserva) in barrel. Made from mostly Tempranillo with a touch of Graciano, the wine spends its first two years in 100% new French oak barrels, and then it is racked into used French oak barrels for its third year, to allow for seamless integration of the toasty oak aromas. This sort of attention to detail is just what sets the Miguel Merino Riojas apart, this one included. The wine is both elegant and powerful, achieving a harmonious balance between its firm, well-built structure and the densely woven red and black fruit notes. As the minutes pass in the glass, the wine just seems to gain in complexity, further unveiling woodsy forest floor and moss aromas, along with subtle licorice and dried thyme. There is a fine balance between freshness and maturity, with vibrant acidity carrying the wine into a long, lingering finish. Muscular and delicate at the same time, this Gran Reserva is such a wonderful example of the finesse and understated beauty Rioja can achieve.
2019 Miguel Merino Reserva Rioja
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
Miguel Merino is somewhat unusual in that he chooses to release the same vintage of Reserva and Gran Reserva side by side, rather than a younger vintage of Reserva next to an older vintage of Gran Reserva. This makes for a fascinating comparison, with the main differences being time spent in barrel and the type of oak used for aging. The 2019 Reserva is made from mostly Tempranillo, with just a dash of Graciano, aged for two years in an interesting hybrid barrel of sorts: the staves are made from American oak and the heads are made from French oak, allowing the two flavor profiles to meld from the earliest stages of maturation. The barrels are 70% new, imparting a clear savory and dried herb component to the wine, along with dried tobacco, leather and toasted hazelnut. Now with over four years of bottle age, this Rioja is absolutely singing, with seamlessly integrated supple tannins and lovely, refreshing acidity. For me, this Rioja sits perfectly in the middle of a traditionally styled Rioja and one with more modern sensibilities – it seems to have one foot in the past honoring Miguel Sr. and one foot firmly in the present, showcasing the forward-thinking style of Miguel Jr. It’s clearly of the region, but it is a wonderfully elegant, light-footed version of a Rioja Reserva.
2022 Miguel Merino "Viñas Jóvenes" Rioja
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
The Viñas Jóvenes is Miguel Merino’s “village” wine, crafted from younger vines (between 10 and 25 years of age) and designed to show off the personality of the village of Briones where the winery is located. These are vines in training, in a sense, waiting to grow old enough to be included in the Reserva or Gran Reserva, yet in the interim produce readily accessible, highly enjoyable wines bursting with exuberant red fruit notes framed by a delicately savory quality. Made from 92% Tempranillo, with smaller amounts of Graciano and Garnacha, the wine ages for 12 months in second use barrels as well as 500L casks, to emphasize the youthful fruit and not cloak it in oak. Ready to drink now, with juicy fruit notes and lively acidity, this is hardly a trivial wine, however. Rather, it has a surprising amount of concentration for such a well-priced bottle, with a noticeable Miguel Merino thumbprint of elegance, finesse and restrained energy pulsing through the core of the wine, just like its older siblings.
2018 Billecart-Salmon 250th Anniversary Vintage Champagne
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
The perfect wine to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. Billecart Salmon is one of my favorite houses, so it's no surprise that their 2018 vintage is out of this world. On the palate, this wine has notes of brioche, red apple, citrus, and white flowers, with a touch of salinity and refreshing minerality.
Price:
$119.99
2018 Fallet-Dart Extra Brut Champagne
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
This champagne is all estate-grown fruit, mostly Chardonnay with a small portion of Pinot Noir, and entirely from the 2018 vintage; the perfect combination in my opinion! Pear, apple, white peach, brioche, and almonds dominate the palate on this wine, with crisp minerality that makes this champagne super refreshing. Buy this wine while you still can!
Price:
$49.99
Fallet-Dart "Heres" Brut Champagne
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
Bottled in 2019, but with a base vintage of 2018, Fallet Dart's "Heres" is an awesome champagne, especially for its price. The Fallet Dart family has been growing grapes in Champagne since the 1600s and you can taste the years of experience in this wine. On the palate, this champagne is light with perfect minerality, offering notes of tart green apple, grapefruit, lemon juice, and plum.
2017 Boulard-Bauquaire "Les Fervins" Verzenay Grand Cru Brut Champagne
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
The perfect gift for lovers of grower champagne, and not just because of the awesome packaging. 50/50 blend of Pinot Noir and Champagne and a single vintage from a single vineyard, this wine is fantastic. On the palate, this wine has notes of lime zest, lemon juice, red apple, and toasted hazelnuts, wrapped up with a long, chalky finish.
Price:
$119.99
Boulard-Bauquaire "Carte Noire" Brut Blanc de Noirs Champagne
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
50% Pinot Noir and 50% Pinot Meunier, this is one of the finest examples of Blanc de Noirs on our shelves. On the palate, this champagne has notes of blood orange, raspberry, red apple, lemons, and almonds, with great acidity and an apple driven finish. The first wine I would point out to a customer inquiring about Blanc de Noirs, especially at this awesome price point.
Boulard-Bauquaire "Trepail" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Vieilles Vignes
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
A super fun Blanc de Blancs from a single vineyard full of 75+ year old vines. On the palate, this champagne has the depth one would expect from very old vines, with notes of orchard fruit, croissant, lemon zest, and fresh cream, wrapped up with chalky acidity and a touch of honey. The perfect champagne for fans of "old vine" wines.
Price:
$44.99
Jean-Jacques Lamoureux "Les Amoureux" Pinot Blanc Champagne
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
An incredible rare champagne, one press loads worth per year to be exact. If you're looking for something different from Champagne, this 100% Pinot Blanc wine is perfect for you. On the palate, this wine has notes of apricot, white peach, apple, and tart lemon juice, tied together with bright acidity and a bone-dry finish.
Price:
$49.99
Jean-Jacques Lamoureux "Cuvée Gabin" Brut Zero Champagne
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
My personal favorite Brut Zero/Nature. 100% Pinot Noir, this champagne offers notes of green apple, lime zest and underripe pear, with a dry finish and a clear line of acidity throughout. A great small production apertif champagne for those looking for zero dosage.
Price:
$44.99
2017 Franck Bonville "Belles Voyes" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
Single vineyard, single vintage champagne from one of my favorite champagne houses; this is one of the best champagne's I've ever had. On the palate, this wine is rich with incredible depth, with notes of lemon zest, apple, pear, brioche, and rosemary, with a creamy mid palate and bright acidity. Do not hesitate to buy.
Franck Bonville Unisson Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
"Unisson" is one of my favorite champagnes from Franck Bonville, 100% Blanc de Blancs primarily from the village of Avize. Medium-bodied and complex, this champagne has notes of orchard fruits, pastry bread, sweet citrus, and hazelnuts on the palate, tied together with the perfect amount of minerality. Perfect for those looking for a complex Blanc de Blancs at a great price.
Maison 76 Côte des Blancs Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
I'm a massive fan of this champagne. Crafted by Olivier Bonville and hand-selected by Gary Westby, this Blanc de Blancs champagne is zippy and bright, with notes of apple, pear, honey and a hint of brioche. I'd pay double for this wine, the perfect champagne for any occasion.
Price:
$44.99
2021 Francophone by Daniel Baron Sonoma - Napa Cabernet Sauvignon
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Ryan Woodhouse | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
This is a really fun wine for folks who appreciate both Old World and New World styles - or at least wines that strike a thoughtful balance between the two, as this one does.
Daniel Baron is one of the most experienced winemakers you’re ever likely to meet. In 1974, he attended UC Davis, where he studied Viticulture and Enology under the legendary Dr. Harold Olmo. After graduating, he worked numerous harvests before eventually landing in Bordeaux at the iconic Château Pétrus during none other than the famed 1982 vintage. After 12 months at Pétrus, he had befriended owner Christian Moueix and returned to his native California to help launch the newly minted Dominus Estate.
After working at Dominus for 13 years as General Manager, Dan went on to become the winemaker at Silver Oak, a tenure he held until 2016. Now that’s quite a résumé, huh?
Francophone is a project Dan made with Naked Wines, combining fruit from both Napa’s Oakville district and Sonoma’s Moon Mountain. The 2021 Francophone - a playful nod to Dan’s inspirational journey to Bordeaux and back - has rich, ripe fruit, but also an elegant, refined structure more reminiscent of Bordeaux. Dusty red and black fruits meet leather, camphor, subtle hints of licorice, and graphite. The very modest use of oak frames the wine with just a faint sprinkle of spice.
Very easy-drinking and silky on the palate, this is a remarkably compelling Cabernet. The fact that you can get a wine directly from the hands of a winemaker with this kind of pedigree is just mind-blowing. Check it out, Insiders!
Price:
Hidden
2019 Fallet-Dart "Pur Meunier" Champagne
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Jackson Kelly | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
I don't always like champagne made from 100% Meunier, but I truly enjoyed "Pur Meunier" from Fallet Dart. A rich wine full of acidity, this champagne has notes of orchard fruit, lime zest, and a distinct nutty flavor, complemented by a hint of smoke. A must-buy for Meunier lovers.
Price:
$69.99
2018 Billecart-Salmon 250th Anniversary Vintage Champagne
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
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
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
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
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
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
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
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
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
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
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
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
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
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
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
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
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
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
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
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
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
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
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
By: Matthew Landau Hassan | Review Date: 6/3/2026 | Send Email
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
2010 Bodegas Casa Juan "Señor de Lesmos" Gran Reserva Rioja
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
One of the most remarkable traditions of Rioja is the long cellaring many bodegas undertake on behalf of the wine drinker, without any premium added! This tradition makes no sense from a financial or logistical point of view, and yet many wineries, Casa Juan included, continue to hold onto their Gran Reserva wines for years beyond what the appellation dictates, only releasing them when they are perfectly mature and ready to drink. The 2010 “Señor de Lesmos” Gran Reserva is a great example of this – savory, earthy and herbal on the nose, this wine is bursting with complex aromatics that came together over the past 15 years. Tobacco, tea leaf, graphite, dried oregano… every minute in the glass seems to unveil a new aroma. This is a wine of contemplation, but it’s also very approachable. Medium-bodied, with a lingering finish, this wine would be perfect with chorizo or grilled steak, or even just a good conversation with friends.
Price:
$29.99
Wilderness Trail 5 Year 10 Month K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #767560 Cask Strength High-Rye Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
Wilderness Trail is one of those places that has always felt a little like Willy Wonka. On one of our first visits, we got the tour from Dr. Pat himself, and we have been smitten ever since. They have done some amazing things, and while I'm still not quite sure why Campari purchased the distillery, this whiskey was made by the original team back in 2020. These older single barrels have finally turned the corner and are showing so much depth and unique character. Let's have a look. A classic auburn hue (1.5). The nose explodes with dark berry fruit, blackberry and cherry, plus loads of graham cracker, honey, leather, medium-roast Colombian coffee, hints of earthy herbs, and bitter bark. The palate is almost like cherry cola and Dr Pepper mixed together, with dark dried plums, cherry, vanilla, and cola nut. This is one of the more balanced WT barrels we've tried, but it is still bold and spicy, with the big green herbal notes and baking spices coming in on the finish to clean it all up. An absolutely delicious barrel, seemingly determined to prove the thesis that was proposed in Danville one day many years ago.
Price:
$69.99
2020 Bodegas Casa Juan "Señor de Lesmos" Crianza Rioja
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
Now boasting more than five years of total aging, the 2020 Bodegas Casa Juan “Señor de Lesmos” Crianza Rioja remains impressively youthful, opening with notes of cranberry and tart cherry before revealing savory layers of mushroom, tea leaf, and dried oregano. A blend of 85% Tempranillo and 15% Mazuelo (Carignan), the grapes are sourced entirely from organically farmed, bush vines averaging 45 years of age. The palate is unmistakably Old World in style, with firm yet well-integrated tannins and a vibrant backbone of acidity that provides structure and balance. Unlike many Reserva and Gran Reserva Riojas, where oak can take center stage, this Crianza emphasizes pure red fruit framed by the earthy, nuanced character of Rioja terroir. Versatile and food-friendly, it pairs effortlessly with everything from pizza and tomato-based pasta dishes to cheese and charcuterie. The value here is truly exceptional. Handmade, family-owned, organically farmed—this is Rioja at its most authentic and approachable.
Price:
$14.99
Fallet-Dart "Heres" Brut Champagne
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
Amazingly floral nose, really rich with white and yellow flowers, underneath that there's golden apple, fresh brioche, lemon zest, lemon curd, and this chalky note that pushes through everything. The palate is bright and crisp, green apple, red pear, more lemon curd, and lingering minerality with each sip, There's more than enough acidity to push through each time, but the floral notes really help accent the notes in the pear and bring out the more floral parts of the lemon, giving everything a really lovely harmony. The finish on this is this juicy apple that slowly turns more and more floral as the finish pushes on and lingers.
Boulard-Bauquaire "Carte Noire" Brut Blanc de Noirs Champagne
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
There's this super pretty ripe raspberry note that just won't leave me alone when I smell this, and I'm here for it. There's some blood orange, red apple, lemon flower, and lemon zest accompanying that raspberry on its wild ride up into my nose. The palate has really excellent breadth, spreading deliciously everywhere very bright high toned reds, little flashes here and there, and then there's the more classic red apple and lemon that dominate the palate and more than enough acidity to push this along the palate, a very appley finish lingers and lasts most pleasantly. Very good, but I already knew that, Boulard Bauquaire is always good.
Boulard-Bauquaire "Trepail" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Vieilles Vignes
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
Another one of my favorites, yes I have a lot of favorites in Champagne, this one is always an easy suggestion for a gift as well, it comes in a lovely fluted bottle and has a classy label, but what's inside is the real story. This is Old Vine, Premier Cru, Blanc de Blancs and it's just a nearly magical bottle. As Mick said during the tasting today this one is "hard to spit out" and such is the tragedy of tasting not drinking. The nose has this elegance, hyacinths, golden apple, and some soft lemon. The palate is really bright and has a load of fruit, apples, pears, and lemon candy with this ephemeral floral bouquet circling around everything. There's a punchiness and richness to the fruit on the palate that I really love. This is really fantastic and for this price it's hard to beat. Not impossible, just hard.
Price:
$44.99
2018 Fallet-Dart Extra Brut Champagne
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
Really lovely and pretty nose, there's always an elegance to Fallet-Dart Champagnes that shows even more in these vintage offerings. Lovely toasted baguette, green apple and pear, lemon flowers, and some roundness on the finish make so many promises for the palate. The palate is fantastic, ripe pear, red apple, lemon candy, lemon juice, and a lingering minerality round this whole thing out just perfectly. This is exactly the type of Champagne that I love to drink, and this is one of the first bottles we bought and tried as a staff after hours when they came in. This is fantastic and I look forward to seeing what else is coming out from Fallet-Dart in time.
Price:
$49.99
Jean-Jacques Lamoureux "Les Amoureux" Pinot Blanc Champagne
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
This has long been a go-to bottle for when someone wants "something different" in the mystical land of Champagne, and often hits the right mark. It's a glorious nexus of price and intrigue, where most people are happy to put down this much at least for a new experience. The fruit has this white peach note at the very outset, then we get into some apples, some lemon, and a little bit of white flowers. The palate is a little juicy, but also incredibly dry with great acidity pushing through the whole palate, driving forward green apple, white peach, a myriad of lemons, candy, juice, and zest. I enjoy this a lot and get a couple bottles every year, and it never fails to deliver a slightly different Champagne experience.
Price:
$49.99
Franck Bonville Unisson Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
This is just phenomenal stuff, it was one of the highlights of the whole tasting for me which says something since it was the second wine we tasted. The nose was great, pretty with baguette, bright apple, some pear, and that luscious lemon candy with a flower stuck in it. The depth on the palate is really what impressed me the most, it was just so deep that I kept sinking down further and further with each sip, finding myself in the dark depths with this glorious fruit and really lingering minerality. Absolutely one of my all time favorites.
Jean-Jacques Lamoureux "Cuvée Gabin" Brut Zero Champagne
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
Really beautiful and floral nose with jasmine and honeysuckle that almost has a little bit of spice in there, especially when I let it sit and the aromas build up in the glass. Underneath that is some golden apple and lemon, with something slightly sweet at the very end. The palate is bright and crisp, really nice line of acidity pushing through and letting you know that it truly is Brut Zero. Green apple, lemon candy, chalk, and a little bit of that spice from before on the palate and the acidity ensures that it pushes through and cleans everything leaving your palate rejuvenated and enriched by the experience. Yummers.
Price:
$44.99
Maison 76 Côte des Blancs Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
What an absolute treat, this inaugural selection for the Westby Collection by K&L brings you Maison 76, such a wonderful project with a wonderful result. Lots of beautiful fruit on the front of the bouquet, soft apple, ripe pear, lemon curd, and some very pretty jasmine and white flowers. The palate has a little touch of brioche, and then more apple and pear, lemon juice, and this beautiful minerality on the winding and lingering finish. I had this with some tortellini with broccoli and sausage in a cream sauce, and unsurprisingly to me, it worked beautifully. The beautiful line of acidity that pushes through the whole palate cut through any richness in the dish and left me with something that urged me both to take another bite and another sip. This is one of the best private label new releases we've had, and yet again Champagne Gary Westby has proved that spending more than $45 on a bottle of Champagne is a choice, not a necessity, I mean sure it's a choice I frequently make but that's not the point. This drinks just as well, if not better, than anything comparable even at two or more times its price point. This is easily one of the best decisions you can make this season, or next.
Price:
$44.99
2017 Franck Bonville "Belles Voyes" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
Through different vintages, the Bonville Belles Voyes is something we've carried longer than I've worked here and it was one of the first Champagnes that blew me away. The nose is almost a little touch savory, there's definitely some light red apple, lemon water, soy sauce, and white flowers. The palate is crazy good and crazy deep, there's been real evolution since this morning and all for the best, it's opened up amazingly and has this completeness. Green apple, golden apple, underripe pear, lemon candy, and lemon pith all work together, there's this really amazing savory mid-point in the palate where the fruit turns and then comes back at you, the pith on the finish give it this really lovely and entrancing touch of bitter that pulls everything together in the very best way and really makes you take that next sip or next bite of food, it's just fantastic and this is a Champagne that will pair with almost anything you want it to. Love this so much.
2017 Boulard-Bauquaire "Les Fervins" Verzenay Grand Cru Brut Champagne
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Aaron Hughes | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
Always one of my favorite offerings that we carry, I really enjoy the style of this producer and also it comes with a "hand" tied bottle and a tiny pair of Champagne branded scissors to cut the thick rustic string holding down the cork. Who doesn't like little scissors? That said, what really matters is what's in the bottle, and that's top notch as well. There's a little yeastiness on the nose and underneath is this lovely jasmine that just jumps out and brings the fruit with it, bruised golden apple, lemon curd, more white flowers, and then chalk in the finish. The palate has a touch of richness to it, lots of breadth as the acid coats and a finish that just won't quit. There's more apple, lemon candy, lemon zest, and really lovely chalky notes that carry through. This is really just fantastic stuff, and honestly one of the better "gifty" bottles in the price range.
Price:
$119.99
2021 Dominio de Atauta "La Celestina" Crianza Ribera del Duero
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
La Celestina is another label owned by Dominio de Atauta, crafted from sourced Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) grapes from the nearby sandy soils of Soria and clay soils of Burgos, both located in the cool eastern area of Ribero del Duero. The vine age across both areas ranges from 20-60 years old, and the wine is aged for 14 months in 20% new French oak barrels – an impressive elevage for a wine under $20. Compared to the Dominio de Atauta estate wines, the Celestina is more fruit-forward and easy-going – definitely read to drink now – yet has the power and well-built structure to pair with foods like grilled burgers, pasta with ragu, or barbecued ribs. This is a very impressive Ribero del Duero for a very reasonable price that delivers classic red fruit notes, savory undertones and elegant, fine-grained tannins wrapping everything together.
2022 Dominio de Atauta Albillo Mayor Ribera del Duero
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
In 2010, a white wine joined the lineup at Atauta, made from Albillo Mayor vines that are interplanted with the old-vine Tinto Fino. While these were once used to conferment along with the red grapes, the winemaking team at Dominio de Atauta decided that they could stand on their own. Fermented in stainless steel and aged in large format neutral casks, the wine is bursting with ripe golden pear, apple, apricot and lemon oil notes, enhanced by a round, almost textural mouthfeel. Dry on the palate, this wine has the considerable weight, though, making it a great wine for soft cheeses or creamy sauces.
2022 Dominio de Atauta Ribera del Duero
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
Dominio de Atauta’s flagship wine is crafted from ancient vineyards aged between 120 and 160 years old. These ungrafted, pre-phylloxera vines are so low yielding, they produce less than one bottle per vine. In most winegrowing regions of the world, these vines would’ve been replaced decades ago in favor of younger, higher-yielding vines, but the preservation efforts at Dominio de Atauta have created something truly special for wine drinkers – the ability to step back into time and drink Tempranillo clones as they existed generations ago. The resulting wine is intensely concentrated, with a huge amount of density as you might expect, but the high elevation of the area and comparatively cool climate also give the wine an equal amount of elegance. Imagine a master ballerina, graceful and nimble, but powered by sheer muscle and grit. The wine is firmly structured, and would benefit from decanting, but is refreshingly bright on the palate, with juicy blackberry and red currant notes. With 14 months of aging in just 15% new French oak, the main characteristic of the wine is the brooding, dark fruit and fine-grained structure. Supremely sophisticated, this wine offers a compelling alternative viewpoint to a classic region.
2022 Dominio de Atauta "Parada de Atauta" Ribero del Duero
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Rachael Ryan | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
Dominio de Atauta is careful not to label Parada de Atauta as a second wine, but rather an entirely separate wine made from specific parcels of Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) at the estate. The vine age in these parcels is a bit younger than those that are destined for the flagship wine, though this feels like splitting hairs – a mere 90-120 years of age for the Parada de Atauta versus 120-160 years for the Dominio de Atauta. The soils are also slightly sandier, leading to more dominant red fruit notes of juicy red plum, red cherry and wild raspberry. The Parada ages for 14 months in 20% new French oak barrels, before being transferred to concrete vats for 5 months before bottling. The resulting wine is stunning, with supple, fine-grained tannins and an impressive amount of concentration of both fruit and more savory notes. So elegant and refined, this is a lovely example of the cooler side of Ribero del Duero, showcasing subtle power and a lot of finesse.
2021 Domaine Jaume "Altitude 420" Vinsobres
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
By: Keith Mabry | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
One of the more recent Cru appellations in the Southern Rhone is Vinsobres. What distinguishes this region is its location further deep into the hills of the region. There is more altitude and a cooler influence here where grapes like Syrah show more of they Syrah-ness. But Grenache is still the main grape and it delivers a more elegant profile that matches well from Syrah grown here.
Domaine Jaume is one of the stars of the region. I first encountered them years ago on a trip through the region and visited them when I was scouting new producers. I can remember driving up the steep hill to the winery and worrying that my manual transmission driving skills might not be up to the task of getting me the rest of the way there.
I thought the wines were really well made, clean cooler climate Rhone wines that reminded me more of the classic perfumed and savory styles that were more prevalent in the 90s and 00s.
2008 Domaine De Charron 17 Year Old Singel Barrel K&L Exclusive Bas-Armagnac (750ml)
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
By: David Othenin-Girard | Review Date: 6/2/2026 | Send Email
Domaine De Charron is really one of those secret gems that I know brandy bros are trying to keep for themselves. I have never been into a cellar more exquisitely taken care of than the gorgeous caves at this tiny Domaine. The commitment to quality and specifically a quality that the rest of the larger apparatus eschews is unparalleled. If there was ever a cross over whiskey drinkers brandy this is the one. Imagine getting a cask strength single barrel 17 year old bourbon for $110? You'd probably assume it was terrible considering the price, but you'd still buy it anyway. This ridiculous brandy is absolutely delicious - 17 years in new gascogne oak and bottled without manipulation of any kind. Let's give it a go. The color is a shimering auburn (1.5). The nose is bold and red fruited, with huge sweet oak notes and dense cherry compote. It's the sweet sticky red fruit that leads the mind toward bourbon on first nosing, it's the rich barrel spices that take you the rest of the way home. On the palate, it pops with huge juicy damson plums, butterscotch, tahitian vanilla and cinnamon spice. The texture isn't quite where a 17 year old bourbon might be, but it's dang close and the oily mouthfeel is a testiment to the quality of their spirit. The finish is long with candied cinnamon and red fruit dominating. A totally under appreciated product that the classical brandy people might find a bit overarching, but the bourbon guys will fall right in love here.
Price:
$109.99