Top Ten

Wine Advocate's Neal Martin writes: "La Chablisienne is one of Chablis’ most high-profile cooperatives and a great success story. Founded back in 1923 and still going strong, it is said that they oversee approximately one-quarter of the region’s production, around 300 individual growers. Therefore, just like Georges Duboeuf in Beaujolais or Louis Jadot in the Cote d’Or, it is important that they maintain standards irrespective of high volumes, since their size ensures that they have an ambassadorial role for Chablis, for ordinary punters perhaps seeking to broaden their horizons."

93 points James Suckling: "Lovely transparency to this, with subtle honeysuckle, lemon rind and honey in the nose. It's medium-bodied with a refined texture and beautiful length. Real white Burgundy for the money. Drink now." (05/2025) 90 points Wine Spectator: "Peach, almond, toasty oak and earth notes highlight this plush white. Backed by lively acidity that drives the spicy, bitter citrus finish. Shows fine balance and length. Drink now through 2028." (12/2025) 90 points Decanter: "There’s an appealing Granny Smith apple and nectarine fruit aroma with a hint of white blossom on the initial attack. The texture is surprisingly fresh for the vintage, and the finish is elegantly lovely – astonishing quality given the volume of production.(CC)" (05/2025) Jasper Morris: "In bottle. 200,000 bottles. One third made in tank, two-thirds in barrel. Pale colour with a faint lime streak. There is a minor reduction with the intention of maintaining freshness, and the nose does seem to be just a little leaner than before. Not as concentrated as 2022 for example, but still with persistence. A little citrus wash at the back. Drink from 2025-2028. " (01/2025) Burghound: "A riper but still attractively fresh and bright nose reflects mostly notes of various what orchard fruit and a more subtle citrus nuance. The generously proportioned, round and seductively textured flavors culminate in an agreeably clean, dry and balanced, if not particularly complex finale. This too should drink well young." (06/2025)

94 points The Wine Independent: "Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder starts with notes of dried Provence herbs, tilled soil, and fresh black plums slowly emerging from the glass, giving way to a core of red currant jelly, graphite, and Morello cherries. The medium to full-bodied palate is tightly wound with crunchy red and black fruit layers, supported by grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing with a cheeky herbal lift. (LPB)" (02/2025) 92 points Wine Advocate: "The strongest effort I tasted from Grand Napa Vineyards this year, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder features scents of crushed stone, black olives and pencil shavings. Overall a bit savory and Bordeaux-like on the nose, it's medium to full-bodied in the mouth, adding black cherries and cassis notes. Supple and nearly creamy in feel, this is surprisingly easy to drink for a mountain wine, showing nice purity and ample length. (JC)" (02/2025)

This Champagne used to be called "Grande Cuvée" and is composed of 70% Pinot Noir from Verzenay and 30% Chardonnay from Mesnil, 80% fermented in stainless steel and 20% in old oak. The Champagne has a graceful, delicate balance that Verzenay wines sometimes lack but with the signature hazelnut Pinot core. I found it to have creaminess to complement its racy cherry fruit on the palate and an extraordinarily long, dry finish with the chalky minerality that only a little Mesnil can bring. - Gary Westby, K&L Champagne Buyer

San Polino Brunello di Montalcino 2019 is an impressive expression of biodynamic winemaking from the northern slopes of Montalcino. The estate is known for its commitment to organic practices, ensuring that each vintage reflects the authentic character of the terroir. The 2019 growing season provided ideal conditions, with a balanced spring, a warm yet not overly hot summer, and a dry autumn that allowed for optimal phenolic ripeness. This Brunello presents a deep ruby color in the glass, with a complex bouquet of dark plums, blackcurrant, and tobacco, complemented by notes of violet, orange zest, and earthy minerality. On the palate, it is full-bodied yet fresh, with smooth tannins and a long, refined finish. The wine’s vibrant acidity and layered structure make it approachable now but also suitable for aging. The 2019 vintage has received critical acclaim, including 96 points from James Suckling, who praised its intense aromas and finely balanced tannins. This Brunello showcases San Polino's dedication to quality and tradition, delivering a wine of depth, elegance, and significant aging potential.

Domaine de la Janasse was established in 1967 when Aimé Sabon took over his father’s vineyards in the northern part of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. Today, the estate is led by the sibling team of Christophe and Isabelle Sabon, with Isabelle serving as the head winemaker and guiding the cellar with a meticulous, terroir-driven approach. The domaine’s holdings span a mosaic of soils - from the sandy, pebble-strewn sites of Chapouin and La Janasse to the red clay and galets roulés of La Crau - giving their wines a distinctive blend of power, depth, and elegance. In the cellar, Isabelle employs a mix of traditional and modern techniques, including hand-harvesting, partial whole-cluster fermentations, long macerations, and aging in both large foudres and barrels. Under her direction, Domaine de la Janasse has become one of the Rhône Valley’s benchmark estates, celebrated for wines that marry purity and precision with the region’s signature richness. The Chaupin is from a 7 hectare parcel, composed of 100% Grenache from vines first planted in 1912. There is some whole cluster fermentation and the wine is aged in a mix of mostly foudre with about 1/3 in demi-muid. This is one of the icon Grenache wines from the region.

Tenuta San Guido’s 2023 “Guidalberto” Toscana is a refined and expressive Super Tuscan, blending Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot to showcase elegance, balance, and coastal vibrancy. The nose opens with aromas of blackberry, plum, and wild cherry, layered with notes of violet, cedar, and sweet spice. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, with polished tannins and fresh acidity framing dark fruit, herbal undertones, and mineral tension. The finish is long and graceful, with lingering notes of graphite, tobacco, and red berries. A stylish and approachable wine from the iconic Sassicaia estate.

Benrinnes is a historical and unique distillery in the Speyside region. Founded in 1826 and completely destroyed by a flood in 1829, it was rebuilt in 1835 a few kilometers from the original site. Once again devastated by fire in 1896, it was fully reconstructed in 1956. Benrinnes gained international recognition for the finesse of its whiskies, produced through its distinctive 2.5-style distillation and traditional worm tub condensers. Much to the horror of Benrinnes lovers everywhere, the brand switched to standard double distillation in 2007. Now nearly two decades later, it's clear that the wonderful hidden distillery at the foot of Speyside's tallest mountain has not lost its luster. Our friends at Douglas Laing have deep stocks from this delightful distillery and selected this exceptional cask for us for the 2025 whisky season. Its beautiful sherry character is distinctive yet harmonizes perfectly with the rich, robust malt produced by the charming Benrinnes spirit stills and their iconic worm tubs. You'll have a hard time finding better value for money in a cask strength single sherry butt anywhere in the world.

The High West Distillery outside of Park City Utah is one of the most impressive craft whiskey stories in the modern era. This beautiful distillery is not afraid to do things differently, and their unique environment makes whiskey making challenging, but they've built a reputation for creating incredible blends that punch well above their weight class. Their flagship rye is a blend of 95% rye from MGP and their own 80% rye, 20% malted rye distilled on the single pass, single batch hybrid stills at High West. After aging in the high altitude, dry climate, the two whiskies are mingled and filled into a fresh first fill Moscatel Sherry seasoned barrel. One of the world's great sweet wines, Moscatel is produced from sun-dried Moscatel de Alejandria grown in the sandy beachside soils of Andalucia. The resulting wine is pungent and aromatic and the perfect foil to the bold spicy "Double Rye". This whiskey was further aged for 1 year and 4 months in these special barrels and bottled at a blended cask strength of 49.5% ABV. The bold, complex style is one that will be familiar to lovers of the great sweet, spicy ryes of the modern era - Angel's Envy or Hillrock Estate come to mind. This stunning whiskey was hand selected and bottled exclusively for K&L Wine Merchants.

99 points James Suckling: "What a fabulous young wine from this tiny vineyard of four hectares. Aromas of black cherries, graphite, flint and brambleberries. Hints of fresh herbs such as bay leaves. The palate is medium-bodied, showing a fantastic depth of fruit and racy tannins. The purity and complexity are exceptional. A very minerally, vineyard-driven wine with an abundance of character and subtle power. 84% merlot, 10% cabernet sauvignon, and 6% cabernet franc." (01/2025) 97 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Deep purple-hued, the 2022 Château Croix De Labrie is based on 84% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Cabernet Franc that's from a handful of sites of mostly cooler limestone soils. Cassis, violets, darker chocolate, graphite, and spicy oak all emerge from this pure, concentrated, beautifully balanced and full-bodied 2022. It’s relatively inward and tight at the moment, yet it still blossoms with air and has so much to love. I would hide bottles for 4-6 years, and it should cruise over the following two decades." (02/2025) 95 points Vinous: "The 2022 Croix de Labrie is impeccable. Bright, floral and vibrant in the glass, Croix de Labrie is very nicely balanced. Medium in body and silky, the 2022 impresses with its freshness and energy, qualities that are especially present these days. Red cherry fruit, blood orange, chalk, mint and white pepper extend the finish. (AG)" (01/2025) 95 points Decanter: "Ripe fruit and gorgeous floral scents on the nose with some milk chocolate and vanilla. Smooth and sappy with great energy from the get go - the texture is so captivating. Full of high acidity and crisp cranberry and strawberry fruit, this is all about the freshness and zing. Detailed with tannins that softly caress the palate leaving a salty, wet stone grip on the finish. Accents of mint, liquorice and clove dot the palate giving edges to the frame and adding layers of complexity to the flavour spectrum. Delicious, mouthwatering and easy to like with a restrained touch. Newly classified as of 2022. (GH)" (01/2025)