A few months ago, I was searching for an under $15 Pinot Noir that I would be proud to offer to our clients. I tried over 50 different options with no success and then I opened a bottle of the 2018 Bodan Roan Pinot Noir and was completely blown away by it. So much so that I poured it blind for two people whose opinions I respect and they both said the same thing - that it was a really excellent wine, probably New World, and that it should probably sell for around $40. When I told them we could...

Just a reminder that we have this truly excellent Champagne in stock for your holiday celebrations. When we were offered the opportunity to purchase the excellent Charles Ellner Brut "Carte Blanche" at a very attractive price and pass the savings along to our clients, we jumped at the chance. After all, we all need Champagne for the holidays! It is a steal at only $34.99! Champagne of this quality very rarely sells at this price. Vivid yellow. Aromas of redcurrant, orange zest, and white pepper, with a smoky quality in the background. On the palate, supple red berry and pit...

Tilia Malbec has long been one of my favorite "Tuesday night hamburger/pizza wines" because it tremendously over-delivers at its price. After all, the excellent $10 red is the holy grail of wine. The 2020 vintage (remember that the harvest in the southern hemisphere is six months earlier than in the northern hemisphere) is another in a long line of successes for this wine. It exhibits fresh blueberry, blackberry, pine-needle, and crushed-stone aromas. It’s medium-bodied with sleek tannins and a smooth, rounded finish. Perfect to drink now. And it has a screw cap so you don't even need a corkscrew! James...

One very wise strategy for selecting wines that deliver excellent bang for the buck is to choose entry-level wines from highly esteemed wineries. This is an excellent illustration. Delas Freres is one of the most highly-regarded wineries in the Northern Rhone Valley and you can detect their dedication to quality in this excellent, very affordable wine. 2019 Delas Freres Cotes du Rhone "St. Esprit", only $11.99 A blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre, it is the perfect wine for your Thanksgiving feast! Medium-bodied, earthy and spicy, it will pair beautifully with turkey, cranberry sauce, mince meat, sweet potatoes, and all...

We just tasted the 2013 Le Pianelle Bramaterra - a blend of 80% Nebbiolo, 10% Croatina, and 10% Vespolina - and were blown away by it. It is reminiscent of a really superb Barbaresco - medium-bodied with dark fruit, very perfumed, elegant with soft caressing tannins. And it is perfectly mature at 8 years old. Antonio Galloni of Vinous agrees with us, rating it 94+ points, saying: "Le Pianelle's 2013 Bramaterra is outrageously beautiful. Dramatic and ample on the palate, the 2013 is endowed with tons of character. The macerated dark cherry, plum, violet, lavender and clove flavors are boldly...