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The Best Beer Shops of 2023
From big retailers to tiny corner shops, these are the retailers attracting bartenders, beverage directors, distillers and other drinks pros.
Drinking Guides
All tastings reported in the Buying Guide are performed blind. Typically, products are tasted in peer-group flights of from 5-8 samples. Reviewers may know general information about a flight to provide context—vintage, variety or appellation—but never the producer or retail price of any given selection. When possible, products considered flawed or uncustomary are retasted.
*Products deemed unacceptable (receving a rating below 80 points) are not reviewed.
98-100
Classic
The Pinnacle of quality
94-97
Superb
A great achievement
90-93
Excellent
Highly recommended
87-89
Very Good
Often good value; well recommended
83-86
Good
Suitable for everyday consumption, often good value
80-82
Acceptable
Can be employed
What We're Tasting:
Bouchard Père & Fils 2020 Le Corton Grand Cru (Corton)
What We're Tasting:
ALDI 2021 Peaks & Tides Chardonnay (Sonoma County)
What We're Tasting:
ALDI 2021 Peaks & Tides Pinot Noir (Sonoma County)
What We're Tasting:
J. Lohr 2021 Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles)
What We're Tasting:
Rutini 2019 Single Vineyard Gualtallary Cabernet Franc (Uco Valley)
What We're Tasting:
Le Cadeau 2021 Trajet Reserve Pinot Noir (Chehalem Mountains)
What We're Tasting:
Kenwood 2019 Discoveries Cabernet Sauvignon (California)
What We're Tasting:
Donatella Cinelli Colombini 2018 Prime Donne Sangiovese (Brunello di Montalcino)
What We're Tasting:
Castello Bonomi 2016 CruPerdu Grande Annata Extra Brut White (Franciacorta)
What We're Tasting:
Castello Bonomi 2018 CruPerdu Brut Millesimato White (Franciacorta)
What We're Tasting:
Browne Family Vineyards 2022 Bitner Estate Sauvignon Blanc (Columbia Valley (WA))
What We're Tasting:
Lagar de Indra 2022 Albariño Albariño (Rías Baixas)
What We're Tasting:
Harper's Bench 2020 Riverview Vineyard Pinot Noir (Monterey)
What We're Tasting:
Blue Canyon 2022 Estate Sauvignon Blanc (Monterey)
What We're Tasting:
Casa Primicia 2017 Julian Madrid Reserva Tempranillo (Rioja)
What We're Tasting:
Dekreme 2022 Cuvée Brut Sparkling (Monterey County)
What We're Tasting:
Bortolomiol 2022 Ius Naturae Organic Brut Glera (Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore)
What We're Tasting:
Luli 2021 Lemoravo Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands)
What We're Tasting:
Luli 2021 Monte Linda Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands)
What We're Tasting:
Laurent-Perrier NV Grand Siècle Brut Itération No. 26 (Champagne)
What We're Tasting:
Masi 2013 Campolongo di Torbe Red (Amarone della Valpolicella Classico)
What We're Tasting:
Shafer 2022 Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay (Carneros-Napa Valley)
What We're Tasting:
Cristom 2021 Louise Vineyard Chardonnay (Eola-Amity Hills)
What We're Tasting:
Poggio di Sotto 2018 Sangiovese (Brunello di Montalcino)
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