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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:
Whitehall Lane 2020 Millenium MM Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford)
What We're Tasting:
Happy Mommy 2021 Kids in Bed Red Red (Santa Barbara County)
What We're Tasting:
Braida di Giacomo Bologna 2020 Bricco dell'Uccellone Barbera (Barbera d'Asti)
What We're Tasting:
St. Supéry 2022 Estate Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley)
What We're Tasting:
Masi 2018 Costasera Red (Amarone della Valpolicella Classico)
What We're Tasting:
Furthermore 2019 Graton Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)
What We're Tasting:
William Wright 2021 Reserve Lot Pinot Noir (Monterey County)
What We're Tasting:
Barboursville Vineyards 2019 Octagon Red (Virginia)
What We're Tasting:
Lytle-Barnett 2019 Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Pinot Noir (Eola-Amity Hills)
What We're Tasting:
Lytle-Barnett 2017 Brut Rosé Sparkling (Eola-Amity Hills)
What We're Tasting:
Res Fortes 2020 Merlot Madness Merlot (Vin de France)
What We're Tasting:
Corte Giacobbe 2022 Roncà Monte Calvarina Garganega (Soave)
What We're Tasting:
Trentadue 2021 La Storia Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley)
What We're Tasting:
Lion Ranch 2020 Lion's Share Red (Santa Clara Valley)
What We're Tasting:
Hermann J. Wiemer 2021 HJW Vineyard Riesling (Seneca Lake)
What We're Tasting:
Breathless NV Organic Single Vineyard Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay (Mendocino County)
What We're Tasting:
Browne Family Vineyards 2021 Heritage Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley)
What We're Tasting:
Hillick & Hobbs 2020 Estate Vineyard Dry Riesling (Seneca Lake)
What We're Tasting:
Tedeschi 2016 La Fabriseria Riserva Red (Amarone della Valpolicella Classico)
What We're Tasting:
Brassfield 2020 Eruption/Volcano Ridge Vineyard Red (High Valley)
What We're Tasting:
Ruby 2021 Old Vine Estate Pinot Noir (Laurelwood District)
What We're Tasting:
René Briand NV Blanc de Blancs Brut Sparkling (Vin de France)
What We're Tasting:
Charles & Charles 2020 Bolt Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley (WA))
What We're Tasting:
Sogrape 2021 Silk & Spice Red (Portuguese Table Wine)
What We're Tasting:
Côté Mas 2022 Sud de France Sauvignon-Vermentino White (Pays d'Oc)
What We're Tasting:
Tommasi 2020 Masseria Surani Primitivo (Primitivo di Manduria)
What We're Tasting:
Juggernaut Wines 2021 Juggernaut Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast)
What We're Tasting:
DFJ Vinhos 2022 Grand'Arte Chardonnay Chardonnay (Lisboa)
What We're Tasting:
Rapaura Springs 2022 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough)
What We're Tasting:
Viña Leyda 2021 Coastal Vineyards Las Brisas Pinot Noir (Leyda Valley)
What We're Tasting:
Cave Spring 2020 Estate Riesling (Beamsville Bench)
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