In 2025 one shop really stood out and that was Haskell’s.
This was an easy one this year as Sunfish Cellars closed doors and was the only other one in consideration. Why Haskell’s?
First: They had by far the best $30 wine tastings you have ever been too. Bevan Cellars December, Silver Oak November, Pahlmeyer November, Antinori Tasting November, Far Niente October, The Wines of Huneeus Estates October, & LoKoya & Cardinale Tasting. As someone has done some of the best tastings in the Twin Cities I have never been able to pull off these at $30.00 without losing a lot of money. Cheers to the Haskell’s Minnetonka Team Lee & Mitch!
Top Wines from these tastings?
Both made my top 20 of the year.
2022 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red – USA, California, Napa Valley (11/11/2025)
Haskell’s Features Pahlmeyer Winery (Haskell’s, Minnetonka): Pahlmeyer tasting and instant. Natural cork. Dark purple. 18 months French oak. Beautiful wine with blue currants, floral, spice, perfume, cherry, oak and minerals. Long finish. So balanced and smooth. Can’t reveal the price. Top 10 for sure. (97 points)
2021 Ovid Red Wine – USA, California, Napa Valley (11/19/2025) Silver Oak/ Twomey/ Ovid Tasting (Haskell’s, Minnetonka): Top 20 of the year candidate. This was a mixed bag tasting tonight but this was the rockstar by a landslide. While not 100 points by these critics it is outstanding. 20 months in French oak. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot. A rich but balanced wine. Blueberries, minerals, spices, bitter chocolate, perfume, dust, cherry and wood. Long and concentrated finish. Excellent!!! (97 points) |
Second: Free Tastings that allow consumers opportunities to try a variety of wines. While their fall, spring and December Sparkling tasting has some really bad wines it is free and I always find some gems at these. 10/4/2025 & 4/5/2025.
Third: Also some great wine deals this year that maybe in years in the past would not offer. Also the wine events listed above some prices I can’t share. My top pick is this one:
- 2020 Torbreck Shiraz The Struie – Australia, South Australia, Barossa (10/8/2025)
Day 1: Wow wine for $30 on sale. Brings me back to the early 2000s with these wines. Black pepper, spice, sawdust, soy, black currants, funk and minerals. Very complex offering. Will be buying a case for sure. 94 points
Day 2: Blackberries, spices, tar, soy, menthol, Eucalyptus, spices, black pepper, minerals and dark cherry. Super complex wine and medium to long finish. 94 points
Day 3: Holding form and will age for 20 years. Bigger style but excellent. 94 points
Recommendation: No brainer from Haskell’s at $29.99. (94 points)
My number 3 wine of the year $99.99.
- 2012 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape – France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (12/12/2025)
Day 1: Natural cork. Had a year ago. Wow the Brett is strong on this one on a pop and pour but that will go away. Blueberries, spice, Garrigue, stone, red flowers, earth, clay and spices. Very complex offering and love it! Should age for another 20 years or more. 95 points
Day 2: Strong Brett on first glass on day 2. After blowing off 15 minutes later reveals , stone, blueberries, earth, white pepper, dried flowers, cherry, clay and black licorice. Medium plus finish. This wine still very young. 95 points
Day 3: This is why I do 3 day wine review. The rewards can be mind-blowing. The pour is ready unlike day 1 and 2 where needed 15 minutes for the Brett to subside. Funk, spices, Garrigue, minerals, stone, white pepper, dried flowers, smoke, bacon fat, dust and blue currants. Super complex and a wow wine. As I am getting ready to put my top 20 of the year together this would have not made it at an offline event. Over 3 days no brainer. 97+
Recommendation: So tough not to put this in the 98 zone but will try a glass during the Vikings game to see if it gets there. Top 10 wine of the year for sure!!! Will remain at 97.75. (97 points)
Fourth: Customer service. While I only shop at the Minnetonka and Bloomington Store by friends Lee, Mitch Jon, Julie and Steve will help you with the perfect bottle for your next event.
Fifth: Price matching. A few shops around the Twin Cities will price match newspaper adds for wine, beer and spirits. Just bring in the add and they will match it.
Cheers to Haskell’s and I look forward to great events in 2026.