After 15 years at Chicago’s venerable Knightsbridge Wine Shoppe, Kevin Mohalley opened his own Chevalier Wines in the Noble Square neighborhood. The store has an old school wine merchant feel, with only a small selection of wines on display; the rest are stored in the temperature-controlled, 8,000-square-foot basement. While Mohalley stocks bottles from around the world, it’s not hard to detect his particular passion for Burgundy, given the deep selection of current releases and mature vintages from classic producers, many at knockout prices (2011 Mugnier Nuits-St-George Clos de la Maréchale at $45, 2012 Damoy Chambertin-Clos de Bèze at $325). As much of what he brings in comes in small, limited shipments—some direct from the winery—and sells quickly, he provides a regularly updated inventory on the website, as well as Saturday tastings to keep customers abreast of what’s new. Mohalley has been a cellar consultant for some of the largest collectors in the US, and as a result has developed connections in Europe that allow him to access rare, hard-to-find bottlings. And if you need to free up room in your own cellar, you can consign wine at his shop for a 15 percent commission.
This review appears in the print edition of the June 2015 issue. Like what you just read? Subscribe now.
