Ghost Pines Winemaker's Blend Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Napa County, Sonoma County, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: Ghost Pines did not pioneer “multi-AVA” labelling, but they certainly have taken great advantage of the practice. Their technique of blending the best grapes from select sites across Sonoma and Napa has resulted in simply delicious wines that deliver exceptional value. Ghost Pines offers you the enchanting character of Sonoma with the power and precision of Napa, all wrapped up in the one package. With a steak, or with a meaty pasta, this spirited Cabernet is sure to scare up delighted reactions from your guests. My note: Chocolatey with dark fruit. Full-bodied and smooth. 135376 13.90% D 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 90/100. November 27, 2010 Full Review

Irony Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Napa Valley, California, United States: There's no irony about this wine in terms of its price in relation to its quality: It's absolutely phenominally well-made! This easy-drinking Cabernet is ready to drink now, but will also do well in the cellar for a few years. It's loaded with fleshy ripe blackberries, raspberries, plums and just a hint of red licorice and rose petal. Yep, all that and it adds up to tasty-great. There's a wisp a vanilla smoke on the finish. Top me up! This wine will be available in Vintages July 23, 2011. Drink: 2010-2016. 25106 14.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. June 6, 2011 Best Beef Wine Full Review

Predator Old Vine Zinfandel 2008, Lodi, California, United States: Yum, yum! Big fleshy blueberries and blackberries roll across your tongue. You want more. I’ll top you up. Full-bodied and so supple. It’s ready to go with you are. Bring it on with the barbecue. Drink: 2009-2015. 322957 15% XD 750 mL  $26.90 Score: 92/100. May 28, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review

Ravenswood Vintners Blend Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, California, United States: Although Ravenswood are known to big very full-bodied, this one is but in a smooth, balanced and mouth-watering way. Packed with blackberry and cassis flavours with some smoke on the finish. Terrific! Drink: 2012-2015. 606632 13.50% D 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 90/100. March 3, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Toasted Head Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, North Coast, California, United States: Mocha-coffee goodness wraps around black fruit and smoke. Full-bodied and smooth with a nice grip. Decants for a 1 hour. Drink: 2012-2015. 686824 13.50% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. July 7, 2012 Full Review

Paso Creek Zinfandel 2009, Paso Robles, California, United States: Juicy great! Mouth-watering aromas and flavours of purple and black plums and fleshy dark blackberries. Yum! Drink: 2012-2015. 279810 15% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. August 18, 2012 Full Review

Predator Old Vine Zinfandel 2011, Lodi, California, United States: Warm and rich and full-bodied with black and purple plums and some blueberry jam notes. Smooth and satisfying. Perfect for many types of meat pizzas, steak, pork roast and any bacon-inflected dish. Drink: 2013-2016. 219485 15% XD 750 mL  $26.90 Score: 90/100. January 18, 2014 Best Value Red Wine. Complete Cheese Pizza Wine Full Review

Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin Zinfandel 2010, Lodi, California, United States: Aromas of jammy purple plums and blueberries on the nose. The palate opens up luxuriously, smooth and full-bodied with more lip-smacking tasty flavours of dark fruit. An amazing wine for BBQ ribs or chicken wings. Fire up the grill! Drink: 2012-2015. 678698 14.50% D 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 90/100. December 7, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review

Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel 2010, Paso Robles, California, United States: Full-bodied, vibrant and smooth with fleshy ripe blackberry and plum aromas and flavours. Great wine for pizza night! Drink: 2013-2016. 31781 14.90% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. November 9, 2013 Complete Cheese Pizza Wine Full Review

Ravenswood Vintners Blend Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, California, United States: Ravenswood is known for very full-bodied zinfandels, and this cabernet is also robust, but in a smooth, balanced and mouth-watering way. Packed with blackberry and cassis flavours with some smoke on the finish. Terrific! Ravenswood is one of the famous three R's of California wineries famous for their Zinfandel (Ridge and Rosenblum being the other two), which sometimes overshadows just how well they make Cabernet Sauvignon. Don't blame me if you get hooked on this cab: I warned you. Pair with prime rib. Drink: 2013-2018. 606632 13.50% D 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 91/100. January 24, 2015 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review