Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Clare Valley, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia: Minty coolness on the nose of this gorgeous Australian red wine is flooded by fleshy blackberry richness on the palate. A hedonist's wine to fill the senses. Full-bodied and smooth Cabernet Sauvignon. Finishes with dried herbs, tobacco leaves and cedar brush. Very satisfying, especially at this price. Pair with ribeye steak. Drink: 2015-2019. 142398 14.50% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 93/100. April 30, 2016
Top Rated Red Wine. Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review
Wakefield Winery Merlot 2015, Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia: Juicy and fleshy with purple and black plum aromas on this vibrant Australian red wine, with lots of mouth-watering acidity for food. Although the Merlot grape is grown in many regions around the world, the signature here in the glass is definitely Australian. Smooth and full-bodied. Terrific price! Attractive smoke and dark fruit on the finish. Perfect for pizza! Drink: 2017-2020. 683201 14% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. May 15, 2017
Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Zonte's Footstep Baron Von Nemesis Shiraz 2015, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: Pitch black, dark, brooding and concentrated with toasty oak and chary black fruit. Full-bodied and juicy with layers of mouth-watering flavours: blackberry pie and black plums. Smooth and terrific. Loaded with toasty oak. Dark purple hue with accented highlights of lavender around the edges. Aromas of black cherry, cassis and dried herbs on the finish. Great party wine. Decant 2 hours. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2016-2020. 212936 14.50% D 750 mL $23.25 Score: 91/100. December 30, 2016
Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Lenz Moser Prestige Gruner Veltliner 2015, Niederösterreich, Austria: A zesty, vibrant Austrian white wine made from Gruner Veltliner grapes, the country's iconic white wine varietal. Aromas and flavours of lime and white grapefruit. Clean and crisp with no oak. Lots of juicy, mouth-watering acidity to pair with fresh seafood and shellfish. Drink: 2016-2020. 71233 12.50% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 91/100. April 26, 2017
Best Value White Wine. Remarkable Roast Chicken Wine Full Review
Redstone Winery Cabernet 2013, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Cocoa and mocha on the nose and palate from oak aging of this full-bodied, supple Niagara Cabernet. Finishes with coffee and espresso notes. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2016-2019. 415885 13.50% XD 750 mL $20.20 Score: 88/100. October 1, 2016
Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review
Domaine Queylus Réserve du Domaine Pinot Noir 2012, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A gorgeous, luxurious Niagara Pinot Noir from a much-respected domaine and winemaker. Layers of voluptuous cherry fruit and spice, yet it's also balanced and elegant with a long finish. The 2012 vintage was a strong one. Perfect for holiday celebrations. Drink: 2016-2021. 392886 14% XD 750 mL $44.95 Score: 94/100. April 26, 2017
Top Rated Red Wine. Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review
Henry of Pelham Estate Pinot Noir 2010, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, V.Q.A., Canada: Plush and sexy with a satin-smooth texture. Gorgeous aromas of smokey cherries. Medium-bodied and mouth-watering. How did they [do] it so right for this price? Gorgeous depth with black cherry and smoky aromas. Supple, plush and medium-bodied. Worthy of a sonnet. Drink: 2011-2018. 268391 13.50% D 750 mL $24.95 Score: 91/100. October 10, 2016
Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review
Canepa Finísimo Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Colchagua Valley, Chile, Chile: A beautifully structured Chilean Cabernet with an impressively long finish. There is a splash of Syrah in this wine. Rich and savoury on the palate, with nuances of cassis, black plum, violets and cigar box. A distinctive coffee-espresso finish with some baking spice. Full-bodied and smooth, with polished tannins. Will cellar well. Pair with rare filet mignon. Drink: 2016-2022. 211920 14% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 94/100. January 8, 2017
Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Pierre Sparr Lieu Dit Altenbourg Riesling 2013, Alsace A.C., France: Beautiful lemon sharp intensity on the nose and palate of this superbly well-made Alsatian Riesling. Medium-bodied and mouth-watering with racy acidity perfect for seafood and fresh shellfish. Lots of minerality, intensity and balance. Well-priced. Drink: 2014-2019. 906016 12% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 91/100. October 3, 2015
Best Value White Wine. Enchanting Feta Cheese Wine Full Review
Tommasi Poggio Al Tufo Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Tuscany I.G.T., Italy: Full-bodied with dried herbs and good balancing mouth-watering acidity for hearty meat dishes. Aromas of anise and blackcurrant. Supple. The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes for this wine are grown in the winery estate's Poggio al Tufo vineyard in Pitigliano in the heart of the Maremma Tuscany region. The wine is matured for 1 year in Slovenian oak barrels. Decant 1 hour and serve with roast beef or pasta in a tangy meat sauce. Drink: 2017-2022. 203927 14.50% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 89/100. November 12, 2016
Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Astoria Fano Asolo Prosecco, Veneto DOC, Italy: A beautiful bottle for a holiday gift. This Prosecco also delivers with what's inside the package. So creamy in texture with persistent mouse and bubbles. Crisp and refreshing. Drink: 2016-2019. 11% D 750 mL Score: 90/100. January 8, 2017
Best Value Sparkling Wine. Full Review
Ca' Rome Romano Marengo Cerretta Barolo 2011, Piedmont D.O.C.G., Italy: Grippy tannins and lots of bitter black fruit and tar. This wine will come together with time in the cellar. Decant 2 hours and pair with a rare steak. Drink: 2019-2027. 455 14.50% D 750 mL $70.95 Score: 91/100. November 12, 2016
Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Campo al mare 2009, Super tuscan, Italy . March 1, 2012
Full Review
La Marca Prosecco, Veneto D.O.C., Italy: An excellent price for this zesty and refreshing Italian sparkling wine! Lime-grapefruit notes with a clean, dry finish. Crisp Meyer lemon on the finish. Terrific as an aperitif or companion to shellfish. The La Marca Prosecco is made from Glera grapes and offers great value in the sparkling wine category. Pair with shellfish and fried foods. Drink: 2014-2016. 287987 11% XD 750 mL $23.00 Score: 88/100. December 6, 2014
Best Value Sparkling Wine. Fantastic Fried Chicken Wine Full Review
Le Monde Pinot Blanc 2014, Friuli-Venezia Giulia D.O.C., Italy: Straight-forward and subtle Italian white wine with notes of white melon. Good acidity. Nice aperitif. Drink: 2014-2017. 372417 13.50% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 87/100. June 11, 2016
Sensational Shellfish Wine Full Review
Flagstone Treaty Tree Cabernet Merlot 2013, Western Cape W.O., South Africa: In the mood for something different? Here's your wine. Savoury, juicy and pleasingly different from most Cabernet-Merlot blends, with coffee, dried herbs and cranberry flavours. The wine leads with Cabernet but also has Merlot in the blend. Full-bodied and smooth South African red wine. Pair with a pepper steak. This South African winery is Integrity & Sustainability Certified by the South African Wine and Spirit Board. Drink: 2016-2019. 278382 13.50% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 90/100. October 1, 2016
Best Value Red Wine. Remarkable Roast Chicken Wine Full Review
Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc 2012, Stellenbosch W.O., South Africa: Clean and fresh like an early spring breeze. Mouth-watering, medium-bodied and crisp. Terrific white peach and floral notes. I continue to be impressed with South African Chenin blanc: it's a lovely change from other whites. Great for after an evening dip in the pool. Quince and orange zest on the finish. Terrific! Drink: 2014-2018. 231282 14.50% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 88/100. April 24, 2017
Top Rated White Wine. Charming Grilled Chicken Wine Full Review
Balbás Reserva 2005, Ribera Del Duero D.O., Spain: This full-bodied Spanish red wine has a good grip on the palate is offers more earthy, smoky, dusty aromas and flavours than fruit-forward ones. Decant for 2 hours and pair with lamb and rosemary. Complex, elegant and mature. Drink: 2015-2018. 85183 14% D 750 mL $43.95 Score: 91/100. June 11, 2016
Top Rated Red Wine. Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review
Rio Madre Graciano 2014, Rioja D.O.C.A., Spain: A terrific, full-bodied red wine at a staggeringly great price! This is a DOCA wine and is produced by Bodegas Y Vinedos Ilurce. Loaded with black pepper, fleshy dark fruit, mouth-watering action and layers of lip-smacking flavours. This wine was matured in French oak and made from 100% Graciano, a native Spanish grape enjoying a resurgence in popularity. This is modern and complex Rioja red wine. Pair with lamb and rosemary. Drink: 2016-2020. 354753 14.50% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 91/100. January 12, 2017
Best Value Red Wine. Terrific Turkey Wine Full Review