Luigi Bosca Single Vineyard Malbec 2014, Luján de Cuyo, Argentina: This wine gets better every year! Fleshy blackberry, plum, pencil led and violets on the nose with racy acidity. Full-bodied, smooth and luscious. The DOC of Lujan de Cuyo in Mendoza was created in 1989 to protect the Malbec grape. The vines are planted at 960 metres above sea level. The vineyard is 90 years old. The wine was aged for 14 months in oak barrels. Decant 1 hour and pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2017-2021. 74922 14% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 92/100. March 4, 2017
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Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, 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: 2017-2022. 142398 14.50% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 93/100. March 3, 2018
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Hewitson Miss Harry Grenache Syrah Mourvèdre 2014, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: Full-bodied, smooth and supple with black plums, some mint and smoke. This wine is a blend of Grenache, Shiraz, Mouvedre, Cinsault grapes. Spice and smoke on the finish. Pair with barbecued spare ribs. Drink: 2017-2022. 107870 14% XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 91/100. March 18, 2017
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Kilikanoon Wines Prodigal Grenache 2013, Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia: A gorgeous wine of great concentration of flavour and voluptuous texture. This wine doesn’t stop enticing you head first into the glass. Fleshy dark plums roll across your mouth followed by layers of fleshy berries. Drink: 2014-2022. 927582 14.50% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 92/100. March 4, 2017
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Peter Lehmann Wines Portrait Shiraz 2014, Barossa, Australia: Juicy black and purple plums aromas and flavours. Very rich and concentrated. The grapes come from an elevated region of the Barossa Valley and express that cooler vibrancy in the wine. Aromas of dark chocolate and black plum. This is a terrific wine, especially for the price. Pair with gourmet hamburgers. Drink: 2015-2022. 572875 14.50% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 92/100. December 7, 2017
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Peter Lehmann Wines Eight Songs Shiraz 2013, Barossa Valley, Australia: A supple, rich Barossa Shiraz with a gorgeous profile of fruit flavour and colour. Velvet texture on the palate and finish. This wine was aged in 100% new French oak barrels. Pair with prime rib. Drink: 2015-2022. 662056 13.50% D 750 mL $40.00 Score: 93/100. December 8, 2017
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Casella Family Brands 1919 Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Limestone Coast, South Australia, Australia: This Cabernet embodies the essence of all great Australian red wines. It displays aromas of delicious ripe blackcurrants and plums. Classic flavours of blackcurrants and cassis dominate with hints of mintiness and mocha tones. These flavours are supported by well integrated oak and fine tannins. A well structured, complex, yet elegant wine that will reward with cellaring for up to 10 years. Drink: 2012-2030. 14.50% XD 750 mL $103.99 Score: 97/100. April 25, 2017
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Peter Lehmann Wines The Mentor Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: A gorgeously aromatic Cabernet with deep colour and a mind-blowing velvet texture on the palate. There is also small amounts of Merlot, Shiraz and Malbec grapes in the blend. Rich, supple and full-bodied with aromas of dark fruit and smoke. Pair with duck or game meats. Drink: 2015-2025. 481903 14% XD 750 mL $40.00 Score: 94/100. December 8, 2017
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Peter Lehmann Wines Layers Shiraz Tempranillo Mourvèdre Grenache 2014, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: A spectacular, robust Australian red wine at a terrific price! The Shiraz in the blend provides the muscular structure and tannin plus black plum, while Tempranillo adds some tarry character. Grenache adds dark floral and a racy exotic texture. This wine is aged for 12 months in 10-year oak barrels. Pair with rare steak. Drink: 2016-2021. 138883 14.50% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 92/100. April 25, 2017
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Penfolds Bin 128 Shiraz 2014, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia: The 2014 vintage of Bin 128 is terrific, but don't expect a fruit bomb. Terrific layering, depth and complexity with a long finish. This is what finesse and European styling with Australian sunshine power tastes like. Winemaker Peter Gago wins again. Lovely aromas of mint, cassis, blackcurrant and blackberry with just enough toasty warmth from the oak. Pair with rare filet mignon. Drink: 2016-2025. 509919 14.50% D 750 mL $61.00 Score: 95/100. February 18, 2017
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Katnook Founder's Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia: Mint-menthol with sweet fleshy blackberry and purple plums. Full-bodied, supple and juicy. Finishes with spice and bumbleberry pie. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2015-2022. 660332 13.50% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 91/100. February 18, 2017
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Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Baco Noir 2015, Niagara, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Simply stunning. There's nothing like it. Words fail. Full-bodied, juicy, smooth, complex and concentrated with fleshy ripe black plum and savoury meaty notes. Pair with more of the same wine. Forget food. Drink: 2016-2021. 461699 13.50% D 750 mL $24.95 Score: 94/100. February 18, 2017
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Perseus Winery Invictus 2013, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC VQA, Canada: Juicy and concentrated with incredible depth and a satisfying bite on the finish. Aromas of fleshy blackberry and dark plum with spice. Complex and layered. Pair with a rare filet mignon. Drink: 2015-2021. 462887 14.50% XD 750 mL $49.00 Score: 94/100. March 4, 2017
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Burrowing Owl Merlot 2013, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC VQA, Canada: A Merlot Master from BC: Burrowing Owl does it again! Supple, rich, full-bodied yet elegant. Long on the finish. Aromas of fleshy dark plum. Pair with grilled pork chops or lamb. Drink: 2016-2023. 351675 14% XD 750 mL $40.95 Score: 92/100. March 4, 2017
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Montes Alpha Pinot Noir 2014, Casablanca Valley, Anconcagua Coast D.O., Chile: A vibrant, full-bodied pinot noir with fleshy ripe cherry and berry aromas. Its juicy and generous but balanced with some terrific acidity for planked salmon or roast chicken. Montes is a flagship producer for Chile, and their wines are always incredibly well priced in relation to their superb quality and taste. Try and see for yourself. Drink: 2017-2020. 143214 14.50% D 750 mL $20.95 Score: 91/100. February 18, 2017
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Santa Carolina Specialies Dry Farming Carignan 2012, Cauquenes Valley, Maule Valley, Chile: The Carignan grapes are dry farmed, which adds richness, depth and character to the wine. Dry farming means that the grapes are not irrigated and must rely on the rain water that nature provides, however little that is in dry climates like this one. It also has the effect of producing smaller grapes or berries with more concentrated flavours. Complex, dry and savoury Chilean red wine with gorgeously rich black fruit aromas and flavours. Pleasant tarry-tart black cranberry on the finish. Full-bodied with a velvet smooth texture Drink: 2014-2020. 213520 15% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 92/100. February 18, 2017
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Cono Sur 20 Barrels Limited Edition Pinot Noir 2014, Casablanca Valley, Chile: Luscious and full-bodied with terrific depth of flavour and length on the finish. This is New World style all the way: fleshy ripe black cherries dance across your palate and play with your senses. Fabulous dinner party or gift wine that will appeal to many people. Try it with grilled chicken or planked salmon tonight. Drink: 2015-2019. 957836 14% XD 750 mL $34.30 Score: 91/100. February 18, 2017
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Errázuriz Aconcagua Alto Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Aconcagua Valley, Chile: A spectacularly rich and full-bodied Chilean Cabernet that also manages to be wonderfully balanced and long on the finish. Nicely balanced acidity for meat dishes with tangy or tomato sauces. Great structure and elegance. Very fresh on the finish. Highly recommended. Drink: 2017-2024. 203364 14% XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 93/100. March 18, 2017
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Casas del Bosque Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Maipo Valley, Chile: A superb, rich, complex Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon made from vines grown in the Maipo Valley that are cropped for low yields at 3.6 tons per acre. This results in rich, deep flavour. After a 5-day maceration, the wine was put into a mixture of new and second-used French oak barrels for 14 months. Aromas of dark fruit, pencil led, cassis and smoke. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2017-2020. 353086 14.50% XD 750 mL $22.95 Score: 91/100. April 25, 2017
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Château Sixtine Cuvee Du Vatican Chateauneuf-Du-Pape 2013, Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, Rhône A.C., France: A blockbuster, big wine with cherry liqueur notes wrapped in smoke. Drink: 2017-2025. 740639 14% D 750 mL $47.95 Score: 92/100. February 18, 2017
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Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf Du Pape 2013, Southern Rhône, Rhone A.C., France: Black as pitch on the nose (aromas), palate (flavours) and hue. Charry, tarry notes with blackened fruit and loads of oak. Layers of black fruit, dark spice and smoke. Some underbrush and garrigue along with black pepper on the finish. Decant 2 hours and pair with rare filet mignon. Drink: 2017-2022. 735407 14% XD 750 mL $52.95 Score: 92/100. March 18, 2017
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E. Guigal Gigondas Grenache Mourvèdre Syrah 2013, Rhone A.C., France: This savoury, juicy French red wine blend of 70% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre and 5% Syrah grapes is stunning! Aromas of fleshy black fruit, pepper, dark spices and some smoke. Underbrush and black raspberry weave through the long finish. Full-bodied weight yet perfectly balanced. Pair with brisket. Drink: 2017-2025. 331900 14% XD 750 mL $47.95 Score: 93/100. March 18, 2017
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E. Guigal Chateauneuf-Du-Pape 2011, Southern Rhône, Rhone A.C., France: The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape is a robust southern French red wine blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre grapes. The wine was aged 24 months in large oak barrels (foudre) before bottling. The 2010 vintage of this Châteauneuf du Pape is robust and fully flavoured with blackberry liqueur and smoke. Complex, rich, deep and long on the finish. A real wow wine that would be a great gift. Pair with roast beef. Drink: 2017-2025. 727503 14% D 750 mL $69.00 Score: 94/100. March 18, 2017
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Poggio Verrano Dromos 2007, Maremma, Tuscany I.G.T., Italy: What a beautiful and artistic expression of the Maremma region in the heart of Tuscany! This red wine blend is extraordinary on length, depth, complexity and flavour. This will do well in the cellar, but it's also drinking nicely now. I know that I can't wait ;) Pair with hearty meat dishes and sauces. Drink: 2017-2020. 107383 14% XD 750 mL $39.95 Score: 94/100. March 18, 2017
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Ruffino Modus 2013, Tuscany I.G.T., Italy: The 2013 vintage of this rich, full-bodied Italian red wine is a blend of 50% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot grapes. The vines are planted primarily in the vineyards of Ruffino's estates of Poggio Casciano and Santedame, which is hilly clay rich in fossil fragments. The wine undergoes a malolactic fermentation and a post-fermentative maceration on the skins for 2 weeks to add richness and depth. It's then aged for 12 months in first, second and third use American and French 225 litre oak barrels. This Super Tuscan is worthy of your attention, from its ruby-violet gem glints in the glass to its finish as long as a Tuscan country road. It delivers an intense bouquet of black cherry, plum, graphite, dried tobacco leaves and dark spice. This robust red wine has remarkably polished tannins that yield to a supple, smooth texture. Incredible concentration and flavour at such a reasonable level of alcohol. Pair with truffle-inflected dishes and grilled meats. Drink: 2015-2023. 912956 13.50% XD 750 mL $32.95 Score: 94/100. April 25, 2017
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Quercecchio Premium Wine Selection Brunello Di Montalcino 2011, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy: This savoury, full-bodied northern Italian red wine offers exotic aromas of wild truffle, tanned leather, smoke and some char. Very complex and attractive. Pair with fine cuts of meat. Drink: 2017-2022. 438580 14.50% XD 750 mL $38.95 Score: 92/100. March 4, 2017
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Two Rivers Tributary Pinot Noir 2014, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: A racy tar berry cool-climate Pinot Noir from New Zealand. Smooth and medium-bodied. Pair with planked salmon. Drink: 2017-2020. 465864 13.50% D 750 mL $28.95 Score: 90/100. February 9, 2017
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Meerlust Trust Rubicon 2010, Stellenbosch, Western Cape W.O., South Africa: A layered wine with Old World elegance and New World fruit. This red possesses aromas of black fruit and smoke. A towering structure holds peppered blackberry, cassis, cedar box and herbal notes. Classic styling. Incredible length and depth and aging potential. Truly one of South Africa's icon wines Drink: 2017-2022. 64329 14% XD 750 mL $63.95 Score: 95/100. March 4, 2017
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H3 Columbia Crest Merlot 2014, Horse Heaven Hills, Washington State, United States: The difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures in this eastern Washington state wine region is the reason why Merlots like this one are terrific. In October, during the last weeks of the key ripening season before harvest the nighttime temperature can plummet from 35 degrees in the day to just 20 degrees at night which allows for ripening during the day but then the grapes stop in the night and preserve freshness and natural acidity. The great thing is that the grapes don't get over-ripe as in some warm climates where photosynthesis produces more sugar and therefore more alcohol. That's why Washington red wines are often a moderate 13% alcohol. This wine features aromas of dark spice, fleshy blackberry and smoke. Pair with roast beef. Drink: 2017-2020. 209874 14.50% D 750 mL $22.95 Score: 92/100. March 4, 2017
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Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Knight's Valley, Napa Valley, California, United States: An extraordinary Californian Cabernet with terrific balance and depth of flavour. The vines are planted in volcanic rock just 17 miles north of the winery in St Helena. Aromas of blackberry, cassis, black currant and smoke. The finish lasts so long. Pair with rare filet mignon. Drink: 2016-2025. 352583 13% XD 750 mL $49.95 Score: 93/100. April 25, 2017
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Fess Parker Pinot Noir 2013, Santa Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County, California, United States: Love this southern Californian red wine made from the heartbreak grape Pinot Noir. Luscious with a satin texture and a medium body. Fleshy ripe cherry and sexy dark spice. Pair with grilled chicken. Drink: 2014-2020. 660597 14.20% XD 750 mL $33.95 Score: 92/100. March 18, 2017
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Caymus Zinfandel 2013, Napa Valley, United States Drink: 2013-2018. 718759 15% D 750 mL $55.00. March 1, 2012
Full Review
Franciscan Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Napa Valley, California, United States: A full-bodied Californian Cabernet with a long life ahead of it. Give this one some more cellar time, then decant 1-2 hours when you open it. Aromas of black fruit, violets, cigar box and smoke. Pair with prime rib. Drink: 2015-2022. 39388 13.50% D 750 mL $29.95 Score: 92/100. May 15, 2017
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Napa Cellars Merlot 2014, Napa Valley, California, United States: A full-bodied, solidly made Merlot from Napa Cellars. Classic aromas of black plum and berries. Supple and smooth. Pair with grilled pork chops. Drink: 2015-2021. 447300 14.50% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 91/100. January 20, 2018
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SeaGlass Pinot Noir 2015, Santa Barbara, California, United States: A joyously vibrant and energetic Californian Pinot Noir from the heartland of where the movie Sideways was filmed in Santa Barbara. Lip-smacking delicious cherry aromas and flavours. Medium-bodied and silky smooth. Pair with grilled chicken. Drink: 2015-2019. 539163 13.50% D 750 mL $20.75 Score: 92/100. April 25, 2017
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Joel Gott Pinot Noir 2015, Santa Barbara, California, United States: Rich, layered and luxurious Californian Pinot Noir with a satin smooth texture. Aromas of ripe cherry and strawberry. Pair with game birds. Drink: 2015-2022. 13.90% XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 91/100. April 25, 2017
Top Rated Red Wine. Remarkable Roast Chicken Wine Full Review
Napa Cellars Pinot Noir 2014, Napa Valley, California, United States: A classic Napa Valley Pinot Noir with fleshy ripe cherries and strawberries balanced with a racy acidity. Ideal for roast chicken and veal. Drink: 2015-2022. 147272 14.20% XD 750 mL $31.95 Score: 92/100. April 25, 2017
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Jovino Pinot Noir 2014, Willamette Valley, Oregon, United States Drink: 2017-2020. 514802 13.50% D 750 mL $22.95. August 5, 2017
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Seghesio Zinfandel 2015, Sonoma County, California, United States: Spicy, peppery, packed with jammy black fruit but not heavy. Mouth-watering juicy and lovely. The Seghesio Zinfandel is one of Californian's best Zins. This wine has been produced since 1895 and today the vines are about 30 years old. Serious zing for fun barbecues. The grapes for this Zinfandel grow in vineyards planted in the Alexander Valley and Dry Creek in Sonoma. Pair with gourmet hamburgers. Drink: 2016-2021. 942151 14.80% XD 750 mL $30.95 Score: 91/100. May 15, 2019
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Ravenswood Dickerson Single Vineyard Zinfandel 2013, Napa Valley, California, United States: Winemaker Joel Peterson says that "airoir" affects the taste of this wine. The vineyards are planted close to eucalyptus trees and the oil from the trees blows off and coats the grapes lightly imparting a light hint of mint. This wine displays dazzling aromas of ripe red berries and other fruits. It was aged for 10 months in French oak barrels, of which 30% was new. The barrels are made from oak primarily from the Navarre forest in France, and they are seasoned outside where the weather impact their final flavour profile and brings out their natural wood-grain tannins. Joel uses hand/manual punch down to extract more flavour. Drink: 2017-2023. 599183 14.90% XD 750 mL $46.95 Score: 92/100. May 20, 2021
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Duckhorn Decoy Pinot Noir 2015, Sonoma County, California, United States: The Decoy range of wines, now being made for more than two decades have come into their own, offering fleshy cherry-berry aromas on the nose. The much-respected Californian winery Duckhorn Vineyards produces this second label Pinot Noir that that is excellent quality for the money. Full-bodied, round and rollicking with good natured ripe fruit, spices and cedarwood smoke. Mouth-watering yet it finishes long and elegant. Try it with seared tuna or roast turkey. Drink: 2017-2020. 191833 13.90% D 750 mL $37.95 Score: 91/100. March 4, 2017
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