Trapiche Fausto Orellana De Escobar Single Vineyard Malbec 2007, La Consulta, Mendoza, Argentina: Luxuriously layered and rich with a thick mouth-coating texture and weight of flavours. A hint of mint on the nose wrapped on ripe black fruit, then a coffeed-espresso finish. Such a wonderfully unusual wine. Decant 1-2 hours. Drink: 2011-2020. 178145 14.50% D 750 mL  $39.95 Score: 95/100. November 12, 2011 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Trapiche Terroir Series Orellana De Escobar Malbec 2010, La Consulta, Mendoza, Argentina: Luxuriously layered and rich with a thick mouth-coating texture and weight of flavours. A hint of mint on the nose wrapped on ripe black fruit, then a coffeed-espresso finish. Such a wonderfully unusual and decadent wine. Decant 1-2 hours and pair with game meats and great conversation. Drink: 2015-2020. 178145 14.50% D 750 mL  $39.95 Score: 95/100. September 19, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Plush Pork Wine Full Review

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia: Luscious and rich with cassis, fleshy blackberry and blackcurrant. Absolutely classic with a long finish. Tremendous quality for the price. There's some seductive anise and dark spice on the long finish. The bold wine has longevity, not only for this vintage in your cellar, but also this particular wine has been made now for 54 years. It's matured in French oak and the grapes are selected from Wynns' top vineyards. Liquid velvet. Drink: 2013-2017. 84996 14% XD 750 mL  $47.95 Score: 95/100. October 12, 2013 Top Rated Red Wine. Spectacular Spicy Wine Full Review

John Duval Entity Shiraz 2008, Barossa, Australia: An extraordinary wine of great complexity, depth and elegance. Dark fruit flavours are balanced by an earthy, smoky character. This one would age a long time in your cellar, but why wait? Available in Vintages October 13. Drink: 2012-2020. 73056 14.50% XD 750 mL  $49.95 Score: 95/100. September 1, 2012 Full Review

Domaine Tournon Shay's Flat Vineyard M. Chapoutier Shiraz 2010, Pyrnees, Victoria, Australia: Gorgeous concentration here! Black and dark red fruit mingle with pepper, dark spices and brooding mystery. What an incredible wine. It's produced be a classic and respected Rhone Valley producer Chapoutier. Pair with filet mignon or any peppery or spicy hearty meat dish. Drink: 2014-2018. 311480 14% D 750 mL  $29.95 Score: 98/100. January 19, 2013 Top Rated Red Wine. Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review

Sandalford Estate Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Margaret River, Western Australian, Australia: Won the Gold Medal at the Western Australia Wine Show in 2008. Another superb effort from this producer! Displays lively notes of cranberry, black plum, cherry and fig against a deeper backdrop of violets, cedar underbrush, smoky oak and dried herbs. Full-bodied with fine tannins and length. Drink: 2009-2015. 22293 14.50% XD 750 mL  $26.95 Score: 95/100. April 11, 2009 Full Review

Le Clos Jordanne Le Grand Clos Chardonnay 2007, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: Le Clos Jordanne’s top cru Chardonnay is sourced from the best lots in the western portion of the Le Clos Jordanne Vineyard. This gorgeous wine always dazzles with its intensely pure and rich fruit flavours layered with creamy vanilla, hazelnut, smoke and minerality. The 2007 vintage is highly anticipated and could set a new benchmark for Niagara Chardonnay. A welcome prize for any cellar. My note: Hazelnut-apple heaven! Luscious layers of green apple, smoke, toasted almond. Drink: 2009-2018. 34561 14% D 750 mL  $65.00 Score: 95/100. November 21, 2009 Favourite White Wine. Full Review

Le Clos Jordanne Le Grand Clos Pinot Noir 2009, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Twenty Mile Bench, Ontario, Canada: How do I love thee? Let me count the ways and sips. Gorgeously textured with a seductive satin mouth-feel. Fleshy black cherry flavours dissolve in your mouth and release that sigh you’ve been holding in. The acidity is there but so woven into the luscious layers that you barely notice it except to appreciate that you don’t tire of this wine easily … or ever. Drink: 2011-2018. 34553 13.50% XD 750 mL  $75.00 Score: 95/100. November 26, 2011 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Charles Baker Wines Picone Vineyard Riesling 2012, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Superb craftsmanship in this benchmark Niagara Riesling. You simply won't find better than this. Incredible depth and concentration of flavour yet ephemerally light in alcohol. The best of all worlds: pure hedonism without the headache. Pair with happiness. Drink: 2013-2020. 241182 11% M 750 mL  $35.20 Score: 96/100. March 19, 2016 Top Rated White Wine. Remarkable Roast Chicken Wine Full Review

Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Maipo Valley, Chile: Incredible texture that unfolds like velvet in your mouth. Lovely dark berry and plum notes with some dark spices. Old World balance and structure with New World fruit and concentration. A classic, benchmark wine. Drink: 2012-2028. 315176 14.50% D 750 mL  $69.95 Score: 96/100. February 19, 2011 Favourite Red Wine (Tied). Full Review

Château La Garde 2010, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux A.C., France: A spectacular Bordeaux in every sense: top-drawer complexity, layering, balance, depth and length on the finish. This is the flagship wine of this house, and it declassifies 50% of production to maintain incredibly high standards vintage after vintage. The vines are planted in all the proto-typical Bordeaux soils: gravel, clay and limestone. The current owners purchased this chateau in 1990. On top of all this, the 2010 vintage was a terrific one so this is a great wine for your cellar still, and decant 1-2 hours when you open it. Dark fruit and smoke but not overwhelmed with oak -- no cover-ups here just pure mastery. Pair with a rare steak. Absolutely superb, especially for the price. Wow. Drink: 2016-2022. 682617 12.50% XD 750 mL  $51.95 Score: 97/100. November 11, 2017 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review

Bottega Vinai Amarone Della Valpolicella 2006, D.O.C., Veneto, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: The Bottega family has been in the wine business since the 1920s, and their expertise shows. This Amarone greets you with a chicory/coffee nose, then reveals flavours of raisins, plums, and spiced cherry, with hints of tobacco and leather. The flavours replay nicely on the palate, with lovely purity, up to its smooth, dry finish. My note: Beautifully sculpted and flavoured. It sure doesn’t taste as alcoholic as it is. Full-bodied is probably an understatement. This wine has amazing and endless flavours of black cherry liqueur blackberry preserves, smoke and spice. Drink: 2010-2025. 181537 16% XD 750 mL  $47.00 Score: 95/100. October 30, 2010 Favourite Red Wine Tied. Full Review

Meerlust Rubicon Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Stellenbosch, 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: 2010-2010. 64329 14% XD 750 mL  $63.95 Score: 95/100. May 13, 2010 Full Review

Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir 2010, W.O., Hemel-En-Aarde Valley, South Africa: Spectacular aromas of bing cherry, wild raspberry and red currant, along with violets and a feral note. this medium-bodied wonder is perfectly balanced with polished tannins and a seductive mouth-feel. It opens like a peacock and finishes in a crescendo, leaving you longing for more. One of South Frica's top producers, period. Drink: 2013-2020. 999516 13.50% XD 750 mL  $44.95 Score: 96/100. September 28, 2013 Top Rated Red Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review

Chateau St. Jean Pinot Noir 2008, Sonoma County, California, United States: Oh yum! What a luscious, beautiful pinot, packed with fleshy cherry notes. It's satin smooth and feels like liquid lingerie ... seductive. Perfect for dinner parties and romantic dinners when you want the answer to be yes. Drink: 2012-2016. 687970 14.20% D 750 mL  $29.95 Score: 95/100. March 3, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review