Mitolo Jester Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: A characterful, but never jammy McLaren Vale Cab with a plush texture and ripe, gentle tannins for balance. Look for aromas of blackberry, plum, underbrush, black licorice and spring flowers. A flavourful, rich wine. My note: Surprising acidity that makes it great with food. Full-bodied and smooth with lusciously ripe dark fruit. Drink: 2011-2015. 43224 14.90% XD 750 mL  $21.95 Score: 90/100. October 29, 2011 Full Review

Zonte's Footstep Canto Di Lago Sangiovese Barbera 2010, Single Site, Langhorne Creek, South Australia, Australia: Rich and luscious: the layers of flavour keep unfolding without end. Love it, especially at this price. Full-bodied and smooth. Drink: 2012-2016. 289967 14.50% D 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 91/100. December 8, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Concha y Toro Trio Reserva Merlot Carmenere Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Rapel Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: This winery started as a little French pocket in Chile, as Don Melchor de Concha y Toro married a Frenchwoman named Emiliana Subercaseaux who owned a vineyard planted with vines brought over from Bordeaux and managed by two of her countrymen. This, part of their Trio collection, is a blend of mostly Merlot, plus Carmenère and Cabernet Sauvignon. Concha y Toro finds the conditions for perfectly maturing the grapes for this wine in the Rapel Valley. Enjoy this fresh and fruit-driven triple threat. My note: How can you not love this wine? Mocha and espresso goodness with plum preserves crushing between your lips. Drink: 2011-2015. 433920 14% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 88/100. July 23, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Emiliana Adobe Reserva Syrah 2009, Rapel Valley, Chile: Read no further: buy a case of this wine and you’ll be happy. Full-bodied, tasty, juicy and satisfying. Dark berry notes, smooth and lovely at an incredible price. It’s just a bonus that it’s organic. Drink: 2011-2014. 213553 14% XD 750 mL  $12.95 Score: 89/100. August 6, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Domaine Du Grand Montmirail Vacqueyras Yves Et Denis Cheron 2009, A.C., Rhône, France: Terrific full-bodied red that's classically Rhone style: dark cherry, cedar and earthy. Drink: 2012-2016. 251579 14% D 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 91/100. January 7, 2012 Full Review

Perrin & Fils Les Sinards 2009, A.C., Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, Rhône, France: Pure black cherry liqueur in concentration and flavour. Rich, robust and layered. Full-bodied doesn’t begin to describe it for those who love a full-palate wallop. This one will age well in the cellar. This half-size bottle will mature faster than the 750 mL bottle that he’s referring to – 6-8 years is probably more accurate. It’s part of the Vintages Essentials Collection. 5975 14% XD 375 mL  $19.95 Score: 93/100. January 7, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Domaine De L'arnesque Cuvée Capalane Laurent Biscarrat Et Ses Enfants 2009, A.C., Châteauneuf Du Pape, Rhône, France: Incredible depth and concentration of flavour with black fruit and liqueur-like flavour intensity. Rich and complex with the structure to spend many years in the cellar. Drink: 2013-2025. 251652 14.50% XD 750 mL  $39.95 Score: 94/100. January 7, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Anselmann Auslese Huxelrebe 2009, Q.M.P., Pfalz, Germany: Huxelrebe is a hybrid of the Courtillier Musqué and Chasselas grapes. This grape is little known outside Germany. It is an early-ripener that makes elegant sweet wines such as Huxelrebe from Anselmann. Rich and fruity aromas, flavours of apricots and passion flower, nicely balanced by racy acidity. This multi- award-winner has very good ageing potential, but can also be enjoyed tonight. Gorgeous concentration of apricot ad pear preserve yet it doesn’t come off as sweet. Such divinely lovely deep flavours. Get over your hang-ups about wines with a touch of sweetness. Imagine this with glazed ham or sweet potatoes: holy lardy liftin! Drink: 2010-2020. 681445 11% M 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 92/100. January 7, 2012 Best Value Dessert Wine. Plush Pork Wine Full Review

La Pieve Barolo Nebbiolo (Barolo, Barbaresio) 2007, D.O.C.G., Piedmont, Italy: Nebbiolo-based wines of Barolo rarely come at this price, so now is the time to sample this Piedmontese classic. This vintage also offers an opportune sneak-peek at the character of this wine. Aromas of plum, truffles, raspberry and cedar. The tannins are firm and there will be plenty of fruit here to bring balance. A real gripper but I like it! Big, black with a tarry streaking through the middle. Black cherry resistance and some dark spices. Perfect for black magic nights. 213132 15% XD 750 mL  $28.95 Score: 92/100. January 7, 2012 Full Review

Fattoi Brunello Di Montalcino 2006, D.O.C.G., Italy: Black and brooding as Heathcliff on the moor (can’t think of the Italian equivalent just now, sorry). Plush, opulent layers of black plum, blackberry and smoke. Long and satisfying. 33498 14.50% XD 750 mL  $44.95 Score: 92/100. January 7, 2012 Full Review

Rivera Cappellaccio Riserva Aglianico 2005, D.O.C., Castel Del Monte, Puglia, Italy: Mocha-espresso nose with fleshy blackberries and black plums. Full-bodied and ultra-juicy with big mouth-watering acidity. Perfect with food. 984120 13.50% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 91/100. January 7, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine. Spectacular Spicy Wine Full Review

Fattoria La Ripa Riserva Santa Brigida Chianti Classico 2007, D.O.C.G., Tuscany, Italy: A juicy, mouth-watering red with aromas of tart cherries, freshly-turned earth, dried tobacco leaves. Terrific balance and intensity. 984401 13.50% XD 750 mL  $26.95 Score: 91/100. January 7, 2012 Best Beef Wine Full Review

Tenuta Olim Bauda Nizza Barbera D’Asti 2009, D.O.C., Piedmont, Italy: A pleasant red wine with bright berry and red currant fruit aromas, some spice, and field flowers on the finish. Medium- to full-bodied and supple smooth. Lots of minerality and energy in the glass here. Try it with tomato sauce pasta dishes. Drink: 2013-2016. 340018 15% XD 750 mL  $35.95 Score: 90/100. September 12, 2013 Full Review

Cascina Gilli Vigna Delle More Gilli Barbera D'asti 2010, D.O.C., Piedmont, Italy: Rich and full-bodied with great mouth-watering tang. Aromas of dark fruit and smoke. Very attractive, especially at this price. Drink: 2013-2016. 106401 13.30% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. September 28, 2013 Splendid Salad Wine Full Review

Bricco Dei Guazzi Barbera D'asti 2008, D.O.C.G., Piedmont, Italy: Tarry black and brooding with aromas of blackcurrant, cassis, black licorice and pepper. Full-bodied with lots of layers of flavour that can stand up to bold meaty dishes. A pleasantly bitter and refreshing finish. Complex and satisfying. Drink: 2013-2016. 181495 14% D 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 90/100. January 5, 2013 Best Value Red Wine. Complete Cheese Pizza Wine Full Review

Cantine Paololeo Riserva Salice Salentino 2006, Puglia D.O.C., Italy: Another typo with price! Grab up a case while you can for your parties. Full-bodied and smooth with an incredible elegance and finesse. Dark fruit and a long finish to contemplate just how much you saved buying this wine. Bonus: the label looks expensive so it also makes a great gift wine. Drink: 2011-2015. 214700 14% D 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 89/100. July 9, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

José Maria Da Fonseca & Van Zeller Vintage Domingos Soares Franco & Christiano Van Zeller Btld. 2005 Port 2003, D.O.C., Douro, Portugal: A rich and layered port with seductive aromas of blackberry liqueur and cassis. This port in the cellar for decades will glory so it's also a great one to lay down for a child or grandchild born in 2003. Drink: 2013-2025. 638924 20% S 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 94/100. January 7, 2012 Best Value Dessert Wine. Full Review

La Maldita Garnacha 2017, Rioja D.O.C.A., Spain Drink: 2019-2021. 22617 14.20% XD 750 mL  $14.95. July 19, 2019 Full Review

Frei Brothers Winery Reserve Chardonnay 2010, Russian River Valley, Northern Sonoma, California, United States: Toasted along and green apple. Medium- to full-bodied and balanced. Very tasty. Drink: 2013-2016. 317891 13.90% D 750 mL  $29.95 Score: 90/100. April 27, 2013 Charming Grilled Chicken Wine Full Review

Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Sonoma County, United States: Full-bodied with dark fruit, mocha, dark chocolate and smoke on the nose. Good grip on the palate with classic California cabernet flavours. Try it with a juicy steak. Drink: 2012-2015. 292151 13.50% XD 750 mL  $27.95 Score: 89/100. September 12, 2013 Best Beef Wine Full Review

Ghost Pines Winemaker's Blend Red Blend 2011, Joaquin County, Sonoma and Napa, California, United States  14.50% D 750 mL  $18.97. March 1, 2012 Full Review