Terra d'Aligi Tatone Montepulciano D'abruzzo 2013, Abruzzo D.O.C., Italy: Terra D'aligi's Tatone 2013 is a dry, full-bodied, rustic red with dried red berries, dark fruit and chocolate flavours on the palate. Supple and easy to drink. The wine was first produced in 1997, by Carlo and Adriano Spinelli. Tatone is the local word for "grandfather," and the name given to the wine because it reflected the strength and authority of their grandfather. The wine aged for 24 months in Slavonian oak barrels. Pair with a rich meat pasta and sun-dried tomato sauce dish. Drink: 2018-2021. 994616 14% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 87/100. January 3, 2019 Best Value Red Wine. Magnificent Meat Pizza Wine Full Review

Persuasion Thomas George Estates Dragon Blend 2010, California, United States: Arlene Dickinson, the marketing maven on the television show Dragon’s Den, used her business savvy to launch a Sonoma blend of cabernet and merlot called Persuasion last year. She says that some vintages are aggressive and come on strong (presumably like her co-host Kevin O’Leary), while others are smoother, more balanced, more confident of their worth. I wasn’t convinced that Persuasion was anything more than a cash cow extension of Dickinson’s other products such as coffee, chocolate and skin care. Then I tried it. The business case is in the bottle. This robust red is balanced, complex and rich—like Arlene herself. Drink: 2012-2017. 736211413314 14.40% MD 750 mL  $40.00 Score: 93/100. June 22, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review