Mitolo Jester Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: Deep ruby coloured, this wine is bursting with concentrated aromas of blackberry, plum, humus and spring flowers, with intriguing licorice and baking-spice accents. Dry and well-balanced with a plush texture, and a medium- full-bodied palate awash in dark fruit flavours en-livened by spicy notes. Ripe, gentle tannins and ample acidity provide structure on the lingering finish. A yummy, easy-drinking Cabernet. My note: A full-bodied, juicy, generous red with dollops of blackberry, cassis, dried herbs and smoke. For those like a walloping good wine. 43224 14.90% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. January 9, 2010 Full Review

d'Arenberg The Footbolt Shiraz 2009, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Enticing eucalyptus and blackberry aromas in this full-bodied, smooth red. Sure to please even the most hardened cabernet fan. Drink: 2012-2016. 984021 14.50% XD 750 mL  $22.95 Score: 92/100. February 18, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Jim Barry Wines The Cover Drive Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia: Juicy, full-bodied and delicious! Fleshy ripe blackberry and black cherries. Drink: 2012-2016. 677476 14.50% XD 750 mL  $23.95 Score: 91/100. March 3, 2012 Full Review

Alkoomi Riesling 2009, Frankland River, Western Australia, Australia: Lovely petrol and white peach on the nose. Terrific intensity on the palate with a satisfying long finish. Great acidity for food. Drink: 2012-2015. 269290 12.50% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 90/100. March 17, 2012 Best Value White Wine. Full Review

Carmen Wines Gran Reserva Carmenère 2009, Apalta, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Another remarkable wine from this winery that tastes twice as expensive as it costs. Smooth, full-bodied and well-rounded with generous layers of black plush plum. Drink: 2012-2016. 439166 14% D 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 91/100. March 17, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Concha y Toro Terrunyo Vineayard Selection Block 27 Carmenère 2008, Peumo Vineyard, Peumo, Cachapoal Valley, Rapel Valley, Chile: Superb! Full-bodied with layers of black fruit, toasty oak, violets and a lick of dark spices. Very complex and satisfying. Drink: 2012-2018. 562892 14.50% XD 750 mL  $29.95 Score: 93/100. March 3, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Chéreau-Carré La Griffe Bernard Chéreau Muscadet Sèvre Et Maine 2010, A.C., Loire, France: This sur lie wine has a mouth-watering, vibrant attack of acidity that's balanced with lime citrus notes. Very refreshing, especially with shellfish. Drink: 2011-2014. 948182 12% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 87/100. March 3, 2012 Best Value White Wine. Full Review

Turckheim Hengst Grand Cru Gewurztraminer 2007, A.C., Alsace, France: Spectacular! Classic Gewürz: rose petal, lychee and spices with a profusion of white flowers on the finish. Great acidity Drink: 2012-2019. 259705 13.50% M 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 95/100. March 3, 2012 Best Value White Wine. Full Review

Prinz Von Hessen Winkeler Hasensprung Riesling Spätlese 2004, Q.M.P., Rheingau, Germany: Gorgeous dried apricot and honeysuckle nose. Layers of flavour and pleasure. Packed with flavour but so light in alcohol and not a trace of oak. 259804 9.40% S 750 mL  $25.95 Score: 93/100. February 4, 2012 Top Rated White Wine. Full Review

Beronia Reserva Tempranillo 2006, D.O.C.A., Rioja, Spain: Lovely old leather Rioja! Love this style. Dusty and earthy, not fruity. Dry, full-bodied and smooth. Drink: 2012-2016. 50203 14% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 91/100. February 18, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Barón de Ley Gran Reserva Tempranillo 2001, Rioja, DOC, Spain: This is a remarkable wine -- please save me some as I intend to get a couple of cases. Matures aromas of leather, cigar box, dried herbs and black plums. It's rare to get a mature wine like this on a release, snap it up but not too much. Drink: 2012-2022. 642496 13% D 750 mL  $34.95 Score: 94/100. December 3, 2020 Top Rated Red 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

Geyser Peak Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States: Classic California cabernet at half the usual price. Full-bodied and tannic so decant for 2 hours. Delicious flavours of black fruit and some smoke. Drink: 2012-2016. 20789 13.50% D 750 mL  $21.95 Score: 91/100. March 17, 2012 Full Review

Ravenswood Old Vine Zinfandel 2009, Lodi, California, United States: This wine makes me wonder why I don't drink more zinfandel. Its juicy and meaty with seductive black cherry and berry fruit yet not over the top. I'd even call this wine elegant... Not an adjective usually associated with zinfandel, generally characterized as pure exuberance in a glass. A superb effort. Drink: 2012-2016. 942599 14.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 92/100. February 4, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine. Complete Cheese Pizza Wine Full Review

Blackstone Winery Winemaker's Select Zinfandel 2009, California, United States: Oh yum! Tasty layers of fleshy blackberries roll across your mouth... This wine makes me smile. Smooth, full-bodied, generous - like a terrific boyfriend. Drink: 2012-2015. 26427 13.80% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 90/100. February 18, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin Zinfandel 2009, Lodi, California, United States: Purple and black plum liqueur richness with smooth, full-bodied layers of pleasure. The ultimate barbecue and hamburger wine. I challenge you to find a better one. Drink: 2011-2016. 678698 14.50% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 90/100. March 3, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review