Vistalba Corte A Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Mendoza, Argentina: Great concentration of aromas and flavors in this full-bodied red with notes of black cherry liqueur, ripe blackberries, dark chocolate and vanilla spice. A smoke-infused finish comes from 18 months aging in French oak barrels. Terrific balance and length in this blend of 90% Malbec and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. A great wine to give as a gift. 16% XD 750 mL  $15.00 Score: 91/100. June 12, 2009 Full Review

Crios Brioso Dominio Del Plata Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec Cabernet Franc Petit Verdot Merlot 2005, Mendoza, Argentina: Fantastic expression of elegance, balance and finesse. Old World restraint with New World fruit power. Aromas of dark fruit: cassis and blackcurrant in this blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% petit Verdot and 5% Merlot. This wine was aged 14 months in new French oak barrels. An international benchmark wine. 14% XD 750 mL  $15.00 Score: 95/100. June 12, 2009 Full Review

Benmarco Dominio Del Plata Malbec Bonrada 2007, Mendoza, Argentina: Terrific balance in this wine oozing juicy ripe dark fruit balanced by mouth-watering acidity. Full-bodied and delicious, this is a blend of 90% Malbec and 10% Bonardo. Malbec contributes the richness and fruit depth, while Bonarda brings the zingy, mouth-awakening acidity. Aged 11 months in French and American oak. Superb effort. 14% XD 750 mL  $15.00 Score: 92/100. June 12, 2009 Full Review

Crios Dominio Del Plata Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Mendoza, Argentina: A pleasantly surprising attack on the entry awakens mind and palate and announces this wine. Rich aromas of black fruit and smoke, with a zingy acidity. Great structure and length. This wine was aged 13 months in French oak. 14% XD 750 mL  $15.00 Score: 93/100. June 12, 2009 Full Review

Benmarco Dominio Del Plata Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2008, Mendoza, Argentina: Juicy and mouth-filling with rich dark fruit flavors that spread peacock-style across your mouth. Blackberry, cassis and black cherry with a smoky undernote. Full-bodied blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Merlot. Aged 11 months in French and American oak. Lovely expression of terroir. 14% XD 750 mL  $15.00 Score: 91/100. June 12, 2009 Full Review

Crios Dominio Del Plata Syrah Bonarda 2007, Mendoza, Argentina: A spicy number with fleshy blackberries and dark cherries. Terrific acidity and a smoke-tinged finish. This is a blend of equal parts Syrah and Bonarda and was aged 9 months in French and American oak. 14% XD 750 mL  $15.00 Score: 91/100. June 12, 2009 Full Review

Crios Dominio Del Plata Malbec 2008, Mendoza, Argentina: Black cherries and strawberries on the nose with a profusion of a field of violets on the palate. Full-bodied and fleshy ripe with round, velvet tannins and great balance. You will know Malbec when you taste this wine. A blend of 85% Malbec and 15% Bonarda that was aged 9 months in French and American oak. 14% XD 750 mL  $15.00 Score: 91/100. June 12, 2009 Full Review

Santa Julia Magma Zuccardi Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec Syrah 2005, Mendoza, Argentina: Gorgeous depth and length of flavor in this luxuriously rich and delicious red. This wine is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Malbec and 10% Syrah. The price is incredible for the quality of this wine. In my Drinks Matcher (www.nataliemaclean.com/matcher), I pair this wine with various hearty dishes. This wine will be part of the September Vintages release, though you may be able to find it elsewhere before then. 93799 13.80% XD 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 91/100. June 12, 2009 Full Review

Limited Edition Malbec 2006, Mendoza, Argentina: Beautifully structured, elegant and restrained. Mature blackberries and black cherries. Aged in French for 12 months. 14% D 750 mL  $15.00 Score: 92/100. June 12, 2009 Full Review

Limited Edition Sangiovese 2006, Mendoza, Argentina: Evocative of a field of wild raspberries with other dark fruits. Dark chocolate infused finish. Made from grapes grown on 75-year-old vines. 14% D 750 mL  $15.00 Score: 91/100. June 12, 2009 Full Review

Lynch Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Merlot 2005, Mendoza, Argentina: Towering structure and elegance. Mocha and blackberry aromas. A wine for collectors. 14% D 750 mL  $15.00 Score: 94/100. June 12, 2009 Full Review

Blend Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Merlot 2005, Mendoza, Argentina: Very structured with Old World Finesse. Black fruit with a touch of mint. Aged 18 months in French oak. 14% D 750 mL  $15.00 Score: 93/100. June 12, 2009 Full Review

Limited Edition Syrah 2005, Mendoza, Argentina: My favorite wine in a terrific line-up from this producer. Generous, balanced and plush. Aged 12 months in French oak. Aromas of violets, cinnamon and blackberry. Superb. 14% D 750 mL  $15.00 Score: 96/100. June 12, 2009 Full Review

Alamos Malbec 2006, Argentina, Argentina: A terrific value wine. Full-bodied, smooth and supple. 467951 13.50% D 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 92/100. October 13, 2007 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Ampakama Don Balthazar Casa Montes Malbec 2006, San Juan, Argentina: Terrific structure in this elegant, dark chocolate, blackberry Malbec. Full-bodied with a spicy finish. Aged 12 months in French and American oak barrels. The grapes are grown in high-altitude vineyards 2500 feet above sea level. 14% XD 750 mL  $15.00 Score: 91/100. June 12, 2009 Full Review

Ampakama Don Balthazar Casa Montes Syrah 2006, San Juan, Argentina: A stunning wine with lovely aromas of blackberries, clove, fig and red currants. The wine was aged 9 month in French and American oak. Syrah is definitely a specialty in this region: a gorgeous combination of flavor and suppleness. 14% XD 750 mL  $15.00 Score: 92/100. June 12, 2009 Full Review

Mitolo Jester Shiraz 2007, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: A wonderful, vibrant Shiraz with nicely balanced fleshy fruit and acidity for food. Lots of layers of flavours and ultra-satisfying. Perfect for potluck get-togethers and movie night. Nice to have a great half-bottle selection. Drink: 2010-2014. 180430 14.50% D 375 mL  $11.95 Score: 91/100. September 18, 2010 Full Review

Zonte's Footstep Shiraz Viognier 2006, Langhorne Creek, Australia: A big honkin' Shiraz with a warm embrace of dark red fruit. When you bang for your buck, go straight to the Aussie aisle of your liquor store. There’s 6% of the Viognier grape in this blend to give the wine a lovely lift and brightness on the mid-palate. The wine was also aged in 20% new oak. A sweet blackcurrant nose with notes of pepper, violets and plump plums on the follow-up. This multi-textured wine is a superb value. Perfect for casual weeknight meals at home or potluck get-togethers. 72975 14.50% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 91/100. January 10, 2009 Full Review

Viña La Rosa La Capitana Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Cachapoal Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: This is a big, crowd-pleasing Cab that offers terrific value for money. The nose has sweet caramel, brown sugar and coffee bean aromas with black fruit notes taking a back seat to the oak. On the palate it’s dry, full bodied with concentrated fruit flavours coming to the fore, particularly cassis and blueberry as well as some chocolate notes. It’s soft textured with mild acidity. My note: Absolutely terrific! Double wow! Juicy, generous, fleshy plums and blackberries are followed by lovely smoke and dark spices on the finish. Sit back, close your eyes and take another sip. 68429 14.50% D 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 91/100. February 20, 2010 Full Review

Santa Carolina Reserva De Familia Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Maipo Valley, Chile: A classic Chilean cabernet: herbal, cedar and cassis aromas. Full-bodied and voluptuously smooth. Great length and depth. Drink: 2011-2015. 408658 14.50% XD 750 mL  $15.00 Score: 91/100. March 5, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

M. Chapoutier Les Vignes De Bila-Haut 2008, A.C., Côtes Du Roussillon-Villages, Midi, France: Love it! This wine has it all: balance, length, great extraction of rich black cherry and spice flavour. Drown me in this and don’t bother with a rescue please. Incredible price: must be an accounting error. Drink: 2010-2016. 168716 14% D 750 mL  $15.00 Score: 91/100. June 26, 2010 Best Value Red Wine (Tied). Full Review

Domaine Puig-Parahy Georges Carignan Grenache Syrah 2007, A.C., Côtes De Roussillon, Midi, France: A blend of Carignan, Grenache and a little Syrah. Fantastic peppery, blackberry nose! Supple and full-bodied with a deep, dark concentration of flavour. Chewy tannins and a long, satisfying finish. I can’t believe how low the price is for this one. Drink: 2010-2015. 171025 14.50% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 91/100. May 1, 2010 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Cave de Saumur Des Vignerons Saumur Reserve Cabernet Franc 2005, A.C., France: A lovely, long expression of blue fruits, violets, cassis, mushrooms and cigar. Old World style and structure with a deliciously long finish. 103879 13.50% XD 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 91/100. January 10, 2009 Full Review

Chateau Pesquie Grenache Syrah 2006, A.C. Cotes due Ventoux, France: This wine was not fined or filtered and is a blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah. A dense, blackcurrant-scented nose follows up with black cherries, toasty oak and some earthy notes. 652313 14% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 91/100. January 10, 2009 Full Review

Château Mourgues Du Grès Les Galets Rouges, François Collard Syrah Grenache Mourvèdre Carignan 2007, A.C., Costières de Nîmes, France: This wines is a blend of 78% Syrah with the balance being Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Carignan. This wine is warm on the palate and finish from the alcohol level but it’s rich and comforting too. Gobs of flavor and hedonistic happiness. 132548 14.60% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 91/100. August 29, 2009 Full Review

Spier Wines Private Collection Pinotage 2007, Stellenbosch, South Africa: This wine has spectacular dark fruit with great concentration. It was aged 18 months in French oak which gives it a toasty richness and smoky finish. Lovely! Drink: 2010-2014. 13.50% XD 750 mL  $15.00 Score: 93/100. May 13, 2010 Full Review

Spier Wines Private Collection Shiraz 2007, Stellenbosch, South Africa: Spicy and racy with exciting aromas of rich dark plums and a cinnamon finish. Full-bodied and supple. Exotic and bewitching. A modern European style with more savoury than sweet fruit. Drink: 2010-2015. 15% XD 750 mL  $15.00 Score: 92/100. May 13, 2010 Full Review

Albada Vinas Viejas Garnacha Tinto 2005, D.O. Calatayud, Spain: This wine is made from 100% Garnacha grapes and aged in oak for one year. Opulent texture with aromas of intense blackberry, lavender and black fruits. Fleshy flavors wrap around a core of smoky, toasty oak. Full-bodied. 93005 14%  750 mL  $15.95 Score: 91/100. January 10, 2009 Full Review

O. Fournier Urban Ribera Tinta Del Pais 2006, Berlangas de Roa, Spain: An amazing wine for the money! Juicy red-black fruit, nicely integrated oak. Good coffee-mocha grip on the mid-palate with a gorgeous coffee-infused finish. 14% XD 750 mL  $14.00 Score: 92/100. June 12, 2009 Full Review