Santa Julia Magna Familia Zuccardi Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah 2008, Mendoza, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: A blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, the 2008 Magna displays a cavalcade of aromas: ripe raspberries, vanilla, peppery spice, cherries, cinnamon and mocha notes all make appearances. It’s dry with a medium to full body. Flavours of crushed berries, spices and smoky oak are balanced by a good core of acidity and medium tannins, all leading to a long spicy finish. My note: 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. 93799 13.80% XD 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 90/100. January 23, 2010 Full Review

Graffigna Centenario Grand Reserve Malbec 2008, San Juan, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: A more restrained, refreshing style of Malbec from Argentina’s San Juan province. Deep ruby, with spicy plum, menthol, sour cherry, a hint of vanilla and coffee bean on the nose. Despite its elegance and fine tannins, it’s nonetheless substantial on the palate, with a medium-full body and good acidity, leading to a spicy, finessed finish. This intriguing style of Malbec still makes a fine partner for full-flavoured steaks and other red meat dishes, though it will also show nicely with somewhat lighter fare, such as grilled eggplant or sliced roast beef. My note: Juicy and generous with lovely aromas and flavours of rich fleshy black plums and berries. Love the texture on this wine! Drink: 2008-2013. 162149 14.50% D 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 90/100. June 6, 2011 Best Beef Wine Full Review

Elderton Friends Shiraz 2010, Barossa, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: If you want to impress your friends without breaking the bank, then this is your wine. From the prestigious Barossa region, this crowd-pleasing Shiraz is rich and vivacious with aromas and flavours of crushed berries, black plum, vanilla, chocolate and earthy notes. A stunning value, this smooth and opulent red is great. My note: Incredible concentration and power for the price. Big blackberries and currants in a lovely weave of full-bodied weight and velvet texture. Drink: 2010-2014. 660480 14% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 92/100. June 11, 2011 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review

Oscar's Estate Shiraz Viognier 2008, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: Like the dark hero on a romance novel: take me now! Brooding, full-bodied, muscular and you know. Black fruit, savoury with a long finish (most importantly). Again please. Drink: 2012-2016. 287961 15.90% XD 750 mL  $17.25 Score: 93/100. September 1, 2012 Full Review

Viña Tarapacá Gran Reserva Carmenère 2010, Maipo Valley, Chile: Savoury and dark with meaty black fruit flavours and smoke. Love the barest hint of mint that lifts and brightens the black fruit flavours. Full-bodied, layered and lovely. Drink: 2012-2016. 57513 14.50% D 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 91/100. September 1, 2012 Full Review

Casa Silva Reserva Carmenère 2008, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Mocha wrapped in smoke: this powerful wine is extremely delicious. Blackberries with espresso and spice. A superb wine for this price. Crack one open when you’re watching your favourite TV show. Drink: 2011-2014. 24679 14% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 89/100. February 19, 2011 Best Value Red Wine (Tied). Full Review

Château D'aquéria Jean Olivier, Prod. Rosé 2010, A.C., Tavel, Rhône, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Tavel, an AC located across the Rhône River from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, uniquely makes rosé wines its exclusive focus. This version offers up fresh strawberry, sweet cherry, rosehips, and spring flowers in abundance. Dry, light bodied, fresh and tangy on the palate with waves of vivacious acidity. The lingering finish sports a strawberry-rhubarb character embroidered by herbal and floral notes. My note: Such a perfect rosé. Don’t be a snob with the price: this is a seriously great wine. I could drink rose almost all year: it’s packed with flavour yet not heavy tannin or oak or alcohol so it goes with almost any dish except a big juicy steak. Join us! Drink: 2011-2013. 712000 14% XD 375 mL  $9.95 Score: 91/100. May 14, 2011 Favourite Rosé. Full Review

Mas des Bressades Cuvée Tradition Rosé 2010, A.C., Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Medium fluorescent-pink colour, with notes of red apple, ripe raspberry, cherry pie and a floral quality on the nose. The palate is dry with a rush of racy acidity that keeps it tart and tangy. This is a very flavourful, balanced and well-made rosé that really sings. My note: Bring it on! Delightful berries dance across your senses as you close your eyes in the warm summer sun. medium-bodied and perfect. Who needs conversation? Drink: 2011-2013. 950576 13.50% XD 750 mL  $13.95 Score: 90/100. May 14, 2011 Best Value Rosé. Full Review

Mas des Bressades Cuvée Tradition Grenache Syrah Cinsault Rosé 2008, A.C., Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Mas des Bressades uses the saignée method to make this lovely rosé, endowing the wine with more robust flavors than conventional versions. Enjoy this delicious blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault. My note: Incredible depth and length. Vast fields of strawberries await you… run with your mind and palate through them and soak up the pleasure. Bone-dry and lovely. Drink: 2009-2011. 950576 14% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 90/100. August 19, 2008 Favorite Rosé. Full Review

Domaine Des Carteresses Les Vignerons De Tavel Rosé 2008, A.C., Tavel, Rhône, France: Tavel, in the southern Rhône Valley has a marvelous reputation for world-class rosé. This one is no exception: aromas of ripe raspberries and strawberries. Bone-dry and lip-smacking delicious. Medium-bodied and smooth without any heavy oak. 739474 14% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 91/100. August 1, 2009 Favorite Rosé. Full Review

Les Vignes Bila-Haut M. Chapoutier 2010, A.C., Midi, France: A spectacular wine, let alone for this price. Get yourself a case or two if you love juicy, full-bodied reds with racy, spicy dark red fruit, cedar notes and long-lasting pleasure. Drink: 2012-2017. 168716 14% D 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 91/100. September 29, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Salice Salentino Riserva, Cantele 2008, D.O.C., Puglia, Italy: Vibrant, juicy and lip-smacking delicious! Full-bodied, savoury and deep. Dark fruit and smooth. Great price! Drink: 2012-2015. 724328 13% D 750 mL  $13.95 Score: 90/100. August 4, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Rotllán Torra Crianza 2007, D.O.C., Priorat, Spain: Savoury and juicy with great complexity and depth. Smooth and full-bodied with lusciously ripe and fleshy dark berries. Drink: 2011-2017. 267989 13.50% D 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 93/100. April 14, 2012 Full Review

Ironstone Obsession Symphony 2009, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: Symphony is not a brand name Ironstone gave this wine; it is actually the name of the grape. Developed at the University of California at Davis, Symphony is an aromatic variety that is a cross between Grenache Gris and Muscat of Alexandria. It creates wines that are aromatically complex and very pleasurable, such as this fine example. My note: Lovely, aromatic with rose petal and lychee. Terrific acidity with gorgeous floral notes: white daisies in a wide open field. I recommend this year after year. The ultimate wine with rose petals and lychee. 73700 13.50% MD 375 mL  $9.95 Score: 89/100. January 22, 2011 Full Review