Trapiche Fincas Las Palmas Malbec 2007, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina: Absolutely delicious especially at this price! Luscious layers of fleshy black plums and blackberries. Juicy and full-bodied. This wine cries out to be on your table beside a rare or pepper steak. Let your mouth have some fun tonight! Drink: 2012-2015. 186668 14% D 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 90/100. October 27, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Zuccardi Q Malbec 2010, Mendoza, Argentina: A fleshy ripe malbec with a touch of dark spice on the finish. Full-bodied and smooth. Great price for such quality. Drink: 2012-2016. 723478 14.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. October 27, 2012 Full Review

Two Hands Wines Brave Faces Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2011, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: Full-bodied, rich and complex with fleshy ripe cassis and wild blackberries. A black plum, smoky finish. Nicely done! Drink: 2012-2015. 660035 14.80% D 750 mL  $29.95 Score: 90/100. October 27, 2012 Full Review

Kangarilla Road Primitivo Shiraz 2010, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Full-bodied, smooth and balanced. Ripe dark fruit. Nicely done. Great for dinner parties. Drink: 2012-2015. 286724 14% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 89/100. October 27, 2012 Full Review

The Musician Majella Cabernet Shiraz 2011, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia: Bright black cherry, dried herbs and cedar forest. Savoury, juicy and mouth-watering. Full-bodied and lovely. Drink: 2012-2015. 142018 14.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 91/100. October 27, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Elderton Friends Shiraz 2011, Barossa, South Australia, Australia: Incredible concentration, depth and power for the price. Big blackberries and blackcurrants in a lovely weave of full-bodied weight and velvet texture. Be the hero of the evening with this robust wonder from the prestigious Barossa region. Liquid opulence. Drink: 2012-2015. 660480 14% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 92/100. October 11, 2014 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review

Terra Noble Gran Reserva Carmenère 2009, Maule Valley, Chile: Gorgeous! Layers with voluptuously fleshy black plums and berries. This wine goes on and on and on. Thank-you. Drink: 2012-2015. 957050 13.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 92/100. September 29, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Terrunyo Block 27 Vineyard Selection Peumo Vineyard, Concha Y Toro Carmenère 2009, Peumo, Cachapoal Valley, Rapel Valley, Chile: Superb in every way! Complex, deep, savoury and bursting with luscious black fruit aromas and flavours. This wine gives and gives right out to a long finish. Yum! Drink: 2012-2016. 562892 14.50% XD 750 mL  $29.95 Score: 93/100. October 27, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Agustinos Gran Terroir Pinot Noir 2010, El Butapichun Vineyard, Bío Bío Valley, Chile: A cherry-berry wonder that's medium- to almost-full-bodied. Luscious, juicy and mouth-watering. This is a vibrant, happy wine just like those who drink it. Drink: 2012-2016. 296616 14% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. October 13, 2012 Full Review

Renato Ratti Marcenasco Barolo 2007, D.O.C.G., Piedmont, Italy: Savoury with a lovely nose of fleshy ripe black fruit and some mocha. Full-bodied and layered for complexity with a long finish. Drink: 2013-2017. 713479 14.50% XD 750 mL  $75.95 Score: 92/100. November 10, 2012 Full Review

Giacosa Fratelli Basarin Vigna Gianmaté Barbaresco 2007, D.O.C.G., Piedmont, Italy: One of the prettiest Barbarescos I've tasted in a long time, maybe ever. Red floral notes, spice and tart red fruit on the nose and palate. Juicy and mouth-watering, with full-bodied layers of pleasure. Decant 2 hours. Drink: 2012-2016. 291401 13.50% XD 750 mL  $44.95 Score: 93/100. November 10, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Marziano Abbona Cerviano Barolo 2004, D.O.C.G., Piedmont, Italy: Amarone-like on the nose with concentrated black cherry liqueur and smoke. The palate unfolds with gorgeous layers of dark fruit flavour and complexity. This big beauty needs cellar time. Drink: 2014-2018. 295915 14% XD 750 mL  $47.95 Score: 94/100. November 10, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Crognolo Tenuta Sette Ponti 2009, I.G.T., Tuscany, Italy: Dry and mouth-watering with dried herbs and tart cherries. Full-bodied but not heavy. Decant 2 hours. Drink: 2012-2015. 727636 14% XD 750 mL  $32.95 Score: 90/100. October 27, 2012 Full Review

Hunter's Wines Pinot Noir 2010, Wairau Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Juicy with fleshy black cherries and a satin smooth texture with a medium body. Drink: 2012-2016. 586115 13.50% D 750 mL  $22.95 Score: 90/100. October 27, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, W.O., Stellenbosch, South Africa: One of South Africa's flagship wines. This elegant cabernet combines strength and finesse. Deep, rich and full-bodied with cassis and a long finish. Will age well. Drink: 2012-2017. 283390 14% XD 750 mL  $29.95 Score: 91/100. October 27, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

The Chocolate Block Boekenhoutskloof Syrah Shiraz 2010, W.O., Western Cape, South Africa: Savoury, complex and delicious: wow! Cassis, blackberry and cedar forest. Meaty and enticing, full-bodied wonderful. Drink: 2012-2016. 129353 14.50% XD 750 mL  $39.95 Score: 93/100. November 10, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Spice Route Wine Company Chakalaka 2009, W.O., Swartland, Western Cape, South Africa: A savoury, woodsmoke red with fleshy blackberries and cassis. Full-bodied and smooth and ultra-food-friendly. Drink: 2012-2016. 160481 14.50% D 750 mL  $34.95 Score: 90/100. October 13, 2012 Full Review

Guardian Peak Smg Guardian Peak 2009, W.O., Stellenbosch, South Africa: Lovely! Rich and full-bodied with some mocha wrapped itself luxuriously around a core of fleshy black plums. Smooth. Drink: 2012-2016. 296681 14.50% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 92/100. October 13, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Arrocal Tempranillo 2009, D.O., Ribera Del Duero, Spain: Big black cedar forest and black cherries with a great savoury, meaty note. Full-bodied, juicy and delicious. Drink: 2012-2015. 67868 14% D 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 90/100. October 13, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Bodegas Aragonesas Centenaria Bodegas Aragonesas Garnacha 2011, D.O., Campo De Boria, Spain: Mocha, espresso and dark plums on the nose. Lusciously smooth and full-bodied on the palate. More dark chocolate on the finish. This wine would be outstanding with a Mexican mole dish. Drink: 2013-2016. 94805 14.50% XD 750 mL  $17.00 Score: 89/100. January 5, 2013 Full Review