Trapiche Broquel Bonarda 2007, Mendoza, Argentina: A juicy-ripe red with rich black fruit, licorice, blueberry, coconut, dark spices and vanilla smoke. The vines for this wine were 20 years old, and the wine was aged in oak barrels for 12 months. Good firm tannins. Decant for 1-2 hours. 55558 14% XD 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 90/100. February 5, 2011 Best Value Red Wine (Tied). Full Review

Luigi Bosca Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Maipü, Mendoza, Argentina: Smooth as velvet and wonderful aromas of black plums and dark spices. Full-bodied and supremely satisfying. Serve this to your boss and get promoted. Drink: 2011-2018. 128629 14% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 91/100. April 16, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Santa Carolina Dry Farming Carignan 2008, Cauquenes Valley, Chile: Dry farming is a technique that relies solely on natural rainfall for irrigation. Beautiful! Stunning concentration and depth but there’s also real elegance and finesse here. Your guests will think you paid double for this wine so get a case or two. Savory dark fruit with subtle hints of happiness. Drink: 2011-2015. 213520 14.50% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 92/100. May 14, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Chilensis Reserva Carmenère 2008, Maule Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: The once-forgotten Bordeaux grape, Carmenère, is thriving in Chile’s winemaking valleys and is proving to be as important to Chile as Malbec is to neighboring Argentina. This is a fresh and fruity mouth-filling red with aromas and flavors of juicy ripe cherries, chocolate, gentle herbal notes and toasty oak. My note: Redolent of smoked herbs, jammy cassis, and gamey notes. Full-bodied and lip-smacking delicious. Tremendous value. 657981 14% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 89/100. January 22, 2011 Best Value Red Wine (Tied). Full Review

Errázuriz Single Vineyard Don Maximiano Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Aconcagua Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: Chile’s climate varies widely, with the Aconcagua Valley being one of the hottest of its growing regions. Cabernet Sauvignon is the variety of choice for this region, where the warm, dry weather coaxes the best out of the grapes. This single-vineyard Cab is a rich and charming creation, packed with red fruit, blackcurrant, blackberry and a hint of cedar. A big, ripe red with lovely balance and length. My note: A terrific, full-bodied Cabernet with classic aromas of blackberries, cassis and blackcurrant. Beautifully structured with a satisfyingly long finish. Great wine for dinner parties and steak dinners. 203364 14% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. December 10, 2011 Top Rated Red Wine. Voluptuous Veal Wine Full Review

Les Grandes Serres Syrah Blend 2009, A.C., Côtes Du Rhône Villages, Rasteau, France: Vintages Wine Panel: This wine won a Gold Medal at the Concours des Vins in Orange, in 2010. Recently, Rasteau received a long-awaited approval to begin selling dry red wines under its own appellation name, separate from Côtes du Rhône-Villages. This red has a plum-and-spice nose, and flavours of black plum, blackberry, mince tart, honey and white pepper that all recur nicely on the palate to a warm, spicy finish. A well-made wine, with a medium body and good length. An excellent choice for grilled red snapper or ratatouille. My note: A savoury and delicious wine with aromas of black cherries and black raspberries, cedar and smoke. This wine would be amazing with a peppercorn steak or meat lovers’ pizza. Drink: 2011-2016. 194944 14.50% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 90/100. February 5, 2011 Best Value Red Wine (Tied). Full Review

Château La Verrière Supérieur, André Bessette, Vitic. Cabernet Blend 2008, A.C., Bordeaux, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Gold Medal winner at the 2010 Concours Général Agricole in Paris. Rich plum, cherry, lilac and woodsmoke on the nose. The palate is dry with a great depth of fruit and tannic structure. A lovely and lingering fruitiness on the lengthy finish. Hold this for 1-2 years or enjoy it tonight. My note: Love it! Rich and full-bodied with mocha-warm blackberry aromas on the nose. Lovely richness and unfolding of layers of pleasure on the tongue. Incredible for the money. Drink: 2011-2015. 199000 13.50% D 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 90/100. April 2, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Apollonio Rocca Dei Mori Salice Salentino Rosso Negroamaro Malvasia Nera 2006, D.O.C., Puglia, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Salice Salentino – blends vary, but this one is about 80% Negroamaro and 20% Malvasia Nera – has been made in Salento (the “heel” of Italy) for centuries. Sweet, slightly spicy aromas of mince tart, blackcurrant and blackberry mingle with some earthy, woody notes. The aromas recur in the flavours, revealing lots of crisp, ripe fruit that roll on the palate to a refreshing finish. A crowd-pleasing red, with a medium body and good length. My note: Black cherries wrapped smoke: absolute yum! A savoury bacon fat character in the middle that keeps me smacking my chops for more. Love it! Fantastic price… party wine. Drink: 2010-2014. 180257 14% D 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 89/100. October 2, 2010 Full Review

Sileni Estates The Plateau Pinot Noir 2009, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand: Vintages Wine Panel: Pinot Noir from Hawkes Bay is not as common as the red Bordeaux varieties or Syrah, but when a producer such as Sileni is involved, the results show it is a variety with a future here. Grown on an inland plateau ideal for Pinot Noir, this 2009 is a fine ambassador for Hawkes Bay Pinot. Look for lots of black cherry and other dark fruit aromas backed by smooth tannins and a substantial finish. My note: heart-stopping delicious! Ripe fleshy cherries and juicy field raspberries almost make you want to bite into this wine rather than sip it. Yet it’s supple and medium-bodied with wonderful finesse and mouth-watering action. I adore this style of New Zealand Pinot Noir: more please! Drink: 2011-2016. 14578 13.50% D 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 92/100. April 30, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review