Wolf Blass Gold Label Riesling 2008, Eden Valley, Clare Valley, Australia: Gorgeously layered and flavoured yet absolutely refreshing! A petrol nose (a good thing) gives way to a profusion of white flowers, lime blossom and zesty energetic spring fruit. Mouth-watering and tasty. Superb! Drink: 2010-2015. 606269 13.50% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 93/100. December 11, 2010 Favourite White Wine Tied. Full Review

Pirramimma Petit Verdot 2007, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia  365378 13.50% XD 750 mL  $26.95. October 15, 2010 Full Review

De Martino Legado Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Maipo Valley, Chile: Classic blackberry, blackcurrant and mocha with a pleasantly bitter finish. Full-bodied and supple. A remarkable wine for this price. Stock up for parties. Drink: 2010-2015. 205674 14% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 89/100. December 11, 2010 Best Value Red Wine Tied. Full Review

Vignerons Du Castelas Syrah Grenache Mourvèdre 2007, A.C., Côtes Du Rhone-Villages, Rhône, France: A savoury and straight-forward syrah-grenache-mourvèdre blend with terrific black cherry and cedar forest notes. Love this and it’s an amazing price. 199299 14% D 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 88/100. December 11, 2010 Best Value Red Wine Tied. Full Review

Anne Boecklin Réserve Cave Vinicole De Kientzheim-Kaysersberg Gewurztraminer 2008, A.C., Alsace, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Gewurztraminer is an exceptional choice for any gathering; it’s great as a sipper, and it’s an expert match for a vast array of foods. This Gold Medal-winning version (Concours des Grands Vins de France 2009) is filled with classic aromas of lychee, grapefruit and spice, plus notions of pear and rose petals. The palate replays all these aromas beautifully, balanced by moderate acidity. Give this a whirl before a meal, or enjoy it with something exotic. My note: Classic gewürztraminer: lychee, rose petal and baking spices with an exotic essence. So very perfect for Asian dishes and curries or as a wake-me-up aperitif. Drink: 2010-2018. 141226 12.80% D 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 92/100. December 11, 2010 Full Review

Bottega Vinai Amarone Della Valpolicella 2006, D.O.C., Veneto, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: The Bottega family has been in the wine business since the 1920s, and their expertise shows. This Amarone greets you with a chicory/coffee nose, then reveals flavours of raisins, plums, and spiced cherry, with hints of tobacco and leather. The flavours replay nicely on the palate, with lovely purity, up to its smooth, dry finish. My note: Beautifully sculpted and flavoured. It sure doesn’t taste as alcoholic as it is. Full-bodied is probably an understatement. This wine has amazing and endless flavours of black cherry liqueur blackberry preserves, smoke and spice. Drink: 2010-2025. 181537 16% XD 750 mL  $47.00 Score: 95/100. October 30, 2010 Favourite Red Wine Tied. Full Review

Tenuta Sant'Antonio Selezione Antonio Castagnedi Amarone Della Valpolicella 2006, D.O.C., Veneto, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Crafted from 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, and 5% apiece of the lesser-known Croatina and Oseleta varieties. This big, chunky Amarone combines dried red fruit notions with plenty of rich licorice, black pepper and dark chocolate. My note: Soooo tasty! Wow: full-bodied, juicy with ripe blackberries, plums and blackcurrant and a lovely underlay of mocha. Long and rich and satisfying. Leave me with the bottle, will you? Drink: 2011-2020. 435222 15.50% D 750 mL  $50.75 Score: 93/100. December 11, 2010 Favourite Red Wine Tied. Full Review

Barón de Ley Gran Reserva Tempranillo 2000, D.O.C.A., Rioja, Spain: We’ve got leather and cigar box and the heady mixture of a mature wine to be sipped contemplatively in a wood-paneled study. Love this style and it’s such a rarity these days to taste a mature wine… everything is all fruit, right now. Try it and see what I mean. A long savoury, smoky finish. Drink: 2010-2015. 642496 13% D 750 mL  $34.95 Score: 93/100. December 11, 2010 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review