Lamadrid Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Mendoza, Argentina: Let’s scan what’s new on Netflix or Apple TV and crack this bottle open. It’s so versatile that it can pair well with both action thrillers and chick flicks. Dark, full-bodied, smooth with black fruit. Incredible price. A near-perfect partner for grilled gourmet burgers or sausages. Drink: 2011-2015. 234518 14% XD 750 mL  $13.95 Score: 88/100. October 1, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Zolo Classic Fincas Patagónicas Malbec 2010, Mendoza, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: Delicious Malbec. Look for aromas and flavours of mixed berries, plum, coffee bean and woodsmoke. Dry and quite tasty. Intriguing layers of complexity lead to a ripe, fruity finish. My note: Top me up! You can’t argue with a wine this delicious at this price point … and if you do, you haven’t had enough of it. Rich, full-bodied with luscious blackberry and plum aromas. Yum. Drink: 2011-2015. 183905 13.80% D 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 88/100. October 1, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Nieto Senetiner Don Nicanor 2008, Mendoza, Argentina: Very powerful, full-palate whack. Black fruit with juiciness. This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Merlot. Enjoy it with back ribs. Drink: 2011-2016. 640938 14% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 89/100. October 1, 2011 Full Review

Joffré e Hijas Grand Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: Proving yet again that Argentina can do more than Malbec is this fine Cabernet Sauvignon from Joffré e Hijas. Aromas suggest plum, cassis, anise, blackberry, vanilla and spices. Dry, very fruity and ripe with a nice velvety tannin overlay. Drink now, or age for 2-3 years. My note: A satisfying and pleasant red with good structure and black fruit. Full-bodied but not overly heavy. Drink: 2011-2016. 243212 14.50% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 88/100. October 29, 2011 Full Review

Doña Paula Estate Malbec 2009, Mendoza, Argentina: Love it! Gorgeously ripe black and purple plums with a lovely twist of dark spices and savoury juiciness. Beautifully structured and satisfying. Perfect for dinner parties and pizza night. Drink: 2011-2014. 394783 14% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 91/100. October 15, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Mitolo Jester Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: A characterful, but never jammy McLaren Vale Cab with a plush texture and ripe, gentle tannins for balance. Look for aromas of blackberry, plum, underbrush, black licorice and spring flowers. A flavourful, rich wine. My note: Surprising acidity that makes it great with food. Full-bodied and smooth with lusciously ripe dark fruit. Drink: 2011-2015. 43224 14.90% XD 750 mL  $21.95 Score: 90/100. October 29, 2011 Full Review

Wolf Blass Gold Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia: Superbly made with rich lines of blackberry and blackcurrant and smoky-sigh finish. Nice balance and mouth-watering juiciness. Great price-quality ratio. Drink: 2011-2016. 606939 14% XD 750 mL  $27.95 Score: 92/100. October 1, 2011 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Coyote's Run Estate Winery Red Paw Vineyard Pinot Gris 2009, V.Q.A., Four Mile Creek, Ontario, Canada: Love it! Complex and exotic with intriguing aromas of white melon, lemongrass and chives. I find many pinot gris absolutely boring, but this one restores my faith in the grape. Drink: 2011-2014. 116582 13% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 90/100. October 1, 2011 Full Review

Viña Ventisquero Queulat Carménère 2008, Maipo Valley, Chile: Blackberry and purple plum depth, juicy, full-bodied and smooth. Straight-up pleasure. Drink: 2011-2013. 243386 14.50% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 87/100. October 29, 2011 Full Review

Aromo Private Reserve Carménère 2009, D.O., Maule Valley, Chile: Astounding for the money! Purple and black plums roll across your tongue with pleasure. Full-bodied and ultra-smooth. Here’s your party wine. Great for a late season barbecue featuring gourmet sausages and lamb burgers. Drink: 2011-2014. 243535 13.50% XD 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 89/100. October 29, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Koyle Royale Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: This new project for the Undurraga family has seen them focus their efforts considerably in order to achieve excellence - small operation, small yields, limited quantities. A tremendously deep ruby in the glass, this is alive with aromas of smoke, black cherry, vanilla and dark chocolate. Dry and full bodied, it is very well structured with firm tannins and a great core of acidity. Ripe and generous fruit throughout. Delicious. Enjoy this tonight, or cellar for 5+ years. My note: A rugged, robust, cedary cab with mouth-watering aromas of wild blackberries. Very clean with a nice finish. Great balance. Decant 2 hours. Drink: 2011-2014. 255760 13.50% XD 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 89/100. October 15, 2011 Full Review

Montes Limited Selection Cabernet Sauvignon Carmenère 2010, Apalta Vineyard, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: This modern blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Carmenère is truly a superb value that shows the best of both varieties with its blueberry, plum, blackberry and spice flavours. It's dry and mouthfilling with plush fruit flavour and a lengthy finish. If you're a Cab lover looking for something a little different, then look no further. Hearty dishes with a bit of spice are a great match. My note: What crafty winemaking here! Just the right blend of the two grapes to produce a wine that is packed with dark fruit flavour but also has length, balance and depth. Pretty amazing for the price point! Drink: 2011-2014. 16071 14.50% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 89/100. October 15, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Dr. Hermann Kabinett Riesling 2008, Q.M.P., Erdener Treppchen, Mosel, Germany: Wonderfully mineral and complex with concentrated ripe fleshy peach and pear notes. The calibrated sweetness makes this incredibly versatile. Drink: 2011-2014. 189647 7.50% MD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 91/100. October 1, 2011 Full Review

Schloss Reinhartshausen Riesling Spätlese 2002, Prädikatswein, Erbacher Schlossberg, Rheingau, Germany: Vintages Wine Panel: A spectacular, maturing (but far from fully mature) 2002 Riesling. Filled with aromas of pear compote, candied orange rind, spun sugar, lime cordial and spring flowers. Medium in sweetness, but still wonderfully fresh from a lively seam of acidity. Juicy, layered and complex. Enjoy over the next 4+ years. My note: Terrific balanced between fruit sweetness and vibrant mouth-watering acidity. Complex with lots of tree fruit. Drink: 2011-2017. 129858 11% M 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 92/100. October 1, 2011 Full Review

Dr. Burklin-Wolf Wachenheimer Trocken Riesling 2009, Q.B.A., Pfalz, Germany: Perfect with amazing mineral, flinty depth of flavour with white peach and succulent, give-me-more Asian pear. Drink: 2011-2017. 25777 12.50% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 92/100. October 15, 2011 Full Review

Oyster Bay Cuvée Brut Chardonnay, New Zealand, New Zealand: Toasty and vibrant with green apple. Zesty refreshment. Drink: 2011-2014. 238195 12% D 750 mL  $23.95 Score: 88/100. October 15, 2011 Best Value Sparkling Wine. Full Review

Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Noir 2008, Willamette Valley, Oregon, United States: Lovely pinot, just the way I love them! Not overly cherry-berry, just some fleeting, morning dew-ladened field berries as the fog clears and the sun breaks through. Silky smooth and medium-bodied. Delightful. Drink: 2011-2015. 234484 13.50% XD 375 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. October 1, 2011 Full Review