Casarena Ramanegra Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Mendoza, Argentina: Wowzers! Cigar smoke and mocha wrap soooo sensually around fleshy black fruit. Oh man, this is good juice! The grapes are grown on 82-year-old vines, and that age results in a min-blowing depth of concentration. The Platonic idea of blackberry glory. Try it with a pepper steak or roast beef. Drink: 2014-2018. 366138 14.90% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 93/100. April 26, 2014
Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Maipe Reserve Proviva Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Mendoza, Argentina: Wow! What an expressive red wine! Juicy black plums and berries waft up from the glass, wrapped in a lovely shall of mocha richness. Silk texture, full body, what more could you want? Oh, I know: a second bottle. Drink: 2014-2018. 246116 14% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 92/100. May 10, 2014
Top Rated Red Wine. Harmonious Hard Cheese Wine Full Review
Domaine Jean Bousquet Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Tupungato Valley, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina: Cheap and cheerful robust red wine for the price. Aromas of black fruit and loads of oak. Needs meat. Drink: 2013-2016. 678813 15% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 85/100. August 30, 2014
Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review
Terrazas De Los Andes Reserva Malbec 2011, Mendoza, Argentina: Love it! Meaty and mouth-watering with gorgeous ripe dark berries. Smooth and full-bodied. Juiciness and acidity cry out for a food companion, especially for the hearty meat variety. Decant 1 hour. Some blackberry and anise on the finish. The grapes for this wine are grown at an altitude of 1067 metres above sea level, which gives the wine balance and a nervy edge due to excellent drainage for the vintages and cool microclimate for the grapes. Pair this dark beauty with a juicy steak. Drink: 2013-2017. 29280 14% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 91/100. December 6, 2014
Best Value Red Wine. Voluptuous Veal Wine Full Review
Clos de los Siete 2012, Mendoza, Argentina: Richly layered and textured Argentine red wine with grapes sourced from seven premium vineyards, thus "Siete." Renowned consulting winemaker Michel Rolland manages the winery and oversees production. Aromas of blackberry, cassis, smoke and dark spice. Pair with sausages. Drink: 2014-2019. 622571 14.50% XD 750 mL $25.95 Score: 91/100. March 7, 2016
Top Rated Red Wine. Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review
d'Arenberg The High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Juicy, savoury and delicious Australian red wine with black fruit and cedar aromas. Smooth and long. The result is an intensely concentrated Cab that finishes with terrific notes of vanilla smoke, chocolate and black fruits. Pair this hearty red wine with grilled meats. Drink: 2015-2018. 943456 14.50% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 92/100. November 14, 2015
Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Forest Hill Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Great Southern, Western Australia, Australia 380840 14% XD 750 mL $32.95. August 14, 2014
Full Review
Zonte's Footstep Lake Doctor Shiraz 2012, Langhorne Creek, South Australia, Australia: What a blockbuster Shiraz for the price! This red wine delivers attractive aromas of blackberries, licorice, black and purple plum notes and toasty oak. Full-bodied supple, smooth, smoky and juicy. Great for potluck gatherings and movie night. Drink: 2013-2016. 72975 14.50% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. March 7, 2015
Best Value Red Wine. Plush Pork Wine Full Review
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz 2012, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia: Savoury black fruit with a satisfying meaty note on the mid-palate. Cassis and blackberry tickle the senses and lead into a long smoky finish. Such great finesse and elegance in a wine known for being all upfront with fruit. Sample and see that winemaker Sue Hodder has a special kind of genius when it comes to cool-climate Australian red wines. Drink: 2013-2017. 433060 14% D 750 mL $23.95 Score: 92/100. November 28, 2015
Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
The Hedonist Walter Clappis Wine Co. Shiraz 2010, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: A towering, blockbuster red wine from Down Under! Superb intensity and concentration of flavour. Savory, meaty and juicy with luscious layers of black fruit. This is a big-boned wine, yet balanced. Love the replays of fleshy blackberries and plums across the palate. Mouth-watering and perfect for ribeye steak. Bring it on. Drink: 2013-2018. 90191 14% XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 93/100. July 5, 2014
Top Rated Red Wine. Spectacular Spicy Wine Full Review
Robert Oatley Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Margaret River, Pemberton, Western Australia, Australia: A fresh and zippy style of Aussie Savvy with aromas of grass and grapefruit. Dry, with fine aroma replays on the palate. The flavours linger in a pleasing manner. Enjoy as a sipper on its own or with a wide range of vegetarian dishes, including spinach Drink: 2013-2016. 186106 12.20% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 87/100. August 30, 2014
Great Goat Cheese Wine Full Review
Lenz Moser Prestige Grüner Veltliner 2012, Niederösterreich, Austria: A refreshing bone-dry wine with zippy notes of limes and white grapefruit. Terrific aperitif. Youthful and invigorating. Lower Austria (Niederösterreich) contains the winemaking sub-appellations of Kremstal, Kamptal and Wachau, among others. This is the winery's flagship Gruner. Lots of acidity. Try it with mussels or clams. Drink: 2013-2015. 71233 12.50% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 88/100. August 30, 2014
Best Value White Wine. Sensational Shellfish Wine Full Review
San Pedro 1865 Carmenere 2013, Maule Valley, Chile: Wow, this single vineyard Carmenere rocks! Carmenere is arguably the flagship red wine of Chile. It has it all: concentrated, rich black fruit flavours and depth, yet it's supple and smooth with a long finish. Velvet on the palate, lingering in the mind. The wines from San Pedro's 1865 line come from its own vineyard planted with a specific variety. The Carmenere comes from the winery's property in the Maule Valley, with rolling hillside vineyards averaging 20 years of age and planted in alluvial soil with angular stones to control plant vigour. This robust red wine finishes with notes of cassis and dried tobacco. Great balance and depth. Try it with a rack of lamb tonight. Highly recommended. Drink: 2015-2018. 249201 14.50% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 93/100. November 14, 2015
Top Rated Red Wine. Glorious Game Wine Full Review
Koyle Royale Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Colchagua Valley, Chile: A rugged, robust, cedary Chilean red wine with mouth-watering aromas of wild blackberries. Very clean with a nice finish. Great balance. Pair with pork chops. Decant 2 hours. Drink: 2015-2018. 255760 13.50% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 91/100. November 14, 2015
Top Rated Red Wine. Harmonious Hard Cheese Wine Full Review
Gérard Bertrand Terroir Fitou 2011, Midi A.C., France: Juicy-delicious, absolutely wonderful aromas and flavours of fleshy black jam, blackberry pie and some smoke. This is a dry, full-bodied wine but the riot of aromas are amazing. Drink: 2015-2020. 403683 14.50% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 92/100. November 14, 2015
Best Value Red Wine. Glorious Game Wine Full Review
Château Teyssier 2010, Montagne Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux A.C., France: A classic Bordeaux that superbly balanced and elegant. The 2010 vintage was a spectacular one for Bordeaux, so this is bargain-priced for that quality. Snap it up! Aromas of blackcurrant, cassis and smoke. Great cellar candidate though it's drinking well now. Nice finish. Great with steak. Drink: 2014-2020. 226035 14% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 92/100. November 14, 2015
Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Domaine De Bila-Haut Occultum Lapidem M. Chapoutier 2012, Côtes De Roussillon-Villages, Midi A.C., France: Complex, mysterious and spectacular! Full-bodied, juicy, layered and smooth. Endless finish. I love the Braille label, plus the name includes a nice dose of Latin: perfect teacher's pet gift for end of the year (or perhaps now to lock in those 90s). Aromas of baked black fruit yet dry. So very delicious. Wish I knew the Latin phrase for that ... ultimum delici vinum! Taut, robust and ready to rock when you are! This full-on, take-me-on red wine has it all. Black fruit, smoke, mocha and dark spice on the finish, which is loooooooong. Drink: 2014-2020. 643239 14% XD 750 mL $25.45 Score: 95/100. December 6, 2014
Top Rated Red Wine. Gorgeous Gift Wine Full Review
Alain Jaume & Fils Grande Garrigue 2012, Vacqueyras, Rhône A.C., France: Terrific concentration, depth and breadth of flavour in the glass for this robust red wine. Cedary aromas with black forest cherries on the nose. Full-bodied and generous though it needs 1-2 hours decanting for maximum pleasure. Dried herbs and some smoke on the finish. Pair it with film noir or a murder mystery. This full-bodied red wine is a blend of 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre and 10% Cinsault grapes. Drink: 2014-2020. 233916 14.50% XD 750 mL $30.95 Score: 93/100. July 19, 2014
Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Pierre Sparr Brut Méthode Traditionnelle Crémant D'alsace Rosé, Alsace A.C., France: Superb quality and taste for the price! Toasty with some field raspberry notes. Bone-dry and refreshing. Here's your summer party bubbly. Bring it on! A terrific producer and well-known in Alsace and around the world. This bubbly is made using the traditional champagne method from only pinot noir grapes. Drink: 2012-2015. 39016 12.50% D 750 mL $17.95 Score: 90/100. December 6, 2014
Best Value Sparkling Wine. Complete Cheese Pizza Wine Full Review
Gérard Bertrand Grand Terroir Pic Saint Loup 2011, Coteaux Du Languedoc, Midi A.P., France: Full-bodied with savoury notes of cedar brush, garrigue and wild black cherry. Pair with grilled pork chops or lamb. Drink: 2014-2018. 376491 14% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. December 12, 2015
Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Domaine De Bila-Haut Occultum Lapidem M. Chapoutier 2011, Côtes De Roussillon-Villages Latour De France, Midi A.C., France: Complex, mysterious and spectacular! Full-bodied, juicy, layered and smooth. Endless finish. I love the Braille label, plus the name includes a nice dose of Latin: perfect teacher's pet gift for end of the year (or perhaps now to lock in those 90s). Aromas of baked black fruit yet dry. So very delicious. Wish I knew the Latin phrase for that ... ultimum delici vinum! Drink: 2014-2020. 643239 14% XD 750 mL $25.95 Score: 95/100. May 24, 2014
Top Rated Red Wine. Gorgeous Gift Wine Full Review
Château La Garde 2010, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux A.C., France: A spectacular Bordeaux in every sense: top-drawer complexity, layering, balance, depth and length on the finish. This is the flagship wine of this house, and it declassifies 50% of production to maintain incredibly high standards vintage after vintage. The vines are planted in all the proto-typical Bordeaux soils: gravel, clay and limestone. The current owners purchased this chateau in 1990. On top of all this, the 2010 vintage was a terrific one so this is a great wine for your cellar still, and decant 1-2 hours when you open it. Dark fruit and smoke but not overwhelmed with oak -- no cover-ups here just pure mastery. Pair with a rare steak. Absolutely superb, especially for the price. Wow. Drink: 2016-2022. 682617 12.50% XD 750 mL $51.95 Score: 97/100. November 11, 2017
Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Château De Mercey 1Er Cru Domaine Rodet 2010, Mercurey, Burgundy A.C., France: This lovely medium-bodied red wine from Côte Chalonnaise features a seductive interplay of fresh earth, spices and tart red fruit on the nose. This is a juicy Old World Pinot Noir. On the palate you'll discover pleasantly tart cherry and cranberry flavours. I love this style but its an acquired taste as it's not fruity or ripely sweet. Try with roast chicken. Drink: 2013-2019. 264531 12.50% XD 750 mL $25.95 Score: 92/100. June 21, 2014
Top Rated Red Wine. Remarkable Roast Chicken Wine Full Review
Rocca Delle Macìe Riserva Chianti Classico 2009, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy: Terrific price for this DOCG-designated robust red wine. Luxuriously ripe black fruit, dark spice, smoke, tar and toasty oak. What a package! This red wonder has cellar potential but it will give you pleasure tonight. Drink: 2014-2018. 930966 14.50% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 93/100. May 10, 2014
Top Rated Red Wine. Magnificent Meat Pizza Wine Full Review
Modus Ruffino 2009, Tuscany I.G.T., Italy: The 2010 vintage of this spectacular Italian red wine was released in the liquor store last year, and now here comes the 2009, which needed a more time given it's towering tannic structure. It too is a blockbuster and a palate pleaser, with a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot grapes. Great bones, seductive flesh. Drink: 2014-2021. 912956 14% XD 750 mL $32.95 Score: 94/100. May 10, 2014
Top Rated Red Wine. Plush Pork Wine Full Review
Brancaia Tre 2012, Tuscany I.G.T., Italy: A smooth, full-bodied pleasant red wine with aromas of dark plums and berries. Finishes with cedar spice and smoke from oak aging. This robust Italian red wine is a blend of Sangiovese (80%), with a splash of Cabernet and Merlot grapes in the remaining 20%, and are grown in the Chianti Classico and Maremma regions. The name Tre stands for the three grapes in the blend and for the winery's three Tuscan estates. Pair with pasta in a tomato meat sauce. Drink: 2013-2016. 164715 13.50% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 90/100. September 5, 2015
Magnificent Meat Pizza Wine Full Review
Cantina Del Dolcetto Di Dogliani Di Dogliani Superiore Dolcetto 2011, Piedmont D.O.C.G., Italy 378547 14% XD 750 mL $19.95. August 14, 2014
Full Review
2005, Ribera Del Duero D.O., Spain: Rich and deep with liquid velvet texture. Fleshy black plums flavours infused oh so subtly with espresso... this wine will make you sit back and close your eyes. And sigh. Drink: 2014-2020. 206409 14.50% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 93/100. July 19, 2014
Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha 2013, Campo De Borja D.O., Spain: This winery is located south of Rioja and is comprised of 100% Garnacha grapes. The Garnacha grapes for this wine grow on old vines, which provides additional concentration and flavour. Great structure. This full-bodied Spanish red wine was fermented in stainless steel; half of the wine was matured in small French oak barrels, of which about 40% new, and the remaining half in stainless steel tank. Lots of mocha and dark chocolate aromas on the nose that are then flooded with lusciously ripe black fruit on the palate. Full-bodied and smooth. A rich darkly hued colour in the glass. A long, satisfying finish. Pair with grilled meats. The 2013 vintage of the Tres Picos offers solid value. Drink: 2015-2020. 273748 14.50% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 92/100. December 12, 2015
Top Rated Red Wine. Terrific Turkey Wine Full Review
Muga Selección Especial Reserva 2009, Rioja D.O.C.A., Spain: Complex, rich, balanced, powerful and concentrated: this robust Spanish red really does have it all. Great price-quality ratio too. Try it with Kobe beef. Drink: 2015-2022. 921536 14% XD 750 mL $105.00 Score: 95/100. June 21, 2014
Top Rated Red Wine. Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review
Decoy Zinfandel 2012, Sonoma County, California, United States: Luscious, juicy and generous with rich aromas and flavours of black and purple plums and blueberries. Supple and smooth and full-bodied. Perfect for BBQ meats. Finishes with black raspberry and some pepper. This is a blockbuster wine but it doesn't overwhelm your palate, senses or food. Try it with roast beef. Drink: 2013-2017. 327502 13.50% D 750 mL $37.95 Score: 93/100. July 5, 2014
Top Rated Red Wine. Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review
Ravenswood Besieged 2014, Sonoma County, California, United States: This is a robust Californian red wine blend of Petit Syrah, Carignane, Zinfandel, Syrah, Alicante Bouschet and Barbera grapes. Had the Californian wine industry not been interrupted by Prohibition, this is the type of wine the state would be producing today: mostly complex field blends. Field blends are from traditional mixed plantings of different grapes in the same vineyard. Terrific dark fruit flavours of blackberry and black cherry, though this wine is not sweet. It was aged for 10 months in French oak barrels, of which 40% was new. Pair with a grilled steak. Drink: 2016-2020. 414136 14.50% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 91/100. October 28, 2017
Top Rated Red Wine. Plush Pork Wine Full Review
Napa Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Napa Valley, California, United States: A balanced, elegant Californian Cabernet at a reasonable price. Classic aromas of blackcurrant and cassis. Pair with hamburgers or steak. Mocha and savoury, meaty note with blackcurrant and cassis. Very dry, deep and long. Drink: 2014-2018. 135145 14% XD 750 mL $26.95 Score: 90/100. August 8, 2015
Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
Dry Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States 642207 13.50% XD 750 mL $37.95. November 1, 2014
Full Review