Don David Finca La Urquiza #8 Michel Torino Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Cafayate Valley, Salta, Argentina: Staggeringly great value for this robust red wine! Aromas of black fruit, smoke, herbs, and the satisfaction of having paid so little for so much. Smooth, though decant for 1 hour and pair with hearty meat dishes. Drink: 2014-2018. 357459 14% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 91/100. January 4, 2014
Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review
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
1865 Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Maipo Valley, Chile: Love it! Superb complexity, depth and heft for the money. Each of the wines for the San Pedro line comes from its own selected vineyard planted with a specific variety, in this case fleshy ripe Cabernet Sauvignon that's surprisingly aromatic. Notes of blackberry and cassis. Finishes with mocha and dark spice. The grapes are grown in the Alto Maipo Valley in high altitude vineyards planted 40 years ago in clay loam soils on an alluvial terrace with cobblestone 50 centimetres (20 inches) below the surface to create excellent drainage and superbly concentrated wine. Drink: 2014-2018. 37911 14.50% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 92/100. July 19, 2014
Best Value Red Wine. Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review
Bird Sauvignon Blanc 2013, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Terrific lime-zestiness in this citrus-herbal inflected Sauvignon Blanc. Refreshing and zippy: classic New Zealand style. I'm so delighted that this wine is back on the shelves again as it's a benchmark for the Marlborough region. Top me up! Finishes with gooseberry and passionfruit. Liquid lovely. Drink: 2014-2016. 178319 13.50% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 93/100. July 19, 2014
Best Value White Wine. Great Goat Cheese Wine Full Review