Santa Alicia Reserva Carmenere 2013, Maipo Valley, Chile: An amazing wine for the money! Full-bodied, supple, smooth and gorgeously textured. This is an ideal party wine, and companion to many hearty meat dishes. The tannins are so smooth that you can also enjoy it with drier meat dishes like turkey. Aromas of fleshy black plum and blackberry. Drink: 2015-2017. 309302 14% XD 750 mL $13.25 Score: 90/100. April 15, 2015
Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review
San Pedro 1865 Carmenere 2011, 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. 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: 2012-2017. 249201 14.50% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 93/100. October 11, 2014
Best Value Red Wine. Glorious Game Wine Full Review
Darting Kabinett Dürkheimer Nonnengarten Gewürztraminer 2012, Deutscher Prädikatswein, Pfalz, Germany: Green and white melon spring sweetness, absolutely lovely! Layers of viscous richness and apricot preserves. Drink: 2013-2019. 789628 10.50% S 750 mL $18.95 Score: 93/100. October 25, 2014
Best Value Dessert Wine. Divine Dessert Wine Full Review
Anselmann Edesheimer Rosengarten Siegerrebe Spätlese 2011, Prädikatswein, Pfalz, Germany: This attractive dessert wine is made from the little known grape Siegerrebe and offers aromas of honeyed apricots and lime-lemon drops. Terrific value for the money. Try it with fruit-based desserts. Or instead of drinking this wine for dessert, try it with medium to spicy curries and other dishes with heat. Heat meets sweet and all is well as the intensity of flavours balance each other. Drink: 2014-2020. 910554 8% MS 750 mL $17.95 Score: 92/100. May 10, 2014
Best Value Dessert Wine. Divine Dessert Wine Full Review
Momo Seresin Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2013, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: The Momo Sauvignon Blanc is produced by New Zealand's Seresin Estate of Michael Seresin, the producer and film director. (Think Harry Potter, Midnight Express, Angela's Ashes.). The kiwi savvy is herbal and refreshing with lots of mouth-watering, lime zest acidity for a range of dishes. There's some lemon zest on the finish. Intense, vibrant and clean. Bring it, especially for movie night with fried chicken! Drink: 2013-2016. 9167 13.50% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 92/100. November 8, 2014
Best Value White Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review