The Black Chook Woop Woop Wines Shiraz Viognier 2009, South Australia, Australia: Surprisingly excellent for the price, wow. This wine is a blend of 94% Shiraz and 6% Viognier from McLaren Vale and Langhorne Creek. Blackberry jam lusciousness with some mint. Layers and layers and layers of pleasure. Eyes closed kinda wine. Drink: 2011-2015. 66738 14.50% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 90/100. September 3, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Cono Sur Bicicleta Reserva Viognier 2009, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Everything’s coming up daisies with the 2009 Cono Sur Viognier, a lovely wine with notes of field flowers, peach and dried apricot. There’s a fresh breeze running through this wine that will leave you longing for more of it and the cheese. Drink: 2010-2013. 64287 13.50% D 750 mL  $14.00 Score: 87/100. December 10, 2011 Best Value White Wine. Full Review

Remo Farina Classico Superiore Valpolicella 2008, D.O.C., Veneto, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Ripasso (or “re-passing”) involves fermenting the Vapol wine a second time on dried Amarone grapes. This process deepens the wine’s colour, body, aroma, taste and ageability. Farina’s Ripasso features aromas of pepper spice, licorice, cherries, and ginger, all contributing to a medium-bodied, long-finishing wine. My note: Peppered black cherry liqueur with a nice bite that makes me want to bite back. Full-bodied, mouth-watering and a surprisingly rich, long finish. Drink: 2011-2016. 999946 13% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 89/100. October 1, 2011 Full Review