Penfolds Thomas Hyland Riesling 2008, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia: Classic Riesling: love this style! Very flinty, wet rock on the nose followed by mouth-watering lime zest, white peach. Perfect food wine. Drink: 2011-2015. 146746 12% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 91/100. October 15, 2011 Top Rated White Wine. Full Review

The Musician Majella Cabernet Shiraz 2011, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia: Bright black cherry, dried herbs and cedar forest. Savoury, juicy and mouth-watering. Full-bodied and lovely. Drink: 2012-2015. 142018 14.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 91/100. October 27, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Ballast Stone Shiraz 2009, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Toasty charred black fruit with a smoky finish. Full-bodied and smooth with a full-on palate whack. Drink: 2012-2015. 167064 15% XD 750 mL  $21.95 Score: 88/100. November 24, 2012 Full Review

13th Street Cuvée 13 Rosé, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Very pretty, dry and toasty. Lovely notes of field raspberries. One of Canada’s best bubblies. A blend of pinot noir, chardonnay and a dash of syrah. Drink: 2011-2015. 147504 12.50% D 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 91/100. November 12, 2011 Top Rated Sparkling Wine. Full Review

Santa Carolina Reserva de Familia Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Maipo Valley, Chile: Delicious dependable and a deal. This is a terrific producer for those who want a wine that tastes twice as expensive as it costs. Full-bodied and generous with layers of black fruit. Drink: 2011-2016. 408658 14.50% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 89/100. November 12, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Louis Bouillot Perle Rare Brut Crémant De Bourgogne 2007, A.C., Burgundy, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Gold Medal at the 2011 Vinalies Internationales wine competition in Paris. Medium straw colour with aromas of lemon rind, freshly baked biscuits, pear, melon, mineral and apple. Quite dry and freshly zippy with good fruit and biscuit replays on the palate. Good balance and very fine mousse too. My note: Another great bargain bubbly! Toasty and refreshing with incredible vibrant flavour. Great for parties. Drink: 2011-2014. 178137 12% XD 750 mL  $22.95 Score: 88/100. October 29, 2011 Best Value Sparkling Wine. Full Review

Château D'aquéria Jean Olivier, Prod. Rosé 2010, A.C., Tavel, Rhône, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Tavel, an AC located across the Rhône River from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, uniquely makes rosé wines its exclusive focus. This version offers up fresh strawberry, sweet cherry, rosehips, and spring flowers in abundance. Dry, light bodied, fresh and tangy on the palate with waves of vivacious acidity. The lingering finish sports a strawberry-rhubarb character embroidered by herbal and floral notes. My note: Such a perfect rosé. Don’t be a snob with the price: this is a seriously great wine. I could drink rose almost all year: it’s packed with flavour yet not heavy tannin or oak or alcohol so it goes with almost any dish except a big juicy steak. Join us! Drink: 2011-2013. 712000 14% XD 375 mL  $9.95 Score: 91/100. May 14, 2011 Favourite Rosé. Full Review

Château Rochecolombe 2009, A.C., Côtes Du Rhône, France: Tremendous quality and taste for the money. Black raspberries and cherries with smoky cedar notes. Full-bodied and smooth. Gold Medal at the 2010 Concours Général Agricole in Paris. Decant for 1-2 hours. Drink: 2011-2015. 255034 14.70% D 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 89/100. December 10, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

The Hess Collection Select Chardonnay 2009, Monterey, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: The Hess wines are wonderfully artful. This ready-to-drink wine is made extra lipsmacking by six months’ ageing on the lees. My note: Lovely roundness and lusciousness yet not heavy. This is exactly how beautifully balanced, affordable Chardonnay should taste. Drink: 2011-2015. 986778 13.50% D 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 90/100. December 10, 2011 Top Rated White Wine. Charming Grilled Chicken Wine Full Review