Barossa Valley Estate Ebenezer Shiraz 2006, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: As durable as a Mac truck and just as weighty. Big black fruit aromas with a healthy bring-it-on dose of oak aging. Perfect for Steven Segal movies. Drink: 2011-2016. 971705 14.50% D 750 mL  $39.95 Score: 93/100. October 1, 2011 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Elderton Ode To Lorraine Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Merlot 2008, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: Amazing restraint and elegance in this Aussie blend! Almost French in its character. Savoury, juicy cedar and wild blackberry notes. Incredible length. Drink: 2011-2015. 976423 14.50% XD 750 mL  $47.95 Score: 90/100. October 15, 2011 Full Review

Inniskillin Niagara Estate Winemaker's Series Three Vineyards Pinot Noir 2008, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: The titular "three vineyards" where fruit for this wine was grown are Braeburn Estate Vineyard (Niagara River), Heron Pond Vineyard (Beamsville Bench), and Montague Vineyard (Four Mile Creek). Ruby-coloured in the glass with classic Pinot aromas of earth, dark cherry, redcurrant and plum, along with accents of smoke, vanilla bean and new leather. Elegant and superbly balanced, with a medium body and fine, developing tannins. Cellar this pretty wine for up to 3 years, or enjoy it tonight. My note: Lush and delicious: just what pinot should be! Jubilant cherries dance across your mouth caressed with a satin texture and layers of pleasure. Perfectly medium-bodied. Drink: 2011-2015. 175174 12.50% XD 750 mL  $22.95 Score: 90/100. October 15, 2011 Full Review

Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin Merlot Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot Cabernet Franc 2006, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada: More mocha wrapped in succulent black fruit than other vintages. Full-bodied, beautifully concentrated and superbly rendered. What an amazing wine! Drink: 2014-2022. 626325 13.50% XD 750 mL  $59.95 Score: 93/100. April 30, 2011 Favourite Red Wine. Full Review

Le Clos Jordanne La Petite Colline Pinot Noir 2008, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Twenty Mile Bench, Ontario, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: Aromas of rose petals, raspberry, humus, and mocha. Dry and fresh with fruit still underneath waiting to unfold as it ages (allow 1-3 years). Fairly lengthy finish. Try it. Very Burgundian in style. My note: An intoxicatingly exotic perfume wafts up from the glass. This vineyard is only 3.25 hectares. The wine offers lovely aromas of fresh cherry, mocha, earth. Silky smooth and medium-bodied. Drink: 2011-2016. 33944 13.50% XD 750 mL  $45.00 Score: 92/100. April 16, 2011 Favourite Red Wine. Full Review

Mas de Boislauzon Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2007, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône A.C., France  244269 15% D 750 mL  $59.00. January 1, 2011 Full Review

Château Semonlon Meritage 2008, A.C., Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Pretty Left Bank wine featuring aromas of plum, cassis, leather, fresh herbs and raspberry. Dry and fruity with spice tones on the mid-palate. Tannins emerge towards the finish to bring this wine into perfect alignment. Medium-full bodied with a long, elegant finish. Cellar 3-5+ years, or enjoy with rich autumnal stews. My note: Purple and black plum that’s fleshy ripe on the nose and palate. Smooth and ready to drink now with full-bodied weight. Simple, but pleasurable. Drink: 2011-2014. 244475 13.10% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 87/100. September 17, 2011 Full Review

Perrin & Fils #00 Chateauneuf Du Pape Red (Ch. Beaucastel) 2000, Rhone, France  109140 14.50% XD 750 mL  $183.00. January 1, 2011 Full Review

Château Pontet Caillou Blend - Meritage 2008, A.C., Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France  244095 13.20% XD 750 mL  $27.95. September 17, 2010 Full Review

Château Lagrange-Monbadon Baron De Montfort Blend - Meritage 2003, A.C., Côtes De Castillon, Bordeaux, France  65060 12.70% XD 750 mL  $14.95. October 15, 2010 Full Review

Tenuta Di Nozzole La Forra Riserva Ambrogio E Giovanni Folanari Chianti Classico 2007, D.O.C.G., Tuscany, Italy  177279 14.50% XD 750 mL  $29.95. October 15, 2010 Full Review

Giacomo Fenocchio Bussia Barolo Nebbiolo (Barolo, Barbaresio) 2005, D.O.C.G., Piedmont, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: This cru Barolo comes from the finest part of Fenocchio's Bussia vineyards located in Monforte Alba. They age the wine for three years in Slavonian oak casks and then another year in bottle before release. My note: Incredibly mouth-watering with a tarry black fruit streak and violets through the middle. Needs cellar time. Balanced and full-bodied. Drink: 2013-2018. 232421 14.10% XD 750 mL  $42.95 Score: 90/100. October 15, 2011 Full Review

Montecillo Reserva Tempranillo 2003, Rioja DOC, Spain: Founded in 1874, this winery ages its wines in oak for a minimum of three years with at least 18 months in French oak barrels. Full-bodied, chunky and hulking with black raspberries, smoke. It's tannic so decant for 1-2 hours. A little pricey but you get those alluring mature notes of leather and cigar box that are so suited to lazy evenings dozing by the fire. 621003 13.50% XD 750 mL  $19.30 Score: 87/100. March 24, 2009 Full Review