Crios Brioso Dominio Del Plata Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec Cabernet Franc Petit Verdot Merlot 2005, Mendoza, Argentina: Fantastic expression of elegance, balance and finesse. Old World restraint with New World fruit power. Aromas of dark fruit: cassis and blackcurrant in this blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% petit Verdot and 5% Merlot. This wine was aged 14 months in new French oak barrels. An international benchmark wine. 14% XD 750 mL  $15.00 Score: 95/100. June 12, 2009 Full Review

Limited Edition Syrah 2005, Mendoza, Argentina: My favorite wine in a terrific line-up from this producer. Generous, balanced and plush. Aged 12 months in French oak. Aromas of violets, cinnamon and blackberry. Superb. 14% D 750 mL  $15.00 Score: 96/100. June 12, 2009 Full Review

Dominio Del Plata Crios De Susana Balbo Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Mendoza, Argentina: An absolutely incredible wine for the money! Juicy, savoury and delicious: full-bodied with rich layers of ripe plums, blackberry and other dark fruits. 640979 14% D 750 mL  $12.95 Score: 90/100. July 10, 2010 Best Value Red Wine (Tied). Full Review

Ferngrove Shiraz 2007, Frankland River, Western Australia, Australia: Deep, dark and brooding with aromas of blackberry, cassis and cedar box. Great gift or dinner party bottle. 90282 14% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 94/100. May 23, 2009 Full Review

Grant Burge Barossa Shiraz 2008, Barossa, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: Fifth-generation winemaker Grant Burge is a master of Shiraz. This fine version showcases classic Barossa character, with individual flair to boot. Opaque ruby red in the glass, it’s brimming with spicy fruit – think fully ripe blackberry, plum and black cherry, with notions of menthol, cloves, dark chocolate and smoke. Dry, medium-full bodied and mouth-filling, with a silky texture, a ripe fruit core, and impressive tannic structure. Nice, lengthy finish. Hold for 1-2 years or savour it tonight. My note: Richly extracted with gorgeous depths of flavour. Aromas of black cherry liqueur, blackberry preserves and black raspberries. Full-bodied and sensual. Yum! Drink: 2010-2015. 738567 13.50% D 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 92/100. October 2, 2010 Favourite Red Wine (Tied). Full Review

Château des Charmes Estate Bottled Cabernet Merlot 2006, V.Q.A, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada: A juicy wine with fleshy red and black berries and plums.Medium- to full-bodied with a judicious use of oak. terrific balance. Mouth-wateringly tasty! Drink: 2009-2014. 454991 13% XD 750 mL  $14.45 Score: 87/100. January 6, 2010 Full Review

Creekside Estate Winery Life Is Good Cabernet Merlot 2007, Niagara Escarpment, Canada: Bursting with black cherry-plum goodness, this smooth, full-bodied is a pleasant quaff. It's terrific for the price. Drink: 2009-2012. 146860 12.50% MD 750 mL  $12.95 Score: 86/100. January 6, 2010 Full Review

Prospect Winery Haynes Barn Merlot Cabernet 2007, Okanagan Valley, Canada: An espresso-mocha invitation on the nose draws you in for more hedonistic pleasure on the palate. Rich aromas of blackberry and plums. Full-bodied with pleasing mouth-watering acidity for food. Great value. 145144 13% D 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 87/100. January 6, 2010 Full Review

Santa Carolina Barrica Selection Merlot 2008, Rapel Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: Sourced from Santa Carolina’s own vineyards in the Rapel Valley, the fruit for this wine is hand-picked before going through a further double selection process, once for bunches and another for individual berries. This meticulous attention to detail ensures that only the best fruit is used to craft this deep and delicious wine. Dark purple in colour, it’s packed with intense aromas and flavours of plum, cherry and anise. Enjoy over the next 3 to 4 years. My note: Notes of chocolate, black plums and blueberries with a black cherry liqueur running through it. Full-bodied and smooth as satin. Perfect party wine. 27276 14% D 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 88/100. May 29, 2010 Best Value Red Wine (Tied). Full Review

Caliterra Caliterra Vineyard, Estate Grown Caliterra Reserva Cabernet 2008, Colchagua Valley, Chile: A blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon with 7% Shiraz. Terrific dark notes of blackberry, cassis, blackcurrant and dark spices all wrapped in a warm and comforting smoky blanket. Perfect for movie night! 257329 13.50% D 750 mL  $8.95 Score: 87/100. January 6, 2010 Full Review

Caliterra Caliterra Vineyard, Estate Grown Caliterra Bio Sur Carmenere Reserva Especial 2008, Chile, Chile: An incredible value for the price! This tasty red bursts with juicy ripe berries and plums. Some dark spices on the finish. It's rich, smooth and full-bodied. This would be a "wow" party wine and you won't break the bank. 142711 14% D 750 mL  $12.95 Score: 89/100. January 6, 2010 Full Review

Chilensis Reserva Carmenère 2008, Maule Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: The once-forgotten Bordeaux grape, Carmenère, is thriving in Chile’s winemaking valleys and is proving to be as important to Chile as Malbec is to neighboring Argentina. This is a fresh and fruity mouth-filling red with aromas and flavors of juicy ripe cherries, chocolate, gentle herbal notes and toasty oak. My note: Redolent of smoked herbs, jammy cassis, and gamey notes. Full-bodied and lip-smacking delicious. Tremendous value. 657981 14% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 89/100. January 22, 2011 Best Value Red Wine (Tied). Full Review

Viña Maipo Reserva Merlot 2009, Rapel Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: Aromatic Merlot with tons of red fruit, spice box and blackberry aromas. Dry with lots of fruit and oak but in perfect balance as both elements are strong enough to completely complement each other. Medium-bodied with a substantial fruit/oak finish. My note: Loaded with blackberry goodness, blackcurrant and peppered plums. Absolutely terrific! 135236 13.50% D 750 mL  $12.95 Score: 89/100. January 22, 2011 Best Value Red Wine (Tied). Full Review

Foncalieu La Réserve De Crouzau St. Gervais 2007, A.C., Côtes Du Rhône-Villages, Rhône, France: Coffee-espresso warmth with black cherry goodness. Rich, deep and dark with a long satisfying finish. Full-bodied palate-whacker. An absolutely incredible price. Love it! Drink: 2010-2018. 142943 15.10% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 90/100. September 18, 2010 Full Review

L.A. Cetto Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Baja California, Mexico: Mouth-filling ripe blackberry, cassis and black plums infused with toasty oak. Full-bodied and smooth with terrific concentration and depth. A great price for this wine. Buy a case! 114066 13.50% D 750 mL  $13.95 Score: 88/100. January 6, 2010 Full Review

Te Kairanga Chardonnay 2007, Martinborough, North Island, New Zealand: Perfect chardonnay, in my opinion. Hazelnut richness bathed in aromas of green apple, peach and pear and a little lime. Rich, voluptuous and never-ending: just as life and hedonism should be. 727024 13.50% D 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 92/100. June 26, 2010 Full Review

Kumkani Cradle Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, W.O., Stellenbosch, South Africa: Savoury cedar needs and tart blackberries. Vibrant, full-bodied and alive. Juicy and meaty: love it! Drink: 2011-2016. 107391 14.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. August 20, 2011 Full Review

Torres San Valentin Garnacha 2008, Catalunya DO, Spain: So dependable a producer: full-bodied, rich and deep with fleshy dark berries and some oak. Straight-forward, lip-smacking delicious flavour. Drink: 2008-2012. 426965 13.50% XD 750 mL  $13.95 Score: 87/100. August 7, 2010 Full Review

Torres Gran Coronas Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, D.O., Penedès, Spain: A stunningly delicious and balanced red with full-bodied notes of black fruit, vanilla smoke, dark spices and rich mocha goodness. Crack it open beside the barbecue. This wine is part of the Vintages Essentials Collection. Drink now. Right now. 626721 13.50% XD 375 mL  $9.95 Score: 91/100. June 26, 2010 Full Review

Blackstone Winery Pinot Noir 2007, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: Interestingly, this warm-climate Pinot Noir displays a classic cool-climate aroma profile: cherry, earth, beetroot, and raspberry. Dry, fruity, ripe and round, this well-made wine delivers just the right amount of acid for balance. Soft and pleasing on the finish. A Pinot for the fish course. My note: A staggeringly great value, especially for Pinot! Wow! Vibrant, bright notes of ripe cherries and field strawberries. Just slides so easily across your tongue and slips down slippery quick. You’ll definitely need more than one bottle of this lovely red. Medium-bodied and silky. 358937 13.50% D 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 90/100. February 20, 2010 Full Review

Gnarly Head Merlot 2008, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: This wine has won numerous awards at international wine competitions over the last year. At this price, it certainly delivers. There’s rich fruit – blueberry and blackberry accented by licorice and mint – but it’s in no way jammy or clumsy. Everything is handled well, right through to the nicely balanced finish. My note: Mocha, smoky and full of back fleshy plums and berries. Delicious! 104158 14.50% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 89/100. August 7, 2010 Full Review