Susana Balbo Signature Dominio Del Plata Malbec 2008, Mendoza, Argentina: Susana Balbo is one of Argentina’s best winemakers. She is talented and has great taste. Full-bodied, savory, rich and deep: this wine has it all. Fleshy dark fruit but something more exotic. Love it! Drink: 2011-2015. 79798 14.50% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 92/100. April 2, 2011 Favourite Red Wine. Full Review

Vincent Morin Lacombe Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2009, A.C., Burgundy, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Here’s a superb Bourgogne that delivers a lot of wine for a very approachable price. Deep ruby in the glass, it sports ripe cherry, plum, and earthy notes with hints of fresh beet and hickory smoke. Dry, medium bodied and nicely balanced, with fine youthful tannins surrounding a core of cherry fruit. Quite elegant and refined. Hold for 3+ years, or enjoy tonight. My note: A very tart, mouth-watering wine with tart cherries and cranberry notes. Smooth and medium-bodied. Your mouth will water! Drink: 2011-2015. 208496 12.50% D 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 88/100. April 2, 2011 Full Review

Königschaffhausen Steingrüble Pinot Noir 2009, Q.B.A., Baden, Germany: Vintages Wine Panel: For years, Königschaffhausen has been Baden’s leading cooperative. Low yields, an ultra-modern winery and the desire to produce quality wines have resulted in fantastic reliability, even with difficult grapes like Pinot Noir. This wine has a deep garnet colour, with dried berry characters and a hint of barnyard on the nose. On the palate, silky tannins, good fruit replays and balanced acids come to the fore. Serve it with sauerbraten – wunderbar! My note: A summer field of ripe strawberries and raspberries to tickle your senses and bare feet. Lovely! Medium-bodied and sweetly perfumed. Incredible price. I’m buying two cases. Drink: 2011-2016. 460410 13% D 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 90/100. April 2, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Darting Riesling Kabinett 2008, Q.M.P., Dürkheimer Michelsberg, Pfalz, Germany: Vintages Wine Panel: Offering notes of pear, stone fruit, and wet stones on the nose. The palate is moderately sweet, with a nice seam of acidity that provides great balance and ageability (easily 3-6 years or more). This appealing wine closes with a long, balanced finish and makes a great sipper. My note: Ripely sweet pear and peach notes: sublime! Great acidity… so amazing with so many dishes. Incredibly great price. Drink: 2011-2015. 950212 10% M 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 89/100. April 2, 2011 Best Value White Wine. Full Review

Barba Vignafranca Montepulciano D'abruzzo 2006, D.O.C., Abruzzo, Italy: Some kind of wonderful! Savory and juicy with mocha and dark red fruit. Smooth and full-bodied and ready for any Italian dish or many others. Love this style: gets you out of your red wine rut, and you know, you should. Drink: 2011-2015. 203984 13.50% D 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 90/100. April 2, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Bellingham Fair Maiden Roussanne Chenin Blanc 2008, W.O., Coastal Region, South Africa: Intriguing hazelnut richness, with baking spices and white peach notes. This is absolutely lovely. Rich but not heavy. Some white flowers and fond goodbyes on the finish. This wine won a Gold Medal at the 2009 Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. Enjoy this wine. A blend of Roussanne, chenin blanc, verdelho, grenache blanc, chardonnay and viognier grapes. Drink: 2011-2016. 220020 14.50% D 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 92/100. April 2, 2011 Favourite White Wine. Full Review

Cline Cellars Ancient Vines Zinfandel 2009, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: The 2009 Ancient Vines Zinfandel is awash in raspberry, blackberry, white pepper and spice notes, along with complexity-building coffee and chocolate characteristics. Aged in new and seasoned American oak, imbuing this wine with a subtle vanilla quality that nicely complements the focused fruit notes. My note: Zinmasters! These folks know how to make zinfandel blind-folded. Classic aromas of blackberry and blueberry. Full-bodied and smooth. Drink: 2011-2016. 719211 15% XD 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 92/100. April 2, 2011 Favourite Red Wine. Full Review