Château Faizeau Vieilles Vignes Meritage 2009, Ac Montagne St-Émilion, Bordeaux, France: Big, black and hulking and in special need of cellar time then decanting. Smoky, tarry with an underlay of black fruit, this Bordeaux is beautifully structured. Serve at an elegant dinner party, especially one involving your boss and the side agenda of a raise or promotion. Drink: 2013-2020. 191494 13% XD 750 mL  $27.00 Score: 92/100. November 26, 2011 Full Review

Le Ferme Du Mont Le Ponnant Stéphane Vedeau 2009, A.C., Côtes Du Rhône-Villages, France: Super-duper (pulling out all the technical tasting terms now)! Juicy come-alive black fleshy cherry, some smoke and a gorgeous, give-me-more full-bodied smooth texture. Fantastic price. Drink: 2011-2016. 171371 14.50% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 92/100. November 26, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Domaine Chanson Teurons 1Er Cru Pinot Noir 2008, A.C., Beaune, Burgundy, France: A gorgeous rose of a wine: delicate yet concentrated with flavour. Seductive fleshy red cherries, satin texture and a finish that goes on forever. One of the best pinot noirs that I’ve tasted in quite some time. Why do I always fall in love with the expensive ones? Drink: 2011-2025. 84426 13.50% XD 750 mL  $43.95 Score: 95/100. December 10, 2011 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Clos Du Calvaire Vignobles Mayard 2009, A.C., Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, Rhône, France: Love it! “Dances with Senses” would be the name of the movie made in its honour. Black cherry, spice, woodsmoke, luscious texture and weight. Juicy, bring you to your knees concentration of flavour. Decant 1-2 hours. Drink: 2011-2020. 728139 14.50% XD 750 mL  $34.95 Score: 94/100. December 10, 2011 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

La Vite Lucente Luce Della Vite 2009, I.G.T., Tuscany, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: This, the second wine to Frescobaldi’s iconic Luce, is a blend of Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, matured for 12 months in French barriques. Always a huge hit with Vintages customers, this wine offers intense strawberry, blueberry, and currant fruit accented by mocha and spice. Built to last, it will show best after 2012; if you can’t wait, decant it and enjoy. My note: Smoky espresso nose with black fruit and dark spices. Good tannic grip. Decant 2 hours. Drink: 2012-2020. 747030 13.50% XD 750 mL  $39.95 Score: 93/100. November 26, 2011 Full Review

Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, California, United States: Fantastic! Wow, an explosion of cherry and violets with a lick of spices. Love it. If I see this on a restaurant list, I’m ordering it … a go-to wine for hedonists. Drink: 2011-2017. 652883 14.50% XD 750 mL  $59.95 Score: 94/100. December 10, 2011 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review