Santa Ana La Mascota Chardonnay 2010, Cruz De Piedra, Maipú, Mendoza, Argentina: Simple, buttery and full-bodied with oak and peach aromas. Nice price. Drink: 2011-2014. 126870 14% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 87/100. September 17, 2011 Best Value White Wine. Full Review

Michel Torino Don David Reserve Bodega El Esteco Malbec 2009, Cafayate Valley, Salta, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: Michel Torino has built a solid reputation for producing consistently high-quality Malbec in the Cafayate region in northern Argentina. Some of this up-and-coming region’s vineyards are planted at the highest elevations in the world for viticulture. This juicy wine is bursting with blackberry and other ripe dark fruits, balanced by toasty oak, ripe acidity and friendly tannins. Should drink well over the next 3 years. My note: Especially gorgeous for the price: this has to be an inventory pricing error! This is my new party wine. Wow. Rich blackberry and black plum with mouth-watering juiciness and satisfying full-bodied weight. Drink: 2011-2015. 64998 13.80% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 89/100. September 17, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Kacaba Vineyards Summertime Series Rebecca Cabernet Franc Petite Sirah Rosé 2010, V.Q.A., Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: This rosé blends Cabernet Franc and Petite Sirah, the latter being quite a rare grape in Niagara. The results are fantastic. A very pretty nose of cherry, tulips, watermelon and red delicious apple. Dry, fresh and fruity with lively acidity and a tart and tangy finish. A great sipper. The painting on the label is “Twilight” by Canadian artist Todd La Chance. My note: A pretty, raspberry-fresh rose, with tart, mouth-watering acidity that makes it ideal for many dishes, from salmon to roast chicken. Delightfully alive in the glass! Drink: 2010-2012. 227025 12.20% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 87/100. May 28, 2011 Best Value Rose. Full Review

Pondview Estate Winery Gewürztraminer Riesling 2009, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: Pale lemon-yellow, this offers up notes of lime, white roses, citrus zest and mineral. Off-dry with nice balancing acidity, it has fresh and pretty citrus and floral notes with a gentle touch of spice. The finish is quite refreshing. My note: clean, crisp and clear with lovely lychee, rose petal, white melon and light spices. No heavy oak and alcohol here. Great aperitif. Drink: 2011-2014. 234625 13.10% MD 750 mL  $14.20 Score: 87/100. July 9, 2011 Best Value White Wine. Full Review

Concha Y Toro Trio Reserva Merlot Carmenere Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Rapel Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: This winery started as a little French pocket in Chile, as Don Melchor de Concha y Toro married a Frenchwoman named Emiliana Subercaseaux who owned a vineyard planted with vines brought over from Bordeaux and managed by two of her countrymen. This, part of their Trio collection, is a blend of mostly Merlot, plus Carmenère and Cabernet Sauvignon. Concha y Toro finds the conditions for perfectly maturing the grapes for this wine in the Rapel Valley. Enjoy this fresh and fruit-driven triple threat. My note: How can you not love this wine? Mocha and espresso goodness with plum preserves crushing between your lips. Drink: 2011-2015. 433920 14% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 88/100. July 23, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

René Muré Signature Gewurztraminer 2009, A.C., Alsace, France: Vintages Wine Panel: The Muré family have been growing grapes in Alsace since 1648. Their wines always express the classic characteristics of each grape variety they use. This Gewurztraminer is sourced from 29-year-old vines and displays aromas of intense lychee and rose petals. It’s dry, full bodied and spicy. It will delight as an aperitif or pair it with exotic foods. My note: The Platonic ideal of Gewurztraminer. Lychee, rose petal and light baking spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. Love, love it! Asian dishes find their soul mate in the wine. Drink: 2011-2017. 61218 13% D 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 93/100. August 20, 2011 Top Rated White Wine. Full Review

Joseph Cattin Gewurztraminer 2009, A.C., Alsace, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Gold Medal winner at the 2010 Concours Général Agricole in Paris. Rose petals, ginger, cinnamon and lychee delight the nose here. The palate shows medium body, good aroma replays and flavour intensity, and a hint of sweetness mid-palate. A fine choice for ham spiced with cinnamon and paprika. My note : Superb! Class Gewürz : rose petal, lychee and baking spices. Mouth-watering and dry but exotically floral. Drink: 2011-2018. 224626 13% D 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 90/100. September 17, 2011 Full Review

Domaine De La Petite Roche Cabernet D'anjou 2010, A.C., Loire, France: Vintages Wine Panel: A Gold Medal winner at the 2011 Concours Général Agricole in Paris. Salmon pink in colour with notes of strawberry, sweet herbs and watermelon. The palate is round with a sense of sweetness from the fruit – particularly the strawberry – as well as lovely structure and character. A medium-long fruity finish. Perfect for your next barbecue because it works so well as a sipper. My note: Lovely fleshy ripe field strawberries and raspberries. A white summer dress and thou. Mouth-watering and food friendly. Drink: 2011-2013. 224980 11% MD 750 mL  $12.95 Score: 88/100. July 23, 2011 Best Value Rosé. Full Review

Clos Du Porteau Le Courlis Sauvignon 2009, A.C., Touraine, Loire, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Fine Sauvignon Blanc with aromas of freshly cut grass, grapefruit, mineral and hint of gooseberry. Dry with a wonderful equilibrium between the fruit/herb tones and the acidity. A great summer sipper. My note: Herbal and refreshing with a lime lift. Zesty and refreshing. Drink: 2011-2013. 246041 12.50% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 87/100. July 23, 2011 Best Value White Wine. Full Review

Chateau De L'ille Cuvée Angélique Corbières 2008, A.C., Midi, France: This wine won the Gold Medal winner at the 2010 Concours Général Agricole in Paris and is a blend of 60% syrah and 40% grenache grapes. There’s big juicy cruisin-for-a-bruisin blackberries and blackcurrant. Terrific concentration and balance for the price point: it’s a steal. Drink: 2011-2015. 237578 13.70% XD 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 90/100. August 20, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Muga Barrel Fermented White 2010, D.O.C.A., Rioja, Spain: Vintages Wine Panel: A blend of 90% Viura and 10% Malvasia, this wine is given a slow fermentation in new French oak barrels, plus a further three months resting on its lees. The resulting wine is rich, impeccably balanced and concentrated. Cellar it 2-3 years or enjoy it tonight. My note: A joyous, zippy blend of white grapes that result in mouth-watering juiciness and ultra-food-friendliness. White peach and lime lead with a terrific long finish. Drink: 2011-2014. 958736 13% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 89/100. August 20, 2011 Best Value White Wine. Full Review