Argentina
Son Vida Malbec 2012, Mendoza, Argentina: Chalky dry with mocha and spice and black fruit on the nose and palate of this full-bodied Argentine red wine made from the classic Malbec grape. This is a single-vineyard wine in the Paraje Altamira district planted at 1029 metres above sea level. The wine is aged for 12 months in Frencha nd America oak barrels, and the grapes are harvested in April.
Malbec food pairings: cheese pizza , tagliatelle alla Bolognese, chicken herb-rubbed roast, hamburger. Drink: 2016 - 2019 458240 14% D 750 mL $29.95 Score: 88/100. October 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Unánime Mascota Vineyards 2011, Mendoza, Argentina: Savoury mocha and campfire smoke on the nose of this towering big Argentine red wine. Lots of heft both in the wine and the glass weight of this bottle (not so great environmentally). Gorgeous aromas of fleshy black plum and dark spice. Very hedonistic. The winery name Unanime derives from the Latin Unanimis or unanymous when everyone agrees (presumably that this is a great wine and the winemaker is sittin with them). This is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Malbec and 15 Cabernet Franc grapes. All grapes are grown in old vineyards in Mendoza's Uco Valley.
Food pairings: rib steak, slow-braised beef ribs, venison stew. Drink: 2013 - 2018 466938 14% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 90/100. October 2016. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Australia
Heirloom The Velvet Fog Pinot Noir 2015, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia: Medicinal cherry on the nose and palate with euculpt on the finish. Medium-bodied with some cherry. Smooth with lots of acidity.
Pinot Noir food pairings: pork tenderloin, barbecued lamb sirloin, grilled carrot mash and spring greens purée, veal chops. Drink: 2016 - 2019 464693 13.5% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 87/100. October 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Mollydooker The Scooter Merlot 2014, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Warm, rich, enveloping and comforting. Yes the alcohol is high at 15% but it feels and tastes balanced for such a hefty wine. Rich black plum liqueur and blackberry jam. Perfect for the hearties of meat dishes.
Merlot food pairings: dark chocolate, grilled pork chops, pepper steak, duck breast roasted. Drink: 2015 - 2019 462275 14.5% D 750 mL $24.95 Score: 90/100. October 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Canada
Marynissen Marynissen Vineyard Merlot 2013, Four Mile Creek, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A bit mute on the nose but the palate opens to much richer black plum flavour as does the finish. Full-bodied and smooth.
Merlot food pairings: rack of BBQ ribs, veal Porterhouse, grilled lamb, cheese. Drink: 2015 - 2018 469130 12.4% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 86/100. October 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Chile
Siegel Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Very purple juicy and supple: far more like Zinfandel than Cabernet. Lip-smacking delicious with fleshy ripe purple plums and blueberries. Perfect for grilled meats. The wine is aged in French oak barrels for 12 months.
Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: Margherita pizza, hamburger, pepper steaks, smoky ribs, mushroom burgers. Drink: 2016 - 2018 464438 14.3% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 90/100. October 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
G7 Reserva Merlot 2013, Loncomilla Valley, Maule Valley, Chile: Juicy and delicious and well-priced Chilean Merlot. Smooth and supple with layers of fleshy black and purple plums. Seven generations of the del Pedregal family have been making wine, since the winery was established in 1825.
Merlot food pairings: roast of pork, beef rouladen, roast leg of lamb. Drink: 2015 - 2018 464446 14% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 89/100. October 2016. Best Value Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
France
Domaine Saint-Andéol L'excellence 2013, Cairanne, Côtes Du Rhône Villages, Rhone A.C., France: Chalky dry and full-bodied with aromas of mocha and dark fruit. Pair with rack of lamb. Food pairings: sausage and bean cassoulet, meat lasagne. Drink: 2015 - 2018 464735 14% XD 750 mL $25.95 Score: 89/100. October 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Italy
Scala Appassimento Negroamaro 2013, Salento, Puglia I.G.T., Italy: Juicy, hefty and loaded with blackberry liqueur flavour. Smooth, supple and robust. Perfect for barbecued meats. ThisItalian red wine uses the traditional Appasimento method of drying the grapes for three weeks on straw mats before fermentation in order to concentrate the flavour and weight of the final wine. The Negroamano grape produces wines of deep colour and richness. Great price.
Negroamaro food pairings: hamburgers, beef stew. Drink: 2015 - 2019 455212 14.5% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 88/100. October 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Spain
Bernard Magrez Herència Del Padrí 2012, Priorat D.O.C., Spain: A distinguished Spanish red wine by renowned producer Bernard Magrez. This is his Grand Cru Classe and comes from 40-year-old vineyards. Pair with a rare steak.
Drink: 2016 - 2020 461426 14.9% XD 750 mL $22.95 Score: 90/100. October 2016. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
United States
Vindicated Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Napa Valley, California, United States: Juicy and mouth-watering with seductive aromas of black fruit and spice. Supple and layered on the palate. Perfect for grilled meats.
Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: steak, game, hamburgers, pork tenderloin with a wine reduction sauce, grilled lamb chops. Drink: 2016 - 2020 462796 14% XD 750 mL $34.95 Score: 90/100. October 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Decoy Duckhorn Wine Company Merlot 2013, Sonoma County, California, United States: Toasted oak and campfire smoke on the full-bodied Californian Merlot that's been generously aged in oak. Black plums and sweet mocha on the finish.
Merlot food pairings: borsch (beet soup), quesadillas, Tandoori-flavored dishes, lentil dishes. Drink: 2016 - 2019 460642 13.5% XD 750 mL $34.95 Score: 88/100. October 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Tuli Pinot Noir 2014, Sonoma County, California, United States: Sweet chocolate, moch and espresso from lavish oak aging of this Californian Pinot Noir. Surprisingly ripe for the cool climate of Sonoma County. Pair with a robust pasta dish.
Pinot Noir food pairings: grilled duck sausages, pork tenderloin, barbecued lamb sirloin, grilled carrot mash and spring greens purée. Drink: 2016 - 2019 461046 13.8% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 87/100. October 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Noble Vines The One Red Blend 2013, North Coast, California, United States: Very sweet chocolate nose and palate on this full-bodied, smooth Californian red wine. The One Black is a blend of this winery's best vineyard lots. Lots of spice, oak and coffee notes and flavours.
Food pairings: beef steak. Drink: 2016 - 2019 460725 14.5% XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 86/100. October 2016. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart