Open Cab2-Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2011, Ontario, Canada: A mouth-filling red with layers of fleshy blackberries, blackcurrant and a lick of vanilla spice. This full-bodied number delivers lots of hedonistic pleasure for those who enjoy instant gratification. (Translation: You don't need to cellar this bottle!) The price is amazing for such a well-made wine. Perfect for potluck gatherings, book clubs and evenings when you want to wear your faded jeans. Pair with: pepper steak, lamb with rosemary, tacos, fajitas. Drink: 2012-2014. 134957 12%  750 mL  $14.95 Score: 88/100. October 31, 2012 Best Beef Wine Full Review

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Chardonnay 2010, VQA, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada: Gorgeous! Full-bodied, buttery and round with a luxurious hazelnut, toasted almond nose. So balanced yet packed with character and flavour. Don't over-chill this wine or you'll miss all its fine nuances. Drink: 2012-2018. 510933 14% XD 750 mL  $25.00 Score: 93/100. October 31, 2012 Full Review

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, VQA, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada: Beautifully structured and elegant, yet there's an underlying pent-up power and concentration. Dark fruit aromas and some smoke on a long, satisfying finish. Perfect for dinner parties. Drink: 2012-2018. 508200 14.50% XD 750 mL  $38.00 Score: 93/100. October 31, 2012 Full Review

Quails' Gate Estate Winery Merlot 2010, VQA, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada: Savoury and mouth-watering with gorgeous fleshy dark fruit. Could use some cellar time to bring out its finer nuances that will emerge with time. Classic. Drink: 2017-2020. 639633 12% XD 750 mL  $27.95 Score: 91/100. October 31, 2012 Full Review

Quails' Gate Estate Winery Pinot Noir 2011, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada: Gorgeous depth and concentration of flavour, yet not heavy. Fleshy ripe black cherries, violets and some dark spice. This is seductive pinot. Pair with something naughty. Drink: 2013-2018. 585760 14% XD 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 93/100. August 17, 2013 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Fort Berens Estate Winery Pinot Gris 2011, Lillooet, B.C. V.Q.A., Canada: A fresh white and green melon aroma on the nose, followed by a clean lift on the palate. Just the right amount of acidity. The wine was fermented in cool stainless steel to preserve its freshness. Drink: 2012-2017. 13% D 750 mL  $17.99 Score: 87/100. June 22, 2012 Best Value White Wine. Full Review

Bisquertt La Joya Reserve Merlot 2010, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Blackberry and mulberry notes dominate the nose of this full-bodied red. Luscious layers of flavour and pleasure on the palate. Wraps up with a pleasing smoky finish. Pair with rib roast. Great price. Drink: 2013-20116. 301440 13.50% XD 750 mL  $13.95 Score: 89/100. January 19, 2013 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review

Emiliana Novas Gran Reserva Carmenere Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Lovely black plums on the rose with a savoury, tart awakening on the palate. Full-bodied and ultra smooth. Slips down slippery fast. Top me up please. Drink: 2013-2016. 434662 14.50% XD 750 mL  $18.00 Score: 90/100. February 2, 2013 Best Value Red Wine. Outstanding Organic Wine Full Review

Pierre Henri Morel Signargues 2010, A.C., Rhône, France: Dense black fruit, licorice and smoke on the nose of this amazingly well-priced wine. Full-bodied and supple with black plum and black raspberry on the finish. This is a terrific blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre grapes. I'm still shaking my head at the great price. Try it with meat lovers' pizza or hamburgers. Drink: 2013-2016. 277038 13.50% D 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 91/100. March 16, 2013 Best Value Red Wine. Complete Cheese Pizza Wine Full Review

2006 Les Pinots D'alsace Domaine Bott-Geyl Métiss Alsace, Alsace, France   750 mL  $18.70. March 1, 2012 Full Review

Spy Valley Wine Pinot Noir 2009, Marlborough, New Zealand: Generous oak with fleshy ripe cherries. Smooth and full-bodied. For those who love power pinots. I can see the starry night as I take another sip. Drink: 2011-2014. 242205 14.50% XD 750 mL  $22.95 Score: 89/100. March 5, 2011 Full Review

Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Marlborough, New Zealand: Zesty and refreshing with lots of herbal and grassy notes. Crisp acidity is great for a range of dishes from salads to seafood to vegetarian dishes. Drink: 2012-2015. 316570 11% D 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 88/100. March 30, 2013 Full Review

Liberty School Zinfandel 2010, Pasa Robles, California, United States: This robust red offers glorious aromas of fleshy ripe purple plums and blueberries. It's succulent, smooth, lip-smacking delicious and full-bodied. Lots of juicy black raspberry on the finish will have you coming back for another top up. The winery practises aggressive canopy management, trimming back the leaves and vegetation on the vines so that more nutrients go to the grapes, which in turn become more concentrated in flavour. Zinfandel is one of the flagship red wines of California, even though it also has its roots in Europe. This is a terrific wine for movie night, especially if you're having meat lovers' or pepperoni pizza. Drink: 2012-2015. 41095 13.50% D 750 mL  $21.95 Score: 91/100. May 11, 2013 Best Value Red Wine. Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review

Guenoc Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Lake County, California, United States: A beautifully balanced Cabernet with classic notes of cassis and blackberry. Full-bodied with a lovely long finish. Chewy tannins so decant for 1-2 hours. This wine would be terrific with prime rib. Drink: 2012-2016. 104240 14.50% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 91/100. May 11, 2013 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review

Bold Vine Old Vine Zinfandel 2011, Lodi, United States: Like! If I were on Facebook, I would have hit that thumbs up button about 17 times now. Juicy and generous with black and purple plum aromas and flavours. Full-bodied and smooth. Perfect for grilled meats. Drink: 2013-2016. 281600 14.50% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 91/100. May 11, 2013 Best Value Red Wine. Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review

Etude Pinot Noir 2008, Carneros, California, United States: One of my all-time, favourite Pinots from California: this is also a go-to wine when I see it on restaurant wine lists. Lovely aromas of spicy cherries, violets and field berries. Medium- to full-bodied and satin smooth. Bring it on! Drink: 2010-2017. 71654 14.40% XD 750 mL  $69.95 Score: 91/100. April 22, 2011 Full Review

Ravenswood Vintners Blend Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, California, United States: Although Ravenswood are known to big very full-bodied, this one is but in a smooth, balanced and mouth-watering way. Packed with blackberry and cassis flavours with some smoke on the finish. Terrific! Drink: 2012-2015. 606632 13.50% D 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 90/100. March 3, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Andrew Rich Cuvée B Pinot Noir 2008, Willamette Valley, Oregon, United States: Gorgeous pinot: best of both worlds! Juicy cherry fruit yet elegant, long and refined with just enough mouth-watering juicy. Smooth as satin. Drink: 2012-2016. 127043 13.50% D 750 mL  $29.95 Score: 93/100. April 28, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

La Crema Pinot Noir 2010, Sonoma Coast, California, United States: Whenever I see La Crema pinot noir on a restaurant list, I know it's going to be a great meal, no matter what we're having food-wise. This subtle red is silky smooth enough not to clash with seafood yet it's loaded with fleshy cherry flavours for meatier dishes. Perfection though is roast chicken or planked salmon. Absolutely phenomenal for this price. Drink: 2012-2016. 719435 13.90% D 750 mL  $39.95 Score: 93/100. May 26, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Firesteed Pinot Noir 2006, Oregon, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: Near-perfect conditions in September and October made the 2006 vintage one for the record books in Oregon, and this well-priced Pinot is consistently one of the state's best values. Truly representational, the fruit is sourced from the Willamette, Umpqua, Rogue and Walla Walla Valleys. This is a plush and juicy wine brimming with soft black cherry and raspberry fruit balanced by a bright seam of acidity and a hint of oak. My note: A consistently good producer of delicious medium-bodied pinots packed with ripe cherries. 387281 12.70% XD 750 mL  $25.95 Score: 87/100. July 19, 2008 Full Review

Thomas Fogarty Pinot Noir 2006, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: Santa Cruz Mountains is home to an annual event known as Pinot Paradise where hundreds gather to immerse themselves in all things Pinot. No wonder. This rugged appellation produces some of California’s best Pinots. Winemaker Michael Martella crafts this creamy supple version. Unfined and unfiltered, it offers plentiful ripe cherries, oak spice and earth notes. My note: A rich Pinot with black cherries and beetroot. Drink: 2008-2012. 75994 14% XD 750 mL  $29.95 Score: 91/100. September 27, 2008 Full Review

Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, California, United States: You smell this wine and you say, “Oh that’s nice. The evening may turn out well, after all.” Lovely cherry spice notes with an absolutely seductive satin texture. Good this is good juice. The Wagner family (of Caymus fame) is responsible for the Belle Glos label. While Chuck Wagner wows wine lovers with his Caymus Cabernets, his son Joseph continues to win fans with his Pinots Drink: 2010-2016. 652883 14.50% XD 750 mL  $48.95 Score: 93/100. October 30, 2010 Full Review

Ravenswood Vintners Blend Old Vine Zinfandel 2011, California, United States: Absolutely superb and classic Californian zin! Purple and black fleshy plums aromas along with blueberries and brambleberries. Full-bodied and ultra-smooth. Perfect for pizza and hamburgers. Yum! Drink: 2013-2015. 359257 13.60% D 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 90/100. March 7, 2013 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review

Beringer Founders' Estate Chardonnay 2010, California, United States: Gorgeously concentrated and rich chardonnay with full-bodied weight and texture. Aromas of butterscotch, vanilla smoke and green apple on the nose and palate. Terrific for the price point! Drink: 2012-2015. 534230 13.90% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 90/100. March 7, 2013 Charming Grilled Chicken Wine Full Review

Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel 2010, Sonoma County, California, United States: Blackberry liqueur and fleshy ripe purple and black plums. Incredible richness and depth from a master. Drink: 2012-2016. 942151 14.80% D 750 mL  $29.95 Score: 93/100. November 10, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review