Blue Grouse Estate Winery Quill Pinot Gris 2021, Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada Drink: 2022-2024. 4487 13.50% D 750 mL  $22.00. July 10, 2022 Full Review

Escudo Rojo Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, Maipo Valley D.O., Chile: From the Maipo Valley wine region, Baron Philippe de Rothschild's Escudo Reserva 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from sustainably grown grape. Fragrant and rich on the nose and palate with ripe black currant, bramble leaf, mocha and flinty mineral notes with a long dark bark berry finish. Tannins are velvety. Expressive and impressive at $19. Drink: 2023-2025. 13434 14% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 91/100. March 4, 2023 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review

Arboleda Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, Aconcagua Costa D.O., Chile: From the Aconcagua Costa wine region, Arboleda 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon is a great value Chilean Cab at $20. Produced by Eduardo Chadwick, this dry, medium-plus-bodied, vegan-friendly and fruity Cab is rich in blackberry, herbal and toasted oak spice flavours with good acidity for food and refreshing on the palate. Tannins are structured. The grapes for this vintage were sourced from the Las Vertientes zone on the west side of the Aconcagua Valley and the wine was aged 14 months in oak barrels (30% new). Drink or hold. Drink: 2023-2029. 606764 14% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 93/100. December 16, 2023 Best Value Red Wine. Plush Pork Wine Full Review

Concha y Toro Marques De Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Maipo Valley, Chile: Juicy with delicious aromas and flavours of fleshy ripe black plums that you can almost sink your teeth into. This Chilean Cabernet is made from grapes grown in the winery's Puente Alto and Pique vineyards at the foot of the Andes mountains. The vines are planted in rocky soils that have alluvial origins and are nutrient poor, which is perfect for wine. There is gravel on the sub-soil level. Pair with grilled meats. A juicy, full-bodied Chilean Cabernet loaded with fleshy ripe purple and black plums, blackberry jam and toasty oak. Smooth and supple. The wine was aged for 16 months in French oak barrels and in 5,000 litre foudres (extra large barrels). Pair with roast beef. Drink: 2016-2020. 337238 14% XD 750 mL  $22.95 Score: 92/100. April 1, 2022 Top Rated Red Wine. Harmonious Hard Cheese Wine Full Review

Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Colchagua Valley D.O., Chile: This Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon's cocoa-dust and tobacco-leaf aromas segue to plush cassis and blackcurrant fruit, while silky tannins and bright acidity frame a prolonged, elegant finish. Commanding yet refined. Pair with beef tenderloin or aged cheddar. Drink: 2025-2027. 45086 14.30% XD 750 mL  $32.95 Score: 93/100. September 27, 2025 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review

Pio Cesare Barbera d'Alba 2023, Piedmont D.O.C., Italy: This Pio Cesare D'alba Barbera showcases juicy black-plum and violet aromas leaping from the glass, supported by zesty red-berry acidity and a playful spice streak. Excellent with pepperoni pizza or creamy polenta. Drink: 2025-2030. 938886 14% XD 750 mL  $34.95 Score: 92/100. September 27, 2025 Top Rated Red Wine. Voluptuous Veal Wine Full Review

Antinori Tenuta Tignanello Riserva Chianti Classico 2022, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy: Antinori Tignanello Riserva (2022) marries succulent red-cherry and boysenberry fruit with rose-petal and leather notes, fine structural tannins and harmonious length—cellar to 2043 and enjoy with Bistecca or aged pecorino. Drink: 2025-2034. 512384 13.50% XD 750 mL  $65.95 Score: 93/100. November 22, 2025 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review

Tommasi Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2021, Veneto, Italy: This wine uses a fascinating technique called ripasso, where the wine is re-passed over the dried grape skins left from making Amarone, another terrific Italian red wine. It's like giving the wine a second education, a master’s degree, adding richness and complexity. This wine is a beautiful deep ruby color with aromas of black cherry, dried fig, and hints of dark chocolate and espresso. On the palate, it's velvety and smooth with soft tannins and a long, warming finish perfect for holiday evenings. Ripasso was originally invented to avoid wasting the leftover grape skins from making Amarone. Italians are masters of zero waste in the cellar. They were upcycling before it was cool. Now this rich wine needs equally substantial pairings. I'd pair this with: slow-braised short ribs that fall apart at the touch of a fork, their mahogany glaze glistening, surrounded by roasted root vegetables caramelized to concentrated sweetness. mushroom risotto with porcini and shiitake creating earthy depth in the creamy arborio rice, each spoonful releasing steam infused with truffle oil and parmesan. aged Manchego cheese with its firm texture breaking into nutty, slightly sharp bites that complement the wine's dried fruit character perfectly. osso buco with fork-tender veal shanks nestled in rich tomato sauce studded with orange zest, the marrow adding luxurious richness. dark chocolate torte with a dense, fudgy center and a thin crisp top, garnished with espresso-spiked whipped cream that echoes the wine's coffee notes. Drink: 2025-2028. 910430 13.50% D 750 mL  $27.95 Score: 92/100. November 22, 2025 Top Rated Red Wine. Spectacular Spicy Wine Full Review

Marchesi de Frescobaldi Nipozzano Riserva Chianti Rufina 2014, Tuscany DOC, Italy: A juicy, full-bodied Italian red wine from the heart of Tuscany in the Chianti region and made from the classic Sangiovese grape. Mouth-watering acidity for tangy tomato sauces. Drink: 2014-2020. 107276 13% XD 750 mL  $21.75 Score: 90/100. July 7, 2018 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Antinori Toscana - Antinori Villa Antinori 2012, Toscana IGT, Italy  53876 13% XD 750 mL  $27.95. January 1, 2015 Full Review

Ruffino Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico 2012, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy: The 2012 vintage was a strong one for Tuscany and it shows in the glass. Full-bodied and savoury with juicy, mouth-watering aromas and flavours of dark red berries and spice. Pair with tangy tomato sauce. Drink: 2016-2022. 45195 13.50% XD 750 mL  $29.95 Score: 92/100. July 8, 2021 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Tinazzi Feudo di Santa Croce Lxxiv Primitivo Di Manduria 2019, Puglia D.O.P., Italy: Tinazzi Feudo di Santa Croce Lxxiv 2019 Primitivo Di Manduria is a dry, full-bodied and rich 100% Primitivo sourced from the Puglia wine region, with dark plum, brambleberry, crushed black raspberry and mocha flavours concentrated, long and velvety on the palate. Elegant and rich. Drink: 2023-2027. 434217 14.50% D 750 mL  $34.95 Score: 92/100. July 22, 2023 Plush Pork Wine Full Review

Tenute Rossetti Poggio Civetta Governo All'uso 2021, Tuscany I.G.T., Italy: From Farnese, Poggio Civetta Governo All’uso 2021 is an elegant, medium-plus-bodied red blend comprising 70% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, with the remainder split between Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Crafted via the governo method—where a portion of the grapes is partially dried for up to four weeks before being combined with the must—it gains extra depth and a luxuriously smooth texture, further refined by five months in French oak. This vintage unfurls expressive dark cherry, red berry, herbaceous, and spicy notes, making it a wonderful match with pasta in a sun-dried tomato marinara sauce. Drink: 2025-2026. 14362 13.50% D 750 mL  $20.95 Score: 89/100. May 10, 2025 Voluptuous Veal Wine Full Review

Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc is always so good year after year and the 2020 SB is dry, balanced and so concentrated with ripe stone fruit, guava, grapefruit zest, chalky oyster shell and briny mineral flavours zesty on the palate. Chill and enjoy with pan-fried oysters with a squeeze of lemon juice. Drink: 2023-2024. 677450 13.50% D 750 mL  $31.95 Score: 92/100. March 30, 2023 Top Rated White Wine. Venerated Vegetarian Wine Full Review

Muga Reserva 2013, Rioja DOCa, Spain: A robust Spanish red wine blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, and 10% of Graciano and Mazuelo (Carignan) grapes. The wine was aged 24 months in French and American oak casks. Aromas of black fruit, toasty oak and smoke. Rich and generous. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2015-2021. 177345 14% XD 750 mL  $25.95 Score: 92/100. September 3, 2017 Top Rated Red Wine. Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review