Susana Balbo Signature Dominio Del Plata Malbec 2008, Mendoza, Argentina: Susana Balbo is one of Argentina’s best winemakers. She is talented and has great taste. Full-bodied, savory, rich and deep: this wine has it all. Fleshy dark fruit but something more exotic. Love it! Drink: 2011-2015. 79798 14.50% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 92/100. April 2, 2011 Favourite Red Wine. Full Review

Elementos Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Argentina, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: Winner of a Silver Medal at the Argentina Wine Awards in 2010, this has a lovely opaque purple colour in the glass. Rich aromas of cassis, raspberry, sun-baked earth and chocolate abound. The palate is dry, medium-full bodied with huge ripe fruit and a curtain of ripe, youthful tannins drawn in the background. Cellar for 2-4 years, or enjoy it tonight. My note: Rustic and robust with tasty black fruit and oak. Great barbecue wine. Drink: 2011-2013. 218974 14% XD 750 mL  $12.95 Score: 86/100. May 14, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Featherstone Winery Black Sheep Riesling 2010, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: So beautiful! This riesling has it all: juicy, peach and lime aromas, balance, complexity, length and lambs. (That was a baaaaah-d joke, I know.) Medium-bodied and packed with flavour. These folks are Riesling Masters: Ka-pow! Drink: 2011-2016. 80234 10% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 92/100. April 16, 2011 Favourite White Wine. Full Review

Huff Estates Winery Reserve Riesling 2008, V.Q.A., Ontario, Canada: I adore the petrol, mineral aroma/texture here! This is simply amazing Riesling. Some ripe tree fruit but the something extra really is in the forefront. Call it complexity, zip, length. Buy a case. Drink: 2011-2018. 223982 12.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 92/100. April 16, 2011 Favourite White Wine. Full Review

Arboleda Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Acongagua Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: Founded by Chilean superstar Eduardo Chadwick of Viña Errazuriz fame and California’s Robert Mondavi (Chadwick now owns solely the winery), Arboleda is dedicated to producing premium and super-premium quality wines. This intensely aromatic Sauvignon Blanc features aromas of typical fresh-cut grass, gooseberry, green peas and citrus fruit characteristics. This crisp and fresh wine is a fine choice as an aperitif. My note: Grassy-great! Refreshing and zippy with tasty notes of lemon, lime and chives. Please top me up! Drink: 2010-2013. 223007 13.50% XD 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 89/100. June 11, 2011 Best Value White Wine. Splendid Salad Wine Full Review

Emiliana Limited Selection Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2008, Maipo Valley, Chile: Vintages Wine Panel: This organic wine contains only 16 mg/L of free sulphur. Expect plenty of cassis, raspberry and cherry aromas and flavours on this fruit-forward, crowd-pleasing wine.. My note: Lip-smacking delicious with ripe blackberries and black raspberries. A staggeringly great price for a wine of this quality. Serve at your next party. Drink: 2008-2013. 437947 14.60% XD 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 89/100. June 11, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Outstanding Organic Wine Full Review

Domaine De L'arnesque Laurent Biscarat Et Ses Enfants Grenache 2009, A.C., Côtes Du Rhône, France: Vintages Wine Panel: This Grenache blend opens with lovely aromas of plums and licorice. The palate shows nice complexity with a light spice note layering neatly over the raspberry and sweet fruit core. Dry with mild tannins, this will reward 3+ years in the cellar, or pair it tonight. My note: Opens with bright red cherries and field berries. Love the mouth-watering juiciness of this red. Full-bodied red and a terrific finish. A steal at this price. Drink: 2011-2015. 223487 14% D 750 mL  $13.95 Score: 89/100. May 14, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Château La Verrière Supérieur, André Bessette, Vitic. Cabernet Blend 2008, A.C., Bordeaux, France: Vintages Wine Panel: Gold Medal winner at the 2010 Concours Général Agricole in Paris. Rich plum, cherry, lilac and woodsmoke on the nose. The palate is dry with a great depth of fruit and tannic structure. A lovely and lingering fruitiness on the lengthy finish. Hold this for 1-2 years or enjoy it tonight. My note: Love it! Rich and full-bodied with mocha-warm blackberry aromas on the nose. Lovely richness and unfolding of layers of pleasure on the tongue. Incredible for the money. Drink: 2011-2015. 199000 13.50% D 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 90/100. April 2, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Château Lacombe-Noaillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2006, A.C., Médoc, Bordeaux, France: Vintages Wine Panel: To even be included in the Guide Hachette a wine must be impressive. On top of this, wines of special note are awarded up to three stars. My note: Savory, generous and delicious! Rich, round and warm with full-bodied goodness. Aromas of blackberries, black and purple plums. Phenomenal quality for the price. Drink: 2011-2014. 199091 13% D 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 87/100. April 2, 2011 Full Review

Gunderloch Fritz's Riesling 2009, Rheinhessen Q.B.A., Germany: Love it! Lime happiness in a glass. Zesty and zingy with a bright lemon sunset on the finish. Mouth-watering. That’s got to be a typo on the price. Drink: 2011-2018. 216366 11.70% M 750 mL  $15.25 Score: 89/100. May 28, 2011 Best Value White Wine. Enchanting Feta Cheese Wine Full Review

Antiche Terre Venete Terre Ripasso Valpolicella 2008, D.O.C., Veneto, Italy: A great juicy, full-bodied red with tart cherries and smoke. A wonderful wine for the money, full-bodied and generous. Perfect for Italian night! Drink: 2009-2014. 178459 13.50% XD 750 mL  $17.75 Score: 88/100. May 28, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Herbal and grassy fresh! Very vibrant and live. Mouth-watering notes of lime and grapefruit. I like it. Drink: 2011-2014. 10421 13% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 93/100. March 5, 2011 Favourite White Wine. Full Review

Giesen Sauvignon Blanc 2009, The Brothers Land, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: A come-alive nose with fresh notes of lime, grass and chives. Wake-up your senses. Good mouth-watering acidity. Drink: 2011-2014. 223180 12.50% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 90/100. April 16, 2011 Best Value White Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review

The Winery of Good Hope Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2009, W.O., Stellenbosch, South Africa: Terrific zest and zing with lemon and lime accents Vibrant and bright, a great aperitif. Drink: 2009-2013. 18685 13.50% D 750 mL  $13.95 Score: 87/100. May 28, 2011 Best Value White Wine. Full Review

Bellingham Fair Maiden Roussanne Chenin Blanc 2008, W.O., Coastal Region, South Africa: Intriguing hazelnut richness, with baking spices and white peach notes. This is absolutely lovely. Rich but not heavy. Some white flowers and fond goodbyes on the finish. This wine won a Gold Medal at the 2009 Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. Enjoy this wine. A blend of Roussanne, chenin blanc, verdelho, grenache blanc, chardonnay and viognier grapes. Drink: 2011-2016. 220020 14.50% D 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 92/100. April 2, 2011 Favourite White Wine. Full Review

KWV Kwv Chardonnay 2008, W.O., Western Cape, South Africa: This is a big ol’ oaky chardonnay that I’ve come to love year after year. White and vanilla smoke in a comforting package. Like wearing your favourite jeans. Great price. Drink: 2009-2014. 328559 14.70% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 89/100. June 11, 2011 Best Value White Wine. Charming Grilled Chicken Wine Full Review

Las Rocas San Alejandro Garnacha 2009, D.O., Calatayud, Spain: Lovely peppery, black cherry nose with savoury, mouth-watering goodness on the palate. Full-bodied, supple and smooth. Great party wine. Drink: 2010-2015. 95190 14.70% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 88/100. June 6, 2011 Best Value Red Wine Tied. Smart Buy Wine Full Review

Cline Cellars Ancient Vines Zinfandel 2009, California, United States: Vintages Wine Panel: The 2009 Ancient Vines Zinfandel is awash in raspberry, blackberry, white pepper and spice notes, along with complexity-building coffee and chocolate characteristics. Aged in new and seasoned American oak, imbuing this wine with a subtle vanilla quality that nicely complements the focused fruit notes. My note: Zinmasters! These folks know how to make zinfandel blind-folded. Classic aromas of blackberry and blueberry. Full-bodied and smooth. Drink: 2011-2016. 719211 15% XD 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 92/100. April 2, 2011 Favourite Red Wine. Full Review