Grant Burge Wines Barossa Vines Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2005, Barossa, Australia: A lovely, robust and well balanced red with notes of blackberries, plums, liquorice and cassis. 619379 14% XD 750 mL  $16.05 Score: 90/100. December 4, 2007 Favorite Red Wine. Full Review

ST. Hallett Faith Shiraz 2005, Barossa, Australia: A lovely, juicy and full-bodied red with ripe aromas of plums and blackberries. Closed with a screwcap. 980631 14.50% XD 750 mL  $23.95 Score: 93/100. January 5, 2008 Favorite Red Wine. Full Review

Gemtree Tadpole Shiraz 2008, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Love it! Rich and deep with dive-into-it depths of fleshy black berries and plums, some mint. Fantastic price for this quality. 142034 14.50% D 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 91/100. July 10, 2010 Favourite Red Wine. Full Review

Grant Burge Barossa Shiraz 2008, Barossa, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: Fifth-generation winemaker Grant Burge is a master of Shiraz. This fine version showcases classic Barossa character, with individual flair to boot. Opaque ruby red in the glass, it’s brimming with spicy fruit – think fully ripe blackberry, plum and black cherry, with notions of menthol, cloves, dark chocolate and smoke. Dry, medium-full bodied and mouth-filling, with a silky texture, a ripe fruit core, and impressive tannic structure. Nice, lengthy finish. Hold for 1-2 years or savour it tonight. My note: Richly extracted with gorgeous depths of flavour. Aromas of black cherry liqueur, blackberry preserves and black raspberries. Full-bodied and sensual. Yum! Drink: 2010-2015. 738567 13.50% D 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 92/100. October 2, 2010 Favourite Red Wine (Tied). Full Review

Elderton Friends Shiraz 2010, Barossa, South Australia, Australia: Vintages Wine Panel: If you want to impress your friends without breaking the bank, then this is your wine. From the prestigious Barossa region, this crowd-pleasing Shiraz is rich and vivacious with aromas and flavours of crushed berries, black plum, vanilla, chocolate and earthy notes. A stunning value, this smooth and opulent red is great. My note: Incredible concentration and power for the price. Big blackberries and currants in a lovely weave of full-bodied weight and velvet texture. Drink: 2010-2014. 660480 14% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 92/100. June 11, 2011 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz 2008, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia: Lovely length, depth and savoury goodness. Beautiful extraction of dark fleshy plum flavour yet there’s incredible balance. Made by a confident, deft hand. Drink: 2011-2015. 433060 14% XD 750 mL  $23.95 Score: 94/100. June 25, 2011 Top Rated Red Wine. Gorgeous Gift Wine Full Review

Feudi Di San Marzano Sud Primitivo Di Manduria Cabernet Franc 2008, D.O.C., Puglia, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: A very rich nose here, with full notes of black cherry, coffee and chocolate. Quite modern in style, full bodied, well balanced and lush with blackberry, plum, and a sweet fruity core all leading to a fruity finish. Marvelous. My note: Full-on purple berry and plum richness. This is zinfandel to the 10. Concentrated, jammy and delicious. Fire up the barbecue! Drink: 2011-2015. 230532 13.80% D 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 90/100. July 23, 2011 Full Review

Coppi Peucetico Primitivo 2006, D.O.C., Gioia Del Colle, Puglia, Italy: A terrific, knock it back red with juicy dark berries and some smoke. Perfect for barbecues and pizza night. Drink: 2012-2014. 19006 13.50% XD 750 mL  $13.95 Score: 87/100. February 18, 2012 Full Review

Varvaglione Papale Vigne & Vini Primitivo Di Manduria 2008, Puglia D.O.P., Italy: Juicy great with generous layers of mouth-watering blackberries, blueberries and purple plums. Primitivo is the Italian version of zinfandel ... Fire up the barbecue! Drink: 2012-2016. 261784 14% XD 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 89/100. March 17, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review