Susana Balbo Crios Malbec 2023, Valle De Uco, Mendoza, Argentina: Susana Balbo Crios Malbec from Valle de Uco displays ripe blackberry, dark plum, lavender and a touch of sweet baking spice. It's dry and medium-bodied with supple tannins and lively acidity that keeps the concentrated fruit vibrant through the finish. Serve it at room temperature alongside beef and mushroom lasagna where the wine's rich fruit and smooth texture complement the savory layers, or pair it with grilled pork tenderloin rubbed with herbs where the wine's bright acidity cuts through the meat's richness while echoing the aromatic seasonings. Susana Balbo, who graduated in 1981 as Argentina's first female enologist from Don Bosco University in Mendoza, crafts this 100% Malbec from sustainably-farmed grapes grown at 1,050 meters elevation across different subregions of Valle de Uco, then ferments it in stainless steel with 40% spending eight months in well-used French oak barrels for added complexity. The wine's label features three connected and overlapping hands inspired by a Mayan artifact, representing Susana and her two children José and Ana who now work alongside her, and "Crios" translates to "offspring" in Spanish, symbolizing both the next generation of the Balbo family and wines designed for youthful enjoyment. Susana Balbo was inducted into the Decanter Hall of Fame in 2024, becoming only the second woman in the Americas to receive this prestigious honor. Enjoy this approachable Malbec through 2032. Drink: 2026-2032. 162529 14% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 92/100. February 21, 2026 Magnificent Meat Pizza Wine Full Review

Viña Cobos Felino Malbec 2024, Mendoza, Argentina: Viña Cobos was co-founded in 1999 by Argentine winemaker Andrea Marchiori and Paul Hobbs, who had been sourcing Mendoza fruit for his California wines and recognised the potential of the high-altitude vineyards. This extra-dry Felino Malbec opens with dried blueberry, pressed violet, warm cinnamon, and a cool herbal note before delivering a plush, rounded palate of dark plum, iron-tinged minerality, and chocolate with a long, polished finish and powdery tannins. Drink it now through 2029 with beef, turkey, tomato sauces, or hamburgers. Drink: 2026-2031. 118067 14.50% XD 750 mL  $22.95 Score: 93/100. September 12, 2026 Best Beef Wine Full Review

Terrazas de los Andes Malbec 2023, Mendoza, Argentina: Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Organic Malbec from Mendoza is a dry, medium to full-bodied cool-climate red that opens with an inviting and expressive nose of crushed blackberry, ripe dark plum, dried violet, black olive, mountain herbs, and a whisper of dark chocolate and warm spice. On the palate it is fresh and generously textured, with fine-grained tannins, lively acidity, and a juicy core of dark berry fruit that carries through to a clean, persistent finish with notes of black pepper and cocoa. Serve at room temperature and enjoy from 2026 through 2036 as this wine has both the approachability and the structure to reward time. Estate director Lucas Löwi, who returned to Mendoza after directing the celebrated Bodega Numanthia in Toro, Spain, crafts this wine from more than 100 organic plots across the Uco Valley and the high terroirs of Las Compuertas in Luján de Cuyo, with fruit from the prized Altamira sub-zone at the heart of the blend. In a remarkable achievement, Terrazas de los Andes became just the tenth winery in the world to be awarded Regenerative Organic Certified status, recognising not only their organic farming but their deep commitment to soil health, biodiversity, and the long-term stewardship of their Andean mountain vineyards. Pair it with a herb-rubbed roast chicken with roasted garlic and lemon, where the wine's dark fruit and spice notes will complement the aromatic richness of the dish, or try it with grilled sausages and a smoky tomato-pepper sauce, letting the wine's bold fruit and earthy character meet every savoury, charred bite. Drink: 2026-2036. 29280 14% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 93/100. April 11, 2026 Charming Grilled Chicken Wine Full Review

Zuccardi Mountain Vineyards Malbec 2024, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina: High-altitude fruit from the Valle de Uco foothills where wild herbs and elderberries grow alongside the vines gives the Zuccardi Mountain Vineyards Malbec a freshness and mineral precision that separates it clearly from lower-altitude Mendoza expressions. Aromatic and focused with crushed violet, dried elderberry, iron-tinged schist, and a herbal thread, it opens to a clean, incisive palate of dark plum and warm spice with a mineral finish and fine-grained tannins. Drink it now with grilled meats, braised lamb, or aged cheddar. 49616 14% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 93/100. June 20, 2026 Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review

Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec 2023, Luján De Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina: Mendoza's high-altitude vineyards give Malbec its signature depth, and this bottling shows off dark fruit with a minty edge. Violet aromatics and warming spice add complexity without overwhelming the fruit. The tannins stay smooth, and the acidity keeps the wine from feeling heavy despite its richness. It's long on the palate and built to pair with something equally bold. Grilled sausages, roast partridge or a venison steak would all do it justice. Drink: 2026-2035. 588731 14.50% XD 750 mL  $23.95 Score: 95/100. July 4, 2026 Best Beef Wine Full Review

Sur de los Andes Malbec 2023, Mendoza, Argentina: Sur de los Andes ages this Reserva Malbec in a mix of French oak and concrete, keeping the fruit forward and precise. Blackberry and violet carry the aroma, with cracked pepper and cedar rounding out the background. The texture is generous and smooth, built for casual gatherings rather than quiet contemplation. It finishes without any rough edges to speak of. Gourmet hamburgers or a meat-lovers' pizza fresh off the barbecue would be a genuinely easy match. This is the rare bottle that makes everyone at the table agree on something. Drink: 2026-2034. 208322 14.40% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 91/100. August 3, 2026 Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review

Fabre Montmayou Reserva Malbec 2022, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina: Fabre Montmayou Reserva 2022 Malbec is vegan-friendly and a great value Malbec from the Mendoza's Luján De Cuyo at $20. Produced from grapes sourced from 40-year-old vines, the wine is fragrant with blueberry, mulberry, white pepper and well-integrated oak spice flavours creamy and generous on the palate. About 200,000 bottles of this wine were produced so stock up at this price. Drink: 2025-2031. 261867 14% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 93/100. November 16, 2024 Best Value Red Wine. Glorious Game Wine Full Review

Concho Y Toro The Wine Carmenère 2023, Peumo, Cachapoal Valley D.O., Chile: Peumo is Chile's warmest pocket of Carmenère country, and Concha y Toro has farmed here since the 1990s. Black plum and iron lead, warm cedar woven underneath. Fine tannins carry serious length and a smooth texture. Pour it with stuffed roasted peppers or grilled chorizo. Drink: 2026-2028. 49838 14% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 93/100. August 29, 2026 Plush Pork Wine Full Review

Montes Purple Angel 2019, Colchagua Valley D.O., Chile: Montes Purple Angel 2019 is an elegant 92% Carmenere with the balance in Petit Verdot sourced from vines growing in granitic, clay, glacial and fluvial soils of the Colchagua Valley. Look for ripe and concentrated dark fruits, dark spices, mocha, vanilla and toasty oak spice on this juicy, beautifully balanced and popular Chilean red. Pour with bacon-wrapped filet mignon or hold in cellar for eight-plus years. Drink: 2022-2031. 62364 14.50% XD 750 mL  $105.95 Score: 97/100. December 17, 2022 Top Rated Red Wine. Voluptuous Veal Wine Full Review

Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé Champagne, Champagne A.C., France: One of the most iconic and coveted rosé champagnes on the market. Stunning. Robust rosé champagne with aromas of cherry and toast. Perfectly balanced and elegant. This is the convenient half bottle size (375 ml): perfect for when you and your partner want to start a meal with a glass of bubbly each, then move on to something else. Great refreshment and cleansing acidity for a variety of dishes from fried chicken to shellfish. Drink: 2016-2022. 724559 12% XD 750 mL  $109.95 Score: 92/100. November 25, 2017 Top Rated Sparkling Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review

Ruffino Modus 2018, Tuscany I.G.T., Italy: Ruffino Modus 2018 is a crowd pleaser Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet red wine blend from the Tuscany wine region. The wine juice for each varietal is aged separately in small French and American oak casks up to one year prior to the final blend and bottling. Look for concentrated black cherry, plum, cassis, savoury herb and spicy flavours silky and vibrant on this muscular Supertuscan. Drink: 2024-2036. 912956 13.50% D 750 mL  $32.95 Score: 91/100. October 8, 2022 Top Rated Red Wine. Charming Grilled Chicken Wine Full Review

Loveblock Sauvignon Blanc 2020, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Loveblock 2020 Sauvignon Blanc is vegan-friendly and produced from sustainably-grown grapes from the Marlborough wine region. Dry, mouth-watering and tasty with summer-kissed citrus blossom, apple, lemon zest, grapefruit, chive, dill, white pepper and mineral flavours silky and long on the palate. Delicious now. Drink or hold. Drink: 2022-2024. 22851 13.50% D 750 mL  $27.95 Score: 90/100. April 15, 2022 Top Rated White Wine. Splendid Salad Wine Full Review

Lapis Luna Zinfandel 2021, Mendocino, North Coast, California, United States: From Pauli Ranch in Mendocino, Lapis Luna 2021 is a full-bodied, juicy Zinfandel with 20% Sangiovese added to the mix. "Lapis Luna" is Latin for "stone and moon" and is about the relationship between the earth (stone), the moon (luna) and as well as a nod to this producer's reach-for-the-moon attitude of exploring and finding undiscovered California vineyard sites. Crafted by Nicole Walsh, former winemaker at Bonny Doon, this Cali red is juicy fruity with tart cherry, ripe strawberry and pepper spice flavours zesty on the palate. The wine spent 10 months in French and American oak (10% new). Enjoy it through 2025 with equally juicy pork ribs and gourmet burgers from the grill. Drink: 2024-2025. 17264 14.30% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 89/100. September 20, 2024 Best Value Red Wine. Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review

Plungerhead Old Vine Zinfandel 2020, Lodi, California, United States: From Don Sebastiani, Plungerhead 2020 is produced from Old Vines Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the Lodi wine region. Over the last 20 years, Lodi has been recognized for its award-winning wines and high-quality grapes, with this example deep dark violet in the glass and fragrant with dark plum, chocolate, brambleberry, baking spices with a bright a long red berry finish. Totally overdelivers at $23. Drink: 2024-2029. 38039 14.50% XD 750 mL  $22.95 Score: 90/100. October 19, 2024 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review