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 ReviewSusana Balbo Críos Malbec 2022, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina: Susana Balbo Críos 2022 is a great value Malbec from the Uco Valley at $18. Fragrant with spiced cherry, red currant, black olive tapenade on the palate, this Malbec is fresh and flavourful with a lingering red berry finish delivered with smooth and silky tannins. The wine label shows three connected and overlapping hands, an image that was inspired by a Mayan artifact. The three hands represent Susana and her two children and "Crios" means offspring. Drink: 2024-2027. 162529 14% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 92/100. November 2, 2024
Best Value Red Wine. Voluptuous Veal Wine Full ReviewEscorihuela Gascón 1884 Estate Grown Malbec 2022, Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina: Escorihuela Gascón 1884 Estate Grown Malbec offers concentrated aromas of blackcurrant, violet and toasted oak. It's dry and full-bodied with a silky texture. Serve it at room temperature with smoky barbecued beef brisket where the wine's depth complements the char while its soft tannins balance the meat's richness, or cellar it through 2031. Winemaker Matías Ciciani crafts this wine at Argentina's oldest continuously operating winery, established in 1884 when Don Miguel Escorihuela Gascón emigrated from Spain and became the first to bottle a pure Malbec varietal wine in the 1940s—a pioneering move that helped establish Malbec as Argentina's signature grape. This versatile wine also pairs wonderfully with hearty mushroom and beef chili, where the wine's ripe fruit echoes the sauce's savory depth while its structure cuts through the dish's warming spice. Drink: 2026-2031. 375444 14% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 92/100. January 10, 2026
Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full ReviewSusana 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 ReviewKaiken Ultra Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Luján De Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina: Kaiken's Ultra Cabernet Sauvignon from Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza is an elegant, medium to full-bodied red wine offering notes of damson plum, cassis, wild blueberry and juniper. This dry wine displays well-structured tannins and concentrated character that will continue to develop over the next ten years. Serve it at room temperature with prime rib as the wine's layered complexity complements the marbled beef, or pair it with pork tenderloin where the wine's spiced flavors balance the tender meat. Winemaker Mariana Onofri crafts this wine from an old pergola vineyard in Vistalba, aging it in barrels that impart notes of sandalwood and cedar alongside cooling menthol and toasted almond complexity. The wine's richness and slightly liqueur-like tone define the heart of Vistalba, balancing concentration with peppery aromatics in this cool vintage. This luscious, grippy Cabernet represents outstanding quality and will drink beautifully through 2035. Drink: 2025-2035. 135202 14.50% XD 750 mL $22.95 Score: 94/100. February 21, 2026
Best Beef Wine Full ReviewSur de los Andes Cabernet Franc 2022, Mendoza, Argentina: The Sur de los Andes Reserva Cabernet Franc from Mendoza is a dry, medium-to-full-bodied red that draws you in with an aromatic nose of wild violet, crushed raspberry and dried thyme, while the palate unfolds with flavors of dark cherry, sun-dried fig and a savory hint of black olive, all carried by silky tannins and a lively, lingering finish. Fermented with native yeasts and aged in seasoned oak casks, the wine has a natural, unforced elegance that feels true to the land rather than the cellar. Serve it slightly below room temperature and enjoy now through 2032. Winemaker Pablo Durigutti, widely regarded as one of Argentina's most gifted young winemaking talents, was hand-picked by founder Guillermo Banfi when he launched the boutique Sur de los Andes label in 2005 after walking away from a successful career in international banking and finance to pursue his passion for wine. Pour it alongside a slow-braised beef brisket with roasted garlic and thyme, where the wine's earthy depth and dark fruit are an effortless match for the richness of the meat, or try it with a classic coq au vin made with pearl onions and mushrooms, where the wine's fruit and savory undertones weave beautifully through the dish. Drink: 2026-2032. 21992 13.90% XD 750 mL $16.80 Score: 90/100. March 21, 2026
Best Beef Wine Full ReviewZonte's Footstep Blackberry Patch Cabernet 2021, Fleurieu, South Australia, Australia: Zonte's Footstep, Blackberry Patch 2021 Cabernet is deep ruby in the glass and is dry, full-bodied with ripe blackberry, cassis, ripe dark plum, cedar brush, anise and dark chocolate flavours generous and lingering on the palate. Tannins are velvety and fine-grained. An amazing value Cab at $20, enjoy it now through 2033. Drink: 2024-2032. 353193 14.10% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 93/100. March 21, 2026
Best Beef Wine Full ReviewWakefield Estate Label Pinot Noir 2024, South Australia, Australia: Wakefield Estate Pinot Noir 2024 offers bright cherry and red-berry perfume with cedary oak spice and a hint of menthol; silky and approachable now, cellar gently to 2029—pair with mixed grill or roast chicken. Drink: 2025-2029. 197392 14% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 92/100. November 8, 2025
Best Value Red Wine. Voluptuous Veal Wine Full ReviewMontes 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 ReviewMontes Limited Selection Pinot Noir 2020, Aconcagua Costa D.O., Chile: Montes 2020 Pinot Noir is an excellent value Chilean PN at $17. Dry, medium-bodied with fresh dark cherry, raspberry, fresh herbs, subtly spiced with a lingering flinty mineral finish. A third of the wine was aged in French oak barrels for seven months with the balance in stainless-steel tanks. Lovely now. Lightly chill and enjoy with three pepper steak. Drink: 2022-2027. 37937 14% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 90/100. September 24, 2022
Best Value Red Wine. Voluptuous Veal Wine Full ReviewBoya Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Leyda Valley D.O., Chile: From the Coast Zone, Leyda Valley wine region, Boya 2024 Sauvignon Blanc is an excellent value. Produced by Garcés Silva, this juicy, fresh SB is vegan friendly and produced from sustainably grown grapes. The Boya Vineyards are cooled by the moderated breezes off the Pacific Ocean giving the grapes time to slowly ripen and fully develop. These cooling breezes also bring a salty tang to the grapes. The wine was fermented in stainless steel tank giving extra freshness to its generous lime zest, gooseberry, melon and tropical fruit flavours finishing mouth-wateringly long on the palate on an herbal and briny mineral note. In other words, it is delicious! Chill and enjoy it through 2026. Drink: 2025-2027. 389726 12.50% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 90/100. May 24, 2025
Best Value White Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full ReviewErrázuriz Max Carmenère 2022, Aconcagua Valley D.O., Chile: 2022 Errázuriz Max Carmenère shows glossy black-plum and blackberry notes with cocoa and anise hints, framed by velvety tannins and subtle herbal lift. Try it with roasted lamb or smoky beef kebabs. Drink: 2025-2032. 37797 14.50% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 94/100. October 25, 2025
Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full ReviewFalernia Gran Reserva Carmenère 2020, Elqui Valley, Chile: Falernia Gran Reserva 2020 Carmenère is produced from grapes sourced from vines in the Elquí Valley, 550 metres above sea level living in rocky, sandy soils. Produced in stainless-steel tanks to preserve the wine's fruity flavours and freshness, it is a soft and velvety Carmenère concentrated with dark berry fruit, dark cherry, plum, cocoa, vanilla and spicy flavours with a kiss of smoke on the finish. A portion of the grapes are dried in Appassimento style prior to making the wine. Excellent value at $20. Drink: 2024-2028. 269175 15% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 91/100. February 3, 2024
Best Value Red Wine. Terrific Turkey Wine Full ReviewBillecart-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 ReviewLornano Chianti Classico 2017, Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy: Lornano 2017 Chianti Classico is a great value 100% Sangiovese ($21) from the Tuscany wine region. Fragrant and juicy with bright, ripe cherry, red berry, plum, loamy earth and dark chocolate flavours lingering on the palate with a nutty, spicy finish. Drink or hold. Drink: 2023-2026. 211599 14.50% XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 92/100. February 4, 2023
Best Value Red Wine. Complete Cheese Pizza Wine Full ReviewRuffino 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 ReviewLoveblock 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 ReviewLapis 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 ReviewPlungerhead 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