Susana Balbo Signature Malbec 2023, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina: Susana Balbo Signature is a medium-plus-bodied Malbec from the Uco Valley, Mendoza, with a firm weight and dry profile, best served at room temperature. Winemaker Susana Balbo crafts this unfined and unfiltered wine from high-elevation vineyards, offering ripe black fruits, cassis, warming spice, and cocoa flavours with a fresh, generous palate and supportive tannins. At 14.5% alcohol, it has strong aging potential through 2030, developing more complexity over time. Pair it with a meat lover's pizza to highlight its dark fruit, or a spiced lamb or sausage dish to complement its richness and structure. This wine exemplifies Uco Valley Malbec with mountain freshness and elegant concentration. Drink: 2025-2030. 79798 14.50% XD 750 mL  $22.95 Score: 95/100. December 6, 2025 Top Rated Red Wine. Magnificent Meat Pizza Wine Full Review

Doña Paula El Alto Single Vineyard Malbec 2023, Mendoza, Argentina: Doña Paula El Alto Single Vineyard Malbec from Mendoza is a refined, medium to full-bodied red offering aromas of fresh lavender, ripe blackcurrant, and hints of mocha. It's dry with velvety tannins and lively acidity. Serve it slightly below room temperature with grilled ribeye steak as the wine's smooth texture and concentrated fruit will enhance the charred meat's savory richness beautifully, or pair it with aged Gouda cheese where the wine's balanced structure and persistent finish will complement the cheese's caramel-like complexity perfectly. Director of winemaking and viticulture Martín Kaiser, who joined Doña Paula as a viticulturist in 2006 and spearheaded the groundbreaking decade-long "Terroir in Focus" research program involving over 1,350 soil pits and 700 micro-vinifications, crafts this wine from vines planted in 1975 in the historic Alluvia Vineyard at Ugarteche. The wine ferments in concrete vessels before aging 12 months in French oak barrels (20% new), and comes from vineyards at 1,050 meters elevation where sandy loam to clay loam soils with variable stone content create the classic Luján de Cuyo profile. Enjoy now or cellar for 5-8 years. Drink: 2026-2034. 46404 14% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 93/100. March 7, 2026 Charming Grilled Chicken Wine Full Review

Kaiken 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. March 7, 2026 Best Beef Wine Full Review

Santa Julia Magna Malbec 2023, Mendoza, Argentina: Santa Julia Magna Malbec from Mendoza is a concentrated, medium to full-bodied red offering aromas of sun-dried plum, warm cinnamon, and hints of blackcurrant. It's dry with rounded tannins and lively acidity. Serve it slightly below room temperature with grilled ribeye steak as the wine's dense fruit and smooth texture will enhance the charred meat's savory richness beautifully, or pair it with aged Gouda cheese where the wine's depth and persistent finish will complement the cheese's caramel-like complexity perfectly. Winemaker Rubén Ruffo, a 25-year veteran at Santa Julia who works alongside vineyard manager Edgardo Cónsoli, crafts this wine from hand-selected grapes sourced from high-altitude vineyards in the Uco Valley, aging it for more than 10 months in French oak barrels. Named after Julia Zuccardi by her father José Alberto in the early 1990s when he took over the family winery founded by engineer Alberto Zuccardi in 1963, Santa Julia became one of the first Argentine wineries to certify its vineyards organic in 2001 and has since pioneered sustainable winemaking practices. Enjoy now or cellar for 3-6 years. Drink: 2026-2032. 47071 13% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 93/100. February 21, 2026 Charming Grilled Chicken Wine Full Review

Farmer's Leap Random Shot Shiraz 2023, Padthaway, South Australia, Australia: Farmer's Leap Random Shot is a medium-plus-bodied Shiraz from Padthaway, South Australia, with a firm weight and dry profile, best served at room temperature. Winemaker Farmer's Leap highlights ripe mulberry, cassis, and purple fruit flavours, accented by cocoa, sandalwood, peppery spice, violet, and a hint of eucalyptus, creating a fresh and generous palate. At 14.5% alcohol, it can age gracefully through 2030, developing more depth and complexity. Pair it with roast beef to bring out its bold fruit, or grilled lamb chops to complement its spice and herbal notes. This wine showcases Padthaway Shiraz with approachable richness and a long, vibrant finish. Drink: 2025-2030. 33368 14.50% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 95/100. December 6, 2025 Best Value Red Wine. Terrific Turkey Wine Full Review

Sister's Run Epiphany Shiraz 2022, Fleurieu Peninsula, Mclaren Vale South Australia, Australia: Sister's Run Epiphany 2022 Shiraz, crafted by Elena Brooks and vineyard manager Anthony John Parkinson, delivers remarkable value at $18. This vintage showcases lavish layers of ripe dark berries, cocoa, baking spices, and toasted oak, offering a rich and sumptuous palate with impressive depth. Bold yet smooth, it pairs beautifully with grilled lamb chops or a hearty beef stew. Grapes were sourced from the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu wine regions in South Australia. Enjoy now or cellar until 2036. Drink: 2025-2028. 269464 14% XD 750 mL  $18.00 Score: 93/100. March 7, 2026 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review

Wakefield Estate Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, South Australia, Australia: Wakefield Estate 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon is a terrific value red from cool-climate vineyards in the Clare Valley and Limestone Coast. Bold and flavourful, this full-bodied wine shows layers of dark berry, red cherry, roasted herbs, cocoa and a hint of toasted nuttiness, all supported by vibrant acidity and smooth tannins. Matured in French oak, it strikes a harmonious balance between richness and finesse. Pour with beef short ribs or grilled portobello mushrooms. Drink: 2025-2032. 744235 13% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 95/100. October 25, 2025 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review

Errázuriz 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 Review

Ventisquero Grey Glacier Single Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Maipo Valley, Chile: Ventisquero's Grey Glacier Single Block Cabernet Sauvignon from Maipo Valley is an enticing, medium-bodied red wine blending Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc with notes of cassis, wild bramble, dill and menthol. This dry wine displays textured tannins and zesty acidity that will continue to develop over the next two years and beyond. Serve it at room temperature with grilled sirloin steak as the wine's elegant structure stands up to the charred beef, or pair it with potato and chickpea stew where the wine's damson plum character complements the hearty dish. Winemaker Felipe Tosso crafts this youthful Cabernet from a single block in the Trinidad Vineyard in the cooler Maipo Costa, where maritime influences create Chile's most refined Bordeaux-style blends with iris aromatics and cassis leaf complexity alongside silky texture. This vibrant, herbaceous wine represents excellent value and will drink beautifully through 2028 and beyond. Drink: 2026-2028. 485474 14.40% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 93/100. March 7, 2026 Venerated Vegetarian Wine Full Review

Tabalí Pedregoso Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, Maipo Valley D.O., Chile: Tabalí's Pedregoso Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon from Maipo Valley is a stylish, full-bodied red wine offering notes of blackcurrant, menthol, crushed granite and green bell pepper. This dry wine displays graceful tannins and vibrant character that will continue to develop over the next four years. Serve it at room temperature with steak fajitas as the wine's slightly herbaceous finish complements the charred meat and peppers, or pair it with hearty black bean soup where the wine's succulent texture balances the rich broth. Vineyard wizard Hector Rojas grows grapes on the Maipo Costa, making the most of Pacific Ocean influence to create wines of remarkable freshness. Winemaker Gonzalo Vial ages this wine deftly in French oak, adding layers of cedar complexity while preserving the wine's stony character and cassis fruit. This fresh, mineral-driven Cabernet represents excellent quality and will drink beautifully through 2030. Drink: 2026-2030. 569699 14% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 93/100. February 21, 2026 Magnificent Meat Pizza Wine Full Review

Leyda Coastal Vineyards Canelo Syrah 2022, Leyda Valley D.O., Chile: Leyda's Coastal Vineyards Canelo Syrah from Leyda Valley is a rich, medium to full-bodied red wine offering notes of black cherry, grilled herbs, rosemary and cooking spices. This dry wine displays firm, dusty tannins and impressive concentration that will continue to develop over the next six years and beyond. Serve it at room temperature with BBQ beef short ribs as the wine's meaty character complements the caramelized sauce, or pair it with meat-lover's pizza where the wine's succulent finish stands up to the hearty toppings. Winemaker Viviana Navarrete crafts this deeply layered Syrah using thirty-five percent whole bunches to add complexity and spice, sourcing fruit from coastal vineyards where Pacific Ocean breezes create wines of remarkable freshness and intensity. Leyda was one of Chile's pioneering cool-climate regions, first planted in the 1990s, and has since established a reputation for producing world-class Syrah that rivals French examples. This flavorful, tightly wound wine represents excellent quality and will drink beautifully through 2032 and beyond. Drink: 2026-2032. 42109 13% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 93/100. January 24, 2026 Best Beef Wine Full Review

Château de Nages Héritage 2023, Costières De Nîmes, Rhône A.O.P., France: Château de Nages Héritage offers concentrated aromas of cassis, wild thyme and hints of graphite. It's dry and medium-to-full bodied with a silky texture. Serve it at room temperature with roasted leg of lamb rubbed with fresh rosemary and garlic where the wine's herbal notes complement the seasonings while its supple tannins balance the meat's richness, or cellar it through 2032. Winemaker Michel Gassier leads this fifth-generation family estate, now joined by his daughter Isabel, the first in France to achieve both organic and regenerative agriculture certification. The estate sits at the northern edge of Costières de Nîmes, benefiting from the cooling Mistral winds and proximity to the Mediterranean, which preserve freshness and aromatic intensity in late-ripening grapes. This versatile wine also pairs beautifully with traditional tourtière, where the wine's peppery spice echoes the meat pie's seasonings while its fresh acidity cuts through the pastry's buttery richness. Drink: 2025-2032. 40964 15% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 93/100. February 21, 2026 Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review

Louis Bernard Louis Côtes du Rhône-Villages 2023, Côtes du Rhône, Rhône A.O.P., France: This 2023 Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages from Louis Bernard melds compote-dark fruit, tapenade and garrigue with ripe tannic texture—juicy and vigorous, pair with lamb or grilled vegetables. Drink: 2025-2027. 561290 14% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 92/100. March 21, 2026 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review

Halos de Jupiter Côtes du Rhône, Côtes Du Rhône, Rhône, France: Halos de Jupiter Côtes du Rhône is a dry, medium-plus-bodied blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah crafted by renowned winemakers Philippe Cambie and Michel Gassier, revealing red plum, Earl Grey tea and violet with a peppery, toasted oak finish. Serve it at room temperature with grilled ribeye au poivre, where the wine's spicy notes and firm tannins complement the cracked black pepper crust and rich beef flavors, or pair it with roasted lamb shoulder with herbes de Provence as the wine's garrigue-like character echoes the aromatic herbs. Philippe Cambie is one of the Rhône Valley's most celebrated consulting winemakers, having earned the title "Flying Winemaker" for his work with over 100 estates across southern France and gaining fame for helping producers achieve top scores from critics worldwide. This elegant, beautifully balanced red offers tremendous value and can be enjoyed now or cellared through 2030 as its layers of fruit and spice continue to integrate. Drink: 2025-2030. 276956 15% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 93/100. December 6, 2025 Best Value Red Wine. Magnificent Meat Pizza Wine Full Review

Gérard Bertrand AN 806 Corbières 2021, Corbières, Languedoc, France: Gérard Bertrand An 806 is a medium- to full-bodied Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre blend from Corbières, Languedoc, with a firm weight and dry profile, best served at room temperature. Winemaker Gérard Bertrand offers a charred, rich wine layered with black fruit, damson, crushed strawberry, garrigue herbs, espresso, and charred oak, supported by medium, rounded tannins and a fresh, textured palate. At 14% alcohol, it has aging potential through 2028, developing further depth while maintaining vibrancy. Pair it with a meat lover's pizza to complement its dark fruit and spice, or roast duck to highlight its charred, savoury notes. This wine exemplifies Languedoc's ability to produce full-bodied, approachable red blends with finesse. Drink: 2025-2028. 394288 14% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 92/100. December 6, 2025 Best Value Red Wine. Magnificent Meat Pizza Wine Full Review

Famile Perrin Les Christins Vacqueyras 2022, Vacqueyras A.O.C., Rhône, France: Famille Perrin's Les Christins Vacqueyras from Rhône is a vibrant, full-bodied red wine blending Grenache and Syrah with notes of black plum, wild thyme, white pepper and forest floor. This dry, beautifully balanced wine displays supple tannins and impressive freshness that will continue to develop over the next five years. Serve it at room temperature with grilled lamb merguez sausages as the wine's spicy character mirrors the North African spices, or pair it with herb-roasted pork loin where the wine's savory depth complements the fragrant rosemary and garlic. Winemaker Charles Perrin oversees this cuvée sourced from fifty-year-old vines in the rocky Dentelles de Montmirail foothills, hand-harvesting and aging the wine in traditional large oak foudres for a year. The Perrin family is best known for producing the legendary Château de Beaucastel in nearby Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and they bring the same meticulous attention to detail to this exceptional Vacqueyras. This wine captures the essence of southern Rhône terroir at an outstanding price and will cellar gracefully through 2030. Drink: 2025-2030. 973453 14.50% XD 750 mL  $25.95 Score: 93/100. December 20, 2025 Top Rated Red Wine. Plush Pork Wine Full Review

Kir-Yianni Villages Xinomavro 2022, Naoussa, Macedonia P.D.O., Greece: Kir-Yianni Villages Xinomavro offers vibrant aromas of tart pomegranate, violet and hints of dried oregano. It's dry and medium-bodied with supple tannins. Serve it lightly chilled with grilled game sausages seasoned with fennel and garlic where the wine's bright acidity cuts through the fat while its herbal character complements the spices, or cellar it through 2036. Stellios Boutaris, fifth-generation winemaker, leads the estate founded in 1997 by his father Yiannis Boutaris after he left the family's Boutari Wine Group to focus on a quality-driven personal project. Kir-Yianni became the first Greek winery to join International Wineries for Climate Action in 2024, pioneering sustainable practices in the region. This versatile wine also pairs beautifully with roasted lamb shoulder rubbed with lemon and mountain herbs, where the wine's crisp character echoes the bright citrus while its elegant structure balances the meat's tender richness. Drink: 2026-2036. 14151 14% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 92/100. February 21, 2026 Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review

Masseria Sorani Soranì Primitivo Di Manduria 2021, Tuscany D.O.C., Italy: Masseria Sorani Soranì Primitivo di Manduria from Puglia opens with aromas of wild cranberry, tart blackcurrant, dried oregano, and damp loam with whispers of pink peppercorn and graphite. Off-dry and medium-bodied with lively acidity and fine, approachable tannins, it bounces across the palate with vibrant red berry fruit before finishing with notes of candied orange rind and warm spice. Serve it slightly below room temperature or cellar it through 2034. Giancarlo Tommasi, enologist and technical director of Tommasi Family Estates, works alongside enologist Fabio Mecca Paternoster crafting this wine at Masseria Surani, the Tommasi family's Puglia project established in 2014 on 55 hectares of organically farmed vineyards surrounding a traditional early 1900s manor house built with sandstone and high protective walls to defend against 16th-century Turkish pirate attacks, located in Manduria where the ancient Greeks first introduced viticulture in 700 BC during the colonization of Magna Graecia. Pair this energetic red with grilled Italian sausages and roasted peppers where the wine's vibrant acidity cuts through the rich, savory flavors, or enjoy it with mushroom and beef ragu over pappardelle as the wine's earthy notes enhance the umami-rich sauce. Drink: 2026-2034. 46569 13.50% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 91/100. February 21, 2026 Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review

Michele Chiarlo Le Orme Barbera d'Asti 2022, Piedmont D.O.C.G., Italy: Michele Chiarlo's Le Orme Barbera d'Asti from Piedmont is a generous, medium-bodied red wine offering notes of ripe plum, blackberry, violet and savory herbs. This dry wine displays soft tannins and juicy fruit that make it immediately approachable. Serve it at room temperature with grilled Italian sausages with marinara as the wine's bright acidity cuts through the rich tomato sauce, or pair it with eggplant and ricotta baked ziti where the wine's freshness balances the melted cheese. Winemaker Stefano Chiarlo crafts this ready-to-drink Barbera from four estate vineyards in Nizza, including the historic old-vine La Court vineyard, aging the wine sixteen months with four months in large oak to add subtle depth while preserving the fruit's vibrant character. The estate's vineyards are part of the Langhe-Roero and Monferrato UNESCO World Heritage Site, designated in 2014 for their outstanding cultural landscape and centuries-old winemaking traditions. This fruit-forward Barbera offers exceptional depth and typical varietal character at an attractive price and will drink beautifully through 2031. Drink: 2026-2031. 265413 13.50% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 92/100. January 10, 2026 Best Value Red Wine. Perfect Pasta and Tomato Sauce Wine Full Review

Cusumano Presti e Pegni Benuara Syrah Nero d’Avola 2022, Sicily D.O.C., Italy: Cusumano Benuara from Sicily's Presti e Pegni estate blends 70% Nero d'Avola with 30% Syrah to deliver a wine bursting with aromas of wild blackberry, plum, cracked black pepper, and dried Mediterranean herbs. Dry and medium to full-bodied with polished tannins, it unfurls across the palate with luscious dark fruit and closes with a vibrant, spicy edge. Serve it slightly below room temperature or cellar it through 2030. Mario Ronco, the consultant winemaker from Piedmont, works with brothers Alberto and Diego Cusumano using sustainably grown grapes from the warm, powerful terroir of Monreale near Palermo, where the family established their winery in 2001 and quickly rose to become the number one Sicilian wine brand in the United States. Pair this juicy red with slow-braised beef stew where its bold fruit and gentle tannins will embrace the rich, savory flavors, or enjoy it with grilled lamb chops rubbed with rosemary as the wine's herbal notes beautifully echo the aromatic meat. Drink: 2026-2030. 597138 13.50% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 92/100. January 10, 2026 Best Value Red Wine. Glorious Game Wine Full Review

Pajaru Vientu Appassimento 2024, Puglia I.G.T., Italy: Pajaru Vientu from Puglia opens with enticing aromas of blackberry, dark plum, black olive tapenade, and dried herbs with hints of dark chocolate and cool mint. Off-dry and medium-bodied with a lively, bouncy texture from vibrant acidity and minerality, it flows across the palate with concentrated dark fruit and closes with a refreshing finish of spearmint and anise. Serve it slightly below room temperature or cellar it through 2028. Federico De Cerchio, fourth-generation winemaker who returned to the family estates in 2018 after founding and selling Italy's first wine e-commerce company, crafts this appassimento-style blend of 35% Primitivo, 35% Negroamaro, and 30% Nero di Troia from vineyards in Manduria near the Salento Peninsula that his grandfather Laurentino discovered in the 1960s when shepherds offered him wine from their property after helping repair his broken-down car, leading to the purchase of what became Tenuta del Pajaru. Pair this distinctive red with slow-braised osso buco where the wine's dark fruit complements the rich, wine-braised veal shanks, or enjoy it with grilled lamb chops rubbed with rosemary as the herbal notes beautifully echo the aromatic meat. Drink: 2026-2028. 47088 15% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 92/100. January 24, 2026 Best Value Red Wine. Voluptuous Veal Wine Full Review

Andreza Reserva, Douro, Portugal: Andreza is a dry, medium-plus-bodied red with a vibrant weight and a smooth, structured palate. Made from a blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Roriz, the wine reflects the Douro region's stony soils and benefits from careful oak aging that adds depth without overpowering the fruit. Winemaker oversight ensures consistency and finesse, and the estate's history highlights its dedication to traditional Douro viticulture. Pair it with veal medallions in a rich wild mushroom sauce, or serve alongside roasted pork loin for a comforting meal. This wine can be enjoyed now or cellared for several years to develop further complexity. Drink: 2025-2029. 385849 14% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 93/100. December 6, 2025 Best Value Red Wine. Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review

Gloria 2022, Douro D.O.C., Portugal: Gloria's Reserva from Douro is a fresh, full-bodied red wine blending Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional with notes of iris, mulberry, cassis and dried oregano. This dry wine displays rounded texture and sweet spice finish that will continue to develop over the next four years. Serve it at room temperature with slow-braised brisket as the wine's fruity character complements the rich meat, or pair it with grilled rack of lamb where the wine's structure stands up to the charred flavors. Winemaker Vicente Faria crafts this nicely done Reserva with layers of toasted vanilla complexity while preserving the wine's vibrant fruit expression. Gloria represents exceptional quality from Portugal's premier Douro Valley, showcasing indigenous varieties at accessible prices. This great-value red represents outstanding quality and will drink beautifully through 2030. Drink: 2026-2030. 146522 13.30% D 750 mL  $15.10 Score: 91/100. February 7, 2026 Delightful Duck Wine Full Review

Licenciado 2020, Rioja D.O.C.A., Spain: The Licenciado Reserva from Bodegas Burgo Viejo is a pure expression of 100% Tempranillo sourced from vines planted at the foot of Monte Yerga in Rioja D.O.C.A., aged for 18 months in a mix of French and American oak barrels before release. It is dry and medium-to-full-bodied, with an inviting nose of dried cherry, violets and a ribbon of sweet tobacco, while the palate delivers layered flavors of dark berry compote, warm cinnamon and earthy undertones, all carried by velvety tannins and a fresh, food-friendly finish. Serve it slightly below room temperature and enjoy now through 2034. Winemaker Gorka Etxebarria joined this family-run estate and made the bold decision to craft the Reserva as a rare single-varietal wine, a refreshing departure from the blending traditions of the region. Bodegas Burgo Viejo was originally founded by six farming families in 1987 and has since grown into a multi-generational cooperative of sixteen families working the land together. It pairs beautifully with a slow-roasted leg of lamb rubbed with smoked paprika and garlic, where the wine's earthy warmth echoes the deep, savory flavors of the meat, or serve it alongside thick-cut pork chops with a cherry and red wine reduction to let the wine's fruit come alive on the plate. Drink: 2026-2034. 370023 13.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 92/100. March 21, 2026 Plush Pork Wine Full Review

Faustino V 2018, Rioja D.O.C.A, Spain: Faustino's V Reserva from Rioja is a juicy, medium-bodied red wine offering notes of cherry, plum, leather and dark spice. This dry Tempranillo-based blend displays fine-grained tannins and bright freshness that will continue to develop over the next nine years. Serve it at room temperature with roasted leg of lamb as the wine's complexity complements the rich meat, or pair it with Spanish tapas including aged manchego and chorizo where the wine's Old World maturity enhances the traditional flavors. Winemaker Julio Faustino Martínez crafts this expressive Reserva with consistent quality, introducing Maturana to the blend for the first time in this vintage, adding layers of black earth and peppercorn to the classic Rioja profile. Bodegas Faustino Martínez has been family-owned since 1861 and is one of Rioja's most respected producers, maintaining traditional winemaking methods while aging their wines to achieve graceful complexity. This succulent, long-finishing Reserva represents excellent quality and will drink beautifully through 2035. Drink: 2026-2035. 22798 13.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 93/100. January 24, 2026 Best Beef Wine Full Review