Etchart Cafayate Estate Malbec 2022, Salta, Argentina: Pair with barbecued lamb or smoked brisket — violet and green-tea perfume cloak a plush plum core, finishing with a generous, lingering blackberry echo. Drink: 2025-2026. 42748 14.50% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 93/100. October 11, 2025
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Shanahans The Barking Dog Gsm 2023, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia: The 2023 The Barking Dog has plum-jam and raw-cocoa aromas meeting fennel-seed spice and smoked-meat notes, while iron-tinged tannins grip a core of black cherry; medium-bodied with old-world depth and modern finesse. Heavenly alongside barbecued short ribs or lamb sausage. Drink: 2025-2038. 20880 14% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 93/100. September 27, 2025
Glorious Game 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
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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 16, 2025
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San Pedro 1865 Selected Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Las Piedras, Maipo Valley D.O., Chile: Imagine a Maipo Valley powerhouse that pours like liquid velvet. San Pedro’s Cabernet unfurls bright cherry and mulled-herb aromas, then floods the palate with juicy red berries spiked by minty bay leaf. Firm, mouth-coating tannins lock in structure, while lively acidity keeps every sip fresh. At this price point, it’s a wardrobe-basic cabernet that punches above its weight. Drink: 2025-2027. 37911 14.50% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 94/100. August 30, 2025
Best Beef Wine Full Review
Arboleda Carmenère 2022, Aconcagua Costa, Aconcagua Valley D.O., Chile: This Carmenère from The Las Vertientes Vineyard features crushed red-berry and forest-herb aromas lead into a vibrant core of cherry and wild thyme; sharp tannins and juicy acidity frame a finish where savory herb notes shimmer. Pair with grilled chorizo or herb-roasted lamb. Drink: 2025-2027. 46284 14% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 93/100. September 27, 2025
Best Beef Wine Full Review
Marty Mariposa Alegre Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, Colchagua Valley, Chile: This 2020 Gran Reserva Cabernet from Marty Mariposa shows plum and dark-chocolate layers with vanilla-oak and violet perfume, balanced by fresh acidity and medium tannins. Try it with venison or roast leg of lamb. Drink: 2025-2027. 44671 14.50% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 93/100. 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
Halos de Jupiter, 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 $19.95 Score: 93/100. December 16, 2025
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Xavier Vignon Côtes du Rhône 2020, Côtes du Rhône, Rhône A.P., France: Xavier Vignon 2020 is an amazing value Rhône red blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre at $19. Produced from organically grown grapes and richly layered with blackberry, blueberry, plum, earthy violets and stony mineral flavours savoury and long on the palate. Excellent now. Drink: 2024-2027. 297317 14.50% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 91/100. June 21, 2025
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Château Saint-Roch Chimères Grenache Carignan Syrah Côtes Du Roussillon-Villages 2022, Côtes Du Roussillon, Midi A.P., France: Château Saint-Roch Chimères 2022, crafted by winemaker Jean-Marc Lafage, offers exceptional value at $20. This dry, medium-plus-bodied Côtes du Roussillon-Villages blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan is aromatic with dried thyme and Mediterranean garrigue. The palate is rich and flavourful, featuring black cherry, anise, baking spices, and a touch of chocolate. Enjoy it with grilled lamb skewers or roasted vegetable ratatouille. Drink: 2025-2028. 119354 15% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 93/100. August 16, 2025
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Louis Bernard Louis 2022, Rhône A.P., France: Louis Bernard Louis 2022 offers exceptional value at $18, embodying the depth and character of a well-crafted Côtes du Rhône Villages. A bold blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, it presents concentrated layers of ripe dark berries, cassis, aromatic wild herbs, and rich spice, complemented by a touch of earthy minerality. Juicy and vibrant on the palate, it’s a fantastic companion to gourmet burgers or grilled veal-stuffed Portobello mushrooms. Drink: 2025-2025. 561290 14% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 92/100. May 24, 2025
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Château le Grand Retour Plan De Dieu 2022, Côtes Du Rhône, Rhône A.C., France: Château le Grand Retour Plan De Dieu 2022 is a beautifully balanced Côtes du Rhône Villages, offering bright cherry, floral notes, and a touch of spice. The palate is fresh and supple, with red berry vibrancy, baking spice warmth, and a subtle chocolate hint. A fantastic value at $17, it’s perfect now but will continue to shine through 2026. Pair it with gourmet hamburgers or grilled pork chops. Drink: 2025-2025. 224592 14.50% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 90/100. June 21, 2025
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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 16, 2025
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Famile Perrin Les Christins Vacqueyras 2022, Vacqueyras A.O.C., Rhône, France: Drink: 2025-2030. 973453 14.50% XD 750 mL $25.95. January 3, 2026
Plush Pork Wine Full Review
Nardelli 1976 Negroamaro Primitivo 2024, Puglia I.G.P., Italy: Special-edition holiday red blends deliver festive spice, ripe black-fruit concentration and polished tannins—perfect for celebratory roasts or a seasonal charcuterie board. Drink: 2025-2028. 39235 14% D 750 mL $21.95 Score: 90/100. October 25, 2025
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San Marzano Talò Primitivo Di Manduria 2023, Puglia D.O.P., Italy: San Marzano Talò Di Manduria Primitivo's bright raspberry and lemon-zest aromas give way to a structured palate of red-fruit compote and herb-inflected spice; medium-full and poised, with a zesty, uplifting finish. Pair with tomato-olive pasta or grilled lamb skewers. Drink: 2025-2028. 455220 13% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. September 27, 2025
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Casa Santos Lima Quinta das Setencostas Alenquer Red 2020, Alenquer D.O.C., Portugal: In this Casa Santos Lima, red-currant and berry fragrances mingle with dried-herb nuances, unfolding into a medium-bodied frame of polished tannins and juicy core that leads to a focused, lingering finish. Try it alongside duck confit or wild-mushroom risotto. Drink: 2025-2028. 50930 13% XD 750 mL $13.95 Score: 90/100. September 27, 2025
Best Value Red Wine. Plush Pork Wine Full Review
Andreza, 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 16, 2025
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Castaño Hécula Organic Monastrell 2022, Yecla D.O., Spain: Castaño Hécula 2022 Monastrell skips the heavy theme in favor of fresh-picked berry uplift, melding wild-herb garrigue notes with ripe boysenberry and a kiss of rhubarb. Its light-footed tannins and bright pulse of acidity give each sip a sprightly finish. Pair it with smoky eggplant stacks topped with labneh or spicy chorizo-and-poblano tacos for a fun contrast. Drink: 2025-2026. 718999 14% XD 750 mL $13.95 Score: 90/100. July 19, 2025
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Abad Dom Bueno Laderas del Norte Mencia 2021, Bierzo D.O., Spain: A forest-floor veil of mint and moss meets bright mulberry and a streak of smoked paprika in this expressive Mencía. Soft tannins glide to a juicy finish. Match with bacon-wrapped pork medallions and grilled rosemary lamb chops. Drink: 2025-2027. 244699 13.50% XD 750 mL $16.95 Score: 92/100. September 13, 2025
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