El Porvenir Amauta Absoluto Malbec 2024, Cafayate Valley, Argentina: Cafayate Valley sits at over 1,700 metres in Argentina's north, among the highest vineyards in the wine world. Black cherry leads, framed by dried oregano and a warm cedar note. It's juicy and structured in the mouth, firm tannins giving it real backbone for the price. This calls for smoked brisket or a lamb burger loaded with harissa. Drink: 2026-2026. 49830 14% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 90/100. August 15, 2026 Best Beef Wine Full Review

Highgate Shiraz 2021, South Australia, Australia: Organic / Highgate 2021 is an amazing value South Australian Shiraz at $18. Deep, dark violet in the glass and fragrant with red plum, red berry and vanilla aromas, the palate is generous with dark cherry, plum, mulberry, vanilla and pepper spice flavours fresh on the finish. The vineyard experiences warm daytime temperatures giving the grapes time to ripen completely and evenly while the cooler night time temperatures help the grapes to retain their acidity. A youthful and expressive Shiraz with a spicy and elegant finish. Drink: 2026-2031. 40721 14.10% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 89/100. August 3, 2026 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review

Sidewood Syrah Shiraz 2022, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia: Sidewood Shiraz from the Adelaide Hills, South Australia is a medium-bodied red from individual vineyard parcels at the Echunga specialist Shiraz site, each left for extended skin maceration and wild-yeast fermented in French barrels before 15 months of maturation, a process that demands patience and rewards it generously. On the nose it's fragrant and expressive, with crushed black pepper, cinnamon, and violet that signals exactly what kind of cool-climate Shiraz you're dealing with. The palate is focused and silky, with dark plum, espresso, and a long, mineral-driven finish with fine, supple tannins. Winemaker Darryl Catlin, who began his career pruning vines in the Barossa as a kid and rose to Chief Winemaker at Shaw & Smith before joining Sidewood, was named IWC Red Winemaker of the Year in 2019, and in 2015 Decanter Magazine named Sidewood's Mappinga Shiraz the World's Best Shiraz. Cellar it through 2043 and pull the cork with roast pheasant with sauerkraut, where the wine's spice and earthy depth are a natural match for the gaminess of the bird, or try it with grilled marinated game birds where the mineral edge ties the plate together. Drink: 2026-2030. 446146 14% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 95/100. August 15, 2026 Glorious Game Wine Full Review

Montes Alpha Carmenère 2022, Colchagua Valley, Chile: Montes Alpha Carmenère from Colchagua Valley, Chile is a medium-plus-bodied red sourced from sustainably dry-farmed estate vineyards, aged in French oak for depth and structure that you can actually taste. On the nose it's dark and fragrant, with blueberry, cinnamon, green herbs, and an earthy whisper of forest floor that is pure Carmenère. The palate is concentrated and polished, with dark chocolate and a long, structured finish with firm, supple tannins that have years of rewarding patience. Winemaker Aurelio Montes Sr., widely credited with pioneering Chile's quality wine revolution, was the first to plant Carmenère as a single-varietal wine in Chile. Cellar it through 2031 and pour it with wine-braised beef, where the wine's dark fruit and firm structure hold their own against the richness, or try it with wild boar for a pairing that matches the wine's intensity note for note. Drink: 2025-2031. 143230 14.50% XD 750 mL  $21.95 Score: 93/100. August 15, 2026 Best Beef Wine Full Review

Luis Felipe Edwards Cinso Cinsault, Chile: This is Chile's most underrated red grape, or it should be. Cinsault used to be an afterthought here, mostly blended away, until winemakers realized it could shine on its own. Red cherry leads, a whisper of clove and a savoury, earthy edge trailing behind. It's light and juicy in the mouth, with firm, fine tannins keeping it from feeling too soft. Try it with a niçoise salad or tuna tartare on cucumber. Drink: 2026-2026. 51147 12% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 93/100. August 15, 2026 Splendid Salad Wine Full Review

San Alejandro Querencia Garnacha 2022, Calatayud, Aragón D.O., Spain: Deseya Vieja / From Calatayud, Aragón D.O. San Alejandro Querencia Deseya 2022 is an excellent value, vegan-friendly Garnacha at $18. Produced from organically grown grapes, the wine is fragrant with pink florals, rose petals, red berry, pepper spice and fine herb flavours dry, medium-bodied and so fresh on the palate. Tannins are fine-grained. Excellent all the way around, buy this one by the case and drink it through 2028. Drink: 2024-2028. 37722 14% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. July 22, 2026 Best Value Red Wine. Plush Pork Wine Full Review