Alamos Selección Malbec 2017, La Consulta, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina: Love this full-bodied, smooth Malbec concentrated with dark plum, blueberry, cherry, cake spice and vanilla flavours. Alamos is a great value Malbec (with a splash of Syrah added in) under $18 from the La Consulta, Uco Valley. Drink or hold. Drink: 2021-2023. 322800 13.50% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 92/100. February 1, 2021
Best Value Red Wine. Luscious Lamb Wine Full ReviewVineland Estates Winery Cabernet Franc 2025, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Vineland Estates sits on a Niagara Escarpment homestead first settled in 1845, with vines going into the ground in 1979. The wine shop occupies a log barn with a ceiling that feels like something out of a cathedral, and the restaurant next door sits inside the original farmhouse. This year's redesigned label puts the vineyard's home, VQA Niagara Escarpment, right at the top, ahead of the wine's own name. The nose opens on summer berries, wooden spice curling in as it sits in the glass. The palate turns broad and smooth, lively acidity keeping the fruit focused throughout. This is a wine built for the grill, just as happy carried into the evening once things cool down by the fire. Try it with a rack of ribs hot off the backyard grill. Drink: 2023-2025. 594127 12% D 750 mL $15.95 Score: 93/100. August 29, 2026
Full ReviewMaison Roche de Bellene Vieilles Vignes Volnay Pinot Noir 2010, Volnay, Burgundy A.C., France: Maison Roche de Bellene 2010 is produce from Old Vines Pinot Noir (40-plus years). Lovely with ripe cherry, red berry, fine herbs, subtle spicy and smoky flavours on the palate, this is a beautiful PN from the Volnay, Burgundy wine region. Produced by Nicolas Potel, a well-known and highly-regarded winemaker in Burgundy. Drink or hold to 2032. Drink: 2024-2032. 299875 13% XD 750 mL $68.95 Score: 92/100. June 22, 2024
Top Rated Red Wine. Remarkable Roast Chicken Wine Full ReviewChâteau Grand Escalion Safranée 2018, Costières de Nîmes, Rhône A.P., France: Produced by Gabriel Meffre, Château Grand Escalion Safranée is a sensuous, full-bodied Syrah, Grenache and Carignan red wine blend from the Costières de Nîmes wine region in the Rhône Valley. The 2018 vintage is smooth and velvety with ripe dark cherry, anise, grilled herbs and savoury spice flavours on the palate. Drink or hold. Drink: 2021-2024. 18141 12.50% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 90/100. February 1, 2021
Best Value Red Wine. Plush Pork Wine Full ReviewDomaine Gouron Chinon 2020, Loire A.C., France: Domaine Gouron Chinon 2020 is produced from 100% Cabernet Franc and at this price, buy several because this wine from a very good vintage is showing nicely. Fresh with aromas of violets, ripe raspberry, fine herbs, savoury black olive and a touch of spice balanced with the right amount of fresh acidity that is so characteristic of the Loire. Well done and amazing value at $18. Drink: 2023-2028. 470963 13% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 89/100. July 22, 2023
Best Value Red Wine. Glorious Game Wine Full ReviewChâteau 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. April 11, 2026
Best Value Red Wine. Glorious Game Wine Full ReviewKönigschaffhauser Steingrüble Trocken Pinot Noir 2019, Baden Qualitätswein, Germany: Königschaffhauser Steingrüble 2019 Pinot Noir is a zesty, medium-bodied Baden Qualitätswein with bright cherry, raspberry, red currant, pepper, anise and nutmeg spice aromas and flavours on the palate. Easy to love, lightly chill and enjoy it with mushroom risotto or veal chops in mushroom sauce. Drink: 2022-2026. 460410 12.50% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. January 20, 2024
Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review