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 Magnificent Meat Pizza Wine Full Review

Zonte's Footstep 1st off the Rank Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Zonte's Footstep's 1st Off The Rank Cabernet Sauvignon from McLaren Vale is a bold, full-bodied red wine showcasing notes of blackcurrant, eucalyptus, dark chocolate and cedary oak. This dry, vegan-friendly wine displays polished tannins and concentrated fruit that will continue to develop over the next decade. Serve it at room temperature with a standing rib roast as the wine's structure cuts through the marbled beef, or pair it with aged cheddar and charcuterie where the wine's intensity complements the sharp cheese and cured meats. Winemaker Ben Riggs crafts this elegant Cabernet from McLaren Vale's iron-rich terra rossa soils, which impart distinctive minerality and depth to the fruit. The winery's quirky name pays homage to Zonte, the beloved family dog who would bound ahead on vineyard walks, always "first off the rank" to explore the rows. This Cabernet represents exceptional value from one of Australia's most exciting boutique producers and will cellar beautifully through 2036. Drink: 2025-2036. 33417 15% D 750 mL  $21.95 Score: 93/100. January 3, 2026 Top Rated Red Wine. Terrific Turkey Wine Full Review

Sidewood Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia: Sidewood Sauvignon Blanc from Adelaide Hills is a dry, medium-bodied wine crafted from sustainably grown grapes in a cool vintage, revealing engaging green apple, honeydew and savoury herbal notes with tropical fruits of guava and papaya, feijoa, grapefruit zest and garden herbs of cilantro and basil on the mouth-wateringly long finish. Serve it chilled with grilled prawns with herb butter, where the wine's excellent purity and intensity complement the sweet shellfish while its herbal notes echo the fresh aromatics, or pair it with pan-seared snapper with mango salsa as the wine's tropical fruit character harmonizes with the fruit while its zesty acidity cuts through the richness. Winemaker Darryl Catlin oversees production at Sidewood Estate, a family-owned winery in the cool-climate Adelaide Hills that has been crafting expressive wines since 2004 from sustainably farmed vineyards at 450 meters elevation where temperature variations create wines of exceptional intensity and purity. This amazing, juicy Sauvignon Blanc earned recognition at the 2024 Cairns Show Wine Awards and represents great value at under twenty dollars, drinking beautifully through 2029. Drink: 2025-2027. 518357 12.80% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 92/100. December 6, 2025 Best Value White Wine. Scrumptious Seafood 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 Terrific Turkey Wine Full Review

Kilikanoon Killerman's Run Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2023, Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia: Kilikanoon Killerman's Run is a full-bodied Grenache-Shiraz-Mataro from the Clare Valley with a smooth weight and dry profile, best served at room temperature. Winemaker Kilikanoon layers vibrant red cherries, blackberry, wild herbs, and subtle peppery spice with food-friendly acidity, creating a silky, supple texture that lingers on the finish. At 14.5% alcohol, it can age gracefully through 2030, maintaining freshness and depth. Pair it with braised meats or lamburgers to highlight its rich fruit, or slow-cooked beef long ribs to complement its spice and structure. This wine exemplifies Clare Valley's ability to produce approachable yet complex GSM blends. Drink: 2025-2030. 412189 14.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 92/100. December 6, 2025 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review

Zonte's Footstep Excalibur Sauvignon Blanc, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia: Zonte's Footstep Excalibur Sauvignon Blanc from Adelaide Hills is a dry, light to medium-bodied white wine with a bright emerald straw color, revealing aromas of kiwi and lime, green papaya, wild basil and bell pepper with green berry, while the silky palate delivers crisp, refreshing tropical fruit notes and grapefruit zest with mouth-watering acidity and a lovely kiwi note from start to finish. Serve it chilled with grilled calamari with lemon and herbs, where the wine's fresh, fragrant character and zesty acidity complement the tender seafood while its wild herb notes echo the aromatics, or pair it with fresh goat cheese and arugula salad as the wine's crisp profile and white jasmine notes cut through the tangy cheese while harmonizing with the peppery greens. Winemaker Rob Dundon oversees production at Zonte's Footstep, an innovative South Australian winery founded in 2003 that has earned acclaim for crafting exceptional value wines from cool-climate sites, with this bottling showcasing the Adelaide Hills' ability to produce vibrant, food-versatile Sauvignon Blanc. This easy, versatile aperitif wine is amazing value and can be enjoyed now through 2027. Drink: 2025-2027. 311456 13% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 92/100. December 6, 2025 Sensational Shellfish Wine Full Review

Perez Cruz Piedra Seca Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, Maipo Valley, Andes, Chile: Perez Cruz Piedra Seca Cabernet Sauvignon from Maipo Valley is a dry, full-bodied wine crafted from sustainably grown Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Cabernet Franc, unveiling enticing aromas of dark plum, blackcurrant leaf, spearmint and wild thyme with vibrant, juicy flavors and tannins that offer a pleasingly textured structure. Serve it at room temperature with grilled ribeye steak with chimichurri sauce, where the wine's herbal notes echo the bright green sauce while the structured tannins stand up to the rich, charred beef, or pair it with braised short ribs as the wine's dark fruit and full body complement the tender, wine-braised meat. Winemaker Germán Lyon oversees production at Perez Cruz, a family estate founded in 1994 in the Maipo Andes that has become renowned for sustainable viticulture and crafting terroir-driven wines from high-altitude vineyards with rocky, well-drained soils. This second wine of the prestigious Pircas bottling offers exceptional value and can be enjoyed now or cellared through 2028. Drink: 2025-2028. 36167 14.50% XD 750 mL  $22.95 Score: 93/100. December 6, 2025 Top Rated Red Wine. Heavenly Hamburger Wine Full Review

Viña Tarapacá Gran Reserva Carmenère 2023, Maipo Valley, Chile: Tarapacá Gran Reserva Carmenère from Maipo Valley is a dry, medium-plus-bodied wine crafted from 95% Carmenère and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon from sustainably grown, vegan-friendly grapes, revealing spicy aromas of wild berries with touches of toast and lively tannins on the palate. Serve it at room temperature with grilled flank steak with chimichurri sauce, where the wine's herbal notes and fresh acidity echo the bright green sauce while the lively tannins stand up to the charred beef, or pair it with slow-cooked beef chili as the wine's blackberry and damson flavors complement the rich, spiced dish while its spicy character adds complexity. Winemaker Sebastián Labbé oversees production at Tarapacá, one of Chile's most historic wineries founded in 1874 in the heart of Maipo Valley, where the estate's proximity to the Andes Mountains provides the perfect cool-climate conditions for Carmenère to develop its signature herbaceous complexity. This excellent value wine offers tremendous quality and can be enjoyed now or cellared through 2033. Drink: 2025-2033. 57513 14.50% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 92/100. December 6, 2025 Best Value Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review

Santa Maria Valpolicella Ripasso Classico 2021, Veneto D.O.C., Italy: Santa Maria Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore from Veneto is a dry, medium to full-bodied wine crafted using the traditional Ripasso technique where the wine is re-fermented on dried Amarone grape skins, revealing a beguiling blend of mulled tangerine, morello cherries and allspice with a saturation of ripe forest berry fruits that is silken in feel. Serve it at room temperature with grilled lamb chops with rosemary, where the wine's gently tannic structure and wild berry fruit complement the tender, herb-crusted meat, or pair it with baked ziti with Italian sausage as the wine's slight bitter edge and textured mouthfeel harmonize with the rich tomato sauce and savoury sausage. Winemaker Pietro Zardini oversees production at Santa Maria, a family estate in the heart of Valpolicella Classico that has been crafting traditional Veronese wines for generations using time-honored methods including the Ripasso technique that adds depth and complexity to the wine. This darkly floral wine has a hint of citrus that adds gravitas and can be enjoyed from 2026 through 2031 as its layers continue to evolve. Drink: 2026-2031. 47033 15% XD 750 mL  $23.95 Score: 92/100. December 6, 2025 Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review

Clos Henri Pinot Noir 2022, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Clos Henri Petit Clos is a dry, medium-bodied Pinot Noir with a juicy weight and elegant structure. Organically and biodynamically farmed in Marlborough by the Bourgeois family, the wine showcases red and purple berry flavours with subtle loamy and forest floor notes, complemented by gentle toast influence. Pair it with roast turkey for a classic holiday meal, or grilled veal chops for a simple, savoury pairing. The estate's commitment to sustainable farming reflects its careful attention to terroir and vineyard health. Enjoy this wine now or cellar for a few years to enhance its complexity. Drink: 2025-2030. 19621 13.50% XD 750 mL  $29.95 Score: 94/100. December 6, 2025 Top Rated Red Wine. Terrific Turkey Wine Full Review

Spoke Awatere Sauvignon Blanc 2023, Awatere, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Spoke Awatere Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough is a dry, medium-bodied white wine revealing a pristine, fabulously lifted bouquet of crisp pear, lemon verbena, Meyer lemon and subtle stone fruit aromas, followed by a wonderfully flavoursome palate that's energetic, zesty and intensely expressed. Serve it chilled with grilled snapper with lime and cilantro, where the wine's Meyer lemon and lemon verbena notes echo the fresh aromatics while its energetic acidity complements the delicate fish, or pair it with fresh goat cheese and arugula salad as the wine's upfront expression and zesty character cut through the tangy cheese while harmonizing with the peppery greens. Winemaker Jen Parr oversees production at Spoke, a Marlborough estate that sources fruit from the cooler, windswept Awatere Valley where stony soils and intense sunshine create Sauvignon Blancs with exceptional intensity and lifted aromatics. This wine offers excellent drinking and can be enjoyed now through 2028. Drink: 2025-2028. 41799 13.20% XD 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 93/100. December 6, 2025 Top Rated White Wine. Splendid Salad Wine Full Review

Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough is a dry, medium-bodied white wine revealing aromatic and evocative aromas bursting with ruby grapefruit, guava, white blossom, citronella and snap pea, with a silky lees undertow and flashes of herbal-mineral notes, while the rich, mouth-filling palate is generous in tropical fruit and citrusy acid drive that tightens to a nicely crisp, briny, long dry finish. Serve it chilled with grilled prawns with lime and cilantro, where the wine's tropical fruit and citrus drive complement the sweet shellfish while its briny finish echoes the ocean-fresh flavors, or pair it with seared scallops with grapefruit beurre blanc as the wine's ruby grapefruit notes harmonize with the sauce while cutting through the richness. Winemaker Richelle Tyney joined Greywacke in 2021, bringing steady-handed finesse to this collection founded by Kevin Judd, the legendary winemaker who helped establish Cloudy Bay as one of New Zealand's most iconic producers. This lovely wine's fruit intensity and balance suggest it will mellow nicely in the bottle and can be enjoyed now through 2032. Drink: 2025-2032. 164228 13% XD 750 mL  $28.95 Score: 96/100. December 6, 2025 Harmonious Hard Cheese Wine Full Review

Borsao Berola, Campo De Borja, Spain: Borsao Berola is a dry, full-bodied red with a medium-plus weight and rich fruit concentration. Crafted by Bodegas Borsao, the wine showcases the Grenache and Syrah grapes sourced from high-altitude vineyards, offering a bright, lively palate with subtle peppery spice. The wine benefits from 14 months of aging in French and American oak, adding depth and structure, and it can be enjoyed now or cellared for a few years. Pair it with lamb shanks braised in red wine and roasted garlic, or try it alongside grilled lamb lollipops for a casual dinner. Winemaker oversight ensures a consistent style, and the estate's history dates back to 1958 when the land was first cultivated by Cistercian monks. Drink: 2025-2028. 371518 15% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 91/100. December 6, 2025 Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review