Mascota Unánime Gran Vino 2022, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina: The Mascota Unánime Gran Vino from the high-altitude El Cepillo vineyards of the southern Uco Valley, Mendoza is a boldly structured red blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Malbec and 15% Cabernet Franc, sourced from carefully selected old vines planted at the foot of the Andes and aged 12 months in French oak, opening with a captivating nose of dark wild berry, crushed violet and a curl of warm tobacco, while the full-bodied palate delivers concentrated layers of ripe black plum, roasted fig and a savory thread of ground black pepper, all framed by firm, polished tannins and a breathtakingly long, spiced finish. It is bone dry and impressively structured, so serve it slightly below room temperature and enjoy now through 2032. Winemaker Rodolfo "Opi" Sadler, a third-generation vintner whose grandfather kept treasured bottles in a basement cellar that young Opi would sneak into as a child and which he describes as feeling like a great adventure, brings over 40 years of winemaking experience across Argentina, France, Chile and the United States to every bottle he crafts. In a remarkable early achievement, the Unánime took home the International Trophy for Best Red Blend in the World at the Decanter World Wine Awards in 2012, just two years after the winery's founding, and the estate went on to claim Argentine Wine Producer of the Year at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in 2014. Pour it alongside slow-braised beef short ribs with roasted garlic and a red wine reduction, where the wine's dark fruit and firm structure are a seamless match for the intensity of the dish, or serve it with a hearty venison stew fragrant with juniper and thyme, letting the wine's depth and complexity weave magnificently through every warming bite. Drink: 2026-2032. 466938 14.50% XD 750 mL  $27.95 Score: 94/100. March 21, 2026 Best Beef Wine Full Review

Catena High Mountain Vines Chardonnay 2024, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina: Catena High Mountain Vines Chardonnay from Uco Valley reveals aromas of ripe apricot, Meyer lemon, vanilla bean and a hint of wet stone minerality. It's dry and medium to full-bodied with creamy texture balanced by bright acidity that gives the wine complexity and freshness through a long, satisfying finish. Serve it well-chilled alongside roasted chicken stuffed with herbs where the wine's richness and acidity complement the savory flavors, or pair it with seared scallops where the wine's subtle oak influence and mineral character balance the sweet, delicate shellfish. Chief winemaker Alejandro Vigil, who has led Catena Zapata to receive six 100-point ratings from the world's most renowned wine critics and was named to Decanter Magazine's Power List in 2013, crafts this wine from hand-harvested grapes grown at altitudes between 950 and 1,450 meters above sea level in the Uco Valley, then ages 60% in French oak barrels for ten months with the remainder in stainless steel to preserve fruit purity while adding textural depth. Founded in 1902 by Italian immigrant Nicola Catena and now led by fourth-generation vintner Dr. Laura Catena, the family pioneered high-altitude viticulture in Argentina and revolutionized Malbec production, and in 2023 their Adrianna Vineyard was voted #1 World's Best Vineyard by a panel of 500 international food, wine and travel writers. Enjoy this elegant Chardonnay through 2026. 918805 14% XD 750 mL  $21.95 Score: 93/100. March 21, 2026 Charming Grilled Chicken Wine Full Review

Viña Cobos Felino Malbec 2024, Mendoza, Argentina: Viña Cobos Felino Malbec from Mendoza displays aromas of ripe strawberry, dark plum, cracked black pepper and a hint of cocoa. It's dry and medium-bodied with smooth, supple tannins and lively acidity that keeps the concentrated fruit vibrant through the finish. Serve it at room temperature alongside gourmet burgers topped with blue cheese and caramelized onions where the wine's structure and bold fruit complement the savory richness, or pair it with spaghetti and meatballs where the wine's bright acidity cuts through the tomato sauce while echoing the dish's meaty depth. Founding partner and winemaker Paul Hobbs, who began exploring Mendoza's diverse terroirs in 1988 and established Viña Cobos in 1999, sources this 100% Malbec from hand-harvested grapes grown at altitudes between 2,300 and 3,800 feet above sea level across 65% Valle de Uco and 35% Luján de Cuyo, then ages it for nine months in small French oak barriques with only 8% new oak to preserve the pure fruit expression. The inaugural 1999 vintage of Cobos Malbec marked a milestone in viticulture that defied existing standards and firmly positioned Argentine Malbec on the international wine scene, and this entry-level Felino range continues to earn critical acclaim including 94 points from Jeb Dunnuck in 2025. Enjoy this approachable Malbec through 2035. Drink: 2025-2035. 118067 14.50% XD 750 mL  $20.95 Score: 93/100. March 21, 2026 Best Beef Wine Full Review

Sidewood Chardonnay 2024, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia: Sidewood Chardonnay from Adelaide Hills displays aromas of ripe white nectarine, pink grapefruit, toasted hazelnut and a touch of brioche. It's dry and medium-bodied with creamy texture balanced by vibrant acidity that gives the wine remarkable freshness and complexity through a long, mineral-driven finish. Serve it well-chilled alongside grilled prawns with garlic butter where the wine's richness and bright acidity complement the sweet shellfish, or pair it with pan-seared halibut where the wine's textural depth and citrus notes balance the delicate fish. Winemaker Darryl Catlin crafts this wine from grapes sourced from the cool-climate Adelaide Hills where elevation and maritime influences create ideal conditions for elegant Chardonnay, then uses a combination of French oak and stainless steel aging to develop complexity while preserving the wine's fresh fruit character and natural acidity. Founded in 2004 on a historic 160-hectare property at 500 meters elevation in the Onkaparinga Valley, Sidewood Estate takes its name from the extensive stands of native eucalyptus that frame the vineyard, and the winery has earned consistent recognition for producing exceptional cool-climate wines that showcase the distinctive terroir of the Adelaide Hills. Enjoy this elegant Chardonnay through 2032. Drink: 2026-2032. 186346 13% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 92/100. March 21, 2026 Sensational Shellfish Wine Full Review

Zonte's Footstep Blackberry Patch Cabernet 2021, Fleurieu, South Australia, Australia: Zonte's Footstep, Blackberry Patch 2021 Cabernet is deep ruby in the glass and is dry, full-bodied with ripe blackberry, cassis, ripe dark plum, cedar brush, anise and dark chocolate flavours generous and lingering on the palate. Tannins are velvety and fine-grained. An amazing value Cab at $20, enjoy it now through 2033. Drink: 2024-2032. 353193 14.10% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 93/100. March 21, 2026 Best Beef Wine Full Review

Emiliana Signos De Origen Pinot Noir 2022, El Rincón Vineyard, Casablanca Valley, Chile: Emiliana's Signos De Origen Pinot Noir from El Rincón Vineyard, Casablanca Valley is a vibrant, medium-bodied red wine offering notes of wild raspberry, morello cherry, white pepper and dried rose hips. This dry, organically grown and vegan-friendly wine displays impressive tension and energetic acidity that make it nicely gastronomic. Serve it slightly below room temperature with turkey tournedos as the wine's pristine, luminous finish complements the tender poultry, or pair it with veal cutlets where the wine's zesty character balances the delicate meat. Winemaker Noelia Orts crafts this biodynamically grown wine using 15% whole clusters, revealing powdery stones and a hint of agave-like herbs that invigorate the bouquet. The wine's wild oregano complexity and succulent fruit flavors are matched with food-friendly acidity and delicate, pleasantly grippy tannins. This bright, gastronomic Pinot Noir represents excellent quality and is best enjoyed now through 2026. 325670 13.50% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 93/100. March 21, 2026 Terrific Turkey Wine Full Review

Emiliana Signos De Origen Syrah 2022, Casablanca Valley, Chile: The Emiliana Signos de Origen Syrah from Chile's cool, fog-kissed Casablanca Valley is a certified organic red that opens with a captivating nose of dark plum, cured olive and a gentle waft of cracked black pepper, while the full-bodied palate delivers layers of roasted black cherry, dried rosemary and a streak of iron-tinged earth, all anchored by silky tannins and a bright, coastal acidity that keeps every sip refreshingly alive. It is dry and beautifully structured, so serve it slightly below room temperature and enjoy now through 2032. Winemaker Noelia Orts has been the passionate force behind Emiliana's organic and biodynamic program, earning wide international recognition for consistently coaxing remarkable finesse from the estate's sustainably farmed vineyards. Emiliana made history as the first winery in Chile and the seventh in the entire world to earn the ISO 14001 environmental management certification, a pioneering achievement that set the standard for sustainable winemaking across Latin America, and the estate has since been honoured with the prestigious Robert Parker Green Emblem as a global leader in winemaking sustainability. Pair it with barbecued lamb cutlets glazed with pomegranate and fresh mint, where the wine's peppery depth and dark fruit are a natural foil for the smokiness of the grill, or try it alongside slow-cooked beef short ribs with a rich tomato and herb braise, where the wine's earthy structure and juicy acidity cut beautifully through the richness of the dish. Drink: 2026-2032. 212407 14% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 91/100. March 21, 2026 Best Beef 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

Château de Marsan 2022, Cadillac Côtes De Bordeaux, Bordeaux A.O.C., France: The Château de Marsan from Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux A.O.C. is a 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon blend sourced from 38 hectares of gravelly, limestone-rich soils near the village of Lestiac-sur-Garonne, aged 12 months in French oak barrique, opening with an inviting nose of dark plum, crushed blackberry and a thread of warm cinnamon spice, while the medium-to-full-bodied palate delivers concentrated flavors of ripe dark cherry, dried fig and a savory streak of toasted cedar, all framed by bold, grippy tannins and a long, structured finish that promises to soften beautifully with time. It is bone dry and impressively built, so serve it slightly below room temperature, decanting for an hour before pouring, and enjoy now through 2027. The Gonfrier family has stewarded this magnificent estate since 1962, continuing a winemaking tradition that stretches back to the 17th century when the stunning chartreuse manor house at the heart of the property was constructed in 1630, and the estate carries the name of Pierre de Marsan, the Viscount of Marsan who founded the town of Mont-de-Marsan. The Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux appellation itself earned its own distinct A.O.C. status only in 2011, making this a region whose finest estates are still very much on the rise and whose wines represent some of the most compelling value in all of Bordeaux today. Pour it alongside a juicy lamburger topped with aged gruyere and caramelized onions, where the wine's dark fruit and grippy tannins are a natural match for the richness of the dish, or serve it with a gourmet burger piled high with sharp cheddar and roasted garlic aioli, letting the wine's bold structure and warm spice rise magnificently to meet every satisfying bite. Drink: 2026-2027. 446245 13.50% XD 750 mL  $16.80 Score: 91/100. March 21, 2026 Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review

Mount Riley Sauvignon Blanc 2025, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Mount Riley Limited Release Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough displays vibrant tropical mango, ripe nectarine, citrus blossom and a touch of fresh basil. It's dry and medium-bodied with concentrated fruit intensity and crisp acidity that gives the wine remarkable purity and a long, refreshing finish. Serve it well-chilled alongside grilled prawns with garlic butter where the wine's tropical notes and zesty character complement the sweet shellfish, or pair it with herbed goat cheese crostini where the wine's bright acidity cuts through the creamy richness while echoing the herbaceous notes. Winemaker Matt Murphy crafts this Limited Release from select parcels across Mount Riley's ten sustainably-farmed vineyards in both the Wairau and Awatere Valleys, where the fruit is hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressed before fermentation in stainless steel tanks at cool temperatures to preserve the lifted aromatics and fruit purity that define this premium expression. Founded in 1992 by fifth-generation Marlborough resident John Buchanan, Mount Riley remains firmly family-owned with John's daughter Amy managing operations and her husband Matt leading winemaking, and their regular Sauvignon Blanc has won Gold at the prestigious Sakura Awards for both the 2020 and 2023 vintages while this Limited Release consistently earns acclaim including 95 points from Sam Kim. Enjoy this vibrant Sauvignon Blanc through 2028. Drink: 2026-2028. 447425 13% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 95/100. March 21, 2026 Cool Creamy Cheese Wine Full Review