Salentein Reserve Pinot Noir 2008, Mendoza, Argentina: Love this wine! A cherry river of flavor is balanced by excellent acidity and structure. I opened this wine and finished it 5 days later, amazed at how it held together. Great acidity and a satisfying finish. A wine to drink while watching a sunset, or a screen saver of a sunset. 14% XD 750 mL  $20.00 Score: 93/100. June 12, 2009 Full Review

Susana Balbo Signature Dominio Del Plata Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Mendoza, Argentina: Vintages Wine Panel: Known as the “Evita of Wine,” Susana Balbo worked for 25 years as a consultant winemaker in Argentina and throughout the world before opening Dominio del Plata in 1999. The Signature wines represent her super-premium range. The 2010 Cabernet offers aromas of coffee, red fruit and oak. The palate is quite delicious, complex and layered with lots of fruit and very attractive sweet oak. Fleshy and balanced, this is a great wine from beginning to end. My note: Love it! Savoury, juicy and ultimately satisfying. Layered and textured just like you want the conversation to be when you drink it. Drink: 2011-2016. 260919 14% D 750 mL  $22.95 Score: 92/100. December 10, 2011 Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full Review

Gray Monk Estate Winery Gewürztraminer 2009, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: Lovely and complex with that wonderful weave of lychee, spice, rose petal and Asisan pear. Perfect for many dishes, especially curries and spices. Drink: 2011-2016. 321588 12.60% MD 750 mL  $21.95 Score: 90/100. December 10, 2011 Best Value White Wine. Full Review

13th Street Méthode Traditionnelle Cuvée Sparkling Brut Rosé, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: A lovely bubbly with fresh field raspberry aromas. Bone-dry and refreshing ... Makes for a festive wine to toast the new year! 147504 12.50% D 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 90/100. December 10, 2011 Top Rated Sparkling Wine. Full Review

Mas Des Bressades Cuvée Excellence Syrah 2007, A.C., Costières de Nîmes, Rhône, France: Vintages Wine Panel: This aptly named cuvée is no stranger to critical acclaim and medals of the highest order. Aged for 12 months in a mix of new and used oak, this Syrah showcases a medley of aromas: flowers, spices, dark chocolate and red fruits. It’s a rich, powerful and deliciously pure wine that will continue to evolve over the next few years. My note: Lovely the cedar-spice notes that wreathe the dark red berries. Lovely layers of supple, full-bodied flavor. Terrific balance and length. Drink: 2009-2016. 708750 14% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 90/100. September 26, 2009 Full Review

Domaine Puig-Parahy Georges Carignan Grenache Syrah 2007, A.C., Côtes De Roussillon, Midi, France: A blend of Carignan, Grenache and a little Syrah. Fantastic peppery, blackberry nose! Supple and full-bodied with a deep, dark concentration of flavour. Chewy tannins and a long, satisfying finish. I can’t believe how low the price is for this one. Drink: 2010-2015. 171025 14.50% XD 750 mL  $16.95 Score: 91/100. May 1, 2010 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Terre Nere Rosso Di Montalcino Campigli Vallone Pierina 2007, D.O.C., Tuscany, Italy: Vintages Wine Panel: Medium-deep ruby with aromas of chocolate-covered raisins, smoke, saddle leather, ripe strawberry and dried herbs. Dry, round and fairly ripe with velvety mid-palate tannins giving it structure. Medium bodied with a medium-long, crisply fruity finish. My note: Satin smooth and enticing. Juicy with black cherry. Drink: 2011-2014. 249524 13.50% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 89/100. December 10, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review

Monte Zovo Sa' Solin Ripasso Valpolicella 2009, D.O.C., Veneto, Italy: Savoury, juicy and rustic with black fruit and cedar smoke. Lots of acidity for food. Full-bodied and supple. Drink: 2011-2014. 650713 13.50% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 87/100. June 23, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review

Sileni Estates The Plateau Pinot Noir 2009, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand: Vintages Wine Panel: Pinot Noir from Hawkes Bay is not as common as the red Bordeaux varieties or Syrah, but when a producer such as Sileni is involved, the results show it is a variety with a future here. Grown on an inland plateau ideal for Pinot Noir, this 2009 is a fine ambassador for Hawkes Bay Pinot. Look for lots of black cherry and other dark fruit aromas backed by smooth tannins and a substantial finish. My note: heart-stopping delicious! Ripe fleshy cherries and juicy field raspberries almost make you want to bite into this wine rather than sip it. Yet it’s supple and medium-bodied with wonderful finesse and mouth-watering action. I adore this style of New Zealand Pinot Noir: more please! Drink: 2011-2016. 14578 13.50% D 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 92/100. April 30, 2011 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Quinta Da Veiga Casa Das Mouras Reserva 2005, D.O.C., Douro, Portugal: Vintages Wine Panel: Quite a delectable and complex nose of black fruit, sweet vanilla and mineral. The palate is dry, full and round with expressive notes of ripe blackberry, black cherry, plum and vanilla. Savoury and plush, and modern in style, it closes with a lovely medium-long finish. Lip-smackingly good. My note: Savoury old leather and smoke with a chewy black dried cherry core. Full-bodied and juicy. Drink: 2011-2014. 244756 14% XD 750 mL  $18.95 Score: 89/100. December 10, 2011 Charming Grilled Chicken Wine Full Review

Agnusdei Albariño 2008, D.O., Rías Baixas, Portugal: Vintages Wine Panel: Albariño (Alvarinho, in Portugal) probably finds its finest expression in the Rías Baixas region of northwest Spain. The Atlantic Ocean influence here is quite pronounced, contributing to the wine’s racy freshness. Located right beside the ocean, it is unsurprising that this citrus-, melon-, and mineral-scented wine is an excellent match for shellfish dishes. My note: Searing acidity with lime and white grapefruit. Cries out for food. 146241 12.50% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 86/100. February 20, 2010 Full Review

Ramon Ramos Monte Toro Roble 2008, D.O., Toro, Spain: Purple juicy, blueberry-rich red with full-bodied weight and a supple texture. Perfect for hamburgers and meat lovers’ pizza and movie night. Drink: 2011-2013. 247783 15.40% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 87/100. December 10, 2011 Complete Cheese Pizza Wine Full Review

La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2008, Sonoma Coast, California, United States: I adore this Pinot and often order it when I see it on a restaurant list. It delivers so much pleasure and really, asks so little of you other than to sit back and enjoy it. Supple, silky and medium-bodied. Fleshy ripe cherries and strawberries. Oh yes! Drink: 2010-2014. 732040 13.90% D 375 mL  $21.95 Score: 92/100. September 18, 2010 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review