Wine Men of Gotham Wineinc Shiraz Grenache 2008, South Australia, Australia: Rich and warm with a wrap-around-you comfort. Black fleshy ripe fruit with a comforting blanket of smoky oak. Terrific wine, especially for the money. Drink: 2012-2015. 269324 14.20% XD 750 mL  $14.95 Score: 88/100. April 14, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

St. Hallett Gamekeeper's Shiraz 2009, Barossa, South Australia, Australia: Good acidity that cries out for food, especially hearty meat dishes. Ripe and tart blackberry flavours with some black plum and just enough oak. Very consistent producer. Drink: 2012-2016. 166991 14% D 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 91/100. April 28, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

The Lackey Kilakanoon Wines Shiraz 2009, South Australia, Australia: Full-bodied, luscious and mouth-watering with fleshy ripe black plums and blackberries. Terrific price. Pair with great conversation. Drink: 2012-2015. 5199 14% XD 750 mL  $17.95 Score: 88/100. June 9, 2012 Full Review

Hidden Bench Pinot Noir 2009, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Full-bodied pinot with lots of toasty oak. It's supported by velvet cushions of fleshy ripe cherries. Drink: 2012-2015. 274753 13.60% XD 750 mL  $37.95 Score: 91/100. March 17, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Mission Hill Family Estate Family Estate Reserve Pinot Noir 2009, V.Q.A., Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada: Subtle and reserved with lovely cherry aromas and a terrific balance. Medium-bodied and smooth. Very versatile food wine. Drink: 2011-2015. 545012 13.50% XD 750 mL  $24.95 Score: 89/100. December 10, 2011 Full Review

Le Clos Jordanne Claystone Terrace Pinot Noir 2009, Niagara, Twenty Mile Bench, Canada: This is my favourite wine from this winery, year after year. Its exuberant energy and power come from a complex weave of nuances: truffles, black cherry, violets, cedar box and dark spices. Brooding and temperamental: love it! Drink: 2011-2019. 33951 13.50% D 750 mL  $35.00 Score: 94/100. December 10, 2011 Full Review

Quails' Gate Estate Winery Pinot Noir 2008, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, B.C., V.Q.A., Canada: Bright cherry and raspberry aromas with a pleasingly mouth-watering juiciness. Some vanilla smoke with lovely elegance and balance. Drink: 2011-2015. 585760 14% D 750 mL  $24.99 Score: 90/100. June 25, 2011 Terrific Turkey Wine Full Review

Le Clos Jordanne Village Reserve Pinot Noir 2009, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Vintages Wine Panel: An intriguing nose offering masala spice, cherry, black raspberry, smoke, nutmeg and cloves. Dry and medium bodied, the palate is very fresh and seamlessly balanced and poised. Characterful and with great structure. The alcohol is 12.5% and beautifully integrated with the tannins, acidity and fruit. Wonderfully harmonious. Cellar for 2-4 years or enjoy tonight. My note: Lovely sweetly ripe cherries on the nose with soft rose petals. Medium-bodied and satin smooth. Surely, one of Canada’s best pinots at this price point (it’s a bargain). Drink: 2011-2016. 33894 13.50% XD 750 mL  $30.00 Score: 92/100. September 3, 2011 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Le Clos Jordanne Le Clos Jordanne Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Twenty Mile Bench, Ontario, Canada: This was a great vintage for Ontario pinot noir, and this wine was one of the best that year. Fleshy dark cherry and smoke on the nose. Satin smooth texture and luscious, mouth-fillnig layers of dark berries on the palate. Surely, one of Canada’s best pinots. Long, complex finish. Drink: 2011-2018. 33902 13.50% XD 750 mL  $45.00 Score: 93/100. December 31, 2012 Full Review

The People's Wine Alexandra Pinot Noir 2008, Central Otago, New Zealand: Lovely, vibrant and juicy with mouth-watering flavours of black cherries. Don't deprive yourself! Medium-bodied and ultra-smooth. Terrific match for planked salmon, seared tuna and roast chicken. Drink: 2011-2015. 744318 14.50% D 750 mL  $17.99 Score: 89/100. January 3, 2012 Full Review

Spinyback By Waimea Pinot Noir 2009, Nelson, South Island, New Zealand: Sweet cherry fruit and some spice with a plush medium-to full-bodied weight. Incredibly great price Drink: 2009-2014. 60079 14% D 750 mL  $15.95 Score: 88/100. June 11, 2011 Complete Cheese Pizza Wine Full Review

Oyster Bay Pinot Noir 2010, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Vintages Wine Panel: Pinot Noir is Marlborough’s red-wine specialty, and this Vintages customer favourite comes from one of New Zealand’s most consistent producers. With pure fruit characters of brambly raspberry, black cherry and spice, it will make a fine partner for ratatouille. My note: Tart cherries wake up your mouth and cry out for food. Generous and delicious with medium- to full-bodied weight. Drink: 2011-2015. 590414 13.50% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. July 9, 2011 Full Review

Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir 2008, Marlborough, New Zealand: Stunning with gorgeous depth of satin cherry flavour. Not heavy but packed with flavour. Gorgeous note of ripe cherries, fresh-turned earth, cinnamon and black raspberries. Velvet texture with deep layers of flavor. A fairly robust Pinot but not heavy. Superb effort. A hedonist’s dream. Drink: 2010-2018. 598813 13% XD 750 mL  $49.95 Score: 93/100. January 3, 2012 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review

Kim Crawford Pinot Noir 2010, Marlborough, New Zealand: Vintages Wine Panel: Pinot Noir is the second-most cultivated variety in Marlborough. Kim Crawford has crafted a complex and delicious wine in the 2008 vintage. It is filled with aromas of sour cherry, underbrush, raspberry, mushroom and coffee bean. The fruit is front and centre with moderate tannins adding balance. Cellar it 2-4 years, or serve it tonight. My note: Lovely cherry fruit with some cinnamon spice on the finish. Medium-bodied and mouth-watering. Has that zippy New Zealand character. Juicy, mouth-watering pinot with ripe fleshy cherries and field berries. Medium-bodied and smooth. Drink: 2010-2016. 626390 13.50% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 91/100. January 3, 2012 Full Review

Oyster Bay Pinot Noir 2005, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Tart cherries and vibrant acidity wake up your mouth in this pert, come-alive pinot. Terrific food partner. Drink: 2008-2012. 590414 13.50% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 89/100. February 4, 2012 Best Value Red Wine. Full Review

Stoneleigh Pinot Noir 2009, Marlborough, New Zealand: Love it! Vibrant, ripe cherries dance across your palate. Lovely silky texture with medium body, yet juicy and mouth-watering for food. Doesn't get much better than this, especially at this price point. Drink: 2012-2015. 54353 13% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. April 12, 2012 Terrific Turkey Wine Full Review

Robert Mondavi Winery Pinot Noir 2008, Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United States: Drop-to-your-knees fleshy cherries, beg for mercy satin texture and lusciousness. This is a gorgeous pinot with medium- to full-bodied weight. Perfect for dinner parties featuring salmon or pork. Drink: 2011-2019. 438697 14.50% XD 750 mL  $34.95 Score: 93/100. October 1, 2011 Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review