red wines highly rated by wine spectator & robert parker 

RP score 90

Zolo Reserve Malbec 2006, Mendoza Argentina  
Aromas of smoke, scorched earth, spice notes, violets, and black cherry lead to a rich, dense, succulently fruited Malbec.

44 

RP score 93

Bishop Shiraz by Ben Glaetzer 2007, Barossa Valley Australia 
It offers up an alluring bouquet of lavender, spice box, and wild blueberry leading to a layered, opulent wine with tons of succulent blue fruit, soft tannins, and rich flavours.

70 

RP score 95

Bodegas El Nido Clio 2006, Jumilla Spain
It offers up a super-sexy nose of underbrush, incense, lavender, blueberry muffin, and black currant. Voluptuous and creamy on the palate, this loaded, well-balanced wine is a total turn-on. For those who prefer their flavor in moderation, look elsewhere.

110 

RP score 94

Clos Les Lunelles 2005, Cotes de Castillon Bordeaux
Inky/purple to the rim, the stunning flamboyant perfume offers up scents of black fruit, spring flowers, and crushed rocks. The wine hits the palate with unbelievable concentration, full-body power, beautifully integrated acidity, tannin, wood, and alcohol.

115 

RP score 95

Aalto 2005, Ribera del Duero Spain
The 2005 Aalto made from 100% Tinto Fino, is a deep purple color with an enticing nose of wood smoke, floral notes, spice box, and blackberry. This leads to a powerful, layered, intense wine already beginning to show complex flavors.

120 

RP score 95

Concha y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Maipo Valley Chile  
Glass-coating opaque purple with an alluring bouquet of toast, tobacco, cedar, leather, mocha and blackcurrant. Sweet, voluptuous (but not in a fruit bomb kind of way), layered, and complex already, it’s superb balance will ensure at least a decade of evolution.

125 

RP score 98+

Nicolas Catena Zapata 2004, Mendoza Argentina  
The 2004 Nicolas Catena Zapata is composed of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Malbec. A saturated black purple in colour, it has an aristocratic perfume of pain grille, mineral, espresso, saddle leather, cassis, black currant, and black raspberry. Opulently textured, complex, ripe, and sweet on the palate, it maintains a sense of elegance as well as power.

150 

WS score 99

Fontodi Flaccianello 2006, Tuscany Italy  
Shows excellent color and richness for a Sangiovese, with aromas of sultana, coffee, toasty oak and vanilla bean. Full-bodied with masses of fruit and chewy tannins. The concentration and depth of fruit and layers of tannins leave me speechless. A blockbuster!

165 

RP score 98

Elderton Command Shiraz 2004, Barossa Valley Australia   
The 2004 Shiraz ‘Command’ comes from a single block of 104-year-old vines. Opaque purple-coloured, this Shiraz has fabulous aromatics of smoke, melted tar, licorice, espresso, game, and blueberry compote. Layered but tight, this full-bodied wine is thick, rich, and totally hedonistic.

180 

RP score 98-100

Clos Saint Jean La Combe des Fous Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2007, Rhone France 
This utterly profound, amazing tour de force in winemaking exhibits an opaque ruby/purple color as well as extraordinary bouquet of grilled meats, roasted herbs, figs, plums, black currants, and kirsch. Sensational purity, magnificent body, and a 60 second finish.

185 

WS score 97

Eredi Fuglini Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2001, Tuscany Italy 
A classic beauty. Beautiful to smell. It shows layers of roses, lilacs, crushed berries and mint. Full-bodied with dense yet lively tannins and acidity. Supersilky, with a finish that goes on and on.

195 

RP score 99

Jim Barry The Armagh Shiraz 2002, Clare Valley Australia 
This cuvee is aged 14 months in both French and American oak, and is bottled without filtration. The inky/purple colored 2002 boasts notes of scorched earth, chocolate, leather, blackberries and cassis. Its huge body, marvelous integration of acidity, tannin, and alcohol, and stunning finish of 60+ seconds are impressive.

275 

WS score 97

Tenuta dell’Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore 2004, Tuscany Italy 
Ornellaia - a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc And Petite Verdot from a 225-acre estate remains among the flagship wines from the rapidly developing Bolgheri area on the Tuscan Coast. The warm Mediterranean coastal climate tends to favour international varieties such as Cabernet and Merlot over Sangiovese, the staple grape of most areas in Tuscany.

285 

RP score 99

Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2001, Napa California 
The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon hillside select is potential perfect wine in the making. A skyscraper that builds in the mouth with multiple dimensions, amazing layers of flavor, great delicacy, and tremendous purity, this inky purple-coloured cabernet offers extraordinary pure creme de cassis notes intermixed with crushed rocks, flowers, sweet oak, and impeccable balance.

390