I choose this year because it was so delicious, smooth and complex and well worth the price for the pleasure it delivers.   If you can still find it, buy it.

Philips Australia PTY LTD-R Winery-Marquis Philips-#9-Shiraz-McLaren Vale-Australia-2005-$37.99-A big nose of bright dark fruit, spice, dark in color.  A fantastic wine, smooth, blackberry, cassis, licorice, spice, toasty oak, rich…I could go on and on.   I drank this late last year and am so glad I have a couple left since it will cellar for another few years, Parker nailed his rating.         RP-96-98     CR-5         Great by itself or with pasta, steak, chicken.

I choose this wine due to what it delivered for the price range of under $20.00.  It is a very good Napa Cab that drinks like a $50 wine.   You can still find it in some stores if you search it out.

Louis M. Martini-Reserve-Cabernet Sauvignon-Napa Valley-California-2005-$17.99-A big dark fruit nose, dark red color.  A mouth filling red, black currants, black cherry, cedar, right amount of oak.  A enjoyable wine that delivers like a $50 Cab.   I have enjoyed this wine multiple times this past year, one of 2009’s best buys.         RP-89         WS-85       CR-4.5        Good with steak, pasta, ribs.