Costieres de Nimes, France$18 A +7 **** Worth the best of breed in the mid-20's price range! Full bodied, black currrant, blackberry, sweet black cherry, plum, fennel, basil, thyme, coarsely ground black...

Bierzo, Spain$24 A +5 **** You might want to put your helmet and seatbelt on for this structured gem. 40-90 year old Mencia (Spanish varietal with characteristics somewhat similar to Cabernet Franc) walks...

Mendoza, Argentina$14 A- +3 ** A distinguished choice. This is not your typical dopey-fat, candied-sweet, bulk-bore. Ruby color. Raspberry, blackberry, black cherry, plum sauce, earth, tar, anise, and...