Staff Pick: 2010 Kingston Family Syrah “Lucero”

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This wine is lush. Lots of berry fruit on the nose, along with the typically Syrah note of pepper, and a hint of meatiness, which I expect will increase with further age. In addition to all that, there’s a fresh mintiness on the palate that lifts the other, darker toned flavours. The tannins are smooth and make for a long, luxuriant finish. If it isn’t clear already, this wine was made for North African style lamb with mint sauce. A tremendous value at this price! -Reviewed by Jesse Richmond, Marquis Wine Cellars   Wine: Syrah Producer: Kingston Family Vintage: 2010 Country: Chile Region: Casablanca Price: $34.90 (inc tax) Buy here!

Staff Pick: 2010/2011 Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley Red Wine

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The 2010 Red Wine is a declassified blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, yet has 15% Merlot with a splash of Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc in there as well. Intense aromas of spicey red and black fruits, toast, cedar, vanilla and hints of chocolate. The body is full with ripe tannins and long length. -Reviewed by Renny Pacheco, Marquis Wine Cellars   Wine: Red blend Producer: Quilceda Creek Vintage: 2010/2011 Country: USA Region: Washington Price: $89.90 (inc tax) Buy here!

Staff Pick: 2011 Saint Damien Gigondas

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The 80% old vine Grenache shines through here with spicy splashes of high frequency red fruit and minerality, flanked by licorice, rhubarb, flowers and herbs. The blend is rounded out by the hard-working Mourvedre. Was still delicious on the second night. Screams charcuterie. -Reviewed by Christopher Cox, Marquis Wine Cellars Wine: Red blend Producer: Domaine Saint Damien Vintage: 2011 Country: France Region: Rhone Price: $36.01 (inc tax) Buy here!

Staff Pick: 2011 Wynns Cabernet Sauvignon “The Siding”

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My go-to Aussie red, it has a distinctive lavender nose. Hailing from Coonawarra, it’s a little lighter than some other Cabs, with emphasis on blackcurrant fruit, and notes of dry leaves, cigar box, and dense cassis. Smooth as Billy Dee Williams, great value and one of the best sub-$30 red wines we have. -Reviewed by Marquis Wine Cellars Team   Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon Producer: Wynns Vintage: 2011 Country: Australia Region: Coonawarra Price: $30.00 (inc tax) Buy here!

Staff Pick: 2011 Rockford Moppa Springs

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A blend of 52% Grenache, 33% Mataro and 14% Shiraz, this dark hued wine showcases sweet spice, red fruits, violets and blueberry on both the nose and palate. Elegant and refined, this has a nice savoury quality to it and finishes with persistent tannins. I’d give this at least three more years in the cellar and then enjoy for the following decade. -Reviewed by Jon Ellison, Marquis Wine Cellars   Wine: Red blend Producer: Rockford Vintage: 2011 Country: Australia Region: Barossa Valley Price: $65.00 (inc tax) Buy here!

Staff Pick: 2006 Gerovassiliou Avaton

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Avaton wine is a combination of three indigenous grape varieties, Limnio, Mavradi, and Mavrotragano. Limnio is in the biggest proportion, and the oldest still existing ancient Greek variety. This wine is full-bodied, with red fruit flavours, and well-rounded. Try this wine with hearty stews, savoury dishes, game meat, and enjoy a piece of history. -Reviewed by Chrystala Georgiou, Marquis Wine Cellars   Wine: Red blend Producer: Gerovassilliou Vintage: 2006 Country: Greece Region: Macedonia Price: $46.00 (inc tax) Buy here!

Staff Pick: 1998 Domaine Huet Vouvray “Le Haut Lieu” Sec

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From one of the titans of the French wine world.  At 17 years of age, this wine still has piercing acidity that is supported with slight developed notes of sous-bois and mushroom.  A balance of power and grace.  Wish I’d had some goat cheese on toasted crostini while enjoying my last bottle of this wine. -Reviewed by Jon Ellison, Marquis Wine Cellars   Wine: Chenin Blanc Producer: Domaine Huet Vintage: 1998 Country: France Region: Loire (Vouvray) Price: $65.00 (inc tax) Buy here!

Staff Pick: 2012 Ventolera “Litoral” Pinot Noir

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Alluring, seductive nose of wild strawberries and undergrowth, cranberry, cinnamon and faint hint of clove. Soft, elegant and spicy on the palate. Supple notes of field berries, raspberry, bramble, and hints of pepper are met with a lovely long finish. -Reviewed by Marquis Wine Cellars Team Wine: Pinot Noir Producer: Ventolera Vintage: 2012 Country: Chile Region: Leyda Valley Price: $34.90 (inc tax) Buy here!

Staff Pick: 2009 Domaine Huet Vouvray Petillant Cuvee Huet Brut

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Sparkling Chenin is rare and even more so from a quality producer like HUET.  Most well known for their dry and semi-sweet Chenin based still wines, Domaine Huet also produce this beautiful vintage petillant (meaning slightly less effervescent).  I absolutely think this bubble stands up to Champagne with its quality.  Golden in colour and scented with honey, minerality and slight spice.  It is a great aperitif to welcome your guests with and will pair with bruschetta, salami, olives or simply sip on its own. -Reviewed by Leah Bickford, Marquis Wine Cellars   Wine: Chenin Producer: Huet Vintage: 2009 Country: France Region: Loire Valley Price: $43.13 (inc tax) Buy here!

Staff Pick: 2011 Domaine Louis Boillot Bourgogne Rouge

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Sweet red stone fruits, flowers and spices inform the pretty, nuanced finish. The Bourgogne emerges from parcels in Gevrey and Brochon. -Reviewed by Renny Pacheco, Marquis Wine Cellars Wine: Pinot Noir Producer: Louis Boillot Vintage: 2011 Country: France Region: Burgundy (Bourgogne Rouge) Price: $37.01 (inc tax) Buy here!