91 
Madrone Estate Winery ‘Valley of the Moon – Blend 41’ 2013
Sonoma County, California $26.95 (570838) 14.8% alcohol
This red blend, an ode to its Italian heritage,—zinfandel/syrah/barbera/merlot/petite sirah/sangiovese—is all about ripe, dark fruit, excellent balance and a gorgeous gusher of flavour from cork pop to last drop. Aromas of cassis, Italian bitters and bramble berry jam precede medium-plus bodied, well-textured mouthfuls of piquant spice interlaced with racy acidity and tang with generous dollops of black plum, dark Bing cherry and red currant. It finishes lengthy with palate replays, soft wisps of tannin and oodles of charm. (Vic Harradine)

88 
Adega Mãe ‘Dory’ Tinto 2016
Vinho Regional Lisboa, Portugal $16.95 (570085) 13.5% alcohol
Forest floor, cedar and grilled herb aromas on the nose, this launches a tart, spirited attack on the palate with piquant spice, racy tang and red and black berry fruit leading the charge. It’s medium-plus bodied with good mouthfeel and a lingering finish of piquant tang and spice mingling with red and black currant. Aerate/decant this red blend—touriga national, tinta roriz, merlot, syrah—for a couple of hours pouring with pasta puttanesca. (Vic Harradine)