2015 Mount Veeder Winery Cabernet Sauvignon ($32) It’s surprising to find such a satisfying, plush, crowd-pleasing Napa cabernet today for this price.
2015 Trinity Hill Black Label Syrah Gimblett Gravels ($32)Syrah is the third-most-planted variety in New Zealand. Those from Gimblett Gravels, such as this one, show peppery, dark fruit and a spine of acidity.
2015 COS Frappato ($34)This lively Sicilian red has knockout aromas of roses and wild strawberries, spicy fruit flavors, and a silky texture.
2014 Meerlust Rubicon ($35) A South African classic, this satiny, spicy, earth-and-fruit cabernet blend is wonderfully velvety and harmonious.
2015 Quinta do Ataide Vinha da Arco Douro Red ($35)The Symington family, famed for port, just launched a new label. The top wine, made from touriga nacional grapes, is scented, deep, and seamless.
2016 David Moreau Maranges Rouges ($40) Can’t kick your Burgundy cravings despite the prices? The answer is a pure village pinot noir, such as this one from a talented, young producer.
2015 Domaine Eden Pinot Noir ($40) This alluring, subtle, and succulent wine was served at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. There’s still some around.
2015 Planeta Santa Cecilia Nero d’Avola ($42)Though Mount Etna wines are having a moment, the rest of Sicily has dozens of superb wines, such as this spicy, plummy, licorice-laced red.
2015 Le Parde de Haut-Bailly ($44) This plush, elegant second wine from Château Haut-Bailly shows just what a good buy Bordeaux second wines are in this stellar vintage.
Sweeties
2016 Donnafugata Ben Rye Passito di Pantelleria ($45, half bottle) On the idyllic Sicilian island of Pantelleria, zibibbo grapes make lush, sweet wines with fantastic aromas of apricots and candied orange peel.