The focus is on great-value red wines this week, with all five rating 88 or higher, and each selling for under $25.

TintoNegro 2015 Limestone Block Malbec — Uco Valley, Argentina ($19.95)
Arriving two days ago in the LCBO, this Uco Valley Malbec hails from an elevation of 4,000 metres. Let it breathe and you’ll take note of its subtlety. Adding 10-12% Cabernet Franc to the mix has added some complexity and helped evoke notes of dense dark blue and red fruits, but not overpoweringly so. Even the traditionally high-altitude herbal notes are fairly restrained, with the soil adding a chalky minerality. I’d like to see a bit more texture, but it’s quite good winemaking here for the price. 89.5

Trapiche Pure Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 — Mendoza, Argentina ($11.95)
If wine were left to make itself, this dry Cab would be a fine example. Unoaked, with nothing getting in its way, it’s just—as the name suggests—pure, intense fruit, with mild tannins accompanying a menagerie of soft eucalyptus, licorice, blackberry, red currant, a little graphite, pomegranate and prune. Outstanding value. 88

Château Cazal Viel Vieilles Vignes Saint Chinian 2016 — Languedoc, France ($19.95)
Kaboom! Here’s a full-bodied Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre blend that’s rich and smoky with dark red fruit. It’s Cab-like in its authority but with the harmony and approachable tannins typical of a good GSM blend. Great bang for the buck. 90.5

Cave de Roquebrun Roches Noires Maceration Saint Chinian 2016 — Languedoc, France ($23.95)
My only criticism is the length of the name of this exceptional blend of 60% Syrah/20% Mourvedre/20% Grenache. Syrah initially dominates the nose, but in a good way—meaty, violets, earthy, tar, plums. It doesn’t quite make it to full bodied in richness, but it’s still a robust, savoury creation. 90

Errazuriz Aconcagua Alto Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 — Aconcagua Valley, Chile ($21.95)
It takes about two seconds to distinguish this as a very well-made Cab. And this vintage has clearly been kind. Rounded out with splashes of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, it’s medium- to full-bodied but quite finessed, with only 13.5% alcohol. A predictably healthy acidity for high-altitude grapes, with notes of tea leaves and baking spices and a palate of dark cherry, strawberry and raspberry. Medium tannins help make this well balanced red quite drinkable now, but you can cellar it for five years and things will only improve. Another very high rating on the value metre. 90