My biggest find of 2005 was great Chilean wines... from some fine Carmeners to Merlots, Cabenets and a few wonderful Syrah's.

I sampled several vinatges of Almaviva (all wonderful); Casa Lapostolle (superb); Sena (a 97); Dominus Aurea (01) -- all good super-premiums

Concha y Toro's broad range is suprising.. from the great Don Melchor (CS); the Terrunyo range; Marques CS -- below that --> the mid to low end I'll pass on

My pick of the year for a Winery has to be MONTES. If you find Montes Folly (Syrah) or Purple Angel (Carmenere) DO NOT hesitate to buy it - what great wines !! Alpha M is good.... but the mid-rabge Alpha CS, Merlot and Syrahs are GREAT value for money