SRP: $48. On the nose, a dark and brooding Rhone blend. Dark soil and earth, followed by layer after layer of blackberries and black cherries, followed by bittersweet chocolate, chili paste, and some graphite. On the palate, lots of black pepper comes out. The wine has gentle tannins and juicy acidity, but some astringency shows itself at the finish. A big wine that’ll likely take a few years to settle down – and will likely mature into something delicious.

SRP: $38. While the nose isn’t terribly aromatic, it shows earthy, gamey Grenache, candied strawberries and cherries, some spice and coffee. On the palate, the wine is both brighter and chewier than one would expect, with a long finish that’s dominated by drying tannins.

SRP: $30. A dark, ripe nose of blackberry, black pepper, dark chocolate, oak, and sweet herbs. On the palate, the chocolate notes really come out – and the wine shows great depth and concentration, along with beautiful acidity that leads to a lingering finish.

SRP: $30. The nose explodes with bright, red, cool-climate fruits – maraschino cherries dominate, followed by raspberries, sweet cranberries, lavender, other floral notes, and a touch of oak. On the palate, the fruits are incredibly precise and layered – and the wine is perfectly balanced. Quite delicious.

SRP: $19. On the nose, a basic Côtes du Rhône. Black pepper and other spices, bright berries, and a hint of brett. The palate shows a bit more complexity and is well balanced, but the wine is pretty basic.

SRP: $25. On the nose, the wine is rich, sweet, and ripe – dominated by black cherries and strawberries, followed by oak, vanilla, and a laundry list of baking spices. The palate is lush, and the fruits are nearly perfect – beautifully ripe, neither pruney nor candied, just delightful.

SRP: $13. On the nose, a basic Côtes du Rhône. Some funky notes of candied cherries, smoked meat, and Asian spices, but not a ton going on. The palate starts out flat, but finishes harsh and disjointed.

SRP: $36. Wow. A seductive nose of dark blueberries, raw steak, plums, boysenberries, white pepper, a hint of licorice, and a hint of toasted oak. On the palate, everything is in harmony.

SRP: $45. On the nose, bright, red strawberry juice with some candied plums, candied oranges, and other confectionery aromas – and it’s bordering on artificial. The palate matches the nose, and while it’s tasty and well balanced, it’s an odd wine.

SRP: $16. On the nose, a big Syrah that’s loaded with blackberries, blueberries, smoked meat, and oak. The palate matches the nose and offers soft tannins and a pleasant acidity. A hint of alcohol shows itself at the finish, but it’s barely noticeable.