SRP: $15. Ripe, bright, juicy, and fruity, this wine would definitely be a crowd pleaser. While note terribly complex, the wine is marked by maraschino cherries, crushed blackberries, fresh soil, and dark chocolate, and it’s well balanced.

SRP: $15. On the nose, more oak than fruit – and neither the oak nor the fruit smell very expensive. With a struggle, one can find plums, raspberries, and tar. The palate does little to improve the nose.

SRP: $65. On the nose, a beautiful Cabernet. Fresh blackberries and raspberries, chocolate, rhubarb, dried herbs, and sweet spices. The mouthfeel is lush but also shows great restraint; it’s both concentrated and light on its feet. An excellent wine.

SRP: $18. Very dark, ripe nose that smells a bit too much like a Ruby Port. Black currant, licorice, plums, and blackberry, with some dirt and bitter herbs underneath. On the palate, the wine has a nice mouth feel, but the fruits are too ripe and a bit of heat shows itself.

SRP: $20. The nose explodes with sweet red cherries, plum juice, crème de cassis, and some oddly tart soil. On the palate, the wine is lush, fresh, and well balanced. A nice wine.

SRP: $55. A beautiful nose that smells more like Napa than Bordeaux, but with great characteristics from both. Blackberries, black currant, and plums meet graphite, coffee, and a hint of lavender and fresh flowers. The tannins are a bit aggressive, but nonetheless, a very nice wine.

SRP: $20. The nose is dark and musty, marked by freshly laid tar, bitter herbs, almonds, and under-ripe blackberries. On the palate, some nice fruits and more herbs show through – reminding me of an old-school Bordeaux. A very interesting wine.

SRP: $17. On the nose, sweet cherry juice, plums, and black pepper, along with some heat. The palate is simple and pleasant.

SRP: $45. The nose is muted but incredibly appealing. Fleshy, pulpy plums and black currant, wild herbs, graphite. The palate is harmonious, with mouth-watering acid and a lingering finish.

SRP: $13. The nose smells medicinal – think sweet cherry Robitussin with a shot of alcohol. The palate is a big improvement, but the wine tastes artificial.

SRP: $29. The nose is fascinating. Fresh beets and sweat meet ripe berries, black currant, cocoa, and dirt. The palate has great depth, firm tannins, and great acidity.

SRP: $65. On the nose, wild blackberries, bright red fruits, flowers, cedar, along with some fascinating notes of coconut and chili peppers. On the palate, the wine is simpler than one would expect, and the tannins threaten to overwhelm the wine. Nonetheless, quite tasty.