My initial tasting note for this wine read “feral, sexy, dark, dark, dark.” That sums up this cassis-scented red from the Klipsun and Ciel du Cheval vineyards, a warm fruit compote of a wine with a dark leather fringe. With a texture that’s creamy and seamless, it isn’t complex but it sure is satisfying. A wine for grilled chicken.

Sourced from Klipsun and Ciel du Cheval, this includes 12% Cabernet Sauvignon in the mix. The lighter vintage brings out raspberry and pomegranate fruit flavors, and the wine has excellent focus and penetrating minerality. Still quite young, it will certainly benefit from further bottle age.

A beautiful effort that gives up pretty, focused and mineral-laced dark fruits, charcoal and that wild Syrah meatiness, the 2011 Syrah Ruckus is medium-bodied, layered and elegantly textured on the palate, with building tannin. An outstanding blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 16 months in 35% new French oak, enjoy this classy, beautifully made wine over the coming decade. - Jeb Dunnuck