INSIDER'S PICK: 2021 ANCIENT PEAKS 'RENEGADE' RED BLEND PASO ROBLES (Vinous 92points) $22.99

For well over a decade now Ancient Peaks has been one of our very favorite sources in California to get great value AND excellent quality, year in and year out, across many varietals. Their (very large) Santa Margarita Estate supplies the fruit for all their wines, all of which is 'SIP' certified for sustainability in farming and winemaking. Everything is absolutely rock solid from them. About the only thing you could quibble about for this wine is, if you are an absolute purist, this isn't REALY a Rhone blend because they have some Petit Verdot and Malbec-originally Bordeaux grapes- blended with the Syrah. Maybe is you squint your eyes a bit you can imagine them being Mourvedre and Cinsault (which isn't far-fetched, really) and adding that same sort of color to the wine. Or just kick back and enjoy it for being a delicious wine. Dark inky color and fruit character, loads of blackberry and blue tones on the nose, dark spices and licorice pop up an the end. Lots of richness and cocoa-covered fruits on the palate as well, but little bits of dark tannins give it nice energy and some structure, a bit of that Mourvedre vibe. A lot packed in here for the price, great for heartier meals and cooler weather sipping.   ​

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