ARNOT-ROBERTS RED BLEND 2021, California

That fresh acidity really cuts through the richness of grilled meats—my steak dinner felt perfectly paired. The bold red and black fruit flavors are upfront but not jammy, and the sturdy tannins give it a nice grip without being harsh.

The restrained alcohol makes this red dangerously easy to sip; the fresh acidity really balances the ripe dark fruit. I opened it with a simple pasta dish and the sturdy tannins stood up perfectly.

That bold fruit really shines through but it’s the sturdy tannins that give it enough structure for a steak dinner, and the lower alcohol means you don’t feel it the next morning.