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You'd never guess that this was rocking it so hard with 16.3% alcohol, as this wine achieves balance in the face of such boozy contents. The nose holds a blackberry core with rusty, spicier edges of star anise. These are followed by a palate of black cherry and cedar, with enough tannins to ensure evolving drinking until at least 2018.

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Turbine Red has 45% Grenache, 27% Syrah and 28% Mourvdre. A burst of bright strawberry fruit focuses around a smooth mouthfeel of more black and red fruit and still-grippy tannins. The finish enters into more classic Syrah and Mourvdre territory, with leathery, earthy layers nicely intermingling.

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Made from native grape Pallagrello Nero along with 5% Aglianico and 5% Casavecchia, this robust wine opens with aromas of black fruit, earth, game, leather and black spice. The dense palate delivers rich blackberry, black cherry and black pepper, with robust tannins and a solid acidic backbone. Drink after 2016.

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Earthy, damp aromas suggest compost but there's enough fresh black-fruit character to keep the bouquet balanced. This feels dense, saturated and heavy, with a syrupy leaning and full tannins. Flavors of baked blackberry and vanilla end a little stewy and soft. Drink through 2017.

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Reasonably priced for Condrieu, this full-bodied, lushly textured example reveals subtle toast, honey and spice shadings on the nose. On the palate, touches of orange marmalade or apricot preserves come through, accented by white pepper and clove and on the finish. Drink this over the next year.

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The oak influence has been trimmed back at Jaboulet in recent vintages, and this wine shows only traces of menthol and cedar. Cracked peppercorns and red cherries form the core aromas and flavors of this medium-bodied but long and mouthwatering wine. Approachable now, but it should age well for at least 10 years.

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This blend of 88% Syrah and 12% Mourvdre is crisp, crunchy and direct, delivering brambly, blackberry fruit spiced with a touch of licorice. This is tart and firm without being particularly tannic, so enjoy it over the next few years.

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Dried thyme and bay leaves impart a welcome herbal element to this wine's dark fruit. Hints of espresso, roasted meat and black olive help flesh out this slightly firm, linear blend of 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 5% Mourvdre. With its crisp, dusty finish and admirable concentration, it look capable of aging through 2020.

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The brothers are better known for their Cornas, but this Saint-Joseph is a nice wine as well. It combines notes of marinated beef, ripe blackberries and espresso in a medium- to full-bodied wine that's mouthwatering and easy to drink. Try it now and over the next several years.

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This blend of 95% Marsanne and 5% Roussanne offers modest pineapple and melon aromas and flavors. Yet it's a mouthfilling wine with ample weight and a long finish that would ably partner poultry or rich seafood dishes.

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At this stage, this wine is closed and packed with acidity. But just wait for a few years and the ripe wood and yellow fruits will emerge. It's a full-bodied, rich wine that needs to round out. Drink from 2016.

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A lightly smoky aroma shows the wood aging of this wine. It is toasty, with a mineral touch, and the ripe yellow fruits are developing well. Smooth and potentially rich, this needs a few more months to show at its best. Drink from 2015.

US

Both sour and black cherry join with blackberry on this wine from Laetitia. It delivers a rich, full mouth, with a good tannic grip and lasting finishperhaps in part due to the inclusion of stems in the fermentation process. Flavors approach the yellow-red blend of Mexican taco spices, equally savory and spicy.

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Leoness is one of the pioneers of viticulture in the Riverside County region. This wine starts with aromas of mocha, menthol, caramel and cedar. Once sipped, it proves more delicate than expected, with lavender and blackberries. The tannins could use smoothing out, but it would go well with a rich beef dish.

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From a small parcel at the base of the hill of Beaune, this is a delicious wine with a touch of vanilla. It is rounded, smooth and rich, bringing out both fruit and toasty wood flavors that are integrated well. Drink from 2016.

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In this powerful, full-bodied wine, soft fruit accompanies the firm tannins. The wine is already well integrated, showing dense red fruits as well as structure. A touch of wood will soften soon. Drink from 2016.

US

Brightly pink in color, this dry ros is more flavorful and assertive than it looks. It layers red fruit aromas such as cherry and raspberry on top of equally bright fruit flavors, all carried into the finish with lip-smacking acidity.

US

Chalk, cherry, crushed clove and nutmeg are all present on the nose from this 81% Cabernet Sauvignon / 19% Merlot from Paso Robles' Westside. It's juicy and vibrant once sipped, with deep red fruits and a blackberry finish. The wine isn't particularly complicated wine and there's isn't much tannic backbone for long cellaring, but it's tasty, approachable and easy-drinking now.

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The distinct and alluring scents of dried, salted apricot take the lead in this blend of Viognier, Rousanne and Marsanne. Once sipped, it's slightly less viscous than other Rh?ne whites of this vintage, but a bit more savory and very well balanced in its honeyed flavors. Serve with chicken enchiladas or cl verde.

US

From a dark bottle, this salmon-colored ros is medium-bodied and made in a bigger style than many others. Fully textured, it discloses flavorful touches of crunchy pear and cranberry. It would go well with a goat cheese salad adorned in dried cranberries and cherries.