2018 Skylark "Red Belly" North Coast Rhone Blend

From a pair of our favorite sommeliers John Lancaster and Robert Perkins, both of Boulevard SF fame, this brand is way under the radar but has been sneaking out killer Rhone varietal based wines for somewhere around a decade and a half now. This blend of 40% Syrah 40% Carignane 20% Grenache is like a beefier version of Cotes du Rhone with that Syrah kicking up the savory, meaty notes. Easy, lush and rounded this blends the affordability and accessibility of Cotes du Rhone with the bigger new world flavors of California. What's not to like. (Bryan, GTO)

88-90 points from Jeb Dunnuck: "Bottled in July, the 2018 Red Belly is a charming red with notes of kirsch and spice as well as some leather and chocolaty earth. Medium-bodied, with supple tannins, it’s a delicious wine." (9/30/21)