Rich and rustic, with a graceful mouthfeel and texture, letting the juicy dark berry, black licorice, tar and roasted coffee flavors push through with ease, even amid the chewy tannins. Mourvèdre, Grenache, Syrah, Carignane and Petite Sirah. Drink now through 2028. 525 cases made.

Proprietor and winemaker Mike Hirby has four very interesting wines, with the least impressive being his Rhone Ranger Blend, the 2012 Proprietary Red Blend Ritual, which is 33% Mourvedre, 23% Grenache, 19% Syrah and the rest Carignan and Petite Sirah. It's certainly a well-made, rather rustic, peppery, meaty, bistro-style of red wine, with good fruit, some rough edges around its structural aspects, but good depth and ripeness. It will make for some full-flavored food off the grill.