The 2021 Pessimist is a blend of 75% Petite Sirah, 10% Syrah, 11% Zinfandel, 2% Lagrein and 2% Malbec matured for 10 months in 60% new French oak. It has an opaque ruby-purple color and lush scents of cassis, blueberry jam, violet, lavender and hints of powdered sugar. The full-bodied palate is supple and fresh with gently candied fruits and a satisfying finish. This will be a crowd-pleaser.

A value-priced Rh?ne blend that usually contains some Zinfandel and Petite Syrah, the 2017 Pessimist offers up rich aromas of dark fruit, grilled meat, licorice and black olive. It's full-bodied, rich and spicy, with good balance and an intense, flavorful finish.

Composed of 27%Syrah, 19% Zinfandel and 54% Petite Sirah, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Pessimist delivers a gregarious nose of ripe black cherries, blackberries and blueberries plus notions of Chinese five spice, mocha and raspberries. Full-bodied, voluptuous, soft and plush, it packs in the fruit cake and exotic spices, finishing with great length.

Blended of 37% Syrah, 27% Zinfandel, 31% Petite Sirah, 4% Tannat and 1% Grenache, the 2015 Pessimist reveals a deep garnet-purple color and broody dark fruit, prunes and licorice scents with suggestions of blueberry pie, Indian spices and black pepper. Full-bodied, concentrated and packed with berry preserves and savory flavors, it has a chewy structure and long, spicy finish.

The 2014 Pessimist is a ripe, sexy effort that's loaded with sweet fruit, licorice, chocolate and hints of oak in its full-bodied, layered personality. Made from a mix of Syrah, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Tannat and Grenache aged in 50% new French oak, it won't appeal to traditionalists, yet it's a seriously delicious, mouthful of a wine to drink over the coming couple of years.