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Our challenge this month was to bring a bottle of wine that would pair with filet au poivre. David decided to make his classic version that included green peppercorns, brandy, shallots, and cream. Not having the desire (or perhaps skill) to cook this for six people, we had Ali & Andy over for dinner, with a total of four bottles (we tasted blind).

We ended the night in agreement that all entries were excellent wines on their own, but only three really enhanced the experience with the steak.

There was technically a tie at the top of the podium this month, though the Gigondas garnered two first-place votes compared to Andy's Margaux at one. The Gigondas was also the best value of the evening at only $20.

David guessed correctly that the other tasters would bring French wines, so he went with a Napa Zinfandel. It was a very good wine, but did not sing with the steak like the others did.

First Place (tie): Les Laurier du Terroir Gigondas 2022. Tasters found scents of cranberries, bright cherries, tomato plant, golden raisin, and dried apricots. Had a freshness to it, but also a hint of tire. Ali initially thought this could be from South America. Excellent texture, with great density and an intense, sticky mid-palate, like something a little syrupy. Licorice, baking chocolate, and a little heat on the finish, but also tannic and stoney. David felt that it crept up on having cough syrup notes. David and Andy's favorite of the night, with a total of 17 points. Kristin's bottle. About $20.

First Place (tie): Château Cazauviel 2018 (Margaux). Made from 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot,and 2% Cabernet Franc. Leaned more red in color, having a slightly more vegetal nose, like tomato plant or celery, but mostly cherries, wild berries, freshly brewed coffee, dark mushrooms, spice drawer, and iodine. Pretty. Delicious in the mouth, with a brighter note, feeling a bit of lift. Flavors of bacon fat, coffee, brown sugar, dark cherries, molasses, and raspberries. Tannic. Beautiful texture. Ali's favorite. 17 total points. Andy's bottle. About $40.

Alain Voge Cornas Les Chailles 2020. Very purple in color compared to the others, and having scents of golden raisins, leather shoe, tobacco, black pepper, wet dog, and iodine. A bit funky, but in a good way. Ali was reminded of "oxblood suede", while David just noted that it "smells purple." Delicious. Tasters found flavors of currants, red berries, iodine, sharp cheese, blueberry shortbread, and bacon, plus hints of seaweed and small amounts of dairy. Cranberries on the finish. 100% Syrah. 16 points. Ali's bottle. About $45.

Green & Red Zinfandel Chiles Canyon Vineyards 2022 (Napa Valley). Ruby in color, with a nose hinting at prune, plus a powdery quality, then maple syrup, red roses, sumac, plums, cherries, nutmeg, and coffee. Full-bodied, with very good intensity, having hints of butter and spices, not unlike a batch of French toast. Kristin noted that this was more mouthcoating than expected, while Ali found "straight-up egg nog on the attack." Some tobacco flavors on the finish that mix with red berry fruit. 6 points. David's bottle. About $40.