Steak night: four reds for the grill

A steak dinner gives the wine a clear job: stand alongside browned meat, a little salt and the richness of the cut. Start with how you are cooking, the sauce you plan to serve and how much of an occasion you want to make of the bottle.

These four reds offer several ways into the meal, from a Cabernet for an easy grill night to a single-vineyard Malbec for a special dinner. Every bottle below is linked to the exact variant in our selection.

Obsidian Ridge Estate Cabernet

The shop describes cherry and plum fruit, spice and a firm tannin structure. This is our practical starting point for a grilled ribeye or strip steak. Add roast potatoes and keep a peppery sauce on the side, so guests can decide how much they want.

Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains

Choose this Ridge Cabernet when you want the bottle to be part of the occasion. We would keep the plate classic: steak, mushrooms and a simple pan sauce. Its Santa Cruz Mountains name also makes it a useful bottle for anyone curious to explore California Cabernet beyond their usual choices.

Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino 2019

For an Italian direction, try Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino. This is the 2019 vintage in a 750ml bottle. Plan it with a simply grilled steak, rosemary potatoes and vegetables: a satisfying way to explore Sangiovese with a familiar steak-night menu.

Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard River Malbec

The Adrianna Vineyard River Malbec comes from Gualtallary in Mendoza's Uco Valley. The shop describes dark fruit, spice, firm tannins and fresh acidity. This is the special-occasion end of the selection. We would open it for a steak dinner with friends who enjoy exploring wines from a particular vineyard.

Buy for the dinner you are actually making

You do not need all four bottles for one meal. Pick an individual bottle for tonight, or add the full selection if you want several future steak-night options. The subtotal below makes the cost of the full set clear before anything is added.

Serve the wines slightly cool, taste as they open and adjust the pace to your meal. For advice about decanting a specific bottle, ask us before your dinner.