Ray's Wine Spirits Grill

Duckhorn Merlot — $30–$50 (bottle range)

Duckhorn Merlot is a legitimately serious wine that often gets overlooked because everyone's chasing Cabs. At the lower end of their bottle pricing, it's the kind of pour that makes you look smart at the table.

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

Stag's Leap built its reputation on beating the French at their own game in 1976, but most people at a casual grill just grab the Caymus out of habit. This is the more interesting bottle.

Rombauer Chardonnay

Rombauer is a fine wine, but it's also the default order for anyone who learned about Chardonnay from a food magazine in 2015. The markup on crowd-pleaser whites like this tends to be where restaurants get you — spend a few dollars more and find something with a little more personality on this list.

Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon + Grilled Ribeye Steak

Jordan is a classic Alexander Valley Cab — structured but not a bruiser, with enough fruit to stand up to a well-marbled ribeye without steamrolling the char on the grill. It's the kind of pairing that makes both the wine and the steak taste better.