Saint Cosme CdR 2017 (100% Syrah)- nice mix of raspberry and blackberry character on nose, accompanied with subtly sweet and bread-like spice (although the Cosme tech sheet says it's done with only tank aging, so maybe I'm missing something here, as I think elements like that come from barrel?) Palate has a bit of a cured meat note in the upper register along with soft fruit, lending a tiny savory element.

Pierre Henri Morel Signargues CdR Villages 2017 (mostly Grenache, hint of Syrah)- dark raspberry and plum fruit nose with a lot of black licorice, a touch jammy, but very high energy with bright and perfumed character, nicely pungent. Had a cool mineral note which sadly blew off. Palate has that same energetic energy with both red and black fruit preserves, also a little jammy, but beautiful.

J.L. Chave Mon Coeur CdR 2017 (50/50 Grenache/Syrah)- nose starts shy before showing a mixture of subtle blackberry, florals and some sort of gamey, olive-adjacent savory tone that makes it smell like a lot more than 50% Syrah. Palate is much sweeter and riper with a licorice tone, showing the Grenache hidden in the nose. Shockingly tannic especially for a CdR, extremely chalky- I'd actually say it needs a couple years to smooth out, something I'd rarely say about any CdR. Even with this though- very easy to enjoy. Missing a little of the energy of the Morel, but much more complex, and although the Cosme had a savory hint, this was more detailed.

Chave is the winner for me, but only by a small margin; the Cosme was delicious and can probably most easily be found for the least $, but it stood out less as having special character. Morel was attractively energetic but a little less balanced than the Chave, which was very beautiful but also too young and the most expensive. I think it's worth the little jump in price, but frankly I thought these were all wonderful QPR and can be found for under $20.