2005 Ramey Claret

The nose had pencil lead, tobacco, cherry, and cassis. The palate had red and black currant, and finished with spice and graphite.

2006 Linne Calodo Outsider

The nose had chocolate, blackberry, and cherry. The palate had blackberry and spice, and finished with some black currant.

2005 Seavey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Caravina

The nose had lots of meat, some licorice, and a little black currant. The palate had coffee, chocolate, meat, and finished with a bit of spice.

2006 Crios de Susana Balbo Cabernet Sauvignon

A wonderful nose of black currant, cassis, spice, and cigar. The palate was very soft, and had raspberry and cassis, and finished with a little cedar and spice.

2005 Amavi Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

The nose was a little tight, but I did get some raspberry and dirt. The palate had nice cassis and some black currant, and finished with a bit of chocolate and spice.

2005 Roy Estate Proprietary Blend

A great nose of chocolate, black currant, earth, and vanilla. The palate was smooth, and had black currant, spice, and oak. The finish was a little hot.

2005 Robert Johnson Shiraz

The nose had lots of smoke, some blueberry, and some licorice. The palate had black currant, cassis, pepper, and a mint finish.

2002 Palmaz Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

The nose had a bunch of chocolate, dark berries, and spice. The palate was rich, with black currant, raspberry, and spice.

2003 Irony Cabernet Sauvignon

I decanted this wine about 3 1/2 hours.

A lovely nose of cocoa, tobacco, and violets, with a little berry at the end. The palate was soft and had black currant, raspberry, and a dirt finish.

2005 Viña Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Medalla Real Reserva Especial Single Estate

The nose had loads of fig, black currant, and blackberry. The palate had blackberry and black currant, and finished with cocoa and coffee.