2006 Carlisle Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley

I let this wine breath for 6 hours.

The nose had lots of bramble and earth, with some blackberry and mocha, and nice hint of blueberry and oak at the end. The palate was sweet and rich, with blackberry liqueur, dirt, blueberry, and a finish of vanilla and spice.

2005 Tempus Two Shiraz

The nose had a wonderful stewed tomatoes aroma, along with cherry, raspberry, mocha, and vanilla. The palate had the same stewed tomatoes as the nose, plus raspberry, spice, and a coffee finish.

2003 Sbragia Family Cabernet Sauvignon Rancho del Oso

The nose was mainly coffee and chocolate, with some blueberry and vanilla. The palate had mocha, coffee, blueberry, cedar, cherry, and vanilla.

2005 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor

A lovely nose of toasted almonds, black currant, and a little fig at the end. The palate was soft and had black currant, mocha, chocolate, and finished with a little fig.

2005 Château Monbrison

A very nice nose of raspberry, coffee, blackberry, and vanilla. The palate was soft and had raspberry, blackberry, mocha, and a finish of toasted oak.

2005 Ferrari-Carano Siena

A fascinating nose of cherry and raspberry, plus a little chocolate and butterscotch. The palate was a mixture of cherry and raspberry jam with some cinnamon and mocha on the finish.

2005 Viña Cobos Cabernet Sauvignon Bramare

This wine was lovely. The nose had mocha and spice, with some black currant and blackberry thrown in. It ended with a bit of cedar. The palate was very soft, and had cedar, chocolate, blackberry, and black currant. It finished with some spice.

2005 Greenock Creek Shiraz Alice’s

The label listed the alcohol at 17%, but you never guess it was that high by tasting it. The nose had a wonderful blend of mocha, blackberry, and black currant that finished with some pepper and chocolate. The palate had more blackberry and black currant, and finished with coffee, spice, and a little pepper.

2006 Dain Wines Pinot Noir Rebel Rancho Ontiveros Vineyard

I decanted this wine about 6 hours.

The nose is full of brown spice and loamy earth, with black cherry and black raspberry dancing underneath. It finishes with subtle hints of blueberry. The palate is very smooth and has loads of sweet, dark fruit upfront, followed by some strawberry and spice. It finishes with an earth and mocha mix.

2003 Laird Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

A typical overpriced Napa Cab. The nose was fairly nice. It had a bunch of blackberry and black currant upfront, then it gave way to some cake spice, and ended with a hint of mocha. The palate was very oaky, but did have some black cherry, spice, and just a touch of nutmeg. The tannins were slightly bitter, and it was way too hot.