2006 The Australian Premium Wine Collection Pinot Noir Hill of Content

The nose had a whole lot of plum aromas mixed with some cherry and a little smoked meat. The palate had cherry and plum, plus some earth, and finished with spice and meat.

2005 Two Hands Shiraz Sophie’s Garden

The nose had nice plum and cherry, plus earth and stone. The palate was too hot, but it did have plum, earth, and a little spice.

2006 Pax Syrah Alder Springs Vineyard

I let this wine breath for about 6 hours.

The nose was loaded with licorice and tobacco, but it also had hints of stone and plum. The palate was rich and thick, with blackberries and plum, and a nice floral finish.

2005 Francis Coppola / Niebaum-Coppola Merlot Diamond Collection Blue Label

I decanted this wine about 1 1/2 hours.

The nose was loaded with chocolate and oak, along with generous helpings of plum and raspberry. The palate was very tannic and had quite a bit of heat. It also had raspberry and plum, and finished with spicy vanilla. The wine was drinkable, but had way too much oak for my taste.

2005 Frog’s Leap Merlot

The nose was heavy with dried herbs, with a little blueberry and cherry on the back end. The palate had plum and tea, and finished with some raspberry and tobacco.

2005 Domaine Tempier Bandol

A nice nose of cedar, blackberry, blueberry, and plum. The palate had blackberry pie, a bit of cedar, and a spice and cream finish.

2005 Anglim Grenache

The nose had blackberry, plum, and earth. The palate had blackberry, plum, a little pepper, and finished with a hint of oak. A tasty wine, but it didn’t have a lot of complexity.

2004 Deviation Road Shiraz

The nose had cassis and pepper, and ended with some leather and plum. The palate was rich, had earth and pepper, and finished with some good cassis.

2005 Seven Hills Cabernet-Merlot Ciel du Cheval

The nose had cherry pie, rhubarb, plum, and spice. The palate had plum, cherry, spice, and vanilla.

2005 Oakville East Cabernet Sauvignon Exposure

The nose had nice cherry and plum aromas, and ended with some tobacco and coffee. The palate had plum and cherry, and finished with chocolate and spice.