2006 Pax Syrah Kobler Family Vineyard

I let this wine breath for 5 hours.

The nose had a strong aroma of beef stew, along with venison, smoke, blueberry, and a touch of oregano at the end. The palate was thick and creamy, and had lots of game and smoke, a little blueberry, and finished with a stony flavor.

2006 Luca Malbec

The nose had a bunch of smoke and toast, some graphite and blackberry, and ended with cherry and pepper. The palate had blackberry and pepper, a bit of cherry, and finished with a little toast.

2005 Bouchard Père et Fils Beaune Clos St. Landry

The nose had a nice peach and smoke mixture, that ended with a touch of oak. The palate was crisp, with good acidity, and had butter, smoke, and apple. The nose was very nice, but the palate was too oaky for my taste.

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.

2005 Whip-Hand Cabernet Sauvignon Red Head Studios

The nose had a nice perfume smell, along with smoke, burnt forest, and some cassis and licorice at the end. The palate had loads of cassis and pepper, and finished with some smoke and licorice.

2005 Maxwell Shiraz Minotaur

The nose had truffles, and smoke, with a nice shot of blackberry and blueberry at the end. The palate was thick, and had blackberry, blueberry, and a smoke finish.

2006 Pascual Toso Malbec Reserve

The nose had lots of smoke, some spice and graphite, and ended with some cherry and floral notes. The palate had wood, smoke, cherry, floral notes, and a pencil lead finish.

2005 Goldschmidt Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Vyborny Vineyard

The nose had a lot of smoke and caramel, plus some coffee and red fruit. The palate had cassis, cedar, a bit of tangerine, and finished with some mocha and cola.

2004 Adriano Ramos Pinto Douro Estate Bottled

I decanted this wine about 4 1/2 hours.

A nice nose of raspberry and currant, with a bit of smoke mixed in. The palate was clean and smooth, and had good acidity. There was a lot of floral notes and cherry, and it finished with some balsamic notes.

2004 Viñas del Cenit Tempranillo Venta Mazzaron

I decanted this wine about 4 1/2 hours.

The nose had blackberry mixed with smoke, and a little licorice. It ended with some dirt. The palate had cherry and earth, a mid palate of clove, and finished with spice and licorice.

I had this with a baked potato covered in veggie chili, cheese, onions, and tomatoes. The food really brought out the licorice and spice.