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.

2006 Carlisle Syrah Russian River Valley

I let this wine breath for about 5 hours.

The blueberry and violets really jump out at you on the nose of this wine. I also detected some hints of spicy earth and blackberry. The palate is very rich, and had blackberry, blueberry, earth, spice, and a good floral finish.

2005 Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Los Alamos Vineyard

I let this wine breath for 5 hours.

The nose had a nice mix of cherry and rhubarb, a little spice, and hints of earth and vanilla. The palate was silky smooth, and had berry and rhubarb, some cherry, and a nice finish of spicy oak.

2006 Summerland Pinot Noir Solomon Hills

I let this wine breathe about 5 hours.

The nose had nice cherry and cola aromas, along with forest floor, spice, and hints of strawberry. The palate was smooth and sweet, with cherry and forest floor, and a nice spicy finish.

2006 Deviation Road Pinot Gris

The nose was very tight, but I did get some tropical fruit, some lemon, and a hint of floral notes toward the end. The palate was crisp, and had tropical fruit, citrus, pear, and a nice finish of spice and flowers.

2005 Surh Luchtel Cabernet Sauvignon Sacrashe Vineyard

The nose had toasty oak, blackberry, and a bit of rhubarb and orange. The palate had blackberry and raspberry pie, and finished with a little spice.

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 Cooperativo Bodegas San Gregorio Calatayud Papa Luna

The nose had raspberry, cherry, vanilla, and dried herbs. The palate was hot, with good acidity, and had raspberry and spice.

2005 Martinelli Pinot Noir Zio Tony Ranch

The nose had cherry and earth, and some truffle and spice at the end. The palate was rich, and had cherry, mushroom, and a earth finish.