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.

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.

2000 Fassati Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Pasiteo

The nose had a strong dirty cherry aroma, plus some violets and cedar, and a little pepper at the end. The palate had loads of cherry, and little dirt, and finished with a pepper and cedar mix.

2005 Cenay Cabernet Sauvignon Blue Tooth

A nose of vanilla coated oak, raspberry, cinnamon, and floral notes at the end. The palate had black cherry, black currant, plus a spice and violet finish.

2006 Bodega de Vilarino-Cambados Albariño Rías Baixas Burgáns

The nose is predominately made up of peaches and apricots, but there is also a bit of citrus, and some floral notes at the end. The palate is crisp and clean, with a lot of citrus upfront, and sweet peaches on the mid-palate. It finishes with some spice and violets.

2005 Bodega Mendel Malbec

I decanted this wine about 5 hours.

The nose began with a good mix of smoke and toast, with violets and raspberry in the background. The palate was soft, and had raspberry and smoke. It finished with some spice and dirt.

2004 Finca Allende Rioja Allende

I really loved the cranberries that popped out on the nose of this wine. Add some blueberry, violets, and minerals, and this nose is incredible. The palate was a tasty raspberry and cranberry mix, with some floral notes and spice added. It finished with a stone taste.

2005 Susana Balbo Malbec

The nose had very explosive aromas of black cherry and violets. The palate had the same flavors as the nose, but also added some plum, a hint of bittersweet chocolate, and finished with a little oak.

2006 Edmeades Winery Zinfandel Mendocino

The nose started with a load of pepper and then added cherry, raspberry liqueur. It ended with violets and mud. The palate was tasty, with pepper raspberry liqueur, and finished with cherry and dirt.

2006 Altos Las Hormigas Malbec

The nose had a nice aromas of violets and spice, followed by blueberry and black cherry. The palate had black currant and spice, and finished with a good floral and vanilla taste.