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California Other Reds
2002 Joesph Phelps Le Mistal Monterey County $$
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Pepper, strawberries, spice
Taste: Well integrated blend of fruits and earth components
Finish: Smooth wine and medium finish
Evaluation: Drinking well now 89 points
2004 Stephan L'Aventure Optimus Syrah/Cabernet/Petit Verdot Blend $$$$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Wow with blackberries, crushed rock, violets
Taste: Violets, black cherry, sweet fruits, minerals
Finish: Not tannic and medium concentrated wine. Great balance
Evaluation: 93 points
2004 Rosenblum Cellars Heritage Clones San Francisco Bay Petite Sirah $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Intense with grape jam, blackberries
Taste: Full flavor with plum, pepper and spice
Finish: Medium buttery finish with pepper and spice
Evaluation: A balanced wine with intense flavors 89 points
2005 Cline Ancient Vine Contra Costa County Carignane $$
Color: Deep purple
Nose: Impressive nose with earth, spice and plum
Taste: Spice, plum, burst of juicy flavor
Finish: Multi layered with spice, plum, clove and pepper
Evaluation: A really full flavored wine that can be enjoyed solo. Impress your guests. 88 points
2005 Jeff Runquist Barbera $$$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Earth
Taste: Wow! Spice, cinnamon, earth, mild tannins
Finish: Extremely long with spice, cinnamon, earth, oak, tannins
Evaluation: This is a wine where tasting notes don't do it justice!
92 points
2005 Stephan L'Aventure Estate Cuvee (Syrah/Cab Blend) $$$$$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Pepper, cherry, plum, scorched earth
Taste: Chewy with big tannins. Featuring black pepper, spices, plum, earth
Finish: Massive and concentrated
Evaluation: You can not drink this right away. Cellar 5 to 10 years. This review is day five of opening and it is coming around 93 points
2005 Stephan L'Aventure Optimus Syrah/Cabernet/Petit Verdot Blend $$$$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Violets, crushed rock, berries
Taste: Violets, crushed rock, blackberries, spices
Finish: Medium and flavorful. Classic Syrah elements shine here
Evaluation: 92 points 
2005 Tablas Creek Espirit de Beaucastel Paso Robles Rhone Wine
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Raspberries, mushrooms, truffles
Taste: Spice, mineral, good acidity, cinnamon, raspberries
Finish: Medium with spices, mineral, raspberries, strawberries
Evaluation: New World style 91 points
2006 Monte Volpe Primo Rosso (Sangiovese Blend) $$
Color: Medium
Nose: Floral, spice, earth
Taste: Good acidity and features floral, earth, berries
Finish: Smooth and shows nice balance of earth and fruit
Evaluation: For $10 a good value 87 points
2007 Ferrari-Carano "Siena" Sonoma $$
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Spice, violets
Taste: Bitter with spice and violets
Finish: Medium but not real balanced
Evaluation: 84 points