"Hearty Reds" Cabernet, Merlot, and Syrah

Here are the [wines](http://www.cellartracker.com/event.asp?iEvent=6852) I tasted yesterday:

* **2005 Novy Family Wines Syrah Garys' Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands** The nose had sage, smoke, blackberry, pencil lead, and raspberry. The palate had smoke, blackberry, raspberry, graphite, and earth. (92 pts.)
* **2006 Amavi Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley** The nose had cloves, cinnamon, rasp, and black currant. The palate had black currant, raspberry, cloves, and an earthy finish. (91 pts.)
* **2005 Henry's Drive Shiraz Dead Letter Office - Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Padthaway** The nose had earth, smoke, blueberry, and game. The palate had smoke, earth, blueberry, and graphite. (90 pts.)
* **2005 Volker Eisele Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley** The nose had smoke, earth, cherry, and raspberry. The palate had blackberry, cherry, spice, and earth. (90 pts.)
* **2005 Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot Ethos - USA, Washington** The nose had smoke, earth, cherry, and blackberry. The palate had blackberry jam, earth, smoke, and a cherry finish. (90 pts.)
* **2005 Novy Family Wines Syrah Christensen Family Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley** The nose had blackberry, smoke, earth, raspberry, and pencil lead. The palate was soft, and had pepper, black currant, and licorice. (90 pts.)
* **2005 Pax Syrah Griffin's Lair - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast** The nose had bacon, smoke, pencil lead, blackberry, and cassis. The palate had blackberry, cassis, smoke, graphite, and meat. (94 pts.)
* **2005 Long Shadows Wineries Pedestal - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley** The nose had clove and spice, cherry, and black currant. The palate was soft, and had spice, graphite, toasted oak, and currants. (94 pts.)