Varietals of the Rhone & the "Rhone Rangers"

Here are the [wines](http://www.cellartracker.com/event.asp?iEvent=6941) I tasted yesterday:

* **2005 Domaine Giraud Châteauneuf-du-Pape Tradition - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape** The nose had blackberry, licorice, and a little vanilla. The palate had tea, licorice, blackberry, and some vanilla on the finish. (92 pts.)
* **2006 Ferraton Père & Fils Crozes-Hermitage La Matinière - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage** The nose had metal, floral notes, cherry, and black currant. The palate was soft, and had black currant, lavender, iron, and a cherry finish. (91 pts.)
* **2004 Domaine Isabel Ferrando Châteauneuf-du-Pape Colombis - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape** The nose had raspberry, licorice, and sea shells. The palate was soft, and had soy, raspberry, spice, and an earthy finish. (91 pts.)
* **2007 Ferraton Père & Fils Côtes du Rhône Villages Plan de Dieu - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages Plan de Dieu** The nose had black currant, floral notes, licorice, and nutmeg. The palate was silky, and had black currant, spice, earth, and licorice. (90 pts.)
* **2007 Delas Frères Côtes du Rhône Saint-Esprit - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône** The nose had blackberry, plum, earth, and spice. The palate had earth, spice, blackberry, and cherry. (90 pts.)
* **2006 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave St. Joseph Offerus - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph** The nose had cherry, graphite, raspberry, and earth. The palate had cherry, raspberry, earth, and pencil lead. (94 pts.)
* **2006 Saxum James Berry Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles** The nose had black currant, stone, licorice, and floral notes. The palate was soft, and had licorice, black currant, spice, floral notes, and some minerality on the finish. (93 pts.)