France vs. Italy: International Showdown

Here are the [wines](http://www.cellartracker.com/event.asp?iEvent=7321) I tasted today:

* **2006 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape** The nose had licorice, meat, spice, cherry, raspberry, and smoke. The palate was velvety smooth, and had smoke, cherry, cassis, meat, spice, and a licorice finish. (93 pts.)
* **2001 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cerequio - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo** The nose had earth, smoke, cherry, and spice. The palate had black currant, cherry, tar, spice, and earth. (90 pts.)
* **2005 Lungarotti Torgiano Rubesco - Italy, Umbria, Torgiano** The nose had blackberry, oak, spice, sage, and rosemary. The palate was soft, and had herbs, blackberry, spice, and oak. (89 pts.)
* **2003 Château Frank Phélan - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe** The nose had burnt wood, cherry, and blackberry. The palate had toasted oak, blackberry, and a cherry finish. (88 pts.)
* **2007 Château la Freynelle - France, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Contrôlée** The nose had citrus, pineapple, and chalk. The palate was crisp, and had stone, citrus, and berry. (88 pts.)
* **2001 Antonio Sanguineti Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino** The nose had coffee, cherry, and tea. The palate was smooth, and had tea, cherry, and coffee. (94 pts.)
* **2005 Château Lascombes - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux** The nose had blueberry, floral notes, blackberry, smoke, and pencil lead. The palate had blackberry, blueberry, graphite, and a floral finish. (94 pts.)