Staff Favorites

Here are the [wines](http://www.cellartracker.com/event.asp?iEvent=7417) I tasted today:

* **2006 Eric Kent Wine Cellars Syrah Kalen's Big Boy Blend - USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley** The nose had blackberry, pepper, tar, herbs, and vanilla. The palate had blackberry, raspberry, spice, cedar, pepper, and vanilla. (93 pts.)
* **2004 Domaine de Courbissac Minervois - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Minervois** The nose had rosemary and sage, raspberry, and black currant. The palate was soft, and had spice, herbs, cherry, and raspberry. (90 pts.)
* **2004 Sunset Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Sun Ray Newsom Vineyards - USA, Texas, Texas High Plains** The nose had black currant, plum, spice, and oak. The palate was rich, and had black currant, spice, plum, and oak. (89 pts.)
* **2004 Gianni Paoletti Malbec - USA, California, Napa Valley** The nose had roses, tar, raspberry, and plum. The palate was soft, and had cedar, violets, spice, raspberry, and plum. (89 pts.)
* **2004 Michele Castellani "Seral" Veronese IGT - Italy, Veneto, Veronese IGT** The nose had raspberry, strawberry, and vanilla. The palate was soft, and had spicy oak, raspberry, and strawberry. (87 pts.)
* **2005 Robert Keenan Winery Cabernet Franc Spring Mountain District - USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District** The nose had blueberry, raspberry, mint, spice, floral notes, and oak. The palate was smooth, and had spicy floral notes, raspberry, and blueberry. (93 pts.)
* **2005 Clos Les Lunelles - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Côtes de Castillon** The nose had lots of minerality, along with black currant, raspberry, and floral notes. The palate was rich, and had black currant, stone, black raspberry, and a nice floral finish. (92 pts.)