2003 McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon, Hunter. 2003 Craigow Riesling, Tasmania. 2006 Clarendon Hills Astralis Vineyard Shiraz (Syrah), McLaren Vale. 1996 Clarendon Hills Astralis Vineyard Shiraz (Syrah), McLaren Vale. 2003 Tempus Two Copper Zenith Semillon, Hunter. Day One. Australia’s Fine Wine.

Another blend from Il Borro of 75% Syrah and 25% Sangiovese reflects a subtle nose of red cherries, currants and leather, with hints of vanilla and a finish of spices, namely cinnamon and cloves. ??The Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino 2003 ??Castiglion Flavors of pear and vanilla balanced with nice acidity.??

The 2003 is drinking great, the 2004 is delicious and the just released 2005 is gorgeous.  And two wines in their appellation series that are of interest are the Carmel "old vine" Carignan & the Carmel Petit Sirah.  Those are: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot & Malbec. Also from Galil Mt.

Their 2004 cabernet which is actually a Bordeaux blend of 76% Cabernet, 18% merlot, 4% Petit Verdot & 2% cab franc. Although Ridge is known for their Zins they do make other very fine wines and we were started off with a Chardonnay and finished with a Cab/Merlot blend and finally a Petit Syrah. Serious pretension.

The wines that stood out though were their Syrahs. enjoyed the 2003 Havens Syrah but mentioned to Connie that I thought the nose was a little closed. She proceeded to open a 2000 Syrah that they recently re-released and it was great. Upon arriving we started with a very nice rose' made from Zin with a little Syrah.

Merlot, Cab, Syrah - been there done that. lighter wine than a Cab, merlot or Syrah, Barbera is said to be the most (or second most) planter varietal in Italy. No, not the Petit Sirah/Zin blend - another people know is a favorite of mine. The 2003 Chateau Fourcas Doupre Bordeaux had a very interesting and unusual nose.

And finally the Peay 2005 "La Bruma" Estate Syrah, which I was told came from a very cool Syrah site, was also not a fruit bomb like some of the other Syrah's I tried. The 2003 "1er Etage" Cab Franc was blended with 2% Petit Verdot and had very subtle green notes but was was nice as well. Great stuff.

Well ladies and gentlemen, the results are in. will be copying a list of wines & their scores from Israeli Wine Critic Daniel Rogov's "Wine & Food Forum".  I am waiting for my physical copy of the issue to arrive before I comment specifically.  More comments later.  Without further ado, the scores.

Probably because Cabernet based wines and Syrahs are not my passion. hope she'll let me slide with my blend of 48% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Franc, and then Cabernet Sauvignon and petit Verdot making up the balance. 2003 Mark Ryan Long Haul , $33 (Avalon Wines). Hard to believe it's already Wine Blogging Wednesday time again.