2006 OGIER Syrah "La Rosine" Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes.
Nice purple color in the glass with a ruby rim. Very attractive nose of cracked black pepper and earth. There is juicy blackberry fruit underneath the cracked pepper. Quite light in texture and structure, doesn't seem to have big tannins and may be lacking a bit in acidity. It is very interesting to drink a wine like this, which seems so light and elegant, when you are used to drinking California wines with 2 more points of alcohol. Solid 90 points, as it reflects a style I like (California and Australia drinkers might find it "thin."
2004 Phoenix Ranch Napa Valley Syrah. Directly northeast of Napa City, near Silverado Country Club below the Atlas Peak appellation.
Nose of juicy plum, very lifted and high acidity. Almost liqueurous and sweet nose, despite the modest for Napa 13.8% abv
The palate was surprisingly attractive, considering the nose. worked much better for me. Bigger tannic structure (despite being two years older), which I don't mind at all. Very, very earthy and lean and savory in character...Cathy Corison is the consulting winemaker for this project, and she seems to like higher acidity in her wines. Maybe 88 for the entire package and 90 for the palate At less than $25, not a bad wine at all!
2006 Domaine des Lises Crozes Hermitage. According to the notes, this is a new project from Maxime Gaillard, son of Alain.
This was one of the most aromatic Syrahs I have ever had (until the end of the evening, that is). Amazing nose of black pepper and herbs...it smelled "purple" to me somehow
Palate is light, like the first wine, and all about the pepper, with some blackberry underneath. Very smooth and elegant. Absolutely no alcoholic burn. 91 points-great wine. 2006 Palin Limari Valley Chile.
On the nose, very Rhone-like black pepper, blackberry, and herbs, but also something very odd. Am I sensing eucalyptus because I associate Chilean wines with Eucalyptus mint? Palate is similar, but the 14% alcohol is noticeable here on the tip of the tongue and the back of the throat. Certainly interesting, but perhaps just a bit too strange for me. Reminds me of the time I bought my last weird Chilean wine (Domus Aurae) which I ended up hating. 85 points.
2006 Anthill Frams Syrah "Windsor Oaks Vineyard" Russian River Valley.
Dan nailed it "Nose is dark bberry/cherry liqueur" I don't get the black olive or coffeee he found...to me this smells New World to the max. No pepper or garrigue on the palate-this is all about the blackberry fruit and the alcohol is really noticeable. 83 points-just not my style, no flaws, just not something I enjoy that much.
2006 R Wines Shiraz Ebenezer Barossa Valley. Imported by The Grateful Palate exclusively for the American market.
The nose is actually more Rhone-like than the Anthill Farms. Sadly, this low cost Australian exemplifies, to my unskilled palate, the definition of "Blackberry Oak Shake." Plus, the 15.8% abv burns on the throat. The only wine that was unceremonously dumped in the toss-cup. Bleh. No rating. .
Finally-back of the room bottle 2001 Ogier Cote Rotie
Now THIS is a great Syrah (at more than twice the price of the other wines, I guess it should be
) Nose has the wonderful blast of black pepper, with a delicious underpinning of what I am describing as OREGANO. Very smooth and savory. Palate has black pepper again, blackberry fruit, and that elusive savory herb. This wine has some tannic structure in its youth, but it is nonetheless not closed down in any way. SMOOTH SMOOTH SMOOTH. A big boy, a "black wine." May be one of the top ten Syrahs of my limited experience. 94 points??? Not budgeted for a $75 wine this week, so I hope he doesn't sell it. Still...I would not mind having two bottles of the Des Lises instead!
Gosh...there was one Rutherford producer that was charging $125 for cabernets that I found quite mediocre. Sorry...can't carry wine on my bicycle. 
