2005 St Francis Wild Oak Old Vines Zinfandel - I like most St Francis wines, but they do need a bit of time and a bit of air to tame the oak. Once past that point, they seem to settle nicely into balance. This Zin delivered juicy bramble fruit, some leather and some spice with gentle tannins. No discernible heat, despite the 15.5% abv. Used it to wash down a wherever-vore, antibiotic-laced whatever-fed New York strip from Costco.
2006 Sterling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon - I like most Sterling wines too and this '3 county' cuvee was no exception. Typical cab cassis and berries, a hint of vanilla and nice tannic grip. A great foil for bloody prime rib.
2008 Ferrari-Carano Siena - This has become a perennial favorite since my first encounter with it at Busters, a very nice restaurant in Flagstaff AZ. This vintage of the Sangiovese-based blend incorporates some Malbec, although I'd never guess from drinking it. Very typical black cherry, some baking spices and drying tannins. A hearty wine I served with a hearty dish of lamb meatballs in tomato and roasted-red pepper over pasta. Bottled in screwcap with a sensible 13.7% abv.