Pax Wine Cellars-Cuvee Moriah-Grenache-Mourvedre-Syrah-Counoise-Sonoma County-California-2007-15.34% Alcohol-$27.44-A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark garnet in color.  A medium to full bodied Rhone blend, with cherry, raspberry,  licorice, mineral and spice on finish,  not as complex or bold as the higher end Pax wines.               RP-90              WS-90            CR-89               Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

Swanson Vineyards-Merlot-Oakville-Napa Valley-California-2007-14.8% Alcohol-$22.99-A nose of black cherry and spice, dark garnet in color.   A medium to full bodied Merlot, with black cherry, raspberry, currants and licorice, has a bit of heat, good but not as great as the 2005 vintage, WE was a bit off on rating .             RP-87            WS-87             WE-94           CR-88              Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

Medium-bodied with ripe cherry fruit. Good acidity and earthy, savory herbslast bottle very well. Calmed down a but, the oak is integrating a bit, and the fruit is flowering, so to speak. Red fruit and spice, some vanilla, chocolate notes, a very creamy mouth feel and a moderate to long finish. Dark in color but not quite as inky as the Pax syrahs.