Dark aged ruby. Yum, full nose has medium ripe red fruit, with herb, bell pepper, spice and a tease of vanilla bean. Mid-weight palate follows suit with velvety round fruit that has power and density but deftly balanced with suave resolving tannin. French oak is more prominent in the mouth with some obvious chocolaty barrel spice adding interest. My #1, Group #2.

Light ruby. Nose has plums with some herb, bell pepper and vanilla all lightly lurking below the fruit. On the palate there is nice mellow sweet red fruit and soft/resolving tannin. Good quality but rather foursquare. My #6, Group #4.

Medium ruby. Full, attractive, modern CA cab nose has plum, vanilla bean, subtle mocha and subtle bell pepper. Really delicious palate with a nice one-two punch of power and spice. Some tobacco leaf adds complexity. Tannins are suave and grippy. Medium acidity keeps the wine fresh. Modernly styled but there's good balance and freshness here. My #2, Group #3.

A lot of debate on whether this was an off (stewed/heat damaged bottle) or whether it was just the vintage. I'll wager that it was hurt, but if a properly stored bottle this wine is ~80 points. Nose has stewed roasted red fruit with some out of place vanilla lurking below. Palate follows suit with tired, stewy fruit.

A youthful dark ruby. Full nose is powerful with fresh, jammy red fruit made complex by spice, herb and bell pepper. Terrific fruit density, weight and polish on the palate -- with loads of bell pepper, tobacco, and cigar box making it interesting. In a sweet spot where the fruit is rich but matched with chewy tannin and lively acids. My #3, Group #1.

A lighter translucent ruby. Initially there is a lot of earthy/dusty funk on the nose. Blows off to reveal dried red fruit, cigar box and bell pepper. Palate is nice and more mellow with still sweet red fruit, herby/leafy complexity and some spice. None of the components (fruit, acid, tannin) are particularly high energy or prominent. Nice but my guess this is past peak and on a downslope. My #5, Group #6.

Corked.

Medium dark ruby. Full, rich nose gives a mature/aged impression with dried plum, herbs and tobacco leaf. Palate is medium weight and relatively simple. Nice balance with suave tannin. A bit foursquare relative to the lineup. My #7, Group #5.

Deep dark ruby. Big, full nose is quite un-evolved and brutish with plummy fruit and notions of earth/tobacco. Palate brings the power with richer fruit and grippy tannin. Flavor-wise this is relatively un-evolved. But texturally, I enjoy the power and interplay of fruit, tannin and acid. Well balanced. Fun to drink. My #4, Group #7.