The 2005 Abbinare is a blend of 45% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, and 11% Malbec, with each varietal sourced from a different vineyard. The wine was aged for 21 months in a mix of new and used French and American oak. Purple-colored, it reveals aromas of cedar, mineral, spice box, red currents, and blackberry. This is followed by a ripe wine layers of spicy fruit, complex flavors, and solid length. It can be enjoyed now and over the next 8 years. —Dr. Jay Miller

If there is a criticism to be made, it is that the blending at :Nota Bene can seem formulaic. Here the 45% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cab Franc and 11% Malbec is very close to the Miscela, simply reversing the percentages of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In terms of flavor they are quite similar, but equally delicious. The fruit is black cherry, raspberry and cassis, with generous mocha and chocolate right up front. The wine gathers strength in the back end, finishing sweet and supple, with a strong licorice streak. -- P.G. (11/1/2008) — Paul Gregutt

The 2005 Ciel du Cheval is 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and 25% Cabernet Franc. It is a bit spicier and more structured, with excellent flavors, good balance, and a pure finish. It will evolve for several years and offer pleasurable drinking from 2012-2020. — Dr. Jay Miller

The blend is 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc. It opens with a lot of caramel and vanilla up front, keeping the black cherry and cassis fruit more towards the back. Streaks of herb, coffee and rock wrap into the finish. Still young and compact, this wine needs much more time to really unwrap itself. -- P.G. (11/1/2008) — Paul Gregutt

The vineyard designates begin with the 2005 Conner Lee Vineyard, a blend of 57% Merlot and 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, which was aged for 21 months in 29% new French oak. Opaque purple-colored, it exhibits a smoky, fragrant perfume with notes of pencil lead, red and black currants, and blackberry. It conceals sufficient structure for another 3-4 years of cellaring. This sweetly fruited, elegant effort will be at its best from 2012-2020. — Dr. Jay Miller

This is 57% Merlot and 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, and it's just this side of voluptuous. Scented with rose petals, violets, chocolate and graphite, it offers generous cranberry and raspberry fruit, svelte and racy. Given the structure and acids, it's got a better than even chance for a long life ahead. -- P.G. (11/1/2008) — Paul Gregutt

The 2005 Miscela was sourced from six vineyards and is composed of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 11 Cabernet Franc, and 11% Malbec. Opaque purple, it offers aromas of wood smoke, pencil lead, and black fruits. Layered, intense and sweetly fruited, this well-balanced effort has excellent flavors leading to a lengthy finish. — Dr. Jay Miller

This is 33% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cab Franc and 11% Malbec. It's a good mix of plush fruits--mostly black--and broad, mocha toast. Relatively soft and approachable, with the structure and build for medium-term aging. There's a powerful, spicy streak of licorice and smoke running through the tannins. -- P.G. (11/1/2008) — Paul Gregutt

Nota Bene's 2005 Syrah contains 25% Grenache in the mix. The Syrah component spent 21 months in 60% new French oak while the Grenache was raised in stainless steel. Purple-colored, it offers up a meaty, gamy, bacon-scented bouquet with leather notes and spicy black cherry. Smooth-textured, ripe, and nicely concentrated, the wine has an easygoing personality that will allow this tasty effort to be consumed now and over the next 6 years. — Dr. Jay Miller

The label says Syrah, but 25 percent of the fruit are grenache grapes grown at the Stone Tree Vineyard in Grant County, Washington. Scents of leather and cherries... — Conde Cox & Jay Miller

This is the first year that Grenache has been used in the blend, and it really juices it up. Packed with fresh raspberries, set up with tart acid, this wine really piles on the red fruit/grape juice flavors. The alcohol (over 15%) is surprisingly high, but it's not hot or jammy, because the acids really cut through. In the mouth the wine delivers a lot of spice, cranberry, plum and light pepper. The tannins are substantial but not intrusive, and show a bit of pencil lead and rock. -- P.G. (11/1/2008) — Paul Gregutt

Firm in texture, with impressive depth to the peppery blackberry and current flavors, featuring and overlay of black olive and earthy mineral character as the finish lingers. Best from 2010 through 2012. 250 cases made. --H.S. — Harvey Steiman

This is a spicy and fragrant red wine, the 63% Grenache dominating the fruit, and the 37% Syrah filling in the back with peppery tannins. At first the flavors are tight and compressed, a mix of blackberry, cherry, plum and more, along with streaks of espresso. As the acids wind their way down the throat, they take on strong citrus flavors of lemon, pineapple and orange peel. -- P.G. (5/1/2008) — Paul Gregutt