El Dorado Passport

Just back from our annual El Dorado Passport trip where we visit 12-14 wineries in 2 days and enjoy wine and food pairings. Tonight I'm home again enjoying a David Girard 2006 Syrah which is quite tasty. According to the winery: "Aromas of big, rich raspberries, blackberries and chocolate are accented by smokiness and spice. Flavors of dark cherry and chocolate develop and are framed by fine tannins that take wine through the finish. The Syrah has been aged for 18 months in 30% new French oak. " To me that translate to smooth, full bodied, with not too much tannin. At $32 is it a little out of my normal price range but since our group was buying cases, I got it for $25. Still high, I know but worth it a few times a year.