When everything tastes real good

I'm in that wonderful period where pretty much anything I open tastes nice to wonderful. Granted these are decent wines, but that's no guarantee of enjoyment. So what have I had?

• Had a going away tasting for a co-worker at work. Now wines at these work "meetings" rarely tastes good because, we don't let the wines breathe and the drinking is rather hurried. But all 3 wines I brought were quite good (for once).

1. Ercavio Roble 2005 Tempranillo Mas Que Vinos (WA 90, WS 84, $9). A great wine, partly because I didn't realize tempranillo could taste so rich. Lots going on besides the friendly fruit. Drinking nicely now. At $9 a steal. My score: 91.
2. Rosenblum 2004 England Shaw Syrah Solano County (WS 92, $28). A big purple fruit bomb with a velvet texture. The tannins were getting under control and the complexity was rising on my last glass. (My stupid coworkers drank way more than I did, leaving me, the provider with not as much as I would have liked). My tentative score: 91.
   
3. Frederic Mabileau 2005 Cab Franc, St. Nicolas de Bourgueil AOC
   "Les Rouilleres" from the Loire (W&S 91, $13) . Took a while to open up, which was tough for my impatient coworkers who kept saying it was young. But a nice acidity with fresh red berries and a gentle woody earth. It was continuing to soften when the bottle finally ran out. Reminded me of a big pinot in some ways. Great with food and possibly cheese. My score: 90 (but if you like this style a 92).
   

• Lehmann 2005 Shiraz Barossa (WS 91, $13). I finally couldn't take it any longer and opened a bottle. Very decent and drinkable with obvious ripe plum and purple berry, though missing the richness and complexity that makes an amazing wine. My wife had no trouble sucking down her share. My score: 89-90.
• Thorn Clarke 2004 Shiraz Shotfire Ridge (WS 91, $16). One of my four pillars of big Aussie Shiraz. A medium bodied balanced wine with moderately strong dark berry fruit and some acidity. A bit of complexity but not much oak or richness. Reminds me of the Jim Barry Lodge Hill 2005 Shiraz. My score: 90.