"Reserve" wines

Toulouse Restaurant, Atlanta
Tasted Sunday, November 8, 2009 by MindMuse with 784 views

Introduction

Six flights at tasting + more with dinner.

Flight 1 (2 Notes)

Flight 2 (2 Notes)

Flight 3 (3 Notes)

  • 2005 Dry Creek Vineyard The Mariner 89 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

    Big, fruit forward nose. Cassis/raspberry, dust, bell pepper. Short mid palate, a bit edgy.

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  • 2006 Girard Winery Artistry 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    I found this more appealing than when I had about six months ago. Flavors of blueberry and tobacco.

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  • 2000 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Éloge 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Mild cassis, old cigar box, graphite. Polite, integrated in the mouth, soft tannins. For several years out on a not great vintage I found this quite appealing, but probably would not be so without context of food. Wasn't done any favors by placement behind two younger bigger Cali blends. Drink now.

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Flight 4 (3 Notes)

  • 2003 Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot 89 Points

    USA, California, North Coast, Napa / Sonoma

    Big, blackberry pie, plum pudding, and a slight bit of machine oil. Plush palate with baked blackberry pie topped with orange creamsicle, olive, and caramel. It would certainly qualify as tasty, but rather over the top.

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  • 2004 Pine Ridge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    This was a somewhat closed (or else overwhelmed by the Pride preceding it), but nevertheless came across as quite polished and elegant.

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  • 2006 Justin Vineyards & Winery Isosceles 93 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

    Cassis, pencil lead, spice box. Gorgeous on the nose and follows through with sterling definition and intensity. Nervy, vibrant, masterful.

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Flight 5 (3 Notes)

Flight 6 (2 Notes)

  • 2004 Viader V 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    This was really one of the most interesting wines of the night. Neither as dark nor as tannic as I would have expected from a primary petit verdot. Somewhat reticent on the nose, but there's lingonberry sauce, tobacco leaf, some hard mineral quality, some leather. I'd like to have this one again with less palate fatigue to explore some more. Seemed splendid. 91+

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  • 2006 Ramey Syrah Rodgers Creek Vineyard 93 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Initially this was so volatile I thought it might catch on fire. It settled in a bit after a few minutes, at which point it seemed very much as if it had once been on fire and was now the smouldering remains. Exhibited smoky bacon, pepper, charcoal, prune, tar - kind of like a boyscout might smell the morning after a camping trip ( in a good sort of way). I think this syrah could wrestle a grizzly - and I'd want to be there with it. If you have two grizzlies you might want to give it a couple of years. 92-94

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Flight 7 (5 Notes)

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