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Reds Blind
Haslams House
Tasted January 15, 2012 - January 16, 2012 by CWilliam with 361 views
Introduction
Trying to get another ATL tasting group. Got 6 people together and tasted reds blind (other than the wine you brought). No voting on group WOTN but my favorite was the Olga Rafault Chinon (I brought it so I'm sure I'm biased) and followed by the Pine Ridge 2007 Napa Cabernet that was excellent. Most wines were decanted unless otherwise noted. We had a 2009 "Synergy" from the great state of North Carolina but I could not find that in Cellartracker - no reason to search that one out! All ratings are my own and not the groups. The Leviathan was a nice find but it needs to be paired with rich food.
Flight 1 - White starter (1 note)
White
2008 Stonestreet Sauvignon Blanc
90 points
nice bottle - pnp - very smooth, taut acids, medium body (lemon / grass flavor profile) and medium finish - showing no signs of oxidation.
Flight 2 - Reds (6 notes)
Red
2005 Bruno Colin Maranges 1er Cru La Fussière
90 points
Pnp - bright fruit - cherry / tart cherry / raspberry / a touch of green notes on palate & nose. Medium mody, medium+ finish. Needs time.
Red
2005 Olga Raffault Chinon Les Picasses
92 points
Decanted for 1.5 hours before putting back in bottle for tasting. Very complex nose - earth / leather / mineral /black cherry / tea notes - similar palate - medium body & long finish with nice tannic structure. Each time I went back to the glass I picked up a different scent - not a crowd pleaser given fruit is in the background as prior taster noted. Excellent with food. 92-93 range. Will buy more.
Red
2004 Cirrus Syrah
87 points
Guessed a bordeaux blend blind! Tobacco / smoke / blackberry on nose (old world nose) with new world (fruit forward - sweet cherry / vanilla) palate - full body and tannins integrated but clipped finish. 87+/-
Red
2002 Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 4
91 points
Decanted for 30 minutes prior to tasting. Sweet cherry / caramel / dark chocolate on nose & palate. Full body with silky mouthfeel and long finish. Very nice Cab - Guessed Napa Cab but could not nail source - after learning it was from Rutherford I swear I could 'taste" the dust... 91-92.
Red
2007 Pine Ridge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
92 points
Opened, but not decanted, 45 minutes prior to tasting. Vanilla / cassis / blackberry on nose & palate - full body with good mouthfeel - fruit dominant but not over the toop. Long finish. Delicious and would buy given price on wine-searcher.com. 92+ Was able to guess Napa Cab.
Red
2008 Leviathan
92 points
Decanted for 2 hours prior to tasting. Black in the glass. Cherry / sweet cherry / chocholate on nose & palate - Full bodied & dense. Agruably a "fruit-bomb" but it was delicious - went great paired with blue cheese. Reminded me of an Aalto or Clio from Spain. 92+ and would buy this for the right dish (coffee rubbed NY Strip).