Important Update From the Founder
Read message >
Pinot Noir at Toulouse
Toulouse Restaurant, Atlanta
Tasted October 21, 2009 by MindMuse with 1,016 views
Introduction
Pinot Noir tasting with Michael G. California appellations with a token Burg and an Oregon.
Flight 1 - Reception (1 note)
Flight 2 - Mixed bag (3 notes)
Red
2007 Castle Rock Pinot Noir Mendocino County
84 points
Big cherry nose w spice. Fairly full bodied, tight.
If you have to have pinot and you only have $10, this is what you should buy.
If you have to have pinot and you only have $10, this is what you should buy.
Red
2007 Calera Pinot Noir Central Coast
86 points
Muted cranberry, wet leaves. Nice grip. A bit short.
This isn't as good as the 2006.
This isn't as good as the 2006.
Red
2004 Jean Noel Gagnard Chassagne-Montrachet L'Estimee
87 points
Some elegance and earthiness. Acidic and a bit too volatile, but I like it, probably because it's the only Burgundy at the tasting.
Flight 3 - Santa Barbera and Anderson Valley (3 notes)
Red
2005 Dominion Tantara Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley
79 points
Dark garnet. Raspberry and cinnamon nose. Huge fruit and huge alcohol with cherry pits. Pinot that's trying to be zinfandel.
There were some who really liked this one, but I only thought it better than the corked bottle.
There were some who really liked this one, but I only thought it better than the corked bottle.
Red
2006 Consilience Pinot Noir
87 points
Light ruby. Strawberry and cocoa nose. Quite dry in character. A bit of earthiness.
Red
2005 Londer Pinot Noir Anderson Valley
89 points
Ruby colored. Cranberry and cola nose. This was elegant and quite pleasant drinking.
Not my favorite but worth a buy rating.
Not my favorite but worth a buy rating.
Flight 4 - Carneros and Russian River Valley (3 notes)
Red
2007 ZD Wines Pinot Noir Carneros
86 points
Dark cherry, cedar plank, and spice aromas. Palate is acidic cherry. Long sweet finish.
It's okay, but one dimensional. The distributor says he finds this wildly inconsistent between bottles (but it sells consistently). Good luck if you own it.
It's okay, but one dimensional. The distributor says he finds this wildly inconsistent between bottles (but it sells consistently). Good luck if you own it.
Red
2007 Cuvaison Pinot Noir Carneros
90 points
Nose of raspberry, high tones of light cinnamon, dried leaves. Med body. In the mouth juicy berries, strawberry, fresh herbs. Long, bright acidic finish.
Red
2006 Dry Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir DCV10
88 points
Pomegranate, herbs, stems, bit of floral notes. On the palate this was too hot. More pomegranate in flavor profile.
This one seemed disjointed to me. I had a harder time with this one than any other wine at the event, and scored it "87-89?". I would give it some time.
This one seemed disjointed to me. I had a harder time with this one than any other wine at the event, and scored it "87-89?". I would give it some time.
Flight 5 - Sonoma Coast (4 notes)
Red
2005 David Bruce Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
87 points
Cherry and cola nose. Some bitter cherry on the palate. Nothing distinctive. 87-88
Red
2007 Landmark Pinot Noir Grand Detour
87 points
My pour of this was just awfully restrained. Maybe light strawberry, but this wasn't giving up much for me.
Red
2006 Zepaltas Pinot Noir La Cruz Vineyard
92 points
This was the best wine of the 16 Pinots of the tasting without question to me. Tilled black earth, dust, crushed herbs, dried strawberries.Alluring, elegant and balanced. Nice! I've never seen this label in our market. Then the distributor tells us he bought it on closeout for $30 at a Kroger. The last two bottles. Kroger, for chrissakes...
Flight 6 - Santa Rita Hills (3 notes)
Red
2007 Kenneth-Crawford Pinot Noir Turner Vineyard
88 points
Spicy oak, vanilla. Red and blue berries. Not integrated - give this one some cellar time. 88-89
Red
2005 Alma Rosa Pinot Noir La Encantada Vineyard
90 points
Red berry, baking spices, tea leaves. Very nice.
I came back for more at end of tasting, but it had warmed up past its sweet spot and didn't tolerate it well.
I came back for more at end of tasting, but it had warmed up past its sweet spot and didn't tolerate it well.
Red
2005 Summerland Pinot Noir Rancho Santa Rosa
89 points
Light strawberry, eucalyptus. On the palate cherry, with racy acidity, a nice stemminess, some caramel. A bit heavy ETOH. 89+.
I know previously this one improved after being opened a while, so giving a + to my 89.
I know previously this one improved after being opened a while, so giving a + to my 89.
Flight 7 - Bonus Round (1 note)
Red
2006 Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Noir Reserve
91 points
Intense and dark with mushrooms, black raspberry, cloves. Big structure, powerful pinot. Great stuff.