ATLANTA OFF-LINE FEATURING OTISABDUL - The High Life Restaurant - Atlanta, GA (5/5/2006)

Otisabdul, representing the CWM, was in town with his wife to attend a wedding of an old band mate and what better reason to have an off-line. Also in attendance was host kybo, and Golf & Pinot Nut with his wife. The wine theme was Pinot Noir and Syrah at The High Life restaurant in Peachtree Corners and with 9 bottles for 6 people, there was plenty to go around - no fear of miniscule 1 oz pours this night. We were even able to share some good wine with the appreciative wait staff who were actually quite perceptive of the wines. We had good service and great food on a terrific late spring day after a light rain shower. Let it also be known that by the end of the evening, we had two die-hard mid-westerner’s fully appreciating sweet, yellow-corn Southern grits. And with no cheese, sugar, shrimp or other toppings - just loads of butter!

Pinot Noir
With appetizers

• 2004 Halleck Pinot Noir Three Sons Cuvee - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
  Decanted 1½ hr’s. My fourth take on this wine over the same number of months and it has yet to disappoint. Notes are consistent with my previous ones. (93 pts.)
  
• 2002 Talley Vineyards Pinot Noir Rincon Vineyard - USA, California, San Luis Obispo County, Arroyo Grande Valley
  No decant. Deep, earthy nose with spices. Dense black cherry, black fruits and earth flavors with notes of herbs and some spice balanced nicely against significant, but soft tannins. Full bodied, yet has a velvet texture yielding great depth. Has a touch of orange rind on the excellent finish. This was still opening up as the evening progressed and should do very well with many more years left in the cellar. (94 pts.)
  
• 2004 Melville Pinot Noir Carrie's - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Rita Hills
  No decant. Dark cherry nose with a touch of earth. Flavors follow through from the aromas with the addition of some nicely layered wild berries, herb spice, a band of vanilla and a touch of oak. Medium body and a lithe texture, this finished a little thin. Comes across very green and tight now, but has great potential with more cellar time. (90 pts.)
  
• 2001 Black Ridge Pinot Noir - New Zealand, South Island, Central Otago
  No decant. Vibrant nose set off with some nice earthy funk. Flavors of sweet black cherry, light spices and mineral notes with a faint hint of orange peel. Medium to light body with very fine tannins and good acidity, but with some holes on the palate. Medium finish. This tasted of promising, but still very young vines. (88 pts.)
  

Syrah/Shiraz
With the main course

• 2003 Margerum M5 - USA, California, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley
  No decant. Wonderfully rich and floral nose. Jammy, youthful, bouquet of flavors of sweet blue and black wild berries, meats, white and black pepper and packed with many other fruits. A deftly balanced blend of syrah, grenache, mourvedre, counoise and cinsaut. Has a fine, smooth texture matched with a long lingering finish. A real treat to drink in its youth and should hold up well for years. The waiter said it would make a great spread for his toast. (92 pts.)
  
• 2003 Martinelli Syrah Zio Tony Ranch - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
  No decant. Sweet, extracted blueberry and red fruits on the nose. A rather striking blueberry attack followed with a nicely bound, deep, dense core of red fruits, cassis, and meats set in a solid oak frame with black berry, black pepper and spice increasing on the long, heady finish. Rich and racy throughout, with supple tannins and light acidity. This should last for years, but can be enjoyed now. (94 pts.)
  
• 2004 Mitolo Shiraz G.A.M. - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
  Decanted 1 ½ hr’s. Blueberry pie nose and eucalyptus flavors more prominent this tasting in contrast to the ’03 Martenelli Zio. A bit closed this time due to less decant time, but otherwise, my notes are consistent with previous ones. (96 pts.)
  
• 1997 Hanna Syrah Bismark Ranch - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
  No decant. Deep blueberry and cassis nose. Intense blueberry and cassis follow through on the flavors with the addition of black berry and some black pepper. A big wine but with a light, smooth texture with little trace of tannins and a terrific, pepper infused finish. Drink now - this is wine is at its peak. (91 pts.)
  

Sweet wine

• 2002 Meßmer Burrweiler Altenforst Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel - Germany, Pfalz
  Clear, light champagne color. White flowers and lemon on the nose. Light, sweet, tart fruit flavors of apricot, grapefruit, almond, and vanilla with a touch of lemon on the finish. Light, nimble texture with low acidity, this is actually a sauternes, right? (89 pts.)
  

A night of excellent wines and plenty to go around, but most importantly, it was a pleasure to meet otisabdul and his lovely wife. A great evening of conversations and so much so that we completely forgot to ask otisabdul to tell us more about their Tour d'Argent experience. The highlight of the evening was, without a doubt, otisabdul singing a song from his earlier days in his band!