Managed to get in some excellent eats and drinks while in Atlanta last week, as well as an off-liner w/Dogue de Bordeaux. All wines were purchased at restaurants. I'll keep it SAS.

'96 Pride CS - Deep, clear violet w/tons of legs. Huge nose of currant, blackberry, cedar. Flavors match the nose, deep and rich, with a super-long finish, incredible balance. Surprisingly mid-weight body belies a powerful and graceful wine. 93 pts., $42 (yes, $42!).

'94 Sebastiani 'Cherry Block' Old Vines CS - Again, deeply violet in color, lots of legs. Aromas of tart plum and smoky cedar, this wine needed more aeration time than I anticipated. Tart plum and cherry flavors mellowed out over two hours, dusty tannin and cedar marked the mid-length finish. Still some time left in the bottle, I think. 91 pts., $46.

'00 Darioush Viognier - Exceedingly clear, pale yellow wine. Light, floral nose of honeysuckle and pear. Delicate pear, white peach, and spice flavor notes and a long, fine finish. 91 pts., $65.

'99 Terrazzas Reserve Malbec Mendoza - Deep ruby color, very clear w/a touch of sediment. Aromas of smoke, cigar box, and dark plums. Flavors of black plums, currant, and spicy oak, w/fine tannins and a long finish. Very nice Malbec for the money - $45, 91 pts.

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If you get to Atlanta and want an elegantly prepared and served meal, and don't mind searching a 'loaded' 400+ label wine list that is priced 50-60% less than any other restaurant I've ever witnessed, then you must try G. W. Janousek's in Peachtree Corners (North of the perimeter between P-tree Parkway and P-tree Ind. Blvd.) The only word I can use to describe this place is UNBELIEVABLE. See for yourself, if you can.

...hey, chief - you gonna finish that bottle?

Kybo,

That restaurant you mentioned certainly seems to be one to seek out. I know it is short notice, but are you and the misses busy tonight?

IW

Life without wine?...... Yeah Right.<br /><br />I believe we have 2 lives; the life we learn with and the life we live with after that.

I had the pleasure of sharing the bottle of '94 Sebastiani 'Cherryblock' CS with Kybo:

A bit reticent on the nose at first, I got aromas of plum, cherry and currant. In the mouth, cherry, currant and a touch of earthiness (must be those dusty tannins Kybo!). I was a bit disappointed in the finish which was shorter than I would have liked.

A nice wine that went well with garlic roasted duck breast in a cherry sauce and pretty well with pork tenderloin in a portabello mushroom sauce. I'd go 90-91 points.

And let me second the emotion on Janousek's! Some of you better make it there before Kybo and I clean out all the treasures. Not only is the wine list from another planet, but the owner and staff are definitely wine people.