86-89 A ripe, fresh and attractively layered nose blends notes of various dark berries and plum with those of discreet violet and oak nuances. There is fine richness, and particularly so for a wine from the Hautes Côtes, to the sleek and appealingly textured middle weight flavors that offer both good depth and persistence on the ever-so-slightly warm finale. This is a quality effort for its level and worth checking out.

• Country: France
• Region: Burgundy
• Appellation: Cote De Nuits
• Sub Appellation: Hautes Cotes De Nuits
• Size: 750ml
• Color: Red
• Alcohol by Vol: 13.0%

Varietal

Pinot Noir

Regularly described as being the grape varietal responsible for producing the world’s most romantic wines, Pinot Noir has long been associated with elegance and a broad range of flavors The name means ‘black pine’ in French, and this is due to the fact that the fruit of this particular varietal is especially dark in color, and hangs in a conical shape, like that of a pine cone. Despite being grown today in almost every wine producing country, Pinot Noir is a notoriously difficult grape variety to cultivate. This is because it is especially susceptible to various forms of mold and mildew, and thrives best in steady, cooler climates. However, the quality of the fruit has ensured that wineries and vintners have persevered with the varietal, and new technologies and methods have overcome many of the problems it presents. Alongside this, the wide popularity and enthusiasm for this grape has ensured it will remain a firm favorite amongst wine drinkers for many years to come.