2006 Le Cadeau Pinot Noir Rocheux

($47) Dark red. Perfumed aromas of ripe red berries, cherry, smoky minerals, baking spices, rose and anise. Broad, deeply flavored and intense, offering weighty cherry preserve flavors and building bitter chocolate and spice qualities. For all of its power this is surprisingly balanced, even elegant, and the tannins are completely absorbed by the sweet fruit. Finishes with building tannins and admirable lift and persistence. I'd give this some time in the decanter.

Author: Josh Raynolds

Issue: May/June 2008

A moderately deeply pitched nose of briar, red pinot fruit, wild berries and a touch of warm earth that continues onto the round, rich and attractively supple and textured middle weight flavors that culminate in a sappy and acceptably complex finish that despite the modest reported alcohol level, does display some warmth. Note that this benefitted enormously from 45 minutes of air.

Drink Dates: 2011+

Author: Allen Meadows

Issue: 4th Quarter, 2008