If only we could buy pinot noir from Oregon this good for such an amazing price. Instead we have to go halfway around the globe <sigh>. This is such a treat for all of you/us who think that true, character-filled, complex, and elegantly made red Burgundy is out of reach price-wise. One sniff and you know this is pinot noir that can come from only one place. Pure, very pretty aromas of strawberry, exotic spice, earth, and flowers flow beautifully from the glass. On the palate these same sensations hit you, amplified by slight notes of fennel and bittersweet cocoa and a superb fruit/tannin/avid balance. Velvety smooth, with a beguiling finish, this is drinking wonderfully right now and should only get better over the next 3-5 years. Domaine Pillot is one of the finest producers in the Mercurey appellation in southern Burgundy. One sniff and swallow of this gorgeous pinot noir and you’ll know why. Plus this price, especially when compared to what one pays for Oregon pinot of similar…or lesser…quality (think $10-$40 more), is near unbelievable!