2004 Jean Garaudet Hautes Côtes du Beaune Burgundy

Many of my "loyal" readers don't believe me when I've said that a Burgundy is the same as Pinot Noir. The Burgundy region of France is the home of the Pinot Noir grape (which also serves as a major component of Champagne, by the way). Oregon has become an excellent region for Pinot Noir, but today's wine is a true Burgundy.

The 2004 Jean Garaudet ($25) is a heck of a wine, with a wonderfully earthy smell. The taste is quite complex (a plus in my book) that evolves over time. This is a wine that could be cellared but could be drunk now. I sense a hint of vanilla, strong dark fruits like black cherry, fig and currant. This is a serious wine that I enjoyed quite a lot.