Beaune Pinot Noir Wine between $25 and $50

First, this is not the same as the regular (and very pleasant) Beaune Premier Cru that Louis Jadot offers in many vintages. It is a unique selection of Jadot's best Beaune climats, vinified to Grand Cru standards, including an extra 6 months of aging in mostly new oak. (Note the names of all the vineyards amidst Bacchus's curly locks.) The wine clearly shows the greatness not only of Jadot's winemaking, but of the 2009 vintage, which has an uncanny combination of delectably forward, seamless Pinot Noir fruit allied to a formidable structure for long aging. The wine opens with a stunning bouquet of fresh bing cherries, suffused with gentle notes of vanilla from aging in new oak barrels. On the palate, the bold, pure, indelibly seamless Pinot Noir fruit is framed by a wonderful backbone of abundant, silky tannins. Crisp acidity keeps the finish reassuringly dry, with just the right amount of tautness over the deep red fruit to make you desperate for the next sip. They say this wine can last 30 years and I don't doubt it, but I'm going to have a hard time keeping my hands off it from the day it arrives.
-- Ben Giliberti, CW Director of Wine Education